Powering Down for a Westin Weekend

Living in the age of social media can often leave you feeling as though you’re not doing enough — in all facets of life. You know?

Whether its work, weekend, blog, fitness, relationships… The list goes on. Or it’s that we have this perception that we’re not doing it fast enough – and I know you can relate to that on work/blog standpoint.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about the effect technology has on me — my mood, perception, sense of self-worth and so on. Crazy, isn’t it?

I’m not going to dive too much into this iceberg of a thought today (as I’m saving it for another post/experiment that I’m working on), but generally speaking: I just wanted to start the conversation.

What do you think?When you strip away the filters, likes, comments and screenshots, I think it comes down to a simple longing for connectivity.

Ironically, though, many of our actual, physical experiences have become virtual and fragmented — and I sincerely believe the first thing we need to do in order to fuel that feeling of connection is to power off the devices. Shut that shit down!

Ahem.

Some days, there’s nothing better than getting dressed and playing tourist in your own city (or in another city like Paris, but Chicago will do for now… Ha).

This weekend presented the perfect opportunity to pause, put down the phone and spend some time offline (save for a few Snapchats, of course).

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On Friday, Jess and I checked into the Westin River North for a relaxing, rejuvenating weekend in celebration of World Sleep Day on March 18… Talk about a holiday worth celebrating, right?

(Full disclosure: Our stay was comped by the hotel.)

Though it’s been a bit on the chilly side here in the Midwest, the best thing about these lingering 40-degree temps is that it provides an excuse to wear all of your favorite layers at once.

For me, it’s a blush-colored blouse under a cozy white sweater with a long grey vest layered over top… Boyfriend-style white jeans and a bag that holds everything (and is reversible) too.

I recently bought a new camera in an effort to up my photography game around the blog (and for when I travel), so it’s been fun learning to use and perfect the manual settings. Anyone else with the Canon EOS Mark III 5D and have tips to share?

Back to the weekend:

“Westin Weekends” are designed by the brand to inspire personal well-being — or more specifically, whatever that means to you. Perhaps it’s a good night’s sleep (on their “Heavenly Beds”), an in-room SuperFoodsRX dining experience or just generally maintaining good health while traveling.

Breakfast in bed is exponentially better when it comes with a freshly made blueberry, almond butter smoothie… At noon on a lazy Sunday. (You can read more about their wellness programs here.)

The Westin offers have extended breakfast hours and late Sunday check-out, too — both of which you know these nightlife-loving gals took full advantage of. Wink.

It takes a special kind of hotel experience to leave a getaway (or in our case, staycation) feeling rested and restored — but in-all, it was the perfect weekend escape.

Now, back to reality… And this breezy morning in Chicago. Come on, spring!

*IN THIS POST:

Clothing

Blush blouse: Milly (similar style here)
Grey vest: rag & bone (sold out, similar/affordable version here)
Five-pocket cords: c/o Vineyard Vines (similar boyfriend style)
Reversible handbag: Nordstrom (under $50 — my favorite!)
Grey pumps: Vince (similar here, flats version here)

*Click to shop:

Beauty

Hair styling: Living Proof’s No Frizz collection (introductory kit here)
Lip gloss: NARS Velvet Gloss lip pencil in ‘Palais Royale’
Foundation: bareMinerals Complexion Rescue (in Natural)
Mascara: bareMinerals volumizing mascara
Eyeliner: Mac Liquidlast eyeliner
Setting powder: Laura Mercier

*Click to shop:

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Iron & Honey Photography

Thank you to the Westin for partnering on this post.