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Vicariously Through You

A solo female travel blog.

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Exploring Birmingham, Alabama

This final blog post about my trip to Mississippi and Alabama has been sitting in the "draft" section on my website for a while now. I have been struggling to come up with a way to start it. And then today, it came to me via a video that has gone viral. Have you seen the video of Texas Democratic nominee Beto O'Rourke responding to a question about kneeling during the anthem at a town hall he was having in Texas? If you haven't, you should check it out. A section of his response pretty much ... Read More

  • According to the forecast, summer might finally be arriving in Chicago next week. While I appreciate mild temps and rainy days, I’m ready for some sunshine and to leave my jacket at home. ⁣ ⁣ I’m also looking forward to some of my favorite summer activities in Chicago - like spending an afternoon at Wrigley Field. ⁣ ⁣ It’s the end of June and I still have not been to Wrigley this year - not sure what’s up with that but I need to change it soon! ⁣ ⁣ What’s your favorite summer activity?
  • Who’s visiting at least one National Park this summer?⁣ ⁣ ⁣⁣ This photo was taken in June 2016 when my mom, sister, niece, nephew and I set out for Yellowstone National Park. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ We drove through South Dakota on the way, which allowed us to check out the Badlands and Mount Rushmore too.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ We loved Yellowstone. There was so much to see, including these bison right inside the entrance to the park. They were shedding their winter hair at the time. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ If you are lucky enough to be visiting one of the National Parks this summer, tell me which one(s) below in the comments.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣
  • I’m considering changing my name to Dora because I can rarely be found during the week or while traveling without a trusty backpack. 😊
  • Have you ever done one of the architectural boat tours in Chicago?⁣ ⁣ If you haven’t, you should because it’s one of my favorite things to do when people come to visit.⁣ ⁣ We had a conference for work on Monday and Tuesday and before dinner on Tuesday, we took a tour of the river with Shoreline Sightseeing. ⁣ ⁣ We had a great time! It helped that the weather was gorgeous that afternoon. No matter how many times I have heard their schpeal, I still learn something new (or made up 😜) each time! ⁣ ⁣ Wendella and the Chicago Architecture Foundation are other good companies to consider for the tour. Many of them also go out into the lake so you can get some full skyline photos too! ⁣ ⁣ ⁣
  • You may or may not notice in my photos but it’s very noticeable if you see me in real life that I have red and textured cheeks all the time.⁣ ⁣ It is due to rosacea. I was diagnosed with the skin condition several years ago and after I looked up the symptoms, it makes sense why I have it.⁣ ⁣ It tends to develop in females in their mid to late 30’s with fair skin who’ve had some sun damage in the past. It is irritated by sun and alcohol. ⁣ ⁣ Check ✅ Check ✅ Check ✅⁣ ⁣ My dermatologist told me the only real way to keep it from flaring up is to be on antibiotics at all times. That doesn’t work for me. I don’t like being on meds that I can become immune to. ⁣ ⁣ So I’ve looked high and low since to find products that help contain it. A friend of mine recently brought CBD oil to my attention and in particular, the brand Fitish.⁣ ⁣ It has been a complete game changer for me. I know CBD oil is all the hype right now and I’m not usually one to get caught up in these things but I’m all in on this one.⁣ ⁣ It has helped the redness and the texture on my cheeks immensely. I’m so happy with it and am so thankful my friend urged me to try it. ⁣ ⁣ The one caveat is that I cannot spray it on my face directly because it irritates my eyes. So I spray the product on a cotton round and then apply it to my face. ⁣ ⁣ If you have rosacea, check this product out. And if you try it, let me know what you think!
  • Are you a stop and smell the roses kind of person?⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I sure am and this sight stopped me in my tracks while I was walking to the train this morning.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I hadn’t noticed this bush before. Was it this big, bright and beautiful last year? If so, how did I miss it?⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ So I stopped and admired it. And smelled the blossoms. And then snapped a photo before continuing on.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ What a great start to my day. 🌸
  • I met two friends and former coworkers out for dinner and drinks tonight.⁣ ⁣ Our choice of a place to meet? Pacific Standard Time on the corner of Erie and Lasalle in downtown Chicago.⁣ ⁣ The verdict? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣ ⁣ The hibiscus margarita was the perfect start. ⁣ ⁣ For dinner, we split the pita with eggplant, pork and shrimp dumplings (my favorite), ahi tuna crudo, burrata with beets and the roasted cauliflower.⁣ ⁣ So much deliciousness all around! ⁣ ⁣ Add this to your places to try the next time you visit Chicago! I highly recommend it.
  • My morning view 😍⁣ ⁣ A few minutes after I took this, we walked out to the dock and saw an alligator meandering it’s way from the shore into the water a few feet down the canal from where we were standing.⁣ ⁣ Needless to say, there is no wading or swimming outside of the open lakes around here. 🐊