Make it Pop! (Portage Park)

“Nothing is more memorable than an aromatic smell. One scent can be unexpected, momentary and fleeting, yet conjure up a childhood summer beside a lake in the mountains.” – Diane Ackerman

Late August, that fleeting phase in summer when breezy wind garners coolness as it seeps through lavish meadows and neighborhoods. Those moments when a budding flower dilly-dallies in it effervescent glow, basking in the summertime heat before bidding adieu to the last glimpse of warmth and sunshine. Though glorious and short-lived, my summer in Chicago was filled with journeys ventured through neighborhoods distinct in historical architecture and cultural flair. From the 1800’s renaissance villas in Roscoe Village, to the opulent stone-clad mansions in Gold Coast, the mass history behind the rudimentary framework and preservation of human-scaled architecture is notably rich and revered. The Windy City is filled with little trinkets of adventure readily available to be discovered by locals and tourists alike, and though momentary and fleeting it may be, summer has conjured up the opportunity for me to put on my “Feline Creatures” traveling shoes and explore little hidden gems to share with you, one lucid story to another 🙂

Concrete buildings and stone-cobbled floors aside, I’d like to sidestep the bustling city today and bring you to a lush green estate called Portage Park. Marked as the “Villa District of Irving Park”, this 37-acre recreational area was created by Clarence Hatzfeld who’s known for designing the Prairie and Craftsman-style bungalows in this residential area four miles north of the Loop. The name was coined from nearby routes used by Native Americans and fur traders to portage their canoes between the DesPlaines and Chicago Rivers. Did you know that Portage Park got its bearings as a water sport advocate? Yes in 1960 a new pool was built for the Pan American Games, and in 1972 the park hosted the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, where Gold Medalist Mark Spitz set new world’s records. Walking past the lush landscaping and prairie-style field houses, I came across the Nature Walk area surrounded by white flagstone and florals. Reminiscent of the Rock House, there were still seats throughout the half circle structure of the cobbled entrance. Simple yet vivid in historical flair, I sat in silence and watched the bees humming in a near distance. Ponder as I sat. Zen as I was.

In my outfit today I wanted to resonate with the effervescent state of mind I was in and how it contrasted with my surrounding. Though the garden was primitive and simple, much like my black and white billowy trousers, my thoughts were brimmed with new, creative ideas. Glowing. Nascent. Uninhibited. In essence like the robust intensity of my orange top. I chose this outfit because I wanted to reflect on the last days of summer, one statically filled with brilliance, warmth and adventures yet to be taken. Given my pants were minimal in design, which make it a great pairing item with other loud colors like blood orange and fuchsia pink, I worked in this top to keep it the focal point of my ensemble. Shoes were neutral, and bags were basic colors of black and white. There you go, the last fleeting days of summer, make it POP!

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Xoxo~ Lena

Top: H&M// Pants: Francesca’s// Shoes: Nine West// Bag: Marc Jacobs// Sunnies: Prada// Bracelet: Boutique in Bangkok

Credits: Jason J Photography http://jasonjphotography.zenfolio.com