NYC + Chicago Trip

I’m back home in Indiana after an eventful week of exploring two of my favorite cities – New York City and Chicago. There’s no better place than NYC to get you in the holiday spirit – one of the most iconic Christmas destinations in the world!

It had been way too long since I’d seen Rob – a best friend and stunt partner from college – so I planned a last minute trip to visit & explore the city with him. Beautifully decorated windows on 5th avenue, street vendors playing Christmas classics, trees covered in lights and ornaments scattered throughout the streets, people running around with their arms full of shopping bags.. the city was covered in Christmas-y cheer everywhere we went.

We obviously couldn’t pass up the opportunity to throw up a stunt whenever we saw a pretty backdrop (like the tree in front of the Lotte New York Palace!):

And the 6 foot tall gingerbread replica of the Lotte Palace…

The Plaza Hotel was dressed up so elegantly..

And St. Patrick’s Cathedral was breath taking!

Bergdorf’s window displays covered in Swarovski crystals stole the show this year! And the man at the counter pretty much had me sold on this 7kt beauty.. a girl can dream right?

We warmed up inside The Peninsula Hotel – I’d seen pictures of it before, but I wanted to see the festive decor, luxurious ambiance, & sparkling views of 5th Avenue in person!

It took a lot of self control to talk me out of this one..

Suede Taupe Wedges || American Rag Military Jacket

Rockefeller Center was beautiful, the bagels were delicious, and getting in some best-friend time was much needed! I’ll definitely be back soon – possibly my first trip to NYFW?

I flew to Chicago the next morning to finish up some Christmas shopping and to pick up my love from the airport!! I’m SO HAPPY he’s spending all of Christmas with my family. We’re leaving for Cabo the day after Christmas to celebrate the new year with my fam and reminisce on where we first met 🙂

Chicago is about 2 hours from where I live, so I visit pretty frequently. My hotel accommodations were absolutely perfect – I stayed at the new Hyatt Centric right downtown in the loop in the middle of all the holiday bustle! This is the first boutique hotel to debut under Hyatt’s new lifestyle brand that is aimed towards ‘modern explorers‘. Everything from the modern design and sweeping city views to the ‘things to borrow’ and breakfast in bed menu was everything a 20-something traveler could need/want!

I spent time putting together some fun things to do in the city for when Chris got in town! The Hyatt Centric had everything I needed that night when I arrived – including snacks (Garrett’s Popcorn!) and drinks (cocktail kits) delivered to the door 24/7 – I could get used to that kind of service!

My window view of the twinkling street lights was perfect and Egyptian Cotton linens were aaaamazing. Chris and I visited the cutest German Christmas market (Christkindlmarket), shopped around, ate at the most delicious Italian restaurant (RPM Italian), and

Thanks for reading you guys, have an incredible Christmas with all the people you love!!!