I always need an extra day to get back into things after returning from a trip! I enjoyed my laptop free and minimal phone week so much I couldn’t bear to open my computer on the flight home Sunday night, and instead decided to read the whole flight home (this book!) and take an extra day to get back to blogging.
But Hiiiiiii! I’m back!

Kip and I flew to Chicago last Monday and spent 2 days in the suburbs, then a day and night in the city, and then drove a couple hours to Whitehall Michigan where he has a family cottage on the lake.  It was such a great trip! I packed all of the blue and white I could get my hands on.

My husband has always called me a real firecracker from the start of our relationship so I loved this tee the minute I saw it!   And I wore my pom earrings in white or red and striped Tory sandals all week long!

// FIRECRACKER TEE // runs TTS, size down if you want a fitted tee
// STRIPED TORY BURCH SANDALS // POM EARRINGS //
// OLD NAVY JEAN SHORTS //

I got to see a few more friends than expected, but as usual with our Chicago visits, we are all over the place so it’s nearly impossible to see everyone we’d like.  This visit we were only in the city for a day so that made it even harder! I always want to stay in Chicago as long as possible.   Still, it was a great week.
We had a great time in the suburbs with BBQ’s with family, a breakfast with girlfriends, and a quick pitstop at Studio Lagree which is always a great, killer workout!

My mother-in-law is quite the gardener, so clearly we are complete opposites……

Wednesday we headed downtown to the city. It’s crazy how empty Chicago was! We decided 4th of July needs to always be when we visit.   I don’t know if it was because the holiday fell in the middle of the week, but the city was so dead.  It was hot, hot, hot but gorgeous as always.  Nothing beats Chicago.
It was my first time staying in a hotel since we moved, and we stayed at The Dana in River North right next to Kip’s old building which was fun.  Our room was amazing so we lucked out since the hotel wasn’t full.

I had planned to get better photos of this dress at the lake, but was busy having too much fun and keeping the phone away over the week. So until I can get a better pic, this will have to do! I love this dress – it is very comfortable and I love the eyelet with the tassel detail.  It runs slightly large!  Best part, it’s only $75!

// DRESS //

Thursday I squeezed in a Barry’s class, right next to the hotel, with a friend before we hit the road for Michigan with our two friends.  Kip’s been going to his families place in Whitehall since he was a baby and we hadn’t been since the summer before last!  Michigan consisted of lots of eating, reading, “golfing” – which was driving the cart while the boys golfed, cooking, and playing games.  I always forget how much being on the water or simply having water views is good for the mind, body and soul.  Especially with a glass of wine in hand!

The stairs UP from the beach are always a killer, but worth it every time!

I didn’t hit a single ball, but we had a lot of fun golfing!

The sunsets are unbelievable – and can only really be beaten by the amount of stars you see at night from the back porch!

We did a cocktail cruise on Saturday that was the perfect way to spend our final night!

On our way out of town on Sunday we swung by Buzz’a Lakeside Inn on the White Lake side for gorgeous views and an amazing lunch! It is run by friends in-laws and was our first time getting to see it!

I finished The Wife Between Us and am undecided on it….. I loved the beginning, but then I felt like it didn’t keep me interested and I was ready for it to end and be on to something else?  It wasn’t bad…. but didn’t love it.
However I DO love this bikini. It comes in several colors and prints – size up in the top if you want more coverage or have a chest!

// BIKINI TOP // BIKINI BOTTOM //

There are two things making it easy to get bak in to the swing of things this week…….. television (OBVIOUSLY) and the Nordstrom Sale.
Early Access for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts this Thursday for cardholders and it’s always one of my favorite sales. I’ll have lots and lots of posts for it once it kicks off!

For now, I am just trying to work my way through everything I missed from the DVR last week.
Did any of you catch the premiere of Very Cavallari on Sunday?!
I have that on my list!
And the RH of OC premieres this week, too!
AND the Southern Charm Finale.
I mean, it goes on and on! And yet I still have hours to catch up on…. so you’ll know where you’ll find me every night this week.