m&m wedding (part 1)

Let's travel a little backwards in time to early October when two of Ryan and my favorite people ever got married. They planned the coolest wedding at a summer camp in northern Indiana, on the shores of the most serene little lake. It was awesome. The weekend was warm, the trees were changing shape and love was everywhere. Several friends and family stayed at the lake, us included, and so what would have normally been a day of wedding fun turned into a full weekend of nonstop coolness.

The day of the wedding was overcast and a slight haze made everything soft and beautiful. Storms had been brewing all night, but the rain had stopped in the morning just in time for the ceremony. It was perfect. In the sweetest little nook of the camp we all gathered around the altar and sat in great anticipation of Mollie's arrival. Martin and his groomsmen casually greeted guests and when the time finally came for the ceremony to start he looked like a little kid about to receive the biggest Christmas present ever.

As we all turned to look at Mollie my breath caught in my throat. She was so beautiful! I'd seen a picture of her gorgeous lace dress but could never have anticipated just how perfectly suited it would be for her, and how she would glow from the inside out. As the ceremony came to a close the skies opened up and it began to rain, normally this would have been a bummer but just then it seemed like the most wonderful way to end a wedding ceremony. We all headed back up the hill towards shelter and a day of yard games and bonfires. It really was the best. big kiss, bekuh

rewarding work

If you follow me on instagram you know that last week I was in New York for work. It was one of those really magical career moments when all the hard work and late hours you've put in turn out to be worth it. I wasn't alone in this feeling, as our whole team played some important role in the project. In the end the BHLDN pop up shop was a huge success and we had the chance to meet innumerable brides, all with a story to share. It's one of the most rewarding parts of doing social media for me, actually getting to meet the people I share with. So that was my week last week. What have you been up to? big kiss, bekuh

chicago town: part three

Our last full day in Chicago took us back to early 20th century Chicago. We rode out to Oak Park to explore the grounds of Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio, explore the architecture of the neighborhood, and stalk the old stomping grounds of Ernest Hemingway. Being that the era these men lived in is a personal favorite of mine, I was over the moon to be so close to homes they once lived in. A connection I won't soon forget.

Stepping forward in time a couple of decades we went out to lunch at a Chicago hotdog stand. Ryan's one request before hitting the road was consuming tube shaped food like a true Chicagoan and I couldn't resist his adorableness. We landed on Superdawg as our hotdog pit stop and as Ryan will tell you it was "the best." I stuck with a chocolate malt milkshake and onion rings, but you know.

After heading back into Chicago proper, we rested a bit before getting all dressed up for our Anniversary dinner. Ryan likes to surprise me with fancy food every year, and I'm all too happy to let him. This year we ate at a Michelin Starred Restaurant called Takashi, a first for both of us. The food was incredible! I didn't snap any pictures this year because I really wanted to have that special time with Ryan without the hubbub of the camera. It was worth the sacrifice. 

The next morning we hurriedly packed our things to skip town for M&M's wedding. Before making our way south to Indiana though we had one last stop to make. Calumet Fisheries is a local institution, legendary food spot, and the location of some of the most delicious smoked seafood you'll ever eat in your life. Their specialty is smoked shrimp and rightfully so. Just go there, that is all. big kiss, bekuh

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