Delightful

What's better than brunch with a friend on a Saturday?

 { strawberry mimosa } 

{ lime pancakes... simply delicious! I must replicate. }

Coffee Time

Yesterday I met up with a friend/old co-worker for a cup of coffee. I ventured north (way north) to Metropolis. This was my first time going to Metropolis and I have to say I'm a fan. The location was roomy, yet quaint. My only gripe is that I sat in a very hard folding chair. 

I love trying new coffee places, but find that I rarely have the time to sit and truly enjoy a cup of coffee. At Metropolis, I ordered a slice of the lemon bundt cake and wish I took an additional piece to go. It was fantastic. Without giving it much thought, I ordered a medium nonfat mocha. To my surprise, the barista poured the mocha into a low, round cup and made a fancy design in the cream. = ) 

I have a new appreciation for coffee shops that that take the time and give their customers a wonderful visual delight. It was so nice not to drink out of a paper cup for once! I just wish their was a Metropolis closer to my place. 

It was so nice to catch up with my friend Alex. It was long overdue and we'll have to do it again soon! 

Decade in Review

DECADE FLASHBACK!!!!

I graduated (times three)

{ high school } 

{ college...sorry, no digital pic from graduation } 

{ Tanya, M.Ed. } 

I witnessed a lot of amazing events....

{ cheered at MANY Cubs games thanks to living in Wrigleyville from 2007-2009 } 

{ watched the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in downtown Chicago } 

{ somehow managed to get 6th row at Obama's election night rally... AMAZING! } 

{ if you look closely, you can see Obama } 

{ I stood in one spot for hours upon hours at the rally... the vibe in the city was incredible } 

I met a guy like my dad...

{ I fell in love at first sight with a guy I worked with in college } 

{ got engaged on the beach I've visited since birth } 

{ said I do in autumn style } 

I've watched best friends tie the knot...

I become a first time home (er-condo) owner...

I learned to love running and the pain, stress and relaxation that comes with it...

{ Race to Wrigley... my first 5k }

{ my first half-marathon in 2009 } 

{ my second half marathon... after I swore I would never do it again } 

{ 2010 Chicago Marathon Finisher! } 

I could go on and on about everything that has happened in the last 10 years, but these are just a few of my favorite memories. I do believe I live an incredible life. Enough said. 

S Gets Married!

My bff S got married on Saturday! I was so honored to be a bridesmaid in her wedding and love her and her hubby as a couple. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the wedding: 

{ PSS bridesmaids with the lovely bride } 

{ gorgeous bouquet } 

{ check out the smile on her face... that is love, my friends }

{ love her } 

{ Kar looking very model-esq }

{ may have snuck out to the trolley for a celebratory cocktail }

{ glow stick fun! } 

{ have fun in Costa Rica! } 

{ litp } 

{ bridesmaid love } 

{ very proud to say that I helped start the circle of love dance } 

I loved the menu for the evening: cream of chicken soup (so season appropriate), salad, chicken oscar (with crab/hollandaise), steamed veggies (asparagus, cauliflower, carrots) and seasoned red potatoes. Everyone got a piece of cake with a scoop of ice cream. Different and yet so delicious! I was really happy to see soup because it was ultra chilly.

After a fabulous night of dinner and dancing, we all piled into a shuttle bus back to the hotel where the bride and groom pre-ordered pizzas for the "wedding after-party". Absolute perfection!!

Just Call Me Angelica

My friend S is getting married in 3 weeks and yesterday was her bachelorette party. S is my sorority sister and we lived together in the fabulous 1-2-8 during college. 

During the day, a bunch of us girls went to Glazed Expressions on Armitage to do something a bit crafty. You pick a piece of pottery and then paint it to your liking. If you have a few hours to spare, it's a great place to relax with a friend. We had friends drive/fly in from South Dakota, Florida and Texas for the party, so it was so nice to catch up in a relaxing environment before the festivities later in the night. 

The store was kind enough to let us bring in our own snacks and cocktails. We all toasted to our friend S with a yummy Godiva chocolate martini. Yum! 

The ladies wanted to dance, so that's exactly what we did. I can't remember the last time I danced so much! A few weeks ago, hubby came home and was obsessed with this song that referenced a dance called "Dougie". It's all he talked about. He forced me to learn the dance and I'm glad I did because the song came on last night and I was the only one in my group of girlfriends who knew the dance. Here's a fun video that teaches you the dance: Glee Teaches You the Dougie.

{ S and T } 

One rule my girlfriends and I always obey: never give out your real name if you're not interested. We all wore name tags last night (S loves name tags) and made up names for the evening. Last night I was Angelica. My friend K has used the same alias for a few years... Ma Lady. Love her. 

{ you can call me Angelica } 

Another solid night with the ladies in the books. Only 3 more weeks until we're all together again. 

Lincoln Park Gem

My girlfriends and I love going to BYOB places. BYOBs are kind of hit or miss, but the restaurant we went to last night was great. The seven of us ladies were able to get a table at Zig Zag Kitchen in Lincoln Park. 

Zig Zag was great for a couple of reasons. 

1. It's BYOB with NO corkage fee. = ) 
2. The menu is different from most places I usually go. Kind of up-scale, but not really. I enjoyed chicken picatta and linguine for $12.95. 
3. They give you warm cookies at the end of your meal. Free dessert? Simply awesome. 

I highly recommend the hummus and pita bread dish as an appetizer. It was quite delicious and I'm happy my friend Kara pre-ordered it. 

Last night was a wine kind of night. The seven of us polished off 3 bottles and one Target wine cube. We try to keep it classy, I mean sassy.  There was a large group sitting behind us and I kid you not, a girl brought in a Miller Lite refrigerator keg and set it right on their table. I like their style!