This weekend was all about the bride to be!
My best friend Michaela is getting married in Colorado in August, but since most of her friends and family still live relatively close to Chicago where we grew up, the city was the perfect location for her bachelorette party.
Friday
On Friday I flew into Chicago on an early flight from San Francisco and immediately headed to my friend Leah’s apartment. My friend Carrie arrived shortly after I did and we made some drinks and snacked on some food while we waited for Michaela to arrive.
Carrie, Leah and Michaela were all bridesmaids in my wedding and we’ve been friends since elementary school. I was extremely excited for this weekend since I knew I’d have lots of quality time with some of my very best friends in the world.
Michaela and her friend from college, Jess, arrived at Leah’s in the early afternoon and we immediately popped open a bottle of champagne to have a mini celebration in honor of our friend Carrie who just graduated from med school and celebrated her 28th birthday on Wednesday.
Carrie is going to be a surgeon and we are all so incredibly proud of her. Congratulations, Doctor Carrie!
We initially had plans for a boat day on Lake Michigan on Friday but the dreary weather ruined that idea. It was pouring outside for most of the afternoon, but by the early evening, the rain stopped and we headed out to the dock with more food and drinks and spent the rest of the evening on the water, eating, drinking and having a great time just being together again.
Leah’s husband, Matt, and his friend, Jimmy, took us out on the water as the sun was setting so we could check out the beautiful skyline from the water. It was awesome!
Eventually we decided we needed real food and ordered pizza from Rocco Ranalli’s to the boat dock. We ended up staying out on the boat until after 1 a.m. and I had a blast!
It was the perfect way to kick off a fun bachelorette party weekend!
Sarah@Making Thyme for Health says
Wow, you are one traveling lady! Looks like a great weekend and you all looked gorgeous!
Jenn says
What do you use to get your hair curled like that in the first picture? It looks gorgeous!
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says
thanks! i use a straightener to curl it. 🙂
Sara @ The Foodie Diaries says
Something about looking at a skyline from the water makes it all the more magical 🙂 Looks like a great start to what I’m sure was a ridiculously fun weekend! There’s nothing better than getting together with my best friends and just enjoying spending time with one another. We all live all across the country, so those rare times we are all in the same place are special 🙂
Ashley @ Life and Fitness says
Nothing beats seeing old friends! Future hair tutorial on the blog soon? 😉
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says
here ya go! https://www.pbfingers.com/2010/10/16/how-to-curl-your-hair-with-a-straightener-video/
Lisa says
This weekend sounds like it was a good one!
The boat ride looks incredible, I love cruising on a boat on a Summer day with friends and drinks. So perfect.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Now THAT is a bachelorette hat/veil!! I love it!
Christine@ Apple of My Eye says
It’s so wonderful that you’ve got such a tight-knit group of friends! You’ve been pretty busy traveling lately, but it’s good to hear that you’ve been enjoying yourself!
Rachel @ Undercover Diva: A Sitcom says
So glad you had fun! This made me miss my beautiful city <3 Love her hat and veil and go Blackhawks! 😀
Lauren says
Oh my gosh! The city looks SO pretty from the water at night! I’m glad you had a great weekend with your old friends! It’s always great to catch up!
Beth @ Mangoes and Miles says
Sounds like a fantastic weekend–and the Chicago skyline is so beautiful. (As are all of you!) And congrats to Carrie on becoming a surgeon–I know it’s not an easy road! I was considering becoming a surgeon, but I don’t know if I want the lifestyle that accompanies it…still, an amazing accomplishment nonetheless!
Christine @ Gotta Eat Green says
Looks like a great weekend! I’m jealous of your travelling lifestyle!
Chloe @ How She Runs says
I love Chicago! I live about 4 hours away in St. Louis! I will be there next month celebrating my birthday!
Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen says
Have fun celebrating! I’m throwing my best friend’s bachelorette party this weekend
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
So fun! You look beautiful in that first photo! You pull of the red lipstick so well. 😉
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
So fun!!! A girls weekend is always a great idea 🙂 I agree with the hair, heading over to check out that tutorial NOW!
Natalie @ Free Range Human says
That looks like the start of a great weekend! I think it’s so cool that you’re still so close with girls you went to elementary school with. That’s pretty special. P.S. Since Colorado is my favorite place on earth, I can’t wait to see pictures of the wedding!
Brooke @ Running In Heels says
What a fun way to spend the weekend!! That skyline is gorgeous!
joelle (on a pink typewriter) says
How fun! There’s nothing like being with friends you’ve known forever.
Beth Sheridan @sugarcoatedsheridans says
Looks like so much fun…I love re-connecting with old friends!!
Sara @ sarasmiles says
LOVE Chicago! Looked like a blast
Annette@FitnessPerks says
Oh what a fun way to hang out & celebrate! I love that idea of going on a lake/boat to do that. Fun!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
Yay…so fun! It’s always the best spending time with friends! It’s so nice that you all remained friends and kept in touch since elementary school. My best friend and I have been friends since we were in kindergarten! Luckily we still live fairly close by to each other and we try to get together as often as our schedules allow.
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
Sounds like such a fun Bachelorette weekend so far! I love your hair curly. It’s so pretty! 🙂
Amy @ The Little Honey Bee says
I curl my hair with a straightener too (when I have time and patience…) but it never turns out as well as yours!
Missy @ Life After Morning Coffee says
How fun! My bachelorette party is coming up in a couple of months, I’m getting so excited 🙂
Jo says
What med school is she graduating from??
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie says
What an awesome bachelorette party! I’m glad the bride enjoyed herself!
Lacey @ FamilyFitnessandFoodery says
Sounds like a great time! Congrats to the happy couple and graduate!
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Nothing better than proper old school (or elementary) school friend get togethers!!!! Can’t wait to see more pics and hear about the festivities!
Ashley says
Aww makes me miss fun times in Chicago (LOVE the hawks hat/ veil)
Maria@The_Brooklyn_Fig says
Looks like a lot of fun! Never been to Chicago- seems beautiful!
Presley @ Run Pretty says
I have got to say… your curls get better all the time. When I use the straightener, I promise you they do NOT look like that. You have a gift. 😉
Jamie @ Sometimes Healthy Living Blog says
Having lived in Chicago for 8 years, I loved seeing this post. That skyline is so beautiful isn’t it? Still gets me every time 🙂 Looking forward to reading more on the bachelorette party!
Carrie says
I am hosting my sisters bachelorette party in a few weeks (ironically on lake michigan too, in grand haven, michigan) and we’re doing a sunset cruise too!!! So glad to hear you all loved it. My sister’s future sister-in-law’s made a big stink about the cruise saying that didn’t sound fun to them and it made me second guess my decision. I know my sister loves the water and sailing, so that’s all that matters and I stuck to my plan. Your post couldn’t have come at a better time : )
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome says
Oh my goodness you are always on the go! Looks like a fun way to start a Bachelorette party!
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Jim says
Friday on the boat was so much fun, we stayed there until around 3am before departing for home. Glad you girls had the time to hang out for the night.