Our Weekend - Chicago Trip!

Oh Chicago, we love you.

This weekend Nick and I took a quick getaway to Chicago!  We hadn't been there in about a year and decided a weekend away was in order.

Our flight was delayed on Friday due to this latest storm...  

While we were waiting (and watching the snowplows hard at work) we enjoyed some beverages and food in the airport bar..

Saturday, we started off the day by going to one of my FAVORITE breakfast places.  I love love love breakfast.  It's seriously my favorite meal of the day.  We stumbled across this restaurant in Las Vegas last year and when I saw they had a Chicago location, we had to go!

Nick got a bloody mary and I got a spiked hot chocolate!!  Then we got to the main event!  I had a smoked salmon scrambler and Nick had eggs, bacon and a Snickers pancake!  It looked delicious!!

After breakfast we just spent time walking around and dropping into the shops on Michigan Ave.

We happened to stumble across Subway's new adventure?



Astrology Readings???

We also stopped into another bar for some beverages...

Note the Gap bag in the background...

Saturday night we met up with some friends for dinner and then spent the night out in the Wicker Park neighborhood.  It was a great time!

Sunday we got up and took the L back to the airport for our flight back to MN. 

It was a quick getaway - but very needed!!

I hope you all had fabulous weekends!!

Friday's Letters

Dear Winter -

 I am over you.  Seriously, seriously over you.  I'm tired of the cold and the snow and the terrible driving.  We got yet another storm this week and they are calling for one next week as well.  Please just go away.  I really want it to be flip flop season.

Dear Peanut Butter (veggie) Burger I ate last night -

You were amazing.  Seriously amazing.

You had peanut butter, a bit of mayo, fried onion straws and pepperjack cheese.  I know you were so unhealthy - but so delicious!  Nick had the 'real meat' version, which also included bacon, he agreed it was fabulous!

Although - we were both put into immediate food coma's... yikes!

Dear Bridesmaids Movie - 

Ever since a co-worker made a reference to you this week I can't stop quoting you.  I've even listened to the soundtrack on repeat all day.  It doesn't hurt that you take place in 2 of my favorite cities.  Milwaukee & Chicago..  Ahh.. love.

Dear Milwaukee - 

I miss you.  I miss you a lot.  It's been 2 1/2 years since I lived in 'the state of Milwaukee.  When I was talking to the above mentioned co-worker about the movie, he asked me if I enjoyed Milwaukee.  This led to me giving a very long explanation of all the reasons I love Milwaukee.  It ended with him telling me that if my current job doesn't pan out - I should really look into being an 'ambassador for the city of Milwaukee'.  A girl can dream!  :-)

It Nick and I were just chatting this week about how we wish it was summer in 'the state' and we could go and patio drink somewhere ...

Dear Chicago - 

I'm so excited to see you this weekend.  It has been far too long.Hopefully our flight isn't cancelled (please refer to the previously mentioned snowstorm).  I have big plans to eat brunch at one of my fav spots and to imbibe in some adult beverages with some good friends.  

No matter how many times I visit, I am always looking forward to the next trip.

In the words of Will Smith "We all know Chi town's got it goin' on"....

First Things First! Link Up!

 

 Today I'm Linking up with Halie @ Penguins, Pasta & Polka Dots to share my 'firsts' 

 First thing I do at the gym 

I've recently gotten back into the gym habit.  I used to be so dedicated, then work/grad school/wedding planning overtook my life and I fell out of my routine.  Now that I'm getting back into the habit - I would have to say the treadmill is my first stop.  I usually try to get in a good run and then decide what I want to do next.  If I time it right, I can usually get my run in and then drop into one of the Yoga classes for a cool down.

(note - I do not look as good as any of these people when I'm actually working out)  :-)

 First Date with Current Significant Other

Technically Nick & I met online - even though we'd gone to college together and had some friends/rec sports league in common.  Our first date was April 3, 2009 at Bar Louie in downtown Milwaukee.  We met up for 'a drink' and ended up staying for four hours!!  

First email address

hmmm...  I think I had many, many email addresses - I believe the first one was erin_britney@hotmail.com - oh yes - I was a huge Britney fan  (it's Britney bitch...)

Remember her back then? 

Before this...

Before this loser...

Before this unfortunate incident...

So glad to have you back Brit Brit.... 

Let's dance until the world ends..

Happy Valentine's Day!! & Link-Up

This morning Nick & I exchanged Valentine's Day cards...

His card to me.....

My card to him....

Clearly we have different opinions of this holiday..

Happy Valentine's Day to my Valentine!!!

I hope you all have a great Valentine's Day!

Ever wonder if your spouse really knows you?! Well now is the time to find out!

HOST:

The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife

CO-HOSTS:

JanLoves, The Marvelous Flight of Cara, Delightfully Dunn, From Awkward to Art,
Planned in Pencil,   Jessica Who?, Northern Belle Diaries, You and Me are We,
The Family Darr, Songbirds and Buttons, The Grace of Southern Charm, Just Simply Live,
Pretty Living PDX, The Lemonade Diaries, Life as I know it

How long have you been married?

Nick: almost 2 months

Erin:  almost 2 months

Where was your first date?

Nick: Bar Louie Downtown Milwaukee

Erin:  Bar Louie Downtown Milwaukee

Where was your first kiss?

Nick: Parking lot of my apartment

Erin:  In the parking lot outside of Nick’s apartment

Who first said, "I love you"?

Nick: Erin

Erin:  me

What were your wedding colors?

Nick: Chanukah blue & silver

Erin:  Royal blue & Silver

Who is her celebrity crush?

Nick: ?

Erin:  Probably Brian Williams

If she was ordering drinks for both of you what would you each get?

Nick: Leinies for me and a cider for her

Erin:  Probably a Miller Lite for Nick & a UV Cake & Pineapple for me

What is the best meal she has ever cooked you?

Nick: She doesn’t cook – although she does make good omelets

Erin:  I don’t cook

What is the worst meal she has ever cooked you?

Nick: She doesn’t really cook

Erin:  I don’t cook

What would she say is your most annoying habit?

Nick: shaking the box of Goldfish crackers when I eat them

Erin:  He comes home from work and IMMEDIATELY goes for this giant box of Goldfish crackers,  shaking it LOUDLY between each handful….drives.me.crazy!!!!!!

What is the last thing she does before she goes to bed?

Nick: reads

Erin:  reads

What's her blog's name?!

Nick: no idea

Erin:  the erin episodes

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Today I'm linking up with Jamie to share what I'm loving this week.

 

These breakfast wraps.

I'm obsessed.  

I find that I frequently go through 'food obsessions'.  I'll find something new that I like and eat it over and over and over again.  I'm not sure why I do this?  Anyways - I've had these every day this week for breakfast and even had one for dinner last night..They are so simple and yummy.  Just take a tortilla, throw on some peanut butter and then add granola & whatever fruits you like!  I've tried apple & banana and both are great!  It's also a great snack as well!

 

 

This movie date I have planned for this weekend with Nick

Ok.  So just to be clear, we aren't renting this movie.  Top Gun in 3D is playing at one of the IMAX theaters here.  Nick LOVES Top Gun - LOVES it.  When we were on vacation in San Diego a few years ago we had to go to Kansas City BBQ (aka the Top Gun Bar) and hang out for a night!

When he saw that it was playing at the IMAX, he immediately asked me if we could make a 'date' out of it!  :-)  Seriously, he is more excited than a kid on Christmas!

 

That we booked our hotel for our trip to Chicago next weekend.

We love Chicago.  When we lived in Milwaukee, it was just a quick 75 mile trip south - we would frequently go just for the day, usually taking the commuter train.  Now that we are in MN, the trips require a bit more planning!  We try to go a few times a year.  Nick & I both have friends that live there, so usually we end up meeting up for dinner/drinks with them. 

On our agenda for this trip is the Sears (Willis) Tower and a night out with our friends in Wrigleyville.  I'm sure we'll do some shopping along Michigan Ave as well!

 

 

 

The fact that we have another lazy weekend on the calendar. 

We spent so much of 2012 being so ridiculously busy.  Between both of us finishing up our MBA's and taking frequent trips back to Wisconsin to finish wedding planning - we just got a bit burned out on being away.  This weekend we really have nothing on the calendar (aside from our 'Top Gun' date) and I'm LOVING that!!



ok - I'm not sure why I found this polar bear being lazy so funny... but I did.  Plus - the snow seems fitting for MN!



 

What are you loving today??