Jess

It’s the final post of our Chicago trip! This includes the 4th of July, as you might have guessed from the delicious donuts as well as Wicker Park. The donuts Dustin actually picked up on the 3rd (only mentioning this because below you’ll see another breakfast..) from Glazed and Infused  just down the street from our Airbnb.  Typically I’m really good about not eating ‘bad’ stuff like this for breakfast but when on vacation, I make a few exceptions ;) the small one was the best, just a good ole old fashioned glazed.  I don’t think I shared it with D at all!  MmMmmm!

Lots of spots around Chicago had these open air seat and window fronts, guess since their Summers are SO NICE it’s natural AC. Makes for great pics too!

What we really ate on the 4th was CBA, Chicago Bagel Authority, also really close to our spot.

We got the Chia Bagel which had veggie spread, swiss, avocado, lettuce, sprouts & honey mustard on sesame and was heavenly! Messy but heavenly.

Wearing my trusty Stetson, Anthro dress, Chucks, Madewell bag and Raybans from Shopbop.

After our breakfast it was off to Wrigleyville!

First stop was a shop for some Cubs gear for the game!

Dustin had been to a Cubs game in the past and had an absolute blast at the Wrigley Roof Tops and wanted to do it again. Super glad he knew about it because it was so cool!

Outside the stadium there are all these old town homes that have been converted into baseball game venues with viewing rooms, kitchens and roof top stadium seating.  It’s $65-$85, depending on the “venue” and it’s all you can eat and drink.  We booked the 3643 N Sheffield location which was a fantastic view of the whole field!  The food was fresh made to eat-grilled chicken, hotdogs, brats, burgers-and the makings for a salad and sides. Beer was legit too, Goose Island and Brooklyn Brewing were the two we stuck with. I would 100% recommend this route if you find yourself attending a Cubs game!

Cubs won and we continued the party after for some celebratory drinks (because we obviously needed more booze..) with new friends we made during the game around Wrigleyville. After hanging with them it was off to Dustin’s college buddy’s place in downtown for hangs, dinner and fireworks. If you can believe it, we kept going and met up with an Atlanta friend who got engaged earlier in the night and celebrated with them in their hotel room. PHEW. WHAT A DAY! Needless to say, this was one of the nights we Ubered home..

We finished off the trip with a day exploring Wicker Park.  First it was walking around looking at amazing homes and road candy like the above.

Then we popped into some boutiques and per usual, I had to check out the Free People..

So dreamy! I love seeing how each city does their Free People displays and what buildings they reside in. Chicago’s Wicker Park did NOT disappoint!

Such a hip part of Chicago, just look at this laundry mat!

I made three purchases this day. One was at FP (duhhh.) the other was at the above vintage shop run by the sweetest French man I’ve ever encountered!  We must have chatted with him for an hour about all sorts of random things. Vegetarianism, vintage belt buckles, running-just to name a few! I nabbed a classic black leather Coach backpack which is a check of the list of things I’ve been hunting for some time now.

This is Kohl, Frenchmen’s shop dog and BFF. He’s 18 and was so sleepy after a night of NO sleep from all the fireworks. Such a sweet guy.

Third purchase I made was from a shop called Una Maes a rustic boutique for both men and women with brands we both love. I got a Brixton hat that you’ll see come Fall, likely A LOT!

After shopping around it was time for a hair of the dog (after all the day before was ALL YOU CAN DRINK!) and what caught our eyes was this beautiful bright white with pops of colors building that looked brand new to the area.

Mahalo.

My my my was it pretty! Around each corner was beauty. The upstairs had just been painted so it wasn’t ready for the public but our server told me to sneak up there and look around. LOOK WHAT I FOUND…

Macrame lounge chairs! Aside from the decor being crazy on point (wishing now I would have snapped more pics) the food was real good too.

They offer a traditional Hawaiian menu with poke and even SPAM!  Even if you’re not into the cuisine, I’d definitely recommend stopping in for a look and maybe a Hawaiian beer if nothing else!

Welp, there it is. Our Chicago trip that took me way too long to blog about. Actually have built up a library of stuff to post so expect and outfit post and restaurant review very soon!

Continuing to play catch up on this overdue Chicago post, here’s number 2/3 posts!  This covers the day we went to Millennial Park and did a few activities around there.

Like visit THE BEAN! So touristy but having seen on IG that Mark from Blink 182 was there, we thought we’d snoop around and grab a few silly pics while we were there.  Speaking of Blink, we are seeing them tonight! AH! The high schooler that lives on in me is SO PUMPED…well lets be honest, so is this 30 year old. New album, pretty dang good if I do say so. Dustin is up there with biggest fans, so tonight should be a real good time.

Back on subject..

My accessories can be found on Shopbop.

By the bean I spotted this really rad pink taxi. Couldn’t help but admire!  Had this been an option to drive up to our wedding in, I just may have picked it ~still love the blue Carrollton taxi we did use but that pink tho!

After walking around the park , stopping to admire the amphitheater and a few public art pieces and grabbing a juice from one of the food trucks nearby, we headed to the Art Institute for some browsing.

A personal favorite, Van Gogh. They had a nice size collection of his, including the very famous self portrait which was way smaller than I thought it was. *Hand for reference

The Art Institute was packed with pieces I grew up studying.  Their offering of owned and borrowed collections were very impressive.

At first we weren’t into the idea of an audio tour but then started seeing people using them and it seemed fun.  Since I had never done one (thought it was for old folks..and maybe it is) said, why the heck not, didn’t regret even though it was one more thing to carry around.  They did a really great job with the background music and facts, the delivery of the message was enjoyable too. Learned things we wouldn’t have otherwise known about the art.

Artwork is impressive but I think one of the neatest aspects of museums are the artifacts.  Especially having a (small) background in Anthropology, I enjoy seeing things I studied back in college.

Exhibit I got the most into was the Native American display. Don’t know much about my heritage but what I do know is there’s some Cherokee, Chickasaw and Creek on my mom’s side of the family. My favorite photo of the exhibit was this squash blossom necklace but had the lighting been right on the traditional ceremony outfits, I would have shared one of those for sure. Animal bones whittled into beads and so many unique materials used to create beautiful clothing and head dresses, rad to see it so well preserved.

The above basket is in the same exhibit. The little bits flaring out are feathers, entire thing is covered in beads, those tiny details are so impressive.

Dustin’s favorite painter is Monet.  As it turns out the Institute had several of his series. Like the above and his stacks of wheat. Interesting to see how one image can be changed depending on the angle, season, mood of artist and colors used. The art itself is pretty but look at those frames! Takes them up a notch.

While the audio tour was fun, we didn’t realize how long it was taking us. We didn’t have an outlined schedule for the day but didn’t anticipate the museum being the WHOLE DAY, which was the case. We browsed and admired until they were closing up! I really could go on about the various exhibits that we spent time on but I won’t do that to you, you gotta see it for yourself!

Worked up quite the appetite looking at art so it was PIZZA TIME!

Feast your eyes on this beauty ~ STUFFED DEEP DISH ~ from Giordano’s. Now, I realize there are probably more underground, non-mainstream, pizza joints but you cannot deny the deliciousness of Giordano’s. Sorry not sorry to my foodie friends. Plus, we were so starving I could have eaten Sapporos and been happy. But for real, it was amazing.

Mushrooms, chicken sausage and spinach, A+++ layered pizza casserole perfection!

After chowing down and resting our feet it was time to burn off that bread so we made the trek to Navy Pier.

Keeping it comfy at Navy Pier in a FP top, Gap jeans, Nikes, Madewell bag and Eye Buy Direct specs.

Holy moly tourists! Too much. Minus the view, I hated everything about it but then we walked to the end and found a beer garden that was setting up for a free concert. Stuck around and so glad we did, the band was energetic with great people watching. Befriended some German guys and hung around until we were freezing (IN JULY, so wild.)

Chicago’s sunsets were really impressive! Snapped this on my phone during an L train ride back to the apartment. The day was so exhausting on this old lady body I was trying to lay low after the pier but Dustin really wanted me to experience the Violet Hour, a speakeasy in Wicker Park. Thank goodness he dragged me out because, what an experience! We waited in a small line outside of a simple door until told we could go in. It was dark and smelled of delicoous orange peel and herbs.  We got a few snacks (hello best bacon wrapped dates, ev!) and drinks. The drink that impressed me most was the “Circles of Confession” an egg white sour with notes of “lavender, huckleberry, and a funky nose of grass and sun-drenched shale” Yep..

Museum + Navy Pier was a fun section of the trip! Come back at the end of the week for the final post!

So … it’s taken me a bit but I’m finally getting around to posting about our epic Chicago trip!

It’s nearly the end of the month and we went over the 4th weekend. Why has it taken me so long? To be honest, I got home and all the drama happening around the globe really got to me. Not trying to spark up a ton of emotions here but the gist is that between shootings, what happened in France and protests..posting about my vacation seemed like the least of mine or anyone else’s worry. Current events still aren’t good but I’ve regained the desire to work on photos and write again, so here we go!

Nikes were a must for all the walking! Over the course of the trip I wore these, my Chucks and sandals at night. This outfit includes Ray Ban sunglasses, Anthropologie dress, Madewell purse and FP bra.

First thing we did off the plane was buy a pass for the *awesome* L train and ride it into Chi-town (do “cool” people say this?) I hope the residents know how blessed they are with their public transportation!  Only time we were in a car was Ubering when we wanted to rest our feet towards the end of the trip.  Other than that it was the L, rented bikes or bus.

After dropping off our bags at our Airbnb, we went (read: ran) to the John Hancock building for the panoramic view of the city and made it just in time for the sunset.  Dustin was insistent that it was better than the Willis Tower and I can’t imagine he was wrong! Felt like I could see every square inch from the lounge on the 96th floor.

Bottom level of the building.

See that Armitage sign on the left? That brick building right behind it was our home away from home!  In the Airbnb listing they said light sleepers may be bothered by the train but they had earplugs in the room. I consider myself a light sleeper, however, the train didn’t bother me at all. Think it helped we got in pretty late each night, had been drinking and the room was really dark. I also play a noise machine app on my phone every single night regardless of where I stay so the combo of all that made being nearly ON the tracks no sweat.  Getting to where we needed to go was literally just a few steps away. Convenience wins!

Following the best view ever we met up with Dustin’s cousin at this spot called Kings. His buddy was djing and hooked us up with free bowling, drinks and food! We danced and bowled till about 1:00am then rested up for day two.

To start the second day off right we began it with a hearty meal at Ann Sather.  We had perused around Yelp but ultimately trusted the advice of our host and it was just what we needed (esp to kick that hangover…)

The original owner was Swedish so there’s bits of that background in the menu (meatballs!) but we also noticed a lot of Southern options, i.e. the biscuits and gravy Dustin chowed down on! Big portions, made from scratch all at low prices – speaking our language!

After the big breakfast we biked off all the carbs and headed to explore around the zoo. Our original itinerary didn’t include the zoo but upon learning it was free, we thought, ‘why the heck not..” I took a bunch of photos but you’ve all seen a camel and gorilla so I’ll save those for reminiscing.  We honestly couldn’t believe it was free! SO so good. Really great primate exhibit and they seemed so happy and had tons of room.

I’m rocking my new Eye Buy Direct specs, Billabong kimono and Old Navy dress. D’s wearing Warby Parkers and an Old Navy shirt.

After the zoo it was off to Goose Island Brewery!

The location was in a vacant, almost industrial part of town. There wasn’t a soul in sight on our walk to get there until we got right up to the brewery.  We didn’t feel unsafe or anything but I just kept thinking, ok, is this place real and will it be open?

OPEN FOR SIPPING!

Unfortunately the tours were sold out but we’ve been through plenty of breweries so we didn’t worry about it and got right to the tasting.  They had several taproom only offerings which happen to be my favorites! Unlike a lot of breweries they don’t do a “flight” so we made up our own with half pours and sharing.

Our selections
Summertime
Sofie~have had before, easy drinking
312~good wheat beer, one of D’s all time favorite
Four Stars Pils~another easy drinker. light and crisp.

(Exclusives)
MW X SW~the pretty, almost red/pink one. sweet but not too sweet. 8oz was just enough.
Rauchkeller~def lived up to the smoked characteristic, I liked, Dustin thought it was a little much
Gillian~we love Farmhouses! did not disappoint.

Such a shame we couldn’t take a growler of a special one home! Def a must visit if you’re a beer lover like us.

Next on the days schedule was the architectural boat tour!

Needless to say after the brewery we were pretty buzzed but I’d like to think that made the boat tour even better! This very touristy activity came highly recommended by friends and I don’t mind one bit doing some tourist things from time to time, especially when it’s on a BOAT!

It was so cool seeing some of the biggest and tallest buildings from the water. We learned so much about the city and having recently read The Devil in the White City (well, most of it) it was even cooler hearing about landmarks from the World’s Fair. One of the facts that made us laugh was that Chicago got it’s name from the Native Americans who thought it was stinky and “smelled of onions.”

For the duration of the tour we hung out on the roof but the bottom was so pretty, and had a bar, so I went exploring while still listening to the guide.

I loved this photo too much to not include because of a certain building in the background…Though it does say “AMERICA” if I do say so myself…

After the tour we went home to freshen up and grab dinner then met up with Dustin’s brother who was visiting his girlfriend who’s interning at the John Hancock building at a spot called Delilah’s.

Can you tell who’s related?

Meal we ate was SO INCREDIBLY GOOD we didn’t take any photos before we scarfed it down. Place was called Ba-Ba-Reeba and served up the best tapas I’ve ever had. The margaritas were also on point. First two days were a blast! Hard to believe it got better..more posts coming soon!

*sidenote* Photos were taken with iPhone 6+ and a rented Sony RX100 IV from PPR here in Atlanta. Renting and trying something new was fun but there were things I loved about it and things I’m kinda “meh” about.   Now wishing I would have just brought my Mark II and just dealt with the weight. Oh well, thought I wanted to buy the little guy but now thinking the Mark is my go-to for life. Canon for the win.

Have a great weekend!

Come back to see part 2 <3