A Dip in the Lake and Donuts for Breakfast

Our week at the lake brought some much needed peace and quiet, and it is always a little freeing being forced to break away from technology for a spell.  Most of the time we were out of cell reception, allowing us to fully connect with the nature surrounding us and the present moment.  

On the last day I was determined to shoot this little photo story, involving raking a bunch of muck out of the lake, hours blowing up and deflating the pool float, and precariously hanging off the end of the dock while my husband got that main shot — while standing on the other end of the rake!  And yes, I can swim, but the water was full of weeds all around those beautiful little lily pads, so I didn't want to have to fall in to get back!!

With Wild Abandon

A fun little desert glam look... I couldn't resist styling something to be shot amongst the cacti!  :)

A good number of items in my closet came from Forever 21 due to my having worked for the company for a number of years, and always having access to the newest pieces as soon as they were available.  I've always had an affinity for that piece that has an extra touch to it — whether that be some rhinestone

In the Cactus Forest

During our long weekend in Arizona, we wanted to be sure to get some hiking in, as we knew we would be near a National Park.  Saguaro National Park flanks Tucson on both the east and west sides of the city, and offers many hiking trails that weave through the Sonoran Desert. We greatly enjoyed

A Tucson State of Mind

A couple weeks back Andrew and I took a long weekend trip to Tucson, Arizona to attend his best friend Steve + Melanie's wedding.  The wedding was so beautiful, and we happily welcomed the sunny vibes and desert mood, especially as temperatures were starting to plunge here back at home.  For our stay, we found a great little Airbnb that was right in the middle of everything.  It seemed whenever we needed to get anywhere it was only 10-15 minutes away!  A welcome change from Chicago where we're always driving or on the train for what seems like forever and always drowning in traffic.  On top of the ease of transportation in Tucson, we enjoyed some desert hikes, and I just adored our relaxing and breezy accommodations!

Travel Planning

I'm big on planning. I love planning out my week, setting goals, planning meals out, planning how to tackle projects, you name it.  I love taking a big problem and breaking it down and ironing out every little detail.  So when it comes to planning trips, I am 100% in my element.  I love researching our

PNWonderland May 2019: Portland, OR

Our pnw adventure was finished off with a three day stay in Portland, OR exploring the city and the Columbia River Gorge. 

PNWonderland May 2019: Cannon Beach, OR

I chose to blog this one separately because it was kind of a mini-trip itself within our pnw adventure as a whole.  This day at Cannon Beach was so perfect and peaceful. 

For your info, Cannon Beach is a 1.5 hour drive from the City of Portland, so it is the perfect day trip if you're visiting Portland for a bit.   The drive out was hilly and wind-y, but it was also incredibly beautiful.  

PNWonderland May 2019: Washington State

And here come the fun trip posts!  

Mount Rainier — Subalpine Zone and Myrtle Falls

At 5,400 ft, the Paradise area of Mt. Rainier National Park gets into the subalpine zone — a beautiful array of resplendent meadows and young pines with Columbia Crest looming in the background.  This area was

Mount Rainier — Forest Zone and Comet Falls

Elevation gain of 2,004 ft. and a 4 mile out and back hike.  The climb up was brutal, but the experience was so worth it.   I can't even describe to you the enormity of it all.  Being there, engulfed by the forest and this

Hiking Staircase — Olympic National Park

The staircase area is a lowland forest and stream ecosystem on the southeast corner of Olympic National Park, just off of Lake Cushman.  Not only was the hiking experience incredible, but the drive in was

Our 10 Year Anniversary & An Engagement Photo Story

© KMP Photography 2018 | Kristen Marie Parker

Last Friday Andrew and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary of being together as a couple.  It's crazy to think that we graduated from high school a full ten years ago, and that we've been out of undergrad for five years already!  It seems like the years are flying by faster and faster.  We've been engaged for almost two years now, and we still have yet another year until we will finally be married already!  :)

I am so excited about our lives, I feel like each day is filled with life and vibrancy, and I feel very at

Travel Destination: Portland, Oregon

Up next on our trip to the Pacific Northwest we were Portland bound!  After our serene breakfast at Alderbrook Resort, we started our journey to Portland.  First stop was Upper Left Coffee Roasters

Travel Destination: Washington

The view from our breakfast at Red Lion Olympia

Recently Drew and I set out on another whirlwind Pacific Northwest adventure for lots of fun wedding planning appointments and some good ‘ol general adventure. I think I will write a post in the near future about more

Packing Reflections: May Pacific Northwest Trip & My Travel Look

If you've been following my blog for some time, you may remember my packing reflections post from a few years back when we took off to explore the Redwoods in California.   I am happy to say that I have been working on ways to simplify when packing for trips

What's up, Washington?

The weekend before last we had the awesome opportunity to travel to the west coast to scout venues for our wedding, explore, and see things we've never discovered before!  From the vibrant green and orange trees, to the peaceful waters of the Puget Sound and the Hood Canal, we got to experience the

Review: The Historic Requa Inn, Klamath CA

During our stay in the Redwoods, our base camp was the Historic Requa Inn.   It was a beautiful Bed and Breakfast (which I am now obsessed with, and will heretofore seek out on trips) that overlooks the

Walking Among Giants: Our West Coast Adventure Part 4

A Packing Reflection : The Redwoods

So if you'll remember back a bit, before we left for California I posted about packing for the trees.  As usual, I may have over-estimated the amount of clothes I would actually need for our trip to the trees.  This was partially because

West Coast Wandering: Our West Coast Adventure Part 3