There's no place like Chicago

It is certainly getting chillier out in the city and it’s time to switch the summer dresses for boots, scarves and blazers for the fall season.  That doesn’t mean you need to stay under a heated blanket and spend your weekends hibernating with movie marathons just yet.  There are plenty of great festivals and parks to venture out to during the fall season, so don’t allow yourself to be lame and complain about the weather—because it’s beautiful out!  

The cutest park I’ve seen in Chicago has got to be Oz Park located in Lincoln Park. Close to the Armitage Purple/Brown Line stop, The Scarecrow greets guests from the southwest corner. 

If he only had a brain!

Make a day out of packing a picnic and strolling in the park. Find Dorthy with her ruby red slippers. 

Yes, that's Toto's paw next to Dorthy!

I won’t ruin the entire experience providing photos of each of the characters—spend a fall afternoon visiting Oz Park yourself!

NYC-themed party

I’ve had the pleasure of rooming with Katie for the past 2 years in Chicago—together we’ve lived in the South Loop and in our current apartment in Lakeview.  She’s decided to take an amazing offer with Alexander Wang in New York City!  You may recall Katie's first NYC experience.  Of course that only meant I had to throw a fabulous surprise going away party.  

Chicago Roomie Love

I wish I took more photos that evening, but being a hostess with the mostest does keep you busy :)

Welcome to the first of my new page-- DIY posts!  Below are some ideas for an NYC-Themed party:

•  Décor:  A city of Lights - Place white Christmas lights throughout the party area.  The plain white or icicle ones work best-- if you go with color it's just too Christmas-y. 

Shout out to party guest Gianni for providing white lights and helping with set-up!

• Food:  New York Cheesecake – I ended up buying one because I was super busy that week, but here is a great quick and easy recipe that I intended to make:

Ingredients:
1/2 c sugar
2 eggs
8 oz softened cream cheese
Vanilla wafers
Foil cupcake liners

Beat all ingredients except wafers until smooth.  Place one wafer inside each foil cup and fill half full with batter.  Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.  Cool in refrigerator.  Top with chocolate chips, fruit, almost anything!

• Drinks:  Manhattans—I even bought a shaker, and each drink included maraschino cherries and a lemon garnish.  

Thanks to all who made it out that night!  Best of Luck to Katie!!!You will be missed!

Costa Rica

As you all know, just weeks ago I was packing for my beach getaway to Costa Rica.  We stayed in the Northwestern part of the country in a province called “Guanacaste.”  We had the most amazing time imaginable!

Here are a few things that made a trip to Costa Rica more unique than your typical getaway:

  

      Black sandy beaches:  The sand is originated by volcanic lava as opposed to white sand which originates from coral.  The grain size and color of the sand vary, even on the same stretch of beach.  Lava, erupting onto a shallow sea floor or flowing into the sea from land, may cool so rapidly that it shatters into sand and rubble. The result is the production of huge amounts of fragmented volcanic debris.  Costa Rica has over 200 volcanic formations.

Black Sandy Beaches

          Fun heights and amazing jungle views:  The rainforest was stories high—you couldn’t even see the bottom of these tall lush trees.  We found fun ways to explore it!

It's the journey not the destination

Just hanging out!

Monkeying around :)

   Natural Mud Baths and Mineral Springs:  Who needs a spa date when nature becomes your health resort?  We spent a few minutes in a natural sauna, submerged ourselves in mud baths for exfoliation, and then took a dip in 3 different mineral pools to cleanse our pores.  We ended with a shower in a waterfall to cleanse.

Amazing Life Moment

  

      Craters:  Not many people can say they have hiked through a hot and steamy crater.  Some of the mud holes were close to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

As they say in Costa Rica, "Pura Vida"!

Training for my first 5K race!

My apologies for not adhering to my start-of-the-week post to lessen some of the Monday blues, but yesterday was Labor Day and I doubted there were blues in sight!  

One always feels more beautiful when they are healthy and physically fit.  I’m really not great at adhering to a regular gym routine—my workout preference includes hiking, biking, swimming, or any other sort of nature activity.  For the cold winter months, I prefer fun indoor classes like Zumba or Yoga. 

In order to push myself to stick to a workout, I’ve signed up for my first ever 5K on October 21!  I’m excited to participate in the Chicago Monster Dash and dress in a “toys” theme with a group of friends.  I’m now forced to stick to a running routine, so I’m not straggling behind during the race.  It is energizing me to not dare skip a workout.  It will be very exciting when I cross that finish line!  On top of the exercise, I’ve been hydrating more frequently and eating healthier, because it helps my runs.  

I found this routine that I’ve been trying to stick to, in order to train with ease:

Please send along any first 5k tips you may have!  Wish me luck!!