Windy City getaway.

Dave and I cashed in on a kid weekend swap with Maggie and Jeff. We had Isaac and Anna over for a weekend in late December and after reviewing calendars and schedules, only ONE weekend worked for all of us, and lucky for me, it was the weekend before our 39th birthday.

We didn't have plans or an agenda, and after looking around at ideas, we landed on Chicago. A quick one hop from here and so so much to do, and see, and eat, and drink...

We arrived on Friday afternoon and immediately found a restaurant for happy hour apps and wine. It was a great way to get the travel anxiety worked out and a great pre shopping activity. After dinner, we stopped into a couple of stores before making our way back to freshen up for a late dinner reservation at Etta.

I woke up early on Saturday morning and could not sleep. I tossed and turned, feeling antsy I asked Dave what was on our agenda that day. He said "nothing, and the shops don't even open until 10, so we should just go back to sleep." and just like that, it was 9:30 and I was just waking up. We got coffees, wandered, shopped, lunched, and shopped some more before freshening up for an amazing meal at Blackbird, followed by 'Dear Evan Hansen' and then a bottle of wine at Cindy's.

Sunday was another sleep in followed by a slow casual breakfast at a spot just around the corner from where we stayed. Oh, by the way, we stayed at our friend's apartment in downtown Chicago. It was a generous and kind gesture and we loved every second about feeling like official Chicagoans. We definitely got a feel for our surroundings and will forever love the Barkers for being so kind to us.

It was exactly what we needed. Space to explore and time to relax, new restaurants to try, wine to drink and an amazing musical that spoke to me on so many levels (if you have the chance to see it- go!). Dave and I agreed, it is so easy to get caught up in the business of day to day life and to feel disconnected and under constant stress, but at the end of day, we do love each other. Its so important to be able to reconnect and remember where it all started.

Ralph Lauren Restaurant happy hour. 

Dinner.

Windy City shopping. 

Blackbird. 

Birthday desserts. 

Dear Evan Hansen