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312 day … it’s a (chicago) thing
Update: This post is from March 2020. Yep it was one of my last adventures before the pandemic hit & everything shut down. Needless to say restaurants & bars have been one of the many industries that took the hardest hit. Click here to find out how Goose Island is trying to help. Did you know Chicagoans celebrate 312 day? Well, some of us knew about it & celebrated. Yes, it’s a thing. 312 as in Chicago’s original area code and March 12th which just happens to be my birthday. I think we should turn this into a whole month since Chicago’s birthday is March 4, 1837. Happy 183rd Birthday…
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it’s still february in chicago – THINK SPRING
This content uses referral links and contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. This is going to be a short post. I have to switch gears to my tour guide business since I’ve gotten quite busy early this year. Also, I’m working on creating a few new routes. Check out my tour routes & reviews. Click here & search for Mimi in Chicago. Yes, it’s still February in Chicago, but we’ve been very lucky this year. It’s been a pretty mild winter so far. Fingers crossed, but don’t even think we are out of the woods…
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chicago winter survival guide – part 2
This content uses referral links and contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. I just heard on the news that Monday, January 20 is Blue Monday. Apparently, it’s the most depressing day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Um, yeah and we’ve just broken a record of no sun for the last 10 days. Which really sucks but I’d rather suffer through not seeing the sun than experiencing the frigid temperatures of the Polar Vortex that we had last year. I remember I hunkered down for 3 days straight not leaving my apartment. Even the…
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where to celebrate chinese new year 2020 chicago style
This is the Year of the Rat 4718. According to the Chinese zodiac if you were born in one of the following years 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 you are a Rat. Rats generally get a bad rap but here they are in the first position of the 12-year cycle and a symbol of wealth. They are believed to be very industrious, thrifty, diligent & positive. I have a newfound respect for Rats! Here’s where to celebrate Chinese New Year 2020 Chicago style. Chinese New Year falls on Saturday, January 25 with two Lunar New Year parades being held in the city. The first is on Saturday,…
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where to dine for chicago restaurant week 2020 & soup’s on
where to dine for chicago restaurant week Chicago Restaurant Week is coming! You will want to make some reservations and get this on your calendar now. Here you’ll find information to help you decide where to dine for Chicago Restaurant Week 2020. This guide will direct you to explore participating restaurants, view menus and book your reservations. You should check back regularly since new restaurants are being added daily. You won’t want to miss this 17-day celebration of Chicago’s award-winning culinary scene. It starts on January 24 and runs through February 9, 2020. The 13th annual event includes over 400 hundred of the city’s top restaurants. Here’s your chance to…
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celebrating the holidays chicago style – part #2
This content uses referral links and contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. I’m amazed every year just how quickly the holidays ascend upon us. Wasn’t it just Halloween? Sure, it was snowing, and it felt like winter, but temperatures have stabilized (thank you, Mother Nature!), and December is halfway over. All the cookie baking, holiday lunches & many parties have kept me quite busy. Here are some suggestions when you need to stop, take a breath & actually try to enjoy the season. Yes, it’s extra crowded & annoying, but if you let that…
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celebrate the holidays chicago style
Update for 2020: This post is originally from December 2019. Most links will bring you to online options for this year. Hopefully things will resume next year. Is it just me or does it seem like we are going to skip Thanksgiving this year and go straight to celebrating the holidays? I saw my first Christmas commercial the day after Halloween (thanks, Target). *sigh* If you can’t beat ’em … I’m heading out of town next week to celebrate Thanksgiving and wanted to get this posted because some items are happening this weekend. Here are some ideas to help you ease into celebrating the holidays Chicago style. No rush, when…
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chicago winter survival guide
This content uses referral links and contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. So, you find yourself living in Chicago in the winter? I’m so sorry, but here’s the good news. You have automatically earned the right to hibernate. That’s right. How do you think we make it through a busy, action-packed summer? Ha! Because we have conserved our energy by hibernating all winter. Here is your Chicago winter survival guide with tips from a Chicago native if you are new to this long, sometimes unbearable & brutal season. And if you are a local,…
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sofa (sculptural objects functional art & design) show 2019
This content uses referral links and contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. In order to prepare for the chillier weather here in Chicago, I switch my summer clothes for sweaters and boots and attend indoor activities. One of my favorite things to do in the Fall is head over to Navy Pier and check out the SOFA (sculptural objects functional art and design) show. Since 1993 this art exhibition has showcased one-of-a-kind, three-dimensional art that ranges from metal sculpture to mindblowing glass pieces and everything in between. There is also an educational aspect with demonstrations,…
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ohc – open house chicago 2019
Here is your reminder that Open House Chicago (OHC) 2019 is taking place this upcoming weekend Saturday, October 19 & Sunday, October 20. It’s a free, public festival that offers behind-the-scenes access to more than 300 buildings across Chicago. Remember that not all places are open both days and some are only available to members so I recommend checking out the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) website to form your plan. To make it more manageable they are listed by neighborhood I suggest that you focus on a couple to cover per day. Here are my pics from last year’s OHC 2018. I stuck close to home and covered Uptown, Edgewater…
