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Gyote last night in Uptown! What a great show.

Within my industry I get taken out quite a bit to very nice restaurants that have amazing food. I have always had a love for food, however I used to look at it in a very negative way. I would stick mainly to foods that were rather bland and one that wouldn’t pack on the pounds. However since moving to the city I really have a new outlook on food. I have become somewhat of a foodie. Trying new dish’s, cuisines, and it has been fun trying to find some favorite spots in the city.  I have a different outlook on food. It’s not exactly what you eat, its more about how much of it you eat and how often. It also is important to actually enjoy and experience your food so you are not grazing all day long. Half the time American’s scarf down their food so fast they aren’t even tasting it. I was watching the “Best of Chicago” restaurant addition and started to wonder what restaurants would make my list…

1.) Frontera Grill - http://www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/grill.html If you haven’t been to Rick Bayless’s restaurant in River North you are missing out. The ambiance is great and the food is so good it leaves you wanting more the second you finish your bite. It is one of my favorites! Their Sea bass is amazing and their cervices are some of the best. If you are looking for a spot to grab a margarita this is also a great place to do it.

2.) Sushi Samba (River North) and Kabuki (Lincoln Park)
 I was introduced to Sushi in college and it has been a love affair ever since. Sushi Samba is a great place if you are downtown. They have a large assortment of rolls and have these beef sticky rice appetizers that are to die for. I always forget what they are called but the staff always offers them. Next, Kabuki is a Japanese restaurant in Lincoln Park that is a gem. Their Vegas and Spicy Tuna rolls are great and the staff is always very friendly.

3.) Triple Crown (Dim Sum Chinatown)

My best friend’s family lives in Chinatown and I have been introduced to the most epic meal that I believe all people should be aware of. This meal is called “Dim Sum” and in my mind the best idea ever. People come around and serve you food that is ready to eat on carts. It is a style of Chinese food that is served in small baskets, therefore you get to try an assortment of different foods. It is usually held in the morning until the Mid afternoon. Tea is also served and heavily consumed. After being introduced to real Chinese food I always try to tell people that they are missing out and nothing even comes to its awesomeness. So if you are ever wanting to venture out and try something new, visit Triple Crown located off the redline in Chinatown.

4.) Chicago Cut, Joes Seafood, Shaw’s Crab, Brazzaz -

Listed above are in my mind some of the best steakhouses, seafood, and Brazilian steakhouses in the city. You of course are going to have to come with a wallet full of cash because these places are on the more expensive side. Chicago Cut has some great appetizers (Mussels) and believe it or not great salads! If you are in the mood for some crab legs I would venture to either Joes or Shaw’s. If you are at Joe’s you have to try their fried tomatoes,creamed spinach, or macaroni and cheese as an appetizer. Brazzaz is a guys version of heaven. It is a Brazzilian steakhouse were you get a chip that you place on the table and when you turn it over to the “orange side” servers come around with different meats and shave them off for you. They also have an amazing salad bar. I have never been so full in my entire life after the meal I had here.

5.) Yolk, Orange, Cobaah, Angelina’s, and Melrose Diner

These are my favorite brunch locations. Need no more explanation. Great food an amazing Bloody Marys! Another fun brunch option is Angelina’s in Wrigley. Great drink specials and a lively brunch crowd. Melrose Diner is open 24/7 and is a great place for a quick cheap breakfast.

6.) Paciugo and Forever Yogurt

I highly recommend Paciugo and it is my favorite gelato places in the city. I think I have tried every flavor they have to offer. Bonus.. they even offer samples! Forever Yogurt is fro yo and who doesn’t love fro yo?

Went to Kingston Mines last night. It was actually a really great time. Kingston Mines was the first place to bring the blues to the North Side of Chicago. It was first located on Lincoln Avenue in 1968 as a coffee shop. Now it is home to Chicago’s oldest and largest real blues club with two lives bands on two different stages. When we first sat down and the performers took the stage I was in awe. The girl belted out some soul while two men were battling it out guitar hero style on stage. It was definitely a good time and I am looking forward to going back soon.  High-res

Went to Kingston Mines last night. It was actually a really great time. Kingston Mines was the first place to bring the blues to the North Side of Chicago. It was first located on Lincoln Avenue in 1968 as a coffee shop. Now it is home to Chicago’s oldest and largest real blues club with two lives bands on two different stages. When we first sat down and the performers took the stage I was in awe. The girl belted out some soul while two men were battling it out guitar hero style on stage. It was definitely a good time and I am looking forward to going back soon. 

Just got back from an 8.5 mile run this morning on Lake Michigan. It was so freaking windy on the way back I did not think I was going to make it. I ended up having to walk at least 3 times for about 5 minutes. I definitely did not walk when I got close to the water because the waves were coming right up to me. It was actually pretty nuts. I ran as fast as I could at that point. Here are some pictures from the Chicago times. The waves are so big that people are even surfing…Leave it to Chicago weather!

June 1st 2011 It is the first month of June and it has just hit me that my Birthday is 17 days away. I will be turning 24 and am in denial. 24? When did I become sooo old. 23 didn’t seem so dramatic I was still on the lower end of the 20’s scale. However with each year that goes by I realize how my life is slowly changing yet remaining the same. I have a lot more responsibilities such as rent, cable, and my phone bill to pay. However I am no longer forced to go to class but expected to show up at work. I start counting down to the weekend on Monday but refuse to count down the days until rent is due. I am still going out and exploring what the city has to offer. While others are starting to settle down,becoming engaged and even purchasing their first home. Sometimes I wonder why I am not in that stage in my life and wonder if I ever will be. Everyone is different and sometimes I do envy those certain people who seem to have their lives figured out at 24.  It has been over a year since I moved to Chicago and I can officially say I am comfortable and feel like this will be home for the next couple of years. So I decided I needed some new goals. I am a big advocate of goals. I believe envisioning what you want leads to actually having it. Overall the major goals I have set in my life have been checked off. I landed the job I wanted after college, moved to the city I loved, and still have a very close group of friends and family that I care about. I still have a few more I need to work on. However don’t worry life just dosen’t stand still. I am turning 24… I am currently reading “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin and although I am in an entirely different place in my life than the author I can relate with certain topics on how to improve your happiness. I am a farily happy person but I always like setting new goals for the year. No one is perfect. I thought I would make a top 11 list of goals I wanted to accomplish within the year and certain reminders that will lead to a successful and happy year.  Year 24  Motto : “Let it Be” 1. Stop worrying about the future. Live more in the present. 2. Stop putting an age or label on happiness. 3. Realize somethings you just can’t plan. 4. Find my niche at work and do everything possible to become successful at it. 5. Less clothes = more travel 6. More sunscreen! (No excuses that I tan easily…) 7. Volunteer more. (Thinking about the times I volunteered this year really does make me happy) 8. Remember that church I always say I am going to go to. Actually go. 9. Travel to NYC to visit my best friend. 10. Run another 1/2 marathon. 11. Laugh and not take my youth in one of the biggest cities for granted.

June 1st 2011

It is the first month of June and it has just hit me that my Birthday is 17 days away. I will be turning 24 and am in denial. 24? When did I become sooo old. 23 didn’t seem so dramatic I was still on the lower end of the 20’s scale. However with each year that goes by I realize how my life is slowly changing yet remaining the same. I have a lot more responsibilities such as rent, cable, and my phone bill to pay. However I am no longer forced to go to class but expected to show up at work. I start counting down to the weekend on Monday but refuse to count down the days until rent is due. I am still going out and exploring what the city has to offer. While others are starting to settle down,becoming engaged and even purchasing their first home. Sometimes I wonder why I am not in that stage in my life and wonder if I ever will be. Everyone is different and sometimes I do envy those certain people who seem to have their lives figured out at 24. 

It has been over a year since I moved to Chicago and I can officially say I am comfortable and feel like this will be home for the next couple of years. So I decided I needed some new goals. I am a big advocate of goals. I believe envisioning what you want leads to actually having it. Overall the major goals I have set in my life have been checked off. I landed the job I wanted after college, moved to the city I loved, and still have a very close group of friends and family that I care about. I still have a few more I need to work on. However don’t worry life just dosen’t stand still. I am turning 24…

I am currently reading “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin and although I am in an entirely different place in my life than the author I can relate with certain topics on how to improve your happiness. I am a farily happy person but I always like setting new goals for the year. No one is perfect. I thought I would make a top 11 list of goals I wanted to accomplish within the year and certain reminders that will lead to a successful and happy year. 

Year 24 

Motto : “Let it Be”

1. Stop worrying about the future. Live more in the present.

2. Stop putting an age or label on happiness.

3. Realize somethings you just can’t plan.

4. Find my niche at work and do everything possible to become successful at it.

5. Less clothes = more travel

6. More sunscreen! (No excuses that I tan easily…)

7. Volunteer more. (Thinking about the times I volunteered this year really does make me happy)

8. Remember that church I always say I am going to go to. Actually go.

9. Travel to NYC to visit my best friend.

10. Run another 1/2 marathon.

11. Laugh and not take my youth in one of the biggest cities for granted.

I really can relate with this woman…  Seriously Chicago I am not one to vent about the weather.. I pretty much know that you have incredibly bad mood swings. I hate to break it to you but you might be bipolar. One second you are 80 degrees and the next I am getting blown over at the bus stop. Tonight you put me over the edge. Not only did you almost hail on me after the gym, you have ruined my favorite pink umbrella. There is no point of trying to open my umbrella because you fought me and won. Now my umbrella is bent and the only thing  I have left to shield my nicely brushed hair is my puffy purple coat. Until next time.. Chicago shape up!

I really can relate with this woman… 

Seriously Chicago I am not one to vent about the weather.. I pretty much know that you have incredibly bad mood swings. I hate to break it to you but you might be bipolar. One second you are 80 degrees and the next I am getting blown over at the bus stop. Tonight you put me over the edge. Not only did you almost hail on me after the gym, you have ruined my favorite pink umbrella. There is no point of trying to open my umbrella because you fought me and won. Now my umbrella is bent and the only thing  I have left to shield my nicely brushed hair is my puffy purple coat.

Until next time.. Chicago shape up!

 I think I should have sold this story to The Enquire or some trashy magazine. I can always use a few more bucks. But for now I will just share this with you…. Last Sunday after I ran the Shamrock Shuffle I thought I deserved a nice cold beer and not to forget to mention it was the first nice day we have had in Chicago in a LONG time… which is basically an invitation to enjoy a nice cocktail oustside. We started at Vines on Clark and head on over to The Stretch for a friends birthday. I grabbed a beer and turned around and who do I see? Jay Cutler and Kristen Cavallari. Kristen was drunk on her ass (not too shocking) and Jay was sitting at a table with what looked like some of Kristens LA friends. He did not look like a happy camper. She kept whispering in one of her friends ears and looked pretty mad herself. Of course she nudged her way into the bar where some of my guy friends who were doing shots. She turned around and yells, “Look at me now,” and does this awkward looking dance move that was meant to be sexy. My guy friends had pretty big smurcks on their faces as she turned around and asked Jay if he cared if she did a shot. Jay then gets ready to storm out of the bar and Kristen reaches for his hand through the crowd pleading “Don’t leave.” Angry, very large Jay cutler responds with a “Don’t fucking touch me,” and proceeds to leave. Talk about a nice healthy celebrity relationship. Kristen continues to drink more, bumps into me 3 times and the final bump almost falls over. I would have to rate that Sunday as an 8. Not only did I run five miles in 80 degree beautiful weather. I also didn’t even have to turn on the tv to witness the hot mess of Kristen and Jay . -B  

 I think I should have sold this story to The Enquire or some trashy magazine. I can always use a few more bucks. But for now I will just share this with you….

Last Sunday after I ran the Shamrock Shuffle I thought I deserved a nice cold beer and not to forget to mention it was the first nice day we have had in Chicago in a LONG time… which is basically an invitation to enjoy a nice cocktail oustside. We started at Vines on Clark and head on over to The Stretch for a friends birthday.

I grabbed a beer and turned around and who do I see? Jay Cutler and Kristen Cavallari. Kristen was drunk on her ass (not too shocking) and Jay was sitting at a table with what looked like some of Kristens LA friends. He did not look like a happy camper. She kept whispering in one of her friends ears and looked pretty mad herself. Of course she nudged her way into the bar where some of my guy friends who were doing shots. She turned around and yells, “Look at me now,” and does this awkward looking dance move that was meant to be sexy. My guy friends had pretty big smurcks on their faces as she turned around and asked Jay if he cared if she did a shot. Jay then gets ready to storm out of the bar and Kristen reaches for his hand through the crowd pleading “Don’t leave.” Angry, very large Jay cutler responds with a “Don’t fucking touch me,” and proceeds to leave. Talk about a nice healthy celebrity relationship. Kristen continues to drink more, bumps into me 3 times and the final bump almost falls over.

I would have to rate that Sunday as an 8. Not only did I run five miles in 80 degree beautiful weather. I also didn’t even have to turn on the tv to witness the hot mess of Kristen and Jay .

-B  

I went to Bloke’s and Bird’s the other night. I head a goat cheese salad and was impressed. They also have a very large beer section. I enjoyed it! It is a contemporary English gastropup.  If you want to check it out it is located Blokes & Birds, 3343 N Clark St, Chicago, IL High-res

I went to Bloke’s and Bird’s the other night. I head a goat cheese salad and was impressed. They also have a very large beer section. I enjoyed it! It is a contemporary English gastropup. 

If you want to check it out it is located

Blokes & Birds, 3343 N Clark St, Chicago, IL