I’m finally getting around to posting about our trip to Chicago over New Year’s Eve.  I don’t know where January has gone, but life seems to be moving incredibly fast these days.  January was a terrific month filled with lots of time spent with friends, naps, Netflix and relaxation, and the Broncos kicking butt all the way to the Super Bowl!!!!  Woot!  Woot!

Even though the temps were low while we were in Chicago, we made a point to walk through the Lincoln Park Zoo.  Our friends Dan & Erica live just a block away and it’s always nice to grab some fresh air and see the animals.  They’re great hosts and take us to a few touristy attractions during each of our visits to Chicago.  The Bean in Millennium Park is an iconic Chicago stop.  The reflection with the skyline in the background always makes for fun pictures and during our trip there was snow stuck to The Bean which made for fun pics.  Plus you never know who may photobomb your snapshots in the reflection!

For unparalleled views of Chicago, visit The Signature Room located on the 95th floor the John Hancock Building.  Although it was a little gloomy when we visited, the views were still incredible.  (We were lucky and had just the right number of people to cut the line and snag the corner table, but brace yourself for a wait if you’re not as fortunate.)

And then there’s always the culinary tour of Chicago.  This trip included Italian overload, some fine dining and rowdy sing-alongs.

Our first stop was Eataly and I am ob-SESS-ed.  It literally may be my heaven on earth.  We enjoyed a long lunch of coal-fired pizza baked in a dazzling GOLD pizza oven, lingered in the aisles filled with Italian cuisine and marveled at the cheese selection.  I can’t wait for my next visit…  just saying, maybe Eataly should expand to Denver?!  I’d be a regular.

We had a phenomenal dinner at Le Colonial with its French Vietnamese goodness.  The fusion is unexpected, yet delicious and the décor is to die for.  I’m pretty sure that we were the loud, obnoxious table but who can help it when catching up with your college girlfriends?!  We followed dinner at The Redhead Piano Bar where our college roommate Katie held the after party to her rehearsal dinner.  The perfect spot to belt out the Billy Joel classics we used to sing along to with the jukebox at our favorite bar in Lawrence!

During our time in Chicago we also recovered from the wedding festivities at Eleven City Diner and brunched at Perennial Virant which is located at the bottom of the Lincoln Hotel, both restaurants are located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.  I highly recommend the Monkey Bread at Perennial!

Aside from stuffing our faces, the main reason for our visit was The Cassman Wedding!  One of my good college girlfriends Katie of Kel & Kate got married at Lake Shore Country Club in a beautiful ceremony that her brother officiated.

Since the festivities were outside of the city, they had buses pick up at The Langham, which is where these pictures were taken.  Isn’t the lobby stunning!?

I had planned to wear this Elizabeth & James dress from Rent the Runway but due to the holiday rush, it wasn’t delivered in time.  So I actually wore the dress that Erica wore as the Maid of Honor in our wedding!  You really can re-wear some bridesmaids dresses!  Although the dusty gold color is no longer available, the crisscrossed dress comes in a variety of other colors.  Luckily I had packed my recent purchase from the Shopbop sale, these beautiful Stuart Weitzman sandals which I broke in on the dance floor.

Happy February everyone!