A Praise Chorus

I really do love visiting Ashley in Chicago. Always something fun and different to do, but it's full of favorites that I could always go back to. 

We lucked out with pretty great weather - high 50's most of the weekend, sunshine, and a nice breeze! Everything I packed worked out great. I brought 1 jacket instead of 2 and it was the right decision. I so LOVE having a light suitcase!

We had high tea at a place called Soho House. It's a member's only club that started in the UK and has locations all over the world. The bottom level is for us commoners so we were able to enjoy some tea & cakes :) We were also able to go to the member's only area because Ashley has a friend on the board! It was a really fun thing to be able to do. I love pretending I'm fancy.

Waiting for our tea!

The reason for the trip and the true highlight - Jimmy Eat World! They were playing the album "Futures" all the way through and it certainly did not disappoint. I mean seriously - seeing your favorite band, play your favorite album, with your favorite female (aka best friend).... I don't know if it gets much better! 

Hey, Jim!

Me, Ash & Melissa at the show!

 They also did TWO encores that featured some less commonly played songs. It was so fun and you could tell they were having a great time interacting with fans that love them! It was so great we are considering hitting up a show closer to home...

The first sold out show of the tour!

Any other Jimmy fans out there? Definitely catch this tour if you can!!!

We also ate some really delicious food. Here are a few to try if you're in Logan Square/Wicker Park.

Billy Sunday: All I have to say about Billy is make sure you get the relish tray & a side of their breads. You won't regret it.

Trike: Thai food delivered to your door. What's not to like? The portions were huge and I wish I would have saved half for later (rather than letting it sit out and be wasted!). I'll be back here.

Reno: We've eaten here once before, but what I love about Reno is that they have tons of creative sandwiches & pizzas... and suggests adding an egg to everything so I'm definitely on board! They have a nice patio on the square so it's great people watching. Please note that they're cash only.

The Winchester: We brunched here and enjoyed their outdoor patio. I'd take advantage of that if the weather allows. Also, they serve Metric Coffee, a newer roaster in Chicago that happens to be quite tasty!

L'Patron: Also cash only. But extremely cheap and TASTY! Vegetarian taco of the day?! Sign me up! This was also a repeat but it's a good "fast" food option that tastes great. 

There are so many places to eat and drink in that area, so pick one and give it a shot!

Another Chicago weekend on the books. I don't know when I'll be back but I'm already looking forward to it! We had such a good time and I love eating my way around the city with Ash.

For all the Jimmy fans... here's the video I took during my favorite song, "23" - it's the full song, so enjoy! Definitely not the best camera work (I was trying to enjoy the song LIVE while I was there and film at the same time... so forgive my questionable frames, angles, etc!)

Packing for Chicago in the Fall

Tomorrow I'm going to CHICAGO!!!!

I've been to Chicago many times in the fall. Well, I guess I've been there many times in general. 

Ashley moved there in 2009 & I love visiting her. When I lived in Florida, visiting in the Fall was my escape from the heat & Chicago held the promise of crisp weather and colorful trees. Oh, and the chance to wear all of my SCARVES :)

Apple picking, October 2011

Park hangs in 2010

Taking in the beauty everywhere!

My previous October visits were focused on Chicagoween, but this trip is even more exciting: seeing Jimmy Eat World play FUTURES all the way through. It's my favorite album... I'm so excited! This will be my third Jimmy show, and my second with Ash. 

I told Matt when we got married, that even if Jimmy Eat World was playing ONE Futures show all the way through and it was on the North Pole... I was definitely going. Lucky for me (and for our bank account), it's just in Bloomington (2 hours away from Chicago). I can't wait!

Last Jimmy show about a year ago!

This trip holds a concert, a conference, a few travel days, brunches, cheering on the Chicago Marathon runners, and I'm sure several strolls around the city with coffee over the next 4 days.

With Italy in a few weeks I'm really trying to practice packing exxxxxxxxtra slim. The less the better! 

H M print shirt, $13 / Forte Forte green sweater, $115 / H M button shirt, $32 / Layered top, $130 / American Eagle Outfitters vegan leather jacket / Green field jacket / Michael michael kors skinny jeans / Lyssé Leggings black skinny legging, $175 / Steve Madden lace up fold over boots, $120 / Steve Madden slip on shoes, $68 / MICHAEL Michael Kors genuine leather purse, $295 / Michael kors shoulder bag / Rebecca Taylor 14k chain necklace / SELECTED long gold tone necklace, $23 / Phase Eight plaid shawl, $56 / H M grey infinity scarf, $6.42 / Long grey glove, $44 / H M braided waist belt, $11 / Toddler Hand Knit Slouchy Hat and Scarf Set in Mustard Yellow or YOUR...

There are some great layering options here so I can work with the chilly nights and nicer days. I'm not sure the mittens or beanie are completely necessary, but both of these are lighter in weight and are good fall accessories to change up my look.

Much more mild than I expected.... but I'll take it! The weather in Nashville has been on & off. I'm excited for some nice breezy fall weather - my favorite! It's hot coffee & scarf weather. YAY!

Is anyone running the Marathon? We'll be out there cheering for you on Sunday! Is anyone else going to a Jimmy show? They're my favorite! If you have a chance, definitely see them live... it's a good time.

See you soon, Ash! :) xo

2013: A Year in Travel

I find I'm at my best when I have a trip coming up. It's something i've been addicted to a long time, and have always been happiest spending my money on plane tickets! Here's a review of where I went in 2013

January

Fort Myers, FL/Sanibel Island, FL/Orlando, FL - visiting my family and seeing friends... always a good time. Not to mention - Matt's first trip to Disney (since he was 8... and he doesn't remember at all).

With my Prince Charming (cheesy... I knoooow)

Sky bar with Alicia!

Bunch Beach

Sanibel Lovers

Ford's Garage, Ft Myers, FL

March

Ogden, UT/Antelope Island, UT - I've never been to Utah, but I can safely say it's one of the most beautiful and unique places in the US. If given the chance, GO FOR IT!

view from our cabin - unreal, I know.

on location, Antelope Island. Filling in for the makeup artist :)

In and Out - haven't been here since high school! Luckily the milkshakes don't have meat :)

Chattanooga, TN - for a beautiful wedding of our friends Danielle and Josh! They were married at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Gardens with a reception on the 34th floor of a hotel.

April

St Louis to visit my friend Kim. A short 36 hour trip, but i'd never been before! We saw the arch, ate yummy food, and went on our 2nd Budweiser brewery tour... and also became Brewmasters.

BREWMASTER OLSON

Kentucky - Road trips. It's only like 45 minutes away... so why not take a trip up for some diner food?

May

Seattle: My first time. You can read more about it on Wednesday!

Bauhaus Books and Coffee

Hiking Poo Poo Point

June

Chattanooga for my niece, Avery, turning 1!

Also - Kitty's first road trip! He was a trooper... basically slept on my lap the whole time.

My sister and her adorable family

July 

NYC #1 - Gotta love a good excuse for a trip to NYC. My old Sanibel posse was there, including my friend Libby (who moved back to London less than a month later)... so I joined.

'ello new york.

CUP in Greenpoint - the sweetest staff in NYC

Buttermilk Channel in Brooklyn Heights with Casey!

King Noodle in Bushwick - it's off the beaten path, but it is incredible.

brunching with the Sanibel crew!

August

Tulsa, OK - also my first time here.... lots of time with my girls to help Jess G get hitched!

 Chicago, IL - for maybe the 100th time.... but it never gets old. I love visiting Ash! ALSO this time was maybe the best time, because we got to see Jimmy Eat World!

At Bongo Room - one of my favorites!

JIMMY!

September

Atlanta, GA - I've been through atlanta millions of times, but this was the first time i stopped to appreciate it

Kylie's gorgeous wedding!

Matt's first stop at Ikea

Photo booth at West Egg Cafe - check out that first pic. We look good.

NYC #2: Thanks to our credit card miles for this entire trip... and for the sweet digs at the Conrad New York. Such a nice hotel! Our main purpose of visiting was the Lord Huron & Alt+J show in Central Park - which was awesome!

Conrad

Hotel Bar

Touristing

Matt's contemplating this as a tattoo

Sup, Jersey.

Got to hang with my cousin, NYC's newest resident.

A good crew at Sweet Chick BK

BK Heights has the best view of the city!

Lord Huron - and Alt+J was amazing!

Yes... we are still in September. It was a crazy month! And this last trip went into October

Orlando + Caribbean: We road tripped down with two other couples to Epcot Food and Wine Festival... and then ventured on our 7 day cruise (and met up with 2 other couples, for 5 couples total!) Our ports were: Cozumel, Belize City, Roatan, and Costa Maya.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival! This was actually the first day of the event.

Cultured.

CRUISIN!

Peace out, America!

Self-imposed 80's night. 

Roatan. The best.

November

Atlanta #2 - We liked it much more than we thought! So we took a lovers getaway here for a day and a half to do some eating, drinking, and Ikea-ing (to fill up our almost renovated house!)

He's fun :)

i LOVE the quote on the wall!

 Capella Ixtapa - aka, heaven on earth. This is where we spent Thanksgiving and celebrated our anniversary (it's also where we went our our honeymoon, so it's sentimental for me!) Read more about Capella here and here.

December
LA... for a few hours - We had an 18 hour layover leaving Mexico - so we got to see some wonderful friends!

Bozeman/Big Sky, Montana - it's a winter wonderland for sure. It was also a bit of an arctic tundra this time... with nothing ABOVE -20 degrees the entire week we were there. Brrrrrrrrr. At least it's pretty. We usually snowboard but I only mustered up the courage to go into the cold ONCE. :)

the Bozeman airport is the CUTEST

Layer 1 of 25

Matt's eyes + Flash = nonexistent 

Bismarck/Fargo, ND - after Big Sky, we road tripped back to North Dakota with Matt's family. I also got to see my long lost roommate, Ashlee!!!

It was a crazy/amazing/wonderful/adventurous year. I wouldn't do it any different.

We have a few things penciled in for 2014, but not a whole lot set in stone.... except the trip I'm going on Friday - stay tuned for details of that in Wednesday's post! :) I haven't been to Europe in about three years... and i'm itching to go back! I'd also like to explore some new cities in the US - DC, Portland, Maine (anywhere in Maine, really), Asheville.... my list always goes on and on.

Where are you going in 2014? What's your goal? Domestic, international... tell me tell me!

xo