Weekend Recap- Vaca & Sir Paul

It's been awhile, and I fully blame a long vaca with the fam as well as trying to recoup from said vaca.

Now over a week ago, I went on a much needed vacation with my fam and BF. 

Sunday, Mom insisted we take family pictures... this is the only one Sis and I agreed upon, even then, I wasn't a fan. I let Sis barrow an extra skirt I brought, and I kind of wish I was wearing that instead of shorts 2 sizes too big...

BF and I even got some great pics out of it!

It was wonderful waking up to this view though:

My uncle has a condo in Myrtle Beach, and my family has been going there for over a decade for beach time. It's wonderful because you can just stock up groceries for the week and never move your car. There's a tram down to the beach and to the front of the complex. Across the street is a great shopping center with awesome restaurants.We love it there. It's kind of a small world too, because on my first trip (I think I was 10) I met this girl and her younger sister while playing at the indoor pool one night with my sister. They were staying at their grandmother's place in the Garden Homes in the complex. Flash-forward 6 years, and she was going to a high school in my district and we were cheering on the same competitive team. This place has just been our little piece of heaven. Of late, Dad has started getting a condo in the South tower right on the beach so that we can all stay comfortably. We had my Mom's brother and his wife at their condo, my mom's sister and her daughter in ours. Additionally Nana, Sis, Mom, Dad, BF, and Me.

Sadly we only got about a day and a half of sun (Dad says it's because God didn't want me to get burned... I just think it's cuz he thinks I don't look as good with a tan).

We did have quite the mini golf championship in the rain though. It was a lot of fun! Myrtle Beach is known for it's 40+ PGA courses, but it also seems to have about 100 mini golf places! We played at the home of the US ProMiniGolf Championship (Who knew there was such a thing) at Hawaiian Rumble.

BF and I stayed through Wednesday before making our way back. Or at least I did; BF had a conference in San Francisco which required 3 connections from Myrtle Beach International.

I picked him up on when he returned home on Saturday, but his flight was delayed and technically didn't get back till 1am on Sunday morning.

Sunday was a lazy day in preparation for the Sir Paul McCartney concert at Wrigley Field.We didn't have tickets, but BF's pledge pop has a roof-top apartment where we could listen to the music. We did this last year for the Dave Mathew's Band concert as well. It's a great time and perfect because it costs nada!

I'm sure I wasn't as detailed as I typically am, but I'm really trying to find non-food things to write about ;).

Have y'all gotten to go on vacation yet this summer? Go anywhere fun?

Mid-Summer Crisis

As I get ready for my once-a-year vacation, it dawned on me... it's time to start a new diet! I know, just the terminology seems silly. Having grown up in a household that harped upon eating healthy, lots of exercise and the right cut outfit, you'd think I'd learned my lesson. But honestly, after high school and no more competitive cheerleading (allowing for maximum caloric burn), it seems that age and a busy schedule are all working against me. So, as I pack and determine what I'll wear in the sunny glow of a beach... it has finally dawned on me that I need to take this part of life a bit more seriously.

Of late, BF has really been working hard to try being a vegetarian. With the passing of his grandmother and the revelation of potential genetic heart problems, he's really trying to be healthier. His parents have been doing this for a few months now, and really like how it's effected their lives. There's even a vegan/vegetarian restaurant that BF is really into (and I'll admit, they do make a mean faux chicken taco), the Chicago Diner.BF has even gone so far as to supply veggie burgers in my freezer when he comes to grill out with me.

While I don't want to be without my occasional steak, and definitely not without at least chicken/fish, it does seem like a good direction. I and definitely pro-more vegetables in one's diet. However, I also feel that major step needs to be in portion control. I had mentioned in a previous entry that I had tried out this new restaurant with my friend. S.P. that had all items under 470 calories and stressed fresh vegetables. This place seems to have the right idea, albeit limiting total sodium intake as well. 

I think I'm going to try this though (AFTER MY VACA, cuz god knows booze is not calorie-free).

What do you think? How do you maintain a work/health balance (I feel like working long hours does nothing to motivate me to be healthier)? Do you have any special dietary restrictions?

PS: Lauren Conrad even submits Slim Tips on her blog! If you have any fun recipes/work-outs, please let me know!

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?