10 Chicago Rooftops to Visit This Summer

I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it, rooftop season is my FAVORITE season in Chicago. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love Chi all year long, but, rooftop season – you just can’t beat it! (Maybe it’s because I’m from the midwest so rooftop season is a big deal to me, mainly because I can’t drink a cocktail on a rooftop or outside during the winter without freezing or being in a trendy igloo? I don’t know, probably.)

Anyway, I’m constantly asked what my favorite bars in Chicago are and aside from Three Dots and a Dash, the majority of my favorites are rooftop locations. If you didn’t know, River North is the neighborhood I visit most often so that’s where a lot of these rooftop locations are (or close to)!

London House Rooftop

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You guys! If you want one of the BEST views of the river, LH Rooftop is the place to be! Such a cute spot to mix and mingle while admiring the beauty of the city. Even if you’re only stopping by for one drink, it’s totally worth it.

IO Godfrey

Small bites, indoor/outdoor seating, and cute decor. I’m a huge fan of the sea salt truffle fries here paired with a chilled glass of Prosecco!

Drumbar

Looking for trendy Instagram pics? Drumbar is the place, during the day, for my aesthetic. Stop by for a happy hour cocktail, a few Instagram pictures, and the chance to really soak up the sun. I highly recommend visiting during the day!

Cindy’s

It’s ALL about the views here. The drinks are good but the views are AMAZING. You’re overlooking Millennium park, you can see Lake Michigan, and bits of the city. My literal dream. Grab a cocktail, grab brunch, but ultimately make sure you take in the views!

Roof at TheWit

Looking for a place to take your bumble date on a first date? Look no further! This fabulously swanky, trendy rooftop is the place to be in the summer. Music will be bumpin’, cocktails will be crafted, and you’ll have the ability to overlook some of the coolest cities views in the loop!

Devereaux

If you’re looking for a spot for poolside cocktails, intimate ambiance, and some of the best tasting small plates – look no further! This chill rooftop located at the Viceroy hotel is one of my favorite places to really vibe out in the summer because it mixes the typical cocktail lounge feel with a splash of fun by adding the poolside as an option.

Apogee

The cocktails here are NUTS, like actually so cool! I’m all about experiences and Apogee delivers that for me. Highly recommend date night here!

Raised

I did an entire dedicated blog post about Raised so I’ll link that blog post here. It’s still one of my favorites and the truffle fries are still SO good!

Cerise Rooftop

I’m really into feeling like I’m in my own slice of paradise and Cerise is 100% a little slice of city paradise for me. It’s super hip, really inviting, and will make you want to stay until the wee hours of the morning just soaking in the city vibes.

52Eighty Rooftop Lounge

Located on the 52nd floor of the Cambria, this gold accented indoor/outdoor lounge holds a key to my heart! The ambiance is perfect for a casual night out in the city.

I’m always adding to my list of favorite places in Chicago so feel free to ask for updates or more locations! Happy sipping!

xx, Kaitlyn

A Taste of Nashville

Nashville has quickly become one of my favorite cities and I know I’m not alone because more than 100 people move to Nashville each DAY. That’s crazy! It comes as no surprise that a city with so much new development and momentum would be a foodie and destination seeking heaven! When you think of Nashville, you might think solely of Southern Comfort food which there is no shortage of BUT what you didn’t know about Nashville is the vast variety of food options. If you’re a BBQ loving carnivore or a Vegan with serious sweet tooth, there’s something for you in this amazing city.

I love Nashville and try to visit as often as possible, which honestly isn’t often enough. So, one thing I really love about Nashville is the many neighborhoods that make this large city seem smaller. My personal favorite is 12th south! Here’s a list of some of my favorite places … it’s a long one so hang tight!

Proper Bagel

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Bar Taco

Frothy Monkey

Las Paletas

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Martin’s BBQ

Slim and Husky’s

Bella Nashville (Germantown)

Calypso Cafe

Acme Feed and Seed

Biscuit Love

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Sinema

Adele’s Nashville

Five Daughter’s Bakery

Tenn 16

Franklin Juice Company

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Pinewood Social

Party Fowl

Saint Anejo

The Stillery

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Attaboy

House of Cards

Patterson House

Skull’s

Gray & Dudley

Henley

Pastaria

Milk and Honey

Kung Fu Saloon

Okay, so I know that was a huge list of boozy and foodie favorites but I couldn’t help myself! It will be so hard for you to choose where to go to get your own taste of Nashville and I hope this list helps you narrow down your options!

xx, Kaitlyn

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2018

Hiiiiiiiii everyone! As you can tell, I’m EXCITED to bring my 2018 #nsale picks to you. This is honestly my favorite sale of the year, because so many of my favorite brands go on sale and I can scoop them up for that low-low. I don’t live super close to a Nordy so I had to shop the first day of the sale super early (4AM) online which was totally fine and completely worth it because a PJ party with my laptop is basically my favorite thing ever. However, I did shop in store for a few items that I wanted to try-on before buying. I won’t bombard you with too many of my picks and I tried to make sure everything I’m sharing with you is 100% affordable or an incredible deal. So, without further adieu, let’s jump on in!

Tops/Jackets:

1 – BB Dakota Faux Suede Drap Jacket $69

I love finding jackets that are casual like this one, like a hybrid cardigan! BB Dakota is a great brand to invest in and it’s even better when it’s on sale.

2 – BP. Raw Edge V-Neck Tee $11

Okay, hi! $11 for a tee? I’m sold. This tee comes in a variety of colors, many of which are still fully in stock! Grab some while you can. (I bought three!)

3 – BP. Twist Front Sweater $31

I thought this was so cute with the twist front detail! What I really like is the fact that this can be worn casually or you could definitely dress this sweater up for a night out.

4 – Chelsea28 Lace Yoke Top $45

When I saw this, I immediately thought of fall and how cute this would look layered under a cardigan with some dark (or black) denim. It comes in four colors and I wish one of those would have been black BUT that’s okay. This rust color sold me!

5 – Free People Found My Friend Sweater $51

I love Free People but I love freep even more when I find it on sale. This cute sweater can be worn off one shoulder and comes in a variety of colors! So cute for fall.

6 – BP. Colorblock Sweater $31

I really love neutral colors so I was drawn to this mock neck sweater! This isn’t something I would typically buy, but I think styled with some distressed black denim, it will be a cute piece to have for fall.

7 – BP. Lace Trim Camisole $22

Super cute and super feminine! Great for layering but sadly almost sold out (hopefully they’ll restock!!)

8 – Woven Heart Chenille Sweater $36

Well, clearly, I had fall on my mind when I shopped the sale yesterday morning because I am so excited to style this sweater all fall long!

Bottoms:

1 – Madewell 10-Inch High Waist Skinny Jeans $89

If you didn’t know, Madewell denim is my absolute favorite of all time. I currently don’t own any high waist jeans like this so I was super excited to score them for such a deal! (Madewell denim runs true to size)

2 – Zella Live-In Legging $35

If there’s ONE thing you pick up from this sale, it needs to be these leggings. I legitimately live in these leggings 75% of the time. I compare them to Lululemon quality but at a much more reasonable price point.

3 – Leith Surplice Jumpsuit $52

Jumpsuits have 100% been my go-to this spring/summer. Naturally, I’m obsessed with this one and I love the tasteful cut out in the front.

4 – Levi’s 501 Destroyed Boyfriend Jean $85

I’ve been looking for a cute, destroyed pair of boyfriend jeans and these were the savior! They’re so cute and, in my opinion, destroyed perfectly. I can’t wait to style these with a tee and a pair of heels!

Shoes:

1 – Hunter Original Tall Rain Boot $99

Hunters are my favorite for fall, winter, and spring (at least here in the midwest)! This is an amazing deal and a great time to snag a pair for yourself considering they’re usually $150 or more.

2 – Sam Edelman Caprice Boot $149

I had been eyeing these boots for a while and truly couldn’t justify paying full price so when I saw that they were included in the sale, I was off the wall with excitement (it’s the little things in life, people!!) These boots come in three colors, I’m personally most excited for the black ones.

3 – Steve Madden Trace Studded Mule $50

I’m pretty sure these were the first things in my cart yesterday morning, partially because I don’t own anything like them and because I envisioned so many of my favorite fall styles pairing so well with them.

4 – Adidas Flashback Sneaker $68

You really can’t go wrong with a pair of classic sneakers! I’m always on the hunt for fairly priced athletic shoes and what I love about this pair is that they can be paired with a casual, athleisure outfit.

Accessories:

1 – Tory Burch Marsden Crossbody – $151

This beauty comes in four colors and, at this price, you really can’t beat it! I’m a huge fan of crossbody bags and an even bigger fan of Tory Burch bags so when I can grab one for over 50% off, you better believe I jump on that opportunity.

2 – Kendra Scott Miku Drop Earring $39

I had to pick these cuties up when I saw that they were on sale! They come in three metals; gold, silver, and rose gold.

3 – Rebecca Minkoff Crossbody $149

I’m crying a little on the inside because I bought a crossbody super similar to this one last fall at a much higher price and I’m kicking myself for not waiting! This is a super cute bag to take you through the fall and into winter. Is anyone else happy leopard print is back?

4 – Brixton Baker Boy Cap $31

Everyone is obsessed with this style of hat and I can see why! I scored one on sale so I’m going to see if I’m cool enough to pull off this style.

Beauty:

1 – drybar The Most Wonderful Waves Set $165

You already know I love drybar (if you didn’t, now you do)! Any time I can grab something like this for a friend or as a gift, I try to. This is such an incredible deal because the curling wand alone is $165!

2 – St. Tropez Jumbo Self Tan Express Mousse $49

Like being tan without the worry? Me too! St. Tropez is one of my favorite tanning lotion brands AND this self tan express mousse has been my go-to allllllll summer! You’re getting the JUMBO for the price of the regular size bottle.

3 – NARS Undressed Liquid Lip Set $49

I’ve been really obsessed with NARS liquid lip lately and I’m so happy to see this set of four on sale for such a great price!

4 – Luxie Face Complexion Set $35

These are some of my favorite makeup brushes ever! $35 for this set is an absolute steal.

Happy Shopping, friends! Leave a comment with your favorite items!

xx, Kaitlyn

Play Hard: Chicago

It’s no surprise that Chicago is my home away from home and I absolutely love experiencing new things the city has to offer. My friends know I’m the gal to go to for recommendations in the city and I thought I’d bring my list of favorites to life by sharing it with all of you!

Drinks and Eats:

Three Dots and a Dash – MY FAVORITE BAR EVER. It’s grown wildly popular for it’s underground (yes, you heard me, underground!) tiki theme and imported rums in the last few years so you’ll need to make a reservation but I promise it’s worth it.

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Pops for Champagne – We all know I love my champagne and pops definitely delivers the best selection of champs and cheese boards!

Raised Bar – I actually did an entire review of Raised Bar last year so I’ll link it here and let that post do the talking.

The Up Room at The Robey – I was lucky enough to collab with The Robey earlier this year and had the best experience at The Up Room! The views were incredible and the drinks were all hand crafted.

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Cindy’s Rooftop – Another place with a great view and trendy drinks!

LondonHouse Rooftop – Hellllooooo perfect view of the Chicago River! This rooftop terrace is one of the prettiest in Chicago to grab a drink and admire the beauty of Chi Town.

Cubby Bear – A typical bar located in Wrigleyville but perfect for a pre-Cubs game drink!

Quartino – Honestly, one of my favorite Italian restaurants ever. I love pasta and I love pasta even more if it’s fresh/homemade. Let’s not forget about their Lemoncello Martini!

Public House Chicago – One of my favorite stops in River North for not only a great brunch but for their boozy cake shakes!

Giordano’s Pizza – Don’t come for me, this is my FAV deep dish ‘za in Chicago and always will be.

Rosebud – A cute restaurant with some Italian flare in River North.

Beatrix – With a couple of locations in Chi, this is one of the best places for a girl’s Sunday Funday brunch! (my girl gang and I went to the one in the west loop!)

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The Q – I’m not a huge fan of BBQ but The Q always serves up some delicious southern ‘Q.

Hub 51 – A great, American classic restaurant where you can devour a burger and fries or a few cocktails!

Portillos – I hate hotdogs so I can’t personally vouch for this but everyone says Portillos is THE place to get a legit Chicago dog. The cheese fries are delish too!

Noyane – SUSHI and a view!

Velvet Taco – Theeee place to taco ’bout! Everyone loves Velvet Taco and if you go, you’ll see why!

Big Star Taco – Margs? Check. Family style tacos? Check. Multiple Salsa Options? Check.

STK – I literally loveeeeee STK. I recently visited the Las Vegas location and the food is literally always amazing. Slightly pricey but totally worth it!

Tavern on Rush – A chic, trendy place to grab lunch or dinner. Great for groups too!

Steak 48 – Another super good place to get a steak cooked to absolute perfection.

Goddess and the Grocer – Absolutely obsessed with G&G. Super fresh ingredients and so great for a tasty lunch.

Hampton Social – The best frosé in the game and the cutest vine wall ever! (also great for brunch)

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Summer House Santa Monica – Beachy vibes and great food.

Where to Stay?

I’m partial to River North because that’s just where I like to hang out so most of my favorites are in that area!

Acme Hotel Company – If you follow me on Instagram you already know I love this place with my whole heart. The vibes, the location, the staff, the cleanliness … everything is amazing! Can’t say I love it enough!

The Gwen – A cute, swanky hotel in close proximity to Michigan Ave and the River front.

The Dana – Adorable hotel complete with spa! Who could want more?

Moxy Chicago Downtown – a NEW hotel to Chicago. Similar vibes to that of Acme but located a little south of River North in the loop!

Where to Play?

Cubs Game – I’m a Cubs fan and have been since basically birth! So, I’m partial to a Cubs game but the White Sox fans know how to party too. Either way, you really can’t go wrong … but … Wrigleyville has my heart.

The Bean – A Chicago classic attraction. Pro Tip: Go early before all the tourists get there … oops probably shouldn’t give away my secret 😉

Navy Pier – It’s always a good time at Navy Pier! River cruises, Chicago eye, the conservatory … all the best things in one place!

Lincoln Park Zoo – What better way to spend an afternoon?

Social 25 – A club in River North with an upstairs and downstairs. In my prime, I may or may not have danced on a table of two in the basement of this place.

I’m always updating my list of favorites in Chicago so don’t hesitate to ask me for more recommendations and if I didn’t cover something you wish I would have in this post, let me know!

xx, Kaitlyn

Gift Guide #4: For Him

We allllllllll know guys wait until the last minute to let us know what they want for Christmas. So, no fear, I’ve linked some last minute items for your man, dad, brother, or grandpa that are sure to be a hit with any guy!

Native Union Charger Set

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Earlier this year, I was introduced to Native Union through my boyfriend after he forgot to pack our chargers as we were leaving our hotel room in Vegas (charger packing and tech things are his job — he took full responsibility!). Anyway, he immediately turned around to purchased these amazing chargers from Native Union and we’ve been hooked ever since! The best part is that Native Union sells a plethora of cables in all lengths and sizes!

MVMT Watches

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I absolutely love MVMT watches! They were founded on the ideals that style shouldn’t break the bank and that luxury can be affordable. These watches are some of the best quality for the money that I’ve ever seen. With so many styles, these are definitely going to be a hit with any guy on your list!

Jack Black Gift Set

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Jack Black has become one of the most requested items from the guys in my life! The gift sets are great for stocking stuffers or an all-in-one gift at an affordable price point.

Happy Socks

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Happy Socks are probably the funkiest, yet coolest dress sock on the market right now and, I mean, who doesn’t love getting fun socks these days?

Patagonia Quarter Zip

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Patagonias are not only practical, but on trend. If your guy isn’t into prints and designs, these quarter zips are the perfect alternative!

Chukka Boot

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Chukka boots have been a necessity with the guys I know. They’re stylist, go with so many outfits, and can be dressed up or dressed down. What more could you honestly want as a guy than a shoe that makes getting ready more effortless than it already is.

Sephora Cologne Sampler

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Possibly the best gift for picky guys on your list! With this gift set, they’re able to redeem a voucher for a cologne of their choice.

Slippers

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Men don’t always like to admit it but they love slippers just as much as women do. These Ugg slip on slippers are some of the comfiest you can buy and will make your man feel like he’s walking on a cloud!

Google Home or Google Wi-Fi

Google Home is a super convenient device to have in your home because you can do just about anything with a google home system. From playing a Spotify playlist to getting the answer to a perplexing question — google home has your man covered. Google Wi-Fi is an incredibly easy device to set up and syncs with an app to make managing it super simple.

Many of these items can be purchased on Amazon Prime, too! I hope this gift guide helps you navigate the tricky world of shopping for men.

Happy Holidays from me to you!

xx, Kaitlyn

Gift Guide #3: For The Person Who Has Everything

gift guide

Case App – With so many of the same, types of phone cases and laptop skins on the market, it’s often hard to find one that you haven’t seen 100 times before. If you’re shopping for someone who “has everything” chances are they probably have the latest and trendiest tech accessories. Well, Case App allows you to design and create your very own, customized phone cases and laptop skins! This means you complete and total creative freedom to really give that special person on your list exactly what they’re looking for. Use my code ” KAITLYN20 ” for 20% off until December 22nd!

Amazon Prime subscription – With everything accessible at the touch of your finger tips, Amazon Prime has quickly become one of the most useful services to purchase. What better way to say, “Happy Holidays” than with a year of free Prime! The best thing about Amazon Prime is that having access to Prime doesn’t just mean fast shipping and awesome discounts. It also means having access to Amazon Movies and other fun Amazon features that are sure to bring delight for months to come!

Monthly Subscription Box – I am all about monthly subscriptions and I love giving them as gifts! I think it’s so fun to open a little present each month that gets delivered right to my door. Some of my favorite monthly subscription boxes include UnderClub Co, Hum Nutrition, and Sephora Play!. Let me dive a little deeper into each box and give you the low down on why I love them all.

1. UnderClub is a luxury underwear subscription service for women. They pride themselves on delivering the best products to women to help them start their day off feeling their absolute best. I love the high quality items I’ve received and I love how simple it is to try new products because they’re delivered to me each month. I highly recommend giving this subscription service a try! You can sign up for 3, 6, and 12 month services on their website! Grab your UnderClub gift here

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2. Hum Nutrition is a monthly vitamin subscription service that, in my opinion, trumps all the rest. I have been obsessed with Hum Nutrition for years and I absolutely love getting new products in the mail each month. The sign up process is super easy and literally as simple as 1, 2, 3 …! After signing up for a subscription, you’re paired with a nutritionist that helps guide you through your journey to better health. You can customize your monthly box each month which makes giving this subscription as a gift to someone who has everything, the best possible!

3. Play! by Sephora It’s no secret that I’m a long time Sephora lover. I’ve tried allll of the other makeup subscription boxes and, while I like them, none of them have ever compared to the value I find in my Play! by Sephora box. What I love most in comparison to other monthly makeup subscriptions in the same price range is that with Play! by Sephora you’re promised 6 of their best selling or hottest trending products. One of those products will be a perfume sample and the other five will be something that you’ll actually use instead of throwing in your sample drawer and forgetting about it. For only $10 per month, I think this is a steal!

The best thing about giving a subscription of monthly boxes to someone that has everything is that they’re getting something new each month.

S’well Bottles – I am obsessed with S’well bottles and I have amassed quite a collection … good for me but not good for my cupboards and to be quite honest, lack of storage space. Anyway, with so many different designs and sizes of S’well bottles, there’s sure to be something for everyone. The best thing about S’well bottles is that they encourages you to drink more water and who doesn’t want that? They’re perfect to take on an airplane, to a workout class, to the office, or even just to keep in your car to refill at your connivence.

Popsocket – THE MOST UNDERRATED PRODUCT OF 2017! I am in love with my popsocket and I truly cannot imagine going back to the days before I had a popsocket on my phone. You know; the days of laying in bed, looking at your phone, and dropping it on your forehead? Or, how about, trying to take the perfect group selfie but your phone slipping out of your hand and cracking your screen as it falls onto the cement? Sound familiar? With a popsocket, you’re able to stabilize your phone and give your poor pinky a rest while texting. Not to mention, for less than $15 you can completely customize your popsocket and give one of the most practical and meaningful gift this year!

Tile – Never lose your things ever again! This little device pairs with your phone via bluetooth to help you track down anything it is attached to. If your item is within a 100-foot bluetooth radius of your phone, Tile plays a loud tune until your find it. This is literally the best gift anyone could give in my option, because I can’t even count how many times I’ve lost my keys, purse, sunglass case, etc… and have wasted hours looking for items that were right in front of me all along.

An Experience – If you think about it, the reason why someone claims to “have everything” is because they’re just craving an experience or just itching to spend some quality time with you. Ticket to a concert, or a show like cirque du soleil, or a fun night out at a food and drink tasting festival are all really incredible gifts that can be shared together making memories.

xx, Kaitlyn

Gift Guide #1: Self-love

Happy December 1st! Can you believe that December 2017 is already here? Like, I’m still trying to get over the fact that 2005 was literally 12 years ago (who’s with me on that?). So, to welcome December with open arms, I’m kicking off the month with a series of themed gift guides for those special people in your life.

gift guide

Self-love is something that I take very seriously. I think it’s so important to take time out of each day to do something that fills you with joy, no matter what it is. Too often we forget to love ourselves first, we forget that we’re the only version of us that we’ll ever have. Mentally, physically, and emotionally, it’s critical to fill our souls with good energy. There are many ways to show yourself some good old self-love, I personally like to take time out of each day to decompress from the day and calm my mind. The best part is that, because there are so many ways to relax your body and mind, you’ll never have to fall into a stagnant routine.

One of the best ways to completely relax is to make a date with your favorite, local spa. I’ve had the pleasure of partnering with Mojo Spa in Wicker Park to bring some of the best deals of the holiday season to my readers. Mojo prides itself on their handmade soaps, skincare, and cosmetics that are made in small batches with good-for-you ingredients and formed into fun, creative designs! This Chicago-based beauty company has shared their ideals of merging beauty and comfort with celebrity fans and customers all over the globe. For over ten years they have been manufacturing, developing, and testing their own recipes! I’m all about handmade products that are made with fresh ingredients which makes this collaboration with Mojo a perfect fit!

I received my very own pumpkin pie bath soap, which is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. The time, dedication, and attention to detail is just phenomenal! The best part about this soap is that it has anti-inflammatory benefits and is packed full of antioxidants.

With the holiday season in full swing, Mojo has launched their special Golden Ticket offer with any $200 in-store or online product purchase! A Golden Ticket could be anything from a $25 signature mani/pedi to 30% off products. This offer is only valid until December 24th so jump on this opportunity while you can!

If you’re a Chicagoland local, you can book a nail appointment at Mojo or stop by the store to pick up a few of their products. Gift sets are available for any occasion but especially for the holidays and at such reasonable price points. If you’re not local, no worries! They ship worldwide!

I am so excited to continue this gift guide series and I hope you are too! Other guides you should be on the look-out for include a gift guide for her, a gift guide for him, and a gift guide for the person who has everything! Happy Holidays!

xx, Kaitlyn

Black Friday Steals and Deals

When you think of Black Friday, some words that come to your mind are probably “chaotic” or “crazy, but I’m here to help you navigate some of the best deals you can score this year! Personally, I’m a huge fan of Black Friday. I love the thrill of finding deals, saving money, and buying gifts for others (… and myself, of course)! When I’m Black Friday shopping there are a few places I always, always have to hit up because the deals are usually unreal. I’m going to walk you through three places I know I’ll be headed this Friday.

One of the first places I head to is always Target. Target is amazing all year long, but, Target always has the best Black Friday deals. I’ve compiled a list of some of the items I’m most excited to get my hands on for friends and family this year.

Fitbit Charge 2 – $99.95 which is a savings of $50

Beats Studio2 Wireless headphones – $159.99 which is a savings of $220

iRobot Roomba 614 robotic vacuum – $199.99 which is a savings of $100

Ninja Professional kitchen system – $99.99 which is a savings of $100

Threshold fuzzy blankets – $18 which is a savings of $21.99

Google Home – $79 which is a savings of $50

*** I have a $300 Target giftcard giveaway live on my Instagram right now (ending 11/22/17). Feel free to enter here! ***

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The next store I always head to is Express. I typically stray away from Express just based on the price for the quality but Express always runs a 50% off everything deal during Black Friday. This is a great time to stock up on sweaters and other layering pieces! Here are some of my favorite items included in the sale!

Extreme Circle Hem Cowl Neck Sweater – $34.95 normally $69.90

Editor Pick Cold Shoulder Sweater – $29.95 normally $59.90

Off The Shoulder Balloon Sleeve Sweater Dress – $34.95 normally $69.90

(Minus The) Leather Jacket – $64 normally $128

I’m all about being able to buy gifts for friends that I know they’ll love and Sephora is always on the top of my go-to list, especially during Black Friday. I can find so many small add-ons to gifts that are affordable and practical. A lot of the best deals at Sephora can be found online or on their app which is where I head to avoid crowds and be an efficient shopper. Here are some of the items in my shopping cart!

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream – $15 normally $42

Benefit Bestseller Blowout – $15 normally $43

Bite Beauty Mini Multistick Duo – $15 normally $20

Are you Black Friday shopping? What are some stores on your go-to list? Let me know in the comments.

xx, 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

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!