CHICAGO CUTIES

Always such a fun time in the Windy City! This trip was extra special because we got to meet up with some bloggers I have admired since the beginning of my blogging journey. My dear friend Michelle, whom I met on Instagram, and I started our trip off with amazing wine and cocktails, yummy bread and olive oil and one of the best things we’ve ever tasted in our lives: Brussels Sprouts Bruschetta at Nico Osteria. After some fun Try-on‘s and purchases at Urban Outfitters and Lululemon, it was time to get ready for dinner.  

BRUSSELS SPROUTS BRUSCHETTA

Funny story here at the Drake, a male concierge walked up to us and said, “there’s a problem and you ladies are in trouble.” We gasped and said, “What did we do?” and he proceeds to say, “Well, there’s a problem when you look this pretty and don’t let me take your picture by the flowers.” Aww!

 We were SO excited to meet up for a wonderful dinner with Jill from Doused in Pink, Laura from I do deClaire and Caroline from The The Petite Fashionista. These are ladies that not only have the sweetest style, but have hearts of gold! So refreshing! In this crazy, competitive blog world with so much untruths on social media, to meet up with ladies who have the same feelings, aspirations and commonalities is comforting and precious! Each of these ladies bring such light to the world. I am so grateful to them and blessed to have an opportunity to meet IRL and cannot wait until our next meeting! If you don't already know them, check out their amazing blogs for true and sweet inspiration!

Precious Jill and I toasting! The cocktails were not only pretty but Yummy!

Look How Sweet These two GEMS are!

You’ve read about my delight in meeting other bloggers, with my trip to Toronto with The Blended Blog, meeting precious Rachel from A Blonde's Moment in Washington DC and of course the bond created with my dearest friends and fabulous bloggers at our NASH BASH last October. These 5 gems are my tribe and I talk almost daily. I honestly don’t know what I did before their friendship. These ladies and I will be meeting again this fall in Austin Texas and I’m so excited!

Something I love so much about all these ladies and the ones we met in Chicago, is that they were exactly like they are on their blogs and in the sweet comments they give and interactions. These ladies are all the type that would not hesitate to help you, support you and lift you up when needed. They just get it and they have so much to offer.

I LOVE THIS Picture!

We had a wonderful meal at RPM Italian and shared all kinds of appetizers and entrées, not to mention some yummy cocktails. The dinner was capped off with miniature sorbet cones that hit the spot after the Italian meal.

The before dinner and after dinner treats were probably my favorite...peppers stuffed with mozzarella, bacon jam biscuits and mini cones.

Aren't they just the cutest little after dinner treats...yummy

Like we've been friends forever!

Despite the rain, all of us except for sweet Jill who had an hour and 20-minute train ride home, headed down the Gilt Bar that Caroline had recommended! 

Isn't Laura just the cutest!

It was such a fun place with a nice dimly lit ambience, and we shared some more laughs and yummy cocktails! Michelle‘s friend since college days, Bri joined us, who also used to be a blogger and she has the most amazing fashion sense! She lives in the Lincoln Park area so it was fun to meet up with her, especially because her and I went to the same high school although you might want to throw in almost 2 decades between us, LOL! 

After Laura and Caroline left, the three of us took a quick set in the bar photo booth and then walked to Portillo‘s for some late night French fries. 

Morning walk and coffee

Michelle (who's birthday happens to be tomorrow) and I had high hopes of getting several outfit pictures but due to the rain only got one set after morning coffee. The rain didn’t damper our fun though and after a little Garrett’s popcorn and Father’s Day shopping, we were ready to head home to our families. So blessed to be able to do things like this and so blessed to spend time with sweet ladies who started out as just a face and script on the Internet but quickly became precious friends! 

Many of you asked for dress details from the dress I wore to dinner. I opted for the red because it looked cuter with a jean jacket over it since it was chilly and rainy.

DRESS HERE & HERE// SHOES HERE // EARRINGS HERE // LEOPARD CUFF HERE

HAVE THE BEST DAY SWEET LOVES!!!

LINKING-UP with Biana // Hello Monday // Inspire Me Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party // Creative Monday's // Creative Muster Party // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop // Feathered Nest Friday // Metamorphosis Monday // Friday Favorites Link Party // Clever Chicks Blog Hop 

xoxo