Category Archives: Illinois

WW: Chicago Sights & One of My Favorite Things

For this edition of Wordless Wednesday, I thought I would share with you a few more photos from Chicago. Is it possible to fall in love with a city that you hardly got to explore? The buildings, the architecture, not to mention how Chicago was so clean (at least where we were)! I’m already looking for an excuse to go back… Wrigley Field – you’re on the top of my list!

031030PicMonkey CollageThen it happened… I spotted a watertower! I think we all know I love to photograph these them (as seen here and here).

032Then I got closer!

037And then I found more!077076080As much as I love water towers in the country landscape, there’s something about them sitting on the rooftops in the city that’s just as appealing. Hope you enjoy!

079 078Today I’m linking up with The Paper Mama, Jenni From the Blog, Seven Clown Circus, Photography Essentials and Communal Global for{Wordless Wednesday}.

BlogHer ’13 – The People, The Parties

BlogHer brings about many opportunities to network. Get out there and meet other bloggers who you’ve become friends with online, bloggers who you are meeting for the first time at the event and, as always, the sponsors. Parties are a huge deal. Not only the parties hosted by event sponsors but the private, invite only parties.

I only knew one other blogger that was attending the event, and I was rooming with her. I walked away with so much more. I met her friends, I made new friends and most of all, I made some travel blogging friends!

271Liz from Yes/No Films and I at the CheeseburgHer party in the Presidential Suite at the Sheraton Hotel.

Parties.

Cracker Barrel Cheese – Not only did we receive a demonstration on how to pair and present food, we also met Top Chef 2012’s Runner-up, Sarah Grueneberg and had a Food Network Challenge of our own! We each received a box and had to make it work. (I had Valentine’s Day)PicMonkey CollageYappem – hosted a party at the Navy Pier. Talk about a place for an event! Two people won $12,000.00 each… just saying.

PicMonkey Collage1Lazy Boy – We had our nails painted, make-up done and chair massages not to mention meet Kelly Edwards (host and co-host of HGTV’s Design on a Dime). Can’t complain about any of that!

241South Fort Walton Beach – If I had to pick a favorite, this would be it. Why? It has to do with travel of course and that’s my favorite! This is also where I met my first travel blogger of the event and I tried out their local beer, shrimp and grits and had some live music from the most popular local, South Ft. Walton Beach band! Like I said, right up my alley!

PicMonkey Collage2These are just a few of the events I was able to attend. Each were unique and a lot of fun!

Bucket List: Another One Checked Off!

I’ve been having a hard time trying to figure out how I’m going to share my experience at BlogHer a couple weeks ago. It was absolutely amazing to say the least. So we’ll start off with my favorite, the sights of Chicago!

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BlogHer 2013 Sights on 5k Run
Chicago, IL

Checking one off my Bucket List for 28 in 28, was to complete a 5k… and I DID IT! The best part about this 5k was not getting up at 5:45am, but the sights along the way! (I know, hard to believe isn’t it?!). Chicago stole my heart. More specifically, the architecture. Have y’all been to Chicago?! I didn’t know what to expect but I was blown away. The downtown area is so clean and the buildings, oh the buildings are gorgeous!

I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

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BlogHer 2013 Sights on 5k Run
Chicago, IL

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BlogHer 2013 Sights on 5k Run
Chicago, IL

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BlogHer 2013 Sights on 5k Run
Chicago, IL

Diana meets Lake Michigan. Let’s stop for a quick, “I look like hell but I want a photo anyway” opportunity!

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BlogHer 2013 Sights on 5k Run
Chicago, IL

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BlogHer 2013 Sights on 5k Run
Chicago, IL

And then we ran next to the Lake. So beautiful and peaceful in the morning!

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BlogHer 2013 Sights on 5k Run
Chicago, IL

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BlogHer 2013 Sights on 5k Run
Chicago, IL

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BlogHer 2013 Sights on 5k Run
Chicago, IL

To prove I completed the 5k, here I am at the Best Buy finish line! The 5k was sponsored by Best Buy, they graciously provided us all with FitBit’s for participating. That little life tracker is there on my wrist, the model that I am at 6:30am. haha!

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BlogHer 2013 Sights on 5k Run
Chicago, IL

Now that I have one under my belt, I’m excited to take part in The Color Run this fall. (Don’t forget to grab your $5 discount code!) Chicago is beautiful! If you have a chance to go, don’t pass it up. I’m already looking for a reason to go back!