It's been a summer.

It's been a hell of a summer. And not all in a hella-good way. But I'm here and I'm still getting out. This weekend was Lollapalooza in Chicago and it's bigger than ever. Four days of non-stop music and bros in CamelBaks and Trixies (do we even call them that anymore?) in little more than bralettes.

If I never see another CamelBak or bralette it will be too soon. #lolla #lollapalooza

— Michelle Kopeny (@shellster129) July 31, 2016

There ARE great things about this festival, and I must love them more than I hate the negatives because I keep going back for more. This year a few of those things were Jane's Addiction, Grimes, Vic Mensa, HAIM, Con Brio and LCD Soundsystem, which were my favorite acts of the weekend. Getting there close to noon or 1 p.m. every day, I put in nearly 40 hours of music in just four days. I might be crazy, but I love the submersion where the only thing I really have to think about is what band I'm going to see next and how long it's going to take to get there. And when I'm going to eat. Fuel is important when you're walking 10+ miles a day.

Anyway, I think it might be impossible anymore for me to go to a music festival without sharing something about it, so here are the links to our 2016 coverage on Chicagoist (with Annie's awesome photos):

Lana Del Rey Closes Lollapalooza Day 1

Lollapalooza Day 2 Belonged To Radiohead And The Struts

Vic Mensa Gives A Show-Stopping Tribute To Laquan McDonald For Lolla Day 3

LCD Soundsystem And HAIM Close Out An Epic, Long Lollapalooza 2016

Party Proof Lips

Party Proof Lipstick in Kitty

I don't normally do beauty product posts, but I'm so into this lipstick that I use, I had to share. It's ModelCo's Party Proof Lipstick. ModelCo is an Australian company that I found is not super easy to get in the US, so that might add to it's allure. It's not super easy to find all products/colors on their website either, and since they ship directly from Australia, shipping is expensive (but you can get a discount when you sign up for their email list) (and pps, their lip products are half off right now).

The story starts with my sister's Birchbox (quick no-thanks to Birchbox for turning customers on to products that are nearly impossible to find again). She got the lipstick in the color Kitty and gave it to me. It's a neutral pink that gives my natural lip color just a little boost and looks great with my skin tone. The lipstick itself is a cream that stays moist on the lips, but still lasts and keeps the pigmented color. It also has a nice fresh scent, which isn't all that important, but a nice little perk. It's become my every day go-to. Here's the direct link to the product with a matching mini lip liner.

Even though it's hard to tell what colors really look like when shopping online, I took a chance and ordered the lipstick in Coachella Crush as well. It's a matte orange-coraly-red that's so-hot-right-now and I thought might look good with my skin tone--and be a nice addition to my summer look.

Busy Bee

I've been a busy bee this year! When I'm home, almost every hour of the week is filled with work, writing and studying (plus gym and yoga), but luckily I've been able to vacation quite a bit, too. It's been a challenge to budget my time so strictly, but it's nice to feel accomplished while still having time to really relax without feeling guilty that I should be working on something. 

Here are a few images from my recent trips to Mexico, Florida and Michigan:

San Miguel de Allende

Parroquia Arcangel in San Miguel

Got to see an old friend who lives nearby in Mexico.

Our pool at Beach Happy

On the beach in Port St. Joe, Florida

Port St. Joe

Goldberry Woods Bed & Breakfast in Union Pier, Michigan

Our room: Sassafras

Now Playing: "Born Again Teen"

I'm loving this song. I keep hearing it on 93XRT when I'm in the car (my new Beetle Bug!), and I'm not even in the car that much. At first I thought it was a new Annie Clark song, but it's Lucius. I remember walking past them at Lolla last year, and I liked their look, but I didn't know anything else about them.

They've got a show coming up at Metro, but it's sold out. Sadface. Maybe I can find a way to go!

Dads

Last week we came home to frozen pipes after a trip to Mexico (more on that coming soon), making for an unwanted dramatic end to a trip that already had plenty of it's own drama (thanks, United Airlines). The next morning that same pipe promptly burst after thawing out, and with no shutoff valve to our building (thanks, landlord) we spent the day with two plumbers and water spraying all over our basement. All is good in the end though, nothing was ruined and we have a four foot section of brand spanking new copper pipe. 

Situations like this aren't usually that bad since I'm pretty handy around the house, thanks to my dad. When I was younger, he was always showing me and teaching me stuff that I didn't care about at the time, but that knowledge sticks and when the shit hits the fan (literally or figuratively), you can access it when it counts. Like when your pipes bust and you need to act fast. I may never change my own oil again, or change a tire, but I could if I had to. I watched that guy finish our family home's basement all on his own, so I could tell you a thing or two about hanging drywall. 

So, when I was installing our new insulation around the new pipe, taking precautions Dad would be proud of, I decided to thank him. I don't talk to my family as often as I should, so I thought he would appreciate an out of the blue text. 

Thanks, Dad, for teaching me as much home repair stuff as you did.

Happy New Year!

Sisters together on Christmas.

Hope everyone had a nice holiday break! Mine was wonderful, I had just enough time to relax at home, spend time with family and friends and get a little bit of work done. Still lots to do though! 2016 will probably be another busy year as I work towards a few career and personal goals.

As for resolutions, I don't generally make any, though I suppose it's a good time to focus in on the improvements we're always trying to make in our lives. Here are some of the things I'm currently working on: read more, sleep more, more me-time, more focus and intent, more kindness towards myself and others and continuing my effort to eat healthy. Oh, and be more assertive and say what I want.