Field Trip to Chicago!

 

Whenever I'm home, I make it a point to sit back and appreciate that Chicago, one of the best cities in the world, is just an hour away. And while it is an hour away, and with it thousands of opportunities, I've been there just a handful of times in my entire life. And when we go, we go as tourists; mainly sticking to the downtown area and Navy Pier. That had to change. It just had to change. Luckily, my friend Lafayette, who I've known for close to...TEN (oh wow.) years, just moved down to the Second City, and was nice enough to show me the real Chi-Town. I had a BLAST.

Bon Appetit is one of my favorite magazines, and my reading library has been so backed up that I've only JUST finished the "Travel Issue" from months ago. It was a good thing too, since they wrote a great feature on Chicago that gave me a few ideas of where to go when I went to visit.

First up was P.O.S.H. aka one of those vintage home goods stores that you thought only existed in your dreams. It's located in a swanky part of town with all types of stores that appeal to the hipster in all of us. P.O.S.H. is one part vintage, one part European, and one part etsy-esque all rolled into a beautiful package with a tiny conservatory in the back. Vintage hotel silverware and dinnerware, adorable one-of-a-kind tea towels, milk glass mixing bowls, vintage market baskets,  letter-pressed cards with clever sayings on them, and more fill the many shelves and tables that fill this place. And there is definitely something for every single person that walks in. If you're looking for a unique gift for someone that is fond of quality-made items that you just can't find anymore, try P.O.S.H. I declared that I was not about to leave that store empty-handed under any circumstances (thanks for being patient, L) and walked away with two cute gray plaid dinner plates that were even on SALE.  Lafayette even scored a deal on some awesome vintage maps, so I'd say that it was win-win for all parties involved.

Back in July when I was in New York, Eataly was at the top of my "must-see" list, but there were just too many other things I wanted to do (two pages worth in fact), that we never made it. When I was contemplating where to visit in Chicago, I made SURE that Eataly was on my (much shorter) list. And I have to say it: I was really disappointed. I don't know, maybe I built it up too much, or maybe I was expecting something a little bit more authentic. Mario Batali once described his vision for Eataly as feeling like you've just stepped into a classic Italian piazza, but that's not how I felt. I felt like I was in an upscale food mart. Don't get me wrong, the surroundings were beautiful, and the smells mouth-watering, but it felt too gimmicky for me to really get into it. But don't let this to deter you, go. Decide for yourself. It's worth a visit to form an opinion at LEAST. Bottom line: I'm happy I went, but I don't think I'll go back. I still love you, Mario!

One of the things I really like about Chicago is the architecture. To work up an appetite for lunch, Lafayette and I decided to take a walk around his neighborhood. I love any American city with European roots, and Chicago is no exception. We each picked out at least a dozen houses that we'd love to buy and live in. Someday, right? And another thing I've noticed? People in Chicago are actually....nice. What a concept, right? I think my years spent on the East Coast have hardened me, and I've forgotten my roots. People smile at you for no reason, and it feels so weird to me! In the Midwest, complete strangers talk to you like they've known you for ages. And honestly, when did friendliness become such a bad thing? I need to spend an extended amount of time in the place where everyone says "hello," and the grocery stores are deserted because it's Sunday and the Packers/Bears are on.

I'm getting pretty into Wicker Park, a very trendy neighborhood in Chicago, and I think I have Birchwood Kitchen to blame! Since it was a Saturday, and since we were in a city, the only logical meal to have was brunch (obviously) and Lafayette picked the best place! If you asked me to describe Birchwood Kitchen in one word, that word would be: FRESH. Seriously. I have never tasted anything so pure and from the earth as I did eating those splendid roasted potatoes, and beautiful green salad! I ordered the Breakfast Sandwich, Lafayette ordered the Croque Vert, and each of us grew a little quieter as there really shouldn't be so much talking when you're concentrated on the piece of culinary art and deliciousness that is in front of you. The atmosphere is cozy, modern, and very inviting. The staff is young and friendly, and the food...well, it just couldn't have been better. I plan on making many trips back to this place in the near future.

I had a train to catch in a few hours, but I just can't leave a new place without first checking out a popular bakery, and as soon as Lafayette casually mentioned the word "pie" it was settled. So off we went on the El, full as we were but not so full that we'd ever pass up pie, all the way to Logan Square to Bang Bang Pie Shop. When we walked in, the first thing I noticed was that everyone working behind the counter was a twentysomthing, and every single one of them looked like the coolest kids in Chicago. You want to be them, you want to make pies, you want to eat said pies, you just want to have it all. After reading the menu, and lamenting that the signature pie was already sold out, we decided on the French Silk, which was absolutely no one's consolation prize (PIEze, if you will). The French Silk is a winner, and my new first choice. It's everything that it should be: creamy, smooth, choclately rich without being so overwhelmingly rich that you get a tummy ache. AND THE CRUST. This pie actually brought a lasting smile to my face, for it has been quite a while since a bakery has really blown me away. And the feeling of discovering something new is really one of the best feelings. It was the best ending to a fantastic day trip.

I'll be back, Chicago. You haven't seen the last of me.

Let's Go on a Trip

I'm off to New York for the Fourth of July Weekend, and to say I'm excited would be...like the grossest understatement in the history of understatements. Five (almost six!) years in Boston, and I have not once ventured to NYC. Going to The Big Apple used to be the big trip of the summer for my family, but the last time I stepped foot in that beautiful city was all the way back in 2004. Needless to say, I am long overdue. Here are some of the things I'd like to bring with me for the big adventure!

Merona Stripe Weekender Duffle Handbag // River Island Ora Sunglasses // Revlon ColorBurst Lacquer Balm in "Provocative" // San Diego Hat Company Striped Sun Hat // Where'd You Go, Bernadette: A Novel // Cath Kidston Set of 2 Provence Rose Travel Laundry Bags

Shopping Wish List

"Jade Green" Hunter Boots // Eaton Shoulder Bag from Madewell // Two-Tone Sunnies from Kate Spade Saturday // Keds Champion Seasonal Solid in "Bright Green" // The A Satchel from Kate Spade Saturday  Guys, I just want it to be spring so badly. On Saturday it was light jacket weather, and now we're back to gray skies. And as someone who is actually quite a fan of snowy winters, I have had enough. This shopping wish list is meant to remind me that there will come a day (hopefully soon) where there won't be a cloud in the sky. And when that day comes, I will be dressed in all kinds of colors.

I can't wait.

Shopping Wishlist

I have a complicated relationship with shopping. In real life, I subscribe to the "Fill up the cart!" philosophy. Especially at Target. ESPECIALLY if I have friends with me who'll say, "Why not? Get it!" That is very dangerous for me to hear. But online, if I find something I like, I very rarely purchase it. I pour over it for days, do as much research as I can, dissect the reviews, and then, after all of that, if I still want it, then I get it. Here are a few things I've been crushing on lately:

Red Flower Coasters from DecoyLab on Etsy // Quilted Picnic Blanket from Provisions by Food52 // Spiced Pomegranate Pear Molly Hatch from TeaGuys // Fairmount Park Telephone Salt and Pepper Shakers from Kate Spade New York

I just want them all.

Let's Talk About Stitch Fix

About a month ago, an advertisement popped up on my newsfeed to try this new(ish) (new to ME, anyway) company called Stitch Fix. It's almost like having your own personal stylist, and you get to try on the pieces at home. If you're anything like me, the actual idea of going out to the shopping centers and waiting in long dressing room lines, just to find even the teensiest things wrong, and feeling all kinds of fat and gross in those not-so-magic mirrors they've got going on over there, is utterly terrifying. Of course we all do it, but who on earth would prefer all that, when you can get a box in the mail every month (if you'd like!) with surprise clothes hand-picked just for you? Exactly.

HOW IT WORKS:

You fill out this very extensive style profile highlighting your likes and dislikes in terms of style. You choose the adjectives that best describe the way you dress, you vote on which styles you like the best from sample pictures, and you give your body measurements and sizes. Then, you pay a $20 fee, cross your fingers, and wait for five hand-picked items to be delivered to you in the mail.  Once your package arrives, you've got three days to decide what you'd like to keep and what you'd like to return. If you keep any items in the box, your $20 fee goes towards the total price of the items kept. Ex. If you keep a necklace and a dress, add the original cost of each together, then subtract twenty. AND if you keep the entire box, you get 25% off the whole order! It's pretty great, and you cannot even imagine how jazzed I've been all week waiting for my box to come.

I tore into the box and, I've got to say, I really liked every piece except for one: the necklace.

Don't get me wrong, it's not bad, but I'm not big into jewelry. If I buy anything, it's got to be because that piece is completely unique, and unlike anything I've ever seen. This, I've seen.

WHAT I LIKED:

WHAT I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT

WHAT I'M ON THE FENCE ABOUT

Even cooler, they send you a little card with pictures of each item in your box, and how to make different outfits with each. It's great to see an example of a piece being taken from day to night, with just a few clothing swaps.

So would I do it again? You bet.  But my advice is to not build it up too much. While I had a pretty great first experience, one of my friends wasn't as lucky. She lives in one of the hottest parts of California, and her stylist sent her a wool coat! Not great. But hey, I bet it was a pretty nice coat!

The surprise is half the fun, trust me.

Interested? You should try!

Have any of you done Stitch Fix before? I want to hear alllll about it!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!