Hot Summer In The City- August Edition


Just as I was about to sit down and recap another amazing weekend spent in Chicago I found myself a bit distracted on Facebook reading statuses about the VMAs last night. My first thought was, these are still on? And my second thought was, why are my friends on Facebook still watching them? Isn’t there an age limit or something? Like for instance if you still remember the show Undressed, you’re probably too old to watch the VMAs. I digress.




Of course all of the talk was about Miley’s performance, and because it’s my job to stay on top of pop culture (for my blog obvi) I had to youtube said performance immediately. Miley Miley Miley. I’m not afraid to let it be known that I kinda like Destiny (that’s Miley’s real name) and find some of her music kinda catchy. Seriously though, Destiny. It gets me every time. 




Party In The USA? It’s my jam. Her remix to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun? Love it.  But after last night I’m just ashamed. I’m just not sure if it’s more for Smiley, or for Robin Thicke. I kinda lost a lot of respect for that guy after I watched what he let Miley do to him. He should feel violated. Or dirty. Probably both. I know I do.





As if the hair and outfit weren’t bad enough there was also this. At least twenty-five times…





I apologize for posting this because it probably makes you just as uncomfortable as it does me, but it had to be done. And while I’m usually not the biggest Will Smith Fam Fan, their reactions during this whole thing were just priceless.





And now I don’t want to give this any more attention (for today) simply because I don’t want it to taint  all of the lovely photos I was just about to share. But after last night, I think we’re all a little tainted. We got Cyrused and we didn’t even see it coming. 




For the next few minutes I just ask that you forget the darker side of Miley, and instead enjoy a few photos of some clean family fun and relish in the beauty that is Chicago in the summer. 




Friday afternoon, I was riding my bike downtown to meet Chris and his parents for lunch when I happened to stumble upon an outdoor dog yoga class. As you can see the gentlemen in the curly black hair is leading the class with a simple downward-dog position, the others all seem just a bit reluctant to join.





Seafood cob salad at Ditkas, just as good as it looks!

To celebrate Chris’s parents 35th anniversary, we went to dinner at Bavette’s.

 It’s a dark little steakhouse with amazing food and great wine.




The wedge salad is unbelievable. See that pile of red on top? That’s just the thickest bacon you’ll ever taste.


And then I followed that up with the standard filet I always like to order.


As if the rich dinner at Bavette’s wasn’t enough food to last us for the next twenty four hours we went to Publican for brunch on Saturday morning.




This is some sort of egg fundido. I know enough about life that when I see the word “fundido” on a menu I’m ordering it.





And have I mentioned lately how thrilled I am to have my Harlow back? Because I am.





And just a few more photos from the boat tour, the Art Institute, more brunching, and just sharing my overall love for this city in general.



This city is just gorgeous in the summer. Am I right or am I right? Do me a favor and remind me about all this Chicago-love talk in mid January, would you?

Remember that dog I’m excited to have home? He’s currently whimpering at my feet to be taken on his fourth walk today. It always takes him about a week to “adjust” back to Chicago life after coming home from camp in Nebraska where he does as he pleases. And by “adjust” I mean stop being such a little asshole.

It doesn’t help the matter that his 21st birthday is a few short weeks away. He’s insisting on throwing a rager… We shall see.






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62 Comments

  1. August 26, 2013 / 11:37 am

    GIVE ME THAT BACON NOW. Please. I went to Chicago liiiiiiike 9 years ago and it was great, but I didn't eat any of the food in the pictures you took so obviously I missed out.

  2. August 26, 2013 / 11:38 am

    I'd love to know what Robin Thicke's wife thought of his performance with nasty old Miley.

  3. August 26, 2013 / 11:39 am

    Miley really makes me feel uncomfortable. She's trying way too hard. It looks like you had such a nice weekend! I'm hungry after looking at all of those food pictures.

  4. August 26, 2013 / 11:42 am

    Miley made me VERY uncomfortable! She should really quit touching herself. Not ok! Wasn't she just on Disney channel like 2 years ago?? I'm sure Billy Ray is real proud. smh

    I live in St. Louis and I have never been to Chicago. That's not ok. Those pictures are amazing!! The pictures on the water 🙂 beautiful

  5. August 26, 2013 / 11:42 am

    Seriously Miley makes me sick. What was with all that tongue action!!?

    SO glad you had such a fun weekend — loved all your outfits!

  6. August 26, 2013 / 11:45 am

    I was in Chicago with a friend this weekend and it really was full of the makings for a perfect summer Chicago weekend. Great weather, great food (um, hello Lincoln Park Farmer's Market, Big Star and Molly's Cupcakes!), and lots of great fun. I know we've talked about it before but Chicago really is my favorite place in the whole wide world!

  7. August 26, 2013 / 11:48 am

    Will Smith makes everything better. That's classic.

  8. August 26, 2013 / 11:56 am

    what will you do for his 21st? throw a miley themed party. that's what.

  9. August 26, 2013 / 12:06 pm

    I know what you mean about the age limit. I always feel a little embarrassed any time I watch MTV in general. Also, Miley??! We all knew you'd have some sort of meltdown (obligation for any child star), but couldn't you have just done it the normal way? You know, hit the drugs hard then go to rehab. Don't drag us down with you.

  10. August 26, 2013 / 12:07 pm

    I knew I could count on you for a good recap!! Also funny- the fact that Taylor Swift was caught saying "shut the f*** up" on camera when One Direction was on stage presenting. There is already a gif for it, and its hysterical 🙂

  11. August 26, 2013 / 12:07 pm

    I hadn't watched the VMAs in like 10 years, but I did last night. Beforehand, I heard a rumor that NSYNC was going to reunite and perform (they did). Now, I can go back to not watching it anymore… mostly, because I hate award shows.

  12. August 26, 2013 / 12:16 pm

    I don't watch the VMAs, but I did youtube Miley's performance as well. The only part I enjoyed was watching the other artist's facial expressions. Rihanna, Beyonce, the Will Smith's family . . . it's like they all were mortified that this white girl was shaming what once was a sacred club ritual that only black people and a few bootylicious white people can pull off: the art of twerk.

  13. August 26, 2013 / 12:23 pm

    Oh my gosh we were totally cyrused! I was watching Hannah Montana the other day and I nearly broke down in tears, she used to be so sweet and innocent! Now I know how my family felt when I dressed as a Victoria's Secret angel for Halloween. Lets just go with I was channeling my inner Miley…or something. Oh and my dog is almost 21 too! We are planning on taking her to a local pub that allows dogs so she can have a proper 21 run!
    xxoo,
    Jordyn

  14. August 26, 2013 / 12:24 pm

    What the heck happened to Miley? She used to be so cute and lovely and even a little classy, now she's just like Lindsay Lohan. UGH. Gross.

  15. August 26, 2013 / 12:33 pm

    You and your boyfriend make a handsome couple! Y'all are so cute. All those pictures of food are making my stomach growl. I think it's time for me to go to lunch!

  16. August 26, 2013 / 12:35 pm

    Okay, looks like an awesome weekend. And all of that food, holy cow. Okay. Yes. I'd never heard of fundido before, but I'm intrigued because it looks freaking amaaaazing. Also, the dog yoga!!! So funny!

    xo

  17. August 26, 2013 / 12:36 pm

    You and Chris are just so cute! All that food! Sooo yummy! Miley just grosses me out. WTF is with the tongue always hanging out of her mouth?

  18. August 26, 2013 / 12:36 pm

    I wish I could wear a scarf in the summer time. That's just not in the cards for me in Arizona. Too freakin' hot. I can't even talk about Miley Cyrus. Moment of silence for our society….

  19. August 26, 2013 / 12:54 pm

    Chicago in the summer is amazing, thanks so much for sharing these photos! Also, I have no words for that Miley Cyrus performance. Ugh.

  20. August 26, 2013 / 12:58 pm

    VMAs…yikes…just yikes. Miley, Miley, Miley. She's going to have to run away and use her real name just to recover from this one. Looks like a great fun weekend!

  21. August 26, 2013 / 1:09 pm

    I went to Chicago in June and LOVED it! All of these pictures look so familiar, especially because we went on the boat tour as well! It was one of my favorite parts and I loved how we got to see all of the architecture. And the food! SO GOOD! Yours looks amazing.

    I, too feel extremely violated by Miley. Ack.

  22. August 26, 2013 / 1:10 pm

    I want to know what Robin Thicke's wife thinks. Obviously, I guess she knows that she's got a bit of a potential man whore on her hands. Miley. Wowza. I bet Billy Ray is so proud. Bless all their hearts.
    I LOL'ed at the doggie yoga pic. Hilarious.
    Chicago does look magical. I've never been there.

  23. August 26, 2013 / 1:13 pm

    Undressed = MTV's best show ever. Also, that wedge salad? Get in my belly, looks incredible.

  24. August 26, 2013 / 1:17 pm

    Eww. Miley. Fail. Big time.

  25. August 26, 2013 / 1:23 pm

    Miley was so bad. It's so sad. It was all just very weird and awkward.

    Looks like you went on vacation in your own city! Always fun. That wedge salad looks awesome.

  26. August 26, 2013 / 1:42 pm

    Oh god. Miley Cyrus. There are NO WORDS- just the picture of the Family Smith which kind of sums up how everyone feels.

    Aside from that, it looks like you've been having a cracking time recently- that fillet looks AMAZING, and Chicago looks pretty awesome. I'm sure I'll get around to visiting someday…! xx

  27. August 26, 2013 / 1:43 pm

    Omg, I feel like I've been scarred after watching Miley last night. Thank God JT performed after her and I wasn't left with her "twerking" imprinted in my brain. I saw a tweet that said Alan Thicke and Billy Ray, come get your children and I could not have agreed more. I looked like Willow watching (great pic btw!). And great post! It's making me miss Chicago!

    Blaire

  28. August 26, 2013 / 1:48 pm

    1- I was just as scarred from Miley's performance as you (and everyone else commenting on this post)! 2- all those food pics are making me SO HUNGRY! Time for a lunch break! Haha

    <3, Charlotte

  29. August 26, 2013 / 1:51 pm

    just how….do you twerk…with no ass? that was really my number one issue, and then there were others…but NOASSATALL and twerking should be a crime.

  30. August 26, 2013 / 2:04 pm

    Miley = #ew. But I will take one of everything you had to grub on this weekend! Looks amazing!

  31. August 26, 2013 / 3:15 pm

    i love miley's music. but her decisions lately, just aren't very hannah montana!

    but on a better note, it looks like you had a fantastic time in chicago! i'm so jealous!

  32. August 26, 2013 / 3:52 pm

    Miley. that girl needs some serious prayer. wow. so digusting and hard to watch. Glad you had a nice weekend in Chicago!

  33. August 26, 2013 / 3:59 pm

    Miley scared the SHIT OUT OF ME. That behavior is not normal. Totally ratchet.

  34. August 26, 2013 / 4:26 pm

    Obviously, her performance was extremely disturbing. But, what is up with her TONGUE!? Seriously, put that away already!

  35. August 26, 2013 / 4:40 pm

    I watched the VMAs purely to see the NSYNC reunion, which I could barely see, since my eyes were ruined from watching Miley minutes earlier. Why, is the main question? Why did her butt look like a raw chicken? Why did she do that to my man, Robin Thicke? Why did he let her?

    Lastly, Chicago is the best in the summer, I agree. Still need to get patio drinks while we can!

  36. August 26, 2013 / 4:52 pm

    Thank goodness he's home!!

  37. August 26, 2013 / 5:16 pm

    billy ray is not impressed with his own daughter, but he is impressed with your fab weekend.

  38. August 26, 2013 / 6:01 pm

    THIS. POST.

    I don't know where to start.
    1-Miley. Just, stop.
    2-Your family is just too cute!
    3-I want everything you had at Bavetta. NOW.
    4-FUNdido is right!
    5-omg your sweet pup!
    6-ughhhh Chicago jealousy all down here in Dally. I love that place!

    Looks like your weekend was fabulous!

  39. August 26, 2013 / 8:01 pm

    Thank goodness we had the JT perfomance after Mley to further prove that talent triumphs sensationalism every time. I'd take 30 seconds of NSYNC over Miley shaking her tail in Allen Seaver's sons face any day. And your pictures from the weekend? Make me wanna be in Chicago instantly. Thanks for sharing!

  40. August 26, 2013 / 8:48 pm

    Ok ten years from now that clip will come back to bite Miley in the bum, when her kids see it and want to know what their mum was thinking………yeah I know she doesn't have kids yet but I bet she will at some point in the next few years or so.

  41. August 26, 2013 / 10:26 pm

    I watched that video of Miley and all I could think was "man. she's going to be soooo embarrassed this time next year." oh and I love that white dress!

  42. August 26, 2013 / 10:57 pm

    You are too cute! I'm coming to visit your city one day.. It just looks too inviting!

  43. August 27, 2013 / 2:58 am

    Miley = vom
    Loved the photos of you around Chicago!
    I am also happy to have Harlow back

  44. August 27, 2013 / 10:15 am

    Oh how I love Bavettes. I always get either the short rib stroganoff or the petit filet. Have you tried the chocolate pie yet? It is crazy good! Fun fact: it is BYO Wine, but you have a share 1 glass with another table.

  45. August 27, 2013 / 11:51 am

    The ivory dress is so pretty!!

  46. August 27, 2013 / 1:24 pm

    I love Chicago so much! Dying to live there. And the thing I just couldn't take from Miley's "performance" was the TONGUE! What was up with the tongue?

  47. September 4, 2013 / 10:53 pm

    Fun fact – the reaction from the Smiths is actually to Lady Gaga's performance and not Miley's. Or at least that's what I read…but it's funnier to imagine this reaction to Miley.

  48. December 16, 2014 / 1:57 am

    Very interesting article. I would love to read the book “Start with Why”, by Simon Sinek. I think he has taken a great topic to deal with. Teaching leaders to inspire others is a good idea to bring up a civilized society. Thanks for sharing. Keep posting.
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