Hi everyone!

As mentioned in my “Welcome Back” post, the Weekly Wrapups are now evolving into Monthly Mashups…and this is the first one!

This past month was filled with all kinds of events, so definitely look forward to a few follow up posts on some of them.

So let’s take a cue from The Sound of Music shall we & “start from the very beginning, a really good place to start..”

Ok I’m gonna cheat a little bit on this first one since technically it’s just a couple days before the start of August HOWEVER since it’s my first time in the West Coast since I was 10 years old, I felt it was worth mentioning: my trip to Denver! I got to see one of my best friends (hi Nikki!) and I really loved the culture there. To me, it felt like the melting pot of all the other cities I’ve visited recently: Dallas, Nashville, & Indy. I’ll be doing a guide & outfit post on the trip so stay tuned for more deets on that later!

On to the actual month of August.. I visited the City Winery on the Chicago Riverwalk. I’ve been once before and loved the meat & cheese boards with a glass of rosé so I knew I had to go back. It was the perfect summer treat (and welcome home after Denver).

Shop the look: http://www.shopstyle.com/collective/thehargz/43134140

Fast forward to another trip. Crazy? Maybe. Fun? Duh!

This was my first outdoorsy trip with the fam. At first, I wasn’t the most excited about it since it was different than what I’m used to, but since Gatlinburg is near Nashville -which as you know, I love – it ended up being a good way to try something new! As with Denver, I’ll be doing a recap of the trip but expect skylifts, white water rafting, etc.

Once I came back home, I went to check out Evolveher – a newer co-working space in River North. I love all the girl power that it features throughout the space – everywhere you look there’s an inspirational message, from the neon sign on the boxwood wall to the prints of lady bosses you’re greeted with as soon as you walk in. They have events all the time for members and great perks like matcha from Limitless on tap. Plus, it’s so cute!!

After checking out the space, I headed over to Left Coast Food. I had heard great things about it and I’ve been trying (key word) to be a little healthier in my eating choices so I thought why not. Naturally, after two different trips, I tried both avocado toasts: the Laguna Avocado Toast and the Hermosa Avocado Toast. The first is on toasted whole grain bread with avocado, orange slices, sunflower seeds, ricotta, sunflower sprouts, orange vinaigrette, & za’atar spice. The latter is on toasted semolina bread with avocado, mojo rojo, (tasted like pico de gallo), red onion, and basil. Both were good but I really loved the first one – the za’tar spice with the sunflower seeds and avocado had a great flavor to it. Plus I liked the bread on this one a little more too.

Shortly after my first week back, I got my first press piece! I did an interview with Voyage Chicago on their Trailblazer series talking about my blog, Insta, and work. I couldn’t believe it! It’s all thanks to you guys for getting me the recognition for publications like this to find me. If you have a second to read it, here’s the link: http://voyagechicago.com/interview/conversations-inspiring-haley-arger/ .

I finally bit the bullet on something I’d been meaning to try out: Rocksbox. Rocksbox is a jewelry subscription service and lets you try out 3 different pieces that you can either keep or swap every month. Also, the amount you pay ($21) is a credit toward your purchase too. See everything you need to know on my Instagram highlights! After trying all three pieces out, I LOVED the ring set I got so I bought that piece and sent the rest back. I like the idea of switching out accessories with the seasons so I’m going to keep on the service for a few more months to see what else I can find. If you want to check it out for yourself, use my code to grab your first month free: HALEYABFF22 or try this link: https://www.talkable.com/x/dUIYH6 .

Another River North hot spot I stopped into recently is Pink Taco. Relatively new to the city and hailing from California, this spot is very much…pink! There are neon lights and crazy decor all around plus the food is awesome!! I’ve been once before and decided to try their guac again (below) as well as their TRUFFLE (yup) mushroom tacos. Seriously you guys, between these tacos and Barrio’s version, I think these are my favorite ones ever. Made with caramelized onions, cotija cheese, truffle aioli, & mushrooms on corn tortillas, the tacos had just the right amount of oil and the flavor was bursting through. Next on my hit list: the lobster tacos.

Next up, thanks to Chicagogrammers, I got to go to a Sox game and try out the new Revolution Brewery Party Room. We got tacos & taquitos (yum) plus one item from the park..which of course was something sweet. The party room is open to everyone as a hang out spot before, after, and during the game where you can grab drinks and food while enjoying a great view of the stadium as you sit.

Speaking of Chicagogrammers, I got to attend their 2nd anniversary party this year. Long story short, it was a BLAST – so many great vendors like Sōmrus, Binny’s, Wrigley BBQ, Blue Chair Bay Rum, MSocial, Trending Above, and more! My friends and I loved checking out the 1407 on Michigan complex…especially the pool! It was a great way to watch the Chicago Air and Water Show going on above us.

Shop the look: http://www.shopstyle.com/collective/thehargz/43141351

This next one is probably the one I’m most excited about: I got to go to the Create & Cultivate Chicago Conference. Though an expensive ticket, all the knowledge I got to soak up and people I got to meet made it totally worth it. I’ll be uploading a recap with the rest of the details soon!

With the dog days of summer upon us, Katie & I took a little trip to The Freeze in Logan Square and the Logan Square Food Truck Fest. Neither of us had been before, but we will definitely be heading back before it closes up for the incoming cold weather. It reminds me of a local & more unique version of Dairy Queen. Flavors like PB&J, Chai Tea, and pistachio soft serve (yum!) are among the ones we saw. We both ended up getting the pistachio with peanut crunchies and sprinkles – a little late to the game on this topping but it’s my new favorite…and you already know how I feel about pistachio so to say I was excited was an understatement. As for the food truck fest, our favorites were the grilled cheese at Cheesie’s and the lobster mac & cheese bites from Happy Lobster Truck – both so cheesy and yummy!

Want the look too? Shop it here: http://www.shopstyle.com/collective/thehargz/43146242

During the final week of the month, I got to attend my friend Claire’s event at J9 Wine Bar in Lincoln Park. It was a champagne tasting with bubbly all around, plus charcuterie boards and conversation. I could tell everyone was having so much fun plus I love the ambiance the space has of just sitting down and chatting away as you nosh on snacks and sip your glass. I’m sure we’ll be back sooner rather than later so if you haven’t been, go!

Last but not least, I got to check out the Glossier pop up in Chicago! It’s in the West Loop until mid-October and if you haven’t gone yet – what are you waiting for?? As with the rest of these big deals, I will be doing another separate post on this as well so stay tuned (again)!

And…that’s a wrap on August, woo! Let me know what you guys think about this new mashup style below and chat soon.

Local Spots I Checked Out: City Winery (Chicago Riverwalk Location), Evolveher, Left Coast Food, Pink Taco, Comiskey Park…I mean, Guaranteed Rate Field 😉, 1407 on Michigan, House of Vans for Create & Cultivate, Glossier Pop-Up

Events I’m Looking Forward To: Paradise Park Pizza Party, Family Birthdays (including mine), Fall Fashion

See you in the next post!