Muir Woods | San Francisco, California

Earlier this year, Markus and I were lucky enough to group a work trip with a mini vacation in San Francisco. Markus never visited California and this was something that need to be remedied quickly. Thankfully our friends Wendy and John lived in the Bay Area and were nice enough to let us stay with them.

We spent most of our time exploring the Bay Area and the surrounding cities. When we tired of the hustle and bustle of city life, we escaped for a few hours to visit Muir Woods. The park was absolutely stunning and the Sequoias were incredible. I've never seen anything like it and was grateful for the little interlude into the woods.

Goldberry Woods Bed and Breakfast | Union Pier, Michigan

For my 31st birthday last year, Markus took me to a fantastic bed and breakfast in Michigan, Goldberry Woods. Usually I plan all of our trips, but he wouldn't let me plan a thing. It was quite the reversal and it was wonderful! Goldberry Woods is quite magical.

All the rooms at Goldberry are named after types of trees. The beds are also constructed with materials from the same tree. Markus booked the American Hornbeam room and the bed was something out of a Tim Burton movie. Some people would've been terrified, but I loved it. When you looked up at the branches at night, it felt like sleeping in the woods. We spent most of our time traipsing about in the forest and visiting antique shops. It was the perfect weekend and I'm so thankful that I have a husband who plans such great trips!

Cruz Family Christmas Card

For the past nine years, all I've wanted to do is send customized Christmas cards. The most important part of this process? The photo. Thankfully Markus booked a couple nights at this awesome bed and breakfast, Goldberry Woods, for my birthday. Goldberry is in Michigan and just an hour and half outside the city. It's definitely an idyllic spot and the perfect place for a festive photo.

On Saturday morning, we woke up early and donned our matching outfits. It snowed the night before and it created a beautiful winter wonderland. We trekked through a nearby forest and found so many great spots. We took so many photos and in the end, had way too many to choose from. The photo above is the one we ultimately chose. We thought it was playful and perfectly showcased our personalities. I'm a bit sad that we can't use any of the other photos, but at least I get to share them with you!

Apple Picking at County Line Orchard | Hobart, Indiana

Autumn came and went in such a hurry. I feel like I barely had the chance to enjoy cool evenings, sweater weather and pumpkin treats. A couple months ago, Markus and I drove to Indiana to County Line Orchard and pick some apples. It was my first experience at this Midwest tradition. There weren't many apples left, so we spent most of our time frolicking in cornfields and picking flowers. We had such a great time and can't wait to visit again next year!

John Hancock Center | Chicago, Illinois

The city of Chicago definitley does not lack towering buidlings. They city skyline is absolutley beautiful and when visiting it's hard to choose between Willis Tower and John Hancock Center.  Last fall, my brother Chris came to visit and he really wanted to go to Willis Tower. Since it was a holiday weekend, the place was packed and the wait was three hours. Also added to the wait was a hefty price tag of $19.00. Now I know it may seem like a low price to pay for a beautiful view, but when you're unemployed, it's a week's worth of lunches. I quickly did some research and found a better and more relaxing alternative, the John Hancock Signature Room.

The John Hancock Signature Room is a lounge/restaurant that is located on the 95th floor of the building. It has amazing views and a comfortable atmosphere. When we arrived, there wasn't a wait and even though we didn't get a window seat, it was still a great experience. For about $4 less, you can order a cocktail and hang out for as long as you want. If you're a beer drinker, they have a decent selections at around $8.50 a bottle. If you aren't keen on alcohol, they have other drinks and snacks as well. It was an amazing experience and one that I greatly enjoyed. Who wants to be stuck in a line with heaps of other tourists for hours? I would rather chill out with a cocktail and an awesome view!

Al's Cafe | Elgin, Illinois

Even though I dislike living all the way out in the burbs, there are still little pockets of awesomeness. Currently we live in Elgin, which is like an hour and a half from Chicago. It's torture, but we try to make the best of it. One thing Markus and I like to do is explore. When my brother and mommyo came to town, we were still new to the area. We found some really good places and one of those spots was Al's Cafe in downtown Elgin.

Al's is basically an institution in these parts and has been in business since the 80s. The building itself dates back to 1892. I love places like Al's that are full of history. I loved the look and feel of the place. The bottom floor had old pews for seating, which mommyo loved. The upstairs felt more intimate and homey with books lining a small portion of the wall. The food is typical Americana and quite good. Although, the real specialty are the malts and shakes. I've never had a malt before and I don't think I could ever go back to milkshakes.