Britt Ryan Dress (c/o) — The top last featured here / Kate Spade Bag (and eBay has a ton of them!) / Capwell + Co. Bracelet (c/o) / Steve Madden Wedges (Old, similar here… so many great J.Crew Lillian Wedges on sale right now… and here — on crazy sale!) / J.Crew Pearl Earrings / Clinique Lipstick (“Pudgy Peony”)
This morning, Mitch made a request: that I ask you guys for some suggestions on what to do in Chicago. (So cute, right?) Besides the Wisconsin State Fair and the Arlington Million, we don’t have much on our calendar for the next couple of weeks, and we’re looking to change that! We’re open to everything and anything, so if you’ve done something fun–or eaten somewhere spectacular–here, please weigh in! Many thanks in advance from the both of us. :)
Love your bag! I’ve never been to Chicago, so I’m no help, but I hope you fill your summer calendar with lots of fun!
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com
So this may not be the answer you were looking for since this is not something to do IN Chicago but still.. You should road trip to St. Louis! :) It’ll seem like nothing after your drive to Jersey and it’s a nice city for a weekend getaway. This is a suggestion by a fellow Jersey girl that also moved to the Midwest haha.
Ps. As usual, adore the outfit! Especially the bag!!
This look is great! I LOVE your bag! I’ve never been to Chicago, but I can’t wait to see what you land up doing!
Kristin
Crumbs & Curls
Hi Kel – I was there a year or so ago for a congress – any of the Rick Bayless restaurants are great for Mexican (Topolobampo, Frontera Grill, or Xoco) and you definitely have to try Gilt Bar – it’s a fun gastropub with yummy food and fancy drinks made by mixologists!
I grew up in Lincoln Square, and even though I don’t live in Chicago at the moment, it’s still my favorite neighborhood to visit when I go home. Cafe Selmarie has the best brunch in the city and there are a number of cute shops in the area (a great independent bookstore, Mertz’s Apothecary, etc.). I also highly recommend taking the train up to Ravinia for an evening concert and a picnic. It’s about 45 min outside the city, but well worth it for an evening out. Not too far from there is the Botanic Gardens which are also spectacular and worth a visit. There’s a bike path that runs pretty much continuously along the North Shore from Chicago to Wisconsin. You could select a section of it and have a lovely bike ride! Grant Park also has a summer concert series and some of them are free, so you can bring a picnic and sit on the lawn to enjoy the music. The Taste of Chicago is fun to do at least once, but it’s really hot and crowded! Chicago has a lot of great jazz clubs too- Andy’s, which is downtown, is my favorite. And definitely stop at Intelligentsia for coffee! It’s one of the best I’ve ever tried and I live near Seattle now! Also check out the Architecture river cruise downtown- it’s a lot of fun in the summer (bring a hat and sunscreen though!) and you get to learn a lot of interesting history of the city. I hope this helps! Chicago’s a magnificent city!!
I have only been a tourist but love Chicago. Everyone should do that architecture cruise it is great!
Yes! The architecture cruise is one of the best things I’ve done in Chicago!
This is such a cute summery look, I love the colors and print on your dress! As for Chicago recommendations I highly recommend you check out Taylor at thedailytay.com, she has a whole page dedicated to her favorite spots.
prosecco in the park
This printed shift dress! I also totally agree about Ravinia, a must do in the summer.
Heidi D.
http://www.wishesandreality.com
I have never been to Chicago so I am not very much help, but your dress is pretty!
Haley
haleyvalerie.com
Here are a few ideas to keep you busy for the next couple of weeks while the weather is so nice. All of these places would make great photo backdrops for your blog posts too!
1.Take in as many outdoor and rooftop bars and restaurants as you can before mid-October. Here are some favorites – The Wit Hotel, The Hotel Lincoln, The Trump, The Dock at Montrose Beach
2. The Lincoln Park Zoo – It’s FREE and it’s gorgeous! Visit the animals and smell the flowers. The flamingos would make a great backdrop for one of your Lilly P dresses! And the flower garden south of the LP Conservatory will take your breath away.
3. Millennium Park Concerts – There are only a few more concerts in the spectacular Pritzker Pavilion before the season ends. http://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/the-music/events-calendar
4. The Chicago Botanic Garden – Take the Metra Train (http://metrarail.com/)
to Glencoe and visit one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It changes every month and looks its best (IMO) in October when the leaves change.
I’ll echo Hotel Lincoln. Such a fun rooftop bar, although I like it more in the afternoon before it gets too busy.
I’m from Chicago and currently live here in my mid 20s – so many fun things to do around here! My fiance and I really love going to Mario’s Italian Ice on Taylor street – it’s a little old Italian lemonade stand that is only open from May 1 through October 1, and it’s absolutely delicious! Really, everything on Taylor Street is delicious, but Mario’s is definitely a must do. Go see a show at Second City in Old Town – it’s very funny…it’s where a lot of the actors from SNL get their start. For sure go get a cupcake at Sweet Mandy B’s on Webster in Lincoln Park – that’s where our wedding cake will be from. For shopping (your husband will probably not like these suggestions at all if he is anything like mine), check out P.O.S.H. on State St – fab mix of vintage china and new housewares. I’m guessing you’ve already checked out the boutiques and shops on Armitage/Halsted area – All She Wrote is my fav find in that area. We do couples tennis lessons at Tennis on the Lake. Wander around the Gold Coast and check out the houses there – WOW. I have so many more suggestions if you want more!
I left Chicago 13 years ago and still miss it! Sooo much to do, especially in the summer. So much to eat! Architecture cruise, lakefront cruise, top of the Sears (ugh, Willis) Tower, go watch traders at the CBOT, Cubs game, White Sox game, have dinner at Gibson’s, walk/jog/bike the lakefront, ride the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier, visit one of the wonderful museums, ride the el to the end and ride it back, go to the beach (Evanston is nice for that too), shop for shoes at Lori’s, go to a Ravinia concert (take the train), go to Buddy Guy’s for blues music, try every alfresco dining spot in your neighborhood. Food you must try: Chicago-style hot dogs, Goose Island beer, Garret popcorn, Italian ice, Italian beef sandwiches, deep-dish pizza, Mexican food (anyplace!), Indian food on Devon Ave, Chinese food (Chinatown), Original Rainbow Cone (Beverly)…
The print on this dress is amazing! love that you wore it with a brigh pink bag- so cute!
xo,
Amy
STYLEchocolatechip.com
1. I’m obsessed with your dress
2. I would recommend going to see a comedy show at Second City, they have deals where you can get dinner (with a couple restaurant options) and a show. Also for restaurants, last Thursday we ate at Uncle Julios Mexican Restaurant and it was delish!
-Alex
http://www.monstermisa.blogspot.com
That’s such a beautiful dress Kelly! Can’t wait to hear about your Chicago trip!
xoxo,
Andrea
http://www.andreaeveryday.com
So fun and colorful! Love this Kelly!
There is so much to do in Chicago — My favorites are street festivals and restaurants (try out the Santa Monica Beach House in Lincoln Park!!
You look ADORABLE!!! I love that dress. So colorful and bright. :) Hope you’re adjusting well with the move! I know the feeling well as I’m about to do it… yet again :)
You should really spend a couple of weeks being a tourist–all the museums, all of the attractions (Navy Pier!), and wandering the neighborhoods. You’ll find gems in no time. Milwaukee and Madison (where I live) are also close getaways for weekend trips.
I am loving the color combo here; it’s perfect for summer! Have fun in the windy city!
Lauren’s Lookbook
I love color so your whole look is a big hit with me
http://www.highheelsandtutus.com
Check out Kingston Mines, the blues club in Lincoln Park. It’s open late and always a fun night!