Thanksgiving in Chicago

As some of you may know, I have a very small family. During the holidays, and especially this year, we don’t have the traditional huge family gathering with enormous amounts of food. For Thanksgiving this year, my mom, my dad, and I decided to do something new and adventurous. Because I was ill during the International Pageant when we toured the city of Chicago, my mom thought it would be a good idea to check out some of the sites I missed out on. We hopped in the car equipped with holiday tunes and a cooler full of treats and hit the road for Chicago!

I was so excited to return to the state where I received the incredible blessing of being the 2012 Miss International and walk around downtown to show off my sparkly hat ;)

My first “go-to” destination was the well-known Millennium Bean! This beautiful peace of artwork has always been a piece that draws my curiosity and attention. Affectionately nicknamed “the bean”, Cloud Gate was created by Anish Kapoor in 2004 and has been a hot spot for tourists and beloved landmark for natives.

I had a blast taking pictures at the bean with tourists and visiting Millennium park dwellers. The next place I just had to visit was The Art Institute of Chicago. Every year they hold an event called “Wreathing the Lions.” Although I was not present for the ceremony, I did get a chance to see these massive but beautiful lions draped in holiday shrubbery.

My mom, dad and I strolled down the streets of Chicago enjoying the historic architecture and busy hustle and bustle. We certainly looked like tourists with our necks stretched back looking up at the tall elegant buildings. We shopped through WaterTower Place, stopping in The American Girl store (my childhood favorite) and the Lego store (still my dad’s favorite…) stopping to talk with tons of little girls and boys along the way. 

We enjoyed a lovely dinner in a beautiful restaurant overlooking the city, gave thanks for how blessed we are, and reminisced about love ones lost. I am so fortunate to have such loving supporting parents. They have given me so much stable ground to stand on now, as I continue growing in to an adult woman. I love you mom and dad. I am so happy we could spend a beautiful Thanksgiving in Chicago; it is one I will never forget!

“The love of family and the admiration of friends is much more important than wealth and privilege.” –Charles Kuralt

XoXo,

Krista Wanous
Miss International 2012

Bahama Mama

1 week with no cell phone service…no worries, mon! I had an absolute blast on my family vacation on a cruise to the Bahamas! We set sail on the Carnival Ecstasy!

My friend, Courtney Woolwine, joined in on the fun too!

Cruises are so much fun! Every day Courtney and I would lay out by the pool, work out in the state-of-the-art gym, then get all fancied up for dinner with the family…all while sailing in the Caribbean!

We landed in Freeport and Nassau, Bahamas. The straw markets were my favorite! We also sailed to Key West and got to spend a little time on the beach there.

My little sister got her hair braided!

We also spent a few days at a resort and Universal Studios! The first night, we ate at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville and watched Madagascar 3 in the AMC theater at the park!

The next two days were spent riding roller coasters and checking out the new rides at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios.

As a Twilight fan it is hard for me to say this, but the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was by far the coolest part of the entire park!

One of the coolest roller coasters I have ever ridden! I got to pick my own music as I went through loops and drops!

It was almost unbearably hot, but that didn’t stop us from having an absolutely amazing trip!

Jurnee Carr

Color Day Themes: Fly Away with Us

Anyone out there share our wanderlust (and secret obsession with The Chipmunk Adventure movie)?  If so, this board is for you!  Riding in a hot air balloon is often thought of as romantic, but, as Jen learned first hand, it actually can be kind of awkward - think you, your lover, and the creepy balloon man.  Nevertheless, hot air balloons are amazing, whimsical and truly, truly beautiful to watch.  Plus, there is something extremely liberating about going wherever the wind takes you! 

Hot Air Balloon Wedding Inspiration Board

1. Jose Villa | 2. Le Mode | 3. Swoon | 4. My Inspired Wedding | 5. Inspired By This | 6. Minted | 

7. The Sweetest Occasion | 8. postscripts | 9. Little Bits of Wonderful | 10.  Sunshine and Ravioli |

 11. GHIlluminations | 12. Simply Bloom Photography | 13.  Bridesmaid Trade | 14. Invitation Crush |

Love is in the air!

XOXO

Jen & Saira

Incredible Tree House Community in Costa

Finca Bellavista is a self-sustaining community in the jungles of Costa Rica. So if you are fan of everything that is eco-friendly and like to merge with nature this can be what you need. Finca Bellavista encompasses 300 acres (1.2 km2) of rainforest.
The community features houses built right on top of the trees in the Costa Rican rain forest, connected by zip lines and sky bridges. These tree houses are accessible by stairs and ladders from the ground, reminds me of the Swiss Family Robinson.
The sustainable tree house community was founded by Americans Erica and Mathew Hogan not just as their own private escape from the crazy city life but as a community that attracts permanent residents and travellers from all over the world. New residents can purchase plots starting from $55,000 and build their dream tree-home; travelers can rent room for the short or long term.




And just because you’re in the rain forest doesn’t mean modern amenities aren’t available; limited solar powered electricity, hot showers, and even wireless internet can be accessed. But the whole point of this community is to get away from it all and get closer to nature. Two rivers run around the community with crystal clear water and plenty of waterfalls for taking a dive on a hot summer day. A small town is a few miles away and the ocean is a short hike away. Some of your neighbors will include monkeys, lizards and lots of bugs; Finca Bellavista is like living in an episode of Natural Geographic.

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Amazing helicopter hotel

Experience the adrenaline rush of taking off and flying high in the largest helicopter ever produced. The Hotelicopter features 18 luxuriously-appointed rooms for adrenaline junkies seeking a truly unique and memorable travel experience.

Each soundproofed room is equipped with a queen-sized bed, fine linens, a mini-bar, coffee machine, wireless internet access, and all the luxurious appointments you’d expect from a flying five star hotel. Room service is available one hour after liftoff and prior to landing. The Hotelicopter’s excellent crew and staff make your security and safety their number one priority. Our vehicle meets or exceeds all safety, operating, and maintenance requirements outlined by the FAA in the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) relating to transport category rotorcraft.