FRIDAY FAVORITES FRIENDS IN CHICAGO

Always an endless amount of fun when you travel to the town of Chicago! Continues to be my favorite city in America, and so lucky to be less than two hours away from it. Even more lucky to have friends also near that make it such a delight to get together. This Friday favorites is Dedicated to a girl’s last weekend that I wish you could’ve been longer.

 

So, along with much of the country, we had some heat and did not really want to be walking around the city during the peak of it, so we decided to go to the BARBIE MOVIE just right next to our hotel. Of course, we got decked out in pink. Perfect friends to see this movie with; Jill from Doused in Pink and Laura from I DO deCLAIRE.

 

I absolutely loved my outfit, so much fun!

Look at the BOW in back!

As you probably have read before, my favorite hotel in Chicago is the Loews, for many reasons. This time it exceeded my expectations as they upgraded our Lakeview suite to the navy pier suite, and it was absolutely incredible. Definitely making me wish we would’ve had more time there! 

After the movie, Kathrine from the Kathrine Eldridge blog joined is. She got us a coveted reservation at this Mediterranean restaurant called Ema and it did not disappoint. So far one of my favorite eateries in Chicago and I did not even get one picture but I did get a picture of dessert. Kathrine also found us the Dessert Dealer and we got our Sugar Fix with dessert tacos that were out of this world!

 

Next up was the rooftop Bar Avec that Mr. Nine and I had gone to in May. A thunderstorm was rolling in, but we got an opportunity for a photo, and each had a yummy cocktail. We’re headed back to our incredible suite and chitchatted before bed. 

The next morning our dear Caroline from The Petite Fashionista was able to join us for brunch at The Albert. The food was absolutely delicious and not only did Caroline’s husband get some photos when he came to pick her up, but the doorman got a couple goodies as well. Already thinking about our next get together and definitely a favorite of the summer!

AND You know what else was great, non of us were on Social Media and it was grand!!

What I Wore

I did not get pictures of everything, so I snapped a couple for you at home and of course the highlight outfit for me was...

The one I wore to Barbie. 

Outfit from Dry Goods..check your stores, limited sizes online

Pants HERE // Top HERE // Sandals HERE // Sunglasses HERE // Similar Handbag HERE

Dinner Dress HERE

Brunch Dress HERE

Under $30 and TONS of colors and prints

Bonus Girl’s Night

I got to come home and look forward to another fun girl’s night out with my friends who happen to be the wives of friends and coworkers of Mr. Nine’s. They were on their annual weekend golf trip. 

They sent us the snaps looking so cute on the golf course and we were just back home, drinking chatting and eating, lol! We all showed up in black and didn't plan it.

What I wore that night....THIS DRESS

under $25~

and cute belt HERE

Fun Weekend!

 

T minus one week when all the shower festivities begin, and I cannot wait to love on these new girlies coming into our family! It’s going to be big, it’s going to be delicious, it’s going to be fun and it’s going to be grand in the only way I know how to party, lol. But I will be back on Monday with some goodness you will not want to miss!

 

Love to you all and Enjoy the weekend!

Linking up with  Friday Favorites  // Metamorphosis Monday // Sundays on Silverado

xoxo

 

FRIDAY FAVORITES....HELLO JUNE

I love June, usually not yet too hot, the fun days of summer have begun and I get the month to look forward to the 4th fun around the corner!! Hello sweet June and HELLO FRIDAY!!! Love these short weeks! Mr. Nine called me yesterday and said, we're headed to Chicago again to see U2 Saturday Night at Solider Field! Just a day trip but Super excited seeing as they were majorly a part of my 1980's!! Come on Bono and Friday Favs....

1. Family Day
Yep, I was one happy Mama last Saturday when we found a time that the whole crew could do a Family day!! Pizza at an old school joint we love, The Lounger Theater to see "Baywatch" (Super Funny) and the Apple store so one boy could replace a phone that went uh, swimming, lol.

And Have you tried the Caramel M&M's? I squealed with delight when I saw the theater had them. Sooo good!

2. DIFFERIN GEL
YES!!!! So, I am not one to have botox or stuff injected, so when I was at the dermatologist for my skin check a couple weeks ago, I sad "Doc, I wold like something for wrinkles." He smiled and said I was in luck because now, over the counter, right there on the shelves of Target is this amazing gel!!! Just came out a few weeks ago. It says it is for Acne but it is the latest advancement in fighting wrinkles and it is only $29.99. So far, so good, gives a little tight feeling to the skin, I have had no redness or breakouts and a small diminish in crows feet. Hope it continues to work magic!!

3. Week's Attire

Kohl's (gift from my son for Mother's day) top. Michael Kors pants.

The Loft sweater and necklace, Target top

Chelsea 28 top from Nordstrom, The Loft Pants

4. Poppy Red/Orange

I adore this color and even got a dress in this color in Toronto for a brunch wedding later this summer.
Adore this ensemble.

Top HERE // Shoes HERE
Necklace HERE

More Inspo

Loved this look yesterday from my friend  Rachel from A Blonde's Moment

5. Impromptu Trip to Chicago
Monday was mine and Mr. Nine's wedding anniversary. The past couple years we haven't done anything major and didn't look like we would this year as weather looked kind of crappy. We kept watching the forecast and Sunday morning, just said "Let's Go!" We packed a bag quick and drove to Chicago and had the best time. 
The weather ended up being picture perfect.

Our Favorite Chicago Hotel is The Loews!
More on this Last Minute get away on Monday!!

And in case you missed it, Our 2017 Family AND Couples Bucket lists HERE

Now go get going on your summer fun, bucket list or no bucket list, just enjoy this sweet June weekend!!
Linking up with  Amanda // Friday Favorites  // Oh Hey, Friday  // High 5 For Friday // 5 on Friday // Fashion Friday
xoxo

OUR 9 FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN CHICAGO

Before I even get into the Windy City all the wonderful things we love to do there and share some pictures from a recent weekend there, I have to ask you to bear with me. Today is the day I leave my oldest at college. Today we will be busy doing last minute things and getting his dorm room all set so if I'm not able to comment or email you back, know I'll be reading blogs in full force tomorrow to keep my mind off of this mixed emotion milestone.

Mr. Nine did a great job of erasing my worries for one weekend in our favorite city before these little birdies fly off on their own. 

We are so blessed to live just two hours away from Chicago and have been there many times. However, it never ceases to amaze us how many new things we stumble upon during each visit. I thought it would be fun to compile "Nine" of our favorite things in case you ever get the chance to explore this great city.

1. Riverwalk
All our trips to the city and we've never walked along the Riverwalk. What an amazing stroll on a sunshiny day. With its gorgeous scenery, pop up bars, boat watching and architecture admiring, it's a great way to see a fun part if the city. They are currently in construction to expand it so you can walk even further. Tiny Hat was a new, fun bistro. Had a delicious frozen rum concoction.

2. Michigan Avenue
I never really buy much on Michigan Ave, it's a little touristy but so fun to stroll for a bit on every trip. I always like to see what is new. There is a cool new Under Amour store and I just love how they dress the giant mannequin.

Also loved that they dedicated a display to our beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish and of course using the number "9"!! Less than a month to kick off!!!

3. Marina/Lake Michigan Shore
After we were done along the Riverwalk, we turned around and walked the opposite way to Lake Michigan and admired the view with all the boats in the marina. Such a lovely day!

4. Rooftop Terrace
I am a sucker for a rooftop terrance and this one was right at our hotel. We went for a drink in the afternoon where we enjoyed sitting in comfy oversized chairs, watching corn hole and admiring the view. We went back that evening after dinner where we got to see fireworks over the lake and met some couples who told us that actually rooftop terraces made public are a rarity in Chicago. Lucky us, this one was an elevator ride away. It's called Steeterville Social.

5. Eataly
I told you about this place after my Mom's Birthday Trip so of course had to take Mr. Nine. He loved it, especially the brewery and found a new brew he loved. Just look at this meat and cheese plate we indulged in and I had my favorite moscato...Brandini

6. Food
You know when you go to Chicago, you can literally have anything you want to eat!! Pure bliss, if you find the right spots.
Here are some of our favs...
Yolk for breakfast, great "get in line" app..hour wait but we literally walked right up and our table was ready thanks to my husband and the app.....fabulous Eggs Benedict! 
Love West Egg for breakfast as well.

From my trip with Mom last November for her birthday...RPM Steak!

From our April trip for my Birthday...Our other favorite Steak place...The Capitol Grille

Our Favorite Italian: Carmine's, RPM Italian and Maggianos

Such a great caprese salad at Carmines.

7. Deep Dish Pizza
There is nothing like pizza in Chicago and because the wait is usually a couple hours and the pizza itself another 45-60 min, we don't always have the time to indulge but oh when we do....so worth it! The spots we know and love are Pizzeria Uno, Giordano's and where we devoured it recently: Gino's East

8. The Hotels
I think we found our new Favorite! We have stayed at the James, the Trump, the Hard Rock (back in its Heyday when it was great) among many others but The Loews is our new favorite and we WILL be returning. The smell in the lobby is intoxicating and probably enough to bring me back, lol, not to mention this is were the rooftop terrace is!!

The Trump is indeed amazing but pricey so cannot stay there every visit.

The Hard Rock was our thing and you can get great deals there but its getting older and just doesn't have the same punch.

Last time we stayed there for our Luke Bryan concert weekend

9. Christkindlmartket
If you find your self in Chicago around Christmas, this is a Must. For many years , we went to Chicago the weekend after Thanksgiving and this market was a tradition as we both have ties to Germany and love the culture.
Inspired by the Christkindlmarket in Nuremberg, Germany, which began in 1545, the Christkindlmarket Chicago brings cherished German and European tradition with international flair and local charm to Chicago. It's the city's largest open-air Christmas festival an is held every year in Daley Plaza from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve.

Warm Glühwein mulled wine is a treat on a crisp, cool night.

Have you been to Chicago? What are your favorite things to do and eat there? 

I am so excited for Wednesday as I mentioned on Friday that Wednesday is National Smore's Day so get ready for food and fashion to celebrate this campfire holiday!

Happy Monday sweet friends....I can do this, right?

Linking up with Biana // Totally Terrific Tuesday // Show and Tell Tuesdays // Wordless Wednesday // Inspire Me Monday // Share The joy// Inspire Me Tuesday // Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party // Share It // Creative Monday's Blog Hop // Thoughts on Thursday // Waiting On Wednesday // Create It Thursday // Creative Muster Party // Wow Us Wednesdays // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop //  The Alder Collective // Feathered Nest Friday // Dishing It & Digging It

xoxo