Merry Christmas/Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas all! Today is the McIntyre's Christmas here in CT. We're celebrating a few days early before we head out to Barbados tomorrow. We are all so excited to spend so much time as a family this Holiday.

I have tons of places to make a huge start when we return in January!! Here is a few that I cannot wait to try.

The Boarding House in River North:

Bub City in River North. For a little Country flare :)

The Local. Reminds me of America restaurant in NYC!

I have so many and hearing more from friends! I just can't wait to celebrate 2013 with all of you! Wishing everyone a very safe and happy holidays!!

Belated Weekend Recap

Happy Hump Day all!

It has been quite a week and it's only Wednesday :)

I'm back East tomorrow morning, if all goes well with the snow and can't wait. We're heading home to celebrate Christmas before jet setting to Barbados on Saturday. My life and body need a rest from work and I cannot wait to spend a whole two weeks with my family. It's long overdue and cannot come at a better time.

Here is a quick recap on the weekend.

Celebrated with lots of friends for some holiday celebrations!

 The old crew reunited with Buddy!!

Love and Honor

Then we went to nail some nails in a big stump!

We did not end up taking pictures at the third party which is probably a blessing in disguise.

Sunday we went to 10pin for some holiday bowling. They have the best deal on Sundays. Just $15 for 3-hr unlimited games and shoe rental. Highly recommend it!

Wrightwood during the Holidays is my favorite!

 My last JETS bombs of 2012 (too bad they didn't help the team for Monday night)

My Favorite showing us his other half (lesbian haircut)

Stay tuned for a quick Wish-List of all I want to try in 2013 before I sign off for the year!

Spreading Christmas Cheer: Recipe for the weekend

Happy Friday Everyone!!

Boy has it been quite the week. My head can't stop pinning but I cannot wait for the festivities this weekend! I wanted to share with you my favorite cookie recipe that I make for all of those near and dear to me over the holidays. It's my way of sharing some love with everyone.

Peanut Butter Balls:
(makes about 100)

They seem quite simple but it does take a lot out of you after you make about 300 or 400 each year :)

1 Stick of Butter or margarine
18oz of chunky peanut butter
1 box of confectioners sugar
3-31/2 cups of rice crispies
1/4 stick of parafin or vegetable shortening
18oz of milk or dark chocolate

Soften the stick of butter and add in the peanut butter, box of sugar and mix well. Add in the rice crispies and have mixed well roll into balls. Refrigerate. Melt 18oz of chocolate and parafin. Dip balls in chocolate, and freeze for 5-10 minutes. Store in an airtight container and enjoy!

My co-workers at work call these "crack balls" because of the amounts of sugar. They are absolutely delicious!

I wish everyone a fabulous weekend! I hope you all get out to celebrate with those you love.

Opening Announcement: Little Goat Bread

Little Goat Bread Opens on Thursday!!!

I'm so excited for Little Goat to open the end of this month but we have some exciting news for those who want to try it out a little early.

Stephanie will open Little Goat Bread on Thursday, December 13th within the Little Goat Space:

Here are some facts about the venue within a venue:

• Little Goat Bread will serve morning pastries, soup and sandwiches for lunch, and freshly roasted Stumptown Coffee throughout the day. 

• The glass-enclosed bakery will also produce all of the breads for Girl & the Goat, Izard's award-winning restaurant located directly across the street.

• The retail shop located inside Little Goat Bread will include some of Izard's favorite finds, like honey from a locally sponsored bee farm, Izard's own maple syrup blend and Goat apparel and merchandise.

• The bar area will feature a selection of handcrafted cocktails and 12 small craft beers on tap at all times, starting with brews from Solemn Oath, Bells and Stillwater artisanal ales.

• The diner portion of Little Goat is slated to open later in December.


Someone please check out and report back!

Cozy up to Little Market Brasserie

All of this chilly weather makes us all want to cozy up on the couch but we have something to look forward to in January. Little Market Brasserie is opening in January and will be the perfect place to stop by for some comfort food.

It will echo the intimacy of a Parisian brasserie while still offering our favorite American comfort food. Brought to us by Mercadito Hospitality and Chef Ryan Poli, who traveled around 12 different cities looking for ideas and inspiration.

The Mac and Cheese already has star-quality, or so they say. The Chicagoist is already eyeing the New York Strip Steak with short rib-cognac poutine and cheese curds. I cannot wait to try it all!

There cocktails are brought to us by the Tippling Brothers and will center on sparkling pops, and wine as well as a large selection of beers. Could this place sound any better?

Be ready Gold Coasters, this might be the warm neighborhood spot that we've been waiting for!

Weekend Recap: Sue Babe in CHI

Hello Everyone! Happy Monday, I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I had a great time with my Mom this past weekend and we were walking fools! Here is a little taste of what we were up to. I hope everyone was able to try some of the new things I suggested around the city.

First Stop: Chicago Science and Industry Museum

Big Train in the entrance

 Trees around the world exhibit

 Charlie Brown Exhibit

It was my first time at the S&I museum and I highly recommend it. I used to think that it was just way too far south for me to get to without a car but the Red line and 6,10 & 2 buses take you right there. There is no excuse not to make it to the museum and the Charlie Brown exhibit before the holidays are over. It was so nice learning about Schulz and the creation of all of the characters. Brought back all of the inner kid in all of us!

We then spent some good time walking around State Street and ventured into Macy's to see their beautiful Tree.

We walked all the way home from Macy's and stopped into a few stores along the way including my favorite, Nordstrom. We stumbled upon the best sweater that everyone should own. I will have to post a picture and the details later this week but it is the perfect travel and snuggling sweater. Great for layering.


Sue Babe and I tried out the Pump Room on Friday night. I love their cocktails, appetizers and ambiance but the rest I could skip. I'll be back there to have a few drinks at the bar for sure!

Saturday we had another big day of walking and exploring the One of a Kind show in the Merch Mart. It was great to sample everything and take a look at all of the fabulous jewelry and inventions.  I'll share some of my favorites this week as well so you can check them out!

Saturday night we tried out Bavette's Bar and Boeuf which was delicious! The food was outstanding and the atmosphere is just divine  You feel as though you're back in the 20's. I highly recommend checking it out, especially if you're a big Boeuf fan :)

Sunday was a typical, gross day filled with lots of rain. That didn't stop Sue Babe and I because we walked the most yesterday! We headed up north to my all-time favorite breakfast spot Toast. We got an early start and were there just before 9am and if we had been any later I don't think we would have been so lucky. Toast is the perfect breakfast spot but because of it's popularity it's almost impossible to get in on the weekends after a certain time. We filled our bellies up with Pepper Eggs, Toast and a taste of their Gingerbread Pancakes and hit the pavement. We were in search of a new sleeper sofa to replace my current one that we purchased almost 4 years ago.

We were lucky enough to stumble upon the one below in Pottery Barn and I think it was meant to be. This beauty if being delivered this week and will be all set for all my upcoming visitors! No more crazy times trying to pullout and put back the old one. This bed is almost better than my actual bed!

If only we had this couch to watch all of our Homeland episodes this weekend! Last night was so intense I could hardly sleep! I can't believe the season finale is this weekend. I might have to keep watching the whole season over and over again until it comes back.

It was such a fun Mom-Daughter weekend and it went by way too fast! I love having my Mom in town. Thank goodness I'll be heading back east in less than two weeks and then heading off to vacation with the whole Family. Hears to two more weeks of work! We can do it! Have a fabulous day everyone.

Weekend Guide

Hey Everyone, just thought I'd send through some fun weekend options! Sue Babe arrives tonight and we'll be going all around the city trying most of the below :)

TONIGHT:

Shop FETE:
The hot new nighttime food and design event celebrates its debut with a holiday gift-giving extravaganza.
Why: Complimentary bubbly, along with Bang Bang Pie Shop, Publican Quality Meats, Martyn George, City Lit, and Mindy Segal — to name a few.
When: Thurs., 6-10 p.m.
Where: Room 1520, 1520 W. Fulton St., at Justine St. (312-952-1520). Tickets ($5) at eventbrite.com

Shop Trunk Show Holiday Shopping Event:

Come out to support my friend Teresa  to buy gifts for everyone on your list! Peruse offerings from Trunk club along with participating vendors including Perchance, Dana Rebecca Designs, Shred451, Belly Dance Maternity, Berco's Popcorn and Vosges Haute-Chocolate while enjoying food from 25 Degrees.

WHEN: Tonight, from 6-9pm and Saturday, December 8th from 10am - 3pm

WHERE: Trunk Club headquaters on 325 W. Ohio Street in the River North Neighborhood of Chicago

The event is free and open to the public. The first 300 guests in attendance will receive gift bags compliments of the Trunk Club team and participating vendors

Shop First Thursday of the Month at Comfort Me

Come out to support another good friend Alyssa at Comfort Me for their Sale tonight and extended hours :)

WHEN: Tonight from 6pm -9pm

WHERE: 701 W. Armitage

Receive a free gift with every purchase.

Three great events to start on those Christmas Shopping list :)

Also this weekend the ONE OF A KIND Show will be here at Merchandise Mart. I went last year and it is truly a fabulous event. You can find a gift for everyone on your list and support local/etsy vendors. Always a win-win.

Hours: Thursday, December 6  11am-8pm 

Friday, December 7        11am-8pm
Saturday, December 8   10am-7pm
Sunday, December 9     10am-5pm

For the rest of the weekend:

Topshop/Topman Pop-Up Shops

Thurs. Dec. 6-Sat. Dec. 8, 1 p.m.-closing
1925 N. Halsted St.

Get in the holiday spirit at the Topshop/Topman pop-up store on Halsted this weekend. Enjoy in-store DJ sets, free nail art, and happy hour starting at 5 p.m.!

Holiday Tea at the Drake

Daily through New Year’s Eve, various times
The Drake Hotel, 140 E. Walton Place

Grab your best bud or favorite niece and treat her to a ultra-chic tea at The Drake Hotel. Each seating lasts approximately an hour and a half and reservations are recommended.

I'm heading out to see the Charlie Brown Exhibit at the Science and Industry Museum as well as a trip to the Aquarium with Sue Babe!

Wishing Everyone a Fabulous weekend! I'm taking the day off tomorrow to enjoy some time with my Mom and our lovely City!

Daily Method to Open in Lincoln Park

Hello Ladies!!

Get ready because Daily Method is about to invade Lincoln Park in the New Year! I'm beyond thrilled about this and a little sad because their studio is going into Belden Plaza just a hop, skip and a jump from my old place. Oh Well, I still plan to make an appearance as soon as they open on January 15th!

Check out this great article: Lincoln Park gets Hotter

You can visit the their current locations in Wicker Park and Bucktown until the big opening :)