women News: I'm an NYC-Based Editor Who Just Got Back From Miami

This has been a big travel year for me. At the beginning of every year, like many others, I make a list of resolutions, but I also make a mood board every New Year's Eve of things I want to manifest in my life. You may have guessed where this is going, but yes, there were a plethora of images revolving around traveling to places I've never been before.

It's safe to say that my mood-board manifesting has come to fruition, as I've taken trips to Los Angeles and Tulum and have upcoming trips to London, Italy, and Portugal on the horizon. My most recent escape from New York City was to Miami to celebrate two of my best friends' birthdays. This is not the first time I've been to Miami, but if I'm being honest, I dropped the ball when it came to outfits on my last trip to the city. During this trip, I was determined to redeem myself from my fashion mistakes of the past and raise the bar for all future trips. I took things to the next level, and I even made a Powerpoint to plan out which look I would be wearing on which days of the trip and which looks were most appropriate for the plans we'd made. Not to toot my own horn, but my hard work definitely paid off. I'm pretty sure this was my best dressed trip.

I'm sure the suspense has you on the edge of your seat, but don't worry. Keep scrolling to see all of my Miami looks and some other items that almost made their way into my suitcase.

This Cult Gaia dress had been on my mind for weeks before I got my hands on it. I am a huge Cult Gaia fan and personally feel like the brand has some of the best resortwear in the game, so when I'm planning any sort of tropical or beach trip, it's at the top of my list. I wanted to add something fun and colorful to this look since I feel like that's the way to go when in Miami, so I added this neon Bottega Veneta mini bag that I got from bag-rental service Vivrelle. This look was probably my favorite. I felt so confident and loved the sexiness of the cutouts. 1 Hotel South Beach was filled with amazing picture spots, and I think it was my favorite of all the hotels I visited on my trip.

When it's a night out, I always go for a minidress. I've seen so many of my favorite girls sport this Danielle Giuzio leopard mini, so I thought it was my turn. I got so many compliments not only on this dress but also on how I styled it with this pink Jacquemus bag and these Schutz platform heels. The fabric of this dress is very mesh-like, so it was great to wear on a warm evening. I have to admit I love a leopard-print moment, so this dress gets a 10/10 from me.

I don't play when it comes to my swim looks, and I'm a huge Monday Swimwear lover. I have worn the brand's swimsuits in Tulum and now in Miami, and as I've mentioned before, I'm a leopard fan. This Alexis two-piece wasn't intended to be a swim cover-up, but I loved the mixing of patterns with the fun print of the set and the leopard-print bikini. If you know me, you know I bring a cowgirl hat with me anytime a beach is involved, and Nikki Beach was no exception. These Bottega shades are also very me.

One thing about me is I'm not afraid to stand out, and my wardrobe reflects that. This Kim Shui maxi dress had a hem all the way up the leg and is colorful lace fabric. Trust me—it's a guaranteed head turner. Swan in Miami is a restaurant/nightclub owned by Pharrell Williams and David Grutman that is located right in the heart of the design district. The vibes there are elevated and cool and definitely get you ready for a fun night out. I mean, can you name a better place for this dress?

When I say I love a yellow bikini, I mean I love a yellow bikini. Melissa Odabash is my go to when I want swimwear that not only looks great but also feels like a luxury swimsuit. I paired this bright bikini with these sporty Oakleys for more of a cool-girl aesthetic, and I'm into it.

I may be late to the game when it comes to trying the brand Poster Girl, but better late than never. I have been really into neon green lately, and I thought this dress was perfect for me to get my fix. This dress is one-size-fits-all, and it's more like a second layer of skin—that's how tight it is. After trying this out, I'm seeing more Poster Girl dresses in my future.

Here's another Monday Swimwear look. I've got to say this one-piece suit is so chic, and the fabric feels so high quality. I posted this look on my Instagram, and so many people asked me where I got it and how they can get their hands on it. I also wore the matching sarong, and I recommend getting that as well.

I've never tried the brand Miaou, and after wearing this dress, I'm a customer for life. This dress had corseting in it, which made the look extra sleek, and this print is the perfect "daytime in the summer" pattern. Of course, I couldn't go to Miami and not have a Versace moment, so these sunglasses were a must-bring. Kiki on the River was a great Mediterranean spot right along the Miami River with a list of cocktails that would make your mouth water. I definitely recommend stopping by there if you're in the city.

I've mentioned that I'm not afraid to stand out, and this Victor Glemaud dress is a statement dress by definition. The fabric is a knit, but I definitely didn't feel too warm or like I was wearing a sweaterdress. This is a dress I wouldn't necessarily not wear in NYC, but to me, it just screamed Miami. This Chanel bag from Vivrelle was really the cherry on top. (If you haven't given Vivrelle a shot and love a good designer handbag as much as I do, you're missing out.) Mila is a rooftop bar and an Asian fusion restaurant with low lighting, fire dancers, and amazing lychee martinis. It's another spot you're definitely going to want to add to your list when planning your next MIA vacation.