Friday Finds on Mackinaw Road: Venmo, Viceroy Hotels, and a Cabin Update

Hi Everyone! Happy Spring (a little late). Here are some of the Friday Finds I’m loving this week.

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Venmo– To say I was hesitant to use this app would be an understatement. I hemmed and hawed but finally gave in because we went in on a parent gift with my husband’s sisters and they both use it and, well, it was pretty darn convenient. Then, I started asking babysitters if they used it… and most did! Again, it was pure convenience to text when we were five minutes away and then send payment via Venmo. On top of that, sometimes our families have events to attend when watching our kids while we are out of town, so we get a babysitter. The babysitter texts her hours and I pay from thousands of miles away. No fuss, no muss. I also think this would be perfect for travel with friends, couples, and/or family when splitting restaurant checks or settling up for a hotel room.

Viceroy Hotel in Chicago– I love it! I may need to lobby for them to get a huge Christmas tree in, well, their lobby during the holidays so we can stay there then too. Everything about this hotel feels luxurious. It was recently updated as it used to be the Cedar Motel back in the days when I lived in the Windy City. It always looked like Spring Break Central as I briskly walked by on the way to class at the time. Now, it looks modern, elegant, and upscale. There is a stylish restaurant, Somerset (get the avocado toast) attached to the hotel and a rooftop bar as well. Should you decide to venture out, you step immediately out onto State Street with great shopping and restaurants. Given that we often enjoy walking up to Lincoln Park to reminisce or take our children to the zoo, it is at the right end of Michigan Avenue for that as well. Two possible sites to book on are here or here.

Cabin Update- We bought a staple gun! I feel like this officially makes us handy. After reading some tutorials, we installed the carpet runner in just two-hours. I’m so proud of us! I also love the money we saved by purchasing two of these runners and a no-slip grip. While my husband took over the stairs, I started to lay the flooring in the entry level bathroom. (Oh, and our kids made fake ice cream out of ribbon and wallets out of ribbon and packing tape- it’s amazing the creativity that occurs when there isn’t a TV option!).

If you’re heading out for Spring Break (or even if you aren’t), don’t forget to check out these travel tips, this free printable and this one, these book suggestions, spring clothes for kids, what to wear on a plane, and spring capsule styles for women (I’d also add these flattering pants to the list) as well as some easy road trip ideas for kids and the best spring break beaches. 

That’s it for now! I hope you have a great weekend!!