Showering in the City

I was back up in Chicago this weekend to celebrate our beautiful friend, Laura and her upcoming nuptials.

It was a fantastic weekend of girl talk, laughter, wine and all things weddings.

Friday night we had dinner and wedding crafted the night away. 

Well and drank wine and stayed up far too late- but thats to be expected.

Saturday was full of brunching of showering Laura.

Our friends threw Laura a beautiful shower full of the most perfect decorations, food, drinks and fun.

And a temporary tattoo station, possibly my favorite part.  I was sporting quite the fierce jaguar tattoo on my wrist.

And, one of the most exciting points of the night, we figured out how to write with sparklers and catch good photos of them- very cool!

(b+l = Bobby and Laura)

Now it's on to the big day!

Mister and Floyd had quite the weekend as well.  Floyd learned how to steal cucumbers from the garden...
More on that on Friday.
And Mister was a busy bee while I was gone and I came home a sparkling house, a fridge full of groceries and clean sheets.  :)

Summer in the City

As I mentioned, this is the spring/summer/fall of weddings for us.

This past weekend we were in Chicago for a fabulous one!

One of our college girlfriends got married and it was so so fun.

The weekend was jammed packed with events, love, fun and laughter and it couldn't have been better.

This weekend was our first experiences with airbnb and it worked out really well.  

I highly suggest looking into it next time your travel! 

We were blocks from other friends that rented one as well and close to our friends that live in Chicago.  It was a win and helped 10 people not have to share one bathroom.  

That didn't stop all of us girls snuggling like puppies in a basket in our friend Laura's bed though and laughing our heads off.  It happens 100% of the time we all see each other so it was no surprise to anyone.

Friday night we had a low country boil at The Southern for our girl Maria's birthday.

Talk about deliciousness.  

 Rooftop bars, besties and perfect weather.

I was one happy camper.

And ready to move to Chicago.

Dress here

Saturday we lounged around got ready for the wedding.

But not before we popped into Eataly. 

But I was so in love with that place it's getting a blog post all on it's own. 

The wedding and reception were held at the Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier.

Talk about beautifulness!

Complete with fireworks at the end of the night, it was all so so pretty!

This was the first time all of us girls and guys from college had been together in a very, very long time and to say we had fun and danced our faces off would be a gross understatement.  

I'll spare you the video of us dancing...you can thank me later. 

The amount of laughter we shared far outweighs the lack of sleep we had. 

Chicago Weekend Wrap Up: Part 2

I am back with part 2 of our weekend!
(you can catch up on part 1 here)

Saturday morning began with a surprise baby shower for our friend Sarah at Prasino.

Sarah and her husband Mitch are expecting their first little guy in October 

and we all could not be happier about it.

He will be the first babe in our group of friends and he is sure to be spoiled by all of us!

We decided to help Sarah and Mitch build their nursery library and

everyone gave them a copy of their favorite childhood books!

The rest of the day Saturday with spent girl talking.

No joke we spent HOURS just lounging around, gossiping,

reading magazines and catching up on each others lives.

It was just like Saturdays in college and it was perfect.

Saturday night it was time for the big BOAT party for Laura's birthday.

We rented a boat that took us out on the the lake, down the Chicago river (through downtown-so beautiful) and back out into the lake for the Navy Pier fireworks.

It was the most beautiful evening and we had the great.est time. 

Like, ever.

Ready for the photo dump??

There is a large possibility that we hailed a stretch limo for the ride home...
and by possibility I mean a 100% chance

(sadly it all happened so fast I didn't get a chance to take any pictures)

And now it's Wednesday and I am already counting down the hours days until this weekend!

Chicago Weekend Wrap Up: Part 1

This weekend with the girls was...

EPIC.

We had the absolute best time.

I can confidently say it was one of the best weekends I have had in a really long time. 

The weekend was so epic that the recap has 

to be broken up into 2 parts.

So here we go!

Thursday night we got in late and sat around, chatted, 

drank wine and just enjoyed being with each other.

Friday morning we got up and decided to explore downtown Chicago.

We had lunch at O'Brien's on the river.

I had a good old fashioned cheeseburger and a summer shandy

and it was de-lic-ious.

After lunch we all went to get manis and pedis

(I went with Essie's Peach Daiquiri)

and then back home for naps and snacks.

For dinner Friday night we had pizza at Ciao

All week long Laura kept telling us she had a 'surprise' for us on Friday night in Korea town.

We guessed and bribed until we were blue in the face,

 but she wouldn't tell us.

Finally, we pulled up at 

Sing Sing Karaoke.

VIP lounge Asian Karaoke.

Guys, this was SO much fun

We had our own private room and dance party

The pictures I took all came out kinda dark but this one is a pretty good representation of how excited we were

There you have it, part 1of our fabulous weekend

I'll be back tomorrow with part 2.

I'm linking up with three lovely ladies for a weekend update party

Go check out their blogs!

Sami @ Sami's Shenanigans

Dana @ five40three

Leeann @ Join the Gossip

How was your weekend?

Birthday Surprise: CHICAGO (part 2)

And I'm back with the rest of the details from our trip to Chicago
This post is picture heavy, get ready.

(read part one here)

The Chicago Auto Show was going on while we were in town and Mister realllly wanted to go.

And in true birthday tradition, I told him we could do whatever he wanted.

(truth be told I kinda wanted to go too so it worked out well)

We got up and ventured out into the big city.

We successfully navigated the bus and train systems and did not get lost once

(thankyouverymuch)

 The auto show was really a lot of fun.

We have been car shopping so it was nice to be able to see all the cars in one place and not be hassled by any salesmen.

 I also broke in my Toms.

After the show we met up with our friends Bobby and Laura and stuffed ourselves with some famous Ginos East Pizza.

so. good.

And what's the best thing to do after stuffing yourself silly?

Why go shopping of course!

I nearly screamed when I realized we were a stones throw from Zara.

Laura and I marched right over there and picked up some gems.

For dinner we headed to Wildfire

and it was de-lish.

We were too busy eating to take any pictures of the food but just trust me.

 I wouldn't lie to you about yummy food.

After dinner we headed to the Hancock building to grab a drink and take in the view.

95 floors up isn't too shabby of a way to end an evening.

Sunday was rounded out with a little

Sprinkles

Urban Outfitters

and 

brunch at Mercadito.

We had a fabulous time and can't wait to be back
(see ya in June, Chicago).

Mister told me a million times he had a great birthday weekend and I loved getting to spoil him for once!

He does a pretty good job spoiling me :)

P.S. thanks to all of you Chicago blog girls that helped me out with food and fun activity suggestions!

Birthday Surprise: CHICAGO (part 1)

This surprise weekend for Mister's birthday has been in the works for a looong time 

BUT 

I couldn't say a word to you guys!!

I so glad I can finally tell you all about it!

And proud of myself for not ruining the secret! 

The Mister and I headed up to Chicago (minus the snow this time) on Friday

and we got right to exploring the city.

Our hotel (The Knickerbocker) was right off of Michigan Avenue i.e. all the best shopping.

I loved all of the fabrics in our room and the shower was phenomenal!

Friday night we had reservations at Rosebud.

We had read that Rosebud was known for their steaks and for having the best burger in the city.

We both went for the burgers and they did not disappoint.

So,so good.

We also ordered parmesan and truffle tater tots.

You guys, those TOTS.

Out of this world.

I've never had such a delicious tot in my life.

 

sorry the grainy pictures the lighting was strange in there

After dinner we ventured to Old Town for a drink and on to Second City.

 Second City was entertaining but not as funny as I was expecting.

We also went to the 11 o'clock show which was midnight our time = past our bedtime.

I'll be back tomorrow with more photos and details from our trip!

Meal Plan: Week of February 19th

Happy Sunday, friends!
The Mister and I just got back from a wonderful weekend celebrating his birthday in...

CHICAGO!

We had a fabulous time and I can't wait to share a million some pictures with you!

On to our meal plan:

Sunday: Sprinkles cupcakes. No joke, we both just ate one for dinner.
Don't tell our moms.

 Monday: Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf (from freezer)

Tuesday: Meatloaf leftovers

Wednesday: Chicken and Broccoli Bowls

Thursday: Chicken Sausages and

Friday: Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken (on sammies) + oven fries

Saturday: Buffalo Chicken Pizza

 

What are you having this week??

It's All About the Eyes

As I was reviewing our Chicago pictures, I realized that a lot of them had to do with our eyes.

First there was an entire photo shoot on my inability to wink. 

I can't do it.

Like literally can not make one eye close and the other stay open.

I end up scrunching up my cheek to my eye...not correct.

 It is just not in my dna.

 Just keepin' it real, people.

(I can't whistle either but that's a whole other story).

Secondly, we had the glasses photo shoot.

Laura had requested some glasses (from here) in the mail to try out.

We decided trying them all on was the best way to determine our favorites.

The Mister nor I wear glasses or contacts so it was fun to play around.

Interesting fact: neither of us have ever had our eyes checked either.  

I know, I know we need to...everyone keeps telling us that.

To me though, if we can see why bother?

(Our mothers are cringing right now).

Has anyone else not ever been to the eye doctor or are we totally crazy?

More importantly, which glasses should Laura get??

Weekend Wrap Up: Chicago

On Friday we zipped trekked up to Chicago to visit our friends Bobby and Laura.

I'm not sure if you heard but Chitown got about 6" of snow on Friday.

So what should have been a 5 hour trip turned into an 8 hour trek in the snow.

But, alas, we made it there safely and had a fabulous weekend!

Friday night we headed to Dunlay's for dinner and drinks at Longman and Eagle.

We really loved Longman and Eagle- a very unique and yummy little spot!

Saturday morning we headed to Wrigleyville and had a delicious meal at DMK Burgers.

We were so busy eating burgers and (3!) different types of fries that we forgot to take any pictures. 

But trust me, they were amazing!!

After lunch we took the train down to Millennium Park, checked out The Bean and hit the ice to go ice skating.

 I am happy to report that no one fell while we were ice skating!

Success!
I enjoyed it so much I am dying to go again here in Cincy.

Sunday morning we were able to meet up with some friends of ours that we had met on our honeymoon- it was so great to see them again!

I'll be back later this week with some other fun pictures from our weekend.