3.13.2015

A Day in Detroit // 313 Link Up {beautiful places}

I am so, so excited that 313 Day is finally here! For those of you who don't know, 313 Day, March 13th, celebrates Detroit (area code 313).  Allie and I thought that we could get in the spirit and spread some well-deserved Detroit love by linking up with some other Detroit area bloggers to show how much the Motor City offers.  If you have some Detroit love in you, feel free to join in and share some of your favorite Detroit things!  The more 313 love, the better! 



Some of my favorite . . .

Detroit Eats

Mudgie's || aka the sandwich shop of all sandwich shops. Name an ingredient and they have it on a sandwich.  Okay, that's a lie, but many of their sandwiches are so unique that I would have never come up with them on my own.  I've only eaten here once, but I definitely want to go back and try the dozens of other sandwiches that sounded so, so delicious.  The amazing food + the small, hipster-ish atmosphere makes for the Best Deli five years running. 

I wish that I could say more about this place, but it's seriously so, so cool and you need to add it to your Detroit bucket list (and then promptly get to crossing that off!).

Also, I am not a food photographer, so just trust me when I tell you that something tasted good. 


The Kenna! Well, I think it is.  Whatever this masterpiece was, my tastebuds certainly enjoyed it! 


Slows || You may have heard of this one.  Even though it's not very old, Slows BBQ is making a huge impression all over the country. I wrote a more detailed post on Slows about a year ago, but here's a basic rundown: The building is really cool, the service is supah speedy, you should not step out of the restaurant without trying the mac&cheese (you'll like it possibly become obsessed with it), you'll find your favorite BBQ sauce, and make a mess in the process.  Slows is super trendy and that's where you'll find the cool kids.


Yum. Pure yum.

We're not calling this a mess. It's modern art.

Detroit Places

Fox Theatre || Built in 1928 as a movie theatre, the Fox is more like the throne room of a palace than any AMC that I've been to.  I absolutely love coming to the Fox, even though it's not for movies anymore. Whether I'm seeing the Rockettes, Hunter Hayes, or even eating breakfast with Santa, getting dressed up to see a show at the Fox is such a fun time.  No matter how many times I enter through its doors, I don't think that I will ever stop gaping at the detail and beauty that it possesses. 




What the Fox looks like from the stage! I was able to take a tour last Christmas and seeing all the signatures of everyone who has ever preformed there on the walls backstage was pretty darn cool.  


John K. King Bookstore || This place is seriously stacked. With books, upon books, upon books, that is.  There are literally one million books housed here.  The former warehouse turned used bookshop has such a cool atmosphere that's hard to describe. Maybe it's just the intense book nerd inside of me, but if you love reading/vintage/hipster/old/cool, then you would like John K. King.  It's constantly rated in the tops of lists deeming it one of America's coolest, largest, and most beautiful bookstores. 










Detroit Traditions/Culture

Thanksgiving in Detroit || For the past three years I've spent at least part of my Turkey Day in the D.  From attending my first Lions game on Thanksgiving in 2012, to running in the Turkey Trot 10K in 2013, and watching the parade with my family last year, I would say that I have fully experienced a Detroit Thanksgiving.  Spending time downtown on the holiday has quickly become one of my favorite traditions and I look forward to hopefully running up and down Woodward for the 10K again next year. 


Being sidelined for this year's Turkey Trot was hard, but getting to cheer on and high-five thousands of people breaking a sweat wasn't bad.


Oh, well, hey there, Big Sean! Fancy seeing you here! 

Detroit Sports || There's a reason that Detroit is ranked the #1 sports city.  Detroiters love Detroit sports, and that is a fact. Take the Lions, for example.  Maybe one of these days a Super Bowl winning team will come from Detroit, but in the meantime, Lions fans will keep on cheering, even when their beloved team comes out 0-16.  Between the Tigers (baseball), Red Wings (hockey), Lions (football), Pistons (basketball, even though this team isn't located directly in Detroit.) and the Indy 500 track, the Detroit sport experience is unbeatable.

Sorry, this picture section is biased because the Red Wings have a huge place in my heart followed distantly by the Tigers.


Joe Louis Arena is one of the oldest stadiums in the NHL and is going to be replaced in the next few years by a brand spankin' new arena. Although I'm sad that JLA is going, the new development is huge for Detroit! 



Comerica Park!
Detroit is truly wonderful.  Growing and developing, the city is emerging and reaching its full potential.  I cannot wait to hear all of your favorite Detroit places and hopefully get some good suggestions on where I should take my Detroit explorations next!  I know that there is so much more to Detroit than what I have experienced and I would absolutely love to get a better feel for the city and all that makes it what it is.

Happy 313 Day, everyone!  Show Detroit a little love and head into the city to try some new things out.

If you're here for the link up, grab the button HTML and stick it in your own post and then link up your blog using the InLinkz tool below.  I can't wait to see what you love about Detroit! 


Spread the love!
 - Allison


3.10.2015

Tuesdays Around the Web [V.3]

Thanks to the lovely procedure called "wisdom teeth removal" I am on my fourth, and probably last, day of the weekend.  Although lying on the couch, sleeping, watching Harry Potter and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and ice cream eating has taken up most of my time, I have found some things around the web that are worth a look.


If you've never tried making homemade granola, I definitely recommend it! Jen from Peanut Butter Runner posted this great peanut butter chia seed granola recipe last night and since I conveniently had all of the ingredients, I made it this morning (and will probably have to make it again tomorrow at the rate that it's being eaten!). Make it! It's easy and delicious -- how much more convincing do you need?

Lately I have been relating to how Jamie felt about prayer.  Her honest words nailed pretty much all that I have been turning over in my head for the past few months.  I'm grateful that someone could both relate and offer resolution.

Is counting sheep just not working for you?  I'm not being mean when I tell you that you should give this podcast a listen to catch some zzz's.

If you blog, you've probably felt the grips of blog jealousy. You know the feeling: when you need to have that person's content, layout, pictures, sponsors . . . you name it.  Kayla throws out the idea that can turn blog jealousy into a productive thing and I think that I may agree with her.

Have you heard of More Love Letters? No? Click this link right now.  Didn't click yet? Here I'll give you another chance now.  I think that what Hannah started is fantastic and I can only hope that UPS can get her book to me like, now (never mind that I only ordered it last night.).

In case you missed it, the big news around here this week is that I'm co-hosting a link up! It's all about how cool Detroit is and if you think so, too, I hope that you'll join us! Also, to get in the mood, here's 22 reasons that the Motor City deserves some recognition.

So, what caught your eye this week?

Over and out.
- Allison

3.08.2015

313 in the D // Link Up Announcement!

I'm really excited to announce to you all that I am co-hosting my very first link-up (along with Allie!) The idea for this all started when I was feeling some serious Detroit pride one day and texted Allie to see if she would want to co-host a link up dedicated to all the great things that Detroit has to offer.  Thus, "A Day in Detroit: a 313 Day link up with Allie & Allison" was born!



313 Day, otherwise known as Detroit Day, is celebrated on March 13th, when the date matches Detroit's area code of 313.  So, this Friday, March 13th, we and some other fantastic Detroit bloggers are getting in on the 313 Day spirit by giving the inside scoop on our favorite Motor City things.  Be it food, attractions, sights, experiences, or tradition, as long as it has to do with Detroit, it's welcome!

If you're living in/around Detroit, have lived there in the past, or have some pretty fond Detroit experiences, we would love, love, love if you would join us and share what you think are some of the best things about the D.


Here's what you do:
1. Write a post including some of your favorite Detroit things - you can have as many or as few as you want, be detailed or general, include mainstream or out-of-the way places - as long as they are within Detroit and the immediate surrounding area, you're good! If you add in a few pictures, even better!

2. Come back on Friday, March 13th and link up your post with either Allie or me.  We'll be launching the link up pretty early.  Grab the button at the bottom and include it in your link up post so others can see all the great things that make Detroit what it is.

EDIT: You can link up by adding your link to the bottom of one of our posts.  There will be a link up tool that you can put your name & post URL in and it will add you to the list! Let us know if you have any questions!

3. Share the Detroit love!  Invite others to participate in this link up and check out the other posts that have linked up.  The point of this is to see how great Detroit truly is, and maybe even find your new favorite downtown restaurant in the process.

I can't wait to see all of the Detroit love this Friday & I hope that if you have a great Detroit experience, you would join in on all of the fun!

Something Beautiful

Any questions?  Email us at somethingrecklessblogs@gmail.com.

xx,
Allison

3.03.2015

Tuesday Reads [V.2]


Last week was a crazy week, no? From llama escapades, to that one article of color changing clothing that will not be mentioned on this blog, the Internet had a hay day.  While you were being distracted by white&gold vs. blue&black disagreements full-out shouting matches, here's what you may have missed:

What Is Blue?
I've never doubted the validity of Mr. ROY G. BIV, but this article definitely made me question what has seemingly been "the obvious."  Also, I am constantly amazed by the psychological differences between those accustomed to a developed country and those who know nothing but the jungles.

How to Fake Being Rich
If you need a good laugh, any of Viviane's posts should do the trick.  This particular one lets you in on how to make people think you are the next Bill Gates or Oprah.

How to Withstand Waiting:
As I find myself counting the hours until graduation at least twice a day, this article from Delight blog was a smack-in-the-face reminder of how I, and you, should be treating the waiting periods of our lives.

30  Tutorials to Make You a Better Photographer & Editor
Do I need to say anymore?  But for real, this is a great guide that even includes a photography course from Stanford that is free!  If you're wanting to step up your photo game (me) then this is for you!

Kale, Gorgonzola, and Bacon Scones
Another Delight link!  But this time it involves food which is always a good thing.  I made these scones about two weeks ago and they were gone in literally less than 36 hours.  Subbing feta cheese for gorgonzola works, but you won't have as strong of a flavor.

How to Stop Yourself from Crying
Being someone who automatically resorts to tears when any emotion gets too strong, I am definitely going to try this trick the next time I feel my eyes start to sting.  

So, anything good?

xx,
Allison

2.27.2015

10 Reasons to Winter Jam {beautiful fun}


Since I know you're probably judging me right now, I just want to be clear that I was not imitating Taylor Swift circa-2011, but following along with what the band led the audience in doing.  So everyone was hand-hearting . . up until the second that this picture was taken, I guess.  


However, I happen to like hand-hearting, Taylor, and this picture (thanks to Allie!) a lot so we're moving on.  Hit play and then keep reading for things with the likes of giant balloons, what a dollar can get you, and new music obsessions. 


Winter Jam is the incredible 10-band concert that I've spent a February Saturday night at for the past two years. Traveling all over the country, the Jam Tour is something that I will definitely be hitting up again next year, and then the next year, and then all the way to when I'm that 80-year-old rocking out harder than the Beliebers at the Justin Bieber movie premiere.  Fortunately, I didn't experience that, but I've been told that you can still hear the fangirls' screams ringing in your ears.  



I'm not taking a math class this year, but I'm still confident that I'm not mistaken when it comes to the price of this event.  Ten dollars at the door for tickets divided by 10 bands means that you can see a live music performance for only a dollar. Cheap date night, anyone?  Seriously though.


Grainy iPhone concert pictures for the win. And yes, we were actually this close -- no zoom here!
Helloooo, the entire for KING & COUNTRY album! For real though, since Winter Jam in Detroit last Saturday I've been doing one of two things: 1) listening to their gorgeous Aussie voices or  2) hearing them replay in my head and trying not to burst out into song.  If you don't want to find some new songs that you will absolutely love, don't click that link.  

Honorable mention: About a Mile.  I had never heard of them heading in to Winter Jam and I left with a CD.  They were fantastic performers! 

 Last year, the University of Mobile was a Winter Jam sponsor and they gave me not only a $20,000 scholarship but A FREE T-SHIRT! How exciting is that?  You'll be even more elated to hear that besides being free, it's probably the softest, most comfy t-shirt that I own.  I mean, $20,000 was cool though, too.  This year I fought a scholarship-thirsty crowd of fellow high schoolers to receive some more free clothes.  I did get a t-shirt, but it's not the softest, most comfy like last year. 

This time of winter is such a dreary, gray time for Midwesterners and it was great to have a night where I could put the crappy weather and the fact that spring will probably never come out of my mind and have an amazing time praising God with 16,999 other people from many different denominations, stages, and walks of life.  Everyone is so uplifting and my mood increased like 320%.  


Look! I met for KING & COUNTRY *obviously* Well, I had the chance to meet them as I did nearly every artist there, but the lines were bazinga people long, and I don't really care for lines all that much. 


"Stop by and see us at our booth after & pick up a copy of our music for $5!" - 80% of the artists at Winter Jam.  And so I did. for KING & COUNTRY was in the minority that their CD cost $10, but the artists are so generous in practically giving away their albums.  I even got an About a Mile CD for less than what it's priced in the iTunes store. Oh, and $40 t-shirts? You won't find any of those here. 



Are words even needed?


That lady with the awesome hair? Yeah, that's Blanca who made up 10% of the show.  It's pretty cool to glance over and see someone who had just been killing it up on stage rocking out to the same bands that you are and getting so, so excited about it.  None of the performers took any of the glory for themselves, but gave it all up to God, which I thought was pretty neat.


Pens, backpacks, candy, and all of those fun shenanigans are at your beck and call if you take a stroll around the concourse and check out all of the sponsor booths that are just begging for you please, please, please, take home their merchandise. So naturally, I didn't want to let anyone down and allowed them to throw as many free things my way that their hearts desired. 


From the ticket prices, to the music, to the people, to the message, to the atmosphere, God is glorified! It's obvious that Winter Jam is not about the money or the gain - it's about spreading the Gospel through the gift of music.  

I will admit that I am not the biggest fan of all the Christian music on the radio; however, Winter Jam does a fantastic job of showing that praising God through music doesn't have to be in the form of "church songs" or hymns (even though I love them!).  Within the few hours that I was in jumping out of my seat, I heard rock&roll (that has toured with the likes of Nickelback), an Indie/pop mix, and so, so much more.  Last year's tour featured two rappers.  I don't even like rap, but you better believe I was pumping my arm like the best of them. Also, one band's act resembled something like a circus act and I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes (their music video had pretty much the same effect on me). The entire night features such amazing and talented performers that dedicate everything to God.

So, are you in? There are still a ton of dates left and Winter Jam just might be coming to your city

Have any questions about Winter Jam? I'm not an old seasoned pro, but I do know the ropes pretty well!

xx,
Allison

2.10.2015

The Wanderlust Is So Real


Lately I've been scrolling through all my Europe pictures more often than I usually do.  I know what you're thinking: it's time to send me to some support group or something.

Hi, my name is Allison and I can't stop reliving the summer of 2014.

Hiiiii, Allison.

And that's how it would go.  Between Katie's and my Travel Thursday blog swap last week to my new wall quote crafted out of Europe pictures and my sister's excitement over her upcoming European adventure, my heart is clearly elsewhere in the world. 


Also I just took a BuzzFeed quiz that confirmed that in 10 years I will be traveling the world.  So it's meant to be . . . BuzzFeed told me so.

I could take this wanderlust-laden obsession and turn it into a productive habit like learning a new language or discovering how to cook food from around the world.  However, those are things that people who are ready to move on with their life do.  I don't think that I'm quite there yet or want to be there, so I'll fuel this fire a little more.

Out of all of the towns, villages, cities, and countries in this big world, I can only think of two places that I don't really have a desire to go.  That leaves approximately 72,983 places that I do want to see and feel and experience. And that's a lot of places.  Ain't nobody got the time to write about 72,983 places, so I made the tough executive call to chop the list to the top 8 places that I want  need to visit in my lifetime. (In no specific order because do you know how long that would take me to decide? I spent nearly an entire study hall just narrowing it down to my top 8 choices so no way am I getting any more detailed than that.)

Paris, France


Top 5 Paris bucket list: Climb the Eiffel Tower // eat in a corner cafe // visit the Louvre // see the Arc de Triomphe // be in awe of the Notre Dame Cathedral

Cape Town, South Africa


Top 5 Cape Town bucket list: sit on top of Table Mountain // spy on penguins // take a dip in those waters // learn a few things about African culture // visit the Cape of Good Hope

London, England


Top 5 London bucket list: drink tea // take a ride in the London eye // fangirl over the Harry Potter studios // tell the time on Big Ben // get an inside scoop on the London fashion scene

Machu Picchu, Peru


Top 5 Machu Picchu bucket list: trek the Inca trail (yep, all of it!) // get cultured at an indigenous village // taste the local cuisine // ascend to Huayna Picchu // explore Incan ruins 

Innsbruck, Austria


Top 5 Innsbruck bucket list:  wonder at the Innsbruck Cathedral // hit the Alpine slopes with my snowboard // photograph the Goldenes Dachl // hike those mountains! // wander in and out of shops and cafes

Amsterdam, Netherlands


Amsterdam Top 5 bucket list: marvel in the Museum Quarter // check out the Anne Frank house // taste the street food // tour the city by bike // get on the canals (ice skate in the winter, take a ride in the summer)

Extra! What I will not do in Amsterdam: Proclaim that Anne Frank would have been a belieber.

New Zealand


I couldn't just pick one place in New Zealand because its all just so gorgeous so the whole shebang landed on my list. 

NZ Top 5: take a mud bath in Rotorua // skydive // take in the views while hiking the Tongariro Crossing // kayak the Milford Sound // stargaze  

Denver, Colorado, USA


Denver Top 5: snowboard! // catch a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater // hike in the mountains // stop and smell the roses at the Denver Botanical Gardens // find some really good eats

So much for a productive day . . . I could actually be accomplishing something if resenting why plane tickets are so expensive is considered "accomplishing something."  

Have you ever been to any of these places? Are they on your bucket lists?

Love,
Allison