Chicago - Day 2

Day 2 in my Chicago vacation started out with a yummy breakfast compliments of our hotel.  To me, a good breakfast gets the day going (unless you wake up at like lunchtime), so to find out that the hotel had a vast selection from belgium waffles to omelets and bacon just made my morning :)  We fueled up to stay warm on our trek out onto Michigan Ave, aka the Magnificent Mile.

We shopped til we dropped!  My main goal was to hit up the two story Victoria's Secret to use up my coupons and secret reward card.  St. Louis stores were all out of the black tank and matching undies that said "Sexy Little Bride" but I was hoping to find them in Chicago and I did.  If you know me, you know I love that store and I was excited to finally be able to buy those for me and not someone else :)

We made a stop at the Ghiradelli Chocolate Shop and got to try a piece of their peppermint bark:

and Dodie decided to try their hot chocolate that ended up being just a tad bit too chocolatey for me.  Next to Ghirardelli is the Hershey Chicago Store where you can purchase the world's largest chocolate bar at a whopping 5 lbs.

If I remember reading correctly, only one of the squares is a mere 210 calories so imagine how many calories it would be if you ate the entire 5 lbs.  I love chocolate, don't get me wrong, but 5lbs is just too much.

We decided it was lunch time and the lovely ladies at Victoria's Secret had recommended to us the foodlife area at Water Tower Place.  Its a unique concept of an urban dining venue with 14 distinctive kitchens that serve real food made from scratch daily.  They seat you at a table and each person in your party is given a swipe card, kind of like at college.  You can get as little or as much food as you want and you go around to the different kitchens to find your liking.  At the end of your meal, you pay the cashier whatever is on your swipe card.  I went to the grill and got an awesome tasting grilled cheese with fries while Dodie and Kris went for Chinese.  I would totally recommend this place to eat if you're ever in a location with a foodlife.

Lucky for us, our next stop happened to be within the grounds of Water Tower Place: American Girl Place.  I grew up with the Molly doll, always loved the history of all the girls and fell in love the first time I went to Chicago years ago with the dolls all over again.  I know for a fact that my daughter (or granddaughter if I'm blessed with sons only) will own a piece of American Girl.  Look, I even have a doll that's my namesake:

but I will forever be a fan of this historic doll:

From the American Girl Place we were on a mission to find the

so my sister could get the famous:

I don't know why, she wanted the bag and she was able to get one after buying something.  I did my best to talk with the sales lady, offered to pay for just a bag (because my sister couldn't make up her mind what to buy) but they won't sell you the bags, they are just that popular.  I guess we can thank Isla Fisher in her Confessions of a Shopaholic movie :)

A trip to Chicago isn't complete without a stop at the famous Garrett's Popcorn.  Its that good that I feel it should be illegal...and it turns your hands orange, assuming you're a fan of the cheese like me.  I had gotten Keith a bag of the caramel to surprise him and he loved it!  I wish there was a Garrett's in St. Louis....or maybe its better that there isn't one!

We met back up with Dad at the hotel to head out to dinner.  Dodie decided she wanted to eat at Bubba Gump's so we headed to Navy Pier.  Dad and I were wandering around while the other 2 shopped when he noticed inside Harry Caray's bar that hockey legend Bobby Hull was going to be signing his new book and watching the Blackhawks game with fans.  Dad's words were, "you'll make Keith very jealous" so we decided to head into the bar area.  There he was, taping up someone's hockey stick and then showed the boys how to handle the stick properly.  There were two other guys in front of me so I was waiting patiently behind them when I hear Hull say, "who's the cutie with you two?" and I realized he was referring to me.  I said, "oh I'm not with them" and he tells the boys to step back as the cutie should get priority.  It was hilarious!!  Finally it was my turn and I told him I was a huge hockey fan but (and I reach into my coat pocket to pull out my ear band) and he promptly replies, "you're a Blues and Brett fan" and pulls me into a hug.

On his left hand he wears the Stanley Cup ring that he won personally with his team back in 1961.  On his right hand he wears the 2010 Stanley Cup ring that the Blackhawks won since he's an ambassador for the team.  Before I knew it, he said, "here" and tells me to put on the ring.  I was shocked, and put that thing on and man was it heavy and diamond-y.  I had to make a fist to keep it from sliding off and Dad took a picture of it:

He and Dad talked for a few minutes and he shook Dodie's hand and we continued on our way to dinner at Bubba Gump's.

What a night :)

Chicago - Day 1

My little Chicago trip started bright and early Saturday morning when I had to go out in the rain and take my parents & sister to the Amtrak station at 430 am.  They had booked tickets for that day and because I waited too long (because of job prospects) I didn't get a ticket until Sunday.

Saturday consisted of me packing and getting to sleep early as I had a 430 am snowy wakeup call and had to be at Amtrak by 6.  A short 5 hours later I saw this:

I had been to Chicago's Union Station plenty of times but not via Amtrak.  This was a trip of many firsts.  First Amtrak ride, first time hailing a taxi by myself.  I got up to the taxi entrance and it was snowing beyond belief and the sidewalks were slush (thanks Ugg boots for keeping me warm) so there were guys who were hailing the cabs for the patrons.  I was quite thankful for that.  A mile later, I was at our room at the Hampton Suites, ready to explore the city.  Kristine had never been to Chicago so this trip was for her to explore.

We decided to go to the Museum of Science & Industry first.  There happened to be a Bears game in the city so we got to see just how crazy Chicago got with their sports teams and I have to say that it shows dedication if you can sit outside in the snow for a football game.

Me, Dodie, Dad & Kris at the train display

Me with the electricity ball

Trying a segway for the first time

A tree dedicated to the Chicago Blackhawks

Me inside the wind tunnel

We stayed at the Museum until close and caught the bus to Lou Malnati's for true Chicago style pizza:

Oh soo good.  I was full after 1 piece but I made myself finish a 2nd because it was just that good.  This place was recommended to us and what a great recommendation - so if you're in Chicago, look this place up :)

After dinner we headed back to the hotel to warm up the rest of the night and prepare for our next fun filled day in the city.  I will post that tomorrow :)

Happy birthday to me!

I can't believe today marks my 29th birthday.

Wanna know what makes me feel even older - my younger sister is going to hit the big 21 birthday in January.

I was thinking about it the other day and I'm hoping to mark some milestones in this 29th year:
~ plan a wedding
~ get married!!
~ travel out of the country for the first time (all 3 depending on the wedding date)
~ throw only the 2nd surprise party for someone in my life (for his 30th)
~ get another teaching job or realize its time to move on
~ and plenty more!!

Tonight we're going to the main house for dinner with my parents.  My dad's always liked to celebrate my birthday on my actual birthday so I save that for him.  Tomorrow we're hitting up Westport, most likely Casa, with a few friends and we'll see where the night takes us.  Someone owes me big time and I figured why not have them do it for my birthday to have more fun.  Saturday is my birthday with Keith, he's taking me out to dinner and then we have the Blues opener.  Sunday may end up being a trip to a winery we wanted to check out and forgot to our first trip to Augusta.

So all in all, I didn't think I'd be doing much this year but its looking to be a good celebration :)

I'll post pictures after the weekend is over!

Engagement & Getting to know YOU

After 3 1/2 years, Keith and I are engaged!

We had gone to Crown Valley Winery for a little getaway and he decided to propose that night.  It was very unexpected and very much loved!

And of course to stay with Sunday tradition, here's my weekly Getting to Know You:

The Q's:

1. Do you think mustaches are sexy?  No, not at all - I like a little stubble but that's it

2. What's the last concert you've been to?  wow I guess I haven't been to a concert in forever

3 What was your favorite 80's sitcom?  Saved by the Bell

4. Were you named after anyone? nope

5. When you buy new clothes, do you wash before wearing? Not usually cause sometimes I forget I bought them and they sit in the bag until I remember

6. If you didn't blog, what would you do with your spare time? I guess I can now say wedding plan ;)

7. What is your favorite department store? Macy's

8. If you were to get Laser Hair Removal..where would you get it? oh I would do it all over, might as well get it all gone