H&M Dress and Striped Loafers c/o
Today, I’m teaming up with H&M to showcase some of my favorite products from the brand’s spring collection, and talk about some of my favorite spots in Lincoln Park, Chicago. If you haven’t already noticed, I’ve been on a red kick this year. So when I saw this flowy red viscose dress and these adorable navy striped loafers in the Michigan Avenue store, I knew they were coming home with me!
While it’s not from H&M’s maternity line, the dress is insanely comfortable… something I can’t say about most of my pre-pregnancy clothing right now. Likewise for the shoes, as they essentially came broken-in. (Tip: go a half size down. I typically wear a size 7.5 in flats, and went with a size 7 in these.) And the price points can’t be beat: $24.99 for the dress and $14.99 for the loafers? (Which also come in pink!) I’ll take it. Other H&M favorites include this lace dress, this straight-cut jacket, this striped bow top, this black chiffon dress, this navy patterned chiffon blouse, and this striped long-sleeved shirt.
Anyway, on to my favorite spots in LP! :)
DePaul University Neighborhood
I love this area. Located in West Lincoln Park, it’s a great escape from the busier parts near the lake. The campus provides the perfect amount of liveliness and youth to the neighborhood, yet I love how wholesome and sweet the student body is. The townhouses that surround the campus are gorgeous, too! (That’s where these photos were snapped.) Mitch and I spend hours on the weekends walking around the neighborhood.
Armitage and Halsted
SUCH great shopping and eating! I swear the only thing these streets–which intersect each other–are missing is cobblestone. ;) Not to miss on the food front: Fairways, Glazed and Infused, Chicago Bagel Authority, Tarantino’s, Butcher and the Burger, Oyster Bah, Stella Barra, Summer House, Nookies and Blue Door Farm Stand. Not to miss on the shopping front: Art Effect, Barker and Meowsky, Marine Layer, Interior Define, All She Wrote, Lori’s Shoes, Second Time Around, McShane’s Exchange Consignment, Helen Ficalora, Barbour, LuLuLemon and Club Monaco.
Webster Avenue
Mitch and I lived on Webster for our first year in Chicago, and while we love our new street, we still miss Webster! Not to miss: Trebes Park, Derby, Sweet Mandy B’s, Monograms on Webster, Floriole, White Oak Tavern (for drinks or brunch), New Elephant Resale Shop, Range, Devil Dawgs, Jam n’ Honey, McGee’s, Kelly’s, Homeslice, State, Athenian Room, Kameya and Toast.
Oz Park
This is one of our favorite parks to walk to, as it’s right in the middle of Lincoln Park (which is confusing; Lincoln Park is both a park and a neighborhood), and Mitch spent his childhood going there. My mother-in-law actually helped build the playground that’s there today! We love that the park is always busy, but not too busy… and that there are lots of basketball and tennis courts. Noodle also loves running around in the field with the other pups!
The J.Parker
Located on the rooftop of the Lincoln Hotel, the J.Parker is where we go when we want to do something fancy. :) The views of the downtown skyline are gorgeous, and the atmosphere is chic yet comfortable. Oh! And Perennial Virant is right downstairs. (Mon Ami Gabi is another favorite fancy restaurant.)
Lincoln Avenue
If you’re looking to “go out,” Lincoln Avenue has some of the best (cheap) pubs and bars. And once you’re doing bar-hopping, definitely hit up Insomnia Cookies. For restaurants, I like Bricks, Ranalli’s, Four Farthings and Stanley’s. For bars, River Shannon, which is a little off Lincoln, and Four Farthings are favorites… but just wander a few blocks north and there are dozens more. If you somehow get bored, wander over to Clark Street for more. (Sushi Para II is there!)
Burling Street
Want to see some ridiculously expensive mansions? Walk down Burling Street. (Or just do “Street View” on Google Maps.) Here’s an old post on Burling!
Lincoln Park (The Actual Park)
North Avenue Beach, Diversey Harbor, the Lincoln Park Conservatory, the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, and the North Pond Nature Sanctuary are all located here. It’s a great place to spend an entire Saturday or Sunday… just pack a lunch!
What did I miss?!
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by H&M through their partnership with POPSUGAR. While I was compensated by POPSUGAR to write a post about H&M, all opinions are my own.
Taco Joint! It’s on the corner of Halsted and Armitage. Obviously the tacos are to die for. They also have great margaritas (to enjoy after the baby!).
TJ
lifewithteej.wordpress.com
Oh man. I probably should have included that, but I HATE cilantro. It’s the worst — I feel so badly for Mitch. I never want to get Mexican because of this. I also had an incident with Tequila in high school so I can’t do margaritas. I swear: I’m the WORST haha!
I agree with TJ below, taco joint!! Also at Halsted & Armitage.
Oh and I tried to say congratulations earlier this week but my phone wouldn’t let me, so congrats Kelly!!
Kristina does the Internets
Awwww thank you, Kristina! I need to learn how to like Mexican food, UGH KELLY!
I love your recommendations, will definitely keep those in mind if I ever visit Chicago!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com
These are all such great picks – I swear you covered my entire list of favorite places in CHI! Especially J. Parker…it is definitely one of my must-see places whenever I have friends visiting for the weekend. I’ve had to forcibly remove/ban myself from Armitage & Halsted shopping for a while to give my wallet a little break, but that definitely hasn’t stopped me from some of my favorite brunches like Toast and Nookies Too!
I also agree with Taco Joint below!
Olivia
PrepEssentials
RIGHT?! I try really hard not to walk down Halsted because of Club Monaco. I love EVERYTHING in there, but my wallet hates me when I go in, haha! Everything is so pretty!!
Sweet Mandy B’s and Summer House were two of my favorite stops when I visited last summer! I could go for one of their sprinkled cookies right about now. Adding a slew of these to my list for next time ;)
26 and Not Counting
Ah! I LOVEEEEE Sweet Mandy B’s! Our first apartment in Chicago last year was right next door. Let’s just say I went OFTEN, haha!
I live right across from Oz Park now and love love love the neighborhood! There’s so much to do and see within walking distance. Also – congrats on the baby announcement!
http://www.whiskeygoldblog.com
Awwww! YAY for Oz Park! Mitch’s mom actually designed the playground in the 1990s. So cute, right?! Thank you, Becca!
I love that red dress!! This is a great post :)
http://www.maggiealamode.com
You look SO cute! Love that dress!
Such a cute and fun look! Perfect pieces together!
http://asequinloveaffair.com
Great recommendations! P.S. Can’t wait to see how you style the bump :)
Lauren xo | The Right to Remain Fabulous
I live on the South Side, but have walked through Lincoln park a few times and love it! My favorite place which you forgot to mention (unless you don’t like it or have never been) is Batter & Berries. Not only do I love it because it’s black-owned, but their chicken & waffles and French Toast Flight are a HIT. I never was the type to order chicken and waffles OR french toast at a restaurant before I went there, and now it’s all I get.
If you go, you MUST get the chicken and waffles. It’s sweet and savory and not just normal chicken & waffles… TRUST me. I promise you won’t regret it. Also, have Mitch get the French Toast Flight + upgrade to the Super Flight which has an extra flavor – whichever flavor of the week there is. It comes with blueberry, strawberry, caramel, and lemon. It’s amazing – I wouldn’t steer you wrong! Go on a week day though and earlier if possible. It does get VERY busy!
P.S. I read your comment about hating cilantro – I can’t believe it! I love cilantro!
Cailyn,
WAIT. I haven’t been to Batter & Berries yet, but I’m SO excited you left this note! My pregnancy food right now is french toast, and Mitch’s favorite food if chicken and waffles — So this might be our new favorite restaurant! :)
Thank you SO much! Looks like our next brunch date is settled!
Also — I know. HATE cliantro. It’s the weirdest thing, because most people I know love it or don’t even notice it in food. It’s a genetic thing, though. (My dad has it, too.) SUCH a bummer. I feel badly for Mitch because he’s constantly talking about how great Chicago’s Mexican food is, and I’m always like, “but the cilaaaantroooo….” Poor thing, haha!
Kelly I LOVE this post and it reflects my thoughts exactly on LP. I love our ‘hood so much. I didn’t even know about Oyster Bah, so thank you for the reco! I hope to see you, Mitch and Noodle walking sometime soon :-)