For my birthday this year, I went to Miami . While it has a reputation for being a nightlife destination, I went for quite the opposite: a relaxing beach trip .
After hearing it was vetted by fashion editor Sierra Mayhew , I stayed at Esmé Hotel in Miami Beach. I spent most days at the beach , which is just a short walk away, with chairs and towels provided by the hotel and umbrellas available to rent.
La Sandwicherie is nearby to grab quick sandwiches too. On my actual birthday, I went to t he Ritz-Carlton pool to lie out, read, and swim.
For dinner, I went to one of my all-time favorite restaurants in the world, Sunny's , where I had the agnolotti filled with corn, blue crab, and saffron, along with a chocolate lava cake for dessert.
Keep scrolling to see what I packed for the five-night stay, from fashion and beauty to in-flight essentials .
When it comes to packing , I love only bringing a carry-on so I don't have to check a bag if I can. Given how hot it still is in Miami in early September, my mind immediately went to sheer clothing , which can be tricky to wear, but it's easy to layer it over swimwear .
I usually stray away from prints, but throwing in some colorful dresses felt right for Miami. And of course, I brought sunglasses—my Chimi Giadas—Havaianas Slim Flip-Flops, and Los Angeles Apparel Jelly Flats.
The sunglasses I've been wearing all summer long (and will continue to).
For my beauty bag , I always bring everything in my Leatherology travel case. Inside, I brought staples like Sofie Pavitt Face 's cleanser and gel moisturizer .
For face sunscreen , I like wearing EltaMD because it never breaks me out, unlike other ones. With 90-degree temperatures, I wanted to bring things that wouldn't just melt off, so I went for lip stain and clear gloss, as well as a lightweight tinted sunscreen if I wanted coverage when I wasn't at the beach.
On flights, I never travel without over-the-ear headphones after making the mistake one time. I even keep earplugs in my bag just in case. I also bring miscellaneous items like a sleep mask and a cashmere cardigan in case I get cold.