I love the holiday season.  I love Chicago.  I love all things Disney.  Therefore, the Magnificent Mile Lights Parade was pretty much joy on steroids for me.  Last Saturday was the official start to the holidays for Chicago.  Mickey rolled down Michigan Avenue with a mini Water Tower behind him, with the lights on the trees turning on as he passed.  Ryan and I had prime spots right across the street from the Hancock Building and with the hot apple cider the church behind us handed out, I was so excitable–I think Ryan even got a kick out of the cookie cutter holiday experience.  At least he kept the eye rolls to himself.  In any case, the Magnificent Mile looks truly magnificent, we had great drinks at Tavern on Rush, made friends with a 3 year old on the train up to Southport, and had an amazing dinner at Tango Sur (even though I don’t enjoy Argentinian steak, Ryan was in 7th heaven/a meat coma for hours and the atmosphere was way worth the 2 hour wait).  Oh and did I mention that it was unseasonably warm? 50 degrees at the end of November?  I love this city as it is but being able to walk around not shivering so close to the holidays was such a treat.

High Five of the Day: Sarah’s Pastries and Candies.  I found this gem last Saturday when I was looking for a carrot cake cupcake for Ryan’s birthday.  Tucked in between the designer boutiques on Oak Street, this delightful bakery had rows and rows of cakes, cupcakes, handmade candy, pies, cheesecake–I got a sugar high just from walking in the door.  Oh and the carrot cake was reviewed as being perfect by my carrot cake expert. 🙂