Inspire Me Tuesday

I wanted to share a beautiful photo of a beautiful brief moment captured by amateur photographer Mark Hersch today.

Photograph by MARK HERSCH

He says, via the Daily Mail:

'I was flying home to Chicago from a business trip recently,' he said. 'It was a cloudy day, late in the afternoon. We were flying eastbound, made a pass by O'Hare International Airport, then made a sweeping 180-degree left turn over Lake Michigan for our final westward approach into the airport.

'I looked down and through a narrow break in the clouds, I saw the shadow of the Chicago skyline projecting onto the lake. Oddly enough, I am a very frequent flyer and almost always sit in an aisle set, but on this flight there were only window seats available.

'I grabbed my iPhone and snapped off a single shot, hoping I captured the scene. When I got home I opened the photo on my computer. Not only was I amazed at the shot, but I noticed I also captured another plane on a parallel approach - which you can see if you look closely at the clouds above the skyline in the centre of the image."

 

What a lovely reminder to be present in each moment, to look out for and even enjoy the unexpected when it happens, and to find the joy and beauty surrounding you no matter where you are.

I know with the Holiday season upon us I definitely need that reminder. Sometimes I just have to slow down and that's okay... But while I'm there I might as well enjoy the view...

Kisses,

K

(Image created and owned by Mark Hersch, found via the Daily Mail.)

Posted with love, please credit when re-posting.

Chicago Day 1, Part 2

After settling into the Hotel we stepped out for a walk and quick bite. We headed over to Water Tower Place because a good brisk walk there is lovely and yummy food is sure to be found.

Chicago is always a beautiful city but especially at night and with the brisk Fall air.

Magic.

I love how the city businesses come together to decorate Michigan Avenue for each season! You never know how they'll execute each them but you know it will be lovely.

This autumn the planters were filled with the ephemera of all things fall. So pretty!

The Water Tower always looks special by day or night, but I love how majestic the city looks all awash in glowing lights.

So... In these photos I was trying to look properly "winded" along with this dapper giant Leggo fella outside the Lego store...

Not so much, huh?

What I do look is hillarious, so enjoy. ;)

Our next stop was the American Girl store.

My sisters and I were fortunate enough to be recipients of the transporting historical books and wonderful dolls. We each collected a different doll, her stories, and belongings.

Mine was Molly, a young 1940's American girl helping to hold down the home front while her Dad was away fighting WWII.

My sister Stacy's was Kirsten, a Swedish immigrant/ pioneer living in the great Minnesota prairie during the mid 1800's.

And my sister Maura's doll was Samantha, a young Victorian girl during the early 1900's.

Sadly, all of our dolls were retired last year and they are no longer making them or their paraphernalia. I had always hoped to have a little girl and carry on collecting Molly and her things with her...

They did bring back a new version of the Samantha doll for now though as a part of a series called "Be Forever."

Not sure about all this retiring/ forever stuff... Either way, deposited the expense, it's a great company empowering girls to learn and play with confident twist. And it's a treasured part of our childhood and I love to stop in and reminisce... Even at 31, lol.

The messages of the dolls and all around is empowerment, encouragement, and understanding. All with reading and play. Pretty great.

As a Westie owner I felt the need to document this doll Westie.

This is the Samantha doll and some of her new "Be Forever" things.

"American Girl celebrates a girl's inner star - that little whisper inside that encourages her to stand tall, reach high, and dream big."

And of course I picked up a little surprise for someone very special (more on that another time.)

Moving on.

Before we left Water Tower Place we stopped by the Bao Wow kiosk to get dinner. Sticky, gooey, bun goodness at its best? My favorite one was the Chicken Teriyaki but they are all good! If you're ever there get a house made ginger-ale! Yummm!

The city frequently has various art set up all around to help raise funds for various causes. Right now they have horse sculptures painted by different local groups and all supporting the Chicago PD.

This Van Gogh-esque Starry Night was by far my favorite.

Then it was back to the hotel and good nights rest.

Kisses,

K

(All images created and owned by Krista Carson. Please ask permission prior to use. All rights to various places visited owned by their respective companies.)

Posted with love, please credit when re-posting.

Chicago Day One, Hotel Sweet Hotel

The Husband and I spent last week in Chicago. He had his last board exam to take and I tagged along because I love the city and our family and friends who live there.

(Waiting for take off, poor guy looks so nervous in all our pre-exam pics!)

We stayed at the Kinzie Hotel and would definitely do so again.

It's was in a great location downtown within walking distance to most things people want to do when in town: museums, food, shopping, etc.

The wifi was phenomenal! Cannot be understated on this! We both had multiple devices open and in use for work and study purposes when in our room and the hotel was full with a business conference (you know how business peeps use the internet constantly) with nary a slow down. Best. Ever.

The staff was lovely (only one cranky butt exception but who knows what she was going through personally, always give the bee feint of the doubt.) The room was cozy and well appointed. Decor was artsy, modern Chicago. And they offered an included Continental Breakfast on every floor each morning that was great as well as free appertivo (like a free bar appetizer happy hour) with free drink coins tradable for... Free drinks every evening.

All in all, nicely done!

The lobby and check in desks.

Nifty art and comfy seating.

The view walking into our room.

The view from our room, lol. Right out onto Chicago icon Harry Caray and his bar/ restaurant.

The color scheme was my favorite colors: blues, grays, and silver. Naturally, I loved it!

(Note: this photo was actually taken post exam, and T looks soo much happier! Rightfully so!)

I loved the wallpaper used on the wall behind the bed, a massive Chicago map.

So fantastic.

I also loved how they used a variety of fabrics in a similar color scheme, especially this pop of turquoise leopard.

Best do not disturb ever!

And the bathroom decor was the best, not a phrase I've said before...

But...

Cool details, cool art, and dark colors done right are just awesome.

I mean, how epic is this silver and navy wallpaper?

Definitely future home inspiration.

Also, the Kinzie is pet friendly so if you need to bring your furry friend along you can. I even saw them arrange dog walkers for guests while I was waiting in the lobby, nice, huh!

And on the pet note, I have super bad allergies but everything was so clean and in such tip top shape that even I was surprised that I had no problems!

Definitely recommend it!

More Chicago to come.

Kisses,

K

(All images created and owned by Krista Carson. Please ask permission prior to use.)

Posted with love, please credit when re-posting.

Scenes From Chicago

Chicago is one of my favorite cities. I loved living there* and I love to visit! The Second City by the lake** is always actually quite first rate: great people, great food, great art, great architecture, colorful, and great personality! What's not to love?

So to help you understand why Chicago is "my kind of town," I though I'd reminisce by sharing the pics from my last walk down Michigan Ave. this trip with you. (And yes, all this awesome is really on a walk-able length of just one street.)

So here's my walk downtown back to the hotel from over by Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue, but the pics are in reverse.

 

The Elevated tracks' color coding system adds some spiffy to the stairway.

Streetlights aglow.

The home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, who are superb! (Although I do miss the old conductor Daniel Barenboim.)

The awesome park next to the Art Institute.

One of my favorite city icons, one of the lions outside the Art Institute.

The pointy topped building in the top right of the photo is actually the very architectually appointed Chicago Athletic Club. Pretty posh, no?

The ever fabulous Art Institute of Chicago. Go! It's pretty incredible!

The Husband looking fierce with one of the lions.

Another great wing of the Art Institue with another great sculpture garden to match.

More awesomeness.

This is a fantastic interactive sculpture set consisting of cascading towers of water, light up and video glass block, and the faces of Chicagoans. If you're ever in Millenium Park be sure to check it out, it's super fun!

The Cultural Center used to be the city's main public library (Don't worry there's a massive and beautiful one to replace it.) so it has wonderful literary quotes tucked away amongst all it's fab architecture. It also has a stunning and quite large Tiffany glass dome inside. It's a quick, easy, and so worth it Chicago must see!

The Cloud Gate sculpture tucked away up in the middle of this photo is in Millenium Park and more commonly known as "the Bean" among locals and tourists alike. It's a gorgeous bean shaped metal sculpture polished to a high mirror shine that reflects its surroundings. I'm rather found of it. :)

The Frank Gehry band shell in Mikkenium Park is the place to be in the warmer months. The city puts on tons of free shows and concerts featuring all the fab performing arts that the city fosters.

Trump tower and the Wrigley Building.

A lovely Milton quote on the Tribune Tower where a lot of city's broadcasting used to be done.

 

The Tribune Tower entrance.

Busy city streets.

 

The Hancock Tower.

 

I love shopping downtown, including at Water Tower Place.

 

The Husband and the Water Tower.

 

The iconic Water Tower that survived the great fire of Chicago.

Hope you enjoyed our quick jaunt through the city together! Keep in mind that all these photos were taken while walking and talking and never stopping. (Except at crosswalks when we truly had to stop of course. Jay walkers annonymous here I come.)

All in all it took us about 15 to 20 minutes to walk the 1 to 2 miles between Water Tower Place and the Palmer House Hilton, our hotel. When in the city... speed walk like you still live there!

Kisses,

K

 

(Photos by Krista Carson.)

*except for the c c cold freezing winters... Brrr...

** Weird weather in Chi-town? That's easy, it's just lake effect ;)

 

 

 

 

Posted with love, please credit when re-posting.