** This post is sponsored by Discover Boating but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. I have shared quite frequently that I love being on or near water. Turns out I am not alone in that: 142 million Americans go boating each year, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. And summer is the best time to spend on a boat! There's just something so relaxing about ... Read more
Warren Dunes State Park | Testing the Drone!
Recently I shared my camping and road trip essentials and prep list in anticipation of our weekend. We had planned to go to Indiana Dunes, but at the last minute we decided to change our destination to Warren Dunes State Park. It reminded us a lot of Nordhouse Dunes, where we camped last summer. We tested out the DJI Mavic Pro drone for the first time, too! We only have a little bit of ... Read more
My Chicago Summer Bucket List & On-the-Go Photo Tips
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerIsForSavings #CollectiveBias #WFM2 Summer is breezing past us, and we still have many items left on our Chicago summer bucket list. Some of these activities I would do as part of my own self-care, and some would be fun to do as a family! My goal for the ... Read more
Phoenix Virtual Half Marathon 2016
Just after Thanksgiving, I signed up for a virtual half-marathon. I was feeling a little lost since the Chicago Marathon. I wondered, what's next? The Phoenix Half Marathon was offering its virtual race to earn the first of five medals that will form the Copper Star: one large, amazing medal that will take five years to put together. I was in. I wasn't in Phoenix for the first race earlier in ... Read more
My Favorite Things I’ve Done in Chicago
I've tried to explore Chicago as much as I can since moving here in March 2015. I love trying different things to do and checking out new restaurants. I like to share the activities I have enjoyed most so far with anyone who is visiting Chicago for the first time. All of these fun things to do are easily accessible from the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago, which is conveniently located in The ... Read more
Summer Send-off: Lake Michigan Sunset Cruise
I'm not really sure why people are so eager to wish summer away. I'm in no hurry to get into cold temperatures. Labor Day may be the unofficial end of summer, but it very much still feels like summer in Chicago. Nonetheless, we said goodbye to the season with a sunset cruise on Lake Michigan after a day of exploring Garfield Park Conservatory. I bought our tickets to the cruise on the Anita Dee ... Read more
Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga on Lake Michigan
Photo by Chicago SUPYoga Last weekend I crossed off another Chicago summer bucket list item. I have wanted to try stand-up paddleboard yoga since last summer, but I let fear and the whirlwind that was my first year in Chicago prevent me from doing it. When plans fell through for Sunday I knew this was my chance. If I didn't take advantage of a free day, then who knows when I would be able to do ... Read more
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 ... Read more
Lake Michigan Sunrise
It only took me six months of living in Chicago to wake up early enough for a Lake Michigan sunrise. It was well worth it for the gorgeous skies. I ran to the beach with my camera, only to find I had forgotten my memory card. Great, I got up early for nothing. I could have tossed and turned in bed for at least another hour. I wasn't about to waste the opportunity, so I ran back home to get my ... Read more
Our First Anniversary
It's Sunday morning and Graham has been at work for hours. He's the hardest-working person I know, and he does it for us, so we can have fun and plan for the future. I am immensely proud to say I've been married to this loving, generous person for one year now. Graham is my Number 1 supporter in anything I do, including writing this blog. He pushes me to be a better person, reminds me often that I ... Read more