A Vintage Blonde

Apr 30

Apr 30 An Artsy & Retro Travel Guide: Fort Lauderdale & Miami

When my friend Kate reached out asking if I’d be interested in going to Miami in late March, I jumped at the opportunity. The winter had seemed to stretch on and we both were getting over having COVID. We quickly started to build an iternary full of adventure, art, relaxation and beauty.

We utilized the app Wanderlog to organize our trip and the “Experiences” portion of AirBnB to do activities that were outside the box.

We arrived in Fort Lauderdale. Coming from Connecticut I’m use to the sweet, nautical aesthetic of shoreline New England and fell in love with the vibrant, colorful landscapes and street art of Florida. Our first planned visit was to The Bonnet House Museum & Gardens.

The Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

They call it a slice of Bohemian Florida history and once you start walking toward the property, you can clearly see why.

We opted to do a self guided tour but they suggest you watch a quick video of the history of the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. This historic and vibrant estate and museum features artistic whimsy, ecology, unique and thoughtful architecture and bright colors that are synonymous with South Florida. Built in 1920 in Fort Lauderdale as a winter retreat for the Birch/Bartlett family it became a full-fledged labor of love, art and environment. It showcases the natural beauty of South Florida and the ecology around it.

Plan a Pretty Beach Picnic

As I mentioned in the beginning, Kate and I utilized AirBnB experiences to come up with ideas outside the box that were creative and fun. We saw a beach picnic dinner and signed up for it. I will skip all the hilarious details, but it was incredibly underwhelming. The only thing we both took from it was a ton of laughter and a story to tell for ages. We did decide that planning a beach picnic on your own could be incredibly fun and more affordable. Here’s some photos and ideas for a beach picnic.

There’s so many choices depending on how festive or large your picnic will be. There’s many rental companies now that specialize in luxury picnics but for this blog piece I’m focusing on a DIY beach picnic.

Umbrellas and or teepees. This is a great way not only way to protect for the beating sun but also from wind and the sand coming up from said wind! There’s many decorative summer umbrellas to chose from choosing a theme will help narrow down color choices and patterns.
Floor pillows - Floor pillows will absolutely set the mood and let you get comfortable. Sure, it’s aesthetically pleasing but also super comfy too!0
Foldable table(s) - This is perfect to set up and break down!
Extra Large Charcuterie Board - Whether you use it for charcuterie or something else, this will come in handy to display your food
Picnic Basket - Perfect to transport all your dishware and flatware
Soft blankets. Perfect to cuddle up with and keep yourself warm!
Letterboards, candles, games, white lights, side tables, long vases and floral arrangements. Make it as flowy, feminine, romantic as you want and have fun with it!

Photo Shoot

Kate has never done a photo shoot and we wanted to document our travels with a professional photoshoot. I did a lot of research to find the right photographer and came across a married couple, Jose and Cynthia who offer up photo sessions on AirBnB experiences. They have 5 star reviews and offer their sessions throughout places in Miami. I chose the retro architecture of Ocean Drive and the iconic South Beach for our session. They were incredibly friendly, fun and knowledgeable about the area. We both had a great time and have photos to look back on in this moment in time, enjoying the gorgeous weather in South Beach.

Wynwood Walls & Art District

If you are looking for art, inspiration, street murals, local art and crafts and terrific food and coffee look no further than Wynwood. It’s so full of vibrant street murals, jewelry stands and is home to the iconic Wynwood Walls which features revolving artists and their showcase of evocative murals. The whole area is such a splash of color and creativity. This has been my third time there and I love soaking in the gorgeous art, the unique local restaurants and shops and checking out the artisans and designers.

The Alchemist Coffee and Slicers

Wilton Manors, FL - The Alchemist is located in what appears to be a cool, colorful junkyard. Fresh coffee and healthy food is served in a gated artist’s community. Within the community, there’s other little taco shops, restaurants, cafes and tranquil gardens. It was so full of art, great food and a heartfelt tribute to the victims of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.

There’s so many bright, vibrant, retro spaces & places in Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Here’s a couple other places we checked out. If I missed anything, please be sure to drop your suggestions down below: