new felt flower pins and a trip to chicago
Posted on 24. Mar, 2011 by Princess Lasertron in business, travel
Today I uploaded five new jewel-toned pins to the shop. I normally list them at $35 each for the embroidered ones but I put these up for $25. They also have a hair clip and brooch finding on the back so you can wear it in your hair or stick it on your jacket.
Tomorrow morning I am leaving with Dave for Chicago for the weekend. It’s my BFF Eric’s birthday and we are painting Chi-town red, blue, hot pink, and glittery all weekend long. I can’t wait to get my groove back and look hot (I’ve been losing weight for this trip) and go to all of my favorite places, but I’m also leaving my tiny baby for the first time and I’m a little wehmütig. She will stay with my parents.
So please tell me, what must we do in Chicago? We have done the museums which we love, we love the Blue Man Group, but where should we go that most people don’t know about? Where are the secret great stores? Where is the secret great food?
xo
24 Responses to “new felt flower pins and a trip to chicago”
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jenni austria germany
31. Mar, 2011
6:23 pm
ok kind of obsessed with these…by the way i just glanced over your formspring for a minute. i love you even more now than i know you lived in germany/speak german!
Jana
31. Mar, 2011
11:02 am
So…how was the trip?
Natalie
26. Mar, 2011
1:11 am
oooh, I missed the headbands! that purple one is to die for!
anna
26. Mar, 2011
12:37 am
Oops! Shoulda read the date before I commented. Guess you’ll have to tuck it under your hat for the next trip!
Anna
26. Mar, 2011
12:35 am
Oh, I so second Uncle Fun! And Big Bowl on Ohio and Rush is maybe one of my favorite places in the world to eat-there’s another one up near one of the Anthro stores-State and Cedar–they’re all fresh Chinese and Thai and you choose your ingredients and they are so vegan-friendly-I love their decor. Architectural Artifacts is a salvage shop that’s staged for uber-cool parties and always fun. There’s a guy named Larry Simon who does great architecture tours, and in his spare time composes piano accompaniments for German poetry and does voiceover work on npr-I can give you his email if you like. If you have time for an indie flick, there’s the Landmark Century Cinema at Century Mall on Clark just north of Diversey Parkway-great theater. Sometimes in the little bitty storefronts along Clark in that block, I’ve found up-and-coming designers trying to launch their visions.
I love Chicago.
Janine
25. Mar, 2011
6:44 am
Hugos Frog Bar
Smith and Wollenskys – the best mac and cheese I have eaten in my life.
Pastoral Artisan Cheese Shop – fabulous sandwiches and wonderful cheese
Kelly Anna
24. Mar, 2011
10:30 pm
Have you ever been to Oak Park when you’ve visited? It isn’t exactly in the city, but it is a 20 minute El ride on the green line and it is a neighborhood full of character.
Food: Grape Leaves. It is an extremely small place that serves Middle Eastern cuisine and are only half a block from the Oak Park stop. The hummus and falafel are delicious! Their prices are very reasonable as well.
Cute Shops{More Food}: If you have time you could walk over to Marion Street where there are a lot of cute shops. Bleeding Heart Bakery {Sustainable Punk Rock Pastry-their tag line} is also nearby and so unique and fun.
Historic: Frank Lloyd Wright Tour on Chicago Ave (only 8 or so blocks from the el). He’s a pretty popular guy around here….
Ernest Hemingway was born here and I’m pretty sure you can see his house on the way to Frank’s tour on Oak Park Ave. (only 3 blocks from the el)
Sorry I went a bit overboard, but I think Oak Park is a cool place to visit and offers a different feeling than downtown Chicago. Plus I live there so I’m biased! Whatever you guys end up doing I know you’ll have a blast!
beccajo
24. Mar, 2011
5:12 pm
UNCLE FUN!!!! And Paperboy across the street.
http://www.unclefunchicago.com/ufun.html
Any of the Paper Source stores are also a must-see, as are any of the Anthropologie stores. My favorite is the one on state street.
Ashley Lynn
24. Mar, 2011
2:05 pm
a few of my favorite eateries on the North Side of Chicago:
Lula Cafe in Logan Square-Great food for Brunch, lunch and dinner. Has both veg and meat options, reservations not an option. Great for 2, 3, or 4 people. Not for big crowds.
http://www.lulacafe.com/
The Handlebar-Favorite dinner place aside from Lulas. All vegetarian, but meat eaters are usually happy with their veg options.
http://handlebarchicago.com/
-Kopi Cafe, In Edgewater neighborhood. Great for Coffee or Tea and a snack. Cute neighborhood.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kopi-travelers-cafe-chicago
Chaely
24. Mar, 2011
12:21 pm
Ok this isn’t TOO underground or anything but a really fun (& cheap) thing to see is a show called Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind by the Neo-Futurists.
You stand outside lined up waiting for the doors to open, then when it’s your turn at the door you roll dice to see how much you’ll pay to get in. It’s never over $15. The show itself consists of 30 short comedy sketches in 60 minutes (they throw out a handful every week & write new ones so the show is always fresh). Topics range from people dumping oatmeal over their heads for no reason to romantic odes to Neil Patrick Harris. My favorite was a pantomime breakfast with George W. Bush.
If they sell out the show they serve pizza at the end & everyone gets to grab some on the way out the door.
http://www.neofuturists.org/
Anne
24. Mar, 2011
11:50 am
Chicago Diner! Vegan and vegetarian food galore.
Princess Lasertron
24. Mar, 2011
12:32 pm
we love that place–we got engaged there!
Katie
24. Mar, 2011
11:39 am
Corey and I are going to Chicago in a couple weeks and we’re going to Sex with Stranges at the Steppenwolf, a Bulls/Celtics game and hoping to eat at CAFE DES ARCHITECTES in the Sofitel where we’re staying.
And I can’t believe I’m seeing Sarah Legg posting a couple comments above me!
Sherry
24. Mar, 2011
10:56 am
You MUST try Sushi Samba near the Merchandise Mart. (Orleans Street, i think?) They have a groovy decor, amazing food, and just a neat place to check out. There’s also a tiny little italian place near Second City (the improve people), and I think it’s called Dinotto’s on North Ave., they have great food, small intimate atmosphere, great prices for the city, and nice wine list! And if you’re into something really romantic and a little pricey look into dining at the Signature room, http://www.signatureroom.com
I hope that helps, have a great trip! I live near Chicago and I used to work there as a designer. So much to do! Enjoy!
Jen B
24. Mar, 2011
10:47 am
OMG, did you think of me while you made those pins? I love ALL of them!
Cory McGinn
24. Mar, 2011
10:44 am
The best vegetarian meal(s) I’ve ever had in my five years of herbivoredom were from The Chicago Diner. My friends and I ate there 4 times during a trip that was 5 days long last time I was in the city, and only half of us were veg. It is that good. http://www.veggiediner.com/wp/
Princess Lasertron
24. Mar, 2011
12:32 pm
that’s where we got engaged!
Katie
24. Mar, 2011
10:36 am
Are you planning on hanging out a lot downtown? If so, you must go to Yolk for breakfast, and Blue Frog for lunch. Blue Frog looks like a tiny dive bar but serves good homemade comfort food. Love all of Rick Bayless’ restaurants, but those are a secret.
If you’re venturing outside of downtown, I like Pick Me Up Cafe in Wrigleyville, Taste of Heaven in Andersonville, and Bad Apple in Lincoln Square.
Ok, in terms of bars, I usually hang out on the North Side – Hop Leaf and Simon’s in Andersonville, Bad Apple and Martyrs (for music) in Lincoln Square.
Andersonville has become one of the best areas for alternative shopping, in my opinion. There are cute boutiques, and a lot of awesome home stores with vintage and retro decor. There’s also great shopping on Armitage in Lakeview and on Damen in Bucktown.
Have I written you enough of a book yet? Hahah – if you’re looking to see a show, there’s a ton of small theater in the city. Let me know if you’re interested and I can recommended something specific! And have a great trip!
Sarah
24. Mar, 2011
9:19 am
Caffe De Luna in Wicker Park is amazing. So is The Gingerman Tavern in Wrigleyville. I love Quartino downtown, but you definitely need a reservation if you try to go on a weekend night…although, I’m not too sure about their vegan offerings.
Becky K.
24. Mar, 2011
9:19 am
Please, please, please post what amazing finds you discover in Chicago when you get back. I am meeting my college roommate there in August for my 30th and its been 10 years since I’ve been there so I am a little rusty! Hope you and Dave have a GREAT trip!
rachel
24. Mar, 2011
8:52 am
I love going to Renegade Handmade. It’s in Wicker Park neighborhood and basically it’s a brick and mortar Etsy store with tons of handmade items. It is ran by 2 fabulous ladies and an afternoon in Wicker Park is well worth it. I am so jealous by the way…how fun!
http://renegadehandmade.com/
Justin L.
24. Mar, 2011
8:45 am
For Dave’s sake, go to Chicago Diner.
Princess Lasertron
24. Mar, 2011
12:31 pm
we got engaged there!
carrie
24. Mar, 2011
7:54 am
not sure how you feel about seafood, but Shaw’s is pretty great. i don’t think it’s a huge secret or anything. One time when i was there i stayed in Greek Town and there are some great places to eat greek food around there.