London Day 2 + 3

London has been breathtaking and inspiring on all fronts. Our apartment sits right outside a quiet avenue lined with trimmed trees and beside a grand park bordered by wrought iron gates and towering greenery. Rooftops peek over the trees, exposing rows of storybook chimney pots. The view never gets old. Every morning as we begin out and down the street, we pick up coffee and head for the Tube. 

Thursday, we were taken to see The Photographers' Gallery to view the current exhibition and winners of this years prestigious Deutsche Börse Photography Prize. The gallery is so streamlined and so chic - a vertical column of whites and warm wood. One of my favorite pieces was by Jochen Lempert; I simply love portraits, but even more so those that take a subtle feature and amplify its beauty (plus its no secret I have a thing for freckles...). 

The afternoon was left for exploring. First we visited the deserted railway tunnel where graffiti artist Banksy held an exhibition several years ago. Although graffiti isn't my style, to stand in that tunnel was very moving. My love for Banksy began after viewing Exit Through the Gift Shop during a course I took on art film and standing in that forgotten space gone famous had me dreamy. 

Before dinner we were taken to see Big Ben and relaxed in Parliament Square beside Westminster Abbey. Nothing could have prepared me for the view. All I could do was take in the air, the locals, and imagine one of my favorite stories from when I was young...

The next day we toured the Tower of London and rested beside the majestic bridge. I quickly became obsessed with the pops of color and potted gardens I spotted around...

That night we all went out for beer at the most delightful pub just up the street from our apartment. Our bartender was sweet, the locals were kind (there was a mixup between mine and a man's drink - we shared a laugh), and the company was good. Everything was perfect.

London Day 1

I'm still in a state of flux over flying into London this afternoon. After landing and making our way through the Tube, my eyes were so full of everything. The sprawling green parks enclosed by borders of English Ivy,  potted plants clumped and swarmed on apartment stoops, the bustle and natural hum of the city... It still hasn't hit me. When we made it to our apartment we were shocked at how gorgeous Byron Court is and the size of our place. 

We spent the evening around a table of fish & chips before heading out to explore and stopping at a small grocer to stock up before heading home. I spotted Dash coffee bar on our walk and exhaled; I know where I'll be in the morning... Tomorrow we're visiting a few galleries and dining on Balti cuisine. I have so much more to share but it's finally time to climb into bed and rest after so many traveling hours. xo

3-1-1 Beauty

I don't know how I would have managed without these tips by Christine Mikesell while packing for my month in Europe. By far it's been the most useful thing I've found on packing your beauty regime into a plastic bag.

Besides the obvious, I stash DryBar's dry shampoo into my bag as well. I usually step out in second (or third) day hair and this little miracle gives my hair volume and keeps my morning routine insanely minimal.

I also look forward to using the slew of trial size products I have lying all over from shops I've gathered here and there. This is the perfect time to use them in place of bulkier items that would take up room in your zip-top.

Earlier I shared with you what I pack outside of my 3-1-1 bag in this post. It's amazing what you can consolidate and do without.

Packing Light

I have always been an overpacker. Ensuring I would be prepared for anything from a night on the town or a dip in the lake, I would take tremendously sized suitcases, looking akin to Joe Banks in Joe Versus the Volcano.

During my last several road trips, however, I've been reducing my luggage and what I bring to not only travel lighter, but actually feel lighter. There's something about just grabbing and going that gives way to a sense of freedom and excitement of the adventure. I find myself feeling a greater connection to the wild blue and a fresh mentality of blissful spontaneity.

Therefore, I plan on reducing myself to a carry-on for my time abroad. Believe me, at first I found it an impossible thought. How do you manage beauty? After mining Pinterest and receiving an overwhelming response from dear friends and family, I'd love to share what I'll be placing in my sole toiletry bag, outside TSA's regulated 3-1-1 zip-top.

I'm traveling with my West Elm bag, something that packs far more than it looks, which I love. Whatever you choose, be sure it has a water-resistant lining. This makes clean up a snap when your blusher decides to spruce up the place.

In the bag:
Clarifying facial wipes
Facial cleansing bar
Solid shampoo & conditioner (I use Lush products; this frees up insane room in your 3-1-1)
Hair ties & pins

Toothbrush
Trial size floss
Comb
Nail file & buffer bar (leaves your nails buffed and polished & is a serious cult favorite)
Disposable razors
Anti-perspirant

Bandages
Tweezers

Limited makeup palette of:
Bronzer
Neutral eye color & liner
Lip balm

So much more planned for next week! I would LOVE to know your must-brings.

Jetset

I leave for Europe in a month. Everyone immediately asks how Chris and I will do without each other for so long. We're not sure ourselves honestly, but I'm looking forward to this new opportunity for personal growth. I'll be studying photography in London and Paris, while working on an independent photographic project of my own. There's also a week planned in the south of France where I'm hoping to steal away and soak sun for days.

Very surreal. I'll keep you posted on the planning process; if you haven't been overseas it will be a learning experience for us both! And if you have traveled abroad, I'm all about tips and advice from the well-traveled. Tip away.

travels: mi microbreweries

It's been such a fun and fulfilling weekend; my dad came for a visit and we spent our days talking over coffee, working on bits of Chris' and my home, and road-tripping to microbreweries. 

The crowning jewel of Dark Horse Brewery: thousands of mugs hang from the ceiling and walls.

We drove out to Marshall, and stopped for lunch at the unmistakable Dark Horse Brewery. Although the beer has become a staple for both our households, this was our first time at the brewery. The visit was wonderful; their food is as crafty as their beverages, the menu packed with all sorts of savory combinations. I had the Rio Grande: a bourbon pepper turkey sandwich on ciabatta, with bacon, pico di gallo, spinach, chipotle aioli & pepperjack cheese. Just talking about it makes me get a hunger for it all over again! Seriously delicious, guys. Their spiced Christmas ale was also a treat; with nutmeg, clove, and allspice, I'm ready to curl up with that fireside this season.

We drove back and relaxed for awhile before heading out to try Bad Brewing Company. This was another first and such a pleasant surprise! Chris and I were tipped off about this new brewery in Mason by a beautiful ol' gal we met while out on the town my last birthday. Tucked way in historic Mason (beside a vintage shop that demands my attention), Bad Brewing has become a local favorite. It's so cozy, with exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and a gorgeous concrete slab bar. Bad has a wide selection on tap (Zythos IPA winning all of our hearts) and I surprised my lover by ordering their amber lager (evidently he's used to me getting chummy with fruit-filled stouts). Anyway, they were such beautiful pubs and it was a much-needed weekend.


:: Dark Horse Brewery
:: Bad Brewing Company

my toes in my father's woolens  /  the old granary on my folks' property

I left the capital for several weeks and headed northward to usher in springtime on the lake. The lilacs were in full bloom, which is absolutely breathtaking in Northern Michigan, and I'm so thankful I made the trip before the petals began to sprinkle the ground. It was rainy most of my stay, which lent itself to looking through old family albums and drifting in and out of naps on the porch swing as the storms rolled in. Others would disagree, but grey skies over the water & listening to gulls & songbirds is an amazing recharge. On the drier days, my dad & I took on a beautiful new project involving boards from the crumbling granary behind their home (more to come on that awesome venture).

Next week my sister flies in from Colorado with her beau, and the six of us are taking a grand vacation on Mackinac Island - nothing but sun, water, and sailing for days (and maybe some fudge. I mean, we'll be fudgies after all. Must live up to the title).

See more from my stay on my instagram.

i'm in chicago in two weeks to study a few galleries & museums. say hello to a very long, packed day. secretly i hope to bump into seth of midwestyle -- unlikely -- but a girl can dream.


image via le fur coat