Chicago 2011

Brian and I went to Chicago last week for our annual holiday get-away.  The hotel deals are always insanely fantastic during the week between Christmas and New Year's so we started the tradition a few years ago and have stayed at a different hotel each time.  This year we stayed at Hotel Monaco.  It's one of the older hotels in Chicago but it's completely updated and is really nice.  It's pet-friendly, eco-friendly, and has a complimentary wine reception every evening from 5-6 p.m.  (Of which I made sure to take full advantage of both nights!)  It's located just south of the river so it's a close walk to shopping on Michigan Avenue and State Street, as well as to Millennium Park.  There's a pretty nice fitness center that I used both mornings because it was a little too chilly to run along the river.  (I'm a wimp about the cold.)

The weather was actually pretty nice, especially compared to previous years.  There was no snow and not too much wind.  The temps were in the 30's-40's.  We didn't see the sun much but again, it could have been much, much worse.  We were only in town from Monday afternoon until Wednesday morning so it was a quick trip.  Here's a recap:

Monday

The hotel is pet-friendly.  If you don't have a pet, you may request a goldfish for your room.  I didn't want a fish but was curious about something.  Upon arrival, I asked the woman working at the front desk if they flush the fish down the toilet when guests check out or if they return them to the tank.  She looked slightly horrified that I would even as such a question and said, "Only if he reaches his expiration date naturally do we flush him down the toilet!"  She passed the test.  Still, I didn't take a fish.

We had just enough time to get to our room, check and spray for bed bugs, and get back to the lobby for prime seating on the chaise lounge for the wine reception.  I had three glasses.  I wouldn't normally drink three glasses of wine in an hour but I told Brian  I was saving him money at the bar later on. 

For dinner we took the El to Revolution Brewing.  We ate there last time we were in Chicago and I ordered the same things - the polenta fries and the Italian seitan pizza.  Both were as delicious as I remembered.  (Note to future self - next time, however, do not eat the entire pizza.  Must have been the three glasses of free wine talking.)

Brian highly recommends the beer at Revolution Brewing!  (Even if I blinded him and he couldn't see it.)

Polenta Fries w/ smoked tomato aioli - $7

Italian Seitan Pizza w/ cremini mushrooms, oregano, and smoked tomato sauce - $13 (It tasted way better than this picture would lead you to believe.)

Tuesday

I got up bright and early to use the elliptical and some free weights.  Then Brian and I had breakfast at Corner Bakery.  He absolutely loves their baked French toast.  They don't have a whole lot there for a vegan so I had what I always get - coffee, fruit, and a bagel.

Next we went shopping.  We spent the WHOLE day shopping on Michigan Avenue.  We went to Gap, Nike Town, the Disney Store, Aveda, Crate and Barrel, Marshall's, Apple, The North Face, Columbia, Express, H&M . . . and a few other places.  

I would be remiss if I didn't mention our stop at Lush.  To me it felt like a mere 20 minutes but if you ask Brian it was an hour.  Who really knows?  Anyway, they were having their big after-Christmas sale where some of their soaps and all their holiday items are "buy one get one free."  I came out of there with over 4 lbs. of soap and 2 holiday sets!  Here are all my soaps:

Northern Lights, Noubar, Alkmaar, Angel's Delight, Snowcake, and Candy Cane Soap (all vegan, of course)

Workin' on my biceps - thanks Lush!

After shopping we dropping off our bags at the hotel and then went to Millennium Park to walk around, watch some ice skating, and see the holiday decorations.  It was really beautiful in and around the park.

Somewhere in Millennium Park

"The Bean" (it's vegan)

This photo taken in "the bean" gave Brian a Muppet mouth, leading us to break into a song and dance number asking, "Is he a Muppet or a man?"

Then we high-tailed it back to the hotel for the wine reception.  This time I was on a schedule.  I was going to make sure I had FOUR glasses of free wine tonight!  (And I did.)

The Emerald Loop Irish Pub (a rather unassuming place)

For dinner we walked across the street to the Emerald Loop, where I had the portabella sandwich and fries.  Let me tell you that I NEVER order fries.  Ever.  And certainly not at an Irish pub that also deep fries fish and other decidedly non-vegan items in their fryers.  However, need I remind you that I just came from the hotel wine reception where I had FOUR glasses of Cabernet in an hour?  I didn't think so.  So yeah, I ordered the fries.  And I they were good.  And I ate them all.  (Hangs head in shame.)  

Portabella sandwich - $8.95 (It normally comes with sun-dried tomato pesto and mozzarella but I requested lettuce and tomato instead.)

The Emerald Loop is a really cute place, the server was friendly (she kept calling us "dears"), and the music was good.  I'd definitely eat there again but would sub fruit for the fries.  Unless we stay at the Hotel Monaco and go there after the free wine reception...

After dinner we walked around a bit, checked out some stores on State Street, and Brian found a dessert at Magnolia Bakery.

The Chicago Theater at night

Wednesday

I worked out at the fitness center again on Wednesday morning (I chose the Kilimanjaro setting to help work off those fries!) and we had breakfast at Starbucks.  I had what was probably the best multigrain bagel I've ever eaten, a banana, and coffee.  Brian had Perfect Oatmeal and said it was really good.  Not perfect, mind you, but good.  It's vegan but because I'm quite particular about my oatmeal, I've been hesitant to try it myself.  It looks like it would be a good grab-and-go meal on the way to work.

On the way out of town we stopped at Bridgeport Coffee to pick up some beans for Brian's parents and then we were on our way.  Not home, though.  Hardly.  Next up was a visit to Lansing to meet our friend Kate and her daughter Juniper.  Kate and her husband Chris adopted Juniper from China a year ago and we hadn't gotten out to meet her yet.  (Hangs head in shame.)  We had a wonderful visit with them - Juniper is such a delight!

Next was a quick stop at Elderly Instruments.  It's Brian's Lush, only it doesn't smell quite as nice. 

Then we drove to Albion to pick up our new kitten from what will forever be known as The House of 100 Cats.  And that, my friends, is a story for my next post.

Jasper

Have you been to Chicago lately?  Did you go anywhere special during the holidays?

Birthday Weekend

Having pneumonia and a sinus infection sure puts a damper on one's birthday plans.  Brian and I were going to have dinner Saturday night at the Majestic Cafe with Katie and Tony before going to see Capture the Flag and The Armed at the Magic Stick.  I figured no one wanted to sit at a table with or next to someone who spent more time coughing than eating so we decided to reschedule dinner.  And as for the show, my cough only gets worse as the night wears on so by 11:00 p.m., I'd have spent the entire show doubled over hacking away.  

So we changed our plans.  We drove out to Whole Foods in Ann Arbor to pick up some prepared foods to eat at home while we watched the Tigers game.  (Well, I watched until the first rain delay and then went to sleep.  The Tigers lost anyway.)

California Quinoa (edamame, cilantro, coconut, mango, almonds, red pepper, onions, raisins, lime juice, balsamic vinegar)

Eggplant Manicotti and Sesame Greens

On my birthday - Sunday - I had planned to run the Big House Big Heart 10K in Ann Arbor.  When I found out I couldn't run I was really thrown off.  I'd been planning it for weeks!  I didn't know what I wanted to do instead.  I had thought about going to Avalon for a date bar but was having such a coughing fit when I woke up that I decided against it.  They already don't like us at the bakery and this would be the nail in the coughin'.  (hee hee)  So I had my Banana Chamomile Morning Smoothie (needed the hydration anyway) and relaxed at home with the paper and some coffee. It was a really low-key day, since I'm so darn tired these days.

For dinner Brian and I made Chesapeake Tempeh Cakes, baked green tomatoes, and coleslaw.  The tempeh cakes recipe is from Vegan Brunch but you can also get the recipe here.  Brian made a vanilla cake with coconut-vanilla frosting for dessert - a recently-discovered favorite!

Chesapeake Tempeh Cakes

Baked Green Tomatoes

On Monday we got up early and drove out to Erwin Orchards in South Lyon.  They have a cider mill, u-pick orchards, a corn maze, and activities for kids.  It's been around for 90 years!  The weather was gorgeous so it was a perfect day to just walk around and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.

 There were lots of great photo ops!  

And I made some new friends!

I tried to sneak in a workout...but Brian said not with my pneumonia.

Brian enjoyed his cider and donut and then we got out of there just as the school buses pulled in.

After Erwin's we went to Lush so I could buy a few bubble bars, some Toothy Tabs, and a massage bar.  I'm still not feeling much better so a little pampering is definitely in order.  (Thanks, Mom, for the gift certificate!)

That was my birthday weekend!  I wish I'd been feeling better but all it all it was a pretty good birthday.  

Hopefully I'll be healthy and running again soon.  Keep your fingers crossed for me and I'll let you know as soon as I'm back out there hitting the pavement!

Lovin' Lush

While in Chicago a few weeks back, I hit up Lush for their annual after-Christmas BOGO sale.  It’s really an incredibly good sale!  I bought 2 huge chunks of soap and 2 bubble bars, plus a massage bar (not a holiday item so sadly, not on sale) for only $40.  If you’ve ever even walked into a Lush store, let alone purchased anything, you know that’s an amazing deal! 

I’ve always been torn about Lush soap.  The bars are all natural, free of nasty ingredients, and mostly all vegan but they ARE pricey.  After using the Vanilla in the Mist soap, however, I’m never going back to Dove again!  Smooth and creamy on my skin, it lathered up nicely and smelled heavenly.  Combining that with a Ma bubble bar and following up with the smooth, silky massage bar made for quite a luscious bathing experience.

BONUS – When I went to pay for my items with a gift card Brian gave me for Christmas, the sales girl sadly reported that I couldn’t use the card at that store.  That Lush was actually part of Macy’s, rather than the stand-alone store where he purchased the card.  Why is this a bonus, you ask?  Because I wasn’t going to put everything back and go to another store so I paid with my credit card and still have the gift card to use another time!  Plus she felt bad and threw in a few samples (a sugar scrub, some hair moisturizer, and something else).  

Although a lot of my beauty and personal care items are not vegan, I'm slowly making the transition.  Thanks Lush for making it a whole lot easier!

What are your favorite Lush products?

A few of my spoils - Vanilla in the Mist soap, Gingerbread bubble bar, and Heavanilli massage bar