Summer Cocktail

While in Chicago a few summers ago, we stayed at the Affinia Hotel just off Magnificent Mile. The summer heat called for a few afternoon cocktails, and with our travel plans on hold we slipped into the hotel's roofbar bar, C-View. As part of Marcus Samuelsson's C-House (which recently closed), the bar was a perfect mix of comfort and class. 

The Darren

Citrus vodka 

Pomegranate puree 

Fresh lemon

Basil 

Italian tapa

What's that, you say? That looks delicious? Well, I'll had to agree. Too bad this is one of the few postings as of late that isn't mine, but from the new Italian inhabitant and Chicago transplant Devanti Enoteca. The tapa style menu probably had us ordering a bit more than our stomachs could handle, but it was worth it. If Chicago wasn't in the middle somewhere (besides that huge lake and everything), I would totally move there - they have the most amazing food. Hopefully some more veterans will get Devanti's idea and come to the beach too (Purple Pig, please?!) 

standstill

 

This man sat on the edge between a bustling Chicago cityscape. Isn't it strange that it's become rare to find someone so immersed in their own thoughts that they completely loose sight of useless distractions? Cars honked just feet away, and children haphazardly balanced between ledge and water as their parents mercifully played along. 

There aren't many moments where grown, successful businessmen feel comfortable sitting on this kind of edge - between relaxation and population. Instead, we comfort ourselves in knowing that we'll always have a friend in our cell phone...even if no one is on the other end. 

Goodbye, Summer

This was without a doubt one of my best summers ever {I even accomplished nearly everything on the list - the jewelry is a work in progress, as is the sewing}. Not only did I experience a few things I've been wanting to try for a while (Comic-Con), but I got to visit someplace new, kicked up my boots at a few concerts and put a dent in my new kitchen. Living with my best friend definitely pushed the summer into high gear, and it wouldn't have been the same without our new space. Though it definitely doesn't feel like summer is over (and won't officially be over for a few weeks), I've seen a few leaves fall and caught the taste of early morning darkness, to realize that it's actually here.

A Gulp of Reality

I'm writing this post at 7am, which means one of two things - I've become terribly lazy or I was a straight-up party animal last night. It was actually neither of the two, but let's just say that two little girls are now sitting pretty on some leftover Chinese food and memories of another bad James Franco movie. Oh, how nice. On that note, I'm reminiscing about my days in Chicago where 8am wake-up calls consisted of fatty three hour breakfasts and bloody Marys. Unless I was that Formula One heiress who just wed some clueless fool for $5- $7 million, those days are gone...and I'm heading back to reality all too soon. 

{the top two are from The Purple Pig, where we sat next to Art Smith, and the latter is Marcus Samuelsson's C-View} 

Chi-Town

This week I was lucky enough to visit Chicago for a travel story for the mag. I couldn't believe how gorgeous the city was - everywhere I looked there was green accents, smiling faces and amazing restaurants. Being that I'm a Cooking Channel junkie, I recognized practically every place in the center of the city, and even made us go outside the Miracle Mile to try unique gelato from Black Dog Gelato (via an episode from Unique Sweets). I was more active than I usually am during the week, so our long days really wore me out, but we managed to fit everything in that we wanted. Add the ideal weather, and it was one perfect trip.