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Monday, December 15, 2014

Weekending in Chicago


This past weekend was a much needed relaxing one. 

After finding out I would need to be in Chicago for work meetings, Nick and I decided to book a trip - just the two of us - on the tail of end it. It was such a great decision...if I do say so myself.

{THURSDAY}
The weekend officially started on Thursday around 4:30pm when I finished the second of two presentations I had been working on the past few months. It was such a great relief and I was happy to have this little getaway as a way to celebrate finally being done. I'm sure Nick was celebrating finally getting his wife - and some help with Cruzer - back since I'd been relatively MIA. 

Immediately after checking in at the Warwick Allerton Hotel downtown, we grabbed a couple of glasses of champagne and headed to the room to get ready for dinner and a night out on the town. I booked the hotel using Jetsetter. It was in a gorgeous old building, right off Michigan Avenue and had a great lobby bar but I have to say if we were to do it again, we probably wouldn't have picked this hotel. We upgraded to a suite - of course we didn't realize it was the handicap suite - and the room was nice, just would've preferred a little nicer. And one of our favorite thing about staying in a hotel is the plush, comfortable bed. This one was not and that was a big let down...don't worry it didn't stop us from sleeping in most mornings.


We headed out to our reservations at Epic - a restaurant Nick's trainer recommended - and it had potential by the looks of the lively bar downstairs, until they led us upstairs and it was super quiet and not quite our scene, so we politely said thanks but no thanks and headed down Hubbard to find somewhere more our speed. We settled on Hub 51 and it was perfect. Great food, great scene and great cocktails. After dinner we basically stopped in every single bar on Hubbard trying them out before calling it a night. We had been up since 3:30am to catch our flight earlier that morning and were both exhausted.

{FRIDAY}
On Friday, we woke up - to no alarm, might I add - around 9am. Yes, we slept in until 9am and it was so amazing. I don't think I've slept that late since our Mexico vacation earlier this year (read all about that trip here & here). Then we got ready and headed in search of a delicious place for brunch and landed at an aptly named spot called Brunch.  The Brunch nachos and chicken & waffle bites were delish.


We then headed to Up Comedy Club for a 1:30pm show - Second City's Holidazed & Confused - and we were so glad we did. Nick and I both love comedy and when it's rated R, it's even better in our book. And this was hilarious.


The best part? Nick got called up on stage during their improv about a sweater problem...they brought him in as chief of sweaters and asked him what material he thought they should make sweaters out of to make them safer...and Nick? He said "yoga pant material." Yep. Only my husband. =)


The day didn't end there, after the show we headed to the United Center for the Bulls / Trailblazers game. Initially we were stoked because one of our fave player's (Doug McDermott) from one of our fave teams (Creighton Bluejays in Omaha) plays for the Bulls. Unfortunately, he wasn't suiting up, but it was still a fun game.


The only reason I took this pic of the cheerleader was so I didn't look like a stalker trying to get a pic of Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant - to her left. Any old Bulls fans out there? I know I sure was. Now I'm just a weirdo taking pictures of cheerleaders. Great plan, Kate.

{SATURDAY}
On Saturday, we slept in again - sensing a theme here? - and then decided on a morning movie. We haven't been to a movie in forever and used to love going. When I was prego, we literally went to a movie every Monday. And let me tell you, it wasn't because there were so many great movies and maybe had more to do with the nachos and buttery popcorn.

We saw Gone Girl. I had read the book and overall thought the movie was good. Slow at parts and to be honest I preferred the book, but I also love seeing how movies play out and putting faces to the characters.

After the movie it was all about the shopping.


We were deciding between heading to dinner at Mastro's - one of my favorite restaurants & because Nick has never been OR heading back to the room for a deep dish pizza and an in-room movie. I'm sure you can guess the latter won us over. We hit up Trader Joe's for some wine, ordered in Gino's East and watched the Equalizer while eating pizza and drinking red wine in bed. Perfection.


And that was it - as quickly as it came, it was gone. But it was such a wonderful little trip away...

And now back to reality and trying to bust my butt to get our Christmas shopping done before next week. How is it possible that Christmas is already NEXT WEEK??

{Shop This Post}
Bulls Game: Takara Jacket (not available - similar here) // Athleta Gleam tights
Saturday Shopping: Lucy Jacket // Athleta Chaturanga tight


Happy Monday and hope you all have a great week!

Linking up with my gal Biana

16 comments:

  1. It looks like you had THE most amazing and fun weekend ever! I love comedy clubs so that sounds like it was an awesome experience! I hope you're all recovered from your weekend of fun!!

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  2. So fun, gorgeous girlie! I still need to get myself to Chi-town one day! xx

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  3. What a fun weekend! You guys packed a lot in!! What is better than walking around a chilly city, mocha in hand, shopping, your love by your side, and Christmas lights? So jealous. We watched Gone Girl this weekend too. I'd never read the book but I did enjoy the movie. Loving all of your outfits!! =)

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  4. Looks like you had a wonderful weekend! Love your jackets -- so fab!
    xo Southern Style

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  5. What a fabulous little getaway!! I love that they asked Nick on stage and that his response was yoga material - it would be comfortable lol! You definitely made the most of your time- Can't wait to see what you got on your shopping trip!! xo, Biana - BlovedBoston

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  6. Such a fun weekend!! Glad you loved Hub 51 - that was one of our regular spots! Obsessed with all of your outfits, I'm so sad that BB Dakota wrap is sold out because it would have been mine. I wasn't super impressed with Gone Girl either - totally agree that the book was better. Something about the girl that played Amy was just off to me... I think it was her deep voice. Anyway, so glad you had a great weekend! And got to sleep in!!

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    1. Sorry about that - didn't realize it was sold out! I found it at the link below as well.

      BUT do you have Gordman's up there? I actually found it there but half the price...Gordman's just didn't have it online when I went to link it =( Speaking of Gordman's, I love them for home goods, but they are killing it these days with some of the clothing lines they feature - BB Dakota, Matty M, Jessica Simpson, Kensie, Olive & Oak to name a few. I've been in twice in the past month because of this =)

      http://www.stbernardsports.com/bb-dakota-womens-henrietta-jacket-style-be32279.html?utm_source=feedgoogle&utm_medium=comparisonshopping&utm_term=BBDakotaWomensHenriettaJacket&gclid=CjwKEAiAqrqkBRCep-rKnt_r_lkSJAArVUBcLIZ09RL9S0sF8_mZi8gtvK-IvxRePQHOUWJ2VkjJtBoCzRXw_wcB

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  7. What a fun and much needed weekend away! You guys certainly packed a lot into a short amount of time!!

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  8. Such a fun weekend! You guys squeezed so much in! I also wish I had your metabolism!!! I love that your hubs suggested yoga pant material (like peeing my pants laughing) and pizza and wine in bed sounds like my version of heaven!

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  9. Sounds like an amazing weekend, I would LOVE to visit Chicago someday! It sounds like the hotel you stayed at had a lot of character, but bummer for no big comfy bed! I love that you opted for the deep dish pizza and wine in bed... a girl after my own heart ;)

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  10. Glad you guys had such a fun weekend! That's hilarious that your husband got brought up on stage during the improv set haha...he is a brave man!

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  11. OMG what a fun weekend! So jealous you got to play around in Chicago, I've always wanted to go! And I am obsessed with ALL of your jackets! Especially that first one and the olive one with the leather sleeves. Gorgeous! And story of the picture of the cheerleader made me LOL! Oh and I totally would have done the wine and deep dish pizza in bed too... perfect way to end a vacation!

    <3, Pamela
    Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  12. You are so glamorous, girl!! so happy you and the hubsie had the chance to get away together for awhile. Looks like you had the best time. We need to meet up in Chicago sometime...#thecorefour+mango ;)

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  13. I've been dyyyyying for Jon to take me to Chicago. I've been once and loved it. He's never been and somehow thinks it's awful. Maybe I'll show him this post and what a great time you had and he'll be hooked! Glad you had a fab time!

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  14. "Yoga Pant Material"...I can't stop laughing. Looks like you had a fabulous weekend away! P.S. You look perfect in all the pics...cutest thing ever!

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  15. Look so amazing! I love Chi-town so much! We need a girls trip there, immediately. :)

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Your comments make me smile! Thanks for taking the time to share some love =)