Sole Society Boots c/o (Also available here. These are my go-to OTK boots–also available here, and I have these in black!) / Rag & Bone Jeans (On sale! Here in black.) / Similar Tartan Scarf (Also here for a fraction of the price!) / BP. Sweater (It’s only $38! Also love this one, this one, this one, and this one.) / Similar Initial Necklace / Louis Vuitton Tote
Emma’s Wearing: Christmas dress (Oops! Forgot her bloomers. Please excuse us as we flash the blogging world.)
Mitch is wearing: Ralph Lauren Button-Down
When Mitch and I found out we were moving to Chicago, we immediately knew what neighborhood we wanted to live in: Lincoln Park. Ending up in LP had always been Mitch’s dream, as he spent the first half of his childhood there. And now, we’re only a few blocks away from the house that he grew up in. It’s so special, and I’m really happy that Emma is going to spend her childhood in a place that has so much history for the Larkins!
While living in Lincoln Park may not have been my personal dream, I’ve fallen head over heels with it, and I can honestly say that living here feels like a dream. I love our block, our neighbors, our friends, the elementary school, the parks, the sense of community, the activities, the shopping and the restaurants. I love it so much that unless I’m visiting Jess in Wicker Park, I rarely leave. (One of my goals for 2017, though, is to visit a different neighborhood at least once per week. Mitch and I go downtown a few times every month, but we definitely need to do more exploring!) A big part of my heart will always be with New York, but Lincoln Park—and Chicago’s many other neighborhoods—is the perfect place to raise a family and I truly adore it. Did you see this recent article in Time Out?!
Something else I love about our neighborhood is that it’s affordable (in comparison to where we’ve lived in the past). We can do so much more here! And one of our favorite activities is eating at local establishments. We’re still smart about where and when we go out to eat, but we love that we’re able to do it a bit more often than we used to. It’s a great way to meet new people as well as become involved in and support the community!
When we eat out, we always use our Blue Cash Everyday Card, as it gives us cash back on the things we care about, including 3% back at U.S. supermarkets, 2% back on gas and at department stores, and 1% back on everything else—like our local restaurants! And now, more than ever, it makes sense to eat at local restaurants, since American Express Card Members who have an eligible and enrolled Amex Card, including the Blue Cash Everyday Card, could get even more rewards when they “Shop Small” (and “eat small”) at qualifying small merchants between now and December 31st, just in time for the holidays. If you’d like to take advantage, enroll here, and check out this map of “Shop Small” merchants.
Recently, we tried brunch at White Oak Tavern & Inn on Webster for the first time. Years ago, Mitch’s family used to go when it was “John’s Place,” but it sadly closed right before we moved to Chicago. The space sat empty for a while, but White Oak opened its doors in December of 2014, and it has been a fabulous addition to the neighborhood. The restaurant sources its ingredients from Midwest farmers and food artisans, and it proudly celebrates and supports local businesses and communities. (Something I can definitely get behind.)
Up until our little brunch date, I’d always gone to White Oak for drinks with girlfriends, as the space is absolutely stunning, the drinks are sourced from regional breweries, and the sidewalk seating (during the warmer months) is awesome. But Mitch and I really couldn’t get over the brunch menu this past Saturday, either!
I had the Challah French Toast, as French toast is—and will always be—my favorite breakfast food. (It was great, in case you’re wondering.) And Mitch had the Chicken and Waffles. Cute story: Mitch lived in Harlem for a year, and he constantly went to Amy Ruth’s—famous for its chicken and waffles, and also a qualifying merchant. Whenever chicken and waffles is on a menu, Mitch has to order it. And he reports that White Oak’s version didn’t disappoint!
Anyway, Mitch and I can’t recommend White Oak Tavern & Inn more. But if you’re not from the Chicago area, be sure to explore this map of small merchants who qualify for the “Shop Small” initiative. So many of our local favorites are included, but it’s also made us aware of some new-to-us restaurants that we’d like to try!
Have any great local restaurant recommendations to share? As Mitch and I are still Chicago newbies, we’d love to hear your faves! (We’re actually looking for a new place to have our annual “Christmas Dinner”!)
Sole Society Boots c/o (Also available here. These are my go-to OTK boots–also available here, and I have these in black!) / Rag & Bone Jeans (On sale! Here in black.) / Similar Tartan Scarf (Also here for a fraction of the price!) / BP. Sweater (It’s only $38! Also love this one, this one, this one, and this one.) / Similar Initial Necklace / Louis Vuitton Tote
Emma’s Wearing: Christmas dress (Oops! Forgot her bloomers. Please excuse us as we flash the blogging world.)
Mitch is wearing: Ralph Lauren Button-Down
This post was sponsored by American Express, but all opinions are my own. As always, thank you so much for supporting the partnerships that keep Kelly in the City up and running!
