3rd Annual Michigan Winery Tour

I can't think of a better way to kick off fall than with a winery tour. Luckily, our friends feel the same and over the weekend we embarked upon our 3rd Annual Winery Tour! (Check out the 1st and 2nd annual as well!) The weather was crisp and perfect for sipping some vino and spending time with buds. (I wore a jacket and scarf for the first time this season, cozy!) We also stumbled upon a harvest farm full of the sights of fall - pumpkins, Halloween decor, a corn maze... it was another amazing adventure. I cherish moments like these so much. 

If you're looking for a Chicago day trip getaway here are some of our favorite stops:

Round Barn Winery   

Lemon Creek Winery 

Journeyman Distillery (it was recently a photo shoot location for CB2!) (They'll be at the next Dose Market!)

And there are plenty more to pick from here! (We also like to camp in the area as well.)

So let's hear it folks... red or white? Or equal opportunity imbiber??

this guy.

this guy: 

installed a bluetooth stereo in my car this weekend (no more cords! safety first! spotify!)

appreciates street art, craft beer and independent films

likes to dj at our friend's roof top parties

is always up for an adventure

makes the best tea

calls me peach

i love him so. 

Fall 2012 Cosmetics Trend Show

Another fall, another fun beauty season! For the past 3 years I've attended the Nordstrom Cosmetics Trend Show to get the scoop all things makeup and skin care for one of my favorite beauty seasons. With trends illustrated through an interactive runway show, giveaways galore and product specials like no other, I'm always on the edge of my seat snapping photo's, taking notes, and soaking it all in.

2012's theme featured Iconic Beauty and the major takeaway's were:

How much can you fit into 2 days? A lot. (If you don't sleep much.)

Sometimes I'm amazed at how much we can cram into a weekend. I knew going in that it would be hectic, but with perfect weather in the forecast we had to give it our best shot.  On Friday, we tried some new places in the city - dinner at Estate, and the grand opening of Fatpour, the latest beer spot in town.

On Saturday morning, I (very drearily) attended the Nordstrom Cosmetics Trend Show where I experienced the latest and greatest in cosmetics and skincare for Fall 2012. Oh, and Kimora Lee Simmons. No big deal. (More details later this week!) 

As soon I as was finished primping and playing we escaped the city to our favorite camping spot in Michigan. It's just far enough from the hustle and bustle, close enough to the beach, and quiet enough to calm our minds. It doesn't hurt that it's smack dab in the middle of the wine trail. (Pure Michigan is no joke you guys.)

After setting up camp we took a walk, played around with the sunset, hopped on a hayride, then enjoyed dinner and cocktails at Journeyman Distillery. (Slightly more "glamping" than camping.) Once back to camp, we bundled up and built a fire while catching up on life. (Surely we aren't the only couple whose busy schedules can feel like two ships passing in the night?) We nearly froze as we slept but waking up to fresh air and morning sun made the chills worth it. 

We made it back to Chicago with just enough time to throw in some laundry, catch a quick nap and prep for a new, busy week. Unfortunately, the shoe DIY just had to wait - hopefully next weekend!

Monday was a drag but hey, it's Tuesday now! So how was your weekend?


P.S. You can follow our adventures in real time via Instagram! @LittleAshleigh and @RoyalTeaCo

Happy Weekend

photo via Style Me Pretty

Happy Friday m'loves! And a happy belated Labor Day / 13th to you :)

It's beginning to look like... Fall! around these parts and I'm currently loving the crisp mornings and sunny days. In order to take advantage of it here are a few things on the agenda for this weekend:

• Dinner here.

• The Nordstrom Cosmetic's Trend Show - can't wait. (If you're in Chicago it's not too late to join in the fun!) Check out my coverage of the 2010 and 2011 events and return soon, I'll be reporting back next week with the best in beauty for fall 2012.

• Camping! (I'm a fan.)

• A nude pump overhaul inspired by this. Except instead of black, I'm considering metallic silver! 

What's on your schedule? Have a happy one! 

A White Birthday

We celebrated the end of summer and the beginning of a new year for the hubby over Labor Day weekend. The party also doubled as our second annual White Party, a tradition we plan to keep in the rotation for as long as possible!

Dîner en Blanc - Chicago - We Went!

Remember when I told you about Dîner en Blanc last week? I hardly expected that we would end up being part of the Chicago version but how happy we were to join in the fun!

It all happened so fast... after I was un-waitlisted the hunt was on for elegant, white apparel and accessories, sourcing tables and chairs, preparing our dinner, packing our items (real plates, cloth napkins, wine glasses); it felt like a lot of work but the end result was so worth the effort. 

We took the train from our house to one of several meeting spots in the city, 

where we met our group leader and some new 'blanc' friends.

We made our way across city streets to the secret location, the Art Institute...

photos by Ryan Cosens, more here. 

where we quickly set up our tables before nightfall and settled into an elegant picnic under the stars 

(and a few spiders in the trees overhead but we dealt with it)...

and twirled our napkins to signal the start of dinner.

That's us on the right! 

Photo by James Trevenen, more here.

After a scrumptious meal and 2 bottles of wine we took silly pictures like this...

and ended the night doing this:

                                                                      photo by Ryan Cosens, more here. 

If you ever have the opportunity to attend a Dîner en Blanc event you won't want to miss out. It was glamorous, friendly, and super fun way to spend an evening in your city. Call me crazy, but I'd be up for making a goal of attending in a few more cities (or countries even!). What a wonderful way to see the town, meet a few locals and make a memory in a new place! 

We thrive on exciting adventures like this but I'm curious what your thoughts are..worth the work or too much trouble?