Exploring Bloomington/Normal IL

One of my new year resolutions this year is to go on many adventures, minor or extravagant. That means saying yes to everything, meeting new people, and exploring different places. I've been studying at Illinois State University for about three years and haven't dived deep into downtown Bloomington and Uptown Normal. That was about to slightly change... My best friend Teagen and I chose the worst possible day to check out the towns and shops. Bundled up in sweaters and scarves, we were prepared for the below zero weather, heavy snowfalls, and strong wind.

We took a slight detour from our original destinations to reach our first stop. It was a new nutritious shake and tea called The Spot located on North Brook Rd. The Spot opened about a week ago and many locals and college students fell in love with their rich and interesting flavors. My shake of choice was S'mores. A 24 grams cup of protein filled with marshmallows, crumbled graham crackers, and chocolate syrup. So, if you're near and craving something sweet? This is a place to try!

Stop number two was downtown Bloomington. My visits here were only for the nightlife scenes and my boyfriend's hockey games, but never anything else. As we parked, Teagen and I noticed different murals. I love taking photos and these were definitely for the 'gram. After my phone decided to die on me because of how cold it was, we checked out their local boutiques, coffee shops, thrift shops, and bookstores. What caught my attention was this painting place called Merlet and A Masterpiece. They had canvases so customers could draw and paint whatever they want. I'm not the best artist, but that's something I would love to do on a warmer day.

The final stop was Uptown Normal! We checked out Waiting Room Records, a music store that was clustered with all genres. Waiting Room Records is a place where you can buy, sell, and trade your CD's. I love how music touches the souls of many and is able to bring people together. The last shop we looked at was Apricot Lane. A cute and vintage boutique with clothing, shoes, and accessories. My favorite stop just because I love clothes and shopping. I look at clothes the way an artist would look at paintings. You focus on the design, patterns, colors, and texture of the apparel. It's a way of communicating without using words.

Long story short, there were no regrets for being out in the cold. It's a day we can look back on, laugh and ask why today? This article doesn't capture half of the moments of our mini adventure.

Here's to many more adventure series to come so stay tuned.

Every day is a journey, so live the best life.