Chicago

I am back from Chicago and Lollapalooza mayhem! I thought that I would recap my trip sooner, but to be honest, I have been recovering from a whirlwind of a trip. First of all, thank you to everyone who sent me suggestions for the city. Second, I am absolutely head over heels in love with Chicago. I felt like I was having an affair with Chicago and betraying my love of New York City, but I loved every minute of it. I didn’t have high expectations for the windy city, but I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with how clean and beautiful of a city it was. 

I am still gathering and editing my Lollapalooza pictures, so stay tuned. In the meantime, here are a few photos from my sight seeing adventures... 

 I loved all of the canals, bridges, and boats. It reminded me of a European city in that way.

My friend Lauren and I (one of many of our photo shoot at the bean)

The Chicago bean!

We ended up at the terrace of an amazing apartment as we watched an incredible storm come through the city skyline. 

Millenium Park - we ran into a free outside yoga class! There were about 100 people there, and I desperately was wishing I was in appropriate yoga attire to join.

Chicago/Lollapalooza manicures (I mean, I had to!)

More Chicago canals... 

This was one of my last trips of the Summer but so happy to check it off the bucket list! 

A Writer's Pad

 A while back, I read an atmospheric young adult novel called Moonglass, and in this book, the author, Jessi Kirby, paints a stunning portrait of Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach, California.

I'm not sure when it happened, but somewhere within the 200 or so pages, I fell in love with this quaint coastal community. Maybe it was the description of the historical cottages or the deep-rooted plants and red-violet flowers growing low against the sand dunes. Maybe it was the glowing sunsets or the moonlight bonfires. Either way, because of Jessi's writing, I can still mentally transport myself to this rocky shoreline at a moment's notice.

You can find out more about the book here.

Jessi told me that no one permanently lives in Crystal Cove State Park except herself and her family. Her husband is the park ranger. A occupational perk, if I ever heard one.

And since my colleagues and I were traveling to California, Jessi invited us over. Oh my word.

This is a photo of a postcard Jessi sent me.

Here are a few photos taken from our night on the beach: 

Photo courtesy of Anthony Parisi

Photo courtesy of Anthony Parisi

Jessi and her husband Schuyler set up such a beautiful spread for us (homemade pizza, ceviche, pulled pork on toast, chocolate raspberry cake, oh my)

Photo courtesy of Anthony Parisi

I asked Jessi to show me her writing den 

(built my her husband as a surprise!)

and asked her to pose inside.

Photo courtesy of Anthony Parisi

What is Jessi working on next? 

Her novel Golden, as seen with edits below . . . 

Photo courtesy of Jessi Kirby 

And to think, she lives here year round.

Photo courtesy of Anthony Parisi

I feel so lucky I work with Jessi Kirby. 

She is as lovely as her words. Thanks, Jessi, for letting me share your little piece of heaven.