Hi everyone!
Long time no talk (at least on here). I finally have my October mashup ready to go, yay!
Here’s what you missed.
First up, another Create & Cultivate event. I know you’ve heard me praise them before after I went to their conference several months ago and learned so much; this happy hour at WeWork was no different. Courtney (of Color Me Courtney) spoke with Jaclyn Johnson (founder of C&C) on all kinds of topics like how to grow your personal brand to finding your unique voice. Plus, I got to hang with a few coworkers too! More to come on her advice in an upcoming post!
Megan of Things I’m Moderately Excited About – we finally met in person!
Didn’t stay home for long this month as my cousin and I traveled to St. Louis to celebrate her birthday with her high school buds and more family. Loved this little winery we visited – I had no idea there was one close by!
I’m no vegetarian (note: the bacon) but this mushroom & quinoa burger from Beatrix was SO yummy! I would 100% order this instead of a regular burger sometimes because it was just as tasty and yet a little healthier too! Anywhere else in the city that serves these? Let me know, I’d love to try different ones!
After trying Warm Belly Bakery at a Co-Optim event a while back, I finally stopped into their new Lincoln Park location. I got their classic hazelnut chocolate chip and it was as good as I remembered. Definitely stop in if you have a cookie craving…bonus, it’s also next to one of my favorite sandwich spots: The Fat Shallot! Win-win!
Another day, another new restaurant opening in Chicago! I visited the new Real Good Juice in River North and tried the avocado toast (duh) and it was great! I loved how they really packed it with avocado plus they used a jammy egg (hybrid of hard-boiled and runny yolk) for great yolk porn without the mess! The space is really cool inside, part market part grab & go food/drinks so I definitely want to go back and see what else is there too!
Next is a favorite spot of mine that I visit often – can you guess?
If you guessed Holt’s, you’re right! I got to try their fall cocktail menu along with a couple food items too. All were delicious of course, but my favorite one that really jumped out at me is the Danimal, (the one with the flower, pictured below) made with scotch, housemade banana + nutmeg syrup, banana liqueur and more! We also had mini pizzas of butternut squash & sage and goat cheese & grape plus a…wait for it…RED WINE FILLED BURGER. Yep. This burger was also designed to hold everything in it too and it worked! Not one piece fell out!
Shop all my outfits here: www.shopstyle.com/shop/thehargz
I also tried the hot chocolate from Bodega as a little fall treat (not all at once, since there’s a lot on there lol) but it was so chocolatey and delicious. I loved the little marshmallow too!
In less food news…I got to meet a blogger I’ve followed for a long time and she made it all the way from NYC! This is Blair Eadie and she runs the Atlantic-Pacific blog. She has great style with sharp blazers and fun midi skirts and now has a line at Nordstrom! I ended up getting the pink blazer and love it (see below).
Shop the blazer (sadly pink is sold out), here: http://shopstyle.it/l/TXd4
The next night I wore the blazer out to my first Maelle event and got to go to their clubhouse! It was so cute inside with a neon sign, statement couch, plus tons of beauty products and snacks. I have a feeling this won’t be the last time I visit…😉
Shortly after, I went to my first EVER Blackhawks game! I was so excited to finally get the whole experience and loved it. Since it was spur of the moment I didn’t get a chance to wear my jersey but oh well, next time! I also had never stepped foot inside United Center so it was cool to cross that off my bucket list. Fun fact: I have now been in every Chicago stadium and have been to almost every type of major sports game – all except an NBA game (even MLS soccer) so that’s next!
I had the pleasure of trying out Heaven on Seven’s brunch and it was…epic! I liked everything I tried, from the shrimp n’ grits to the po’boys to the chocolate peanut butter cheesecake – mmm. I will for sure be back!
Follow that brunch up with another at Barrio (again) – great breakfast tacos and cool drinks like this popsicle number!
Plus views at Cindy’s Rooftop too – highly recommend the rosé…even if it might just be for a reflection pic!
The next two are a trend I’m sure you’ve noticed popping up in cities everywhere…what I like to call the Instagram museums. The first was Wndr, which I really liked, as just about every installation inside was tied back to a local Chicago artist – cool, right? This one was also more scientific too so each room had a really cool twist to them. The next one I visited with Maelle at Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up – so many photo ops!
And last but not least…I celebrated Halloween! This year I went as an “extra” terrestrial (ET). Super easy and fun!
Local Spots I Checked Out: WeWork, Beatrix, Real Good Juice Co., Holt’s, La Bodega, Nordstrom Michigan Ave, Maelle HQ, United Center, Heaven on Seven, Barrio, Cindy’s Rooftop, Wndr Museum, Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up
Events I’m Looking Forward To Next Month: Winky Lux Store Experience, Content Sugar from Cliquish, Maelle Winter Skincare Workshop & Holiday Party, Thanksgiving + Florida trip
See you in the next post!
