Tag: chicago

weekly wrap up

Still keeping the faith

Movin' it with Michelle

I haven’t had a lot of time to write, but really wanted to highlight this past weekend .  If you read my last post, you read that I am still keeping the faith in regards to my career progression.  While nothing has changed since my last post, my faith still remains strong.  #Godhasaplan

This past weekend was my youngest daughter’s 10th birthday.  The big 1-0, double digits baby.  She was more than thrilled to say she is finally TEN YEARS OLD, so I planned a wonderful weekend in the city not only to celebrate her birthday, but to give my daughters and I time to recharge our batteries.

I took Friday off from work, and we headed down to the city at around 10 a.m.  After getting slightly lost once arriving to Chicago, we finally found our hotel.  We stayed at the Wit hotel in Chicago, and I highly recommend it for any future visits.  They treated us like loyalty, and we are just good ‘ole normal middle class folks.   #winning  We spent the weekend eating great food at places like Sienna Tavern and Bottlefork, went on an awesome architecture tour via boat, and shopping ’til we dropped almost literally.

So here’s our weekend wrap, mostly in pictures.  I wish I had words to describe this amazing weekend, but there really aren’t any.  Sure, we bickered some as of course to be expected with 3 woman with each other non-stop for 72 hours, but mostly we bonded, laughed, joked, and there were even a few tears from me as we sang Happy Birthday to my youngest, knowing her Dad would be sad having to miss this day. My heart broke a little, but my daughters helped me find my smile again.

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First day at lunch at a place called O’Tooles
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“Cocktails” at the roof top bar at the Wit
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Us at dinner at the Sienna Tavern
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Cheers!
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A signed copy of Fabio Vivani’s cookbook!!
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Wouldn’t be a birthday without Dylan’s candy store
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Day 2 at Navy Pier
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Views from our tour
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More gorgeous views
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Us on the way to Bottlefork for dinner
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Shopping at the MAC store, hehe!
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Never too old for fun!
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Fireworks show at Navy Pier
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Worn out after a long weekend, LOL

While there wasn’t much working out for me last week other than my daily plank, we logged over 12 miles of walking this weekend so I’ll take it.  I’m wrapping up with Holly and Tricia for the weekly wrap since these ladies rock, and I’ve missed linking with them.  Please head over and check them out! ❤

WeeklyWrap

How was your weekend?  Do you explore the city you live in?  What is your favorite touristy thing to do?

 

Have a great week!

Michelle

weekend wrap up

Weekend wrap up in pics…mostly…

Movin' it with Michelle

Happy Monday, y’all!  How was your weekend?!

Mine was great.

I started out my Friday with 8 miles after work.  I was truly chasing daylight to get this one done and I wouldn’t change a thing about this run.  Ok, maybe the pit stop I had to take in the woods to pee at mile 6, but other than that, it was perfect.  Splits were: 9:54, 9:52, 9:56, 9:33, 9:26, 9:24, 9:12, 8:54!  And…I got to capture this picture when I finished.

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Saturday I spent the day in the city with my family.  It’s amazing what a train ride, some shopping, and AMAZING food can do for the soul.  AND I got to meet one the amazing John Colleta of Quartino in Chicago which is one of our FAVORITE places to eat in Chicago.  WINNING.

Short rib tacos from The Grand Lux Café in Chicago-YUM!
Short rib tacos from The Grand Lux Café in Chicago-YUM!
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Chef John Colleta of Quartino took the time not only come out and greet us, but he made us a complimentary pizza!!!
The best pizza I've ever eaten. Ever. LOL
The best pizza I’ve ever eaten. Ever. LOL

Sunday was a quiet day filled with football watching, cooking, and one last run to wrap up the week.

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The pic doesn't do this meal justice, as my daughter said she LOVED the sweet potato puree!
The pic doesn’t do this meal justice, as my daughter said she LOVED the sweet potato puree!

It felt great to regroup over the last few months, and I really feel like I am getting back to ‘me’ again.  Despite a rough summer, I can happily say I am continually movin’ forward and it feels great.

How was your week?  Do you ever do touristy things where you live?  What’s your favorite cuisine?

Have a wonderful week!!!

❤ Michelle

Holidays

I think I found it…

Movin' it with Michelle

I wrote my last post, pretty down in the dumps, wishing the Christmas fairies would sprinkle their dust on me.  I was being a bah hum bug, and truly was getting on my own nerves.  But last month, after some shifting of funds, saving money, and using the hubbies travel points we were able to schedule our 3rd annual family trip to Chicago during the Christmas season.  The kids had no clue…they kept asking, “Aren’t we going to Chicago this year for Christmas?” to which we would just smile, and say, “Maybe not this year…”

For the last couple years we haven’t traveled past a state or two, having gone to Michigan last summer for 4 days, and Chicago a handful of times.  We don’t spend money on fancy hair cuts, and have cut out all luxuries to include massages, nails, cable, and eating out at “regular” restaurants for the most part.  I cook at home more times than not.  We are truly frugal, shopping consignment for clothes, and EBay for many gifts.  BUT…we don’t cut out good food, or nice places to stay when it comes to our family.  We simply believe it’s important to teach our kids to be frugal, but also appreciate the good things in life.

So to get a deal of half off at The Drake Hotel, and be able to use points was a win/win for our family.  Our kids have always begged to stay there, but as most know, a one night stay can cost a pretty penny.  Saturday night we advised the girls to get to bed early, and pack an overnight bag.  They were GIDDY.  “Where are we going?”  We just smiled.  Pulling up to the Drake was priceless, as the girls just were beside themselves with joy.  And THERE…was my Christmas spirit.  I finally found it…in my children’s laughter.  YAY.

So here are some pics from our 24 hour trip to the city we’ve grown to love.  Chicago.  Despite the gray, overcast, and dreary weather, I found myself coming alive this weekend.  And all due to my family’s joy of being there, with, me.  We enjoyed good food, shopping, and some much needed down time.  Oh…and we walked 5.1 miles just on Sunday!  Win again!

Beef shank for dinner at Quarntino!
Beef shank for dinner at Quarntino!
Say Cheese! At Eataly!
Say Cheese! At Eataly!
The city looked AMAZING this weekend.
The city looked AMAZING this weekend.
My people. The mirror to my soul.
My people. The mirror to my soul.
Fondue from Quarntino YUM even though I don't do cheese often.
Fondue from Quarntino YUM even though I don’t do cheese often.
Yes, this is Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio's initials carved in on their wedding night. SO COOL
Yes, this is Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio’s initials carved in on their wedding night. SO COOL
Roasted Octopus from Quarntino. More winning.
Roasted Octopus from Quarntino. More winning.
Our tradition to buy an ornament each year in Chicago left us with THIS. Love.
Our tradition to buy an ornament each year in Chicago left us with THIS. Love.
yes, I got the 15 year old to sit on Santa's lap...More winning.
yes, I got the 15 year old to sit on Santa’s lap…More winning.
Sisters...my heart!
Sisters…my heart!
And here is where I found my spirit...in these two little people's eyes...joy.
And here is where I found my spirit…in these two little people’s eyes…joy.
Eggs benedict from Bar Toma. DELISH.
Eggs benedict from Bar Toma. DELISH.
True love...TRUE love.
True love…TRUE love.
Zappoli's from Quartinos...have you been there? You MUST GO!
Zappoli’s from Quartinos…have you been there? You MUST GO!

Sooooo…at the end of the day, besides being tired, I find myself full of Christmas spirit finally.  We were able to spoil our kids at the mall due to being TRULY frugal all year, and seeing their faces made my heart melt.

And yes…there was mad jumping on the huge bed in our hotel room, just to add to the fun.  My kids were LAUGHING and my heart sang.

There it is… my Christmas spirit.  I am so glad I found it. Family…food…feel good stuffs.  YAY.

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays everyone!

❤ Michelle