Thursday, February 2, 2012

A Windy Holiday

Okay, so I know it's been a little too long since I've posted, but I have a reason I promise. Last month I started a new (old) job! My previous boss contacted me when she heard that she had received a research grant and offered me my old position back. I am over the moon to be working with her again, and I'm so happy to have the opportunity to be back in a position that will further my long term goals. But my oh my, did my body take a while to get used to first shift again. After 9 months of 3rd shift it was a shock to the system to be waking up at 7 am instead of going to sleep at 7 am! Now I'm finally feeling acclimated and I've got a pretty good routine down, so... I'm back!

Remember how I told you I'd spent three days after Christmas in Chicago? Well, it was lovely. Those three days were full of good food, lots of museums, and of course a whole lot of shopping! Chicago is one of my favorite cities and I always thoroughly enjoy my time there.
{I love skylines}

As soon as we arrived, we walked down to Michigan Avenue to take in some sights and do a little shopping. Zara and Topshop were right at the top of my list of places to shop, and I have to admit I was a little disappointed in the selection of in store merchandise. But it was fun to browse anyway, and I did find a few things to throw in my shopping bag. 
{All Saints Co. had the most interesting storefront on Michigan Ave}

After working up an appetite at the stores, we decided to indulge in classic Chicago style pizza at Lou Malnati's. I'd never had Chicago stuffed pizza before and I have to say: totally worth the calories. Totally. After dinner (and overloading on carbs) we were pretty wiped out, so we called it an early night.
{brushetta, mmmm}

{So filling, but SO GOOD}


Day 2 started with my favorite attraction: The Shedd Aquarium. We purchased a city pass for this trip, which I would really recommend if you're planning to do all the touristy things. It got us into everything at the aquarium without any extra charges. We took lots of pictures but here's my favorite

{Ain't he cute?!}

After the aquarium we headed straight to the Field museum and spent the rest of the afternoon looking through the exhibits there. I would have enjoyed it much more if I would have gotten to see the Chocolate exhibit... 

Following our morning of museums we drove north a bit in search of, La Boulangerie,  a bakery/creperie that supposedly had the best crepes in the city. And they were fantastic. I was in heaven for the 15 minutes it took me to devour my strawberry chantilly crepe. 



Dinner was more fantastic french food  at La Sardine, which was also out of this world good. They have a great deal on  Tuesday nights (which happened to be the night we were there); a three course prix fixe menu where you choose your three courses and you can pick anything on the menu! I had French onion soup, Poached Salmon, and Creme Brulee. Once again, stuffed and happy we passed out at around 10pm. 

We spent almost 2 more days there, but the rest of the details will have to wait for tomorrow! Enjoy your Friday friends, I hope you've got a great weekend ahead of you!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Hello, 2012!

So happy to see you!

2011 was a year of ups and downs, the very exciting and the very scary. And sometimes a little mix of the two. Hey you gotta have some balance, right?

2012 seems to be starting off on the right foot and here's to hoping that it stays that way.

I managed to wrangle a whole week off of work for Christmas, and what a lovely week it was. Once I finally managed to get on a bus (I overslept for the Megabus and ended up buying a last minute greyhound ticket that actually ended up being more convenient) the start of my week was chalk full of family time. My mom and I finished up some shopping on the 22nd then I headed over to my dad's house to set up the tree with him (he always waits until I'm in town to put the tree up, it's tradition) while watching Miracle on 34th Street. The 23rd consisted of quiche, presents, and a trip to the Pabst theater in Milwaukee to see A Christmas Carol. All such wonderful things. The Pabst is one of my favorite theaters. I managed to get a photo of the stage, but an usher quickly scolded me for trying to take pictures. so I didn't manage to get many good ones of the rest of the theater.  I got to sleep in on Christmas Eve day and I pretty much stayed in my pjs for the entire day drinking Bailey's and coffee with my mom and watching HGTV.

My mom's family's Christmas is always held on Christmas day and it's always filled with lots and lots of food, games, and noise. My mother has 13 brothers and sisters, about 10 of which live in the area and bring their families to Christmas lunch. It's a lot of fun, and a lot of loud. Especially when we exchange gifts. We play gift take away which can get rowdy with a normal group of people, and my mother's family is much rowdier than a normal group of people.

I hope everyone had as charming a holiday break as I did, I feel fully restored and ready to start off a new year full of new challenges and adventures.

Coming soon: 3 days in Chicago: Lots of museums, lots of shopping, lots of FOOD.