It's Summer!

Welcome to the best time of year in Chicago. It was absolutely gorgeous this past weekend and everyone was out to celebrate. My friend Rochelle, hosted us at her rooftop for the first one of the summer. We enjoyed some Summer Shandy's while soaking up the sun before heading to our first festival of the summer, Mayfest.

If you haven't heard of them already please go check out Too White Crew. They are a great 90's cover band that played the last leg at Mayfest on Saturday.

It was the perfect start to the summer filled with festivals every weekend. Here is a list of the rest for the summer:Festival List

Thirsty Thursday & 24hr Mexican Diner

Hello Everyone!

Happy Thirsty Thursday! We have almost made it through this dreadful, rainy week and the weekend is almost upon us! I thought I'd share some fun photos from the Shopper Marketing Effie Awards from Tuesday night (which explains why I was MIA the last few days), where my team brought home GOLD for our Shopper Marketing Campaign for Depend.

The blood, sweat and tears that went into the program and creating the submission where completely worth it when we went up on stage!

It was a great night and I'm so proud of our whole team!

Now, on to a very important topic!!! I could not believe the email when this came through this AM.. a 24-HOUR Mexican Diner.. please take me there.

Autentico 5 de Mayo, just opened where they're blending Mexican and American fare like banana pancakes, mole burritos and cheese-stuffed orange Suzette blintz. The biggest question, is when will I get to try this out! They're located on Clark just north of Belmont and open all the time :)

Here is the link to the full menu that I cannot wait to try: http://assets3.thrillist.com/v1/image/726159

Instead of catching a cubs game, or before or after, go ahead and Check this place out!

Move over Google Glass: Epiphany Eyewear

Welcome back from the weekend everyone. It is a sloppy Monday morning here in Chicago and most of us, including me, would have preferred to just roll over and not come into work. It was a gorgeous weekend, weather-wise but now the April showers have begun.

While exploring online last night I came across these Epiphany Eyewear. They might just replace your current Toms or Ray Bans. They are a new line of "designer smart glasses" with a computer, 32MB of storage and an HD video camera built seamlessly into its frames and lenses. The lens also turn from dark to clear the the press of a button. They look and sound insane and are actually available to purchase now, unlike the Google Glass that have yet to be released.

The glasses will set you back roughly $400 but still have the Wayfarer-esque frames.

They're pretty unbelievable and still look pretty stylish but until TOMS partners with them, I think I might be sticking with my non-tech sun glasses.

Have a great day everyone!

Get ready to be Rescued...

Happy Thirsty Thursday!

Are you ready to be rescued...??

Check this out: Rescue Me

Just the perfect addition to this Thursday. It will put you in a great mood and leave you wanting just a little more.

Now Open: Frimson on Armitage

Happy Hump Day!

Today officially marks the opening of the new store for Madewell on Rush!! I'm thrilled that they took over the space from Starbucks but will now have to avoid on my Spring and Summer walks home from work if I want to keep any money!

There is also another great boutique that opened last week on Armitage, Frimson. Located just east of Halsted, alongside my friend's boutique Comfort Me.

Frimson comes from mixing crimson and fuchsia. The owner's husband came up with the idea and stated that it describes her clothing perfectly. She wanted to bring women clothes that are sophisticated yet feminine.The Frimson label clothing is handmade to Western standards and embellished with Eastern flair as well as new generation designers like Eva Franco, Rauol, Waverly Grey and Yoga jeans. The prices rand from $80 for light, flowy dresses and $300 for fancy tops.

To introduce us to the boutique, they're offering a discount off all first purchases during April and May!! I cannot wait to go and stop in this weekend and browse their merchandise.

Weekend Recap

Hey Everyone!

I'm back in Chicago and ready to take on this crazy week. It was nice to be home this past weekend for a short trip but a little stressful!

My sister said "Yes to her Wedding Dress" on Saturday :) No pictures are allowed to be shared and it will be a secret from here on until the Day in December. She looked absolutely stunning and I cannot wait to she her in the dress on her Wedding Day.

My Mom, Sister and my Brother were able to celebrate Easter together on Sunday and here is a quick picture of us before Church.

Sue Babe loved having us kids all home together under one roof for the two days and I loved being home.

One of my good friends also got engaged this past weekend while away on Vacay!! So excited for Taylor and Kip!!

This week I'll be checking out some new restaurants and shops in Chicago and will be sure to report back.

Have a great Tuesday Everyone! Stay Warm!

Happy Easter!

Happy Friday Everyone!

I'm off to CT in a few short hours but I did want to wish everyone a Happy Easter!

This one is for the ladies...

New Beer in Chicago

Happy Thirsty Thursday!!

Check out the new Beer in Town  Ale syndicate

Brought to you by two Chicago brothers that just moved back after their success in Oakland with Lucky Hand Brewing. Their first release, the aforementionded Richie Imperial Porter, now at 24 bars and restaurants in town (Big Star, Owen & Engine et al). It is a great beer to drink during these last cold days/nights before it starts to really warm up.

They are finishing their production facility and taproom in Logan Square. That should be done later this year, and will be perfect to relax on the sunny patio, sipping their India pale ale, Municipal. They will also be offering a perfect bar for BBQ, Sunday Session, a crisp and hoppy ale.

They will be at the Beerfest here in Chicago this week. Someone please check it out and let me know what you think while I'm back on the East Coast!

Here is their website to read a little more: http://alesyndicate.com/

SideCar App--Need a Ride?

Happy Hump Day Everyone!

I came across this new app and thought I would share around. I will make sure to try and let you know if it's good, but if anyone tries before me, please share!

On Friday and Saturday nights we're always looking for a lift, well now we have this handy app, Side Car. You request an "instant ride share  with your smartphone, then monitor the driver who accepts it coming to get you in real time, or track their progress via text, email or social media.

You can also be a driver. They do a check on you to make sure you have a safe record/actual car. You can start earning extra cash by offering up rides to strangers/tech-savvy friends who'll be surprised to see you. Payment is voluntary (thought a donation is suggested) and all conducted via phone.

They're just starting out on Friday and Saturday nights to see how it goes, but should expand along with the community of drivers and riders and will stay if the reviews, which you can review through the app, are positive.

Might need to try this but probably not by myself. Who's interested?

Weekend Recap

Happy Monday Everyone!

I have a serious case of the Mondays after arriving back from Vegas last night. I have a few pictures to recap but most of the stories will stay in Vegas. It was a great time celebrating one of my best friends who is getting married at the end of June. We stayed at the MGM in the new tower and the rooms were huge and perfect for us. The Wet Republic at the MGM is a must for people watching and if you're a lady please be sure to hit up all of the random promoters that come by your table while you're eating breakfast to cure your hangover. We managed to get free bottle services every night at all of the clubs.

The cutest goodie bags for us when we arrived from the Matron and Maid of Honor

All of the ladies at Pure our last night

 My favorite Bachelor party group at the Wet Palace on Friday

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Lots to chat about this week.

Weekend Guide: Off to Vegas

It's Thursday! Only two more days, well 4 hours for me, but who's counting!

I'm excited to see what happens with the basketball over the next couple days, I don't have a set team but always root for the upsets and underdog to win it all! How is everyone's brackets looking? I need to think of some that I will bet on while I'm in Vegas. Suggestions are welcome!

Here is a fun thing to do over the weekend in between the bar hopping while watching the games.


Randolph Street Market Spring Fling
What: The mega bazaar flips your bargain-hunting switch with more than 200 antiques dealers, indie designers, and modern vintage vendors.
Why: Fresh picks for the new season.
When: Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Plumbers Hall, 1340 W. Washington St., at Ada St.(312-666-1200). Tickets ($8) at randolphstreetmarket.com


I'm off to Vegas to celebrate with Katie and the girls for her last fling before the ring. It is going to be madness in Vegas with the games but we'll be sure to get ourselves into a little trouble.

Aw we look so innocent here for our dress fittings! Can't wait for the wild weekend with the ladies!

Belated Weekend Recap & New on the Scene

Hello Everyone! Happy Hump Day :)

I'm off to Vegas at Noon tomorrow for a friend's Bachelorette party! Thank goodness, this frigid weather to welcome the first day of spring is a joke!

Here are some  pictures from the weekend celebrating St. Patrick's Day & St. Paddy's Day!

 I always love seeing the river green!

 Two of my favorites that celebrated with me

One of our all time favorite bars.. Butch McGuire's decorated in style

Now I have a new bar that is a must try!!

  AMERICAN JUNKIE

This is going to be a cross between Benchmark and Pour House. It is a 320-seat, two-floor industrial barstaurant sporting a retractable skylight roof and American flags carved on the tables, etched onto bar stools and occupying an entire wall of the upstairs with also a massive 16ft HDTV. The 2nd floor overlooks Hubbard and will be the perfect summer spot once it finally starts to get warm!

Chef Kendal Duque will be serving up meatiness and here are some preview pictures that are sure to make your mouth water.

The bar will have about 40 different wines and 26 draft beers, with private label of each. The one featured above is the Sunset Blvd and features vodka, prosecco, lime and a coiled cucumber.

I'm still curious on the actual opening date but here is the full menu to look through

MENU

I'll let you know when I'm headed to try it out and when we can storm the scene!

Happy Spring!

Club Bub

Happy Friday Everyone!

I am so excited for the weekend and I've only worked three days this week (technically). I have a funny review to share with you today before we all get prepared for the madness that is St. Patrick's Day weekend in Chicago!

The ladies and I decided last minute yesterday to meet up for some drinks and dinner and I was dying to go back to Bub City, since I don't quite remember everything about it when we went after the Miami game at 3pm. Well, let us tell you to ALWAYS make a reservation whenever you go!

We arrived at 7pm (probably the worst time) and I put my name in and she said about an hour wait and we could go to the bar. We were catching up and soon enough an hour and a half went by, and we were HANGRY. People kept pouring in and we still weren't seated. Finally one of our friends left about 9:15 and we were called up 5 minutes after she left. We were relieved for a second before we were sat at this tiny table that was surrounded by people at the bar.


If the food wasn't amazing we would have left after a 30 minute wait but we did get to enjoy of food for a minute before wrapping up the rest and heading home just after the live band started. Who does Rachel Timberlake think she is, she was performing and was nothing like Justin!


The bar is amazing and the food is even better but just note to make a reservation to save you from the misery we went through!

Make sure to order a side of Mac and cheese as well as the fried pickles, they are both mouthwatering! We did learn a new free app to download that I highly recommend when a gentleman asked us to help him out with it at the bar.

If you want to give 4 pictures and a word a try here is the link:App 4 pics 1 word

Have a great St. Patrick's Day weekend everyone! I will sure to have some great pictures of the neon green river for the weekend recap! Cheers!

Happy Pi Day!

Hello All!

Happy Pi Day! 3.14 Day means a lot to me, Sue Babe's Birthday, Patrick's Birthday and yummy pi(e)s of Pizza and sweet pies!

Cheers to Sue Babe! I celebrated be Birthday Tuesday night before I left to come back to Chicago and hope she's having a nice and relaxing day, much like our rum punches in Barbados!

Here is a great deal if you're staying in tonight but still want to take part in Pi day!!

To celebrate, get a 9" one ingredient Cutie Pie Pizza at HomeMadePizza for just $3.14!!

Congrats to Alpana Singh

Hello Friends!

I have been absolutely terrible about posting and I will make sure to change that today! Quick post before heading back to the grind but this is an exciting congrats!

A BIG Congrats to Alpana Singh for the only Chicagoan named to Food & Wine's annual Sommeliers of the Year List.

Great article here on why she won: http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/sommeliers-of-the-year-2013

So excited for her and I'm sure her BFF Connor will be celebrating with her if he hasn't already!

I leave you with this gorgeous picture that my Dad took this morning of a chilly NYC morning from the hospital.

Have a fabulous Monday everyone! 

Le Tote: A must try!

Happy Friday Everyone!

I have the best new find for us ladies :)

Let me reveal Le Tote. It is similar to Stitch-Fix but you get to actually pay $49 for unlimited totes for the month and wear the clothes until you no longer want them! This sounds absolutely fabulous. I wish I could share an experience for the totes but I'm still on the waiting list. I will be sure to update when I have my first one!


Have a great weekend everyone! I have one of my favorites visiting from CT with her Fiance as well as my brother for the big Miami Hockey game on Sunday!

Go Redhawks!!

Happy LOVE Day

Happy Love Day everyone! Whether your single or attached you need to celebrate the love of your friends, family and partners. I'm excited to spend dinner with some of my favorites with my favorite Chef Sharon and lots of wine flowing.

I was going to be making Cupcakes for a friend's Birthday this weekend to celebrate belatedly but he won't be here this weekend in Chicago for our Miami Hockey game so they became Valentine's and Miami cupcakes.

I cannot wait for the big game on Sunday. My friends and I are re-living our four years all week with playlists of the top hits during our four years. Yes it sounds so sad but it's too fun to relive.

We'll be pre-gaming at the crack of dawn on Sunday to our favorite jams before heading over to Soldier field for the Noon start :) GO REDHAWKS!

Wishing everyone a wonderful LOVE day! 

XOXO

Nashville Recap

Howdy Ya'll, the ladies and I headed down to Nashville for a fun ladies getaway trip two weekends ago. It was so much fun! We painted the town and were thoroughly entertained ever second even up to the hour before we left for the airport. Here is a quick recap of where we went but it doesn't even go into all the details on where we ventured!

We arrived on Friday AM via Southwest and went straight to get our nails done and get the tea on what to do in Nashville. Monique was my nail technician and was hilarious. Great manicure and the best recommendations throughout Nashville. I highly recommend you checking out the Nail salon in the Arcade if you need a little pampering and entertainment to start off your trip!

Next we ventured to Jack's BBQ on Broadway and it did not disappoint! Our friend at the hotel had said.. "I mean I don't know about you ladies but I love BBQ" and he was right to steer us to Jack's. Here is a taste of what we ordered. Just note that everyone in Nashville does not really talk while they're eating and they did not enjoy us gabbing away while eating and talking about everywhere we wanted to go!

 Pulled pork, green beans, Coors light and their "veggie" aka Mac and Cheese

This is a must to visit if you like BBQ

Next we walked up to the Ryman and the Country Music hall of fame to see the star row outside since the museum was closed. We loved touring the Ryman and seeing the clothes from all of the past stars and sat in the rows that are still the originals.

 We left our history lesson and ended up going into Honky Tonk Central on Broadway to take in our first live music bar. We were entertained here by some already blacked out friends dancing to the music. It was phenomenal and a great way to start off our night at 3pm.

After a few sweet teas, we stumbled back up to the hotel to change for our night at the Grand Ole Opry! That was one of the highlights of the trip for me! We got to see Carrie Underwood along with 6 other bands for only $40 which is insane! It was gorgeous inside and everyone starred at us here because we stalked up on tall boys before we sat down so we wouldn't have to go back.. typical yankees.

 All my pictures of Carrie are here as a glow doll because of her gorgeous Yellow dress. 

Next place was a stop on Broadway! Legends was our favorite of the night :)

Saturday was filled with walking around to the Gulch neighborhood with a stop at Two Old Hippies, Whiskey Bar and the Union Hotel. It was kind of a rainy day but we made the most of it. There is a free bus that takes you to the Gulch neighborhood for free, but you can really walk. Two things we learned in Nashville, they do not like walking and they do not wear coats!

 Much needed bloody's

 Their Rain gear for the day

 My Favorite neighborhood to say

 The Union Hotel

Saturday night brought on our favorite band in the city. We thought Legends was the best on Friday but little did we know Mista Davis was at Honky Tonk Central on Friday and Saturday night. We all fell in love with the band and especially him. He played Ms. Virginia for us and it was perfect. He was a great cover band and the lead girl singer was amazing as well. It was a great end to the night because it took us a little bit to get started.

We were in the front row

Sunday was a little lazy getting started and we got more BBQ and walked around a bit. We ended our Nashville trip with watching Beyonce rock the Superbowl Halftime show before almost missing our flight back to Chicago.

We're hoping to go back very soon when it is a bit warmer. The cowboys were very welcoming and almost too entertaining at some parts. If anyone is ready to make a trip soon, sign me up!