Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

Great Escape

What:

A quick trip to Tulum; where the water is the color of turquoise, the food is the stuff a New Mexican girl’s dreams are made of and the atmosphere is tropical heaven with a side of incredible hospitality. Oh, and there’s just enough internet to allow a modern day woman to rest, relax and sip on a margarita or two.

Why:

After spending some quality time in France, who knew I needed another getaway? Apparently, I DID. If you’ve ever been to Europe you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s not a place you go to rest, per se; it’s about exploring, discovering, going off-the-beaten-path, eating, drinking and sightseeing until you can’t anymore. I know, I know, I sound crazy, but if you’re like me, when all is said and done, sometimes you need a vacation from your vacation — which is exactly how I ended up making my “Great Escape” to Mexico.

More specifically, the El Dorado Spa & Resort, which happens to be one of the crown jewels of Tulum. It’s not just awe-inspiring, snuggled into the lush greenery of Quintana Roo, it’s also perfectly perched alongside a long stretch of sandy white beaches. If I were Jimmy Buffett, I’d write a song about it called “Lazy Days, Sexy Nights.” The lyrics would go something like this: “A drink in my left hand/one in my right/a white trimmed cabana/hugging me tight/Guess I found happiness/cuz I’m feeling alright/It’s just one of those Lazy Days/Sexy Nights.” Don’t worry, I won’t quit my day job. 😂

The best part of my “Great Escape” — besides the dreamy company —was my hotel balcony, which happened to be a private infinity pool. Yes, I said my balcony was an infinity pool. Oh wait, I enjoyed the swim-up bar, too. That was in the main area of the resort, where frozen Pina Coladas come out of the blender so fast & so frothy, you’ll think you’ve died and gone to happy hour heaven, every hour of every day. Then again, I’m a big foodie and with so many mouthwatering options, I had to strategically map out my menus from meal to meal: Mexican, Italian, Asian, seafood — so many restaurants, so little time.

In full disclosure, I’ve never been big on all-inclusive resorts. I just don’t like crowds or waiting in line. Plus, feeling special when I’m on vacation is a must (because like most people, I work hard and relish my time off,) but El Dorado isn’t just any ol’ place. It’s a sophisticated tropical escape where your every whim is indulged, you’re waited on hand and foot and the biggest challenge of the day is deciding what to eat and drink #OrderOfLobster by the pool, please. I’ll take fries with that and a margarita on the rocks.

Speaking of those aforementioned lines, there were none. In fact, sometimes I felt like I was on my own private island and it doesn’t get much better than that. Sigh. The only BAD part of my “Great Escape” was it ended way too soon. So, here I am, daydreaming of another stay at El Dorado. Next time, though, I’m hoping to stay in one of their beautiful over-the-water bungalows because the only thing better than swimming with the fishies is sleeping close to them, too — that’s why vacationing in Mexico is one of my Favorite Things.

Where:

El Dorado Royale Riviera Maya
IG: @eldoradoresorts #karismaexperience
www.eldoradosparesorts.com

When:

The best time to travel to Mexico is November through March. I went off-season for a special celebration, but tracking the tropics is stressful and trip insurance is a MUST during hurricane season.

We travel
not to escape life,
but for life not to
escape us.Anonymous
James Woodley Photography
Bathing Suits: @jcrew, Monokini: @Montce_swim
Jewery: @handmademiamibeach, @lexijewlery, @liliandcar
Scarves: @camarrero,
Large sunhat: @asos, the rest are from: @SanDiegoHatCompany
Cover-up’s: @bohemeboutique, @vchicstore, @camarrero
Digital Editor: Jessie Neft-Swinger
Editor: Matthew “Oh, Mexico” Auerbach

Music & Manicures

Music & Manicures: Get Nailed Bar

Music & Manicures: Get Nailed Bar

What:

“Get Nailed” at the hippest new salon in the Magic City.

Why:

When I first heard my good friend, Michelle Pooch, was opening a cool new business in Wynwood, I knew it was going to be special — because she is. I’ve known Michelle for years; in fact, when I first moved to Miami, she was one of my biggest cheerleaders, asking me to host charity events she was involved in or inviting me to fabulous parties she was promoting.

Back in the day, Michelle was always flanked by the rich and famous, but she was the one who stood out. So it didn’t surprise me when I heard she’d been cast on VH1’s, “Love & Hip Hop: Miami”— a reality show about all things Miami; mainly, its fabulous music scene. Her success, though, doesn’t stop there. Michelle’s just added #BossBabe to her already impressive resume.

Combining her world-renowned deejaying skills, party acumen and savvy television personality, she’s opened “Get Nailed Bar” — a full-service nail salon seamlessly mixing “Music & Manicures” #SignMeUp! The funky little space, located in Wynwood, feels like New York City on the outside, but on the inside, it screams MIAMI. With glamorous artwork, a cocktail area, a “Love & Flip Flop” bar & a cool little corner where Michelle can spin her tunes, you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled onto the best-kept secret in the city (at least, for now.) When I went last week to “Get Nailed,” I was completely enamored with my posh pampering experience.

~Translation~

Good-byeeeeee, elevator music and stank eye from your conservative nail neighbor (especially if you’re on your iPhone) and HELLLoooo, energetic tunes, music videos and vixen-style nail art. From the manicure/pedicure menu you can choose from saucy services like The Mary J, The Mona or The Pippen Pedi. You can even customize with add-on’s like The Britney Bitch (nail art), The Mariah (glitter application), The Cardi B (drippin’ in dippin’ powder) and so on. There’s even a thousand dollar “Queen Bey — The Gold Record Edition,” featuring 24K exfoliation & nail polish. Believe you me, I thought about it, but the Deco Drive credit card doesn’t have that kind of limit. Instead…

The lovely, Annick (@glamdbyannick on IG, check her out, she’s amaze,) cleaned up my cuticles and carefully crafted my fingertips into complete fabulosity, all while sipping on a cocktail. (Me, not her. Lol. 😂) With help from Michelle, I decided on “The Mary J” with a “Trina Rockstar” add-on (which means custom crystals on my ring fingers.) After the digit-dust settled, I squealed like a school girl and Annick and I hit up social media to show off her artistry — fuzzy white hand prop and all.

Getting your nails “did” in the Magic City is easy; there’s practically a salon on every corner. But having an experience that energizes you and breathes new life into your beauty routine is something Michelle not only believes in, she does it for herself, too and now, I totally get why. “Music & Manicures” doesn’t just match my Miami lifestyle, it elevates my entire fashion game and that’s why it’s one of my Favorite Things. 💫

Where:

Get Nailed Bar
2328 NE 2nd Ave. m
Miami, Florida 33137
786-431-5924

Book an appointment here:
https://go.booker.com/#/location/GetNailedBar/service-menu

When:

Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm
Sunday 12-6pm

Be Social:
IG: @getnailedbar
FB: @getnailedwynwood
www.getnailedbar.com

Nails — one thing you can get into shape without exercise.anonymous
James Woodley Photography
Manicure by Get Nailed Miami
white suit: @touchdolls
purse: @katespadeny
purse scarf: @camarrero
Hair & Make-up: Odett Hernandez
Digital Editor: Jessie Neft-Swinger
Editor: Matthew “Cuticle Cutie” Auerbach