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Thursday, September 26, 2013

Summer in Instagram





























Well folks, it's official: summer is over. Fall is quickly shaping into what's sure to be a great season, but I can't say I'm not going to miss summa (summa summa) time in Michigan!

1. My new mountain bike speak the truth: "all work and no play is no fun at all.."
2. Capital Cities concert at Freedom Hill.
3. My monster sprouted a single white whisker - he's so distinguished!
4. Channeling my inner flower child at the GOTR festival in Ohio.
5. Spending time with my family during our annual camping trip at Pokagon State Park.
6. Cheesin' with Pat at a tiki bar up north.
7. Finally learning to SUP at Houghton Lake.
8. My 'new' ride, a pretty little 2008 Ford Escape - isn't she cute? R.I.P. Sunfire
9. The beautiful new downtown market in Grand Rapids opened its doors.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Chili Cook-Off

This past Saturday was a day I've been looking forward to all year: beautiful fall-like weather, the beginning of ArtPrize, and chili…oh so much chili. It has become an annual tradition of mine to attend the Cottage Bar Chili Cookoff each year, and now my boyfriend loves it as much as I do! And how could you not? There are 40+ chili samples to choose from as well as live music all afternoon and Bell’s beer on tap.. BONUS!


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We went, we gorged, we napped. Weekends at their finest! I'm ready to do it all over again already and maybe next year I'll even try the possum chili! Okay maybe not, but who knows and hey - watch possum become the next big thing: Free-range Organic Possum, mmm

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Festy Love

Last weekend I attended Mumford & Son's Gentlemen of the Road stopover in Troy, Ohio. In a word: fantastic (festastic??!). Most of my festival experience (aka: Bonnaroo) has been in a rural setting, but GOTR is different. They spend a lot of time selecting unique, small towns that could use the economic boost and are willing to go absolutely all-in to make the festival a success. Troy was a perfect pick. Everything from the adorable downtown to the friendly locals made our experience unforgettable.





























I love music festivals, big time. I love the long road trips – wide awake with anticipation on the way, and exhausted and full of stories on the way back. I love the chaos, the camping and even the not-showering for days at a time. I love the excuse to don flowers in my hair and dance in the rain to a favorite band. Above all else, I love the people. Fellow festers share a bond, a love for the music that makes you endure all the aforementioned. I've never left a festival without being pleasantly reminded that there really are still good people out there: genuinely happy humans who are willing to help anybody. 

For me, the only hard part of festivals is getting used to the constant buzz. I’m naturally introverted so having downtime to recharge is something I’m used to, and need. This isn't always easy at festivals – so my advice for fellow introverts out there: be prepared (earplugs are worth their weight in gold at 4am when the neighboring camp is still pounding Bassnectar) and give yourself a break.
What you're feeling is natural; being surrounded by constant noise is not.
With that being said, fest on my friends!