Chicago!

Cary had a conference in Chicago last week so I got to tag along.  It was not really the best time to go since school had just started for me, it was Carter's first week of full-day kindergarten, and we had just gotten settled into our house.  But I wasn't to pass-up a four day getaway! :)

We got in on Saturday and made a quick stop at Ikea and checked-in at our hotel.  We stayed right on the river downtown and the location couldn't have been better.  Lots to do in the area, a great view from our room, and within walking distance to tons of good restaurants.  We hit up a few places on Saturday night and just enjoyed the beautiful weather and great ambiance.

On Sunday we found this great riverside cafe for breakfast and then hopped on a water taxi.  We had no plan in mind and ended up in China Town.  We just wandered for a bit and eventually ended up at the movie "We are the Millers."  So funny!!  We also had a weird stop at a highly recommended bar, The Wit, but we're too old for that type of craziness.  :)  After dinner, we topped off the night at Howl at the Moon, a piano bar we'd visited during our last trip to Chicago almost 10 years ago.  Just as much fun as I'd remembered.

Cary's conference was Monday and Tuesday so I was on my own.  I spent Monday with my friend Katie who took me to all of the fun stores we don't have in Des Moines: West Elm, Crate and Barrel, The Container Store, and Land of Nod.  We had lunch, I got to see her new house, and we toured her neighborhood.  The guys met us for dinner in Old Town and we had a great time just catching up.

Tuesday was unique for me in that I was completely alone for a full day without kids, laundry, school, or anything that I had to do.  I walked to some of my favorite stores: Zara, H&M, Home Goods and Anthropologie.  I met Cary and his coworker for lunch.  I walked down Michigan Avenue and even stopped for a cupcake.  And when Cary's conference was over, we drove back to Des Moines.

Chicago really treated us right.  I feel like this was our first time of really experiencing downtown Chicago and it will now be on our list of regular trips!  Can't wait to go back!