Unfortunately my travel to Chicago got off to a bit of a rocky start and I ended up throwing up on the plane. Iām beginning to think itās physically impossible for me to fly when Iām pregnant without getting sick since puking on planes was a bit of a regular occurrence when I traveled when I was pregnant with Chase.
I made sure to pack my trusty Quease Ease which helped a lot, especially after I was sick and needed to focus on breathing and trying not to puke again, and I sipped on some ginger ale which seemed to help settle my stomach as well.
I began to feel a lot better once I was on the ground and got some crackers in my stomach and thankfully the distraction of reuniting with my friend Leah helped a lot, too! Leah and I put our heads together to try to plan something fun for Carrie to kick off her bridal shower weekend on Friday and had such a great day together!
We assembled a little bride-to-be gift bag for Carrie complete with lots of pampering goodies and sweet treats and once Carrie joined us after a manicure date with her mom, we headed off to a local blow dry bar for blow outs.
Iāve only ever had one blow out before during a trip to San Francisco years ago and while I love the feeling of someone doing my hair, I often feel like my request for beachy, romantic waves ends up looking more like stringy, flat hair within an hour of leaving the salon. (See above photo!) At least the experience is fun, right!? (I think I need to bring along a giant bottle of of my tried-and-true Big Sexy Hair Volumizing Hairspray to any future blow out appointments because Iām beginning to think thatās the only way my hair holds any kind of wave or curl. Would that be frowned upon? Probablyā¦)
We left the salon and made our way to Aroma Workshop to create our own fragrances later that afternoon which was such a blast! It was kind of a quirky activity but the perfect mid-day spot to do something unique together before dinner.
The shop was small and cozy and allows you to bring your own drinks and food. While Carrie and Leah sipped on their champagne, my growing baby and I had some LaCroix and loaded up on the yummy snacks we brought along. While we snacked, we smelled a myriad of fragrances before circling the ones that appealed to us most and then two of the women working there combined a few of our favorites to make four different signature scents.
Once we selected our favorite scent from the four new creations, we could pick a way to enjoy the scent, whether it be in massage oil, room spray, hydrating mist, body butter or a simple perfume spray. I opted for a thick and creamy body butter and loved the citrusy combination of scents I selected. So bright and fresh!
With our new goodies in hand, we walked back to our car but made a quick pit stop at lululemon since it was close by and Carrie wanted to pick up a little something. I remembered several of the recommendations I received from a number of you guys on my last pregnancy post that highly recommended I try lululemonās Align Pants as a comfortable bump-friendly legging that will work throughout the remainder of my pregnancy and still be a favorite postpartum, so I tried on a pair in the store and an immediate love affair began! The pants are smooth, soft and flattering but so forgiving and stretch enough to comfortably pull over my belly. I bought a pair and have a feeling these bad boys will be worn a ridiculous number of times in the coming months. Thank you for the recommendation!
We dropped off our purchases in our car before making our way to the Kit Kat Lounge where we met up with a few more of Carrieās friends for appetizers and drinks.
The Kit Kat Lounge was such a great spot with the best energy, upbeat music and a super fun vibe! We stayed there for nearly two hours which passed by in a flash before we decided to head off to Summer House for a late night dinner and more fun!
With Carrieās bridal shower on the agenda the next morning, we didnāt want to stay out too, too late and I crashed hard once we were back at Leahās house a little after 1 a.m.
Bridal Shower
The day of Carrieās bridal shower was beautifully sunny and chilly and I arrived at Francescaās Tavola restaurant a little before the shower to help with set up though Carrieās mom clearly thought of everything and did such a wonderful job!
She was clearly in her element as mother of the bride and did a fantastic job with everything from the gorgeous floral centerpieces to the food selection and games.
I loved celebrating Carrie, meeting members of her extended family and her in-laws and was just sad I had to head back home directly from the shower and didnāt have more time with the bride-to-be. Our time together is always too short!
I am now feeling like I could sleep for 5,000 years so I think all of my recent travels are finally catching up to me but I had such a nice time with my friends and family over the past week. I must admit it feels so, so nice to be home and reunited with Ryan and Iām looking forward to a rather routine week ahead.
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!
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What a fun weekend! That fragrance place sounds so cool!
It was really fun! I’ve never done anything like it, so it was definitely a unique experience.
Traveling is so fun but can definitely wear you out. Hoping you catch up on some sleep this week. And what a fun weekend, that fragrance place sounds so cute. And I only did a DryBar once and loved it, I too have a problem holding waves in my hair. I’ll have to give that hairspray a try! Have a great week.
That hairspray is truly the ONLY hairspray that works well in my hair! Great for volume and lasting hold!
Making my own perfume sounds like it would be a lot of fun. And the flowers at the shower are beautiful!
Such a fun weekend! I’m laughing because my cousin had her bridal shower at Francesca’s too!!
Looks like a fun weekend!! Traveling sure can tire you out definitely. I hope you get a chance to catch up on your sleep this week. I have to get my hands on that hairspray, asap!! I feel like whenever I try to curl my hair or have it wavy it just goes back to straight, even though I have naturally curly hair that turned into permanent frizz. Haha š That fragrance place sounds like something I would totally enjoy! I hope you have a great Monday! Xoxo
Lulu Agile leggings are amazing! Iām 17 weeks pregnant and just bought my second pair, after a friend who is a few weeks ahead of me told me about them. So comfortable!
Iām flying for the first time in my pregnancy this weekend so I hope it goes a little more smoothly than your flight experience. Luckily itās a quick one hour flight!
I love the idea of creating your own fragrance! So sorry you got sick on the plane š
I *just* bought my first Lululemon & got the Align crops. They are the most comfy work out pants I’ve ever had. I’m about to buy another pair. I love them!
I miss wedding showers and having a fun excuse to get together. I have a few left, but I’m basically going to have to start waiting for my friend’s kids to get married š
Such a fun weekend glad you had a nice time!
Wow, I’ve never even heard of Aroma Workshop before (and I’ve been in that neighborhood plenty of times over the years). It sounds super cool! Thanks for the write-up about it – I really want to check it out š Summer House is amazing! I’ve been for dinner a couple of times and have never been disappointed. Though it does always make me want to pack my bags and head to California immediately, haha.
Agreed! The decor is so pretty in that restaurant, too!
Ok 1 i was super sick in mynlast pregnancy and i csnt imagine having to puke on a cramped plane. U poor thing! 2 hats off to you for stayig out so late after a busy day and being preggo. I think i woulda slept standing up by 9pm. Looks like a fun weekend!!
I definitely crashed HARD last night! I think the adrenaline of being around friends I haven’t seen in a while helped me feel energetic because I’m normally totally pooped by 9 a.m. most days, too!
Ahh, I love that you visited Chicago – my hometown! So glad you had a great trip!
I love the Kit Kat Lounge! I haven’t been there in forever. We used to get dressed up as teenagers and take the train in to the city where we would sneak in. Such fond memories of that place.
Oooooops the aroma place looks yummy.
I lived in Lululemon Align leggings during my pregnancy! I was always a Lululemon hater because of the price tag but am a total convert after giving those a try. I loved that the waistband came up over my bump a bit without cutting into my stomach and then when my bump became more of a monstrosity, the waistband easily hid underneath my bump without being bulky. Totally worth the $$!
I LOVE the Lulu align pants!!!! I am not pregnant but they are the best pants for yoga- they move with you as you! So soft. I hope they come out in more colors soon.
I’m impressed that you lasted out until 1am being pregnant! 11pm is super late for me now (not pregnant!) The floral centerpieces at your friend’s shower were so pretty!
Love the align pants! I’m not as far along as you (14 weeks tomorrow) with my first so no real bump yet but can say my normal jeans are starting to feel a little tight especially after lunch. I already have 2 pairs of align and 1 pair of the crop align and already LIVE in them. I bought more because I new they would be great for the continuing baby bump and can definitely see myself buying 1-2 more pairs hahaha
Thanks for the ideas! My sister-in-law and I just made an appointment for Saturday at the aroma workshop. I live by Chicago so Iām always looking for something new to do in the city. And they have a Groupon right now! Thanks!
Awesome!! It was really fun! Definitely a great low-key way to spend some time in the city!
Ok- tell me more about the align pants. I am 24 weeks pregnant, bump growing by the day which I know you can relate to! Did you size up from your pre-prego size? How many sizes? Maternity workout leggings will. not. stay. up. so I am definitely in the market for something better!
Oh my goodness, Kit Kat Lounge! I’ve been there many of times for Bachelorette parties and lived down the block in my single days!
summer house is right in my neighborhood; love it! gotta head up to the kit kat lounge…sound so fun. glad you had a great time w/ the ladies, and hope you’re feeling better (catching up on all you posts this week). love to the bump!
I love the centerpieces at the shower..the colors & flower types look just like my wedding centerpieces & florals!!