An Ode To Donuts

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As mentioned in my previous post, we had quite the feast on Saturday, including homemade donuts contributed by one of our buddy’s girlfriends.  I just ate another one and realized I had to give some serious blog love to 1) donuts and 2) Erin.

Baked (not fried), holiday themed, 3 bite sized, delivered right to my door…there was really nothing to NOT love about these glorious little holed pasties.  The fact that someone went to all of that donut making trouble (actually, I don’t know if it was all that much trouble, I just know that the average person does not make their own donuts so I was highly impressed) for our little green gathering was just the sweetest gesture ever.  And the baker was playing to a donut loving crowd so it was a win all around!

I need a donut pan, stat.

St. Patrick’s Saturday

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Yes, the actual holiday is still 5 days away but in Chicago, we do St. Paddy’s Day up big on the Saturday before.  There’s a parade, annual dyeing of the river and the entire day is dedicated to all sorts of Irish-themed shenanigans.

First up: brunch at our apartment.  Temps are still in the 30s so Ryan and I figured the best plan was to host a morning of good food, adult beverages and watch out the window for the river to turn green before braving the elements.  Mission accomplished!  Our nearest and dearest came over to nosh on quiche, apple turnovers, cinnamon buns, homemade donuts (thanks, Erin!) and hash browns, washed down with mimosas and Guinness (naturally).

Second on the agenda: head down to see some green!

The green in this picture does not do it justice.  The river is BRIGHT green.  Anti-freeze green.  Wicked Witch of the West green.  The greenest green there ever was, people.

After some ooo’ing and ahhh’ing, our crew carried on to a bar in River North.  Lots of green beer, girls in ridiculous costumes (ladies with the drums, tambourines AND whistles, I’m talkin’ ’bout you), and more Charlie Sheen t-shirts than I could count.  People watching at its finest.  Or worst, possibly.

All in all, a highly successful St. Paddy’s Saturday!

Chicago Ain’t No Sissy Town

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It’s not.
That’s one of the things I love most about my city.

We are a scrappy bunch.

We take our team sports very very seriously [and don’t let little things like a 103 year losing streaks get us down] We have emphatic opinions on our favorite cuts of meat [the aptly named, Chicago Cut is my personal fave] We have over 200 neighborhoods, each with their own distinct personality

& we are fine with you calling us the second city, because really….we know better.

It is cold as hell here, but Chicagoans aren’t afraid to dress for the weather….
Let’s just say, trapper hats are not a passing trend in this city.
And I have a theory:
Because of the amount of time spent in winter gear, the folks here have to have a personality.
because it is really hard to play the “i’m hot” card when buried under layers of puff coats and ski-masks.

And come summer.  All bets are off.
Judging by the influx of revelers drawn to our beaches and fashionistas dining al fresco at our cafes….you would really think we were an ocean-front community

Our politicians embody a “git ‘er done” attitude
[and how things get done may be less of a concern than actually doing them.]

We love our Blue’s
and our storefront theatres
We love our Flag
and our accent
and we totally love Rick Bayless

We see Vince Vaughn & John Cusak  at the corner pub with a degree of regularity, but it never causes much of a stir.
However, we have yet to ever see Oprah actually walking the city streets [and can’t help but wonder, does she actually live here?]

We have pretty jacked traffic.
But of course we do…
who wouldn’t want to spend their days[/nights] exploring this city?

Chicago aint no sissy town
but it is a town with a whole lotta heart.

Mad Love for Home Sweet Home Chicago.

(reblogged from Emphasis Added; FuckYeahChicago)

Couldn’t have said it better myself.  I have mad love for those who have mad love for the Windy City.

Oh and I must. Get. That. T-shirt.

I Love Being A Girl

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Because when anything sparkle-y and and lovely happens, I can fall head over heels.

Methinks this would be the perfect special date night combo.  Maybe to celebrate the BF’s new gig with our long anticipated reservations at the Girl and the Goat?

(dress by 3.1 Philip Lim- found on net-a-porter.com, Chanel Black Pearl and M.A.C. Cham Pale polish, necklace Sadie Design)

 

Room Lovin’

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This is my dream home office/library.

I can absolutely see myself making tea, grabbing Luna Bell and marching right in to this darling room to write or blog at the desk and then curl up for a nap with a book from one of those amazingly packed shelves.  An entire room dedicated to my favorite things (writing, creating, napping and Luna Bell).

Is that an elephant on the shelf?!

Mad love.

(photo via cocokelley)

Grahamwich Lovewich

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I’ve said it once (the first time I went there), I said it again (the second time) and I’ll say it again right now: Grahamwich is a marriage of flavors in my mouth.

I’ve always loved a good sammy but chef Graham Elliot’s gourmet sandwich venture takes it to another level.  This cash-only River North shoppe offers a chalkboard menu with 8 wildly creative sandwiches, sides (pickled seasonal veggies!  truffled popcorn!) and a long, communal table.  The communal table inevitably leads to perfect strangers gushing over their food together.  Trust me- been there, done that.

Ryan and I may have laughed all the way down Ontario about my “marriage of flavors” comment but every Grahamwich stop I make absolutely justifies that statement.  The Turkey Confit with candied yams, stewed cranberries and sage mayo was unbelievable and I thought I would love it forever but then I had the Smoked Whitefish.  Perfection.  And don’t even get me started on the Truffle Popcorn.  Or the Salted Caramel Apple Pie Frozen Yogurt.  Or the homemade soda…  Or…

You get the point.

Oh and word on the street (literally) is that a Grahambulance (!!!) is in the works: a delivery VW van bringing sammie joy to the people.

So much love for Grahamwich.

(photos via metromix)

Ash Wednesday Thoughts

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I just read a lovely post by Shauna Niequist on Ash Wednesday.  She speaks to the question of the “right way” to do Lent, a “right way” about religion in general and shares that “I think there’s more than one right answer, and that the general idea of giving something up to make space for God’s presence and action is a very good impulse, no matter how you set about it.”

And that is exactly what I’m setting out to do in these 40 days- clear some space and make some room for more of God’s presence in my head and heart.  Anything I can “give up” or even add that can keep me present to this committment, well, I am all for that.

Check out Shauna’s post here.  Much love and light to you on this Ash Wednesday.

Snowy Saturday and Quartino

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On Saturday, it snowed.  Again.  Hard.  Just when we thought we were thawing out, sideways blowing snow comes back.  It was almost enough to make a girl lose heart…

Never fear, however, because it was a day that laughed in the face of Winter, all thanks to some shopping scores (a new coat for $300 off the original price?  Wha?!?), afternoon cocktails (the Omni) and dinner at Quartino.

I love Quartino and for as often as R and I go there, it is high time it receives some blog love.  Quartino is all about Italian small plates, perfect for sharing, and that come out as they’re prepared so the entire meal is all about passing food around, gushing about what you’re eating and getting excited for whatever comes out next.  Throw in some wine by the liter and it’s my favorite homey place to eat outside of, well, my home.

My mom was in town this weekend so we decided to take her to Quartino.  She looooved it.  Eating late (9:30 seating) and sharing so much delicious food reminded me of dinners when I was a kid.  The Cavatelli is my all-time favorite (short pasta topped with dollops of ricotta and fresh basil- I’m even drooling as I type) and Ryan can’t get enough of the Veal Meatball Sliders (like must order them two separate times during the meal can’t-get-enough).

Flat-screens situated throughout the dining room play black and white Italian films (pictured above), which is a nice touch.  Like I said, it’s so, so homey.

The snow still roared outside the windows of Quartino on Saturday but being inside with family, hot food, and good wine, I could have cared less.

Saturday Sweetness

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omg.

I just heard that More Cupcakes has introduced not one, not two but FIVE new cupcakes that give a nod to Chicago’s favorite holiday- St. Patrick’s Day.

A Chocolate-Guiness Cupcake?  It would be rude to tease a girl…

Running, not walking, to get one.  Right now.