Bicycles

I sold my car when I moved to Chicago and now I rely mainly on public transportation and walking to get anywhere I need to go. My boyfriend talked me into buying a bike last summer, and it has really been one of the best investments I have made. You can get places so much faster AND you get exercise. Win-win.

Although my bike is just a cheap Target road bike, there are so many great bike shops and companies out there. A personal favorite of mine is PUBLIC, who make super hip, European-style city bikes in awesome colors. 

1. Handlebar Bag | Etsy | $95

2. Vintage Bicycle Notecard | Etsy | $3

3. Surfside Basket | Nantucket Bike Basket Co. | $59

4. Recycled Bicycle Tote Bag | Etsy | $20

5. USB Headlight | Axsiom | $25

6. PUBLIC C7 | PUBLIC | $595

Summer So Far

Not all of summer has been filled with work and moving; I have had some fun weekends leading up until now. Here are a few things I've been doing while away from Marylebone.

Cubs game

Coachella in Indio, California

Coachella

Downtown Sound

Millenium Park

Wine tasting in New Buffalo, Michigan

 Camping & tubing in the Wisconsin Dells

Pride Parade

I vow to post the rest of my summer adventures on this blog.

Top 5 Philadelphia

As promised, here are some pics from my weekend in Philly, as a Top 5 List of things to do should you find yourself in the City of Brotherly Love.

1. See the LOVE sculpture in JFK Plaza

2. Have some Greek beer and mini gyros at Opa!

3. Browse the food vendors at Reading Terminal Market

4. Try an authentic Philly Cheesesteak at Pat's or Geno's (or both)

 

 5. Take a stroll around Rittenhouse Square

I guess we did a lot of eating on this trip. Don't judge.

Airport Attire

I'm all for comfort but people, let's get real. The airport is a public place, not your couch. Enough of the Sponge Bob Squarepants flannel pajama pants and VS Pink hoodies. Trust me, there are plenty of alternative ways to be comfortable that don't involve matching Juicy sweatsuits and Ugg boots. Now, I'm not saying you need to wear Alexander McQueen boots and torn fishnets a la Lady Gaga, but there are other options.

How did she get through security?

Anyways, I love this article from Teen Vogue about classy vs trashy airport attire, which recommends jeans or nice leggings, a comfortable shirt, tailored blazer and minimal jewelry. I also am a huge fan of this Longchamp Le Pliage Expandable Travel Bag for traveling, which is perfect for carrying on.

Longchamp Le Pliage Travel Bag | Bloomingdales.com | $235

And remember, always wear a bra when you go to the airport. Your fellow air travelers will appreciate it.

(Image via UK Daily Mail)

Happy Weekend

This weekend I'm off to Philadelphia to visit my boyfriend for a quick 48 hour trip. I've never been there but I've managed to get enough recommendations from friends that I've put together a rough itinerary for us. Maybe I should be a travel agent...

 

A few must-dos on our list include Reading Terminal Market, PARC for brunch, Independence Park and the Liberty Bell (duh.) The weather is supposed to be pleasantly in the 50 - 60 degree range and I couldn't be more excited. Hopefully I can break out my new seafoam green skinny jeans and leopard print Sperrys. More photos to come.

Have a fabulous weekend!

• Gap has everything 30% off today
• Check out my friends' band, Well-next-the-Sea. 
• My new favorite snack
• The Field Museum has a new mummies exhibit I want to see
• An awesomely cute and cheap spring purse

(Photo via Pinterest)

Cities in Snow

At the end of last week, Chicago got its first measurable snow this season.  While it really wasn't too treacherous compared to Snowpocalypse 2011, it did make for some slushy sidewalks and photo ops.  Here are a few photos of my favorite cities in snow (images via Pinterest).

 Chicago

London

 Paris

An Undisclosed Dreamy Location in Europe

 Munich

 Prague

Do you have a favorite snowy locale?

Lace Up Boots

 image via Pinterest

Whilst in the exotic land known as Los Angeles, I noticed a lot of girls wearing lace up boots.  I haven't really seen many of them in Chicago; I'd say most boots worn here are of the riding boot variety.  A few weeks ago I was perusing through one of my favorite blogs, HiP Paris Blog, and one of the posts was about the fashion of Montmartre.  Parisian women are obviously known for their chic yet timeless fashion, and general lack of falling into short-lived trends (this is actually one of New Year's resolutions, to quit buying cheap trendy stuff at Forever 21 and invest in classic staples).  When I came across this awesome illustration on HiP about Parisian fashion, I was on the fence about how I felt about lace up boots.  I wasn't sure I could pull them off without looking like Pippi Longstocking.  However, once I saw them in person on lots of fashionable ladies in LA, I actually really liked them.  Girls there wore them with leggings, skinny jeans as well as shorts, so they looked cute in any type of climate, not just cold weather.  They look even edgier with the sides flipped down.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Steve Madden Cablee | $150

Madden Girl Zorrba | $70

Ros Hommerson Military | $150

Maybe I'll buy a pair at an end of winter sale before the craze hits Chicago.

Weekend in LA

This past weekend I ventured to Los Angeles to visit my boyfriend and was there for less than 48 hours.  I did, however, manage to pack those 48 hours with a whole lot of stuff.  Visiting friends in Korea Town, seeing Mickey and Minnie at Disneyland and eating shrimp tacos in Venice Beach, to be exact.

As a child, I was a seasoned Disney World veteran.  I loved that place and everything about it from the futuristic monorail to the Mickey-shaped waffles to the overpriced autograph books.  This is why when my boyfriend asked me what I wanted to do on this trip out to see him, I knew instantly that I wanted to relive the glory days at Disneyland.  Aside from the hoards of children and over-sized strollers everywhere, it still was magical.  

The second and last day of my short trip, we woke up with our terribly sore feet and decided to go to Venice Beach before dropping me off at the airport.  Venice Beach is like Disneyland for bums.  It's a very eclectic place to say the least, but still very cool none the less.  We strolled down the promenade past all of the vendors and homeless people to the skate park on the beach, enjoying the fabulous 75 degree weather.  Before heading to LAX, we grabbed a bite at the Venice Ale House and had AH-mazing shrimp nachos and tangerine beer.  Needless to say, I wasn't at all ready to head back home to chilly Chicago.  If you ever find yourself in the area, be sure to check this restaurant out.  The food was great.

On a sidenote for Disney enthusiasts, I found out about a little-known secret club at Disneyland, called Club 33.  Located in the New Orleans Square section of the park, the entrance is a door next to the Blue Bayou restaurant with an engraved address plate saying "33".  Apparently guests must press a buzzer and insert their key in a panel that is hidden on the doorway.  The inside looks like a French hotel lobby complete with a dining room and full bar.  It was Walt Disney's idea for the club which opened in 1964, decorated with antiques and original Disney memorabilia.  Anyone who joins the club for a mere $10,000 in addition to the $3,500 in annual dues gets early admission, valet parking, access to the Presidential Car on the Disneyland Railroad and 6 immediate Fastpasses to cut the line for rides.  What a deal!  Oh and there's a 14 year wait list... so start saving.