CHICAGO: Best In Beauty

Winter is closing out and I don’t know about you, but I could use some spa days to unwind and recharge. This year has definitely been one for the history books and my mind, skin, body, and soul could use some extra loving. I’m sure yours could, too.

I’m so excited to share this list of a handful of my favorite places for spa services in Chicago with you! I even have some product recommendations to treat yourself to an at-home spa night.

First up, Freeze and Float Spa Chicago – 371 W Ontario St

Go for the Float Session. Float in one of their private and spacious floatation suites in highly- concentrated salt water, eliminating daily stressors through the sensation of weightlessness. This form of relaxation ushers in the half-awake, half-dreaming Theta state, where meditation, healing, rest, creativity, and emotional rejuvenation thrive.

Floating also eases the pain of sore muscles and joints after a tough workout or restores postural alignment after a long work week. Known as an aid to reduce headaches, improve sleep, and release endorphins, floating also reduces cravings, making a healthy weight management goal more easily attainable. Improved circulation to each of the body’s systems, including the skin, is another benefit that leaves you with a radiant, post-float “glow.” It’s a unique experience you’ll want to try at least once. Pricing is available here.

If floating isn’t your thing, try an Infrared Sauna session.

Infrared Sauna sessions are a natural way to detox, heal, and relax in complete privacy. By gently increasing your body’s core temperature, infrared heat permeates deep into the body’s tissue, releasing toxins through your skin. Relieves sore muscles, burns calories, reduces wrinkles, firms skin, and improves overall health/well-being. They are relaxing and you immediately feel refreshed after in the rainfall shower.

Dvida Med Spa507 N. Wells Street

I’ve had many services at DVida (ask for Olga, she’s the best!) including the Hydrafacial, Dermaplaning, and Cool Sculpting, which I highly recommend, but my next service will be the M’Lis body wrap.

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The wrap is a holistic approach to body contouring that decreases cellulite, aids in weight loss, and helps remove toxins and dead skin cells.

Chicago CryoSpa 2640 N Lincoln Ave

Stop in for a Whole Body Cryotherapy (by appointment only). I’ve also had the Cyro Facial and the Lymphatic Massage – highly recommend. The team there is the best!

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Cyro treatments were first utilized in Japan in 1978 to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Studies conducted over the last two decades have established Whole Body Cryotherapy as a powerful treatment that has numerous benefits. It’s a powerful treatment for inflammatory disorders, injuries, and muscle and joint pain. It can be used to treat conditions such as fibromyalgia and rheumatism, and you have an immediate release of endorphins can help with insomnia, fighting depression, and decreasing psychological stress. 

AIRE Ancient Baths Chicago 800 W Superior St

AIRE offers a variety of treatments for couples and individuals with the best being a relaxing indulgent bath experience that includes a 60-minute full-body massage.

Benefits include relaxing the muscle and joint tension while cold water reactivates blood circulation, tones the skin, and has a reinvigorating effect. AIRE massage combines different techniques and is specifically designed to achieve a maximum state of relaxation in a short amount of time, through slow, deep, and comprehensive movements. 

Go with the significant other or a girlfriend. Perfect day out!

Ricci Kapricci1416 W Fullerton Ave

A full-service salon & spa, Ricci Kapricci offers a variety of services including an amazing Ultimate 90-minute Hydration Facial. Maria, their licensed Esthetician, works her magic with this detox, triple cleanse, soothing oat milk mask facial. Let’s not forget about the head, neck, shoulder, and arm massage either! Heaven! You can reach out to her directly on IG or contact the spa to make an appointment.

Now for a little at-home spa day!

You have to RUN to Mojo Spa Chicago1468 N Milwaukee Ave, and pick up the Hello Bright line!

This line is the perfect prep for transitioning into spring skin from dry, cracked, dull, dehydrated winter skin. Start with the Hello Bright Foaming Cream Cleanser. Ultra-thick cleansing cream with a rich lather that removes dirt, makeup, and impurities for a deep clean, and vibrant glow. Leaves your skin feeling fresh, hydrated, and silky smooth. Ideal for all skin types.

Next, use the Hello Bright Cloud Mask. This mask initially has a gel consistency but morphs into a cream mask when applied, which I love. The mask provides superior hydration and uses Aloe Vera to provide a cooling effect and soften the skin. It’s the ideal mask for overnight use, or to revive dull and tired skin after a long night.

In the morning, finish the treatment with the Hello Bright Facial Tonic + Refresher, a.k.a., the bottle of sunshine!

This is a completely unique three in one product—a toner, refresher, and illuminator! It’s comprised of three layers—an oil layer, floral water layer, and a pearl illuminating layer. Shake to blend the layers, and apply the product as a traditional toner, or as a refreshing, hydrating refresher throughout the day for a healthy-looking glow. So versatile, it can be used under, over, or instead of makeup! This might be my new favorite product.

Mojo Spa has so many great hand-crafted products from skincare to makeup to candles. They’ve been gracing Chicago now for over 15 years and also offer Mani and Pedi services (coming back soon, stay tuned!) with Champagne. Yes, please! They ship nationwide, too!

I hope these places and services inspired you to make an appointment for that spa day you so desperately deserve! And, if you need a gal to tag along – I volunteer!

Ice Castles – Everything You Need To Know

If you haven’t heard of the Ice Castles by now, they are an awe-inspiring, must-see winter phenomenon using hundreds of thousands of icicles hand-placed by professional ice artists. The castles include breathtaking LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, fountains, and much more. While there, you feel like you’re in a fairy tale, If you live relatively close to their locations in Utah, Colorado, New Hampshire, or Wisconsin – they are worth the drive.

We are in Chicago and it’s about an hour and a half drive to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin where they are located. Tickets purchased online (even pre-covid) typically sell out in minutes, if not seconds. Tickets are even more limited this year due to safety requirements.

I do recommend signing up for their newsletter and email updates along with following them on social for any updates or openings. You can also get on their pre-order list for next year which means you’ll get first access to tickets before the general public.

If they are sold out online, can you still get in? Possibly! Many hotels in the area are offering Ice Castle packages. This is how we were able to get in. We booked a room at The Ridge Hotel which included a room and Ice Castle tickets. They set up the reservation and time slot for you for the Ice Castles. They also offer Igloo services for meals and have an indoor heated pool and spa. It’s a nice little getaway even without the Ice Castle! Another bonus of staying at a nearby hotel? They offer free shuttle services to and from the Ice Castles. There is a pretty large parking lot at the Ice Castles, however, during peak times it fills up fast and parking can be very difficult to find. If you are going to drive and park, I recommend reserving a non-peak time to avoid any parking hassles.

I’ve also heard people having luck just showing up at non-peak times and being able to purchase tickets at the door. Tickets onsite are more expensive. Online they run $23 per adult and $19 per child 4 and up. Children under 4 are free.

Once you arrive you’ll see they have several activities besides the Ice Castles on the property. They have a large ice skating rink, indoor and outdoor bars with food services, cozy fire pit seating options, and toboggan rentals. It’s a winter wonderland of fun!

For safety, they do require masks at all times and you have to sign waivers. You are not allowed to touch or climb on the ice structures. They also limit the number of tickets sold as to not crowd the areas. We were there during a prime spot and it didn’t feel too crowded.

Once inside you get to walk through illuminated caves, see a large ice water fountain, and even ride an illuminated ice slide! There are smaller slides for the little kiddos too. I do recommend wearing (especially kids) snow pants so they won’t get wet sliding down the slides.

As you exit the Ice Castles you’ll find two food vendors and fire pit seating if you want to stop for a cocktail or hot cocoa and a bite.

Overall, it is such a cool experience day or night. If you’d like to check out more photos and videos from our Ice Castle experience, head over to my highlights on Instagram under the handle hollydays_chicago.

Valentine & Galentine Gift Guide

Can you believe we are already onto Valentine’s Day? Didn’t we just get through Christmas? Either way, I’m here for it!

Truth be told I’ve never been one to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the past, but given the last year we’ve had I’m grateful for any reason to celebrate – especially if what we are celebrating is LOVE. Can’t we all use a little more love in our lives lately?

Because that answer is a big YES from me, I got myself this cute shirt and plan to spoil my loved ones with lots of hugs, kisses, extra love, and a few gifts this Valentine’s Day.

I’ve been on the hunt for some fun Valentine’s gifts for him, her, and those Galentines (let’s not forget about those ladies that always have our backs!) in your life and sharing them below.

First up, this list is for the men. What’s your significant other’s love language?

  • If it’s an act of service, give her a card that reads you’ll do all the household work for the week without her help. Cook a few meals and throw them in the freezer to save her some time and work. Take the kids away one night and let her have a movie night without interruption and a nice bottle of wine by herself. Invest in a cleaning service to come do a deep clean of the house for her.
  • If she loves experiences, find a nice spa in the area and book her a massage or a facial. Give her the gift of self-care. We all know ladies (and moms!) put themselves last most times.
  • If she’s sentimental, you can buy a journal and log all the things you love about her and why you’re grateful to have her in your life. Most often, these little sentiments are forgotten but mean the most.
  • If she loves gifts then here are some great ideas she is sure to love.

I thought this one below was unique. We love our candles and to have a message like this when it’s lit is extra special. They are customizable and supports small business. They also have ones with fun sayings you don’t have to customize.

Let’s move on to some Galentine gifts!

I couldn’t help myself with this one because sometimes we all need a little humor in our lives.

And, again, you can never go wrong with some cozy gifts for all your favorite Galentines.

Let’s move onto the special men in our lives, shall we? They are always so hard to shop for but I think these items will make them feel extra special.

Let’s start with a self-care kit. Loving this one because it also supports a small business.

Here are a few unique ideas. For the cocktail connoisseur or the chef in your life, I found this class topper cocktail smoker and a defrosting board. If you don’t have a rapid defrosting tray for meats, you’re missing out! They are amazing.

And, lastly, for the man who loves a good laugh.

I know your loved ones will enjoy these gifts, but there’s nothing better than showing and telling them how much they are truly loved.

xo,

Hollydays Chicago

*Disclaimer: Any links shared in this blog post may be commissionable. If they are, it is a very small commission and is at no extra expense to you.

Chicago Winter Activities

We’ve arrived! It’s officially winter in Chicago. I know Chicago offers a plethora of things to do in warmer months, but don’t count winter out! You’d be surprised at all the winter fun available for all in Chicago and surrounding areas.

Just walking around after a fresh snow is enough to make you fall in love with this winter wonderland, also known as Chicago, but if you want to play in it you’ll have to check out these fun sledding hills in the city.

Lincoln Park. Head to the north end by the playgrounds closer to the Diversey side and you’ll find several hills ranging from small to large. I would go early because by mid-afternoon it gets crowded and you have people sledding in all different directions – which always makes me nervous for safety concerns of kids running into each other.

Horner Park. This park is off Irving Park and California and also has some great sledding hills for the city.

If you’re tired of being cooped up inside, you can venture out to some of the creative spaces Chicago restaurants have made available due to Covid and keep you warm while dining outside.

Dine-in an Igloo! We have dined in several igloos this past month and one of our favorites was at Barcocina. Kids are free, adults are $100 per person – but that comes with a 2-hour reservation, three food selections, two drink selections, a heater, couches, blankets, and a wireless Bluetooth speaker to play your own music. We went with two adult couples for a date night and had basically all you can eat tacos, elotes, margaritas, and sangria! Highly recommend them. So many places are offering safe eating experiences and what better way to support our local Chicago eateries. A good resource to check out all the igloo/outdoor dining options is on Timeout Chicago.

Old Grounds Social / Lincoln Park They have a bottomless brunch on their winterized wonderland patio that runs about $50 a person. Someone book and invite me! They had me at “bottomless mimosas”.

Maggie Daley Ice Ribbon. We love the ribbon and it’s one of our favorite winter activities in Chicago. You can’t beat the backdrop either! Experience “alpine in the city” skating down a quarter-mile winding ribbon of ice that curves up and down around a 40-foot climbing wall with the city’s stunning skyline in the backdrop. It’s a must for your winter bucket list. Reservations cost $5 for those who have skates and $16 for those who rent. (via Secret Chicago) Image via TimeOut Chicago.

If you want to venture outside of the city, here are some places within a couple of hours or less of a drive from Chicago.

The Forge at Lemont Quarries. This is an adventure park just 20 miles from downtown Chicago. They feature activities like ziplines, climbing walls, and towering ropes. Be sure to bundle up depending on the temps and some activities are only available weather permitting. Plus, The Forge also has a 3,600-square-foot ice skating rink. Score! Check their website for pricing and details.

Wilmont Mountain. Just about an hour from Chicago, Wilmont Mountain offers skiing, tubing, and more winter fun for the whole family. It’s also a great spot if you have beginner skiers in your group.

Wilmont has almost 120 skiable acres, 25 trails, 7 lifts, 2 surface conveyor lifts, and 4 progression terrain parks with a double high-speed rope tow, there is enough terrain to challenge experts to beginners, day or night.

They also have snow tubing! The image above via Yelp. For those who are not up to skiing or snowboarding, there is the tubing area which has 22 lanes and 2 surface conveyor lifts to take you back to the top.

They offer lessons and ski school for the littles, too. You can make a day out of it or stay at the resort and make a weekend out of it.

Starved Rock. Our family was here in the Fall and it’s one of my favorite places to go. Sometimes you need wide-open spaces and fresh air. It’s a little over two hours of a drive from downtown Chicago. There are almost a dozen hiking trails and you’re surrounded by the grand beauty of nature. I’ve read it’s even more beautiful in winter with layers of white snow on the ground and ice sculptures hanging from all the caverns. Those sites alone would be enough to garner a day trip out to Starved Rock.

Ice Castles at Lake Geneva Per their website, Ice Castles is an award-winning frozen attraction located in four cities across North America. The experience is built using hundreds of thousands of icicles hand-placed by professional ice artists. The castles include breathtaking LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, fountains, and much more. Ours is located just over the border in Wisconsin.

Tickets go on sale soon as the castles open up mid January. If you want to make a weekend of it, some resorts are offering packages that include the Ice Castles, tubing, and/or ski packages as well. We will definitely be checking out this phenomenon this winter!

If you have any favorite Chicago winter activities be sure to share them below or with me on social!

The Perfect Partnership Makes For The Perfect Gift

This holiday season I’ve really focused on supporting small businesses and looking for unique gifts for my loved ones, so I was thrilled to learn that Spirit Hub and Tie Bar partnered to create the perfect gift box.

In case you are not familiar with Spirit Hub, it’s a new craft spirit virtual retailer serving Illinois, Nebraska, North Dakota, and New Hampshire! Intended for a 21+ audience, they offer a wide variety of craft spirits from small artisan distilleries delivered straight to your door. Genius, I know. I found out about them over the summer and have since tried several of their vodka, bourbon, and tequila brands. They did not disappoint. You can check out some drink recipes I shared here.

Now, back to the perfectly curated holiday gift box. Spirit Hub and Tie Bar partnered to create a box where taste meets style. What’s included? SIX exceptional spirits, a cocktail guide, one promotional offer for a future purchase at Spirithub.com, and one promotional offer for a future purchase at Tiebar.com.  We got some stylish socks, a tie, and a handkerchief.

Skip the gift cards this year and give the gift of crafted timeless fashionable cocktails. The cocktail guide it comes with features classic favorites and innovative firsts and all for under $40. Sounds like the perfect gift to me.

If gift boxes are not your thing, don’t worry, Spirit Hub has a great selection of craft spirits, mixers, syrups, and bitters. They also carry some sleek barware and glassware for a one-stop-shop. Use code: HOLLY20 for 20% off! Check out their site over the Black Friday weekend for sales and promotions too.

Oh, and don’t forget to check out their recipes which are updated frequently. My personal favorite is the Hot Cinnamon Apple Toddy.

*Disclaimer: Some links in this post are commissionable at no extra cost to you.

2020 Holiday Gift Guide – Men’s Edition

I saved the hardest for last. Here is my holiday gift guide for the special men in our lives. I hope you enjoyed my kids’ gift guide and my women’s gift guide. Now, let’s get to the men.

I know men can be so hard to shop for. Every year I get the “I don’t need anything” response from Adam and I have to go on the search for gifts he’ll love. I have a long list of gift ideas this year and know you’ll love them! I’m focusing on small and local businesses and small vendors on Amazon to give them extra support this year.

First up.

Did you know you can shop VET owned businesses on Amazon? And, you get custom amazing gifts like below.

These fun gifts were recommended by a friend. Check out this Barbell Barware from Jonathan Adler.

Also in love with these cocktail coasters.

On the topic of entertaining and cocktails – You can’t go grown with a Whiskey Ball maker.


Or, this full bar set or cocktail maker.

A Chicagoan? You can pick up some Cider from Eris Brewery! They sell them at Binny’s too. Everyone loves craft beers, ciders & spirits! I can verify that the ciders are so delish! They just released a pumpkin one and it sold out immediately!

Eris Craft Cider

Does Dad love coffee? Support this small business by checking out all his Dad coffer lover gifts.

Okay moving on to self-care.

Men need to manscape right? Here’s the perfect gift to help them out.

Men also need skincare! They may not admit it but they’re stealing yours when you’re not looking. Starting Black Friday through Cyber Monday you can get up to 30% off site-wide with Rodan + Fields. Take this quiz to see what combo works best for their skin.

Got a man who likes to cook and grill? Here are some of my faves from an old staple, Crate & Barrel.

Next up, sharing some great Amazon finds your man will love.

This is a great one. I bought this garage door opener for Adam last year and he loved it. It’s compatible with most garage door systems and so convenient to be able to access from your iPhone,

Last up, let’s help our men get fit! Adam loves this weight set and every man can use some loungewear since we are home often these days.

I’ll be sharing more ideas via social media as we dive into the season. I know there are some last-minute shoppers out there! If you have a small business recommendation, don’t forget to leaves those in the comment section.

Disclaimer – some links posted are commissionable.

2020 Holiday Gift Guide – Women’s Edition

I hope you enjoyed my Gift Guide – Kid’s Edition. Now, we are moving on to the ladies in our lives. Ladies, this is for you too in case you want to treat yo’ self! You deserve it! This guide features local spots, big box finds, virtual small businesses, and some incredible Etsy shops. Be sure to scroll all the way down.

I’m starting off with some local Chicago places that offer the best experiences. I don’t know about you, but nothing is better than a spa day or some pampering! Here are a few of my favorite places to check out.

Dvida Spa – Old Town Sign up for their email list to get all the latest specials on services. I love Dvida Spa because they use a combination of science, technology, and dedication to ensure the satisfaction of each client. Ask for Olga!

Fenner Plastic Surgery & Spa – Kenilworth Fenner combines pampering spa treatments with medical-grade skincare treatments that provide visible results. I recently had Emsculpt on my stomach area and am SO impressed with the results. Nikki, their esthetician, is offering 20% off treatments currently. If you’re looking for injectables, Shannon is your gal!

Flutter Lash Studio – Lincoln Park This was a recommendation from a friend. If your gal is into lash extensions, this place is the best lash studio! E-gift cards are available on their site. If you’re into natural lashes, I’m your girl for Lash Boost. I’m offering 30% off site-wide all Black Friday – Cyber Monday weekend!

Mojo Spa – Wicker Park  One of my favorite mani and pedi places in the city. Get a mani while I sip champs? Yes, please! While the spa services are on hold for now, they will be back soon. In the meantime, stop in for their handmade and crafted beauty products ranging from balms to candles to serums! My favorite is the Zero F**ks balm. Put this on your wrists and back of your neck and feel calmer in seconds! Be sure to check out all their holiday deals too!

Chicago Cryospa – Lincoln Park Another fave of mine! I’ve had several treatments done here including a Cyro facial and a fascial message and they were heaven! From now until Friday they are offering a 3 pack of cryo t-shock from $500, which is over 50% off. It’s a fat freeze to tighten and tone those stubborn areas. Yes, please!

Okay, now let’s move on to a few of my fave virtual boutiques and small businesses (local and online) for some amazing gift ideas.

Fox Trot A local staple. They offer the best curated gift bundles in all budgets.

The Always Pan Legit, the best pan in my kitchen! I waited for months to purchase as I didn’t want to spend over $100 and now it’s $50 off! Use code: SUPERSALE at check out. They sell out fast, some colors are already on back order so I would order soon!

Kitsch I’ve been obsessed with this virtual store all of 2020! I have these, The Eco-friendly Hair Towel, The Microfiber Towel Scrunchie, and the Satin Pillow Case (a must to help prevent face wrinkles!) plus some other items and the quality is outstanding. Right now they have 30% off sitewide too!

Recycled Modern  A local urban vintage, upcycled & handcrafted furniture and home decor shop in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. Check out their gift guide on their website.

The Chic Shirt Shop A fun chic streetwear/lounge wear shop! My fave is the hoodie that says “Girls just want to have funds” and the shirt that reads, “Fly Girl”.

TiffDailyBeat A wildly talented local make-up artist who has her own branded cosmetics! The lip gloss is clutch! Another favorite lip gloss is Lipsense brand as it’s long lasting and they have a wide variety of colors. If you’re interested, contact my girl Megan!

SNOB Wine Who doesn’t love wine!?

SmallFlower Apothecary Great gift selection all for under $25.

Origami Owl Jewelry. My girl Katie will take great care of you!

Now for some Etsy shops to support.

Sugar Stitches Quilt Co My friend Ledine makes the cutest hand quilted gifts & pillows. You have to check her shop out!

Posh Poeny Boutique Fun decor and trinkets.

Next up, some great finds from small vendors on Amazon!

Crate & Barrel always delivers, too.

Lastly, my Target finds.

Phew! What a selection! I hope this helps you find some special gifts for the ladies in your life. Ladies, feel free to pass this on to your spouses. If you have any more small businesses you’d like to add, be sure to leave them in the comment section for all to see.

Next post – gifts for all the special men in our lives.

Disclaimer – some links posted are commissionable.

2020 Holiday Gift Guide – Kid’s Edition

It’s that time of year friends! If you’re like me you always scramble to come up with gifts for friends and family they will actually love! Kids are the easiest to shop for, in my opinion, they love virtually anything wrapped with a bow. This year you’ll see more focus on supporting small businesses due to the pandemic. Small businesses make up our communities and are always there for us supporting sports leagues, charities, festivals, and the like – so I’m going to show up for them this year and I hope you’ll consider supporting them as well.

Now, this doesn’t mean I won’t shop Amazon and other major retailers too, but just want to give extra love to those small businesses. If you do shop on Amazon, try to support the small business vendors on there.

I’ll start with some local Chicago shops and virtual small businesses I love. Then I’ll share some other fun finds!

Building Blocks Chicago is one of our favorite local stores. Building Blocks Toy Store offers a great selection of well-curated toys, books, and products for kids and adults to bring play into their lives. They take pride in their play expertise and their joy in serving their customers to the highest satisfaction. They also gift wrap if you’d like and offer curbside pick up. We’ve been shopping here for years and they are the best. Some our favorites are:

Let’s move on to another favorite shop of mine. This one is virtual and ships anywhere! Fashion X Faith. Fashion X Faith started with a mission to inspire kids to express their faith and share a message of love and hope through what they wear. They have some amazing deals AND are giving back this season. Check out their website to see more. Below are some of my fave!

Looking for something homemade? I love Maddie & Me. Kelley, the creator, started her business in 2015 and creates handmade bow ties, girls’ bows, and facemasks. Check out her site for all these cute custom made items.

Next up, if you love subscription boxes for the kids, Green Explorers Club is AH-MAZING! Green Explorers Club teaches kids the tools of sustainability while building a healthy curiosity for life sciences and the environment. They explore sustainability through hands-on experiments and activities that demonstrate the importance of taking care of our planet.

Last up for some local love:

Kido Chicago South Loop. Ships and offers curbside pick up too! Here are some finds:

Timeless Toys Only for Chicagoans. Located in Lincoln Park area. Ships locally and has curbside pick up. Here are some finds:

The Red Balloon Chicago Located in Roscoe Village / Lakeview area. Such a darling boutique with the cutest offerings. Chicago’s go-to source for a wide selection of high-quality, specialty children’s clothing, books, toys, and gifts. How cute are these outfits?

On to some favorite picks for older kiddos. Here are some great gift ideas from Target and Amazon. Scroll and click on the pictures for the link.

Here’s to a seamless holiday shopping season! My next guide is for the women in your life (or for yourself). See you on the next post!

*(Any link shared below might be commissionable and paid out by that company at no extra charge to you).

Fall Fashion Round-Up

If you can’t tell, Fall is my favorite time of year, especially for fashion. I’m all about sweaters, boots, and light jackets. I also love the holidays. I’m known for wearing anything that sparkles to celebrations because – why not?! Everyone likes shiny things, right?

First up, I’m going to share a few staples and you can splurge or save on these items. You can’t go wrong with a pair of faux leather or black leggings with a bit of sparkle!

Splurge on these fun faux leather leggings or get the same look on a budget.

Just want a little fun? Check out these black leggings with a side strip of sequins. You can splurge or save on these too! The second pair is currently on sale at 40% off!

If you want to go all out and be a little extra (nothing wrong with that!), you can splurge on these full front sequin leggings or save on these full sequin leggings. I have this second pair and love them! They are also currently 40% off and sell out every year.

On to footwear. My most popular Fall fashion favorite by far on LIKEtoKNOW.it are always these over-the-knee boots! And, with good reason. It’s SO hard to find an over-the-knee boot that doesn’t fall down and fits correctly. These stretch and fit so comfortably and look chic. Right now they are 30% off, too. I have all three colors and love them!

Here’s how they look on.

If you’re looking for some fun sneakers you can splurge on a pair of Golden Goose sneakers, or save on some super cute dupes!


You also can’t go wrong with these Nikes, which are finally back in stock! I get compliments on them every time I wear them.

Let’s look at some sweaters, tops, and jackets! These are all from some of my favorite small boutiques and larger retailers. All are TTS.

Don’t forget the fun accessories! I’m a sucker for hats, scarves, and capes. Now if I just had more opportunities to wear them in 2020. Here’s hoping for 2021!

Discovering Starved Rock –Illinois Travel

Thanks to Covid, I haven’t been on a plane in almost a year but, as always, there are silver linings. This year made our family look in our own backyard for fun places to visit and who knew there were so many! One of our now favorite places to visit is Starved Rock National Park.

Starved Rock is located on the south shore of the Illinois river just under two hours from Chicago. This 2600+acre National Park showcases dramatic sandstone caverns, lush forests, and twenty hiking trails ranging from beginner to experienced hikers. The views over the Illinos River alone make the park a must see. The park is best known for its fascinating rock formations, primarily St. Peter sandstone, laid down in a huge shallow inland sea more than 425 million years ago and later brought to the surface.

You can make a day trip out of your visit to Starved Rock or stay at one of the several campgrounds in the park. If you do want to camp be sure to check out my post on must-have camping gear. The park is busiest during Spring, Summer and early Fall. I recommend going in Fall because then you get the added bonus seeing all the lovely autumn leaves changing colors. The cooler temps are nice to have when hiking, too. It also wasn’t nearly as busy as summer days.

Some things you need to know before you go:

Basic Info: Admission is free and so is parking!

They start turning people away once the parking lots are full to help maintain safe social distancing guidelines.

There is one main parking lot and one overflow parking lot, both are pretty large.

The park is open at 6 am and closes at dusk. Hiking the trails at night is forbidden.

Get there early because it gets VERY busy, especially in summer.

Dogs are allowed, but must be on leashes at all times.

Masks are required when social distancing is not possible. Luckily it wasn’t too busy so we only wore our masks if we were in a crowded area and unable to distance ourselves.

Extra tips:

Wear hiking boots or some sort of shoes with grip. The sandstone in some areas is very worn and you can slip easily if you don’t have proper shoes.

Wear water proof shoes or shoes you don’t mind getting wet. If you want to see the waterfall in French Canyon, you have to walk through some wet areas to get there.

It’s best to go in Fall after some rain so the waterfall area is full of water.

Expect to spend several hours here if you want to take full advantage of the trails. If you don’t have a lot of time, I suggest walking the French Canyon, Eagle Cliff or Starved Rock trails for the best views.

Do NOT bring a stroller. You will not be able to use it on any of the trails. Wear your little one if you can in a wrap or a carrier.

There are A LOT of stairs on all of the trails. A LOT. Be prepared.

My 6-year-old made it almost seven miles of the trails, so it’s kid-friendly and doable for smaller kids. Toddlers might not make it far.

We brought some sandwiches and stopped along one of the trails to have a picnic and we loved it. I highly recommend bringing extra snacks and lots of water for the trails. There are no water fountains, etc. along the paths.

Check the website before you go as they close periodically for upkeep and/or for stay-at-home orders during Covid.

The last tip – take lots of pictures!

Starved Rock is definitely a place we will return and may even plan a camping weekend there. Walking through the trails is good for the soul. Fresh air and green space was just what we needed and I know you’ll love it too!