Thursday, July 6, 2017

Babymoon: Lincoln Park Zoo

Every once in a while, I realize that for all my efforts to see major landmarks and local attractions, I've been missing out on a major one. (This is why I went to the Bronx Zoo for the first time at twenty years old, despite living forty-five minutes away, and why I still haven't seen the Statue of Liberty up close.) Recently, our Chicago staycation adventures took us to one of the most glorious places I've yet seen out here: Lincoln Park and its famous zoo!

For the first time in a while, we had absolutely perfect weather, so I went with a super-comfy new Collectif dress. I was so happy when this dress arrived: it's got my favorite shade of green in it, and the print and big wooden buttons are just so fun! It was perfect for all-day wear that included a massive dinner of Polish food. I sized up to the large, thinking it would make an excellent summer maternity dress, and because of the elastic back, I still have a little room to grow from 41"-33ish".

collectif tiki doll dress

The wildest part of this outfit, though, is what I'm not wearing: makeup! This is a first for the blog: I don't think I've ever posted photos of myself without a stitch of makeup before. But when I got out of the shower that morning, we had exactly twelve minutes before we had to leave for the train, so I opted to forgo makeup rather than wait twenty more minutes for the next train. I'm thinking I'll need to write a post in the future about going makeup-free!

I've waxed semi-poetic about Chicago's incredible green spaces before, but for all my talk of Grant Park and Museum Campus, I was utterly blown away by Lincoln Park. It's just so beautiful and pastoral, like a flat, Midwestern version of the opening of the Sound of Music. And the best part? Admission to the zoo is FREE. No, you're not seeing things. It doesn't cost a penny to go to the zoo here!

Our first stop, of course, was the statue of Abe Lincoln. It was moved to the park in the 1990s, I believe, most likely to prevent wiseacres like me from going on about how there was no statue of Lincoln in Lincoln Park.

I look so tall! Perspective is everything.
abraham lincoln statue in lincoln park
Someone had put flowers in his hand!

After paying our respects to Mr. Lincoln, we moseyed on through beautiful fields and across the park, stopping as often as Jeff would tolerate for more photos. Even though the eastern edge of the Park runs right up to Lake Shore Drive, a major thoroughfare, it was still peaceful and relaxing to walk along the east side and take in the views of Lake Michigan, the skyline, and the small ponds here and there.

collectif tiki swing dress

On our way through the zoo's parking lot, I spotted a majestic statue from a distance. Lo and behold, we'd found the statue of Ulysses Grant. (And no, I'm not sure why this one isn't in Grant Park.) Eight-year-old me would've had an absolute field day playing hide and seek around the base of this statue!

ulysses grant statue in lincoln park

We finally arrived at an entrance to the zoo, which was handily located right next to the zebras! They had a week-old baby zebra and I couldn't stop talking about how cute it was! Apparently it was three feet tall and 100 pounds at birth, which makes me feel a lot less sorry for myself about having to deliver a human baby in a few months.

zebra sea lion rhino at lincoln park zoo
flamingos lincoln park zoo

Other favorites at the zoo were the flamingos (because DUH), the rhinoceros, and the sea lions. We walked around the four polar bear viewing spots a couple of times, but only managed to catch the briefest glimpse of one, so obviously we'll be going back again!

I could not get over how beautiful the zoo was. The landscaping there is really well thought-out and just so serene! I loved all the trees (and the shade they provided!) and of course the flowers caused Much Squealing.


We spent a few hours at the zoo, which definitely wasn't enough time to see everything, but we also had to make our way to the Chicago History Museum before it closed. With enough sunscreen, you could easily spend the entire day having fun at the Lincoln Park Zoo! What are your favorite animals to visit at the zoo?

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34 comments:

  1. As usual you look amazing! Teach me your ways šŸ’– Glad you had a trip to the zoo I've my been to a zoo for a while šŸ’– You're making me want to visit Chicago stronger and stronger - www.teaisawishyourheartmakes.wirdpress.com šŸ’–šŸµ

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    1. Awww, thank you, my dear -- you're too kind! And I hope you make it to a zoo near you soon. They're so fun! Chicago is definitely worth a visit if you're ever Stateside :).

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  2. Once again I love your dress! Also, it certainly sounds like you had a good time. Going makeup free can be so great - I just hate how my skin looks :/

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    1. Thank you so much! And I also am super self-conscious about my skin. It actually got worse during the first trimester of my pregnancy, but now it's starting to clear. I definitely can relate to how you feel, though. I just didn't have time to put anything on!

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  3. I like that you finally got to go to these landmarks; it seems like you enjoyed yourself! All of what you saw also makes great photo backdrops. I also have to say that I really admire your style; very cool!

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    1. The zoo was SO fun, as was the Chicago History Museum (and the pierogis we had for dinner!). And Chicago in the summertime is eminently Instagrammable ;).

      Thank you so much! It's fun to just wear whatever strikes my fancy, and thankfully, people here don't usually say anything unkind or stare.

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  4. Gorgeous photography!!

    hayley // hayleyxmartin.com

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  5. The zoo sounds like a great place to go for the summer. Your style is absolutely amazing! (I love all the colors and I am living for that dress!)

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    1. Thank you so much, Nouf! I'm all about bright prints.

      And the zoo is absolutely fantastic! I'm still just in shock that it's free, too!

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  6. Loved this! Looks like you had an amazing time! The zoo looks great! Your dress is gorgeous too!

    Megan Beth

    Xx

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    1. Aw, thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the post -- I know I had such a good time reliving our trip to the zoo! Chicago is full of so many lovely things to do.

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  7. Haven't been to the zoo for quite a while now, I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. And as usual, I'm loving your sweet outfit. You look amazing!

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    1. I hadn't been to a zoo in ages either, but I was quite impressed by this one and am thinking we'll go back fairly soon. Thank you so much!

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  8. That dress is so great on you - I love the fact there are so many different colours. I think you can safely go out without make-up just whenever you want!! Kx

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    1. That is so sweet of you to say! I definitely felt a bit odd without makeup at first, but we got so engrossed in what we were doing that I sort of forgot about it after a while.

      And this print is WONDERFUL; I'm in love!

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  9. So fun!!! I love the colors in this dress and am excited to rock my wiggle version for my Tiki party at the end of the month - stay tuned for that on the blog! HA! I also did NOT notice your lack of makeup. Must be because you're so darn naturally beautiful already!! Then again, though, I am biased as I don't wear makeup (well, besides the occasional lipstick) and rather prefer folks without it! ROCK WHAT YOUR MAMA GAVE YOU! ;)

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    1. TIKI PARTY?!? Why must I live so far from you?? I'm excited to see you rock the wiggle version! And I must say, I've never realized that you don't wear makeup besides lipstick. That definitely gives me some food for thought...

      <3 <3 <3!

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  10. I absolutely love your outfits in these photos, you rocked them and I think the colours are fab!

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    1. Thank you so much, Emily! Green is my all-time favorite color :).

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  11. This bag omg! and the flamingos! I love zoos so much! always so great to see all the animals. love your dress! xx corinne

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    1. Thank you! And flamingos are the absolute neatest birds! I still can't believe they turn pink from their diet.

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  12. I absolutely love the dress! It's so colourful and very pretty,the statue with flowers in its hand is so so cute too! X

    Kayleigh Zara šŸŒ» www.kayleighzaraa.com

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    1. Thank you so much! It was really funny when I noticed the bouquet in his hand.

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  13. Ohh what a lovely day out and the weather does look good! I really hope one day i will be able to get the airfare together to visit America cos places like Chicago look amazing.

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    1. Oh my goodness, I hope you're able to visit the US someday as well. Hopefully there's still a halfway-decent country left here for you to visit... Meanwhile, I'm slowly saving to go to Wales someday!

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  14. Omg this sounds so good! I can't believe you live so close but haven't haven't been! I would be there alllll the time, I love zoos haha. Also your outfit is just stunning!

    Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk

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    1. I don't know why it took me so long to make my way up to Lincoln Park and visit the zoo, but it definitely won't be long till I go back! Zoos are so much fun! And thank you -- this dress is super comfy!

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    1. Thank you so much! It's a new fave of mine :).

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  16. Love your dress! Very appropriate for the zoo you're like a dressed up Jane from Tarzan! This zoo looks lovely, I do love a zoo visit <3

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    1. Thank you so much! And now that you mention it, this is a very zoo-appropriate dress :D.

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  17. First of all, you look fabulous! I never would've noticed you were without makeup if you hadn't said anything - you're gorgeous! Also, I REALLY want to go to the Lincoln Park Zoo! I was supposed to go last summer with my brother but we ended up doing the riverwalk instead. Next time I visit him, I'm so going to the zoo! It looks amazing. (And I can't get enough of the penguins when I go to zoos. Those little guys always crack me up!)

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    1. YES PENGUINS ARE SO CUTE!! Whenever I go to the Shedd Aquarium, I watch the penguins for an inordinately long time and get SO EXCITED every time they do ANYTHING. Jeff gets a little bit embarrassed. And you definitely need to get to this zoo -- it's fabulous, the park surrounding it is gorgeous, and it's FREE!

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  18. You always look absolutely stunning in your fashion posts you have such a unique and stylish fashion sense! I really love the zoo too but the last one I went to was two years ago when I was in Berlin x

    Kayleigh Zara šŸŒæwww.kayleighzaraa.com

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