This post doesn’t have much to do with style + clothes.
But it has everything to do with why I’m drawn to a minimalist lifestyle. It can be summed up in four little words:
Own less + travel more.
So last week we went to Miami + bummed it on the beach for a few blissful, restful days.
We spent just about every morning on the beach. Reading. Listening to the waves. Playing. Napping.
And we even went night swimming! — and promptly started trying to freak each other out with statements such as, “I bet sharks come out at night.” “Sharks secretly hunt people when it’s dark out.” “I think I just felt a shark brushing past my leg!!”
And we scrambled out of the ocean like 30 seconds later.
But it was fun while it lasted.
We stayed at The Raleigh hotel — which was pure awesome.
We ducked into a few other hotels nearby to check out the design + architecture, but most were so perfectly polished that they felt a little … sterile. The Raleigh had a pinch of extra quirkiness to make it feel authentic. We felt like we were living in a Wes Anderson movie.
This was not a see and do trip. It was a relax trip, through and through. So instead of getting out a ton, we ate at the hotel restaurant — Restaurant Michael Schwartz — at least once or twice a day. And it was delish — best fish tacos ever.
Oh, and that pool? Yeah, it was as heavenly as you’re imagining.
However, we did venture out a few times for some grub. Here are some of our favorites in no particular order:
Orange Blossom | Pictured below, top right. Within walking distance from The Raleigh. Small place with a friendly + cool vibe.
Yardbird Southern Table + Bar | Nestled in a cute neighborhood — check out Circle Art At Home across the street for mid-century furnishings. Order the chicken + waffles + watermelon. Prepare to have your life changed forever.
Juvia | Fun place to get fancy! Skyline views. In-house DJ mixing mellow fashion runway music. A little pretentious, but I was one (or two?) drinks in + enamored with my adorable husband, so I didn’t care in the slightest. Go just as the sun is setting.
Cecconi’s at the Soho Beach House | Pictured below, bottom left. Magical spot for dinner with twinkle lights in the trees. Make sure to poke your head behind the bar to get a peek at the modern pool.
The Social Club at the Surfcomber | Pictured below, bottom right. Steps away from The Raleigh. Giant upholstered sofas. Artistic vibe. Really good food.
Outfit pictures, you say?
Unfortunately, we didn’t take many. Most of the time, we were in our swim suits. But we did dress up a couple of times, as evidenced below.
(Getting to rock that fringe dress made me realize that I need more excuses to dress up in my life.)
I’ve been seeing this quote all over Pinterest lately, but I can’t help but share it again. For me, it sums up our trip beautifully.
Once she stopped rushing through life, she was amazed how much more life she had time for. –Amy Rubin Flett
oh i just loved this travel recap! everything about it was true to “caroline joy form”: simple, elegant, easy, fun, and always with grace. the raleigh totally *sounds* like a wes anderson movie and all the pictures are fabulous. i particularly like the one with you strutting your stuff in the fringe dress.
Looks like it was an amazing trip! I definitely agree- “own less + travel more” might become my new mantra.
xo Julie
Hello. I am new to your blog (via Hey Natalie Jean) and I am in love with this strategy you are using. I have a small…ah…shopping problem when it comes to clothes. Yet, I never seem to have anything to wear. Same is true for my children’s clothes. I get them TONS but nothing to wear. What I love about what you have done is not take the fun out of clothes, but give me structure to make dressing fun again (not just an endless search for more stuff). I really appreciate the worksheets you created. Thank you. I am not sure without that tool I would be able to implement this in my own life. P.S., your style is great. I am a Madewell girl myself. I look forward to your fall journey. I am off to start with my own closet this weekend.
I like this change up! I’ve been reading a lot into minimalism lately so this post was inspiring.
Last year my husband and I bought our first home. 2000 sq ft and I don’t want to say I have buyer’s remorse but I can’t help but think..why do we need all this space? We don’t. However, we are tied into the mortgage for another 3 and a half years but I’ve been dreaming of downsizing and living a more simple life. Less stuff, more adventuring.
Looks like you guys had an amazing trip, thanks for sharing with us!
Awesome! Our family has been through 2 parents being diagnosed with colon cancer, death of an uncle and a few other emergencies recently. I couldn’t agree with the bottom quote more!
It may sound facile but the whole capsule thing really helped a lot with travel back and forth to help out with these emergencies- I go away soon again knowing my fall capsule is ready as I even kind of planned it a little earlier. Glad I did. I’m saving money for just the kind of thing you showed us in Miami. Honestly, on top of it all, I feel I’m looking better and this has amped my confidence, which, in rough times, is a great thing. Thank you.
so addicted to your blog! I’m in the process of creating my fall capsule right now.
One question, I would LOVE to see a post about how accessories can change up a look. That is something I’ve noticed is critical for this kind of project, yet I have a hard time figuring it out!
Thanks again for the inspiration and letting us peek into your life!
I’m new to your blog and loving it! I may have just missed this but I didn’t see the fringe dress in your summer capsule. Do you have pieces for special occasions that you don’t include in your capsule but pull out when needed?
Never mind. I found your answer in your packing entry. Special occasion wear would make an interesting blog post someday. :)
The quote is by a Canadian artist – Amy Rubin Flett – who lives in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Thanks for the source, Raina! xoxo Caroline
Love this post Caroline. I now realise this is my goal too (lightbulb moment) – own less, travel (=adventures) more. The more I purge (slowly, but am now up to 8 months of offloading clothing), the easier and simpler home life becomes, creating more space for outings and adventures. With less stuff, there’s less mess and less to pack away (even when life gets busy). I too have seen that quote doing the Pinterest rounds and it’s fast becoming a motto. Keep inspiring the simple life! Love it! xo
thank you for sharing this. I love the wardrobe you assembled for this trip, it seemed so light and multi-functional. this is really how good design should work – relaxed but always elegant.
If I ever go to Miami again (I was there once, many years ago) I’ll know which hotel to stay at, dear Caroline..the Raleigh looks fab!! Honestly, though, I’m less and less inclined to travel; I love the comfort of our cozy little 750 sq.ft. condo that my hubby and I renovated into our dream home!! It’s small, but fewer bathrooms to clean and no lawn to mow means more time for R&R on an everyday basis!!
http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.blogspot.com
Hi there. I am going to Mauritius in Feb for 10 days with my hubby – and I don’t have a clue what to pack since I’ve just cleared out my cupboard after having the boys. Your suggestion here is great – but what did you fly in? I also feel a bit nervous going away for 10 days without my beloved jeans and maybe a cardigan or something warm… you know… those what if situations? I love the idea – but the thought of travelling with so little clothing makes me VERY nervous!