Waffle Champion, Christmas Pop-Up Shops, OKC Streetcar, & Katiebugs | Oklahoma City, OK

After going on some amazing travel adventures, I realized that sometimes it's fun to play tourist in my own home town. Last weekend my best friend and I decided to do just this as part of our Christmas present exchange. 

Etsy Christmas Shopping Season: AKA the Busiest 18 Days of the Year

Hello blogging world!

I hope you have enjoyed my recent travel series on London and Chicago. If you haven't read them yet, you can find the London series here and the Chicago series here.

In case you don't know, I own the Etsy shop Southern RoseMary. Running an Etsy shop is fantastic! However, things tend to get crazy between the end of November through the middle of December. 

Chicago Loop InstaGreeter Tour, Skyline at the Museum Campus, Wicker Park, Kurah Mediterranean, and Au Chavel | Chicago, IL

We began our last day in Chicago by going on the Chicago Loop InstaGreeter Tour. The Chicago Greeter program is fantastic! You can register online at least ten days before your trip and a greeter will give you a free 2-4 hour customized tour of the city (the guides won't even accept tips when offered). If you forget to register (like we did), the program also has InstaGreeter tours that explore a specific part of the city and take place at scheduled times during the week.

Driehaus Museum, United Center, Architecture Foundation River Boat Tour, Argo Tea, De Cero, Sable Kitchen, and Firecakes Donuts | Chicago, IL

We began day three by having breakfast at Argo Tea. I had a blueberry muffin and a black tea. The tea was so so, but the muffin was great!

Then we visited the Driehaus Museum...it was amazing! Our tour guide, Audrey, was fantastic and it was well worth the extra $5 for the guided tour. Also, the museum offers discounts for students and teachers ($10 off), and visitors are allowed to take pictures inside the museum. 

Etsy: Southern RoseMary Free Domestic Shipping Sale!! | U.S.A.

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!! (at least everyone who celebrates it in the U.S.A. :) ) In case you do not already know, I have a shop on Etsy called Southern RoseMary. I help people express their style with hand embroidered pillows that pair the centuries old back stitching technique with charming and elegant modern designs. 

In addition to pillow covers, I also create embroidery hoop art and Christmas ornaments. Each item is stitched by hand (no embroidery machines allowed!) and handmade in Norman, Oklahoma. 

In honor of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, etc. Southern RoseMary, my Etsy shop, is having a SALE!

Chicago Art Institute, The Bean, Buckingham Fountain, Steppenwolf Theatre, Wildberry Cafe, Goddess and the Baker, and The Purple Pig | Chicago, IL

We began day 2 by eating breakfast at Wildberry Cafe. I was extremely tempted to try their berry bliss pancakes (one of their specialties) but I was in a savory mood that morning so I had the classic eggs benedict and M had the Mexicana skillet with a cinnamon roll pancake. The food was fantastic!

eggs benedict

Arriving, Michigan Ave, & Eatly | Chicago, IL

My friend M and I both turned 30 this year so we decided to go on a trip together (I mean a birthday with a "0" in it is a good excuse right? lol). We chose to visit Chicago and it was so fun! 

10 London Cost Saving Tips | London, England

London is an amazing city to visit! However, it is also one of the most expensive cities to visit. Be that as it may, there are several ways you can cut costs without missing out on any of the activities London has to offer.