CrysGarris*

Showing posts with label florida. Show all posts

Yacht Day - Tampa/St. Pete

I snuck out during the pandemic for a little bit, but only to visit my close sister/cousin for her birthday! We practiced safety guidelines and were tested so everything was all good! We booked a small yacht with Anchor Rides - Tampa Bay and had a great time! I think we should make it an annual thing. There’s no love like family love.

(P.S. That quarantine had me nice and thick, baby!)

Xo,

Crys

Miami 2020

At the beginning of what we now know as the Covid 19 pandemic, things in the world started to change rapidly and my anxiety took a turn for the worse. I decided that I needed an escape and booked myself a flight to Miami, Florida.

Dress: Boohoo, Shoes: Louboutin Fossiliza

I stayed at the W downtown because I was only going for a quick overnight trip. The location is close to restaurants, museums and anything else I’d need. That includes the Icon Brickell Spa: the most gorgeous spa I’ve had the pleasure of laying my eyes on so far. It was absolutely fantastic!

I was pretty tired after flying from New York and checking in to the hotel, so I decided to have a quick dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, Addikt. The view was gorgeous, the air was warm but breezy, the music was bumping and the food was delicious! I made a new friend from the UK and we had a really good time. They invited me to hang out, but I was so tired I just went to bed; I had an early spa day planned anyway.

You know you’re having a great time if you go to the gym on a quick getaway. I woke up so refreshed and energized but I was too early for the spa. The gym was right next to the spa and had a gorgeous view so I figured it can’t hurt. (I should’ve been consistent in the gym years ago but, whatever.)

When I finished, I went back to my room, showered, drank a post-workout smoothie and went on my fabulous way to be pampered.

Bikini: Ebay

What. A. BEAUTY!!!! I couldn’t believe my eyes. I had seen photos before, they don’t do this place justice. The ambiance was so calming as soon as I walked in the door, and once I went in the locker room, forget it. I cancelled all other plans and spent my day relaxing around in the sauna, and exploring various temperature pools and jacuzzis. I was the only person in there for a while but even when other people came, I still felt (and had a photo shoot) like I was there alone; It was THAT peaceful. The attendants were very helpful and kind, Jessica even helped me get some bomb pictures!

Before I knew it, it was time to go catch my flight back home, I thought of extending my stay but previous commitments prevented me from doing so.

It was a super short trip but as I always say, everything happens for a reason. A few hours after I landed in NYC, the country was shutting down and flights canceled. As beautiful as Miami is, I wouldn’t have wanted to be stuck there.

I can’t wait to go back and I can absolutely see myself being a regular at this hotel. Shoutout to the W! Everything a classy and fabulous woman like myself can ask for.

Outfit: Mall Boutique, Sunnies: Tom Ford

Til next time. xo,

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter @ Universal Orlando Resort

I WENT TO HOGWARTS FOR MY BIRTHDAY!!! :D

Yes! I'm a "Potterhead" and I'm not sorry! That being said, the opportunity presented itself to take a last minute trip to Universal Orlando Resort for my birthday and I LEAPED.

To experience the entire Harry Potter World, including riding the Hogwarts Express, you need to visit both parks. I started in the Universal Studios Florida park, which hosts "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter- Diagon Alley."

Diagon Alley is everything you could imagine it would be: Gringott's Bank, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, The Leaky Cauldron and so much more. I was in heaven, okay!

I headed over to Ollivander's for my (interactive) wand; they have the wands of all the main characters throughout the series. I chose Hermoine's wand then ran across to Madam Malkin's Robes for all occassions where I realized, although I chose Gryffindor, I belong in Slytherin house.

After casting a few spells around Diagon Alley, I grabbed a Butterbeer, then headed to Kings Cross Station to ride the Hogwarts Express. "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter- Hogsmeade" is in the Universal Studios Islands of Adventures park.

Using your park-to-park ticket, you ride the train and have the same experience as those students traveling in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban", even the dementors. It's so cool!

A few minutes later, we were at Hogsmeade Station.

I was truly amazed at how much everything looked so much like the movies!

I walked through Hogsmeade, casted more spells, went through the shops (chocolate frog anyone?) and even stopped by to hear the Frog Choir.

Then, there she was.

GLORY!! I was home and complete.

After all that oogling, it was time to have fun! Since Hogsmeade is in the Islands of Adventure park, it makes sense that it's where they actually have the rides and rollercoasters for Harry Potter World. The attraction is still fairly new so expect crowds and a wait but it is well worth it. I would suggest to go as early as possible because I saw as the afternoon turned to evening, the crowds increased substantially.

After leaving Harry Potter World, I went through Islands of Adventure for a few more rides, back through the front to the main entrance and over to Universal Studios Florida to catch the parade.

This was a great experience that I encourage all "Potterheads" to try to make it to. I actually overheard someone saying this one is better than the one in California and the UK so I think made the right choice. However, I wouldn't mind visiting the others to see for myself. ;)

Til next time,

xo.