Dear My Gorgeous Pretties,

How are you this week? Life in Mexico has been pretty sweet. HOT! but sweet all the same. All the vibrant colors and rich history, slow(er) pace of life, is a gentle reminder for me to stay present. Stay in the moment. Enjoy the joi de vivre. Which is hard sometimes when you’re trying to see the forest through the trees. But that’s why you have to remember to just breathe. And there are surprisingly a ton of vegan options which has simply delighted by pretty little haHt. I can’t wait to share these adventures with you next month. But no skipping ahead. Back to where we left off!

Adventures in the (quite literally iconic and) historic Forest Park took up the remainder of most of my days in St. Louis. Home to the Missouri History Museum, St. Louis Museum of Fine Arts, St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Science Center, the Muny (America’s largest & oldest outdoor musical theatre) Performing Arts Complex, and spanning over 1200 acres, this is the site where the infamous World’s Fair (aka the Louisiana Purchase Exposition) took place. Drawing over 20 million visitors from April to December 1904, and hosting 60+ countries and 43 of the then 45 American states, the lasting impact of the affair on the city’s influence in the field’s of arts, architecture, and sciences is undeniable, and the Missouri History Museum has a sensational exhibit that showcases all of it.

As with all the museums here (and elsewhere!) I took way too many photos and was so enthralled with virtually everything that I had to come back a second time to make sure I got it all. What can I say? I like to be thorough. But it was most definitely worth it.

When you come into the main entrance of the museum, you’re greeted with a giant marble statue of Thomas Jefferson directly in front of you

the History (kid’s) Clubhouse to your left

and the World’s Fair exhibit to your right.

Since we’re here, let’s take a peak inside!

Nerdy highlight for the fellow museum geeks out there, in this foyer before entering the exhibit, they have a quiz you can take to identify your museum persona. Of course I took it.

And then we enter the expansive two room exhibit of thee World’s Fair, inclusive of an almost room size mini replica of Forest Park, the grounds we’re on, where the fair took place.

*As you can see, the grounds were/are massive. I saw all the things but I know I still didn’t even see everything. That’s how big this park is.*

In front of the replica is an electronic display walking you through everything the fair had to offer from the food to the people to the art & architecture, and the African American & Philippine experience during the time. This was 1904 after all.

*Which tour would you like to go through together? The food? Of course, my little greedies…*

I love that it shows you where on the map each place was located within the park/fair. And what I found super interesting was the Ferris Wheel Diner! I’ll show you in a minute when we get to the other room just how big each car on the ferris wheel actually was because you think of a ferris wheel today and you’re like, No way that was hosting 60 person dinners, and weddings and horse and carriages! Yea. Yea, it actually was….

But let’s look at a couple more. Because I’m a sucker for art, let’s go with this one.

The Palace of Fine Arts is truly a magnificent place—what it today the St. Louis Art Museum—which we’ll get to next week. Don’t you worry your pretty little head.

Ok just one more before we move on.

St. Louis is 50/50 when it comes to the population of Black & White people. I appreciate how here, and in other exhibits, it doesn’t shy away from the historical injustices that blacks faced back then, and continue to deal with today. For my athletes out there, did you know George Poage was the first African American to win an Olympic medal? I sure didn't. Look at me learning new things at this big age. Who’da thunk it?

The walls of this room give us a closer look at some of the spectacle, covering the fair exhibits, the ladies fashion, the construction of the fair ground, and the fair as a cultural catalyst.

I can’t believe they did that to those babies 😔

Before we finish off with this room, let’s pop into the Ferris Wheel Room so I can show you just how massive these car sizes were. Talk about extravagant, daHling…

This room inside the room gives us a timeline of the contraption we refer to as the Ferris Wheel, with the surprising (at least to me) revelation that the person the wheel is named after was not in fact the inventor of the thing. The plot thickens…

Alright, let’s go check this thing out.

I promise you, this lady wanted to be in the video 😂 but here I am standing directly in the center of the room/car. The immediate view as I pan to the right is the view you would’ve seen overlooking the fairgrounds. I love how they make these displays look like a actual windows you’re looking through.

*Will you marry me in the Ferris Wheel, mi corazón?*

*Tell me seriously though, would you ride in one of these?*

We end this exhibit with the legendary impact the fair had on the culture, with America’s Sweetheart (the other one, not moi) Judy Garland starring in the 1944 MGM holiday classic, Meet Me in St. Louis, with the stage musical premiering at the Muny 16 years later.

*This architectural style (minus the porch) is still very prominent around St. Louis, particularly in the Forest Park area.*

Where should we meet next, Toots?

We journey across the way to check out the offerings for the littles, because well, everything I do is in service to the little me inside.

With floor to ceiling paintings and interactive exhibits for kids (of all ages) to enjoy, there was plenty in here to keep those little rascals occupied and the older ones engaged in a creative learning experience.

Feed the children.

You gonna take your (inner) munchkin here?

We sally forth to the inner corridor and the Made in St. Louis exhibit, which chronicles the life and history of St. Louisan’s (?) through music, paintings, fashions, photography, and scientific innovations.

*The St. Louis music scene—past, present, & future—is rich.*

*Did you know STL had so many food inventions? No wonder the 7UP Cake is a staple here. Tre delicious 😋*

*Just another way poetry has revolutionized the world*

*The Iron Lung, invented & used during the polio outbreak in the 1940’s to help children breathe. Kind of resembles that incubator from the World’s Fair don’t ya think?*

And because I haven’t included any men’s fashion…

We’ll end our tour here with a few snaps from the feature gallery highlighting the work of James Carrington, the first Black photographer for the St. Louis Globe-Democrat. An inspiring mini collection that reinforces the notion that pictures are worth a thousand words.

The exhibits end here, but even the hallways are bursting with art, facts & figures of the city’s heritage.

After all this incredible information, you have likely worked yourself up an appetite, and you’re in luck because there’s a cafe just upstairs.

I had a coffee date around the corner so I didn’t partake, but there were more than a handful of people enjoying their lunch. To the gift shop we go.

Great selections for adults, kids, teens, and everyone in between. Which Made in STL item you grabbing?

*Aside from not getting to the stadium, my second lament is not trying a St. Louis style pizza from city staple, Imo’s 😣*

I went out the back to get an alternate perspective and because I was heading over to grab a cuppuhhh from Forest Perk Cafe.

The staff was super friendly and knowledgable. I thoroughly enjoyed my two day escapade. Definitely worth an add to the to-do list if you’re passing through town, or you live there and have never been! Engaging, educational, exhausting :) in the most delightful way. Thank ya kindly.

From here I’m off to the visitor center which houses the Forest Perk Cafe. But first, views.

There’s also a golf course on the grounds here, as well as a tennis court, basketball court, and a ton of paths and quiet nooks and secret waterfalls for you to rest and relax, read a book, or take a nap while the ducks come up and harass you for encroaching on their territory. No pics but that did happen!

*The lady at reception was so sweet I wish I remembered her name. Gave me all the packets and pamphlets and maps and things to do around the park. Because of her, I did!*

Into the cafe we go for a quick perk me up before frolicking off to our next adventure.

Light, on the go menu with sandwiches, salads, snacks, and drinks.

I loved this paisley-esque wallpaper. The colors made it tranquil & inviting while the pattern was just busy enough to make the small space feel more spacious without overwhelming the senses. And I love me a good antique mirror.

Well, My Sweets, I got my cawfee and I just have one more stop to see Lionel Richie at the Muny before I let you go for the night.

Just kidding, I only caught the load out. I actually didn’t even know he was in town until I heard on the news he had a heat related incident, but I’m glad he’s alright!

The workers were kind enough to pretend like they didn't see a gorgeous black woman in hot pink go by them to get pics of the interior—America’s largest & oldest outdoor musical theatre. Looks like I gotta put on a show here…

Though I didn’t get to see a performance, the grounds were gorgeous.

But this is where I must bid you adieu. I hope you are having the most incredible week. Thank you for being on this journey with me. Whoever you are, wherever you may be, you could be anywhere in the world, but here you are with me. And I love that for you. And I love that for me. Tell me, what was your favorite thing, or what more would you like to see? I’d like to see you all same time next week. Stay blessed out there, will ya? And of course, God speed.

Love always (& besitos!),

Staying grateful through the ebbs & flows

The Forest Through the Trees

king me