Travel Diaries: Florida

5 days in the heat, the beach, and the parks and what I wore during all of it.

Hi friends!

I recently came back from a wonderful vacation in Florida and I wanted to share my trip with you guys! Every year my dad goes to Florida for work, so every year I invite myself along because free hotel room and rental car. How can I pass that up, am I right?

On the agenda: shopping (duh), exploring the botanical gardens, Universal Studios, and the beach. The first two days were my own. My dad was working and it was up to me to figure out what to do with my time and then the last two days we’d have some fun shenanigans.

So enjoy some cute outfits, travel pictures, and a dash of nerdiness!

Every year I get the same picture in Diagon Ally to add to my collection!!!

This is my first trip since Yosemite back in February and I have been so excited and waiting for it for a long time. So I packed my bags, kissed my cats, and boarded a plane for a new adventure!

Day 1: Shopping!

I spent my first day and a half in Orlando window shopping at all of the beautiful stores that I can’t afford but dearly love to look at. They have everything from Chanel to Louis Vuitton to Saint Laurent to Gucci to Versace. I went in every store and they practically had to throw me out to get me to leave.

I was able to check out the Loewe puzzle bag, try on STUNNING Saint Laurent heels, drool over Gucci blazers, and wear a beautiful gown by Bronx and Banco. It was wonderful and I love being surrounded by such beautiful, high quality pieces of art. To me, it’s just like going to a museum full of paintings when I get to see and hold pieces from the pioneers of fashion.

The perfect Chanel heels.

So so tempted.

I took lots of pictures of beautiful things so enjoy some of my favorites!

I ended the day with a dip in the pool!

Day 2: Botanical Gardens + more Shopping

I wanted to do something I hadn’t done before. So I decided to head over the the Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens and I’m so glad I did! It was so beautiful and green and lush. It was really peaceful going by myself and I had a wonderful time exploring at my own pace and taking a bunch of photos.

Pro tip: please bring bug spray and water. I forgot both and was simultaneously dehydrated and being eaten alive.

After the gardens, I had about half a day to kill so I headed over to a different mall and did the same thing as the day before. Window shopped, tried on, drooled, and then dragged myself away before I spent money I definitely don’t have on a bag I definitely do don’t need. I also treated myself to a delicious pizza and watched the Sweden v. France soccer game.

Day 2 ended with another dip in the pool!

Day 3: Beach day

Day three was the day I was most excited for: beach day!!

The plan was for us to start the day at Siesta Key beach and then we’d drive to Clearwater Beach on our way back to Orlando. Mother nature, however, had different plans and brought in a gigantic storm that cut our plans short. We had a little while at Siesta Key before the rain rolled in and they cleared the beach. But we had so much fun swimming in the ocean plus I got a pic of just me on the beach because the lifeguards were trying to get everyone out and I was like “not until I have my picture!”. Smart I know.

The ocean was so warm and my favorite thing is standing ankle deep and just letting the waves wash over you as your feet dip into the sand. Blissful.

Shoutout to the nice woman who came up and told me how to pose because I looked like potato.

A large chunk of our day was spent driving in the rain but we had a nice time at the beach, had sandwiches at Wawa’s, dinner at Bahama Breeze, and spent the evening at Disney Springs, where we got soaked because it was still a downpour.

Day 4: Universal Studios

Okay, if you don’t know I’m obsessed with Harry Potter then you don’t know me. I love Harry Potter and am a proud Hufflepuff. and I LOVE Harry Potter World! It’s so much fun and the real happiest place on earth. The immersive experience, attention to detail, and music playing everywhere makes everything so magical.

We got up extra early to arrive at the park right when they opened!

Day four was ride day. That’s the day I wore comfy clothes so I could go on all of the rides, walk seventeen million miles, and pig out on pastries and butter beer (the frozen one is the best). Comfy, lightweight clothes are a must and be prepared to get soaked, whether it’s from the rides or the rain!

Fun fact: last time I went, Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure had opened that day and we stood in line for SEVEN (7) hours to ride it! (totally worth it though) Thankfully, this year I rode it three times with no more than an hour wait.

Accio an amazing time!

If you get a wand, make sure it’s the interactive one. This wand chose me in Ollivander’s experience and it’s a fun thing I take with me every time!

Day 5: Universal Studios (again!)

Our final day in Florida was picture day! I dressed cute and made my dad take pictures of me all over Harry Potter World and beyond. We also had a belated Father’s Day lunch at the Chocolate Emporium which is my favorite restaurant at Universal and I’m completely obsessed with their food. We also rode as many rides as we could (single rider line is where it’s at) and went to all the shops so I could pick out my souvenir for the trip.

Jurassic Park is my second favorite at Universal Studios and I love going on the River Adventure - highly recommend!

We stayed at the parks until about 5 pm, where we said goodbye and headed to the airport. A few hours later and we were back in Colorado and the blessedly dry air and I get to add another trip to my wonderful list of memories.