Happy Friday, Windy City Bloggers! Can you believe summer is almost over? Say it isn’t so! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Ashley, and I’m the blogger behind The Petite Chronicles where I share my love for fashion, yoga (I’m training to be an instructor!) and some petite style tips & tricks. As a born and raised Florida girl, I always get bummed out around this time of year because it means football is starting (sorry sports fans – I’m a girly girl through and through) and winter is just around the corner.
But, one of the things I love most about Chicagoans is that we truly know how to enjoy summer – and there’s still a bit of the season left for us to soak up! So check out the below five bloggers that I hope will inspire you to get outside this weekend and savor the warm days we have left.
Hasty Book List
Summer isn’t complete without a good read by your side, especially a long weekend like Labor Day Weekend. Ashley from Hasty Book List documents and reviews each book she reads on her blog. She’s also a senior lecturer and fashion educator and historian at Indiana University – how cool is that?! Ashley has a book list of recommendations a mile long, including this recent post she put together on “5 Books to Read About the Fashion Industry”. Spoiler alert – it does not include The Devil Wears Prada! So go visit Hasty Book List and find a book for you to curl up with on your patio or at a park during the upcoming long weekend.
Hashtags and Handbags
Speaking of Labor Day, we all know this is one of the biggest travel weekends of the year. But what essentials are we supposed to pack?! Besties Maria and Stacy of Hashtags and Handbags have the perfect answer in their recent post “What’s In My Carry-On.” This post isn’t just for those traveling on a plane but is good for those road tripping as well as it includes staples like makeup wipes (I never travel without these), chapstick (airplanes and cars are always SO dry) and a change of clothes for the dreaded delay.
The Jolly Hostess
Are you looking to spend your remaining summer days BBQ-ing with friends, but not sure what to make? Look no further than Alana of The Jolly Hostess. Alana is the hostess with the most-ess who always has a great app or drink idea up her sleeve. I recently got to meet Alana in person at a blogger event where she brought the most amazing goat cheese dip – it was then and there that I decided I wanted to try any and all of her recipes. Two recent recipe posts I’ve flagged that are perfect for Labor Day are “Sun Dried Tomato Goat Cheese Spread” (can you tell I have a thing for goat cheese?) and “Spicy Watermelon Cocktail” (link -https://thejollyhostess.com/recipe/spicy-watermelon-cocktail/) which basically sounds like heaven in a glass. There’s plenty where that came from, so check out her blog for a variety of ideas for the next time you’re hosting.
Alicia Tastes Life
I get it, not everyone is into hosting, and even if you are, sometimes it’s just good to get out once in awhile and explore new areas and restaurants, even if those new areas are just another neighborhood in the city! Alicia from Alicia Tastes Life does just that – she takes you along on her travels in Chicago and around the world providing reviews of the food she eats along the way. In Alicia’s most recent post “Sunday Dinner at Bon Appétit’s Best New Restuarant – Mi Tocaya in Logan Square,” she shared a review of one of my newer favorite restaurants – Mi Tocaya. I went there a little over a month ago and honestly had hoped to keep it secret because it was THAT good and I was afraid it would blow up – I know, selfish. I didn’t get to try the margarita when I was there, but Alicia recommended it saying it “hit the sweet spot in the balance between tequila, fresh lime juice, and triple sec.” Sounds perfect to me! She also recommends getting a reservation – so hop to it and don’t forget to ask to sit on the patio!
The Imperfectionist
I recently discovered Kira of The Imperfectionist, and I’m so glad I did! She has a great philosophy on life, amazing photos (her dad takes her shots – how cool is that?!), impeccable style and is pursuing interior design, to boot! Kira has been fully embracing summer and looks super cute doing it, as evidenced by so many of her posts, such as “The Striped T-Shirt Dress”, “Summertime, and the Livin’s Easy”, and “Weekend Casual”. I also really love her “Filter Free Friday” series where she delves a layer deeper to connect with her readers, casting aside the filters we’ve all become accustomed to as the “norm” and showing the blogosphere that we’re not and should not all be perfect! This has inspired me to potentially start a similar series of my own – thanks for the inspo, Kira!
And there you have it, friends. I hope the above has inspired you to get outdoors this weekend and enjoy and explore! I know I will! Be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter for a glimpse at my style, petite fashion tips, advice on styling + shopping with intention, yoga posts and more! You can access my blog at thepetitechronicles.com.