Portraits of my people

How has it already been a week since I moved back to Pittsburgh? Time is going oddly slow and fast at the same time. I feel like I am already used to being back here and my life in Chicago seems so far away. I really like it!

Below are pictures of some of my favorite people...I love taking pictures of them to try and capture why they are so special to me. This has been an ongoing project of my mine and I thought I would now share a few tips that I have found helpful over the past several months while taking/editing portraits on iPhone!

1.)  Always use burst mode when taking portraits! My best shots are usually during the inbetween moments. I feel like I always read online that those moments are the best but never quite knew how to capture them myself and burst has helped me tons! 

2.) Once you find the backdrop you want, make sure to have your subject stand a couple of feet in front of it to create depth. This was the first thing I learned from photographer Dan Rubin during my photography workshop with him! 

3.) Once you have your favorite shot, I primary edit using the VSCO and ColorStory app. My favorite filters are: A6, F2, and HB1-2 (VSCO) and Road Trip, Clear, and Everyday (ColorStory). 

4.) One of the last things I do with my photos is to make sure I always adjust the contrast and sharpness of my photo. To me, adjusting those elements on each photo keeps my photos consistent with a similar feel no matter if it is a portrait, cotd shot, landscape, etc.  

Alright, alright, alright...that's it for now! I know these tips were pretty simple but I feel like sometimes the simplest tweaks can make a photo magical! Let me know if this was helpful in the comments below! 

This weekend I:

Watched: my first movie at the theater since I moved to Chicago 

Listened: my mom talk about the new game app she is playing 

Learned: being brave is hard 

Ate: AMAZING queso from Bar Cocina 

Read: GoogleMaps directions to drive all over Chicago 

Drank: mini wine bottles 

Thought: you can't do this...yes you can....no you can't....YES YOU CAN! 

Wished: I could see the future 

Realized: my mom doesn't know how much I look up to and admire her 

Bought: gluten-less doughnuts! 

Caffeine Kick: Cold Brew

Wake up, wake up!

Somehow, I have become even more addicted to coffee since moving to Chicago..or should I say since I started living the 8-5pm work-life.

I feel like it seems as though I am complaining but, honestly, I LOVE it! I feel like Lorelei Gilmore. I drink at least two cups every morning and usually get another one or two cups in after lunch. During the week, it is easy to fuel this addiction with the amazing Yelp cafe, providing me with as many lattes and cappuccinos as I can handle (which in reality is probably just two cups).

The weekend is a different story. In an attempt to spend the least amount of money possible, I only order lattes when I can use the Popular Pays app. Otherwise, I get drip-coffee, iced coffee, or...COLD BREW.

That's right, folks. I have been trying to jump onto the cold brew train. It took me a while to truly enjoy iced coffee and it is taking me even longer to get into cold brew.

Don't ask me why...maybe it is just something I do or maybe it is a coffee-drinker thing...but I kind of like the challenge of having to get used to a new type of coffee drink.

Here is my current coffee drinking progression:

1. decaf coffee at family functions during dessert
2. coffee from gas stations
3. drip coffee
4. a dabble with espresso shots during my semester in Rome
5. flavored lattes
6. Starbucks macchiatos (the Starbucks part is key)
7. flat whites during my semester in London
8. iced coffee
9. cold brew

Exploring: Lakeview

Hello, hello! 

I think it's about time that this city started to feel like home to me. My family's first visit felt more like a vacation rather than me actually showing them around where I live. We went to places I had never been before and experienced things I hadn't yet tried. 

But recently, my mom came up for the weekend and this time it was a little different.

We went to restaurants in my neighborhood including Glaze and Wheat's End. We walked the streets that I travel on everyday. It felt great to show her around and take her to some of my favorite places! The highlight of our day was, of course, grocery shopping in the biggest Aldi we have ever been in! It was so great to do something routine but enjoy it a lot more because I did it with my mom. 

Not only did my mom visit but, as my Instagram and Snapchat followers know, my pup visited too! Chicago is truly a brilliant city for dogs, especially in my neighborhood. I can't imagine taking Molly out on the coldest of days here in the city, but in the Summer, Chi-Town should be called Dog-Town...I know, that was cheesy but I couldn't help myself. 

It was sad to see my mom leave and sometimes I still wish I just lived in Pittsburgh with her and the rest of my family and friends, but it I am feeling happier to be here with every day that passes. Plus, I will be home in a few weeks for a friend's wedding, so I can't really complain anyways!

Bartelme Park

Hello, everyone!

Do you know what my favorite thing about a city is? The public parks. I feel like you can really get to know a new city, or even just a new part of your town, by spending an afternoon exploring a new public park.

This probably isn't a shock to most of you, this blog does hold it's own section labeled London Parks :)

 Don't get me wrong I love walking into a train full of people, zooming straight into the center of town, and exploring the crowded streets...but sometimes I can't help but feel a little pressured and self-conscious surrounded so closely by everyone.

On days when I feel like this, I find myself grabbing a good book, my iPhone, and heading straight the closest public park.

Most recently, I travelled to Bartleme Park in Chicago! After my whole family spent the night in my small, studio apartment, we were all desperate for a little space to stretch our legs. It was just what we needed! There was plenty of grass to nap on, public art to Instagram, a play area for my nephew, and a lemonade stand! 

I am excited to see how all of these public spaces are transformed in the winter. I just can't even imagine what this place will look like covered in snow. The scary thing is that I won't have to try to imagine it for much longer. Somehow, I have already lived in Chicago for two months and time doesn't seem to be slowing down! 

This weekend I:

Watched: my favorite tv shows with my mom 

Listened: to my pup (Molly) bark at every dog that passed her in Chicago 

Learned: that my ideal day is pretty much identical to my mom's ideal day 

Ate: zero gluten all weekend! 

Read: the first few chapters of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Drank: Moscato from Trader Joe's 

Thought: that work will be amazing this week if I just keep my attitude positive

Wished: I could have a dog in my apartment...aka Molly 

Realized: that eating gluten free isn't always that difficult 

Bought: soooo many groceries from Aldi because we had a car to bring it home in! 

Outfit of the day!!

Shirt: Forever 21 Flannel: Forever 21 Skirt: Forever 21 Shoes: Birkenstocks Earrings: h&m

Chicago Instagram Spot: The Chicken Shop

Hi, hello! How are you guys today?

You know what I have been dreaming about all week? The delicious golden fries that I recently had at The Chicken Shop. Making them even better was that I got them for free using Popular Pays.

To be honest they were just the cherry on top of the most amazing lunch I have had in Chicago thus far! The Chicken Shop is located on the second floor of the Chicago Soho House. As you walk into the Soho house, you are in the gorgeous Allis lobby. Cozy chairs, vintage chandeliers, and warm colors surround you.

Once you get upstairs to the Chicken Shop, the feeling is similar but a bit more laid-back. It felt like I had stepped into another time. Everything looked like it was out of the 1930s and the sun was shining through the lace curtains in such a lovely way.

My family and I conveniently had the place almost all to ourselves. Jack got to run around and try out every chair that looked comfy to him and I got to take as many pictures as I wanted (which is quite a lot :p). It was nice to be able to experience a spot that I had been seeing on Instagram for months and it was even better that I got to experience it with my family. 

I can't wait to go back to the Soho house and try one of the other restaurants! Maybe one day I will become a member...in my dreams, at least. 

A visit to Yelp

Hello, hello! How is everyone on this very long Wednesday?

Since today at work wasn't my favorite, I thought I would relive the amazing day when my sister and nephew came to visit me at the office!

I felt so grownup as I signed them into the building....me, adult me, was having visitors at my full-time job! Just so crazy.

I loved showing them off to everyone that I have met at work so far. People were going crazy for Jack. They just couldn't take how cute he was :) 

Not only that, but it was really cool seeing Annie's reaction to the office space. I feel like once I started having to be there everyday for 8 hours, I kind of forgot all the unique and beautiful things that I noticed on my first day. She helped me remember and walk in the next day with renewed appreciation for it. 

Don't forget to keep checking back to see what other places Annie, Jack, and I explored while they were here! 

My first week in Chicago.

Hello! Long time, no post. At least this time I have a good excuse....I have moved to Chicago. The past few weeks have been filled with sorting, packing, cleaning, planning, and phone calls (many, many calls to Uhaul).

I can't believe I am actually here and everything worked out. Not only that but I have been here a week and worked 40 hours at Yelp (separate post to come about my new job)! That is crazy to me...It hasn't been the easiest week but it most definitely was a week full of learning and adjusting.

One of the hardest things for me is knowing that I have left my family for an indefinite period of time. Studying abroad helped me prepare for leaving home but it didn't help me prepare for moving away and not knowing if I will ever live in the same city as my family again. I mean, I know that I will be home in a few weeks to visit, but it just isn't the same and that is going to take a little while to take used to. One thing that I realized is that the more I accept the fact that I am allowed to feel sad, the less sad I feel.

I also find that the more I get out and explore Chicago, the less I am sad about being here alone. I will find my places here in the city, I just have to look for them. I had a similar feeling in London  (I actually feel a lot better than when I first got to London). I have no doubts that all of this will click and with that experience I think that I will figure this all out faster and more easily.

Below are just photos of how awesome my family is (hehe)! My whole family helped me move into my new place. Then after my first week at my new job, I came home and received flowers from my grandparents!

Exploring: North Park

One day on my way home from work this summer, I found myself driving slower. I realized that although I was driving the same way I did all summer, everything just seemed more beautiful. The grass greener, the sky bluer, and the trees taller. 

To celebrate this extra gorgeous day, my mom and I decided to drive out to North Park instead of taking our usual spots in front of the television. And wow, am I glad we did! It was AH-MAZ-ING! I felt like we were on vacation exploring a whole new area and we were less than a half hour away. We just wandered around with no plan and found some incredible views (and got some amazing shots too)!  

I just love how much Instagram is challenging me to explore and look at my city in different ways. I saw a picture of North Park on my feed a few days before going and I realized I had never been there before so I just went. Instagram made it that easy to connect with Pittsburgh in a new way. 

My new model.

One of the many perks to being home is that I now have a new model to take photos of almost everyday! My nephew is just so cute and silly that I find myself wanting to be around him all the time. He has a personality that I want to capture and show everyone.

Here are a couple of my attempts using my iPhone:

Back in the good old USA

After going to Rome for a few days, I flew back to London to get my bags and then flew home to the US a few days earlier than I had originally planned. However, I decided to keep my dad out of the loop on this change. So, my mom, sister, and nephew picked me up from the airport and the next day we left to surprise my dad at one of his Civil War reenactments! 

The gorgeous weather we had made the five hour drive amazing! My mom and I couldn't help but stop at a few scenic spots along the way! 

It made me realize that rest stops can be a chance to not only stretch your legs but to snap a few pictures as well! Overall, it was a fantastic trip and my dad was 100% surprised! 

p.s. I think this trip somehow helped lessen my reverse-culture shock

p.p.s. Check back next week to hear about my first month back in the US after spending 4 months abroad 

Italy is gorgeous!

Italian eating

I think I almost forgot how much Italians really do eat! For every day that I stayed with my cousins, we had one huge meal in the middle of the day with at least four courses! Not only that, but I was there for my cousin Tony's birthday so we had an extra big celebration that day :) 

I wish I could remember everything we ate, but there was just too much...I do remember it included: prosciutto, melon, cheese, fried dough, grilled egg plant, two types of lasagna, pasta, beef with vegetables, and more! 

Following that we had dessert and champagne! Maria made fruit tiramisu and my Zia Dora made fruit pastries...everything was delicious! 

Last but not least, here is the birthday boy himself!

Almost home.

In this moment, I am excited about life. I am enjoying my last few days here in London, looking forward to going back to Rome, but most importantly I am just relieved that I get to see my family within the next two weeks (4 months is a loooonnnggg time). It is strange because I love London so so so so much and know that I have loved it more than any other city I have lived in or even been to, but recently I haven't been sad about leaving it. I think it is because I know I will be back here, somewhere in the UK, within the next several years. Not only that but in the mean time I will have so many adventures that will prepare me for a full-time life here.

I have taken advantage of every opportunity and lived with no reservations. I hope that this will help make my transition back into American life a bit easier...I think having no regrets or 'could have, should have' moments forcing me to wish I was back in this semester will help me live in the present. *fingers crossed*

Being alone.

It's a strange feeling being the only member of your family in a foreign country. Despite studying abroad last year, I've never really had to experience this.

I mean just look at my posts from last year...so many are titled "Family" or "My Family".

Firstly because I had my cousins who lived in Rome. They were Italian and in some ways different than the Perri's I grew around but they were so much more similar to the American Perri's than you can imagine. As I walked off the plane in Rome, I wasn't alone, my cousin Tony was waiting for me...family was waiting for me.

Second, my parents, sister and brother-in-law came to visit me about half way through as well! I got to show them the places that had become my usual spots, introduce them to the people who had become my best friends, and even got to experience new things in Italy and Rome with them. It was such a meaningful week for me. Despite any bickering or fights we had, we all stepped away from that week (and the week after with just me and my sister) with a greater understanding of each other.

My study abroad experience this year has been very different because I am essentially alone...the only Perri in London, the only Perri in the whole UK. There are good things and bad things that come from this.

It is nice to find myself with no influence of familiarity and little risk of falling into my old habits but the lack of comfort has been weird and is sometimes challenging to navigate through (a more detailed post about my initial struggle to come).

I am beyond sad when I think about leaving this city that has become the love of my life (post about how this happened coming soon!), but I think it will feel strange and amazing to be around my family again...with all of our jokes, smiles, laughs, tears (we are an emotional bunch), even our fights and bad moods.

I know that people say 'life begins at the end of your comfort zone' and I half agree with this, but I think that sometimes it is 100% okay to feel comfortable. If I was in a constant state of feeling uncomfortable then I wouldn't be happy...no one would. Life is about experiencing new things while also appreciating old things.

Flaws and all I am so extremely happy to call myself a Perri (cue teary-eyed parents).

Jack

Behind the blogging!

Jack helped me and Annie come up with some post ideas!

It was very tiring work :) 

Weber Christmas!

My one side of the family always gets together after Christmas to celebrate! 

Me and Jaycee 

Liam and Cameron 

Liam, Me, Veronica, Bella 

Jack and Annie  

Me and Mom  

Barb, Liam, and Veronica 

Bella