Thursday, July 30, 2015

No Reservations: PHO

Hiya, everyone!

Today's post is a little different. It doesn't have the happy ending that usually follows my decision to have no reservations and try something new.

To be honest, I had been wanting to try pho for quite a while and when I finally had the chance, I ordered the craziest version of it I could find on the menu. Most of the words in the description were ones I had never heard of, but I went ahead and ordered it anyways. I figured, like most of my no res choices, it would pay off and be one of the best dishes ever.....

I was wrong. I think I just ordered too much. Every time I dipped my spoon in the bowl, I wasn't sure what was going to come out. It was weird and it made me realize that texture has a lot to do with my preferences.

Overall, I think I would try pho again but I would not order the same thing. It had a lot of different things in it and ended up having little flavor. I have heard that chicken pho has a better taste but I'll have to get back to you on that!

Does anyone have any suggestions for my next pho attempt? I want to like it so much, haha.


Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Outfit of the day!!


Shirt: Forever 21 Flannel: Forever 21 Skirt: Forever 21 Shoes: Birkenstocks Earrings: h&m

Monday, July 27, 2015

This weekend I:

Watched: so many episodes of Gilmore Girls 
Listened: to the tiger at the Lincoln Park growl 
Learned: that I can get a lot of things done on a Saturday, including nap 
Ate: spaghetti on Sunday, as usual 
Read: a few chapters of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 
Drank: wayyy too many cups of coffee 
Thought: about how next weekend my mom is going to be here with Molly!!! 
Wished: I was Lorelai Gilmore 
Realized: that I want to go to Six Flags 
Bought: the cutest mug in the world that I shouldn't have bought because I have no money 

Friday, July 24, 2015

Chicago Instagram Spot: The Chicken Shop

Hi, hello! How are you guys today?

You know what I have been dreaming about all week? The delicious golden fries that I recently had at The Chicken Shop. Making them even better was that I got them for free using Popular Pays.


To be honest they were just the cherry on top of the most amazing lunch I have had in Chicago thus far! The Chicken Shop is located on the second floor of the Chicago Soho House. As you walk into the Soho house, you are in the gorgeous Allis lobby. Cozy chairs, vintage chandeliers, and warm colors surround you.

Once you get upstairs to the Chicken Shop, the feeling is similar but a bit more laid-back. It felt like I had stepped into another time. Everything looked like it was out of the 1930s and the sun was shining through the lace curtains in such a lovely way.


My family and I conveniently had the place almost all to ourselves. Jack got to run around and try out every chair that looked comfy to him and I got to take as many pictures as I wanted (which is quite a lot :p). It was nice to be able to experience a spot that I had been seeing on Instagram for months and it was even better that I got to experience it with my family. 


I can't wait to go back to the Soho house and try one of the other restaurants! Maybe one day I will become a member...in my dreams, at least. 

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

A visit to Yelp

Hello, hello! How is everyone on this very long Wednesday?

Since today at work wasn't my favorite, I thought I would relive the amazing day when my sister and nephew came to visit me at the office!

I felt so grownup as I signed them into the building....me, adult me, was having visitors at my full-time job! Just so crazy.


I loved showing them off to everyone that I have met at work so far. People were going crazy for Jack. They just couldn't take how cute he was :) 

Not only that, but it was really cool seeing Annie's reaction to the office space. I feel like once I started having to be there everyday for 8 hours, I kind of forgot all the unique and beautiful things that I noticed on my first day. She helped me remember and walk in the next day with renewed appreciation for it. 


Don't forget to keep checking back to see what other places Annie, Jack, and I explored while they were here! 

Monday, July 20, 2015

This weekend I:

Watched: a couple movies on HBOgo :) 
Listened: my papap talk to me on the phone 
Learned: making friends takes more time than I think 
Ate: homemade ham barbecue 
Read: the newest issue of Vogue  
Drank: just the right amount of drinks at happy hour 
Thought: in no time I'll be heading to Pittsburgh for the weekend 
Wished: I had tons of money...
Realized: I rock at cooking and have forgotten that since I moved to Chicago 
Bought: groceries 

Friday, July 17, 2015

Ulta Haul


Well, hello! How is everyone? Needless to say, I am doing great (I did just get a haul from Ulta, hehe). Thankfully, I can say that I got some amazing deals on the items below and am excited to use all of this new makeup to spice up my beauty routine! 


L'Oreal (40% off sale): 
True Match LUMI // $6.23 plus 20% off coupon

Miss Spa:
Detoxifying Self-heating Facial Creme Mask // $2.99

Chloe:
Chloe Perfume Pen Spray // $25.00



NYX (40% off sale):
Curvaceous Mascara // $4.19 
Pink Perfect Color Mascara // $4.19
Black Cherry Tart Intense Butter Gloss // $3.59
Snow White Round Lip Stick // $2.39
Retractable Eye Liners // $2.59
Gold
Aqua Green
Silver


Friday, July 10, 2015

Exploring: Logan Square

"Art wasn't supposed to look nice; it was supposed to make you feel something.” 



"Art is the lie that enables us to realize the truth.” 


“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”


“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” 

Monday, July 6, 2015

Chicago Instagram Spot: Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits

Hello, dearies! I want more of this avocado biscuit and I just had it for lunch....soooo yummy! Before I get to that, I better first explain how I got to this amazing spot. 

The first time Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits came up in my Instagram feed, rach.esq had a meetup there. It looked like so much and the venue looked so cozy and cute. Then, Bang Bang kept popping up in my newsfeed with photos from Becca and other grammers...I knew I had to go! 


And boy, was it worth it! Just like the Instagrammers before me, I didn't know what to take a photo of first! The amazing decor inside? The iced coffee tap? The outdoor garden? The delicious food? In the end, I think I took a picture of all of the above, hehe. I can't wait to go back and use the Popular Pays trade for a buttery biscuit! 

This Weekend I:

Watched: Beverly Hills Cop and was slightly disappointed
Listened: fireworks take over Chicago 
Learned: I need to take risks, of course, but I need to take risks that are worth it
Ate: pho for the first time and hated it! 
Read: articles about the Greece referendum 
Drank: the most delicious drink ever called a Southsider 
Thought: this weekend was awesome and I can't wait for more like it 
Wished: I could take naps like a normal person and not nap for 7 hours and wake in the middle of the night 
Realized: that I don't know how to make cookies in this convection microwave that I have.....
Bought: vanilla extract so I could make the cookies mentioned above 

Friday, July 3, 2015

Ootd: Fourth of July

I have been living in Chicago for almost a month...I'll need a second to really let that sink in.

Haha, well, that being said, it is time for my first holiday in my new city! This weekend is the Fourth and I am feeling extra festive after finding these awesome socks at Forever 21. Still not sure what my plans are but there are several Meetups happening so the possibilities are endless! 

shoes; new look socks; F21 dress; F21 sunnies; F21 shorts; F21

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

My new place

Hiya! I'm really excited to be giving you a 'tour' of my new studio apartment! I'm not totally finished decorating it yet, there are a few more spaces on the walls that I am planning on filling up. 

I figured I would start with my 'bedroom' since it is my main space, not only that but  I am completely finished with it! I am so proud of my gallery wall picture below. I tried to mix it up with frames, canvas, magazine clippings, and more 3D objects and I just love how it turned out. Walking in everyday after work and seeing this wall makes me feel amazing! I just feel like it inspires me and reminds me to stay positive everyday. 


My second favorite item in this area of my apartment is the map of England that my best friend Deanna made me. Not to mention the amazing artwork that my other best friend Janelle made me that is a part of my gallery wall! I wish I was as creative and talented as them, jeez, I know how to pick good gift-givers as friends ;P 


One of the last walls I decorated was the space above my TV. I wanted something there that wasn't too distracting but also something that I didn't mind waking up to everyday...

My solution: Instagram Photos! As I have said before, I really think it is important that these photos that I take so much time on, don't just stay in the app. I like to surround myself with them and remember how much beauty is in my life! 


Alright, that's it for now! Thanks for coming along and viewing my space! Once I head to IKEA and Target, I will be giving a tour of my living/dining area and kitchen!