Eighth Step: Audrey Hepburn ~Part Two- My Fair Lady~

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Audrey Hepburn was known in her early years for her film work and fashion. Later, she was known for her film work, fashion, and humanitarian work, becoming an ambassador for UNICEF. For our photo shoots it was impossible to choose just one look with such a long fashion history, so here is look 2 of 3, My Fair Lady. We attended Derby Day at Arlington Park for these photos. Everyone there was dressed up with their best hats on!

After planning outfits and buying tickets, making hats, we set off to the races! The day was finally here, and I was so excited, and really nervous. I didn’t know how I was going to get pictures with all the crowds or if she would even be cooperative once we got there. We got to the track and so many ladies wanted pictures of the girls and said how cute they looked that it really made her feel good and was happy to pose for pics. I got my camera out to finally start and…..no memory card! I had left it in my laptop! I didn’t have a back up either because I didn’t bring my full camera bag since I was going to have my hands full. Argh! I am very blessed with a loving and understanding husband. 🙂 He walked around the park that day propositioning people and finally found someone who sold him their memory card(this is after I suggested the gift shop carry them ;). Now the shoot could begin!

It was so much fun! They had a hat contest halfway through the races and there were some great ones! My girls were entered and were called up with all the other little girls as honorable mentions for pictures and interviewing. There were some really creative hats!

Buying that memory card was totally worth it and I’m so glad my husband had the nerve to do that for me! We got the address of the sweet woman and sent her the card back when we were done so she could have her pictures back. I was just happy to have been able to borrow it and she got a couple of extra mint juleps at the races, so it seems to have all worked out. 🙂

At Arlington Park on Derby Day, getting ready for the hat contest.
At Arlington Park on Derby Day, getting ready for the hat contest.
At Arlington Park on Derby Day, getting ready for the hat contest.
At Arlington Park on Derby Day, getting ready for the hat contest.
Being interviewed by the park correspondent for the hat contest.
Winner and honorable mentions at the hat contest.
With the track bugler.
A little pose in front of the horses getting ready to race.
Wouldn’t be a day at the races if you didn’t get to see a horse up close and personal.
It was a sunny day!
Heading out.
Waiting for Daddy to bring the car around.

Eighth Step: Audrey Hepburn

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Rolling right along, we’re continuing with another icon, Audrey Hepburn. Hepburn is well known for her acting chops and ethereal beauty was also a humanitarian. Like Chanel, she had a rough start in life but worked to make the most of the opportunities given her. Her childhood also kept her sympathetic to those in need and became an advocate through UNICEF. You can read more about Audrey here.

To kick off our studies of Audrey we looked to Roman Holiday for a little photo shoot inspiration. 🙂

Seventh Step: Julia Child ~Exploring~

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Julia Child has been so much fun to learn about! She was an amazing woman with such spirit and so inspiring! I’ve enjoyed reading her cookbooks, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. She was one of those people who just got it. I think that’s why she seemed so happy. She knew what was important and didn’t let anything hold her back!

Julia has inspired us to do a lot of cooking lately! We tried her incredible recipe for Potato Leek Soup. Who knew such a simple recipe could render such a wonderful, flavorful soup? We did add a bit of cream to it, and it is now a staple on cold days here in Chicago! We also have been taking monthly cooking classes at Marcel’s, a wonderful shop with talented chefs and fantastic classes, in downtown Glen Ellyn. The classes were so much fun for Beatrice to attend. They really do a wonderful job there with the kids. While there, Beatrice has made cherry cobbler(which we’ve made at home twice now since the class), pizza pinwheels, dips, sandwiches, salads, and decorated some yummy cupcakes. It’s been a joy for both of us.

We’ve had some other fun experiences too. We expanded our library while learning about Julia and picked up some new cookbooks and picture books that we’ve read and created from. Our love affair with Master Chef Jr. continues, but we also added some episodes of The French Chef with Julia Child into the mix as well. I still haven’t seen all of Julie & Julia, but it’s coming up! For links to all the shows and books mentioned, plus other Julia items, check out our Pinterest board, Julia

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Seventh Step: Julia Child ~Introduction~

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We have finally moved on to a new step! This winter has been long and cold in Chicagoland, and to keep warm, happy, and busy, we’ve been doing a lot of cooking! This naturally led us to Julia Child! Her spirit and lust for life is evident in her cooking style and exudes from everything she does. It’s been a pleasure learning about her, cooking with her, and taking a step in her shoes. 🙂

Sixth Step: Sacagawea ~Exploring~

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Part of the fun of learning about Sacagawea was taking a drive up to Astoria, OR to visit Fort Clatsop, Lewis and Clark’s final stop on their trek West. It was such an awesome experience to take a step back in time and to walk where Sacagawea and Lewis and Clark walked, and walk inside rooms where they slept, worked, and ate. Fort Clatsop is a U.S. National Historical Park, and the rangers there are some awesome people who really inspiring! They helped the kids learn about Fort Clatsop and the natural surroundings. The kids completed enough activities to be sworn in as junior rangers and received a patch, certificate, and badge in commemoration of the event!

Sixth Step: Sacagawea ~Introduction~

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To commemorate our adventures in the Pacific Northwest we chose Sacagawea as our next courageous lady! We went from just a few hours from the start of the Oregon trail to within an hour of the end, so it seemed rather appropriate. The Pacific Northwest is an awe inspiring part of the country, the geography is just breath taking. The Oregon Coast is stunning. There wasn’t a day we spent there that wasn’t filled jaw-dropping landscapes and sunsets. Adorable Native American costume and papoose purchased from MainstreetX. Please visit my Sacagawea Pinterest page for other purchases and educational ideas related to my Sacagawea posts!