Andrea's birthday, last Sunday!

Andy Mac and I went shopping in Wicker Park for her birthday on Sunday. We saw rainbow colored jellies,tried on fun dresses at Cynthia Rowley, and then met Mr. F for a birthday lunch. 

Sunday afternoon, we went to Ohio Street Beach.Obviously, I had fun with the waterproof camera! We had plenty of sunscreen on, so we didn't get sunburned.We had a nice walk home   and posed with a few sculptures. For Andrea's birthday dinner,  Mr. F made a French rack of lamb with fresh herbs and Cabernet reduction. We also made Andrea's Mom's Poppy Seed Cake recipe!It was a great night and a fun celebration!

Happy Birthday, Andrea!

Sunny Saturday in Chicago with Andrea!

Yay for my best friend from high school, visiting this weekend! On Saturday, Andy Mac and I got up early to shop on Michigan Avenue!We walked by the Hancock and decided to check out the lines. We were in luck, at 11am, there were only a few people in line, so we rode up the elevator immediately!Andy Mac and I loved the view from the ladies' room!Mr. F met up with us for lunch at Bad Apple!We love all the food there, like the BLT and BC burger!

Saturday afternoon, we walked along the riverbut it was close to 100 degrees and we had a party to attend so we didn't stay out long! 

Tomorrow I'll post about Andrea's birthday celebrations!

Andy Mac's coming to town!

Guess who's coming into town?!Andy Mac's birthday is Sunday too!She was last here over New Year's Eve. 

It was snowing when Andy Mac was here in January.The next pictures I post of us together will probably be at a Chicago Beach!

Sunny Times in Chicago

In the last week, it's been in the upper 90s, we watched fireworks from our balcony, and we jumped in Lake Michigan several times!Mr. F had a few days off and went swimming four days in a row. He found that Ohio Street Beach has a lap lane! After a great brunch, we met my cousin, Katy, at the beach on Saturday! 

Today, Katy and I went to BHLDNand looked a lovely white dresses, Cinderella slippers,and then took a cupcake break! We saw doggy cupcakes with tiny little bones on them! I had a delicious Salty Caramel cupcake.We tried on fun hats at Anthropologie!And I had to take pictures in the dressing room!This is my outfit of the day and this is the dress I really want to get when it's on sale!Have a great week!

We're going to San Francisco for our anniversary!

My working is sending me to San Francisco for our Fourth Wedding Anniversary! The conference that I'll be attending, will be at the Westin St. Francis in the middle of downtown San Francisco!Source: google.com via Emily on Pinterest

Mr. F is going with me to play tourist while I'm in meetings. Fortunately, I'll have some free time to check out cool sites and restaurants too. I'm looking for ideas on Pinterest and I'd love recommendations on what to see and do in San Francisco.

Our hotel isn't far from Chinatown! Source: art.com via Emily on Pinterest

I also want to see the sea lions at Fisherman's Wharf.

 Source: katemeffordblog.com via Emily on Pinterest

(I was a kid, last time I was in San Francisco and I don't remember much, other than the Fisherman's Wharf. I also remember that I was afraid of werewolves.)

 Source: sanfrancisco.travel via Bonnie on Pinterest

This bouncy ball YouTube video makes me super excited to visit San Francisco!

 Source: joannagoddard.blogspot.com via Tatiana on Pinterest

The bouncy balls look like floating particles in the air! It's amazing!

Please send me ideas of what to do and see in San Francisco!

Happy Fourth of July!

We swam in Lake Michigan as a celebration of Independence Day and as part of our new/annual tradition.It was close to 100 degrees in Chicago today!The lake water was extremely refreshing too.How did you celebrate the Fourth of July?

Things I want to do in Seattle

I won't be able to make it back to Seattle this summer, and probably not until this winter. When I saw this Seattle illustration on Pinterest, it really made me smile!

Source: angedoniya.tumblr.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

When I visit Seattle again, I'm excited to check out our favorite food trucks which now have brick and mortar restaurants too!

Where Ya At Matt is building Roux in the old Buckaroo tavern space in Fremont that will open in September! They even have a Founder's Club called the Louisiana Purchase.

Skillet is making space for a counter in Seattle Center!

I've also read the Cupcake Royale has new locations and a stand at the Mariners stadium! They now have ice cream too.

Source: cupcakeroyale.com via Emily on Pinterest

Next time I visit, I'd love to paddle board, if it's warm enough!

Source: seattle.findwell.com via K.C. on Pinterest

Scenes from a Hot Thursday

The weatherman said it was going to be 100 degrees today with over 50-75% humidity. Yuck! I fortunately was able to stay inside. I don't think it quite made it to 100 but it sure first felt like it when I dashed to and from my car. (You can see the backside of Pepe, our Subaru, in the upper left hand corner.) It really made me smile when saw this cute car parked next to mine today. This car made me think of Carrie Bradshaw, which made me think of one of my favorite songs from that epic show.Hot Child In The City (Nick Gilder)

Danger in the shape of somethin' wild
Stranger dressed in black, she's a hungry child
No one knows who she is or what her name is
I don't know where she came from or what her game is

(Hot child in the city)
(Hot child in the city)
(Runnin' wild and lookin' pretty)
(Hot child in the city)

source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/onehitwonders/hotchildinthecitylyrics.html

I'll try and not brag too much, but I'm so lucky. This delectable Summer Southwest Chicken over black bean chili with fresh avocado salsa puree and cilantrowas waiting for me when I got home. My husband is a pretty amazing chef.

After dinner, we watched the clouds from the balcony, a few cracks of lightening crossed the sky and we saw some thunderclouds building but it still hasn't rained yet.I love the sweltering yellow skies of the Midwest. It is so fun to watch thunderstorms from our place.