“Luxury is anything that feels special. I mean, it can be a moment, it can be a walk on the beach, it could be a kiss from your child, or it could be a beautiful picture frame, a special fragrance.
I think luxury doesn’t necessarily have to mean expensive.”
— Aerin Lauder
SHOP THE LOOK:
Top – Zara || Jeans – J Brand (similar: 1 / 2) || Bag – Chloé Mini ‘Drew’ (budget options: 1 / 2) || Sandals – Stuart Weitzman (similar: 1 / 2 / 3) || Sunglasses – Ray-Ban || Bracelet – vintage from my Nana || Lips – YSL in ‘Nude Beige’
Photos courtesy of blogger Heidi
Wow I can’t believe it’s summer in less than a week! Where has this year gone? Luckily summer is the BEST time to be a Chicagoan! As hearty Midwesterners we understand the importance of taking advantage of any and all good weather — the city positively comes to LIFE! Here are the 5 things I’m most looking forward to doing most this summer:
5 Things I Can’t Wait To Do This Summer
1. Patio Dates with Apollo
When I first moved to Chicago after college with my little runt Apollo, I did NOT take advantage of just how many places I could tote him along to. Chicago is such a dog-friendly city! Many — most, even — patios and restaurants have dog-friendly policies! I was shocked when I discovered just how many places you can bring your dog to.
Now that I’ve been here for longer I know better and I take Apollo with me everywhere (though our old man Johnny prefers to stay home). Some patios even offer special dog menus and treats (like freestyle at the Dana Hotel!). I love being able to burn some of Apollo’s endless energy with the wild and entertaining city chaos. He absolutely loves the excitement (and the endless attention he always gets from strangers) and pretty much HAMS IT UP any time he has an audience. Looking for the best spots to bring your pup to this summer? Here’s a great list of some of the city’s most dog-friendly restaurants!
2. Katharine’s Annual Lobster Boil
This may only be the second year we’ve attended but Katharine’s delicious and summery lobster boil is already the party I’m most looking forward to this month! Piles of fresh lobster, corn-on-the-cob, and red potatoes? All smothered in gobs of golden butter? This, my friends, is what summer is ALL about! Combine that with excellent company and an evening drinking rosé under a bright blue sky and I call that a perfect summer moment.
3. Digging My Feet in the Sand at North Avenue Beach
I am forever grateful to live just a short walk from one of Chicago’s best and most popular beaches — North Avenue Beach (and my location for today’s look)! I’ve been coming here every summer since I moved downtown. There are plenty of delicious food stands, tons of great music and activities, and a spectacular lighthouse view that’s especially beautiful at sunrise (where I shot this outfit last summer). But I especially love being able to just dig my feet into the sand and listen to the waves lap up against the shoreline. Most of the year this beach looks more like this so being able to enjoy the sand and sunshine in the summer is such a luxury!
4. Patio Drinking (especially with slushies!)
Chicago has some KILLER patios (Bang Bang Pie, Nico Osteria, The Duck Inn, Sofitel… just to name a few!) and there’s nothing like a stunning happy hour view al fresco to make you appreciate the magic that is summertime. I especially swoon over any spot with rosé slushies (hello, Duck Inn and Expat!) — or any spot I can whip up my own Rosé Slushie Floats at… Because it isn’t summer until you’ve had an alcoholic brain freeze! Amiright?
5. Living On Matcha Power Smoothie Bowls
Next Tuesday I’m getting my wisdom teeth out — [insert terrified emoji here]! So it’ll be soft food and ice cream for days for this foodie! Luckily I practically live on my Matcha Power Smoothie Bowls every summer anyways so hopefully my foodie side will survive the recovery. Smoothie bowls are so easy to make (even on pain-killers!) and so cooling on a hot summer day. I crave these pretty much non-stop, wisdom teeth or no wisdom teeth! So I’m sure I’ll be living off green smoothies constantly. Unless, of course, someone wants to bring me a Portillo’s Chocolate Cake Shake! Hello? Anyone??
What are you looking forward to most this summer?
