The Weekender: Our Family Vacation!

Sun for the Soul

Last week, we were quiet on the blog and socials because we were on the road! We took a family road trip to the Florida panhandle to play in the sand, eat outdoors, feel the warm sun and catch lizards. We drove through the night, taking turns while Lucy slept in her carseat, and we arrived by lunchtime the following day – and then stayed for an entire, glorious seven nights. I can’t remember the last time we’ve taken that much time off, but it was a good reminder to prioritize our happiness and sanity as much as possible in the future.

With the kitchen renovation in full swing, we didn’t waste a single second to enjoy our downtime, especially since we know that the summer might be pretty busy once the cabinets are delivered! Every evening, over dinner, we always ask each other: What was your favorite part of the day? It made our hearts so happy to hear Lucy answer in ways she never could in Chicago – the lizards! Shewwy’s swimming pool! – but my answer was always easy: Watching Lucy downright thrive. Ugh, how is she this big? How!

And yes! We spent as much time as possible with John and Sherry – around a bonfire, bicycling in state parks, sharing drinks on the beach and laughing in the hot tub until we couldn’t breathe. Perhaps I was most excited to meet Penny, who wasn’t so sure at first, but warmed up by the end. That face!

We returned home with full hearts and warm memories, and surprisingly for me, barely any photos! We all agreed that while we had ‘a time,’ it was the best feeling seeing our city skyline on the drive home, curling up on our own sofa that evening, and falling asleep in our own beds, happy.

Other Things This Week:

It’s official. I love purple now, and I’m never taking these jeans off my body again.

I was influenced by @mrsjessicadarling, and I couldn’t resist these huggie hoops! I bought them last week and have worn them 24 hours a day since then (yup, cozy even while sleeping).

A short, sweet read.

Dabito’s new lighting line with Mitzi is stunning! This table lamp is everything.

Gift idea alert! Lucy could not get enough of these craft kits, going so far as to rip into them in the early morning hours and creating her own masterpieces. I love the concept to Climb like Amanda Gorman and Soar like Amelia Earhart, and the Care like Greta water bottle kit? Awesome.

When you’re over 30 and decide to go to a club. I can’t with the dogs. I just can’t!

Summer is thisclose (please don’t tell me otherwise!), and Tree House is filling up quickly, but we’ve sadly had a few cancellations. We have a flexible cancellation policy, since times can still feel uncertain and most of us don’t know what we’re doing next week. That said, the first two weeks of June are now wide open! You can learn more about the property and book right here.

Weekend Sales

• Anthropologie: 20% off gifts for mom
• Boutique Rugs: Up to 75% off spring sale
• CB2: Up to 60% off new-to-sale items
• The Company Store: 30% off $300 or more, 20% off sitewide with code FAMILY22
• Equilibria CBD: 15% off for new customers with code YELLOWBRICKHOME
• Everlane: Up to 50% off sale items
• Gap: Up to 75% Off With Extra 60% Off Markdowns
• J. Crew: Up to 60% off sale styles. Use code SHOPNOW
• J. Crew Factory: Extra 50% off clearance with code HOORAY
• Lowe’s: Up to 40% off patio furniture and accessories
• Madewell: Extra 30% off sale. Use code REFRESH
• Old Navy: 30% off including clearance
• Rugs USA: Up to 75% off Spring Cleaning sale, no code needed
• Sephora: Free shipping on all orders with code FREESHIP
• West Elm: Up to 50% off new clearance styles

Have a Sunny Weekend!

What are your plans for the weekend? Chicago is going to be warm(ish) for the first time in a long time, and we hardly know what to do with ourselves! Perhaps ice cream before dinner? A whole day walking through the nearby parks and playgrounds? Iced coffee all morning and afternoon, at which point we’ll switch immediately to wine? Spring is here, and once again, Chicagoans across the city are experiencing the same winter memory loss we do every year. Goodbye winter, hello to Chicago’s pretty season! And that is what makes it all worth it, living in this beautiful city.