chicago town: part two (aka the bean)

Out of the handful of times I've been to Chicago, I've never taken the time to visit Millennium Park and the bean. Not sure if that's what it's technically called but it sure does look like a giant metallic bean. With this latest visit it was on the top of my list of sights to see, and happily Ryan was into too. What I could have never anticipated was just how much fun this thing is! 

 

There's something magnetic about watching your body morph into clown shaped blobs, and humorous about sharing your reflection with a sea of strangers. We played outside the bean, inside the bean, beside the bean, and on top of the bean. Okay not on top of the bean but I wish we could have. We instantly became 10 year olds again and I'd go back tomorrow if I could.

The inside of the bean is an artistic masterpiece and I loved watching people blur in and out of form and transforming into a whirling tornado of humanity. We all blended together and left individuals. This may have been the highlight of Chicago for me, but it was only the end of day one. Tomorrow there's more. big kiss, bekuh

chicago town: part one

Well we're back! We had the most amazing vacation away and I'm pretty sure I'm mentally still on it. We spent three amazing days in Chicago and every time I visit I fall more in love with that windy city. We of course partook in all sorts of touristy things, but thanks to our AirBnB hook up we stayed in a trendy Wicker Park apartment and felt more like true Chicagoans and less like the lost visitors we actually were. We arrived Sunday afternoon and immediately hit the streets, orienting ourselves and checking out the neighborhood we'd be calling home until Wednesday. We ate delicious tacos, looked at maps, and plotted the next day of sightseeing. 

We started the morning extra early with a delicious breakfast at Milk & Honey Cafe just soaking in the warm sun and drinking too much coffee. We then made our way north to the Gold Coast to visit the BHLDN Chicago store and meet some of the fabulous women I work with on the daily in person. It was amazing getting to see one of the big stores up close and personal. If you're ever in the area the Chicago store is worth just looking around in even if you're not looking to buy. It is stunning. 

After visiting the store we made our way down to Navy Pier. I promised one of the girl's in the office we'd try the Chicago style Garrett's Popcorn (carmel & cheddar mixd) so we picked up a bag and watched the seagulls over Lake Michigan while we munched away. The pier was nearly empty because of the lateness in the season but it didn't stop us from having a good time. I'm a sucker for carnival ride pics.

We continued down along the shoreline finally making our way into downtown and Millennium Park. I'm saving the "bean" pictures until tomorrow because we took a lot, but needless to say it was fun. We talked, rested our poor feet by a man made creek through the park, and through pennies in to make a wish. All before dinner time. We finished the day with a scrumptious meal at the Girl and the Goat and a cozy evening walk "home."

I have at least two more Chicago posts and then on to the wedding in Northern Indiana! A bus week of posting is ahead of me. big kiss, bekuh

windy city bound

Tomorrow morning Ryan and I head out towards Chicago for a much needed vacation, and then it's on to Indiana to attend the wedding of two of our all-time favorite people: Martin & Mollie. We haven't taken a whole week off since our honeymoon 2 years ago! Wowza. I'm so looking forward to this time together, and to finish it off with a wedding so full of love and hopefulness only makes it better. I originally planned on scheduling out posts for the week, but to be honest I just never got around to. So this little old blog is going to be on vacation too, from now until October 7th.

I'll be back to share our adventures of course, don't you worry, but in the meantime I just want to be totally present with my love. We celebrate two years on 10/1 so you can always look through our wedding madness if you miss us. big kiss, bekuh


photo above by MKM Photography

rooftop picnic

Last Friday Ryan & I decided to skip our normal weekend routine in favor of a quiet rooftop picnic, just the two of us. We looked out over Philadelphia and just enjoyed each other's company for a little while. We've been a bit scatterbrained lately, with both of us working hard on our creative endeavors, and our alone time together has seemed to dwindle to almost nothing. It is possible to live in a studio apartment and still not really "see" one another (trust me). I so enjoy being with Ryan and it's vitally important for our relationship that we carve out that time to be a couple and not just two people living together. Do you know what I mean?

We kept our picnic rustic with bread, fruits and cheeses. My favorite foods really. We watched the sun set and didn't go inside until it was so cold I was shivering. It was a wonderful escape without leaving home. big kiss, bekuh

gingham sunset

Those evening walks, we just can't get enough. Sometimes we let Nellie just pick a direction and walk until our feet feel sore and we need a break. Other times we have a destination in mind and it's there and back, with no thought required. This particular walk was one of those we let Nellie choose. We ended up on some dirty side streets near our apartment, but the sun setting was just too pretty to ignore. So out came the camera and Ryan snapped a few pictures of us, trash strewn street and all.

This was the same weekend I thrifted a gorgeous pair of red, hand painted clogs. I'm addicted to the comfort of a clunky wooden heel, what can I say? I've been hunting for the perfect pair of red shoes to complete my autumn wardrobe and at last I've found them. I love how they instantly take a black and white ensemble and turn it into something more fun and funky. The perfect outfit for a walk. big kiss, bekuh

Outfit details- tee: old // skirt: Dalena Vintage // earrings: Shore Handmade Jewelry // shoes: thrifted