Week Recap: The Summer Has Arrived

Another beautiful weekend in Chicago. We get so few, that I try my best to enjoy the few that we have. It has been so beautiful, I was really looking forward to enjoying the outdoors (being as how work has kept me indoors so much of late). Saturday I got up a bit early in order to run some reports. But I was able to make it into the city by lunch. BF and I walked through the market to find lunch but ended up at Adobo Grill. I enjoyed my personal preference of the Margarita, but BF got this drink that was basically tomato juice, lime juice, and beer... it was weird... I love their fish tacos!

We met with a friend of BF's for bike riding along the lake front. You know that saying, 'it's just like riding a bike' as in, it's so easy you pick it up almost immediately. Yea, I guess I haven't ridden in awhile. I was able to make it fairly well, and we caught some beautiful views:

I had to rest a bit... a couple of times... but BF was very understanding:

We're preparing for our 25 mile ride in 2 weeks for his Birthday!

We stopped to watch the dogs playing on the north shore lake dog park. They were so fun! They were rolling around in the sand and going after balls in the water!

Saturday evening we just enjoyed sitting on the patio with some friends with some cocktails.

Sunday I was super excited for brunch as Nookie's Summer menu is available complete with their crabcakes and poached eggs! This is by far my favorite breakfast; I don't know if it's the crabcakes or the dressing they serve with the greens:

It's MY FAVORITE!

BF got the Vegetables with Poached eggs. It was very tasty and I swear the sauteed zucchini and squash made the plate!

I'm so looking forward to next weekend! My good friend is coming into town and the girls are taking the city! Adventures to ensue! I'll keep you posted! 

PS I'm on the lookout for a cut pink beach cruiser for the big bike ride coming up in two weeks (I'm hoping it won't be as painful as the mountain bike). Suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Weekend Recap - Festival Overload (Pt. 1)

This past weekend started off with a FABULOUS good-bye to a good friend and co-worker at Bandito Barney's!

Even though I called it an early night due to an early Junior League training meeting on Saturday. I was asked to be the PR Chairman for the 2011-2012 year on the Communications Committee.

We had our annual 'Nuts & Bolts' Leadership training at a Library in Naperville:

We each brought our favorite children's books as an ice breaker: mine was My Pretty Ballerina (it's not exactly my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE, but it is a good one that I received with a beautiful doll for Christmas one year).

After the training, I made my way into the city to meet up with BF for the Old Town Art Festival. BF things I'm too luck (fingers crossed) because I have such good luck finding parking even when there's a festival on the block. Some of my favorites from the fair are below:

By Julie Keaten-Reed

This is a marble etching.

These Banana sculptures were so cute!

HAHAHA Spooning!

This reminded me of the Rube Goldberg competition at Purdue!

I apologize for not having all the artists noted, I missed a lot of the cards.

After the art festival we made our way North, to the Chicago Rib Fest (not to be confused with the Naperville Rib Fest which isn't until Fourth of July weekend).

A SEMI OF BBQ!!!

These people were from Purdue, and although they were good... by far not the best I've ever head, but then again I have high standards (being as I'm from ATLANTA!)

Some of the crew hanging out

Love that Turkey Leg!

After quite the day of BBQ-ing, corn husk eating, and beer drinking, we made our way home. 

Sunday was spent laying out by the pool with Mar, junior league communication prep, and more packing.

As hard as it is to believe I am planning on moving next weekend and STILL have not signed my lease... I'm getting anxious and tempted to go find a different place just to spite this new place (not a good foot to start on :( ). 

Wish me luck on that one! 

Have ya'll started your summer festivities and sun-worshiping??

Must haves- community links

When I first moved to Chicago, it was hard to know about all the amazing activities that were going on...

I was lucky enough to have a few friends that showed me the various community emails/national sites I should check out for ideas of what I could do in my free time. For those of you who are new, existing, or just hope to be Chicagoland residents, here are the sites/emails I'm talking about:

Chicago Fashion- Refinery 29

Metromix - Chicago

Groupon - Chicago

Living Social - Chicago 

Soupbox - gives great coupons/freebies

Tippr Chicago

YouSwoop - Chicago

Chicago Cubs Schedule

Explore Chicago- especially good on Twitter

City Of Chicago website

Are there any you think I've left out? Where else do you think I should be gathering ideas?

Weekend Recap - Memorial Day Weekend

This past weekend was a (thankfully) long Memorial Day holiday. 

 I actually got sent home early from work on Friday, which worked out nicely. It allowed me to drive into the city (via my new terrific, super-secret, outstanding route that only took me an hour and ten during Friday rush-hour!) to meet up with the girls for dinner! 

We ate at Wilde (after Oscar Wilde).

The food was spectacular! And huge portions. I don't think any of the 5 of us girls that were there finished our meals!

L got the mac'n cheese

Mel got the Bison Burger

And I got the INCREDIBLE Chicken-Pot-Pie!

Overall a pretty outstanding meal, I would wouldn't mind repeating. Plus it was all so reasonable! I think with 2 drinks, our meals, and splitting a desert it might've cost each of us around $22. Not bad when you consider the avg cost of an adult beverage in the city of Chicago...

After dinner we braved the on-coming rain to grab one last cocktail at Tin Lizzies before heading home.

Saturday, we had all made plans to hit up Wrigley for some pre-gaming at our old favorite, the Stretch, before the Baseball game at noon. Sadly we were all so wiped from our weekend, most of us didn't get their till Pitch. BF and I held down the fort throughout the game... maybe enjoying our mason jars a little too much to meet up with everyone afterwards. We had a great seat inside with the windows open as the skies opened and started to poor. But we enjoyed dancing and goofing off with everyone:

Mel, me and L

R, MS, MH, and T

 Overall a great time!

Sunday, well weather wise, wasn't much better. Minus BF venturing out to get a hair cut, we pretty much bumbed around all day, DL-ing movies and relaxing. The weather finally cleared around 6ish and we made our way (per our original plan) to the Belmont/Sheffield Music Festival. 

 We made it juts in time for Hairbangers Ball (an 80's & 90's cover band) and met up with a friend of BF's. We grab a 'light' dinner at Leona's (across the street from all the crazies):

After the festival, BF and I went back with the intention of enjoying the beautiful evening weather on his balcony, but ended up watching landscaping & decorating shows on his futon and falling asleep. One show we like to watch (and make fun of) is Chicago's Best. We also managed to watch an episode outlining what they and their viewers felt were the best Mexican places in the city. We decided to try one out they recommended for breakfast. So Monday morning we ventured to North Clarke in Uptown to Tiztal Cafe. 

 They had specifically mentioned their Oatmeal Milkshake of which I was somewhat skeptical, however it is truly a life-changer!

BF got the Steak Chilaquiles

And I got the Feta/Spinach/Onion omelet.... of which I had zero chance of finishing (I think I only made it through half).

 After Breakfast, we made a quick stop by BF's new shopping obsession (REI), before making our way back his apt. I ended up leaving shortly after to make it to the pool for some much needed sun... sadly, I was overly ambitious on my first day out... and now am a lovely shade of pink.

I finished off my holiday weekend at a chicken fry with the girls. I made my super duper easy squash/onions, and T made her Texas Fried Chicken. It was a great and relaxing end to a very busy weekend.

Tonight.... I hope to run off all the calories that I surely enjoyed.

How was your Memorial Day weekend? Did you do anything fun?