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.

Outfit of the day!!

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

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 

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. 

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! 

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 

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