I was so excited to get back to Chicago. It had been almost a year since I’d been there. I was so excited to see Kelly and Sarah and spend a fabulous weekend with those girls.
So, here’s how it went down. And yes…pretty much what I do on vacation in big cities is eat and shop. Don’t judge me!
Kelly’s boyfriend picked me up from the airport and we headed to Uncle Julio’s for dinner. Think Chevy’s…only better. We shared the most delicious fajitas I’ve ever had; lobster, shrimp, and steak. After we headed to Kelly and Kevin’s apartment (new since the last time I was in town) and hung out waiting for Sarah’s flight to get in.
Side note: While waiting, we watched this 20/20 report about people in eastern Kentucky. So disturbing. It seriously broke my heart.
Anyway, Sarah got in and the rest of the weekend included Rockit Bar and Grill for Valentine’s, where I got to meet Kelly and Sarah’s friend, Liz. We went to see He’s Just Not That Into You. It was the second time for me. I think it’s pretty dang funny…because it’s so true.
Sunday morning we went to Hot Chocolate for brunch. There was quite the way, but it was delicious! Seriously. So good. I love yummy breakfast.
We then headed downtown to see this amazing photography exhibit featuring the photograph’s of Yousuf Karsh. So amazing. I’m so glad we went. We also saw a number of other great paintings, like Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatter. I love this painting.
And onto some serious shopping. Seriously. We hit the jackpot at Steve Madden. I bought these three pairs of shoes for under $100. How rad is that! (And yes, two pairs are the same, just different colors).
After shopping, we headed out for cupcakes at Sweet Mandy B’s. Delicious. Oh, and don’t worry, we got cupcakes the day before…I just can’t remember the name of the place where we got them.
Of course it wouldn’t be a trip to Chicago without Chicago style pizza. (Or I guess it would be a trip, just not a complete trip.) So Sunday night we went to Giordano’s. This is the place where I had my first Chicago style pizza. So, so good.
And then we went to see a movie that could be my own biography; Confessions of a Shopaholic”. Very cute.
We finished off our weekend of food, fun, and fabulousness at Southport Grocery. While the service was less than stellar, the food was absolutely amazing; the most unique French Toast I’ve ever had. It was delicious. Sorry, no pictures.
It’s amazing how much we packed in to 2.5 days. I have got to stop traveling if I’m ever going to get this weight off, but at least I enjoy myself, right?
existential dilemmas 
You and your jet setting life! I have to admit to laughing at your picture where you hobknobbed with Warren Buffet. Very nice.I know that pizza tastes better than it looks. So much cheese!
I love Hot Chocolate and Giordano’s – I think I need to plan a trip back to Chicago!
Ummm, what else is there to do in big cities besides eat and shop? And the occasional museum, of course.Thanks for your comment on my blog today. You made my day!
This is how I find the best places to eat…it’s not very tricky: I visit locals. They always know where to find the good stuff.
how do you always find such tasty places to eat?? by the way, when are you coming out east this summer? we’ll have to try to make a trip to NYC to see you!
what else is there to do when travel other than eat and shop? that sounds pretty much ideal – and i am having serious pizza envy. :)i keep thinking about your comments about friendships and low-maintenance yet longevity-filled (i’m getting this ALL wrong) ones in particular. i’m currently experiencing a mess of a high-maintenance deal and i am so over it now. i so appreciate the friends who appreciate that we all have busy lives and that the fact we don’t get to talk or do much together doesn’t mean anything other than we’re busy. girls are a mess.i just saw he’s just not that into you and it was hillariously accurate. š