Lifestyle – Page 2 – Collectively Kaitlyn

Cider Mill SZN

Hey hey! Wow, has it been a minute since I sat down to write a blog post. One of my goals for the end of this year is to be better at managing my work life, social life, personal life, and hobbies (like blogging) so that I’m able to consistently deliver content to all of my incredible followers.

Let’s talk about this for a second, how in the world is it November already? I feel like this fall has flown by quicker than I can blink. October may be over but cider mill season doesn’t have to be. Michigan has no shortage of cider mills, that’s for sure. In fact, there are over 50 well-known cider mills across the state. Naturally, I held my own cider mill show down, just for fun, between three of the top cider mills in Michigan and compared them across three categories; overall atmosphere, cider (or cider slushies), and cinnamon sugar donuts. These categories are all important to the experience of a cider mill, in my opinion. I went to each of these cider mills on the same day, it was a beautiful autumn Saturday here in Michigan. One of those days that makes you so thankful to live in the mitten state, aside from the fact that it was 70 degrees in the middle of October (holy hot!).

Disclaimer: I do not like donuts but will make an exception for cinnamon sugar donuts in the fall. I brought along my boyfriend, we’ll refer to him as “J”, for a second opinion on the donuts.

Blake’s Cider Mill

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Atmosphere

Blake’s Cider Mill is perfect for a day date or night out with friends. What I love most about Blake’s is the versatility the spacious grounds offer for people of all ages. If you didn’t know, Blake’s has a tasting room for their hard ciders and wines on site which is the perfect way to end (or start) a trip to a cider mill.

Cider Slushies

Perfectly frozen, fresh, sweet. I wish I could have taken the cider slush machine home with me, to be honest.

Cinnamon Sugar Donut

Crisp on the outside yet soft and dense on the inside. The cinnamon flavor was on point and paired very well with the cider slush.

Uncle John’s Cider Mill

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Atmosphere

More kid-friendly than the others and not as spacious as Blake’s but Uncle John’s also has a hard cider tasting room for their phenomenal hard ciders, my favorite is the blueberry hard cider. So delicious! I wouldn’t recommend visiting on a busy day because of the influx of families and crowds which equates to long lines.

Cider Slushies

Tart with sweet after notes. I’m a cider slush lover and wait all year long for them. I wasn’t a huge fan of the apples used to create the cider.

Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

Not a favorite, actually. These donuts were lacking cinnamon flavor and were slightly dry compared to the others. They reminded me of a powdered donut rather than a cinnamon sugar donuts.

Yate’s Cider Mill

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Atmosphere

Congested on a busy Saturday, but quaint and perfect for a close up touch with nature.

Cider

Great apple flavor with a mix of sweet and tart apples.

Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

These donuts were almost like a cake pop. They were so dense and moist all the way through, which I thought was incredible. They had great cinnamon flavor and were super fresh when we received them.

Overall Scoring:

Atmosphere

#1 Blake’s Cider Mill

#2 Yate’s Cider Mill

#3 Uncle John’s Cider Mill

Cider

#1 Blake’s Cider Mill

#2 Yate’s Cider Mill

#Uncle John’s Cider Mill

Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

#1 Yate’s Cider Mill

#2 Blake’s Cider Mill

#3 Uncle John’s Cider Mill

All in all, these hot spots are incredible for your cider mill needs. Be sure to check them out in person and on social media, of course! Be sure to tag me (@collectivelykaitlyn on Instagram) in your posts if you make your way to any of these fantastic cider mills.

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What’s your favorite fall activity?

xx, Kaitlyn

Fallin’ for Marley Lilly

If you’re anything like me, you love summer but you’re more than ready for fall. Fall is my favorite season for a few reasons; the beautiful colors, pumpkin patches, but most importantly, fall fashion. This fall, I’m teaming up with one of my favorite companies, Marley Lilly, to bring you some of the best go-to options to spruce up your fall wardrobe (talk about a dream come true!). When I think of fall, I think of a few staple pieces for my wardrobe that I consider “must haves”. Vests are at the top of that list because you can add a vest to virtually any outfit and it automatically becomes fall appropriate. If you have never heard of Marley Lilly, you’re in luck because in this post I’m showing you the way I style my current favorite piece of fall apparel! In my opinion, Marley Lilly is the best place to shop for all of your monogrammed needs and, not to mention, they are constantly running sales or free gift with purchase offers. Marley Lilly offers a variety of styles and trendy pieces for all seasons but their fall collection this year is on point! From outerwear like Sherpa Pullovers and Rain Jackets to Monogrammed Duck Boots, there’s sure to be something on your fall wardrobe wish list.

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I’m taking this Monogrammed Puffy Vest and pairing it with a simple dress to make the transition from those hot and humid summer days to the cool, calm autumn nights a breeze. What I love most about this type of puffy vest is how light weight it is which makes it the perfect piece for layering.

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What are your favorite, go-to pieces for fall? Let me know in the comments!

xx, Kaitlyn

NASH-ing!

Hey hey! Before I get into the blog for today, I wanted to touch on something I think is so important. I took a little time away from my blog to focus on some self-love. I think unplugging and removing yourself from the internet is so incredibly important especially if being online all the time (social media included) is a huge part of your job and one of your favorite hobbies. It’s perfectly okay to take a step back whenever you feel the urge to because there’s only one of you and you need to take care of yourself! One of my favorite self-love books to read when I’m trying to detox from the chaos of the internet is Light is the New Black. I linked it for ya, so feel free to check it out!

Okay, on into the goods. One of the things I love most about traveling is experiencing the sense of community a new city has to offer. I adore the feeling of being surrounded by people who just absolutely enjoy the place in which they live. It’s empowering! Recently, you all know I visited Nashville and I saw these adorable NASH hats at a boutique in The Gulch. I absolutely needed one! In addition to hats, there were tees and tanks with the words NASH or VILLE on them, cute right?. These simple yet oh so chic items won me over immediately. I had to learn more about this brand and that’s when I knew I needed to know more about how this company blossomed.

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The Nash Collection was started based on the lack of non-cheesey, chic, souvenir-type apparel items in Nashville. Aside from pleasing the tourists, there was a serious need for locals to feel a sense of identity with their city. I was so lucky to have the opportunity to talk one on one with Laci, the founder of The Nash Collection. Before launching The Nash Collection, Laci was able to do some recon through a boutique called Revv in Nashville to determine just how strong the demand was and, because of that, was able to deliver the products so many customers were dying to have. Their first round of NASH hats hit the shelves at Revv in July 2016 and it’s been a booming market ever since! One of the coolest aspects about The Nash Collection is most of their items are unisex so it’s not geared towards one specific gender.

While I’m not a local to the Nashville area, I do feel at “home” when I’m there. Is that weird? Do you ever have that feeling like you’re just supposed to be somewhere? Nashville is truly such an inviting city with so many quirks and a whole lot of spunk. Not to mention tons (literally because they’re building so many new buildings with tons of metal, haha) and tons of new developments popping up all over the city. Nashville is an emerging, growing city with thousands of individuals and families moving to the area each month. Talk about an awesome influx!

So, maybe you’re not in Nashville and maybe you have no desire to move there. Well, have no fear because The Nash Collection has expanded beyond Nashville and has plans in the future to keep expanding their brand. The best thing about this collection is the fact that you can sport these pieces literally any time of the day. If it’s at the gym, pool side, or throwing a VILLE tank on with a cardigan to run errands – there’s something for everyone! Be sure to check them out online and see what cities they’ve already expanded to. The Nash Collection didn’t just create a brand, they created a lifestyle!

xx, Kaitlyn

Nordy Under Forty

Nordstrom Early Access

I know, I know. You’ve seen this sale taking over Instagram and circling the internet, but, with good reason! The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is a great time to stock up on the latest pieces for fall at discounted prices. If you’re a Nordstrom card holder you’re able to shop the sale before it opens up to the public on July 21st which is great because so many items on your wish list will completely sell out!

Okay, let’s get into the title of the blog post, “Nordy Under Forty”, what in the world does that mean? Well, I wanted to share with you my favorite, “need to have” pieces from this sale all under $40! Is it just me or does every company have incredible sales this time of year? I know my wallet is feeling the burn from it and yours probably is too.

First, we’ll start with a few basics. Basics are staple pieces that have to be in everyone’s closet because of the versatility each piece offers. Here are a few of the basics I snagged:

BP Pocket Tee 1890 vs 29

BP. Pocket Tee $18.90 VS $29.00 after the sale

Lush Raw Edge Side Slit Tee 1590 vs 24

Lush Raw Edge Side Slit Tee $15.90 VS $24.00 after the sale

Madewell Modern Linen Tee 3890 vs 5950

Madewell Modern Linen Tee $38.90 VS $59.50 after the sale (Madewell tees are the absolute best!)

Lush Side Slit Tank 1890 vs 29

Lush Side Slit Tank $18.90 VS $29.90 after the sale

Socialite Cozy Thermal Top 2490 vs 38

Socialite Cozy Thermal Top $24.90 VS $38.00 after the sale (skeptical at first but this is literally the softest top I own)

Next, I’m bringing you what I like to call the “I didn’t try too hard but still look put together” tops. These type of tops are my go-to when it comes to a lunch date, a casual meeting, or even to wear to work on some occasions.

Calson Stripe Bell Sleeve Tee 2590 vs 39

Caslon Stripe Bell Sleeve Top $25.90 VS $39.00 after the sale (white and black stripes + a bell sleeve = automatic favorite)

Lush Cold Shoulder Top 2990 vs 45

Lush Cold Shoulder Top $29.90 VS $45.00 after the sale

BP Lightweight Rib Cardigan 3190 vs 49

BP. Lightweight Rib Cardigan $31.90 VS $49.00 after the sale

Leith Bell Sleve Sweater 3890 vs 59

Leith Bell Sleeve Sweater $38.90 VS $59.00 after the sale

Gibson Tie Front Cozy Pullover 3990 vs 59

Gibson Tie Front Sweater $39.90 VS $59.00 after the sale (love the tie front detail!)

Okay, I can’t let this post go live without including some of the best deals in the athletic wear category too! I’m all about buying workout clothing at a discount but still having the option to wear name brands and look cute while I’m at the gym or in the spin class sweating it out – who’s with me?! These are my top picks for workout wear during the anniversary sale:

Nike Breathe Training Tank 3390 vs 45

Nike Breathe Training Tank $33.90 VS $45.00 after the sale (love this tank for spin class!)

Zella Constellation Kinetic Legging 3890 vs 59

Zella Constellation Cropped Legging $38.90 VS $59.00 after the sale

Nike Sportswear Essentials Tank 2690 vs 35

Nike Sportswear Tank $26.90 VS $35.00 after the sale

Last but not least, I have to throw in these jeans. They’re not under $40 but that’s why I saved them for last. I absolutely love AG denim and these jeans are priced at such a huge discount it’s totally worth the splurge. These are the hands down the most flattering pair of denim I own. I typically don’t like to spend crazy (in my mind) amounts of money on jeans but these are totally worth it! I know you’ll love them just as much as I do.

AG The Legging Raw Hem Ankle Skinny Jean 14990 vs 225

AG Raw Hem Legging Jean $149.90 VS $225.00 after the sale

There you have it, my list of top picks under $40 from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Items are selling out quickly so my advice is to buy now or forever wish you had. What’s on your list of “must haves” from the sale?

xx, Kaitlyn

Tanning for Pale Gals

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by the sun.

Pale Gals

We’ve all been there. Sunburnt, red as a lobster, in pain … you get the picture. If you’re lucky, your sunburn fades and a beautiful bronze glow appears, taa-daah, you’re tan. For some of us less fortunate than most, our skin burns (really badly I might add) and then fades back to the lovely shade of off white that we once were. Hey, maybe if you’re one of the chosen few your freckles will come out in full force. Freckles on fleek. I feel you. I am that person.

Now, I don’t hate being pale, I’ve learned to embrace it … for the most part. However, we can all agree that it’s nice to look sun kissed once in a while especially in the summer. So, being that I’ve had my fair share of self tanning mishaps, I thought I would share my absolute ride or die self tanning products with you! We can all always use options, right?

If it’s a self tanning product, I’ve probably tried it and I’ve probably been orange because of most of them. It’s fine, high school was hard for all of us. There are two products that I will always reach for when I’m looking for a quick, natural tan. One is a lower price point and the other one, well, you might have to sell your soul (I’m kidding) for it but it’s worth it!

I’m sure we’ve all heard the hype about St. Tropez bronzing lotion (or bronzing mousse) and I’m here to say that the hype is completely true! St. Tropez retails for around $40 per bottle and truly gives a beautiful bronze glow without that icky orange hue that so many self tanners have. This is a product I’ll use if I’m going to an event or prepping for vacation, it’s not my every day self-tanner but it’s the one I gravitate towards when I’m in need of a quick, flawless tan. Bonus Tip: Use a self tanning glove when applying this lotion because it is pigmented!

Jergens Natural Glow. Commonly found on the shelves of Target, Walgreens, etc… Skeptical? Don’t be! I use Jergens almost every day and have for over 10 years. Jergens Natural Glow typically retails for around $9 per bottle and glides on evenly like any normal lotion. I like to use Jergens for my “every day” self tanner because the subtle color pay off gives me a very natural tan that compliments my skin tone nicely. Recently, Jergens launched their Wet Skin Moisturizer in shower self-tanning lotion which is awesome because you can literally apply this product to wet skin! I jumped on that bandwagon early and let me say, I am in love with it. I like that there isn’t a wait time between showering and applying tanning lotion but more importantly, I really love the quick drying time. I’m a busy lady and I don’t have 30 minutes to stand in front of a fan or hang out in the robe waiting for my tanning lotion to dry. Thankfully, Wet Skin Moisturizer only takes 5 minutes to dry and I’m not even joking.

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So, there’s the skinny on my opinions of the best of the best self tanners on the market. If you’re new to the self tanner world or if you’re a pro, I know you’ll be happy with the results of my favorite tanning lotions!

What’s your go-to self tanning lotion?

xx, Kaitlyn

Rooftop Season

Raised 1

Rooftop bar season is possibly my favorite time of the year, especially in Chicago. With so many unique, fun rooftops to choose from it’s often hard to pick just one! I’m here to give you in the inside scoop on one of the best I’ve been to. I classify best based on price of drinks, atmosphere, and view. Raised, one of my favorite rooftops in Chicago, is located just south of River North in The Loop district right on the river. As you can imagine, the views are absolutely killer!

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Raised has an upbeat, urban vibe complete with some of the friendliest mixologists around. One of the best things about this place is that there is an indoor section too so you can enjoy Raised all year long! Personally, I feel like this place is a hidden gem in the rooftop bar scene because, while steadily busy, it’s not overly packed like some locations are. Okay, let’s talk about the goods, the cocktail menu. Every signature cocktail on their menu creates a special euphoric experience hand-crafted for patrons to enjoy in good company. They don’t pay me to say this, I swear. My favorite is called the Jenever which is a beautiful blend of lavender, strawberries, lemon, and Bombay Sapphire – SO good!

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Next time you’re in the windy city make sure this place is on your list of go-to’s. Go get yourself a Jenever, an order of Truffle Frites (or any type of French Fries on their menu tbh), and grab a seat overlooking the Chicago skyline. Trust me, you’ll thank me later! Check out their Instagram page for more stellar views and pretty drinks (@RaisedBarChicago)!

What’s your favorite rooftop bar?

p.s. slightly embarrassed, slightly proud – this is me actually gawking at an order of the truffle fries I mentioned