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.)

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Wanderlust Wednesday

The Mineral Baths at Terme di Saturnia in Tuscany, Italy

I was fortunate enough to spend some time living Florence during college and while there I always wanted to check out these cool mineral baths in Tuscany.

Being restricted by the time and money constraints of a college kid at the time I never made it. (Although I did get to do lots of awesome others stuff!)

If I ever get back to that wonderful corner of the world it's my mission to go.

I mean, how cool is this?

Kisses,

K

(Image via Pinterest.)

 

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Wanderlust Wednesday

White Cliffs of Dover in England

Maybe it's the Shakespeare lover in me (it is) or the geology nerd (also true) but I've always wanted to see the iconic white cliffs of Dover in England...

No wonder so many stories are set there. Just Magnifeicent.

Don't we live on an incredibly dynamic planet?

Kisses,

K

(Image via Pinterest.)

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Wanderlust Wednesday

Angel Falls, Venezuela

Have you seen the animated Pixar film Up?

If you have, you've probably watched the mysterious landscape depicted with absolute wonder... And wondered if it was even real... Well, my friends, it is.

I googled it. Right after watching the movie at home one day. Holy moly, it's fantastically real!

It looks like you'd need a helicopter to get around but if that's ever in your budget (and good for you!) then I'd go for it! I really would.

Just check out that amazing waterfall!

There's some pretty awesome geologic forces at work down in Venezuela!

Kisses,

K

(Image via Pinterest.)

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Wanderlust Wednesday

Round Island Lighthouse, MI

I have a dream of owning a little cabin somewhere up on a lake in Wisconsin or Michigan... Wouldn't it be superb to wake up to the fresh crisp air, pack up some coffee and a morning snack, and hike out to this lovely lighthouse?

My kind of morning.

Kisses,

K

(Image via Pinterest.)

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Wanderlust Wednesday

Havasu Falls

Somewhere in the Grand Canyon in Arizona lies Havasu Falls. I've yet to have the opportunity to go to the Grand Canyon but if I ever get to, I want to go here. It's a place that just seems steeped in mystery and history to me. The history of the earth and it's peoples. The stunning vista it provides fuels my desire for adventure.

I've always dreamed of rafting through the canyon and stopping along the way to make camp near places like Havasu Falls. That being said, I have no clue where in the canyon it lies so I'm not sure that's even possible... Lol.

A girl can dream though, right?

Kisses,

K

(Image via Pinterest.)

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Postcard From Paradise...

Today is our final day in Hawaii, we fly out late tonight at 11pm from Kona.

So we are carrying I our tradition of mailing each other a postcard from our anniversary trip.

Every year, no matter where we are, we decided we would mail each other a note telling the other one why we love them for our anniversary. Our hope is to have a lovely tradition and mementos to pass down to our family someday.

Our anniversary trip was a bit early this year because we planned it to coincide with our Hawaii trip for my sisters wedding (After of course. When in paradise...) but we decided to mail them out on our last day here anyway.

Here's mine for the Husband. (There's two tiny people in that outrigger.)

Can't wait to see which one he chose for me and read what he wrote!

I'll be sure to share more once we've returned home. (Although I still have our Christmas decorations waiting to be put away, ugh...)

So, A Hui Hou (until we meet again) Hawaii and friends.

Tropical Kisses,

K

(Photos created and owned by Krista Carson.)

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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.)

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