Category Archive

I usually have a chocolate-only rule when it comes to dessert but the Butter Cake at Mastro’s is the most delicious, decadent, amazing dessert that there ever was. We were treated to this plate of gloriousness after our anniversary meal last night, which was so kind of them, and I seriously woke up this morning wishing there were left overs for breakfast. So insanely good great.

Did I mention that it’s served with a side of fresh cream?

Rules are made to be broken.

Dessert aside, we had another incredible meal at Mastro’s. This place never disappoints. Between the food, the service, the cocktails that are so over poured that they come with a shaker of the cocktail that didn’t make it into the glass, the word that comes to mind with Mastro’s is impeccable. They made both Ryan’s MBA graduation and now our anniversary date night super memorable and I cannot wait to go back.

Anish Kapoor’s famous Cloudgate, in Millennium Park, Chicago, now has an equally mesmerising choreographed light show, Luminous Field, by Luftwerk, enhancing the experience of the work furthermore.

Via NPR

Cannot wait to see this technicolor dream bean! February 10th through 20th- more info at Explore Chicago.

There were two kinds of people at the OAR concert last night: those who knew every song circa 2004 and those who were still in elementary school in 2004.

Regardless, the very young and (apparently) very old rocked out together at the Aragon Ballroom and the card-throwing dance party during “Crazy Game of Poker” was the very best thing to happen to one of my Thursday nights in a long time. We joked about reliving our college glory days but I had so much fun last night that I was pretty proud to be an old fogey in a sea of 18 year old college freshmen, fist pumping with the best of ’em.

And I still was at Flywheel by 7am. Old person win, dontchathink?

In the last 4 days, I have packed up an apartment, unpacked it, gone to the doctor, to the dentist, to Michigan to see my dear old grandma, to dinner with my parents…

And now, we are home.

Luna Bell loved the playground that was the moving boxes but now that we’re unpacked, she can’t get enough of her new views and window sills. Me? I’m just happy to be relatively settled in and grateful to have spent some really great time with my family. Home is Chicago but it’s also Ryan, my Mom, my Dad, my Step-Mom and Grandma. It’s really a blessing to sit with them, relive old stories, share a meal, catch up, laugh about family traits…like I said, I am really grateful for the gift that was those 24 hours.

Home, settled, grateful. Not too shabby.

Moving day just got awesome.

Our friends rolled out the River North welcome wagon and it was the absolute best thing I could think of to see after stepping off the elevator.

I love friends. I love Chicago. I am so lucky that this little 1 mile move gives me more of both.

You just can’t come between a boy and his cat.

Last year.

This year.

It’s incredible what a difference a year makes. Last year at this time, Chicago was recovering from a massive blizzard. Today? Spring-like weather. So bizarre but I’ll take it! Snow after Christmas is so overrated.

Chicagoans love to talk about the weather to begin with but even a year after the blizzard, I can’t tell you how often it comes up in conversation. The thundersnow, LSD being shut down, where they were, how long it took to get home…I have discussed it all with everyone from the doorman to strangers in elevators. The Chicago Blizzard of 2011 will not soon be forgotten but fingers crossed that this unseasonably warm weather sticks around.

Packing break. Wine break. Same difference.

36 hours until this pile is in a new apartment.

While wrapping my wine glasses with loads of newspaper (so help me if those or my Christmas ornaments got broken), I found a bottle of champagne we were gifted for Ryan’s graduation. I am ready for a celebration, simply for celebration sake, and I don’t care if it’s blizzarding by Saturday…I am popping that bubbly and toasting on our brand new balcony.

Okay, back to it.

This is my moving inspiration.

(Stay with me here.)

If I can make pack, move, and then unpack, Sunday morning will arrive and I can have these delicious, amazing looking Blueberry French Toast Sandwich and coffee mimosas in the comfort of my new home.

Ok, let’s do this. 3 more days…

(image via)

I have been looking forward to this Monday for weeks.

“Big deal work project” finished up late last night and was a huge success, bigger and better than any of us could have imagined. I proved that I can plan and execute with the best of ’em and received great feedback from the powers that be. Today is a day for patting myself on the back, sharing a few pats with others on the project and taking big, deep breaths.

I haven’t felt this proud of myself in a very, very long time.

On the agenda? Yoga, facial, and coffee with a good friend. Tomorrow, it’s back to throwing myself into the next big project but today? High-fives all around!

Monday…I couldn’t be happier to see you.