August 17, 2009 In Uncategorized

I Want Nookie!

This would be my crunchy french toast at Nookie’s Too this weekend. I hadn’t had this stuff for 8 years, but still couldn’t get it out of my mind so that’s where I went for brunch on my bday. Can you say happy birthday to me? The food at this spot is killer. This french toast is rolled in corn flakes to make it crunchy, my friend got an omelette that was the size of a football and the fresh squeezed OJ was to die for. The size of a football omelette is not an exaggeration in the least by the way. It was EEE-NOUR-MOUS. (I am totally bummed I deleted the photo I had of it by accident.)  The OJ went perfectly with the bottle of champagne we picked up at a little dive liquor store down Halstead to make our own mimosas. I had forgotten there are a ton of spots in Chicago that are BYOB. How much do you love that? Even the Nookies Too staff was fabulous and a hoot to chat with.

After an indulgent 5 day run here in Chi-town, I am broke, my clothes are tight and can’t help but leave wondering if it’d even be possible to eat and drink at all the great spots around this city in one lifetime. I won’t even get in to the bday dinner feast family-style we had at Ostaria Via Stato. Oy vey. They had to roll me out of that place. Can you say carb and garlic fest? Yummy.
Thanks for keeping me fat and happy Chicago!
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August 15, 2009 In Uncategorized

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I have never been so excited for a birthday as I am for this one, today- 31. It has been quite a 30th year.

Happy birthday today to my cutie gal pal Bethany too!

Here’s to really understanding and appreciating what it means to close one year and chapter in life and start another. YIPPEE!

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August 14, 2009 In Uncategorized

TTAA in Chicago

People. Shopping. Food (Garrett’s Popcorn, Chicago style pizza, tiny little crepe cafe’s, Ann Sather’s cinnamon rolls, Omg- the restaurants…) The lake. The skyline. Starbucks that are open 24 hours a day. Dive bars called things like The Lodge. Fancy rooftop hotel bars. Cars and cabbies honking horns. Michigan Ave., The river. The theatre. The zoo, The Cubs and Wrigley Field. The train. Patio dining. Fashion. All the funky neighborhoods. The whole vibe in general. Even the homeless guy barfing on the street about 10 feet away from me as I type this. 
Oh the laundry list of goodness about this city I could make….
I love you Chicago. If you didn’t get cold and snowy- I might never leave. 
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August 13, 2009 In Uncategorized

Whistling Mallory

Last night after dinner when I got to the car, I looked down and there was a $20 bill on the ground. That’s the first time I’ve ever found money like that. I thought it was perfect because I’m on my way to the Windy City to celebrate my birthday and I figured it could buy me a couple of cocktails. 
Until I got to the airport in Charlotte and I met Mallory the bathroom attendant. 
She was welcoming all the travelers and directing them to free stalls. She was wiping and tidying and whistling and singing. Yes, while she was cleaning bathrooms. (Her voice actually sounded exactly like Queen Latifah. Pretty cool.) As I was in my stall listening to this woman whistle and humm and bop around cleaning I thought; YES! I can give her the $20 I found! She’s working her butt off and cleaning bathrooms and actually happy and whistling for god’s sakes!- How many people would actually do that? I can pay it forward and forget a couple of extra cocktails for me, this will be so much better.
So I did just that.
Before I walked out of that bathroom I asked her name, handed her the perfectly folded $20 bill I had found the night before, thanked her, told her to have a great day and I appreciated her help. It was friggin fabulous. It honestly felt like one of the greatest things I have ever done and totally made my day. It’s amazing how much more you really do get out of giving that receiving.
Dear Mallory,
I know it wasn’t much, but I hope you used that tiny little tip and got something nice for yourself. You sure deserve it. People like you make me appreciate my life even more than I already do. Thank you thank you thank you for making my day!
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