Chicago Bound

Well, we are off to Chicago to visit family, friends, some stores & doing some sightseeing!!! We are hopping on a train to head to the Windy City. Little Assistant #1 is SO excited about the train ride she can't stand it.........should be fun since we normally drive or fly since Chicago isn't that far from us. Can't wait to take the little assistants for a day off to Shedd's Aquarium & to the top of the John Hancock building!



This should be a wonderful weekend especially since I spent tons of time yesterday trying to find a hotel downtown that wasn't a complete fortune, LOL!! I think there are 3+ conventions happening this weekend so there are not a lot of rooms left in the city. But the travel agent in me prevailed and found us a fabulous hotel right in the middle of the Magnificent Mile perfect for everything that we have planned to do. Ben was very impressed! LOL!!! The hotel that we both love the Palmer House was available but the pool is closed so....no dice on this trip. Hopefully next time. I will post more about our trip when I get back. Keeping our fingers & toes crossed that the weather holds out for us!



Looking forward to hopefully seeing Ben's old roommate & college fraternity buddy as well as some family that lives in Chicagoland and of course checking out some the great boutiques in Bucktown as well as a few other neighborhoods. I can't wait to get over to Rush and check out what new restaurants that have popped up since I was there last......I have a couple of fav's that I love to visit.



I know, it's not down south where its already warm but it is Chicago. Can't tell I love this city can you? I would live there in a heartbeat, honestly! I lived there for about 3 months in a downtown apartment while I was training with a great company that I worked for some time back and really fell for the city in a big way. I just don't get over there as often as I would like, although maybe that will change in the future!

Scenes from the UpNorth Beach Studio

So this is what it has looked like outside the UpNorth Beach Studio's for the last several months....snowy, icy, beautiful but honestly
this Southern girl is ready for some major sunshine!!!!

I get very inspired when I am at the cottage UpNorth. Peaceful, quiet, nature all around, everything is back to basics and the simple things in life........how can you not be inspired by that.

I love how the snow & ice form on the beautiful blue/green waters on Lake Michigan's West Bay........Looks almost like frosting on a cake, don't you think?

Back to the prsent though..........We had a great weekend UpNorth and just loved being by the water, watching the swans in front of the cottage, seeing the last bit of snow melt away which means that summer is finally getting near. Ben is so excited that he will be back on his beloved sailboat very soon!!!
Soon we will have beach fires, sailing the day away, drives through the Michigan wine country, cherry blossoms ( Traverse City is the Cherry Capital of the World), eating cherries by the pound, looking for the Northern Lights as well as enjoying the sparkling stars that light up the sky at night.......
can't tell that I am dreaming of summer can you?

Well, at least in the meantime I got on the beach with the sand in my toes to take some new shots of some of my current favorite jewelry! This is one of my fav's! Black & White with twisted sterling silver........You can wear this with anything!!! Fabulous yet classic.

Love this one of a kind faceted moonstone & Swarovski crystal necklace. The moonstone has such variations and is just stunning in person!

This necklace is such fun! Multi-colored pearls, sterling silver, handblown glass & a Fabulous Swarovksi Crystal Starfish!!! Adorable and perfect for all of our Beach Lovers out there!!!

This necklace is from our June Beach Collection. It is called Sanibel! Love the Simplicity of the necklace with the freshwater pearls & Swarovski crystal.........

The sun is setting on our weekend UpNorth.......we always wish we could stay here forever and not go back to our normal lives.....but what a blessing & treat to be able to get away from it all and get energized again......

I will live you with this parting necklace for the day.......it reminds me of the beautiful waters at the cottage. So soft and serene.......yet strong and powerful.

Have a sparkling day!

June