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.

Wanderlust Wednesday

The seven mile bridge in the Florida Keys.

I've always wanted to head down that way...

Kisses,

K

(Image via Wordpress.)

Posted with love, please credit when re-posting.

First Day in Maui So Far!

So after this...

We landed last night to this...

Then today we woke up to this...

The condo we're staying in has an amazing view!

We even had the special treat of a rainbow while enjoying our morning cup of joe.

Then we headed over to the Ritz Carlton to see my sisters wedding site.

I loved this beautiful altar.

And the view there is stunning!

The beach is stunning.

And the ocean is so many gorgeous shades of blue...

Me, my sister the bride, and the husband.

A bit wind blown.

On the walk up off the beach we stopped at the Jean Michell Cousteau Ambassador Conservation Center where they had Loco and Moco the pigs.

Of course I had to stop and say hello!

They were the cutest! Such little sweeties!

Then we headed over to Star Noodle for lunch. It's supposed to be some of the best noodles on the island and is where Sheldon from Top Chef cooked for a while (not sure if he's still there...).

Any rate... It was sooo yummy!

We started with the Ahi Avo, a seasoned raw ahi and avocado dish that was superb.

Next we indulged in some steamy deliciousness.

These steamed pork buns were so good with the hoisin sauce and spicy mustard they came with.

I'm really loving the steamed bun combo these days.

I had the the Fried Saimin noodles minus the egg, cause I'm allergic. It had kamaboko (the pink and white fish pieces), spam, bean sprouts, and scallions. I wasn't so sure about the spam cause it was my first time trying it... It wasn't bad but it was the dish as a whole that was super good.

The husband had the Lahaina Fried Soup which consists of Fat Chow Funn, ground pork, and bean sprouts. It was yummy too but mine was better.

I washed it all down with some Teazu: iced tea, yuzu, and simple syrup. Definitely something to try to replicate later!

Next we headed back to the condo my parents rented where my sister is staying. Tristan was watching for humpback whales and enjoying the waves and kit boarders.

The view is gorgeous!

So right now we're just chilling out and enjoying all of this!

Maui Kisses,

K

(All photos created and owned by Krista Carson.)

Posted with love, please credit when re-posting.