Lollapalooza Survival Guide

LOLLA SURVIVAL GUIDE

For all the LOLLA First Timers…you are going to have sooooo much fun!!  There is nothing better than seeing the reaction to someone’s first LOLLA experience because it’s just a magical weekend in the most beautiful setting! 

Here are some recommendations for amateurs and reminders for veterans:

Festival Fashion – google it or call me for an overview…LOLLA is not only a music festival but somewhat of a fashion show.  Outfit choices are clutch due to the fact so many photos will be taken so bring your best Fest Fash look on Saturday!  Fanny Packs are TOTALLY okay!!!

Inspiration: http://www.betches.com/festival-fashion-how-to-look-like-a-bohemian-goddess

Tanning Strategy – as we all know lots of photos will be taken this weekend and unless you don’t have a job (lucky you) and get to lay by the pool daily or are naturally tan (again lucky you) please get a spray tan prior to arrival!  No one needs casper bombing photosJ

Comfortable Shoes – let’s be honest, we’ve all made the mistake of wearing uncomfortable shoes thinking we were looking soooo hot BUT unfortunately this doesn’t fly at LOLLA!  On average, you will walk 10 miles/day and this is NOT an exaggeration!  I know this contradicts #1 in Fest Fash but there is 1 exception…and it’s comfortable shoes…so sandals or sneakers are recommended or you will end up like me with bleeding feet, walking out of LOLLA to the Marriot’s gift shop and end up having to buy a “Chicago Rainbow” sandal…and believe me it’s the fastest way to lose friends!            

Hydration – you need to drink a shit-ton of water…before, during and after the fest!  It can be very hot and you will be dancing and walking a lot so crushing water is key because it’s 100% a party foul to end up at the medical tent…although it always makes for a good story and photo op!

 Drinking Goals – so there is a reason there is no hard alcohol at LOLLA…people get completely shitfaced and end up in the medical tent.  Beer and Wine are available at LOLLA and can generally be mixed without incident.

Nourishment - Lolla is like a food festival inside a music festival. Are you a high maintenance, bitch-ass eater? Vegetarian? Vegan? Counting calories to keep that summer bod? Gluten free? Fat kid and don't give a shit? Good for you! There is (really great) food for everyone at Lolla. Check out the Lolla Green City Market for locally grown, healthy veggie/gluten free options. Must Eat: Lobster Dog.

Crushing Lobster Dogs

Phone Fail - if you have a portable phone charger bring it.  If you’re with the squad turn phone to airplane mode to save juice…communication at Lolla is like jumping in a hot tub time machine back to the 90s…cell service is as shitty as trying to text from a “dumb phone” was.

Squat it Out – when your feet, back and legs start hurting a great way to invigorate yourself is to squat it out!  https://byrslf.co/the-forgotten-art-of-untucking-the-tail-57d8ef619e4e#.oz3x966rf

Stick With Your Crew - you may not always get to see exactly who you want to but at the end of the day, LOLLA is about the people you’re with.  What’s the fun in seeing a show without your friends?  #BabesOverBands

Follow Me on Instagram: @grobaskimsu

Northern Michigan Fun!

I made it home over the 4th of July to spend time with my Mom, Dad, Sister Brooke who drove up from Chicago and several friends who came up from Detroit.  Growing up in Boyne Falls for 18 years makes you take for granted the natural beauty of Northern Michigan.  You think everyone enjoys crystal clear lakes, beautiful golf courses and downhill skiing.  It's taken me 10+ years living in big cities to truly appreciate how gorgeous, simplistic and pure Northern Michigan really is.  Hopefully you'll be able to see it through some photos and captions I'll share with you!  

 The weather was perfect, 75-80, sunny and no humidity which was a welcomed change from Houston in the summer. 

Chillin on the Boat - Lake Charlevoix

Boating with my parents, Brooke (sister), Rice, Abby and Lauren.  We were all Kappa Deltas at Michigan State University and are still great friends 15 years later!

Happy Hour with the Grobaski and Michalsky sisters at 7 Monks Taproom in Boyne City, MI - new and fun brewery that opened in Downtown Boyne!

Relaxing on Lake Charlevoix!  Our friends hosted a wonderful 4th of July Celebration.

Walking in the Boyne City 4th of July Parade with Lauren and Emilie...we ended up bailing on the 10k and crashed the parade instead.

Paddle Boarding on Lake Charlevoix with Lauren...so much fun! 

After a day of boating on Lake Charlevoix, we decided to change it up and visit Walloon Lake which is a beautiful inland lake in Northern Michigan.  The color is absolutely stunning...reminds me of being in the Caribbean. 

Casual Summer Feel at Walloon Marina 

Boating on Walloon Lake

Family Lunch at Barrel Back , Walloon Lake

A trip "Up North" would not be complete without visiting Petoskey, Michigan which sits on Little Traverse Bay and has a cute downtown full of fun shops, great views and delicious places to dine.  Roast and Toast in Petoskey is the place go for great coffee, soup, salads and sandwiches!  I would eat here everyday in the summer when I worked at Expressions, a cool boutique in the Gaslight District.  To my surprise they already had Nitro Coffee!  Instead of waiting for Starbucks to roll-out Nitro Coffee in Houston and Chicago...Roast and Toast already had their tap fire up.  The coffee is smooth, a little sweet and completely delicious!  

Nitro Coffee at Roast and Toast

Almost time to leave but before my parents dropped me off at Traverse City Airport we took a detour to the Sleepy Bear Dunes.  This is a National Park on Lake Michigan.  It might be hard to tell the depth from photos but this is 450' high and completely amazing!  

On Top of the World or a HUGE Sand Dune!  

Another View From The Dunes

Mom and Dad

My 5 day trip home was a wonderful break from Houston.  It had been 6 years since being home but it won't be another 6 after this trip!  It's a difficult place to reach but that's why it stays so beautiful.  

Next Up Lollapalooza Chicago!  Survival Guide Coming Soon!

Follow me on Instagram: @grobaskimsu

Around H-Town...Music, Chocolate and more!

Heather and Michelle

Festival Season kicks off in Houston with Free Press Summer Fest!  It was a fun weekend filled with music, lounging, cocktails and dancing.  Some of my favorite shows: X Ambassadors, Matt & Kim, Zeds Dead and College Grove.  VIP was a great place to cool off  with the AC tents, escape from the sporadic rain and just lounge with friends!  

This was a great warm up before Lollapalooza in Chicago next month!

Ran into Jonathan at B19

Free Press Lounging with Tom and Michelle

Rain, Sunshine and Rainbows

We celebrated Ellen's 11th Birthday at The Chocolate Bar.  You create your own chocolate bar...customizing it from the type of chocolate to all of the toppings.  

My Creation...Lots of NUTS!

Happy Birthday Ellen!

When it gets hot in Houston it's time to freeze yourself!  Tried Cryotherapy for the first time.  Preparation: go in a room separate from the chamber, take all your clothes off, put socks, slippers, gloves and a robe on and then go into the Cryo Room where the administrator provides a brief overview and of course answers my million questions.    

Ready...Set...

Step into the chamber, robe off and get ready to be the coldest you've ever been in your entire life and I grew up skiing in Northern Michigan...this is way colder!  3 minutes of liquid nitrogen cooled air at -200 F felt like 3 hours!  My teeth were literally chattering as I was making conversation with the girl controlling the chamber and ensuring I didn't freeze to death.  

FREEZE!!

I would definitely do it again!  Some of the health benefits it boasts is decreased inflammation, soreness, increased collagen production and accelerated metabolism along with others.  I did feel skinnier when I left but I'm sure it's because my body was still frozen and shrunken!  I would definitely recommend trying it once to see what you think. 

Pool season is also here and with temps above 90 for the next 4 months being outside is tough unless you are at the pool.  

More to come from travels to Michigan and Chicago next month! 

Follow Me on Instagram @grobaskimsu

Empire State of Mind

photo credit: @golden2dew

Wow what an amazing trip and great time to be in the NYC!  I flew up from Houston to spend time with 2 of my best girlfriends...1 of which is moving to Dubai! With so many people leaving the City Memorial Weekend and heading to The Hamptons or the Shore it was great to visit New York and move freely throughout...not to mention being able to secure reservations at some amazing restaurants!  

The trip started with a short train ride to the Botanical Gardens in the Bronx.  While only 20 minutes from Grand Central it feels like a million miles away.  From the Rose Garden to the Beer Garden this is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon.

Tijuana Picnic for dinner in the Lower East Side...awesome Mexican food!  The Mushroom and Goat Cheese Tacos and Shrimp Tacos with the corn and black beans sides were delish!  The sauces that came on all really made the meal!  Cool, casual, good music and vibe!

Super Cool Rooftop Brunch at Gallow Green at McKittrick Hotel!  This place is a must...the actual roof top is incredible and like no other set-up I've experienced in NYC, Chicago or Houston.  From little nooks and beautiful greenery to live music, this place has it all!  The food is buffet style with healthy options and not overwhelming.  The one draw back are the bathrooms...definitely room for improvement but over all this place is fabulous!

After brunch it was shopping in Soho and Gramercy Park!

photo credit: @golden2dew

End of a Beautiful Trip!

photo credit: @golden2dew

Final thoughts...Manhattan is a special place in the U.S. and World.  It's one of my favorite cities with so many amazing things to do.  Food, Fashion, Art, Diversity there isn't a better place to experience it all!  

Can't wait to share more with everyone this summer!

Follow Me on Instagram @grobaskimsu