Living Room Decor Inspiration

I moved into my apartment seven years ago...SEVEN.YEARS.AGO...It took me several years to collect furniture from thrift shops, old windows from antiques fairs, and knick-knacks from all over. And I LOVE my house. But lately I have felt uneasy about my living space. I'm in the process of redecorating, reminding myself to be patient and take my time. Here is some inspiration I've found from Pinterest to help me focus my vision.





xxo

When Can I chicaGO Back?


I wrote a bucket list (of sorts) when I turned twenty five. One of the items on my list is to visit a new state each year. First up for 2015, Chicago, Illinois. I was fortunate enough to stay at a friend's apartment in Ravenswood while she was away on vacation. Each day I went out and explored the truly beautiful city of Chicago.

Day One


Big Star for tacos and beer the first night I arrived



                         

                           


Day Two



Breakfast at Over Easy, just a couple blocks away from where I stayed




I spent about three hours inside the beautiful Art Institute of Chicago

Amazing dinner at Homeslice while the Blackhawks played in the Stanley Cup 


Day Three

Getting ready for the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise 














Then headed over to Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain








Went to the top of the Willis Tower Skydeck






Ended the night at a Cubs game with my dad who was in town on a business trip




 Day Four

Started with some yoga, then a coffee at my go-to spot in Ravenswood called Groundswell Cafe 



Ended the day at Quartino for an amazing meal where I completely over ate...but that is what vacation is for! 

I got an insider tip that you can order almost any of the dishes in a half portion. And the wine I ordered is a Sangiovese, which is a wine I learned about and loved on my wine tasting trip in May.




Day Five

Easily the best day for me, because I had no plans. I woke up around 9am, went to Groundswell for a coffee and pastry, then hopped on the L and rode into downtown. I spent most of the afternoon along the Riverwalk, got a sandwich from The Corner Bakery, and people-watched. The weather was perfect, I listened to some Sara Bareilles, D'Angelo, and Leon Bridges...My soul was content and filled with gratitude and humility. 







 Around 4pm I got back on the L and rode it to Midway





My favorite shots from the whole trip...



Until next time, Chicago...


xxo



Wining and Dining

Castello di Amorosa Winery
A few months ago I emailed my Aunt Joanne who lives in Santa Rosa to propose a wine tasking trip for the Boylan women. The stars aligned and everyone came together, my mom and me, cousin Christine and her friend Sarah, my Aunt Joanne, and my Aunt Melody and her daughter-in-law Kelly.

From left: Aunt Melody, my mom, me, Christine, Kelly, Joanne, & Sarah

Our first stop was Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga. So beautiful. Our tour guide said it took the owner and his team fifteen years to design and plan it, fifteen years to build it, and that they have now been open for about eight years. The estate is set up to replicate a castle from the 1400's-1600's. And it only cost about $45 million dollars...pocket change... 






We started out learning about the estate, then we went under ground and were all thoroughly freaked out by our guide when he talked about torture practices of the time period- seriously, Game of Thrones style. Then we had our first tasting of a red, 





Then the real fun began when we tasted four whites, four reds, and three sweet wines.



After the wine frenzy we needed sustenance. We headed over to VJB Cellars for lunch. I also got a delicious chocolate covered Oreo, because honestly, who can resist? They had a tasting room there, but we were in too much of a food hangover to go for another tasting round. The weather was perfect, so we all just sat on the patio and enjoyed conversation.

After VJB we drove a short distance to St. Francis Winery in Sonoma.






Aunt Melody treated us to more wine and again we relaxed outside and enjoyed the company of our family.

I have always loved listening to peoples' stories. Their experiences, beliefs, ideas, it all makes up who we are, what we stand for, what we hope for...Spending the weekend with these women humbled me. I have family that loves me, supports me, uplifts me. 

Most of all, I have a beautiful mother who gives me her all, and shows me what it is like to grow and change and shift, no matter how painful or daunting it seems, in order to become authentic and true.