Happy Polar Vortex!

My friend Chan and I prior to the Polar Vortex

Yes, we bundle up like this usually, today it just came in handy.

Happy Polar Vortex Day!

We have been experiencing temperatures that feel like -40 degrees and snow, oh the snow.

There is just so much - but that had stopped yesterday before the official start of the Polar Vortex.

While dressing to leave my house this morning at one point I was wearing 4 scarves.  A little panic ensued after I listened to all of the facts about frostbite on the news... 

The floor was covered in pee pee pads when we left today as poor little Mocha Bean was not going to be subjected to the elements. She was such a good girl and didn't go in the apartment until I took her out when it was a bit more manageable out in the afternoon. Last night before the cold really set in I put her in her coat and boots - the city salt irritates her little paws so much.  We truly think she get embarrassed when we have her wear these things - but much to Hunky's delight - this did make her evening walk go quickly.

Here's to staying warm - where ever you may be!  Throw an extra blanket on the bed for the next few days and layer up!

April Critical Mass Bike Ride

 Since we moved to Chicago in the late summer of 2011 every now and again we would see a group of hundreds riding bikes around town yelling at the top of their lungs "HAPPY FRIDAY!"  The young, old, hipster, business man, and homeless alike joined forces to completely block the roads and celebrate gorgeous weather and the art of traveling by bicycle.



 Upon further research Hunky discovered Chicago Critical Mass. A group who gathers together on the last Friday of every month to ride a different path - and this past Friday we joined them!

Here I am in Daley Plaza - the gathering space for the event.  It is suggested that you show up at 5:30 - but I believe that we didn't get going until 6:30.  Getting such a large number of people on bikes to cooperate and get on the road was interesting.  We started circling Daley Plaza like a swarm of bees. After about 6 laps whomever was in charge decided that enough people were ready and we took off.

 So many bikes!  I never knew there were so many creative ways to attach children to bikes... I wish we would have gotten photos of all of the creative vehicles - but - Hunky and I are pretty clumsy and I value my life more than a few photos :D

 Several people had fabulous sound systems attached to their bikes playing everything from pulsing house music to Seal...

 Although it looks like all fun and games - the ride from our apartment to Daley Plaza during afternoon rush hour on a Friday was terrifying.  Hunky had to talk me down several times on the way when I was threatening to turn around and go home. I honestly don't know how anyone rides their bikes as a form of transport around here - it is quite scary - seriously - no matter how cautious we are if a car is not paying attention we don't stand a chance.  Critical Mass tries to bring awareness to this issue and reclaim the streets for cyclists one Friday a month.

Jim Gaffigan, Rearranging the Apartment, and a Mustache Dinner Party

Not to knock how we spent two weekends ago...

- BUT -

This past weekend was awesome!!

On Friday night we went to see Comedian, Jim Gaffigan.  I'm not going to lie - before Hunky asked if I wanted to go see the show I had never head of Mr. Gaffigan.  He is HILARIOUS!  The great thing is that the humor isn't profane - this is NOT one of those shows where you are just wiggling around in your seat waiting for it to be over!  This is a show that could have gone on all night and I wouldn't have noticed!  The stories about his family are fantastic, how he talks about his wife is totally adorable, and his take on seafood cracks me up! You may enjoy Jim's take on Cinnabon.

 Saturday was spent rearranging the apartment.  We had been kicking the idea around for a good three months and finally had a day and a half, as well as a deadline, a dinner party the next day, so that the project couldn't carry on for months.  Lucky for us to only big piece of furniture we have in the couch - a sectional - which conveniently is able to break a part into smaller, easier to move, sections!  My new favorite space is the designated and contained area for Anna's crafting!  Hooray for not being a slob and taking over 50% of the space with my sewing! If you are considering rearranging your place I would strongly recommend taking an evening or couple of weeks to discuss and plan - we would still be living in a huge mess if we hadn't had a well thought out plan.

Sunday - we went to mass and then spent the morning preparing for a dinner party we were hosting.  I usually hate to walk down Michigan Ave. it is usually quite crowded with people who aren't paying attention to anything.  A lot of unsuspecting tourists get mugged walking down the Avenue.  Needless to say, that's a major reason why I avoid it.  Although on a Sunday morning at 10:30 it seemed safe.  I'm certainly glad we walked that way - we were able to enjoy Tiffany's Great Gatsby themed windows!  I am sooo excited to see the movie and plan on attending it in my fringed flapper dress!

Now, doesn't every good, Catholic couple go to stock up on wine and beer before 11 am... That's what we were thinking with our cart full of dinner party essentials at Trader Joes 8 minutes before 11 am... the legal time to sell alcohol on Sundays. On a side note - my mom is all about owls these days often saying "Owls are hot."  Well, it's true, they are hot enough to be on Japanese beer!

Part of our rearranging included moving the dining room table to a room lacking a ceiling light fixture, but on the plus side it has a whole wall of windows.  After we argued for half an hour, walked to Home Goods, thought about poverty inflicted by purchasing a Crate & Barrel lamp, and considered throwing one another in front of a bus, Hunky made a quick trip to Ikea to avoid a dinner party of darkness, and came back with this gem.  Yes - sometimes that's how decisions are made - and we like to think it's perfectly normal. :)

My lovely spring colors table-scape - enhanced by the fabulous flowers Hunky gave me earlier in the week - and of course - our under kitchen cut-out bike.  We have a lot of bikes in our place lately.  Hunky has a new hobby and is really running - errr- riding with it...

 We had fun playing around with the mustache drink markers Hunky's sister gave him - thanks Beth!  The mustache selection process was quite intense...

"Should I go with my dream mustache or the one that I would probably have if I were to grow one?"

... and then we figured out they would stick to our faces...

Sometimes when we cram 100 million things into a weekend it's a blast!

Easter 2013

** After this post you're going to think that all that Mr. Hunky and I do is run around on the beach with dogs.  Well after being crammed in a one bedroom apartment together all winter, we'd only be so lucky to get to do that all the time! **

Happy Easter 2013!
We'll call it Easter at the last moment... 
Which is what happens sometimes when you work in retail.

We started out the day by attending mass at 9:30 - aka - the most crowded mass ever!  We were standing 4 people deep - in the cathedral - it's a HUGE church - wouldn't it be great if the church was filled like that EVERY Sunday!? Anyway after a mass decorated with the most beautiful tulip displays (still kicking myself that I didn't snap a picture) we headed home and made some brunch.  I guess it was probably breakfast - although I do feel the first meal of the day on Sunday should always be referred to as brunch. After that we picked up Mocha's friend Webster and headed on a long walk.


We walked and walked and walked - until we arrived at North Avenue Beach.

As you can see the weather was interesting... I don't usually dress like this in real life. In fact those of you who acutally know me must be gasping at my footware. Yes, I do own tennis shoes and no, they don't sparkle.

So, in good fun, let's take this outfit down What I Wore Style:

• Old Beach Ready Running Shoes - DSW
• Sweatshirt Jacket - H & M
• Infinity Scarf - White House Black Market
• Capris - White House Black Market
• Mittens - Yes, Mittens - Gift from Sister Laura

 We then proceded to run around with our four-legged friends in an attempt to exhaust them and trick them into swimming. 

 I'd like to think Mocha and I have the same silhouette.

 They were so good - avoiding a dead seagull like pros. Due to exhaustion the walk back was a bit rough - but was rewarded with a good long Easter nap, (for the dogs.)

By the time we made up our minds about what we wanted to eat the grocery stores were closed... We ate a lovely dinner at a local tapas/pizza place and had delicious gelato for dessert.

How did you spend your Easter holiday?

First Beach Day of 2013

The sun is finally out in Chicago!!!  Although it may be a bit early to shed the winter parkas, due to the nasty wind, we are getting that springtime feeling!

Blue sky over the Hancock Building on my way to work!

Last night we broke out the bikes and rode on the Lake Shore Trail.  It was fantastic!! Hunky, Mocha, and I bundled up and got on the bikes for the first time since the fall.  Mocha was a little hesitant to get back in her basket on my bike, but after we made it to the dog beach she was okay.  We were having so much fun until the sun went down - then we rode as fast as we could back home to avoid freezing. (There are no photos from this fun adventure as I was not going to be taking my mittens off for fear of loosing fingers to cold)

This morning we revived another one of our warm weather rituals - a walk to the local beach.  Dogs are happily welcome there before 9 am when the beach is open.  I guess this time of year, since it is not officially open, you might be able to stay all day.  If Mocha had her way we would probably stay there forever.

A Day in Oak Park with Frank Lloyd Wright

 This past weekend my mom and Petey came for a visit!

Friday when they arrived we went out to eat at one of our favorite Chicago restaurants, Jake Melnick's.  This place is located downtown and has the most fabulous barbeque, Bloody Marys, and Hunky seems to really like their large selection of beers.

Saturday Mom, Petey, and I ventured out to Oak Park, IL, to see all things Frank Lloyd Wright.  Hunky stayed behind to study for an actuarial exam that he has coming up in a few weeks. Petey has always been a fan of FLW and throughout my life there have been many occasions that we've ventured to see his work all over the country.

Oak Park is home to Wright's family home and studio.  We took a guided walking tour through the neighborhood dotted with FLW's homes. Wearing geeky headsets we were pilgrims among the 30 or so other people wandering around the neighborhood listening to tales of gorgeous homes on iPod like devices.

 Petey and FLW monument outside Austin Gardens.  Something to check off his "bucket list"

Geeky headset at its finest... 

 It was the most perfect fall day to go on an adventure.  The joke of the day revolved around my mom's yellow coat. 

Mom: "Anna I've noticed that no one else is wearing yellow this season."
Anna: ".... yeah Mom, that color is pretty much out this year."

Petey:  "Why does that lady in the yellow coat keep following us?"
*** Eruption of giggles from Anna & Petey***

 

The homes on the tour were absolutely gorgeous.  Althought I don't know how I would feel having people file past my home each and every day.  Not gonna lie - it was pretty hard not to go and knock on the door and ask for a tour!

There is so much to do in Oak Park.  There is a fantastic little downtown with all kinds of shops. We were there all day touring FLW's world and never even touched upon the stomping grounds of another famous man who grew up in the area - Ernst Hemmingway!

Sprinkles Cupcake ATM!

Hunky, Beans, and I went to check out the Sprinkles Cupcake ATM last night on our walk.  What a neat and delicious machine!  You can see the little box with our cupcake in it right inside the machine.  Shortly after Hunky snapped this photo we had to hustle to get our cupcake out of the machine because the door began to quickly close... With the cupcake still inside!  Apparently you only get 30 seconds to get your treat. :D

We picked red velvet and it was delicious!  We'll probably be going to that ATM a little more than we should... YUM!

An 8 Course Meal

To celebrate Hunky's return home after 6 months on the road we purchased a Gilt City coupon to have an 8 course dinner at a local restaurant Merlot on Maple.  It was an experience.

Before we get into the details here are a few things I learned about attending our 8 course celebration dinner...

• Don't arrive too hungry.
• Don't arrive too sleepy.
• Your courses won't arrive with instructions - so just do the best you can - and hope that those that you are eating with aren't embarrassed as you attempt to, for example I don't know -  cut through really hard cheese without shooting pieces of it across the room...
• Don't fill up on the bread basket - even if it is delicious and the time between courses makes you want to gnaw off your own arm.
• If the atmosphere is headlined by a British couple in an argument due to a lack of music or any background noise you and your dining partner will probably come down with a case of the giggles. 
• If another couple is seated very very close to you - close enough that you no longer notice the British couple arguing - close enough that you might as well be sitting together - close enough that their conversation, which is super awkward, might as well be your conversation - then the giggles may continue.
•  You may get hungry enough at some point during taking photos of all 8 courses that you forget to take a photo of a few courses and just clean your plate.
• 2 ravioli is never enough.  Not ever. Especially when they are delicious.
• If your waitress doesn't seem kind or engaging - try the person who buses the tables.  Her name was Alma and she was fantastic!
• I truly, truly missed my husband he is probably the most fun person I know and I am so happy to have him back home!

 

Cheers to Hunky being home!  Note the tired looking eyes, the sleepiness will set in around course 5, just before the food sickness. Also - I wish this photo captured sound so you might be able to listen to the British couple bicker.  Even though they were obviously angry their accents were just lovely.

  Prosciutto and aged Parmesan - how does one eat this? 

 

Our Menu

 

I could eat this quiche everyday for the rest of my life - it was that good.  And those greens, don't they look manly?  I hope you think so, because they are called "Manly Greens" 

  

This soup was really cheesy.  I believe that the next course is the one I devoured without photographing - it was a yummy little egg plant bite.

I believe this was Hunky's favorite course.  A super meaty sauce on a bed of homemade noodles.

 I could have eaten about 20 of these ravioli - by far my favorite course!

Hunky is such a good sport. He's probably starving waiting to eat those ravioli!

Look how blurry I am!  Hopefully you can make out the thumbs up - we're most the of the way through our dinner and still going strong! 2 bread baskets in!  And yes, in case you are wondering, I have worn my jean jacket pretty much every day since I purchased it :)

The meat course.  Now this is what a palm sized serving looks like!

 Drunken angel food cake with a chocolate filling... yumm

We made it to dessert!  We missed the final course of assorted cookies because Hunky wasn't feeling well.  Which was okay because it gave me an excuse to down more bread before we left!

Have you done any fun Groupon-like excursions lately?