The Windy City

The beginnings of Girl's Weekend in Chicago began when L and I announced we were moving away from Rhode Island. Our friends immediately began trying to find a way to reconnect after we were gone. Chicago was the ultimate choice because it is usually pretty easy to get there (unless you live in Maine). What originally had the potential to be a football's team worth of crazy women converging on Chi-Town ended up being 4 women from 4 different states (Minnesota, Maine, Rhode Island, and Texas). Most of the fun stories will be "staying" in Chicago, but I have lots of pretty pictures to share. I assure you that these are indeed "real" flowers and not silk like they appear to be in the picture.

I left a rainy Austin to arrive in a beautifully sunny, blooming, Spring Chicago. I scored a sweet deal on a hotel (Thank you Spring Deals!) complete with breakfast, evening reception, comfy robes, and central location to great shopping. Our BFF concierge, George, gave us lots of great food recommendations. Late Friday night, he got us a table at Quartino in 5 minutes (instead of 1.5 hours) where we enjoyed 2 free pizzas, bread, and lots and lots of cheese.

After relaxing and enjoying yummy breakfast on Saturday morning, we headed out on the town. We attacked the Magnificent Mile otherwise known as Michigan Avenue, but also referred to throughout the weekend as the Marvelous Mile, the Mag Mile, and [insert your own "M" adjective] Mile.

There was lots of walking, looking, shopping, and making fun of Dana for taking pictures.

The tulips were blooming and offered some amazing eye candy to distract us from window displays.

I showed the girls my favorite building in Chicago, The Chicago Tribune building that has stone pieces from places all over the world. Here are K and L pointing at the Minnesota stone.

We found a lovely jewelry store that we spent an exorbitant amount of time in. It is a good thing the store wasn't any bigger!

After jewelry shopping, we rested at Millenium Park.

All the trees were blooming despite the chilly temperatures.

Saturday night we enjoyed a lovely dinner at Tavern on the Rush and met up with my friend, Kristina, who was able to take a small break from being a first year lawyer to eat!

Sunday morning, A and I bid L and K farewell and headed off to the gospel brunch at the House of Blues. If you are ever able to attend any House of Blues gospel brunch, DO IT! It was amazing, and the food was heavenly.

A and I did some more walking...and shopping. We walked around the Macy's that used to be Marshall Field's. It is a pretty building.

We walked through Millenium Park, Grant Park, and along Lake Shore Drive admiring the view of Lake Michigan.

And went to bed MUCH early Sunday night in preparation for our EARLY Monday. It was a fabulous weekend filled with laughter, good food, clothes swapping, birthday celebrating, kid-free antics. I can't wait for our trip next year!