On Changing Seasons

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Summer, for us, has been a season of stay.

Stay in Michigan. Stay by the beach. Stay in our new state, our new house, our new everything. It has been a season of exploring this amazing hidden gem that is West-and-Northern Michigan, and the unreal, crispy clear water and white sand beaches it holds.

It. has. been. insane. <--in a goooooood way. I have become accustomed to gorgeous vistas, hot dune climbs, and the wavering bumps of riding in a boat. I've had a permanently packed beach bag for three months, and yeah, I've actually used it, sometimes many times in a week.

Can you blame me?

But, that season of sunny relaxation is waning, giving way to something also great but entirely different. Next up is fall (duh) and lades and gentleman of the jury, it is already here.



Fall is shaping up to be a season of go. Go to weddings. Jetset to Florida, Atlanta, Boston, and so on. Go tour wineries up north, go to the Florida keys, go to Chicago. Go, go, go.



And I'm okay with it. The leisurely summer has been a blast, but I am a fast paced girl, and I am more than ready to see what kind of crazy productivity this "go" pace brings with it.

Have some suggestions on fall "go" activities for me? Leave them in the comments below :)

Cheers to Fall!

WHAT'S ON YOUR DOCKET THIS SEASON?

• What are your favorite fall activities?
• Any locations you like to visit in the fall?
• What fall foods are you most exited to make?

P.S. Like those pics? Follow me on instagram!

Ten Things Fo' FRIDAYYYYYYYYYYYYY

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/// 1. /// I am OBSESSED with the show Orphan Black. I can't stop watching it, even though it scares the shite out of me. True story: two nights ago, I needed advil and literally CRIED in fear until my husband agreed to walk me downstairs and get it with me "to protect me from Helena." I really should not be watching this show but I CANT STOP!

/// 2. /// My Jawbone UP finally bit the dust, and I needed something to count my steps or else I feel like I have no data to track! Finally crossed over to the dark side and am experimenting with a FitBit. Any other suggestions?

/// 3. /// My brother sent me this the other day, coincidentally just as my husband and I were complaining that our muscles HURT. SO. BAD. after lifting the day before. Lawd I must admit I like waking up like this.

/// 4. /// Our coffee maker has been going crazy and leaking all over the counter, so we finally stopped using it and went back to the french press for now. I forgot how amazing french press coffee is. It's like drinking velvet.

/// 5. /// MY SUCCULENT IS HAVING TRIPLETS! I have been experimenting with succulent propagation and recently returned from up north to find little baby triplets growing. I am such a proud mom!

/// 6. /// I need this water bottle. Because hydration.

/// 7. /// My sister visited last weekend and the weather was perfect and the sangria was good and and and and and and and... come back!

/// 8. /// I was up in NoMi (Northern Michigan, quit trying to make fetch happen) earlier this month with my in-laws, and had the most glorious time ever. HOW CAN YOU COMPLAIN WHEN THIS IS YOUR LIFE?   <ALSO... find me on instagram!>

/// 9. /// My one year wedding anniversary is coming up SO SOON. One week. How does time fly so fast?

/// 10. /// I am mentally preparing myself for fall by perusing black leather boots. Follow me on Pinterest, let's over-do it together!

A Superbly Parental Weekend

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This weekend, my parents came to visit. We toured around and showed them the ins and outs of our new city, and many drinks were had.

There was also pizza and filet mignon.

On Friday, my parents arrived just before dinner. My dad had a hankering for both pizza and beer, so thankfully, there are a few breweries in Grand Rapids that specialize in pizza.

One of these beers was called "Lil Sebastian" which, if you watch Parks and Rec, is amazing.

We ended up heading over to Harmony Brewing Company. We were seated immediately, and we proceeded to have a delicious meal.

They have some really delicious pizza combinations (sea salt and cracked pepper tossed arugula with feta and slices of thick prosciutto? Count me in!), but I did feel like their pizzas were slightly undercooked. Everything else was perfect, so I think it can be remedied by just asking them to leave them in an extra minute or two until they're crispy.

Afterward, we headed back home and watched our wedding video (we finally have it!).

The next morning, we started with a yummy brunch at Terra. As usual, everything was amazing. This is fast becoming a favorite brunch spot, regardless of city.

We went back to the house and gathered our things to drive to Holland for a beach and boating day. The weather looked great, so we grabbed our swim suits and set out.

By the time we got to Holland, the weather was still decent, but it slowly cooled down so that it was comfortable but not quite perfect for sunning. Darn you, June in the Midwest! We bundled up and took a cruise on the boat with my in-laws and sister in law.

Afterward, we all banded together to prepare a feast for 10. We made steaks, a big salad, and a delicious veggie dish that reminded me of a cheesy Ratatouille.

We drove home late that night and went straight to bed.

Sunday morning, we headed over to Cherie Inn, which is one of my new favorite breakfast places, too. It is a bit understated, which is what I like about it. The exterior and interior are both simple and somewhat traditional, but then the menu blows your mind with its interesting combinations, and the food is delicious.

Afterward, we drove around the city a bit to show my parents around. We drove to the east side and went to Reed's Lake to show my parents how easy it was to get from our city-living to some good old lake life.

Once my parents left in the afternoon, my husband reminded me that the US was playing in the World Cup. We decided not to get cable (we have done this in every place we have lived together so far), so we would need to head to a pub for dinner, beer, and soccer.

I donned my USA gear and we headed to The Green Well, where we found seats at the bar and had beer, dinner, and 95 seriously nailbiting minutes.

And that, my friends, is a wrap for the weekend! We're gearing up for another fabulous weekend with my cousin (the mixologist queen) who is coming to visit with her main squeeze!

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

• Did you watch the game?
• What's so great about your favorite breakfast joint?

Tulip Time Weekend

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First things first. The beauty of snapchat is that I can do things like this and not be completely hated by everyone I know:

I made my way to the deck on Thursday and spent some time working out there with the dog. It has turned into a habit. Basically, any time it looks reasonable out there, I drag my computer out and throw on my visor (lame looking but saves my eyes from wrinkles when I work in the sun). And it. Is. Glorious.

This past week has been Tulip Time in my husband's hometown of Holland, Michigan. It's a week long celebration of all things Dutch, and the schedule is packed full with dancing, crafts, and history.

Oh, and lots of parades, rides, and carnival food.

On Saturday, I begged my husband to take me to the parade. I guess the regulars around here are over it, but I was not going to miss going to Tulip Time the one year I am actually living here. So, sir.

The parade was awesome, and we decided to walk against the grain so we could see it all in less time (typical). There were tons of marching bands, which my husband is fascinated by and even knows a lot of the music to. There were also a lot of people in Dutch costumes (see the people in the parade above).

After about an hour of parade watching, we were ready for a cocktail (this parade is in the afternoon, not morning). We went into a restaurant off of the main strip that has delicious cocktails. Like, they have a whole menu just for martinis. I had this peach drink which consisted of peach vodka, whipped cream vodka, and mango puree. It was naturally sweet and delicious!

After cocktail time, we stopped in a nearby store because my husband suddenly wanted to buy a skateboard. We spent almost an hour in that shop, and then headed outside to the carnival food. My husband and his brother both bought "Elephant Ears," which are apparently kind of like a huge, fried pastry the size of a personal pizza. It was covered in sugar and cinnamon.

My thoughts? It was tasty enough for one bite, but I wasn't in love with it. There must be a major nostalgia component to everyone who loves them. 

That night, after walking around all afternoon, we hung out back at the house... and we were even more active. Remember how I mentioned my husband wanted a skateboard? Yeah, well I tried it, and let's just say I'm not gonna quit my day job.

On Sunday, we started the day with church. Afterward, it was still beautiful outside, so my husband and I sat out on the deck for a bit with the dog. 

Once we'd had enough sun and heat, we went on a walk in the nearby forest preserve and got some steps in. 

While we were on our walk, we came up with a plan for the night. We drove up Lake Shore Drive to Grand Haven and went to a seafood restaurant called Grand. It is built inside of an old theater, and they did a great job renovating it so that it still has the same old school charm.

I had a delicious martini that was extremely strong (whoops) and my husband drank beer. He got fish and chips, while I got a huge chopped salad.

Once we got home, I was ready to hit the hay. A combination of an active weekend, in the sun, and a boozy cocktail or two was enough to put me into sleep mode.

Next weekend, we will be packing to get ready to move into a new house. So, cheers to a fun weekend in the sun with a dark weekend in boxes on the horizon!

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

• Are you taking advantage of the nice spring weather?
• What's your favorite go-to cocktail?

Travel Time

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If you know me, you know I'm not very good at staying in one place. Heck, I can't even work at the same table all day, and I end up moving around with my laptop from place to place.

This is especially true when the weather gets bad. As everyone knows, the midwest was completely slammed this winter. I am between Chicago and Michigan, and Chicago has been insanely cold, while Michigan has gotten more snow than ever. Basically, I'm stuck between a rock and a cold place.

I feel like there are two options here: take advantage of this crazy snowy winter weather, or simply just escape it.

Can't choose one? Me either. So, I'm about to do both.

My next two weekends consist of some crazy temperature and terrain swings. We are taking a ski weekend (okay, snowboard for my husband) up in Northern Michigan this weekend, and the following weekend I will be flying down to Naples, Florida for some heat.

I figure this way I can get the best of both worlds, but it does mean a mere 4 days in between to regroup and completely pack my bag with very, very different clothing. Oh, well. At least I won't have to do any laundry in between!

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

• Do you like to experience and take advantage of the cold, or escape it?
• Are you planning any winter weather escapes? Where to? I feel like everyone I know is going to Scottsdale or Palm Springs. Both places are pretty solidly warm, so I can't blame them!

Beach Time Trumps Blogging

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Sorry I went missing for a while there... a full week to be exact! Not sure how long it's been since I took an entire week off from blogging. Let's just say... I procrastinated and I'm sorry.

That said, I was pretty freaking busy. Between work events, Bulls (I mean Pistons) games, and a trip to Florida, I've been a little bit all over the place and I'm a lot okay with it.

On Friday, my husband and I headed down to Florida. I took a half day for our late afternoon flight, and things went pretty smoothly.

We flew Chicago > Atlanta > Tampa. My MIL/FIL picked us up at the airport and drove us to Clearwater Beach, where their place is. It was pretty late, so we ended up chatting and then hitting the hay. In the morning, I awoke to a pretty stellar view.

Not a bad way to wake up, eh?

We headed over to the Hyatt for breakfast. I went with an asparagus and goat cheese omelet that left me STUFFED to the brim. Afterward, we went back to my in-laws' place to regroup and get sun ready.

Did I mention I am blessed to have married into a family with great taste? My mother in law and father in law gutted this place and decorated on their own, and it turned out to be a wonderfully modern take on beach living.

Sun and gratitude exercises

We went outside, where there is a large patio with a pool, lots of deck chairs and umbrellas, and a nice view of the Gulf of Mexico. For the next few hours, we sunned ourselves. 

When early afternoon rolled around, we were hungry for a little snack and bar action. We got some fish spread and crackers. Everyone got a Strawberry Daiquiri, but I am a weirdo who is skeptical of blended drinks at bars, so I opted for a Corona.

Post-snack, my husband and I took a walk down the pier to get a view of the beach from out on the water. 

We walked along the beach on our way back, and then spent a bit more time in the sun before going back inside to get ready for dinner.

My husband's grandmother had made us reservations at Carlouel Yacht Club, so I went ahead and busted out the black dress on our first night in town.

We headed over to Carlouel, which was a short drive away, at the end of the island. 

Once we got back from Carlouel, we weren't fully ready to hit the hay yet, so we ordered Stuck In Love On Demand. I had mixed feelings about it at first, but ultimately the movie just made me want to publish a book. And be nice to people more. Two good things to want to do!

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

• Do you spend time in the sun on vacations?
• Have you seen any good movies lately?

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 5 - Monkeys Included

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Packing for Costa Rica

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 1

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 2

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 3

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 4 - Surfing

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 5 - Monkeys!

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 6 - Last Day

Traveling Home from Costa Rica

Friday was our fifth full day at the resort, or the sixth day if you count our first afternoon. By this time, we felt totally "in the swing" of the luxurious life at a Costa Rican five-star resort. God must have wanted to balance out all this luxury and fine dining with some gritty rainforest adventure, because we finally decided to make the trek to the national park to see some wildlife! We had heard people at our resort raving about seeing monkeys up close and personal at Manuel Antonio National Park, so we decided to get in on the action.

We hired a driver to take us to Manuel Antonio National Park, which was about an hour to hour and a half drive down the coast of the country. We drove through towns, palmolive tree farms, and mountains. Occasionally, our driver would hear us cooing over how beautiful the scenery was, and he would just pull over and tell us to go ahead and get out and take a picture.

Once we got to the park, we debated whether or not to hire a guide or take a group tour. My husband pointed out that if we didn't have a guide, we could move entirely at our own place. Plus, call me ignorant if you must, but I am simply not that interested in knowing each individual species of plant. Truth be told, I WAS JUST THERE TO SEE THE MONKEYS! 

We wandered around, guideless, for a while and started wondering if we had made the wrong choice. Despite keeping our eyes peeled and being in a rainforest, all we had seen in that first hour was a pair of monkeys that was extremely far away (and not picture-worthy because they were hiding) and a large red bird. 

Eventually, we got to a somewhat secluded beach. The water was gorgeous and clear, and a few other people had found the spot. We decided to lay out for a bit, take a rest, and enjoy the view.

Ultimately, though, we were there for adventure. So, when my husband spotted some awesome rock formations that went out into the water, we decided to do some rock climbing.

It sprinkled a bit as we were scrambling around the rocks, but my husband was determined to get to a certain point in the rock formation, so we continued onward. I was surprised by how tiring it was!

After rock climbing, we saw a small bridge that was somewhat hidden, and decided to take that path. It lead into the rainforest, and I was still determined to get some monkey pictures, so we decided to do it.

This picture was taken in the rainforest just before we rounded a corner and came face to face with... you guessed it... monkeys!

We were extremely close to them. By that, I mean that if I would have reached my hand out, I could have touched it. A group of monkeys was making its way across the trail, crossing from one side to the other, directly in front of us.

To our surprise, they actually hung around for quite a while and let us take pictures of them. My husband got really into it and even took some video on my phone. It's neat to see the way the monkeys were working together to make sure everyone was safe from the humans.

After seeing the monkeys, we continued down the path and crossed a small river (on foot!) before meeting back up with our driver. We had mentioned a restaurant we found online called El Avion, which was literally an airplane that had been connected to the side of a cliff, and he took us there for some post-hike refueling.

Told you it was an airplane! A B-52, to be exact. Even inside, the historical integrity of the airplane had been preserved.

We wanted to eat outside, so we were seated at a table under one of the airplane wings. It had a wonderful view of the Pacific Ocean.

We ordered a round of drinks and recapped our hike, gushing over various wildlife and details. 

And then we had another round of drinks... and some delicious Mahi Mahi.

We soon left and began the drive back to Villas Caletas. It poured rain the entire time, so I went ahead and passed out (a special talent to make the time pass) and woke up when we were arriving at a souvenir shop close to our hotel. My husband contends that my nap time missed me some decent views, but I saw them on the way down, and I had three drinks with lunch, so I'm going to go ahead and give myself a pass on that one!

It took us almost an hour in the souvenir shop to find a few mementos to bring home as well as a few small gifts for our parents. Eventually, we headed back to the resort for some R&R (Rest and Room Service!).

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

• Do you get excited about seeing wildlife on vacation?
• Have you ever seen monkeys up close and personal?