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Jess Turns Forty

A long weekend with your favorite people at The Songbird, New Buffalo

June 18 – 21, 2026
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Welcome

A weekend for Jess

We're celebrating Jess's 40th birthday with a long weekend at The Songbird — a beautifully designed 4-bedroom home tucked in the woods just 250 feet from Lake Michigan's private Sturgeon Beach.

Think cathedral ceilings with skylights, morning coffee on the screened porch, evenings around the fire pit, and golden-hour walks along one of the most beautiful stretches of shoreline in Harbor Country.

This is a weekend to slow down, be together, and toast to 40 spectacular years.

The Songbird at dusk
Private beach
Lakeside gathering
Reading by the water

The Details

Everything you need to know

Location

The Songbird

New Buffalo, Michigan
250 ft from private Sturgeon Beach
Managed by Juniper Holiday + Home

Arrival

Thursday, June 18

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM
Self check-in with door code
Address shared one week prior

Departure

Sunday, June 21

Check-out by 11:00 AM
Please strip beds before leaving
Cleaning service handles the rest

Getting There

~90 min from Chicago

Take I-94 East. Exit at Union Pier / New Buffalo. Detailed directions sent via email.

The House

4 Bedrooms · 2 Baths

Cathedral ceilings, skylights, open concept kitchen, wood-burning fireplace, screened porch, fire pit & hot tub.

Food Allergies & Dietary Needs

Allergy-Aware Kitchen

Several dietary needs in the group. All meals prepared with these in mind. See details below.

This is a Nut-Free Kitchen

Due to a serious nut allergy, no nuts or nut products of any kind are allowed in the house — including peanut butter, almond milk, granola with nuts, trail mix, Nutella, etc. Please check labels on any snacks you bring.

Nut Allergy — No Nuts Allowed Berry Allergy Mango Allergy Gluten-Free 2 Vegetarians

All shared meals are nut-free, berry-free, and mango-free with gluten-free and vegetarian options at every meal.

The Weekend

Four days of golden-hour magic

Everything is flexible — consider this a gentle guide, not a rigid itinerary.

Thursday

June 18
4:00 PM

Arrive & Settle In

Self check-in, claim rooms, explore the house

5:30 PM

Beach Walk

Sturgeon Beach — golden hour on Lake Michigan

7:00 PM

Welcome Dinner

Casual grazing, wine & catching up

9:00 PM

Fire Pit & Hot Tub

S'mores, stars, and celebration begins

Friday

June 19
9:00 AM

Slow Morning

Coffee on the screened porch, breakfast at the house

11:00 AM

Three Oaks Day Trip

Coffee shops, boutiques, small-town charm

2:00 PM

Beach Afternoon

Private beach — reading, swimming, sunning

6:30 PM

Dinner Out

Local favorite in New Buffalo (reservation TBD)

9:00 PM

Hot Tub & Wine

Under the trees, under the stars

Saturday

June 20
8:30 AM

Farmers Market

Fresh produce, flowers, local finds

10:30 AM

Nature Hike

Warren Woods — old-growth beech-maple forest

1:00 PM

Lunch at the House

Build-your-own with farmers market finds

3:00 PM

Free Time

Beach, hot tub, naps — dealer's choice

7:00 PM

Jess's Birthday Dinner

The main event — toasts and cake

10:00 PM

Dance Party / Fire Pit

Playlist by the birthday girl

Sunday

June 21
9:00 AM

Farewell Brunch

One last beautiful meal together

10:30 AM

Pack Up

Strip beds, tidy up, final beach walk

11:00 AM

Check-Out

Until next time, friends

The Crew

The women making this weekend happen

Jess

The Birthday Girl

Lincolnshire

Abby

Met in Kindergarten

Portland

Sreela

Met in College

Chicago

Meredith

Met on Canoe Trip

Dallas-ish

Lisa

Met via Jess E/Lakes

Deerfield

Amy

Met via My Pelvis

Deerfield

Jess E

Met on Arts Junior Board

Chicago

FAQ

Questions you might have

What should I bring as a gift?
Your presence is the gift! A bottle of wine or handwritten note would be lovely, but no pressure.
Can I bring snacks from home?
Yes — but please check all labels. Absolutely no nuts or nut products are allowed in the house. This includes peanut butter, almond milk, granola with nuts, trail mix, Nutella. When in doubt, leave it out.
Can I bring my dog?
The Songbird does not allow pets, unfortunately.
What's the parking situation?
Driveway parking at the house with overflow on the street. Carpooling from Chicago encouraged!
What's the beach like?
Sturgeon Beach is a private association beach 250 feet from the front door — quiet, uncrowded, beautiful. Bring your own towels and a beach chair.
Is there a hot tub?
Yes! It's in the wooded backyard — perfect for evening soaks under the trees.
Do I need to bring linens?
Bed linens and bath towels provided. Bring your own beach towels. Washer/dryer available.
What if I arrive late or leave early?
Totally fine — just let us know for meal planning and room assignments. Door code works anytime.

What to Bring

Packing recommendations

June in Michigan — warm days, cool evenings. Think linen, layers, lake life.

Beach & Outdoors

  • Beach towels (bath towels provided)
  • Swimsuit(s)
  • Sunscreen SPF 30+
  • Sunglasses & sun hat
  • Walking / hiking shoes
  • Sandals or flip flops
  • Light jacket for evenings
  • Bug spray

Clothing

  • Casual daywear — linen, cotton, layers
  • One nicer outfit for birthday dinner
  • Cozy loungewear for mornings
  • Warm layer for fire pit evenings
  • Rain jacket (just in case)

Personal Essentials

  • Toiletries (basics provided)
  • Medications
  • Phone charger
  • Book or Kindle
  • Portable speaker
  • Camera

Nice to Have

  • A bottle of your favorite wine
  • Nut-free snacks (check labels!)
  • Card or board game
  • Journal or sketchbook
  • Yoga mat (backyard mornings)
  • A handwritten note for Jess

The House

The Songbird — your home for the weekend

4 bedrooms, cathedral ceilings, skylights, a wood-burning fireplace, screened porch, and private beach access.

The Songbird
Outdoor Spaces - Porch & Firepit
The Songbird2
Kitchen
Porcelain counters & prep island
The Songbird2
Primary Bedroom
Vaulted ceilings & natural light
Lake Michigan
New Buffalo Mansion
The Songbird2
Hot Tub
4 Bedrooms
Lakeside
Lakeside moments
Reading
Quiet corners
Beach
Your private getaway for the weekend
View full listing on Juniper Holiday + Home →