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let’s eat and drink | river west chicago
photo credit we are the barkers
I’m so proud of this city, and I loved living there so much that I thought I’d share some of my favorite spots with you – a guide if you ever visit Chicago or if you live here and want to try a few new places. Today I’m going to start with my old Chicago neighborhood – River West.
So, River West – it’s a tiny little neighborhood along Milwaukee from Grand to Chicago east of the Kennedy Expressway and west of the North Branch of the Chicago River and there are tons of fine dining and inexpensive cafes, wine bars and coffee shops. There’s an intersection at Grand, Milwaukee and Halsted with several great places – La Scarola, Iguana Cafe, Piccolo Sogno and The Dawson. River West also rubs elbows with some of the trendier neighborhoods in the city – Wicker Park, River North and the West Loop are all just a few blocks away. Let’s eat and drink –
Iguana Cafe – A true local hangout with a European feel – I love it here. Try the crepes or the paninis. Linger over coffee or a glass of wine. Also a great spot for brunch.
La Scarola – this little restaurant is the real thing. Healthy sized portions of authentic Italian cuisine – I love their grilled calamari and any of their pasta dishes.
Piccolo Sogno – Delicious Italian food and amazing atmosphere. It has the best outdoor patio in the city and we order the antipasto appetizer every time. Previously mentioned Piccolo here.
Paramount Room – Craft beer, burgers and specialty cocktails. I like to grab a bite at the bar.
The Point – Grab a table outside in the sun and enjoy a great classic cocktail or beer from their long list.
694 Wine Bar – I love this spot, one of my favorites in the city! Delicious plates of meats and cheeses and an excellent wine selection. Go Wednesday night for BBQ night all year long!
Silver Palm – A railroad dining car turned restaurant and a great spot for dinner – or take a seat at one of the sidewalk tables.
Matchbox Bar – Very narrow, hip bar – could possibly be Chicago’s tiniest bar. Have a chat with one of the bartendars and a quirky cocktail. Can’t go wrong with a Manhattan – they marinate their own cherries in bourbon.
Big Shoulders Coffee – Grab your morning coffee and a fresh pastry. They’ve got wifi too if you need it.
Thalia Spice – an excellent little Thai cafe
Duran – It’s part of a small chain but the sandwiches are delicious and it’s BYOB
Windy City Cafe – a neighborhood gem and the very best breakfast sandwiches in the city! Family owned, lots of traditional breakfast and lunch options and their coffee comes from Big Shoulders.
The Dawson – a casual spot with three bars – upstairs, downstairs, outside – and an American menu that makes use of a wood-burning grill. This place just opened in the fall and is a great addition to the neighborhood!
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A dreamy feature on Argentinian born fashion designer Carolina Iriarte and her covetable Barcelona showroom. Carolina creates one of a kind purses with the level of quality you seem to only find with antiques. Her latest collection of handbags, called Sur, is inspired by the literary movement from Buenos Aires following the birth of South Magazine and it’s founder Victoria Ocampo. I found myself devouring these photos of Barcelona and this article about Carolina. You can tell that her creative endeavors are an authentic reflection of how she lives which I truly admire.
shop iriarte iriarte | photo source freunde von freunden
kohler | wisconsin
Our weekend in Kohler consisted of long walks around the lake, steamy bowls of soup and Spotted Cows, ice skating followed by evening naps and long drawn out dinners. We spent Sunday morning getting pampered at the Kohler Waters Spa. I typically spend most of the winter season indoors avoiding the actual weather that comes with winter, but it felt so refreshing to change settings for a bit, get outdoors and explore a new place.
For Chicago folks who want to visit, the Village of Kohler is located on 419 Highland Drive in Kohler, Wisconsin about two hours north of Chicago and one hour north of Milwaukee.
photo credit kate zitzer
a new year
I hope you had a good time ringing in the new year – we sure did. Twenty thirteen was a great year – full of love and challenges, big dreams and new ventures, travels and inspiration. Every year brings new experiences and opportunities and seeing them unfold one by one is a beautiful thing. Every challenge you overcome, every time you say yes instead of no, every time you wander outside of your comfort zone – they’re all worth recognizing and celebrating. In the new year I’m looking forward to buying a house and putting some more of our roots down. I’m looking forward to having a new studio space, and I’m curious how it will change my work and what I will make. I’m going to get organized and be kinder to myself and others in 2014. I’m going to get a few more stamps in my passport and seeing the sun rise and set won’t be limited to train rides to and from work.
In a few short weeks I turn 29. I can’t believe I only have one more year left to enjoy my twenties and then on to my thirties. Last year at this time I made a few simple goals – the most important one being to pursue my creative endeavors with more passion and more determination than ever before. In 2013 I participated in three summer art fairs and completed over 100 paintings. I sold my largest most expensive piece of art to date. It was the kind of year that left me wondering what else I am capable of doing. So in 2014 I’m challenging myself to think bigger and push myself even further. I am challenging myself to step outside my creative boundaries, to chase my wild creative spirit and to discover new things. I worked so hard this past year and it won’t stop in 2014. Such a wonderful feeling to know that the possibilities really are endless.
a year in travel stories and photos
I’d like to take a moment to reflect on our travels this year. We are so unbelievably grateful for every opportunity we get to pack up and go somewhere. Here are a few of my favorite memories from 2013 –
In February we took an impromptu weekend trip to New York City. We explored different neighborhoods, got caught in the rain, browsed markets and wandered through museums. We ate New York style pizza, strolled across the Brooklyn Bridge and pretended to be locals for a few days. It was a quick trip with new friends that felt like old friends.
In the spring we celebrated our second anniversary in Lowcountry. In Charleston we ate incredible food, sipped on sweet tea and swooned over breathtaking sunsets. We rented bikes and rode around for hours exploring south of Broad and the Battery. We spent a whole day wandering around Savannah totally in awe. Returning home my heart felt full.
In July we set off to Galena with a group of friends. We ate bbq and drank wine slushies and played frisbee sticks. We taste tested hot sauces and then immediately regretted that decision. We spent hours at the pool. We stayed up into the wee hours of the night and made a pact that we would all come back next year.
We spent the last of our summer days in Diamond Lake, Michigan. We stayed with my family in a cozy little cottage. There were boat rides and night swims, walks along the water and late afternoon naps on the porch. I spent lots of time drooling over my sister’s cooking. We ended each day with a sunset cruise and a bottle of red wine.
In September, after a crazy few weeks, we headed south to Nashville. We spent a lot of time eating and drinking. We devoured the spicy fried chicken at Hot Hattie B’s and soaked up the cool vibes at the speakeasy style bar The Patterson House. We shared a hotel room with our friends and laughed a lot. I took note of things I’d like to see the next time we visit.
I’m so happy to have these photos to refer back to as reminders of such beautiful moments. Twenty thirteen was truly an amazing year. I feel so very grateful. Thank you for following along and for your constant love and support. I used to think I would grow out of my restless, adventure seeking soul, but I’m starting to think it’s here to stay. I can’t wait to see what we get ourselves into in 2014!
photo credit kate zitzer | see where we went in 2012 here
