Travel Log History

The Magical Ferris Wheel

A staple at every carnival and amusement park, the Ferris Wheel provides its riders with great spectacular views, sweet little romantic moments, or just a quick escape from the ground below. I have always been quite mystified by the giant wheel and its colorful cars carrying people into the sky and back. A few months ago I read the book "The Devil in the White City" written by Erik Larson. An absolutely fantastic read detailing the creation of the 1893 Chicago's World Fair along with a behind the scenes story of a serial killer running a muck. The tagline reads, "Murder, magic, and madness at the fair that changed America." If that does not catch your interest then I do not know what will! Quite an interesting history, I assure you. While reading the book I learned the story behind the creation of the great Ferris Wheel for the expedition. I found this to be fascinating since no one really ever stops to think about how this staple came to be. I was so thrilled to photograph it while Alison and I were on our Knoebels journey. See the previous post for more pictures from the park

 A short summary from howstuffworks.com perfectly tells the story behind this mystical wheel. "For the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago, engineer George Ferris presented fair organizers with his idea of a giant rotating wheel that would carry passengers in cars attached around the outer edge. He convinced organizers to allow him to build the structure, which would rival France's Eiffel Tower. Indeed, Ferris's wheel, which cost $380,000 and stood 264 feet tall with a wheel diameter of 250 feet, was a huge success. Each car held 60 people, and, at 50 cents a ride, the wheel was one of the most popular attractions at the World's Fair. The Ferris wheel is a must-have for any carnival, and thousands of replications continue to delight passengers of all ages."

Travel Log

Knoebels Amusement Park

One thing that never gets old in the summer is amusement parks. In my area the family run and owned Knoebels opened its doors on July 4, 1926 and has never looked back. It is currently the largest admission free amusement park in America. The charm of Knoebels lies within its location in a forested area and allowing all age groups to enjoy the festivities without having to pay a fee. For me, the charm of the park comes from its ability to relive my childhood happiness. My mom and dad would always bring my brother Michael and I to the park around dinner time. By then most of the visitors were leaving, the warm summer air was starting to cool off, and the spectacular lights on all of the rides were starting to come on. It was magical. We would arrive and have our dinner over at the baked potato stand and then start our night of pure happiness. Perhaps that is where the key to Knoebels lies, being able to, if only for a few hours out of the day, have those magical memories be brought to life again.

For this journey to Knoebels, my friend Alison and I (our families would often go to Knoebels together) traveled down to the park specifically to capture the beautiful scenery and rides. I never wanted to bring my camera into the park while riding the rides so this proved to be a great opportunity to photograph the experience.  We both got great shots and ended up having enough time left over to enjoy some of the rides. We stayed until closing trying to cram in as much fun as we could. All in all it was a great day beautifully captured.

Nifty Nautical

One thing I simply cannot get enough of in summer is nautical fashion. Whether it's stripes, anchors, sailboats or whales, I can never get my fill of the wonderfully classic style. The colors of red, white and blue (how patriotic!) always feel fresh and have such a timeless feel to them. Some nautical fashions also incorporate black and gray into the picture. As soon as the warmer weather hits, I immediately pull all of my nautical clothes out of their storage and start piecing together my outfits. From dresses to t-shirts, this style can fit any age and style you wish. This dress comprises of the ever popular blue and white stripe with a rope textured belt. The red and gold chained bag is elegant and stays true to the nautical feel. The hat, vintage of course!, fits right in with its navy blue color. The shoes, I cannot say enough how in love I am with this pair, are a bright retro red with red jewels on them. After my recent visit to Cape Cod, I feel even more attuned with all things nautical. Truly a summer staple that always delights. Ships Ahoy!

Dress Modcloth, Bag Bag Banana Republic, Hat vintage, Shoes DSW, Ring Jacquline Kennedy reproduction

I purchased this ring up in Hyannis on Cape Cod. It is a reproduction of a sapphire ring Jacqueline Kennedy owned. She purchased the ring on a summer trip to Europe in the 1970s. Round simulated sapphires sparkle at the center of this 24K gold-plated ring. Two rows of clear and dark blue Swarovski crystals form a stunning circular pattern.

““Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.””

— Mark Twain

“ We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea - whether it is to sail or to watch it - we are going back from whence we came.”

— John F. Kennedy

Travel Log

My Family Trip to Cape Cod 2014

There are few places I love more to be in than Cape Cod. Specifically the charming town of Hyannis. Now if the name sounds familiar to you, most likely you know it because the Kennedy family lived in Hyannis Port, which is about two miles down the road from where our hotel was. Each town has their own appeal with little main streets, fantastic places to eat, and incredible sites to see including light houses, beaches, vineyards, museums, and so much more! I feel the most at peace and relaxed while I'm there. Last year my dad and I traveled to Hyannis so we could experience all things JFK. Being a big fan and admirer, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and hoped to get back to indulge in all of the wonderful sites we had yet to see. Luckily, we decided to once again travel to Cape Cod this year and finish off some items from the bucket list created in preparation for last years trip. My brother Michael joined us on the 2014 voyage to Hyannis and I was so happy he could experience this with us. Everyone should go to Cape Cod at least once in their life time. Some highlights from the trip include:

• The JFK Museum
• Nantucket
• Being out on the open waters to travel to Nantucket
• Celebrating my birthday, which also happens to be the same day as JFK's birthday!, in and around his hometown
• Nauset beach and the lighthouse (this lighthouse is on the Cape Cod potato chip bag)
• Seeing the Kennedy Compound up close in person
• Seeing JFK and Jackie's house from street level
• Climbing to the top of the Highland Lighthouse
• The Truro Vineyard
• The Chatham Lighthouse
• Eating at Columbo's, The Chatham Squire, Moby Dick's, The Black Cat, and The Dockside
• Finally, the hotel itself will always hold a special place in my heart. Having tea in the library, the amazing view from out deck of the harbor, having breakfast in the library and gazing across the harbor, and most of all, sitting by the fire pit in adirondack chairs, sipping on some beer while reminiscing about life and looking upon the ships entering and leaving the harbor.

“I always go to Hyannisport to be revived, to know again the power of the sea and the Master who rules over it and all of us.””

— John F. Kennedy

Healthy Bites

Balsamic Roast Pork Tenderloins

One of my favorite go to meals to make is Balsamic Roast Tenderloins. They're rather easy to make and pack a whole lot of flavor from all of the garlic and herbs piled high on top of them. Not only that, but this meal comprises of all healthy ingredients ranging from the garlic, herbs, and evoo. Garlic is known to be a natural immune booster, has loads of vitamin C and B6 in it, regulates blood sugar, fights bacterial infections, and reduces cholesterol. Rosemary is known to improve digestion, enhance memory concentration, fights free radicals in the brain, and boots the immune system with antioxidants. Thyme is rich in vitamin A, contains antiseptic and antibiotic properties, aids in digestion, improves the appearance of acne, and controls blood pressure levels. Without further ado, here is the yummy recipe you can enjoy while also reaping all of the healthy benefits!

What you'll need:

• 1 package or 4 pork tenderloins
• 4 tbls of balsamic vinegar
• 4 tbls of extra virgin olive oil  (evoo)
• 4 cloves of garlic, chopped
• steak seasoning or coarse salt and pepper
• 4 sprigs of rosemary, stripped and finely chopped
• 4 sprigs of thyme, stripped and finely chopped

Directions:

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees
• Trim the fat off of the tenderloins
• Coat the tenderloins with balsamic vinegar. About 1 tbl spoon per tenderloin,
• Drizzle pork with evoo, just enough to coat
• Cut small slits into the meat and disperse chunks of garlic into the meat
• Combine steak seasoning with rosemary and thyme and rub meat with the blend.
• Place the tenderloins onto a nonstick cookie sheet.
• Roast in the oven for about 20 minutes.

Beauty All Around

One of the biggest complaints I hear when dealing with photography is there is nothing to shoot. Not so! Simply go outside into the backyard or nearby area to capture the scenery around you. The simpleness of a single flower can make a huge impact in a photo. People just walk by them everyday and do not realize the beauty they possess or how intriguing they can be. All of these photos were recently captured around my property. The photo of the lake at sunset was taken about 15 minutes from my house. An easier step to remember when shooting flowers is to try and get the background blurred out for that quality impact shot. Basically, you want to keep the aperture wide open and depending on your lens, that could be at a 1.8 to a 5.6. Then zoom in on the flower, pick a focus point, and voila, you're on your way to capturing all the beauty around you. On a side note, the rhododendron blooms were taken just after it had rained outside. The tiny water droplets really add depth to the image. Some people like to take a water spritzer with them to add water into the photograph and while I've never done this myself, it without question will give the photo that something extra special. All in all, open your eyes to see the world around you. Anything from a dandelion, flower, bird feeder, leaf, insect, bumblebee, bird, rocks, or a new perspective or angle can widen your horizons when photographing. 

Blush in Bloom

Lovely Lace

Recently I've been getting into vintage hats. I adore the delicate pink flowers on this one. It feels so feminine and fresh for Spring and Summer. To compliment the look I chose a blush lace dress with a vintage beaded clutch from my grandmother. The beading has little pink flowers on it. The broach is also vintage with pink rhinestones and a gold finish. I wanted the shoes to be more modern with the height and decided on a pair of nude color ones so they would blend in with the outfit. Notice the tips of the heels have little rhinestones on them. I wore this outfit to my friends baby shower since she is having a little girl, I can't wait to meet you little Madison!, and also, this would be perfect for a lunch date with friends or for some afternoon tea.

Vintage Blue

Blue and blush, need I say more? I've always had a certain love affair with this combination of colors. My mom even decorated our house in shades of blue and rose. The navy background of the dress lets the subtle blue and blush tones of the roses stand out, yet blend in perfectly together. The shoes I have on even color coordinate to the dress with their navy background and pink polka dots. The icy blue of the purse makes a nice neutral shade to stand against the dress and the jewelry all blends together beautifully with shades of gold and pink in them. What I really love about the outfit is the vintage look and modern feel it has. It's a balancing act between how much skin is showing really. The dress allows for a flippy skirt because the arm length is three quarters long.

Dress LC Lauren Conrad, Heels Payless, Bag TJMaxx, Scarf Vintage.

A classic way to add polish to your handbag is to simply tie a scarf around the handles or chains. Voila! Instant sophistication.

I've always had a soft spot for this pair of shoes. The peep toe, ruffled bow, and pink polka dots against a navy background are reminiscent of the 1950s, yet have the heel height to bring them into the now. Simply adore them.

Benefits of Green Tea

Every morning I look forward to drinking mint green tea. It not only soothes and calms, but gets me ready for the day ahead. This tea comes jam packed with health benefits and also contains less caffeine than black tea or coffee. As someone who becomes too jittery with caffeine this tea wins my stamp of approval. Looking to try a new morning pick me up? Look no further than green tea and reap the rewards. Trust me, your body will thank you later on. A little added bonus, by squeezing a citrus juice into your tea, I use lemons, this boosts the power of the antioxidants and keeps them in the body longer.

• Contains the highest amount of antioxidants of any tea
• Polyphenols have been shown to decrease tumor growth. Drinking green tea over long period of time has also been shown to decrease multiple cancers.
• Prevents dental cavities
• Lowers stress levels
• Reduces risk of heart disease
• Naturally cleans teeth and freshens breath
• Improves arthritis by reducing inflammation throughout the body
• Can help in weight loss by increasing metabolism
• The catechins in the tea give your immune system a big boost by creating an antibacterial state within the body. This helps in preventing sickness and disease.
• Great for skin due to its high content of antioxidants and inflammatory properties.
• Spritz some green tea onto the face to draw out impurities and get a gorgeous glow
• Steep the tea for 15 minutes and allow to cool for a few hours. Rinse hair with it and allow to sit for about 10 minutes. Make sure to shampoo and condition afterwards as normal. This gives lack luster hair a boost of shine.

Birds of a Feather

Peacock Feathers and Mint Mirages

This simple Spring outfit contains three of my favorite things. One being peacock feathers, the other two being the colors mint and blush. It's a color combo that never fails for me. The shirt is from LC Lauren Conrad and the skirt from Forever 21. I piled on blue and green jewelry, especially the peacock necklace, which also happens to come from Forever 21. My favorite accessory here, the Steve Madden purse from TJ Maxx, blends in so perfectly with the outfit. Its blush tone and flower applique make it the epitome spring time carry all. The outfit feels fresh and feminine, plus has the luxury of being lightweight making it a great transition piece into the warmer summer months ahead. On a quick side note, the peacock naturally replaces its feathers annually, making it a symbol of renewal, which also co-indices with the symbolism of Spring being a renewal of the earth.

Sweet Treats

Blueberry  Crumble Cake

My sweet treat indulgence for this week is a delicious blueberry crumble cake. Keeping true to my retro roots, the recipe comes from a Retro Baking book with a healthy update, while still keeping the flavor and decadence alive. Enjoy this treat while taking a break from the day and sipping on some tea of coffee.

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup truvia baking sugar
• 2/3 cup butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsps baking powder
• 2 eggs, seperated (reserve the whites)
• 1 cup of almond milk
• 1 cup of fresh blueberries

Grease and flour the bottom of a 12x8x2 inch rectangle pan. In a large mixing bowl sift together flour and sugar. Using a fork cut in butter until mixture becomes crumbly. Measure 3/4 cup of flour mixture and set aside. To remaining flour mixture beat in baking powder, salt, egg yolks, and milk; beat about 2 minutes. In a small mixing bowl beat egg whites until stuff and still moist. Gently fold into batter and pour into pan. Spread blueberries over batter and sprinkle crumb mixture over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.

Modern Muses

Current Day Lovely Ladies

Lauren Conrad

This series of Modern Muses celebrates the lovely ladies of today. While my retro ravens of the past inspire me to live as elegantly as I can, these modern beauties have a flair for the by gone era, while still being contemporary chic.

My first beauty is none other than Lauren Conrad. She simply inspires me to live beautifully and to possess a charming femininity in all aspects of life. Probably half of my closest is filled with her LC Lauren Conrad line from Kohls. The clothes are modern, but have a vintage feel to them. She not only inspires me, but woman all over the world. Her website, laurenconrad.com, has daily updates of all things lovely, including fashion, decorating, dining, and primping. Lauren is by no means an "old-fashioned" girl, yet she has a ladylike charm that stems from the enchanting women of the past. Her passionate work ethic comes through in all of her endevours including her fashion lines Paper Crown and LC Lauren Conrad, her eco line XO Eco,  being an author, and finally the co founder of The Little Market. I admire her greatly for her ambition in wanting to leave the world in a better condition with eco chic items and the free trade agreement, while also styling ladies with her great fashion sense. In conclusion, Lauren motivates me to be the best version of myself possible. There is no other person that could be my first modern muse.

“I love anything really feminine. I love any sort of girly detail - anything with a bow or a heart on it, I’m immediately in love with.”

— Lauren Conrad

“Blogging is a great way to show your talents and interests to prospective employers, while adding an edge to your resume. If you blog consistently it shows your dedication, passions and creativity - all of which are key attributes employers look for in job candidates.”

— Lauren Conrad

“As a designer, you are flattered to see anyone in one of your designs, whether it’s on a red carpet or passing by you in the market. It’s this wonderful little high every time.
”

— Lauren Conrad

“If you’re putting your name on something, it’s really important to be a part of it, or else people will just do whatever they want with it. And then it’s not really you, and it won’t be true.”

— Lauren Conrad

Photos: laurenconrad.com, ilovefashionnews.nl, justjared.com

C'est Magnifique

We'll Always Have Paris

Ah, Paris, the one place that just by saying its name brings upon images of romance and style. Humphrey Bogart telling Ingrid Bergman "we'll always have Paris," the memory of a happier time for the doomed couple. By the way, my favorite movie has always been Casablanca. There seems to be a certain chicness to French styling that no one else has. It exudes elegance without even trying. The classic black and white stripes bring an effortless cool to this outfit, while the red shoes, bag, and lip add a nice pop of color. The black midi skirt ties the look together and practically makes you want to twirl around in it all day. A black hat finishes the look by adding mystery, something every French woman seems to have. Jouir!

Happy May

May Day

May 1st brings the arrival of May Day, a springtime holiday celebrated with festivals to announce the sign of rebirth. The origin of the holiday dates back to 1886, when workers in Chicago walked off of the job, demanding an eight-hour work day, something that was not yet common during that period. This was a "rebirth" for many workers and a victory none the less. This signaled the International Worker's Day as being May 1st around the world, but the United States did not yet establish the holiday for fear of the Haymarket affair, which stood for revolution at the time. The Haymarket affair started out as a peaceful rally for the workers, but quickly grew out of control when someone threw a stick of dynamite into the crowd. The U.S. was afraid of riots starting out, something the Haymarket affair was known for, so instead changed the holiday to what we now know as Labor Day and moved the date to September. Another possible reason the U.S. tried to further itself from International Workers Day could stem from the Bolshevik Revolution happening on May 1st 1917.

Current day seems to celebrate the holiday more for the arrival and blossoming of Springtime. The festivals usually have dancing, singing, cake, and food to celebrate. On a personal note, my grandmother was named May Day Queen when she was in high school. Whatever the holiday means to you, be sure to get out and celebrate the warm weather and sunshine. Let the festivities begin!

The Cat's Meow

Puurfect

This puurfect outfit embraces a simple black monochromatic look with the pencil skirt and shirt. The top's stripped layering effect is built into it from Modcloth. Next, add on some lovely leopard accessories and voila! a new outfit is born. This look will never go out of style. The ever chic black and white combo combined with any animal print defies the changing trends and lends a hand to the meaning of timeless.

The heels are from LC Lauren Conrad and the clutch comes from Target. In my opinion, these heels really pack a one two punch and are effortless to walk in!

Blazing Blue

Be a Trail Blazer

It's hard not to get noticed in this fancy blue frock with a bright blue cardigan. Pop on those nude colored heels and get ready to succeed your way through the day!

One color I love, without any doubt, is blue. Many outfits I wear either contain the color, or are completely dominated by it. On upcoming posts you'll see the color incorporated into outfits and paired with another favorite color of mine, blush.  Today I chose to wear my LC Lauren Conrad trench from Kohls since the cool wind was whipping around outside.

Beneath the beautiful teal trench I paired the blue and white frock with a blue cardigan from Banana Republic. I literally wear this cardigan everywhere. The smashing color goes with everything in my closet and the white beading classes up the appearance. The nude heels blend into my legs and do not compete for too attention from the main focus of the blue outfit.

The white purse from Steve Madden has been recycled for about three seasons now and I can imagine having this for the long haul, it really never goes out of style!

The replica Kate Middleton engagement ring perfectly compliments the blue colors in the outfit as does the replica emerald Jackie Kennedy engagement ring. The gold ring on my middle finger is from my mother and I always wear it as it goes with just about everything, simple and classic. The tennis bracelet was also my mother's and like the ring, is timeless. The gold watch comes from New York and Company.

Simple Pleasures

Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

When it comes to dessert time, that signals all sorts of warning bells in my head. Basically, how bad the sweet treat can be for my body and health. One thing I have learned though, like most things in life, is moderation is key. I always watch the sugar content in all types of foods be it the appetizer, main course, or dessert, due to the toll it takes on the body. Sugar can literally make you look older, yikes! Cutting sweets completely out of the diet would be ideal, but as I have learned in the past, cravings can come on strong and take over, leading to an eventual dessert fest of all sorts. To keep the cravings at bay moderation comes into play. Either make healthy comprises like swapping milk chocolate out for healthy 70% dark chocolate, which is filled with flavanoids and becomes more like fiber at 70%, or treat yourself to one dessert a week so as not to completely limit yourself, but also keeping the sugar at bay. This way, you can have your cake and eat it too, the best of both worlds being had.

Finding that balance can be tricky, but simply takes some planning and good decision making. Instead of bleached flour, buy whole wheat flour, and instead of white rice, try the ever healthy quinoa. I've used whole wheat flour and quinoa in many of my recipes for cooking and baking, and they come out fantastic. Instead of grabbing a bag of chips from the vending machine, try to pack an apple instead or bring some berries and almonds to munch on. Having that one dessert at the end on the week, or whenever you prefer, will not seem so bad after all of the healthy choices being made. Not only that, but it gives you something to look forward to, a nice reward for all of your hard work!

Elegant Easter

My Classic Easter Look

In my mind, Spring does not officially arrive until Easter. The whole basic meaning of Easter is the renewal of life, which, perfectly co-insides with the events going on all around us at Spring time. White has always been the classic Easter look, just take a look at the fabulous Judy Garland in "Easter Parade" or in "Meet Me in St. Louis" when her whole family is going to visit the Louisiana Expedition in the Spring, all are decked out in head to toe white. For me, I chose a white embroidered dress that has the best bow detail around the collar that I got from Modcloth. The nude clutch with crystal bow detailing works perfectly to keep the outfit classic. Get this, the clutch is from Cracker Barrel! Never would have guessed that, but it shows how pretty finds can be found where you least expect it. I decided on a slight pop of color with my shoes from DSW. They have a blended floral print on them with the majority of the color being blue. A sock bun pulls the polished look together and the beautiful earrings are from the Jacqueline Kennedy collection. Hope everyone enjoyed their Easter!

Blushing Beauty

Lipstick Confidential

To go hand in hand with yesterday's post, the blushing beauty trend continues with Luscious Lips to perk up your day. My favorite lipsticks tend to be on the pinker side, but do not get me wrong, I love a good classic crimson as well. Another great way to brighten up the day or mood is with a simple swipe of lipstick. Not only will this make your teeth look whiter, but it also makes you look more polished and put together. Win win in my book!

The Lipstick brands and names in order from left to right are:

• Revlon: Pink Cognito
• Sonia Kashuk: Hit of Pink
• Sugar: Rose
• Sonia Kashuk:Blushing
• Mark: Sweetie Pie  (I wore this on my wedding day!)

Nothing feels more ladylike than twirling up the lipstick in the tube and then gently gliding it onto your lips. Pure perfection.

Blushing Beauty

Luscious Lips and Fancy Floral

Dreary days literally call out for a little pick me up. What better way than by wearing bright and cheery colors! Blush tones have always been a favorite of mine to add a little pep in your step. This color also feels very feminine and ladylike, two things I always strive for. So why not store away those winter hues and dig out some beautiful Spring time shades for a light and airy look.

The blazer, dress, and shoes are all LC Lauren Conrad from her Kohls line. The clutch comes from Loft. The femininity of the blazer and the blush tone are what originally caught my eye. Notice the scalloped edges and how it just flows around the body. I chose a nude heel to compliment this look and to have them blend in rather than stand out. Also notice the bow detailing on the heels, it's all in the details ladies!

Pastel's will always go hand in hand with Spring. Luckily for me, I wear pastels throughout the whole year and absolutely love them. They look and feel fresh, which is what Spring is all about as well as lightening up on the layers and the colors in your closet. So why not put a smile on someones face as you breeze by in your effortless blush tone outfit, and remember, it's all about having fun!