inspired_theBloomseries

I met Rebecca at the Eat Drink Create events and have become a huge fan of her work via her beautiful Instagram feed. She’s super sweet + super talented. I love how she’s constantly creating and doing new things. Recently, she launched a stunning series of prints called The Bloom Series and this one is definitely my favorite.

Lately, while prepping for Alt (as an introvert) and thinking about other steps in our life that are huge + exciting + overwhelming, this quote has really resonated with me. Last year, I feel like I talked about a lot of things, but they were all a little nebulous and far off in the future so that I could sit tight in my comfort zone. This year, we’re making some huge things happen: my first conference as a solopreneur and blogger, Evergreen Lane‘s one year anniversary, my husband’s first trip to Europe + that’s just the first quarter! My plan is to stretch myself creatively with new biz + blog projects, learn some sweet business skills, launch a new product, travel more + collaborate with people + brands I admire. I decided to dream big enough that my comfort zone couldn’t hold everything I wanted to see happen in my life. I can’t wait to share everything with you as it unfolds.

Speaking out your dreams can be a bit scary, but it’s time to stop letting fear make decisions for us and instead take a little risk.

I am in awe and so thankful for where 2013 has taken me + the mister, and I know that it’s just the beginning.

2014 is the year to blossom!

Filed in:Creativity | Inspiration

daydreamer_ALT SLC

{ sit / sip / style }

Guys. I cannot get any work done today to speak of, because I am just too excited for next week. Since I started blogging 2 years ago, I have daydreamed about attending Alt Summit, and this year, it’s finally happening! It’s gonna be a fun week of styling it up, braving the snow in Salt Lake City, and hopefully a sweet sip or two. How perfect is this Alt yellow cocktail? It’s even got some winter snow on top! I’m hoping to come away from the conference with a few fun video collaborations for the blog…so stay tuned.

Are you going to be there? If so, let’s meet up! My awesome readers are what keeps me going in this crazy blog world and I’m so thankful for you!

Happy Friday, xo

Filed in:Daydreaming

title on the lake

One of my top priorities for every visit back home to Chicago is a day exploring downtown. I have already gone on way too long on this blog about how much I love this vibrant and beautiful city, so today I’ll focus on our latest adventure there. After a morning at the Chicago Historical Society, Cory and I walked through Lincoln Park Zoo and towards the Lakefront Trail. I used to run this trail all the time during my college years + half marathon training days. We all have those places that have layers on layers of memories for us – this is one of those places, and it was so fun to add another layer with Cory this last trip.

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We decided to try out the new Divvy bike share system (new since I’ve moved away) and take a ride down the trail – we were blessed with an abnormally warm day and it was perfect for a bike ride. The trail was PACKED with people for the end of December. We chose a day pass, which gets you as many 30 minute bike segments during a 24 hour period that you like. It’s a little confusing to have to keep track of switching bikes every 30 minutes to avoid overage fees if you’re on a longer ride, but it worked perfectly for us and our touristy needs.

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We ended up riding all the way down to Navy Pier in one 30 minute segment and dropped our bikes off. The sun was setting and it was only 4pm (I just keep telling myself after December 21st, we’re on the upswing, right?) but it made for some beautiful light. I love when the ice melts enough to break apart and creates this awesome geometry all over the surface of the lake. And I just can’t get over how nice the weather was so we could enjoy it without freezing our fingers off. Pluses all around!

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After dropping off our bikes near Navy Pier, we walked down the Chicago river to Michigan Avenue. Now, this was me being a space cadet, but I highly HIGHLY recommend staying as far away from Michigan Avenue during the week of Christmas (before or after) because everyone and their brother is visiting Chicago and wants to see Michigan Avenue. It was so. crowded. Needless to say, we quickly changed our plans after a few minutes and zig-zagged down side streets for a while.

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Before we left Michigan Avenue, we did walk by one of my favorite buildings – the Tribune Tower. I love that it’s not on the “most touristy places to see in Chicago” but it captures the heart of Chicago architecture for me. The exterior includes pieces from all sorts of buildings, monuments, and natural wonders from all over the world that are patched into the facade like a quilt. I love that you can be in the heart of Chicago and touch the Forbidden City in Beijing. Makes the world seem a little smaller and more magical. Maybe that’s silly, but it’s still one of my favorites.

Ok, maybe I should have waited a while to post these photos because now I’m ready to go back! But perhaps I’ll wait until this whole polar freeze thing has worn off.

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P.S. This post was not sponsored by Divvy bikes. They don’t know who I am, but we did have a good experience + therefore I wrote about it. xo

Filed in:Everyday Adventure | Travel
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  • Bespoke TravelerJanuary 15, 2014 - 1:47 pm

    Looks like you were able to see a lot of Chicago on your bikes! The Tribune Tower sounds like a wonderful place to visit.ReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzJanuary 15, 2014 - 4:02 pm

      It is! I didn’t really bike much until moving to Denver recently, but I’m now pretty obsessed 🙂ReplyCancel

Guys! It’s here! So happy to be sharing the video from our holiday Eat Drink Create. Seriously one of the highlights of my time in Colorado has been connecting with Erin and Lexy for these events. And each one gets better and better.

Want to hear more details about Eat Drink Create, our awesome sponsors, and see some photos? Yeah you do! Check out Erin’s recap and Lexy’s recap.

Filed in:Video

mop

I’m back, y’all! I hope you had an amazing and refreshing holiday season. I know I really enjoyed all my time away from the computer and spending time with loved ones. But I missed blogging quite a bit and am ready to get back at it. So, let’s catch up a little, shall we?

1. Winter is in full swing here in Colorado, but at least we still have plenty of sunny days – the perfect remedy to the cold, in my personal opinion. That and a lot of tea (obviously). In fact, it’s been almost warm here lately few days, teasing us with a taste of springtime that I know won’t actually be here to stay until May. But a few warmish days are better than none, right? I’m always pretty much over winter after Christmas.

2. I spent Christmas at my childhood home, the last one we’ll have there, since my parents are moving in the spring. We moved in when I was eight, so I definitely have many, many cherished memories there.

3. More on this tomorrow, but exploring downtown Chicago has to be one of my favorite things, and a highlight of every trip home. Especially when I’m with one of my favorite people and the weather is unseasonably pleasant.

4. Is that little llama ornament not the cutest? Spotted at West Elm while I was shooting the Eat Drink Create Holiday video back in early December! P.S. Keep an eye out for that video, it’s coming out this week!

5. We ended the break with a little traveling to sunny Cailfornia and spent a week in Palm Desert with my family. Not a place I would have picked to vacation, honestly, but I needed the chill time more than I expected. Nothing does the body good like a few days by the pool, am I right? Also, running outside without freezing my butt off was a major plus.

I’ll be sharing more throughout January about my intentions and hopes and dreams for 2014 (it’s gonna be big, y’all), but for now, catch me up on your holiday season! What was your favorite thing about the little break we had?

Filed in:Life
add a comment
  • bpJanuary 13, 2014 - 2:42 pm

    Welcome back! What nice pictures recapping your holiday! Yes, awesome llama ornament! Excited to hear about your 2014 plans too!ReplyCancel

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