chicago

Chicago Halloween Events to Check Out this October

September 24, 2019

Halloween is hands down one of my favorite holidays. I love all the witchy, spooky, magical TV shows, movies, decorations and events that emerge with coveted fall fashion (view a post of where to find cute fall dresses under $50 here). Y’all know I love attending a themed event. Below are the best Chicago Halloween events to check out this October!

Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up

October 3 – 31

I went to Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up last year and LOVED it! The Instagramable pumpkin house, multiple photo ops, corn maze, beer for purchase – the whole set up was perfect for a perfect Autumn night. I will defiantly be going back again this year!

House of Beetle Pop-Up

October 17 – 31

This October pop-up is new this year to Chicago, and I can’t wait to check it out! Think spooky Beetlejuice vibes 🙂 There will be themed drinks, great tunes and lots of Instagram photo opportunities.

Adults Night Out: The Great Pumpkin Glow

October 24

Any event at the Lincoln Park Zoo is always a good one. October’s Adults Night Out is all things pumpkin. Guests can enjoy a jack-o-latern trail, corn maze, cash bars and complimentary rides on the carousel until 9:45pm – all during zoo after hours!

Haunted Halloween Ball

October 26

It’s time to bring out your dancing shoes at Congress Plaza Hotel, one of the most haunted hotels in the world! For $20 general admission you can enjoy VIP nightclub meets lounge meets haunted house. Dress in your best costume!

River North Halloween Crawl

October 26

Every year my friends and I go on a Halloween bar crawl in River North and it’s always so much fun! The heart of the city, lots of bars to choose from, and everyone dressed to impress in their best Halloween costumes. It’s a must do!

Nightmare at Navy Pier: 5th Annual Halloween Ball

October 26

Navy Pier is another great location for events in the city. This year Nightmare at Navy Pier presents their 5th annual Halloween Ball including multiple DJs and a cash bar at the Aon ballroom. Get your costumes ready!

Halloween Booze Cruise

October 31

If you are looking for something to do on actual Halloween, the 31st, look no further than this spooky booze cruise on Lake Michigan. Enjoy a DJ, giveaways, a costume contest and more on the Anita Dee II. Hurry and get your tickets before they sell out!

Will you be attending any of these Chicago Halloween events this October? Comment which ones below!

Windy City Smokeout 2019

July 30, 2019

There’s nothing better than bbq, music, and Chicago’s beautiful skyline! I attended Windy City Smokeout again this year (check out my experience last year here) and it is hands down now my favorite music festival in the city. The atmosphere is great and the food and music are even better. With new additions and new recommendations, I have listed my tips for attending in the future below.

Attend More Than One Day

I’m not the biggest Country music fan, but I am a fan of a good time. Compared to only going to one day last year, this year we attended two days of WCS; Friday and Saturday. Surprisingly, Friday was the best day to attend! This day had less people than Saturday and had better headliners. This gave more room to dance and walk around! For this reason I recommend attending Friday not for sure.

Activate Your Cashless Wristband

WCS wristbands can be activated with a credit card on file for a fast payment option. I highly recommend doing this BEFORE you go as it was so easy to pay for things without ever having to take a card out! It charges directly to the card on file without any extra processing fees.

Get Margarita Boots from Casamigos

The Casamigos stand has been my favorite place to get drinks the past two years of going to Windy City Smokeout. They have the best, refreshing margs and this year added margarita boots! These were $20 each and so worth it. The amount of drink lasted longer, aka less standing in long lines to get another one. We really should have been Casamigos ambassadors, everyone was asking where we got our boot drinks!

STAY HYDRATED

Due to the time of year that the festival is held, it can get reallyyyyy hot. One of the days we attended was close to 90 degrees! Make sure to wear sunscreen and stay hydrated. There are Yeti canisters stationed around the festival that you can use to fill up your glass or water bottle for free. Use them!

Go With An Appetite

I have made the mistake of eating too close to going to WCS. Go with a fully empty appetite so you can enjoy all of the yummy food vendors stationed there! There are so many mouthwatering bbq options to choose from! The food is a big part of the festival – it’s not all about the music – and i’d say we spent half our time roaming around the different vendors.

Take Lots of Photos

One of the things I love about Windy City Smokeout are their photo ops. They always have cute backdrops that are perfect for snapping an Instagram-worthy shot. Between the famous ‘I Believe in BBQ’ and Happy Camper’s ‘HAPPY’ balloon set up, there was plenty of cute shots to choose from.

Save the Date for Next Year

I love that this festival automatically puts up next year’s dates right when it ends so you can plan ahead. Windy City Smokeout will be coming back to Chicago the weekend of July 10-12, 2020. Mark your calendars!

Chicago Spa Week 2019 at Elizabeth Adam Salon and Day Spa

April 28, 2019

Who else participated in Chicago Spa Week 2019 this year?! I had not heard of the event until this year, and I’m sooo thankful it came across my radar. The event, hosted by Spa Week, featured four city of Chicago spas with three, $50 treatment deals. While all had great services, the three choices from Elizabeth Adam Salon and Day Spa stole my attention!

Treatments I Chose

I chose to do two out of the three treatment options offered at Elizabeth Adam Salon and Day Spa: the Himalayan Salt Detox Body Wrap and the CBD Skin Perfecting Facial. BOTH WERE AMAZING. Especially having them done back to back, Two hours total at the spa being pampered and trying something new was just what the doctor ordered.

The Himalayan Salt Detox Body Wrap

Let me start off by saying that if you want to do this treatment, you must be comfortable being NAKED in front of the technician. And I mean fully naked. Don’t worry, it’s not weird, but it is something to know before having it done. Once past the nakedness, the treatment was amazing.

Treatment Overview

The Himalayan Salt Detox is done in a lay-down Vichy shower – which basically looks like a tanning bed meets spaceship. It actually looked really cool. I’m not going to lie, I got really excited when I first saw it! After stripping to your birthday suit (you can wear disposable panties if you’d like) and doing a quick shower rinse, I laid down in my personal capsule and had the top closed over me, with my head still sticking out.

Inside it had sauna steam and infrared red light run for 10 minutes. From the start it was super relaxing because the machine showed and made ocean sounds. Next came a firm scrub down of Himalayan salt all over my body to exfoliate, followed by a warm towel over and the top closed. The sauna feature was turned off, leaving just the infrared red light. Infrared red light helps the skin absorb the Himalayan salt and detox the body! After 10 minutes like this, the salt was then rinsed off and the capsule was closed to invite the soothing Vichy shower features. First, mild pressure water spurts from toe to chest in rhythmic cycles. After, a cool rain-forest waterfall covering the entire body. It. Was. Awesome. The treatment was a total of 50 minutes and is usually $150. That’s a $100 discount doing it through Spa Week!

Treatment Grade

I walked in to the treatment thinking I was going to be thrown a body wrap, lathered in Himalayan salt, and left in a cocooned body wrap to sweat (which would still be super relaxing), but the fact that the treatment included something unique like the Vichy shower made it 10x better. All in all, I give this treatment a 9.5/10! The .5 deduction is only because of the having to be completely naked.

The CBD Skin Perfecting Facial

Unlike the Himalayan Salt Detox Body Wrap, you wear a towel wrap for the facial! With this treatment I saw the CBD oil trend in skincare and spa treatments continuing to thrive. CBD Oil is great in a facial because it helps to moisturize, plump, and tighten the skin.The products used in this treatment all had 100% hemp derived CBD in them. You could even smell it a little!

Treatment Overview

The treatment began with the technician removing my foundation I had on for the day – my rookie mistake. She then applied serum by massaging my face, ears, neck, and shoulders. I was able to smell the CBD oil right away! Following the serum, a masque was then applied all over my face and left for a few minutes before cool clothes were set over it. Another few minutes passed before a hot – then cold – cloth took its place. Cool cloths were also applied my eyes, which I’m sure needed some moisturized de-puffing. The treatment ended with more serum and a final spritz of toner. The whole treatment took about 50 minutes and is usually $125.

Treatment Grade

I really liked the tiny switch between hot and cold cloths on my face. It was very soothing! The best part of the treatment, however, was the after effects. My skin was so smooth and hydrated immediately after. Even the day after it still was silky! Overall, I give this treatment a 9/10! The only reason it is not a 10 is because of the CBD smell and wanting more to be done during the time opposed to a lot of downtime in between steps. The after effects make up for this though!

Would I Go Back?

I love love LOVED the Elizabeth Adam Salon and Day Spa. Everyone was so professional and really wanted you to have the best relaxation. Everything was extremely calming and made me feel like a spa princess! They have so many services to choose from. Which one are you interested in trying?? I’m eyeing the Fire & Ice Slimming Body Treatment, Cleopatra Body Bath, and the Champagne & Caviar Deluxe Facial!

Things to Do in Chicago this May

April 26, 2019

Who else is still recovering from the event scene come-back in April?? Now that the weather is starting to show hope towards #patioseason, events for Spring and Summer are in full swing. Read below for a roundup of things to do in Chicago this May! Listed in order by date 🙂

Fyre Festival Pop-Up

May 3 – 19, 2019

Replay Lincoln Park‘s newest pop-up experience is themed around the infamous Fyre Festival (celebrity models not included). Some “luxury” items that will be featured include “gourmet cheese sandwiches” and yummy frozen cocktails. Admission is free!

National Fitness Day @ Athleta Oak Street

May 4, 2019

Photo: aSweatlife Ambassadors – Eventbrite

Celebrate National Fitness Day with aSweatlife Ambassadors and Athleta’s Oak Street location! Two fun classes will occur: HIIT Bootcamp and Yoga Sculpt. There will also be an Instagram scavenger hunt challenge to participate in for the chance to win prizes! Grab your ticket here.

Celebrate Derby Day

May 4, 2019

Before celebrating Cinco de Mayo, it’s time to bring out your best Kentucky Derby Day hat! Derby Days is upon us, and many Chicago bars are celebrating. Not sure which one to go to? Check out the lineup before!

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo Weekend

May 4-5, 2019

It’s time to Cinco de Drinko! There are many festivities occurring around the city for Cinco de Mayo, including bar crawls and bar parties. You can find a list of them below!

It’s Britney Brunch

Every Saturday in May (4, 11, 18, 25)

It’s Britney…Brunch! Sounds like the best brunch ever to me. Join AceBounce every Saturday in May from 12pm-3pm for Britney karaoke led by house DJ, bottomless mimosas, and unlimited ping pong. For just $39 you can rock out to one of the most iconic artists of our time for a three hour package. Make sure to book your reservation to attend!

Yoga & Brunch at Pinstripes Chicago

May 5, 2019

Start your morning off right with bottomless brunch and an hour Corepower Yoga class at Pinstripes! Your $5 ticket includes the class, one complimentary mimosa, and $5 off Pinestripe’s bottomless brunch. Reservations for brunch are strongly recommended and it is BYOM (bring your own mat)!

Food Truck Social

May 11, 2019

This food truck soirée features over 15 popular restaurants – including some I love like La Cocinita and DaPizzaDude – perched at the Lincoln Park Zoo. What could be better than roaming around the zoo and trying different food from a variety of trucks?? General Admission for the 6pm time slot is sold out, but you can still grab a 7:30pm spot for only $10!

Celebrate Mother’s Day

May 11 – 12, 2019

Photo: Mother’s Day Brunch at The Metropolitan – Eventbrite

Chicago is known for having great brunch spots, especially when it comes to celebrating a holiday. This includes Mother’s Day! Find a quick list below of where to have Mother’s Day brunch in the city.

Lincoln Park Wine Fest 2019

May 17 – 19, 2019

Photo: Lincoln Park Wine Fest – Eventbrite

Do you like wine? Of course everyone does! Lincoln Park Wine Fest is back with their 5th annual wine fest for Chicagoans to cheers to summer. Located at Jonquil Park, this festival features over 90 different wines to taste with your 12 drink tickets. Make a note – Friday’s night will focus on rosé and sparkling wines only!

Gourmet Puerto Rico

May 18, 2019

First off, YES. As a fellow Puerto Rican, I was so excited to see Latinicity’s Gourmet Puerto Rico event. This nighttime event will feature five food stations cooking up the best fare to celebrate Puerto Rico’s finest chefs, cuisine, music, culture, and more. Proceeds benefit the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Organization and the Dia de la Mujer Latina Organization. Purchase your tickets here!

Sweat Cause: Namaslay for ABTA

May 18, 2019

Who’s ready to namaslay for a cause?! Join Sweat Cause for their official launch at Yoga Six. The event’s proceeds will benefit the American Brain Tumor Association, the charity that motivated Sweat Cause to form. Choose to do either a $40 yoga or yoga sculpt ticket!

Zoo-ologie 2019

May 18, 2019

Zoo-ologie is an annual cocktail party supporting the Lincoln Park Zoo – one of my favorite Chicago landmarks. Proceeds will benefit the Auxiliary Board of the Lincoln Park Zoo’s efforts towards their capitol campaign, The Pride of Chicago. Attendees will enjoy open bar, bites from Chicago’s favorites, a silent auction, and dancing at this festive event. Come party with the animals! VIP tickets are sold out. General Admission is available for $125.

Namas-tea (Yoga & Tea)

May 19, 2019

Photo: HollisticRX & Tiesta Tea – Eventbrite

Tiesta Tea says it best: There’s nothing better than Sunday than savasana and sipping tea mimosas! Love it. Hoping to go this event myself! Hosted by HolisticRX & Tiesta Tea, $10 will get you a goodie bag, tea mimosa samples, a 45-minute all-levels Vinyasa Flow, snacks, and services from local Chicago companies.

Summer Cocktails Fest on the Beach

May 24, 2019

Yum, summer cocktails! My favorite thing aside from champagne. Summer Cockails Fest on the Beach will be held at the Shore Club off Lake Shore Drive. Your $50 ticket will include 3 hours of cocktail tastings, giveaways, and more. Sounds like a great event to kick off summer to me! Make sure to use my code below for a discount 🙂

Use code ALYSSA at check out for a ticket discount!

Crawl of Thrones

May 25, 2019

Join other GOT fans at this one-day bar crawl in River North! The crawl is based off HBO’s popular Games of Thrones TV show and is in honor of it being in it’s last season. For less than $20 you get general admission, an LED bracelet, 16oz color changing cup, and access to photo ops and giveaways.

Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

May 27 – 28, 2019

Ahoy! It’s time to plan your beachy, sunny Memorial Day Weekend plans in Chicago. From yacht parties to bar crawls, there’s something for everyone to relax and have fun. Read a list of things to do below!

Wine Fest on the Beach

May 31, 2019

Shore Club is a great beachy spot located at Fullerton Beach. What better place to hold a wine fest by the water! The event includes three hours of wine tastings and giveaways, all while welcoming Chicago’s summertime weather. Pre-sale tickets are currently $50!

The Next Collective Women’s Conference

May 31, 2019

Join other #bossbabes at this one-day, women-only conference in Chicago. If you are interested in entrepreneurship or a career pivot, this is the event for you. The topic will be finding a personal purpose through listening to a panel of inspirational speakers. Early bird tickets go for $165. Hurry and buy yours before they go up to $180!

Which of these great events will you be going to? Comment below and let me know!

Market For Makers Chicago

April 7, 2019

Market for Makers Chicago

Market for Makers has graced the city with a two-day event! The event featured different vendors showcasing their products and work. Some included bath salts, apparel, jewelry, candles, and prints. Read below to get your questions about the event answered and to see which parts of Market for Makers Chicago was my favorite!

General vs. VIP Tickets

There are two ticket options offered for Market for Makers Chicago: General Admission and VIP. GA tickets are $7 online and $10 at the door. VIP tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door. Aside from price, there are a few other differences between the two. General Admission includes a free Market for Makers tote bag (it’s really cute!), flower crown making, and access to view all of the event’s Makers (vendors). VIP includes the same perks of General Admission plus early admission (11am), one drink ticket (there is a bar on the first floor by the photo ops), extra flowers for flower crown making (4 flower choices instead of 2), and the choice of a VIP tote bag or a ‘Selfmade’ mug. I went with the mug!

My Favorite Vendors

All of the Makers at the event were top notch. They did a great job of choosing what companies were there! The space was packed, so we tried to view all of the booths that we could. I liked them all! There were a few, however, that I LOVED. They included Earth Based Body, The Tipsy Gardener, XO Marshmallow, Cago Supply Co., Bohemian Reves, Harper + Ari, and Bloomwolf Studio. Most booths took card, but I would bring cash just in case.

DIY Flower Crown Station

The best perk of this event, whether General Admission or VIP, was making your own flower crown. I thought this was a really cute idea and it defiantly made the event unique! Instead of just browsing the different booths, eating, and going home, the DIY flower crown station created an experience to partake in. A+ for Market for Makers. There are a few things, however, to note for this area. The flower crown station is on the second floor towards the back. There were not a lot of tables to create your crown on, so some – like ourselves – found a window sill to work on. General Admission get their choice of two different flowers, four for VIP. Flower tape and wires are provided to create your crown and can be found at the tables. I recommend sticking with the daisies, the carnations did not stay very well!

The Photo Ops

Market for Makers Chicago good vibes only

There were some great photo backdrops on the first floor of the event space. All of them were fairly close to one another and didn’t have too long of a wait. Each had a ring light where you could take your own photo and send it to yourself via email or phone number. Make sure it sends! I would have someone take your picture on your phone just in case!

The Food

Market for Makers Chicago 5411 Empanadas

Like any good event, food is involved. All of the vendors, photo ops, and the bar were located inside. However, outside held three food trucks for dining options. 5411 Empanadas – one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago – Da Pizza Dude, and Mexi Tacos were all in attendance. They took cash and card. Seating and high tables were limited, but thankfully the sun was shining and the weather was great to stand!

What I Bought

While there were a lot of cute items, I chose only a couple to take home with me. These goodies included a sample size of Detox bath soak from Earth Based Body and Rose Gold Rosé marshmallows from XO Marshmallow. Read below to learn more about each!

XO Marshmallow

I first had a taste of XO Marshmallow’s deliciousness back in December at the Maëlle Beauty’s Holiday Soirée. They literally have the best marshmallows around. Their booth at Market for Makers Chicago showcased a variety of signature and newer flavors. Because I can’t resist rosé or sparkles, I bought a box of their Rose Gold Rosé marshmallows. It has edible rose gold glitter on top!

Earth Based Body

Earth Based Body, an unknown company to me before this event, had an aesthetically pleasing array of bath salt soaks, body cream, and more. I’m a huge fan of bath salt and use hot baths as a form of relaxation every week, so I was all about their bath soaks. There were a handful of great choices, but I went with a sample size of the Detox soak (full size found online here) containing black lava salt, activated charcoal, sea salts, and an arrangement of herbs and roots.

My Thoughts

Overall, the event was awesome! I absolutely loved it and would go again. Unless you really want a special tote or mug, no need to splurge on the VIP ticket. I promise you’ll have just as much fun with GA since the flower crown station – the best perk of the event – is included with both. Every good event has solid photo ops, so I was pleased that this one had a few to show off your flower crown. Although there wasn’t really anywhere left to sit, I really liked that there were food truck options. Shopping makes me hungry! All of the Makers had eye-catching products and I’m really happy with my take-home purchases.

Things to Do in Chicago This December

November 28, 2018

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in the most wonderful city! As if I didn’t love Christmas time enough, Christmas in Chicago is truly spectacular. The city comes alive with holiday cheer and the most festive events. There are many things to do in Chicago during Christmas. Read a list of them below!

Christkindlmarket Chicago

One of my favorite seasonal events in Chicago is Christkindlmarket. This Christmas market is a festive holiday tradition in the city that graces Daley Plaza and Wrigleyville. Featuring vendors from all over the world, German food and drinks, and holiday entertainment, this event offers free general admission with food and drink available for purchase. While Christkindlmarket is known for their souvenir boot mugs, which features a new design each year, this year’s featured mug is in the shape of a heart! This event is open to the public now until December 24.

Ice Skating at Maggie Daley Park

The ice skating ribbon located in the Loop has been an annual tradition for Chicagoans to partake in each winter. With the beautiful city skyline as your backdrop, cozy up with a cup of hot chocolate and a few laps around the rink. Admission is free, however skate rentals range from $12-$15. Fast Passes are available for those impatient to wait for a turn!

Frosty’s Christmas Pop Up Bar

Chicago’s favorite Christmas themed pop up bar, Frosty’s, is back this year! I went to last year’s event and had a blast (see picture above). This pop-up bar features themed drinks and 3 levels of all the holiday decorations you can physically fit in a room. It is down right amazing. There’s even snow confetti canons. Make sure to wear something festive! Tis’ the season for ugly sweaters.

Ride Chicago’s Holiday Train

While not the easiest to catch, every year Chicago’s L trains and buses feature festive holiday trains. These dressed up transit options are only available for on certain days and times. The full schedule can be found here. You might be one of the lucky people to get a ride from Santa and his helpers!

Holiday Tea at The Drake

If you have never had afternoon tea, The Drake’s Palm Court is a great place to start. This year’s Holiday Tea was my birthday outing wish with some of the women in my family, and boy was it worth it! Holiday Tea included a three-tier selection of tea sandwiches & deserts, your tea of choice, and festive carolers singing festive Christmas tunes.

Have a Drink at Butch McGuire’s

Locals know that come December, this family-owned bar in Gold Coast is the place to be whether it’s after-work or on a weekend outing. Featuring fun holiday decorations around the whole bar, Butch McGuire’s is a great place to grab a drink and get into the holiday spirit with decor from all your favorite Christmas movies.

Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo

Another one of my favorite annual events to look forward to is Lincoln Park Zoo’s Zoolights. I love looking at the different light up displays synced with favorite holiday tunes while drinking a tasty hot chocolate. I mean, who wouldn’t? Check out this picture from my first time at Zoolights in 2015! Admission into the zoo is free, however special events, like the zoo’s Holiday Market and Adults Night Out event, require a ticket.

Santa Baby Christmas Bar

Brand new this year is Wrigleyville’s Santa Baby pop-up bar, hosted at the popular Deuce’s and the Diamond Club. From what I have seen from pictures, this Christmas bar looks like a really fun time! The bar will feature festive drinks, ugly sweater competitions, Santa appearances, movie nights, karaoke, and human tree decorating. The festivities will run through January 6th.

Holiday Buffet at The Walnut Room

Located inside of Macy’s on State St., The Walnut Room features a huge Christmas tree each year for Chicago locals to admire. I recently went to see the tree for myself and my was it magnificent! There was even a cool Chicago-themed display around the bottom featuring local landmarks. One thing to note: reservations to The Walnut Room will get you a table at your requested time, however DOES NOT get you a table next to the tree. That is a separate list that you will have to put yourself on when you check in for your reservation.

Where to Get Hot Chocolate in Chicago This Winter

November 9, 2018

The Most Instagramable Hot Chocolate To Indulge In

Brrrrr it’s cold in here, I said there must be some Chi winds in the atmosphere. Anyone else Bring It On fans?? The temperatures have dropped and the wind chill is on the rise. While teddy coats and fur boats may keep us warm, only hot chocolate can heat up the soul when outside is frightful. A cafe visit wouldn’t be anything if you can’t ‘gram it though, so I have rounded up where to get instagramable hot chocolate in Chicago this winter season!

where-to-get-hot-chocolate-chicago-bodega

Bodega Imports

Bodega Imports in River North released a super extra Mexican Hot Chocolate this season and it is to die for. Not only is it adorned in gold glitter all over (including a glitter marshmallow), but the drink is also pretty tasty.

Bombobar

Talk about Instagramable hot chocolate! Bombobar’s 2018 ‘hotter’ chocolate additions include S’mores and Party Monster. At $9 each, these hot treats are super colorful and can be spiked for +$8.

Katherine Anne Confections

This Logan Square confectionery is known for their decadent hot chocolates. From Spiced Pear to White Chocolate Chai to Earl Grey Lavender, there are so many tasty flavors to choose from. Follow their Instagram to stay updated on menu adds!

The Lobby at The Peninsula

On Friday and Saturday evenings from 7pm to 10pm, those dining in can experience The Lobby’s Chocolate Bar, featuring the opportunity to create custom hot cocoa. Snap away as your own chocolate creation is made at your table!

Mindy’s Hot Chocolate

Like the name eludes to, this place is all about the hot chocolate. Choose from classic flavors including Medium Chocolate, Mexican, Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Mint, Dark Oatmilk, Boozy, and Old Fashioned. Each drink comes with a famous house-made marshmallow!

Things to Do in Chicago this October

October 10, 2018

*This post has been updated to feature October 2019 events.

Things To Do In Chicago This October

It’s time to get spooky in Chicago! There are so many great events occurring in October this year. Find a roundup of them below – and a roundup of Halloween specific events HERE.

Go to a Halloween Pop-Up

The pop-up trend continues, Fall style. Jack’s Pumpkin Nights is a fun set up located in Goose Island. Cheers to festive beverages and wander through a corn maze, all while finding fun photo ops along the way. My favorite spots for unique Fall photos last year were the pumpkin house near the entrance, the witch’s gazebo within the corn maze, and the lit up sunflower/pumpkin backdrop on the edge of the corn maze! New to the Chicago pop-up scene this October is the House of Beetle Pop-Up. Located at BASSLINE near Chinatown, this pop-up is all things BeetleJuice, including festive drinks and photo ops!

Yoga for a Cause

Many Chicago fitness studios are participating in giving back to breast cancer awareness this month through different yoga events. If you’re going to be working on your ‘om’ anyway, might as well have it go towards a good cause! Bloomingdale’s in Gold Coast is pairing with Corepower on October 5th and Under Amour Chicago is hosting a women’s focused yoga event on October 12th.

Do a Halloween Bar Crawl

I am a big fan of the River North Halloween Crawl that happens every year (and going again this year!). There are many crawls and events happening around the city on Saturday, October 26 to choose from, however make sure to get your ticket before they sell out or prices go up! Ones that look like the perfect mix of party & spooky are Nightmare at Navy Pier and the Haunted Halloween Ball at The Congress Hotel.

Adults Night Out: Lincoln Park Zoo

This 18+ event is set in one of my favorite Chicago spots, the Lincoln Park Zoo! This event is for those who want a lighter take on this spooky holiday. Play glow in the dark mini-golf, booze it up with cash bars, enjoy free rides on the zoo’s carousal, and feel festive with a featured pumpkin patch. Tickets are only $15! Perfect for a Fall date.

Adult Pumpkin Carving

There’s a few bars offering pumpkin carving during the month of October. First come, first serve for pumpkin carving at Sheffield’s Beer and Wine Garden. Bring your imagination and a thirst for seasonal craft beers and cocktails! Lincoln Station will be celebrating their 10th annual pumpkin carving event, complete with two drink tickets and pumpkin beer, and pizza!

What are you most looking forward to this October?

29 Rooms vs. Happy Place: The Sensory Pop-Up Trend

July 30, 2018

If you’ve been on social media lately, you have probably noticed sensory pop-up events springing up like daisies in all of the major metropolitan cities. From the Ice Cream Museum to Happy Place to 29 Rooms to Wndr Museum, each one creates its own unique experience.

29 Rooms

I’ve got 29 problems but a room ain’t one.

Refinery29’s pop up event, 29 Rooms, graced the Windy City this weekend for one quick extravaganza. As expected, the photo ops were so on point that even Chance the Rapper & stars from Orange is the New Black made an appearance one of the days. Featuring local artists’ work, each room was its own unique sensory experience. From shredding your negative thoughts in a paper shredder to laying down in a giant womb, the event did not fall short on giving a very feminine-focused, posh setting.

The ‘rooms’ were more like photo backdrops, only a handful were actually in a room setting. Nevertheless, all of them were still very intriguing. Due to there being lines waiting for photos, we didn’t get to all of the 29 exhibits. We did, however, prioritize which ones we did want to see – which I highly recommend to get the most out of your time. The tickets are broken out into three-hour segments, and you’ll need the whole time to walk through.

What I Liked

The exhibits I liked the best consisted of a huge rainbow arch, paper shredding room, silent disco and floral ceiling. I wish I took pictures of the name of each exhibit to know the official names, but it honestly did not cross my mind at the time. Within the paper shredding room, each participant wrote down something they wanted to shred, before taking it to a hand-turned paper shredder and throwing the remains in a pile. This was probably my favorite ‘experience’ of the night.
The event had a very sophisticated feel to it – a lot of celebrities, influencers and bloggers made their appearances through out the weekend. Many dressed up (including myself) to get the perfect shot in front of the trendy, future-forward rooms.

What I Would Change

There was no water to be found within the event – not even a simple cup of tap. After 3 hours of waiting in line and posing for the camera, we were all parched. Apparently you can bring water, however we assumed there would be some there. There was also no alcohol (yes, we wondered) or food. After-picture beverages and light snacks would have been nice to have available after getting done with all of the exhibits, especially for the night slot.
Mastercard holders received a special ‘skip-the-line’ key at the event to have their group bypass the wait at an exhibit of their choosing. This was something not advertised well beforehand and something that I wish was offered as a VIP ticket perk instead.

Happy Place

Compared to 29 Rooms, Happy Place – another highly anticipated pop up – had a much more youthful atmosphere. Open to both children and adults, participants started their time at Happy Place with a cartoon video – explaining the Do’s (take lots of pictures and be happy) and Dont’s (climbing on structures and using selfie sticks) of the layout. From there you are taken through a variety of different rooms, mostly empty expect for one main prop. The whole walk through took about an hour and the lines were scarce except for the jumping-into-a-pot-of-gold room. Happy Place is here in Chicago until August 6!

What I Liked

The Pot of Gold room was defiantly the highlight of the event, and my favorite aside from the confetti dome. While the line was longer than others for this exhibit, it was defiantly worth it. Workers of the event took stand-still and jumping photos for each group.
All of the rooms, and the atmosphere, defiantly brought a smile to my face. It was hard not to be happy while taking pictures with the fun backgrounds!
At the end of the walkthrough was offered food and a lemonade stand. I’m talking unicorn mac-n-cheese, rainbow grilled cheese and unicorn cotton candy. We didn’t buy any of these items, but the fact that they offered it was a nice touch.

What I Would Change

The event was almost too-quick to walk through, especially if you skipped some rooms – which we did due to some rooms being amazing and some not worth the photo at all.
While I could see this being a fun event for families, it would have been nice to have Adult-Only time slots for you to choose from to avoid .

(scroll all the way down for my opinion on which of the two pop ups was worth it)

Which of the pop ups was better? Honestly, it’s a hard choice. I liked Happy Place’s light and airy atmosphere compared to the more serious 29 Rooms vibes, however the photo ops at 29 Rooms were higher quality and more abundant. Since both cost around $30 for a general admission, without any VIP option, I’d say that 29 Rooms gave you more for your money’s worth. I think the fact that it was only offered for a weekend, compared to a whole month, also made it more sought-out. Due to these reasons, I would choose going to 29 Rooms again if I had to pick just one.

Been to any pop up events lately? Which ones are your favorite?

Chicago’s Most Instagramable Rooftop Bars

July 22, 2018

Photo taken at Devereaux. Drink: pineapple frozé

There’s nothing better in the summer than unwinding from your 9-5 job on a rooftop with a view. From lush greenery to posh snack food, I love the bougie atmosphere (and cocktails) that many Chicago rooftop bars have to offer during the city’s prime months. Whether you’re a local, on a business trip with some downtime or visiting Chicago for the first time, these top pick roundups are sure to impress.

Devereaux

I recently went to Devereaux for the first time and loved it. While on the smaller scale end, this intimate bar sits 18 floors up within Gold Coast’s Hotel Viceroy. John Hancock views, fun cocktails and a dip pool grace the outdoor seating area. This bar does not take reservations, so make sure to get there early to grab a table!

Z Bar

This is one of the newest hotspot bars in Chicago, newly established effective this summer (2018). Located on the Mag Mile, overlooking Michigan Avenue, Z barworldly sharable bites and cocktails. I highly recommend putting it at the top of your list!

Cindy’s

If you really want a true Chicago-view bar, head to Cindy’s inside of the Chicago Athletic Association. This Loop hotspot offers stunning views of Millennium Park! Cindy’s is first come first serve, so be prepared to possibly wait in a line to go up to the top.

Noyane

From spiked snowballs in a takeout box to sake, this Japanese rooftop bar is a unique experience. Located in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, overlook the Magnificent Mile while sipping on an after-5 cocktail. Fun fact: the word “noyane” actually means hidden roof in Japanese.

Joy District

Joy District is my River North go-to bar. The atmosphere is always on point and their rooftop is adorned with cute overhead twinkle lights and posh garden seating. Make sure to get a picture in front of their JOY flower wall!

Godfrey IO

Compared to my other favorite rooftop bars, Godfrey IO is a great brunch spot to get together with your girls on the weekend and enjoy mimosas with a view. Make sure to make a reservation!

Apogee Lounge

If you’re looking for unique Instagramable cocktails, Apogee Lounge has you covered. Located inside The Dana Hotel, this rooftop bar is known for their colorful, large cocktails. Their staple concoctions include the Mr. Nice Guy served in a large glass bong and their World 4-3 served in a large glass mushroom.

London House

Enjoy gorgeous views of the Chicago River at LH Rooftop. Their cocktails are perfect for an after work outting.

Cheers!