Just a Tad Too Bitter for My Taste

Several years ago while browsing the shelves of a Borders (Yep, that tells you how long ago it was) I was hooked by Jen Lancaster's Bitter is the New Black cover art. I thought the extra long subtitle was clever. I thought Lancaster's literary voice seemed snarky and engaging. I was convinced her book would be pee-your-pants funny. So I wrote down the title and carried it around with me for years.

In the midst of the great purge before our move, I took several loads of books to a local used book store. Against type and in the name of space saving, I accepted the cash instead of the vastly larger trade value for my books. Luckily for me, however, there were a few dollars left that I had to take in trade. With my credit in hand I wandered over to the bargain shelf determined to make the most of my trade dollars. There waiting for me was the familiar cover art of Lancaster's Bitter is the New Black. I picked up the book, and discovered that Lancaster is a Chicago native. I knew at that moment it was finally time to read this memoir.

{image}

Turns out, after the first chapter I nearly put the book down. Lancaster's literary persona was insufferable. Self absorbed and vapid didn't even begin to do her shallow, label dropping, inane prose justice. In truth I kept reading in anticipation of cheering on the hardship she was about to face. Horrible, right? How could I help it, Lancaster wrote a character that begged to be disliked.

Having made it through to the end, I'm ultimately glad I didn't put it down early. There was a modicum of growth as her story unfolded. Thankfully by the book's last chapters her grating (and often unoriginal) sense of humor became less off-putting and more endearing. The more I read the more I began to hope that perhaps she was just as unimpressed with the Jen who appeared in the early chapters as I was.

Honestly, I wouldn't recommend this book to other readers. But, Lancaster's transformation throughout the memoir was significant enough to make me curious about her follow up books.

Have you read any of Jen Lancaster's memoirs? What did you think?

The ONLY Bathroom Photos I Will Probably EVER Publish

There are a few rules that I try to hold fast to. One of those involves cameras in the bathroom. I'm officially going on record to say, that I can't remember very many bathroom mirror photos that I've found either flattering or necessary. And they are most DEFINITELY NOT for public consumption. As far as any other of type of photography in a bathroom, honestly, I'm  not going to let my imagination even go there.

However, last weekend I broke the rules. I took several pictures while in the ladies room and let me show you why.



High above the Streeterville (is that really a neighborhood?) neighborhood, there is a magical ladies room. This magical ladies room has enormous windows. Outside those enormous windows one is privy to a magnificent view of Chicago.



On the 95th and 96th floors of the John Hancock you'll find the Signature Room and the Signature Lounge. It seems to me that the architect reserved the best views for the restroom. I tell ya, it is breathtaking. As I was snapping photos with my phone, someone said, "I've never seen so many pictures taken in the bathroom before in my life." I wanted to quip back, "Obviously you haven't been on MySpace." But I was too enamored with the view to let the snark pass through my lips. I wasn't the only one. There must have been 3 or 4 other ladies standing at the window snapping pictures.

As a side note, the stalls in the bathroom were empty. 

I'm happy to report that I didn't stumble on this view on my own. Last Sunday afternoon, after the parade, I had the pleasure of a little girl time with Miss Heather of Smart and Savvy Style. Heather and I had a get to know you date over a cup of coffee in the Signature Lounge. {Why didn't we take a picture of the two of us together, Heather? We're bad bloggers.} It was Heather's idea to meet at the Hancock tower. After seeing that bathroom window, I'm so glad she made the suggestion.


Not only did I get a chance to meet Heather for the first time, I was introduced to an extremely inexpensive way to fall more deeply in love with Chicago. I mean, come on, isn't she beautiful? As I type this my mind is racing. I can't wait to visit the bathroom, I mean the Signature Room at night, or on a bright sunny day, or maybe even when it's foggy. The possibilities are endless. 

This field trip and Miss Smart and Savvy's brilliant invitation has convinced me that there must be lots of amazing ways to discover this city for very little or maybe even NO money. I consider this my newest challenge and I can't wait to share what I discover with all of you!

If you're a local blogger (or non-blogger) that knows about an inexpensive or free activity in Chicago, I'd love to get the chance to meet you too! Leave a comment or shoot me an email.

South Side Irish Parade

In years past Chicago's South Side Irish Parade has been quite an event. From what I gather from life long Beverly residents, the drinking started early and the festivities went late. Two years ago, organizers of the parade decided to put an end to the party. After 54 arrests in 2009 the Beverly neighborhood's 30 year tradition came to a screeching halt. Two St. Patrick's days came and went without a bagpipe brigade or curly haired Irish dancer doing a jig down Western.




But this year, the parade returned. In 2012 though, the parade organizers had a decidedly different agenda. Sure there were plenty of Aran sweaters to be found. Once again Western was lined with red hair and green gear. Bagpipes were the festive soundtrack of the day. But, "family friendly" was the catchphrase heard on the street. Well, "family friendly" and "zero tolerance." And from what I witnessed the re-brand was successful.




Parade organizers report that 150,000 people were in attendance on Sunday morning, many of whom were little lads and lasses. Though the crowds were half what was reported in 2009, there was an air of excitement and neighborhood pride that permeated the whole event. "South Side Irish" t shirts, sweatshirts and other paraphernalia were worn by residents with pride and the Beverly neighborhood was a fantastic host. Its charm and history were evident as we walked to and from the parade route. I was particularly touched by the way the whole event was embraced by multiple generations. It definitely was a "Family Friendly" event.




We were fortunate enough to be invited to celebrate the day by one of the local families and some really amazing friends. {I'm kicking myself for not taking any pictures of us together, Missi!} Before watching the parade we heard all about the event in years past. We watched as little ones begged their parents to get to the parade route. We laughed and listened to stories and enjoyed the pretty much perfect weather.  And of course we ate. No St. Patrick's day celebration is complete without the corned beef. I swear I ate my weight in corned beef on Sunday afternoon, and I loved every salty bite.



The South Side Irish Parade was definitely another great introduction to Chicago. With a bit of Irish blood coursing through my veins, St. Patty's day has always been one of my favorite holidays. Getting to be part of an historic event with such a welcoming and hysterical family was something to be treasured. Plus, the event was a great primer for this weekend's festivities. Chicago's annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade is happening just a mile from our place this Saturday at noon. The river will be dyed green, the bagpipes will be blaring and I plan to find plenty of corned beef and cabbage to fill my belly.
What are your favorite St. Patrick's Day traditions, plans or memories?

Mmm Mmm Monday: Chicago Dogs

I have never hidden my love for hot dogs. I am a fanatic. {It's something I have in common with my sweet friend Lexi} And when it comes to hot dogs, for my $3.50, a Chicago dog is always the clear winner. To illustrate my obsession, I'll go ahead and admit that 2 of my last five meals in Chattanooga were Chicago Dogs from one of my favorite Chattanooga restaurants Good Dog. In fact, it was at Good Dog where I had my first ever Chicago dog. A trip to the Windy city a few months later provided my first "street" version of the tasty concoction. From that point on, my love affair has never wavered. I am hooked.

So, please understand the joy it brings me to tell you that within walking distance of our place, Kim & Carlo's Hot Dog Stand makes its home. Nestled in the heart of Museum plaza this provider of deliciousness is one of my favorite haunts. We've visited on cold and cloudy days; we've been there when the sun is shining. And no matter the weather, the Chicago dogs are always on point.



For those wondering, let me break down for you the anatomy of a Chicago dog.  It is a steam simmered all beef (though Kim & Carlo offer a vegan alternative too) dog on a steamed poppy seed bun. The dog is then dressed with yellow mustard, white onion, crazy neon green pickle relish, tomato slices, pickled sport peppers for some spice, a dill pickle spear and a sprinkle of celery salt.  My mouth is watering right now. Sounds like a lot to put on a bun, right? And it is. Here's the thing, all those toppings require that the dog be eaten very quickly as to avoid a soggified bun. I'm proud to admit that I have no problem accomplishing that task.
But, you want to know something that makes Kim & Carlo's dogs more special than your average Chicago dog? Check out the view.



The stand is currently parked right in front of the Shedd Aquarium. Surrounded by two beautiful museums, looking over Lake Michigan and Navy Pier and backing up to the Chicago skyline, from every direction the view is glorious.

{obligatory shot of the other Chicago Dog in my life}

While some may argue that a dirty water dog surpasses the Chicago variety (I'm talking to you, Cait), I have to respectfully disagree. While I would never, ever, ever turn down a street dog in New York, I have to give my endorsement to the Chicago dog. Its plethora of "we almost look healthy" toppings is undeniably more exciting. Every bite is an adventure. And the in-your-face spice of those pickled sports peppers makes my mouth happy.

Three cheers for Kim & Carlo's hot dog stand and three cheers for the Chicago dog in general. I excitedly anticipate many, many more shared moments of deliciousness in the future.

What's on top of your favorite hot dog?

Give10 Spotlight: Sole Hope

It all started with a YouTube video. The graphic and heartbreaking video exposed Asher Collie, the founder of Sole Hope, to the truth about Jiggers. Jiggers are small sand fleas that burrow into bare feet and if left untreated cause infection, paralysis and occasionally amputation. Jiggers, Collie learned, are a common problem among Ugandan children who often live their lives without adequate protective footwear. After watching the video, a seed was planted in Collie's heart. Nurtured by Collie's passion for the widows and orphans of Zambia and her own self confessed shoe addiction, the seed blossomed into Sole Hope. Sole Hope is a not for profit organization who's mission is "to offer HOPE to widows, orphans and others within impoverished and forgotten communities around the world by teaching the simple trade of shoe making which provides jobs and shoes to those in need." Collie saw a need, and now Sole Hope is working to meet it.

{image}

What I love about Sole Hope is that it started in Africa (Uganda and Zambia) but has transitioned into a project here in America too. African widows aren't the only people struggling to support their families. And they certainly aren't the only people who can benefit from learning a trade. I love that Sole Hope expanded their ministry and is working with men and women in Asheville, North Carolina too. According to their website, "This is creating a sense of pride because they are not only changing their future with the income they are making; they are making a quality shoe that protects children's feet."

{image}

But what about the shoes? Well, they are pretty much totally adorable. Not only is Sole Hope doing "good" they are doing good with some style. Plus, the soles are made of recycled materials. Sole Hope promises their shoes are 96% recycled and 100% handmade. If that isn't further reason to fall in love, I'm not sure what it's going to take to convince you.

There are several creative and easy ways we can join in Sole Hope's mission. The first and most obvious way is to make a financial contribution. Sole Hope hooked me when I read that, "a $10 donation means that a child in Uganda or Zambia will get a pair of closed toe shoes." {It's like they knew about #give10 or something... hmmmm} Perhaps you'd like a wee one in your life to own a pair of these adorable kicks? Well, Sole Hope has an online store. There's a warm fuzzy in knowing that proceeds from your purchase are going to protect a child's feet, isn't there? Another fun way to get involved would be to host a shoe cutting party. Sole Hope will provide you with everything you need to cut out a batch of shoe "uppers" that will be turned into life changing product. You can order a packet with instructions from their website. But right now, the simplest way to support Sole Hope is to Vote. Cultivate Wines is giving away $50,000 and Sole Hope could use your help to win the money. With a few simple clicks every day, you can make a huge impact. Just click HERE and then click "Vote for This." It's really that simple.

Need more convincing?





Sole Hope Promo 2012 from jason garris on Vimeo.

Sole Hope is just one of the organizations to inspire us during our #give10 project. 

For a complete list of recipients visit my #give10 page 

or click here to learn more about the project and its inspiration.

If there is an organization you'd like to see included, please, let me know.

Some Random Stuff

I was tagged by my fellow Chicago blogger Cait at pretty and fun to participate in a chain post that has been making its way across the blog world. A few weeks ago, Jennifer at Simplistic Living tagged me too but I was very lazy and never got around to participating. {I'm sorry, Jennifer} Since I couldn't let THAT happen again, today's post is dedicated to random musings about me.

There are five rules (but I'm only following 3):
1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.


Eleven Bits of Randomness

1. I'm slightly obsessed with checking in on Yelp. One magical day I found myself as the #1 Yelper in Chattanooga (probably impossible to duplicate in Chicago) and now I'm determined to regain my status.
2. Instagram filters make me (and possibly you too) look like such a better photographer than I am. I secretly wish I could apply them to all my photos without having to post said photos to Instagram.
3. Yesterday, @dowagerpimpcane (As in Downton Abbey's Violet Crawley's walking stick) followed me on Twitter and it made me smile. Thanks, @ewiley for your part in the magic. 
4. Styling my bookshelves so they look messy chic instead of just messy messy is really perplexing me.
5. Lately I've had to use the element of surprise to keep my dog from barking when I leave. It works, but it's starting to get tough to come up with new ways to fake him out. In fact, yesterday I put my shoes on in the hall...



6. Getting a library card in Chicago was much, much, much more important to me than getting a driver's license. Yesterday I got it.
7. I've been studying a map of Chicago to memorize the cross streets in the Loop. I can't keep the Presidents in the right order. (Chicago residents, any tips?)
8. I'm such a nut for making lists that two different friends gave me Listography books as going away presents. (I didn't want to tell you girls, but since you both read the blog the cat's out of the bag) I'm enjoying them though!
9. I'm having a really difficult time coming up with eleven random things to post to this list.
10. I'm an optimist at heart. Most days the cup isn't just half full, it's overflowing.
11. I will never understand why some days when I open Pinterest every pin makes me question what is happening to taste in this world but then the next day each pin is more beautiful and inspiring than the last. How does this happen?

Here are the questions Miss Caitlin posed:

1. What does your favorite pair of shoes look like? Lately, I've been wearing a pair of black leather Born boots pretty regularly. They are comfortable, warm and they go with almost everything I own.
2. If you could change your name, what would you change it to? Sophia McFluffernutter
3. What's your usual order when you're at the bar? Since I'm in my 8th year of sobriety, my bar order is pretty tame - club soda and lime for me.
4. If you won the lottery, what would be your first purchase? It's such a small indulgence, but I'm head over heels for the Black Python Michael Kors iPhone wallet clutch. That's probably where I'd start.
5. Which season is your favorite? Fall. Definitely fall. I love the clothes, love the colors, and love the relief from the summer heat. Fall is magical.



6. If you weren't in your current profession, what do you think you'd be doing? Since I don't have a current profession this is a question I ask myself every. stinking. day. I'm waiting to see what's next.
7. What is the best thing you've ever eaten? One New Years Eve we did a multi-course meal at St. John's Restaurant in Chattanooga. The meal was my most memorable. Every course, no every bite, was heavenly. The chef, Daniel Lindley, has been nominated for a James Beard award multiple times and is a genius.
8. What is your favorite pattern? It's a tossup between simple stripes and classic black and white polka dots. My closet has lots and lots of both. 
9. What's your go to beauty product? Lately, it's been coconut oil. Its uses seem endless.
10. Who is your celebrity crush? Justin Timberlake.
11. What's your favorite thing about blogging? I've written about this several times before, but my favorite part about blogging is the community. Interacting with other bloggers is what keeps me interested in this crazy world. I have been incredibly lucky to cultivate real life friends through my blog over the years. I don't understand bloggers who don't interact either by commenting on other's blogs or responding to comments left on their own blog. For me blogging is most fun when it's a conversation not a monologue. I'm incredibly thankful for the relationships my blog has provided and I look forward to the new friends I will make as I continue the fun.

Rather than tag a few people and make up questions, I've decided to tag everyone who reads this post. 

Would YOU, yes you, {even if you don't usually comment, blog stalkers} leave one random "get to know you" type factoid about yourself in the comment section? 

Then, you should stop by Cait's blog, pretty and fun, and say, "Hello!"

Pretty {and fun} please with sugar on top?

Are You Trying to Tell Me Something, Red Line?

When I was in NYC I lived on the subway. I've successfully navigated DC's public transpo, jumped on the Metrolink in St. Louis to avoid Cardinal baseball traffic, and even battled the Parisian Metro. (When those damn workers aren't on strike - which is what a couple weeks per month?) But until Saturday, I'd never ridden the Chicago "L." 

Since I'm still a newbie here in Chicago, and incredibly proud of it, I was pretty excited for my first "L" experience. We hurried to board a red line train at the Roosevelt station, found a seat and waited. And then we waited some more. And then we waited a few moments longer. Now even though this was my first "L" experience, it became clear very quickly that this waiting wasn't customary. First came the vague message over the loud speaker explaining that there was a delay. Next another message. But I knew for sure this wasn't business as usual when a police officer showed up on the platform explaining that we all needed to vacate the train immediately. She explained that our train had been re-routed and would be leaving from the elevated tracks. She seemed to be pretty antsy that we get a move on. The rest of the passengers just seemed to be pretty annoyed. I learned later that apparently someone had robbed a bank and slipped into the "L" to try and make a "getaway". He was discovered when the dye pack exploded. I mean, that's kind of dramatic. And annoying. And it added about 20 minutes to our trip. But, I got to flex my, "I'm so annoyed by the hassles that come with living in a big city" muscles a little bit. I may have rolled my eyes and let out a sigh as we found our way to correct platform. But inside I was excited to be part of such an commotion. (I told you... newbie.)
I've been riding the buses since we got into Chicago and haven't encountered nearly that much drama. So, I ask in all sincerity, is the "L" usually such a to-do? Because the CTA twitter feed is kind of leading me to believe this kind of stuff happens all the time. Does it?

{image}

My ride on the line got me thinking of one of the greatest Chicago films ever made. I'm talking sarcastically about On The Line starring Lance Bass of 'NSync fame. Remember that piece of cinematic genius? I think it was about as successful as the attempted bank robbery that complicated my "L" experience last weekend.

Have any "complicated" public transpo stories of your own to share?