Hi friends! I hope everyone’s been having a good November so far. I feel like this month has been flying by and now that Thanksgiving is already next week, truly where has the time gone? My week started off pretty slow but I feel like the rest of the week/into the weekend will be really good. I’ve been wanting to start this blog series for a bit but I want something more permanent on my blog that I’ll share (hopefully) every Friday.
If you follow me on Instagram you’ll notice that for the past few Fridays I’ll share 5-7 photos that I’ve taken from the previous week. They kind of sum up my favorite moments of the prior week and in my captions I’ll describe them in more detail. I figured that this would be an extension of that, including favorite articles I’ve read, photos I’ve taken and a snippet into what I’ve been up to.
So, let’s get into it.
Last weekend I stayed at the Thompson Chicago hotel which is tucked away in the Gold Coast neighborhood here. Dustin and I stayed there Friday night and also ate at Nico Osteria, which is without a doubt one of my favorite restaurants and I hadn’t been in years. Not sure why because everything on their menu is too good and the staff is so incredibly friendly. We ordered the meatballs, burrata and prosciutto appetizer, the rigatoni bolognese (they make their rigatoni noodles in house!), 28-day aged steak, butterball potatoes and delicata squash. It was so much and so so good. I loved. It’s in the lobby of the Thompson so if you stay you have easy access 😉
Also, can we talk about the best thing I’ve tasted in a minute… their brussels sprouts bruschetta. It was a large piece of bread covered in stracciatella cheese (similar to burrata and ricotta), lemon honey and crushed hazelnuts. The brussels sprouts were so crispy and even Dustin loved it. I love when he loves veggie-focused dishes.
The room itself we stayed in was one of their suites that had two bathrooms, an outdoor seating area/balcony and a cute view of Gold Coast. You could even see a sliver of the lake from our bed. I think my favorite part about the hotel in general was their lobby (an odd thing to note but) because of the design and light (if you guys know me, you know). Super creative.
Other things to note on the hotel is that it’s close (literally 2 block walk) to my favorite coffee shop, La Colombe, an Urban Outfitters, Velvet Taco and all of the Gold Coast shopping like Madewell, Lululemon and Vineyard Vines. A good spot for tourists.
After dinner we saw one of my favorite bands from high school, The Maine, who I last saw when I was 15 so I felt like I was teleported back in time. I haven’t been to a concert in a small venue in fooorever and it felt so nice.
Saturday we made breakfast bowls with scrambled eggs in ghee, teeny tiny golden potatoes, mashed avocado and english muffins and got coffee at Stan’s Donuts which is my go-to spot in the South Loop since they serve La Colombe cold brew on draft (yay for something other than Dunkin’ or Starbucks).
Lately I’ve been loving hot yoga classes at Yoga Six (a corporate studio that has a few locations in Chicago) at their South Loop location. My friend Sammy teaches their hot classes (a set sequence that is the same each class no matter which instructor you take) and the hip hop power which I love. The space is gorgeous and the managers/front desk workers are the sweetest. I love that Y6 offers power classes that aren’t heated too because that’s the last thing I want to do when it’s 90% humidity in Chicago during the summer.
Another workout I love that just opened up this week in the West Loop is barre3. It’s a combination of barre mixed with yoga-based movements and breathwork. Another fun new spot that opened in the West Loop is Time Out Market which has tons of different vendors everything from thai food to hot dogs to plant-based ice cream pops and more. My favorite part of it is that they have Lost Larson (a bakery located in Andersonville), Fare (my favorite healthy grab and go spot for bowls and avocado toast) and Mini Mott (actually the best burger I’ve had in Chicago). They’re open every day of the week so check them out.
Yesterday morning I had the chance to check out Time Out and then headed to Beatrix for breakfast with my good friend and old photographer, Sam. I love Beatrix’s breakfast because they’re just so simple. We both got the “eggs your way” with chicken sausage. Be sure to ask for the bread they use for their avocado toast as it’s thicker/heartier and much tastier than the regular toast. They also have tons of pastry options including vegan and gluten-free muffins and cookies. I’ve heard their matcha latte is good, too, but can’t confirm. Fun fact I worked at their River North location for 6 months when I was a sophomore in college.
The weather has been 40-50º pretty much all week and I’m living for it. On Wednesday I walked almost 5 miles, got myself an iced matcha latte with coconut milk at Fairgrounds on Michigan Avenue (one of my favorite cafes) and worked from the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel’s second floor (it looks like an old library and is super cozy).
A few other things I’m loving this week:
Okay Black Friday sales are basically already beginning and I am here. for. it. Beautycounter is offering 15% off products from today until Sunday December 1st which is huge!
Beautycounter rarely does sales so this is the ideal time to get products for your friends + family who love skincare and/or are looking to transition to non-toxic beauty. The counter+ skin care favorites gift set is totally worth it to me since it includes the overnight resurfacing peel in it. Hands down my favorite skincare product I own.
Anthropologie keeps having crazy good sales on specific items and now they’re doing 30% off home decor and select furniture. This is the velvet chair of my dreams and would look so cute as a desk chair or even an accent chair in a bedroom.
A few other items I’m loving from them are this camo thermal tunic, the coziest turtleneck sweater that looks roomy while also flattering and the simplest (and sparkliest) top to wear for New Year’s Eve. Truly Anthro never fails me.
I was just gifted this weighted blanket this week and honestly, it’s one item I didn’t know I needed. It is the coziest thing. I was in need of a new quilt and this one is perfect. I have the 10lb one which is perfect because I get hot easily with covers/blankets but you can get a 15 or 20, too.
I’ve gone through two of these candles in the same scent within 4 months sooo I’m thinking it’s time to get a diffuser. I’ve heard this is a great addition to bedrooms and living rooms. Adding to my christmas list!
Here’s what I’ll be making for Thanksgiving… this green bean casserole (I’ve made it every year since 2015), my favorite cranberry sauce that is rich in flavor but takes less than 20 minutes to prepare and my friend Monica’s delicata squash salad. Yum!
Lastly, I just got a print from one of my good friend’s Minna and I am so excited about it. I’ll be hanging it over my bed once I get a frame for it but wanted to share her film photography is incredible if you get a chance to check it out.
That’s all for this week but I hope you guys enjoyed this little wrap-up of the little things in the past week that made it special. I feel like every week has them it’s all about shifting your perspective to finding them. Happy Friday and almost Thanksgiving, ah!
