Weekend Happenings

Why do the weekends have to go by so quickly?! Thank God for a short work week coming up, I really need it. This past weekend was pretty eventful. Friday, I got into the holiday spirit by listening to Christmas music and baking some cookies for LC (peanut butter w/peanut butter cups and oatmeal raisin). I've decided not to put up any Christmas decorations this year, since I won't be home to enjoy them. The only thing I have going is a Christmas tree scented candle from Target which smells amazing.

On Saturday, I meant to wake up early to do an Insanity DVD, but that did not happen. I cleaned and prepared for my guests instead. My mom, sister and grandma drove to Chicago for a day visit. It was really nice to see them and much appreciated since I've been feeling homesick and a little lonely lately. The holidays are such a hard time for me when LC's not here and my family lives 2 hours away. I took them to lunch at my favorite restaurant in Chicago, Cafe Ba Ba Reeba. It was amazing as always. Their sangria is to die for! I definitely enjoyed a glass, even if it was only 2 in the afternoon :-) I really like the concept of Tapas style dining. You can have a small amount of different varieties of food and not come out feeling stuffed. My mom especially loved this place because of their gluten-free menu. They were so accommodating to her and they even bought her out gluten-free bread for her dipping oil. She was diagnosed with celiac's disease a few months ago and claimed that this was the best meal she's had in a restaurant since. After we indulged in some dessert, we walked around Lincoln Park for a little bit and ventured into Weddings 826 to look for wedding jewelry. I didn't purchase anything, but I will be back as the big day gets closer. That night, my family went home and I went out with an old friend of mine from college. It was nice meeting up with her at her apartment, having drinks and catching up. Then we went to Division street. And I felt old, which is funny because 2 years ago, I had a blast on Division street. Now, I felt sorry for the girls making complete fools of themselves (been there, done that) and I hated having to fend off creepy guys. An engagement ring stops no one. Don't get me wrong, I had a fun time hanging out with Allie and her other girlfriends, but it was just different this time around.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I'm looking forward to going home and seeing my family and friends and having out with my favorite lady in the whole wide world...my sister :-) One thing that I am thankful for is a SHORT WORK WEEK!!! Wooo!

Weekend Recap

I haven't stayed in Chicago for the past 6 weeekends. For the past 6 weekends I have had something to do. In Wisconsin. This has been fun (weddings) and exhausting (drill!) at the same time. It has kept me busy since LC's been gone (we're almost at the 2 month mark!) but I have not had a moment to myself or a day to just breathe. So this weekend, I finally got to stay in my favorite city and my favorite lady came down to visit me (my mom).

She arrived on Saturday morning, via train, and we spent the day searching for a fabulous MOB dress, lunching, and discovered my new love...Sprinkles Cupcakes. We started out on Michigan Ave and searched every department store, high and low, and could not find anything that she LOVED but, she got some ideas of what she was looking for. I told her not to buy anything unless she loved it because the wedding is still 9-ish months away and I wouldn't want her to have buyer's remorse. After our failed shopping trip, we stopped and ate at Food Life in Water Tower place. About 6 weeks ago, my mom was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Long story short, she can't have anything with gluten in it or she gets very sick, and gluten is in EVERYTHING! So I was so happy that Food Life offered a list of gluten free foods that she was able to eat. After lunch, we walked around the Gold Coast area, looking for more stores that had MOB dresses. We didn't find anything, but instead stumbled upon Sprinkles. I've heard a lot about this place but wasn't sure where it was located. I came across it on accident so it was a MUST that we try it. I tried the banana cupcake...AMAZINGNESS. And my mom had the Red Velvet cupcake, gluten free of course.

Later that night, we enjoyed some sangria & mexi food at Zapatista. Although they didn't have a gluten free menu, the waiter was very knowledgable in what my mom could and couldn't eat.

Sunday morning, I got up and went for a run. Sunday was my "long day" in my 1/2 marathon training. Despite the windy conditions running north, I completed 7 miles in an hour and 10 minutes. Running back (with the wind) was a piece of cake. After my run, we went to Whole Foods to get things that we needed to make Chili for dinner. My mom had never been to a WF before and she was in heaven. They had tons of stuff that she could eat. It's too bad that the closest one is about 45 minutes away. I told her that she should franchise one, it would be really popular where they live. I spent the rest of the night studying, while my mom cooked me dinner and took care of Ollie. It was nice to have someone there to take care of me for a change! Next weekend, I will be heading back to Milwaukee for drill...bleh!