Chicago - Café Con Monica

On Stanley Cup Champs!

June 16, 2015

My weekend kind of extended into Monday! Guess what?

The Blackhawks won!!

It was crazy last night at the bar watching! So much fun but it rained all day, flooding everywhere, people filling the streets. It was mayhem.

At Pitchfork watching the game!

It was crazy. I have more to share about the weekend but I’ll do that tomorrow!

Wouldn’t it be great if after you came back from a long day you were allowed to nap at work? I really think I need to be better about not messing up my sleep schedule on long weekends! That being said I had just the right amount of relaxing and fun this weekend!

Now that I am blogging again I really must be better about taking photos of things I do! I am working on it though!

Friday… night I had dinner w/the boyfriend at my fave thai place and then snuggled up and watched Inglorious Basterds (Thank you Netflix for that)

Saturday… I spent the day relaxing and did manage to get a little workout in before heading to watch the Blackhawks game with my two besties! Luckily they won or I was going to be banned from watching anymore playoff games. Superstition is serious business around here. (again I need to be better about taking photos!)

Sunday….The weather was not cooperating so there was rain all day on and off. Perfect for laying around and reading before heading out to the Belmont Sheffield Street Fest that night w/the Boyfriend. We managed to get rained out for a bit so we headed to get some food at a place inside and then went back. If you are in Chicago you must must try Dinky Donuts, they don’t have a store front yet but will be selling at Street Fests this summer!

Monday….I spent the day with my family having a bbq and just sitting around enjoying the weather (once it stopped pouring)

It was a great weekend!

Finally in the last full(kinda) week of school too!!!

How was your long weekend??

Summertime in Chicago…

May 20, 2015

This past weekend we had fantastic weather here in Chicago and it just got my heart so happy knowing we are about to have full on Summer soon! There is so much to do here. So I thought I would share some of my favorite things about warmer weather in Chicago!

{1}

Movies in the Park

Many of the Chicago Park District parks have movie nights and you can just bring yourself a blanket or chair and a picnic and enjoy!

{2}

Beach

I know for people who live on the coast this is nothing but for the midwest we are lucky to have a beach where you get to turn around and see our awesome skyline! There are also fireworks Weds & Saturdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day that you can watch from most of the shoreline!

{3}

Street Fests

Ooh how I love a good street fest! Cover bands, food & booze that is all you need on a summer night in Chicago! They start in mid-May and have so many different themes and its also a great way to check out a neighborhood you haven’t been to yet. I will actually be checking Belmont Sheffield Music Fest this weekend!

{4}

Outdoor Concerts @ Ravinia

While Ravinia is actually a suburb, it is completely accessible by public transit so it counts! Its a great space for concerts and has this awesome lawn where you can bring food, booze, blankets, chairs…some people even set up tables! I saw John Legend, Carrie Underwood & Gypsy Kings there last year!

{5}

Outdoor Eating!

I mean duh! Check out Christine’s post on the best outdoor dining spots in Chicago here She has a great list!

{6}

Exercise along the lake

Whether you walk, run, do yoga, swim, or any other outdoor activity you can take advantage of the cool breeze off the lake by working out there! There is an awesome path that runs 18 miles! When it gets even moderately warm you can see people on the path!

{7}

The Zoo!

We technically have two zoos but one is the best location right by the lake in the city and its free. Yes you read that right…Free! Lincoln Park Zoo! They have lots of fun activities year round too!

this list could go on and on but I would be a fool to not mention that you should watch a baseball game!

{8}

Catch a Cubs game!

The thing is I am a Cubs fan so I can’t possibly recommend you watch a Sox game but if that is your thing then go for it. Wrigleyville is a must stop for a Chicago summer. You can hang out in the area before and after the game and check out all the bars!