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Floradise

A lifestyle blog by Marette Flora

Holiday Season Check List

It may seem like I want to skip Thanksgiving and get to Christmas, but it’s not true. I am, however, slightly over fall decor and ready to make that switch. I love this time of year because there’s so much to look forward to and lots of fun activities to do. I compiled a holiday season check list to motivate me during the best time of the year.

Here’s what I plan to do in November and December:

  • Go to a tree lighting.
  • Send Christmas cards.
  • Participate in a Secret Santa exchange.
  • Give back. We like to pick an Angel tag (or a similar program) and buy gifts for children.
  • Bake cookies. (And other treats!)
  • Watch NYE fireworks.
  • Sip hot chocolate and see holiday lights.
  • Watch a Thanksgiving parade.
  • Go to a Christmas market. (Christkindlmarket is expanding to the Park at Wrigley (Field) in Chicago and I can’t wait to visit!)
  • Ice skating. (Not sure I will be able to, but Graham and Victoria can!)
  • Catch a holiday show at the theater.
Also: Take V to see Santa and catch the CTA holiday train (in Chicago).

What would you add to this list? What’s your favorite thing to do?

Related post:

CTA Holiday Train

Fourth of July Weekend Recap

Chicago is an incredible place to spend Fourth of July. Fireworks start Thursday during that holiday weekend and continue nonstop through the Fourth. People love setting off their own fireworks, and the madness intensifies as the day goes on. By the end of the night on the holiday, you can sit next to the lake and watch an unofficial show. Of course, you can watch the Navy Pier fireworks and many other planned shows around town, but I loved seeing the random bursts of light as people light their own displays (although it does get loud and scary).

Fourth of July afternoon was spent at the Chicago Cubs game, because what’s more American than baseball? We arrived before gates opened to get in line for the giveaway: a camo apron. Truth be told I am not a camouflage person, but I won’t pass up a giveaway!

After the game, Graham and I walked over the the pier in our Rogers Park neighborhood to see what the commotion was. We could hear so many fireworks reverberating through our block that it sounded like a war zone. Our dogs seemed OK for the most part, though they did get excited at some of the louder booms. I think I was more startled than they were. 
We watched the bursts for some time until it was time to check on the dogs again. This Fourth wasn’t as intense as last year, when a person ran up and down our street lighting fireworks until 2 or 3 in the morning. Thank goodness for that!
The next day was my vacation day I took to channel Ferris Bueller at the Cubs game. Again, I arrived 30 minutes before the gates opened because the giveaway was something I was interested in: an Anthony Rizzo off-the-tarp catch bobblehead. I had so much anxiety built up as I waited in the longest game line I’ve ever had to be in, but I was successful in getting one!

How did you spend your Fourth? Do you ever like to take days off to do random stuff? Let me know in the comments! Also, check out my video below and subscribe to my Youtube channel.

Louisville Road Trip: Thunder Over Louisville 2016

Last week’s half-marathon training was off for good reason: I took a road trip down to Louisville, Kentucky, from Chicago with two of my favorite people, Charlsy and Graham. We packed so much into one weekend that it’s difficult to put into words, so I created a video instead!

Highlights of the trip:
  • Hanging out with friends and family in Louisville.
  • RecBar, an arcade bar and restaurant in Louisville. We enjoyed a fun evening of playing games with friends Friday evening! 
  • Thunder Over Louisville. We spent Saturday at the daylong celebration. We watched the air show, ate everything in sight and were amazed at the incredible fireworks show. It’s hands down the best fireworks display I’ve ever seen.
  • Slugger Museum. We took a tour of the factory where the famous bats are made. You take home a mini bat!
  • Lunch at Cunninghams Creekside restaurant. We sat on the patio to enjoy lunch before heading back to Chicago. Also, this place was super affordable.
Watch my video of our trip to Louisville, and please subscribe to my channel.
Have you been to the Thunder Over Louisville festival? Isn’t it just the most amazing show you’ve ever seen?

Fourth of July 2015 at Wrigley Field

What is more American than baseball? A Cubs game was the perfect way to celebrate America’s birthday.

Before the game, the ceremony featured a giant American flag unfurled across the field by service members. Small bursts of fireworks were lighted throughout the game, as if to build anticipation. 
The game started with a bang when Kris Bryant hit a grand slam. That set the tone for the evening, which ended in the first postgame fireworks held at Wrigley Field.
When the fireworks show was being set up, I realized they were being shot into the air from the field. I worried what that would do to the grass and whether what looked like four fire extinguishers could put out a potential fire. But there was nothing to worry about. The show seemed to go off without a hitch.

The grounds crew adorned the field with a star to go along with the stripes on the field.

Combined with another Cubs game Sunday on the bleachers and the architecture cruise on the Chicago River, the game helped make this the best Fourth of July weekend I’ve ever had. 

Staycation at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Graham and I have been together for 3 years! We wanted to celebrate, but a trip was not possible — we are trying to cut back on spending in preparation for our wedding.

So we did the next best thing: a staycation!

We booked a stay at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Neither of us had ever stayed there, and we were excited to spend a weekend at its pool. We were hoping it wouldn’t be teeming with children, and it wasn’t! Most of the kiddos were at the East Pool, which has two slides and a water ride.

And really, is there any better place to be on a hot Valley day?

The South Pool on a Sunday.

I sipped on a frozen Amaretto sunrise, worth every penny.

The sprawling property has retail shops, restaurants, a spa and multiple pools, but my favorite part was the bunnies scurrying about. If only they weren’t so quick to run away when I tried to snap a photo. …

Fireworks — held every Saturday night — helped us celebrate our special night.

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