trick or treat.

Happy early Halloween everyone! What are you going to be this weekend? I'm between a few options but my days of buying expensive pre-made costumes are over. My plan is to have two nights of costumes ready to go for under $10. Here is a sneak peek of what I have in mind... 

 Good luck with your costumes and have a great weekend!

Signature Room

I attended a holiday party in the Signature Room and wasn't really impressed with the food or drinks. Or the crazy ear popping involved in rapidly going up 95 floors. But none of that mattered when we got to look out at this all night:

Please excuse the glare - the iPhone did it's best. As much as I hate total tourist traps... the view of Mag Mile from there was absolutely amazing. I love Chicago.

TONIGHT: bluemercury Holiday Party!

Bluemercury, Chicago's phenomenal one-stop shop for makeup and skincare, is having their annual Holiday Shopping Party TONIGHT, Wednesday December 2nd! Never been to Bluemercury? My first trip was three years ago when I moved here and I've been exclusively going there ever since. They have the best of the best in products and every single employee is literally a wealth of beauty knowledge. An employee even called to ask me if I wanted her to set aside some products if I wasn't able to make it. I adore this place.

They have a wide range of brands including some of my favorites: Fresh, Bobbi Brown, NARS, Trish McEvoy, Kiehl's, Laura Mercier, ReVive, Diptyque candles, GoSMILE, REN... the list could go on forever.

And what better time to stock up on your makeup and beauty regimes than with a great discount. There are different levels of discounts depending on how much you spend. Not to mention FREE samples, snacks and champagne!

Here are the details:

bluemercury Holiday Shopping Party

2208 North Halstead, Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: (773) 327-6900
Wednesday December 2
Time: 4 P.M. - 10 P.M.


Hope to see some of you tonight! Don't live in Chicago? Don't worry, bluemercury is located in twelve states as of now - find a store near you.

ATTN: Pumpkin Pie Lovers!

I'm a huge pumpkin-anything lover, but my boyfriend's absolute, most favorite thing to eat is pumpkin pie. So naturally, as an aspiring foodie and pathetic advertising sucker (say it's "the best" and I'll buy it), I decided we needed to embark on our own adventure to find Chicago's best pumpkin pie.

THIRD PLACE

Bakery: Red Hen Bread

Grade: C+

Thoughts: Red Hen Bread is located on Milwaukee just north of the North/Milwaukee/Damen intersection and since it always seems to be fairly busy, I figured we had to add it to the list. This pie had some pizazz - they added a sugary crust star to the top of the pie that was a nice touch. However, the filling was where we had some issues. It had been overcooked and was a tad touch inside. It also lacked the nutmeg and pumpkin pie spices that make the pie so memorable. On a happier note: the fresh baked bread came in at least a dozen interesting varieties, and the sandwiches looked very delicious. We won't be back for the pie, but we'll definitely be back.

RUNNER UP

Bakery: Sweet Mandy B's

Grade: B

Thoughts: We had to start with my favorite bakery, Sweet Mandy B's in Lincoln Park. I've sampled cupcakes all over town, and in my opinion, nothing is better. I also adore their banana pudding which has nursed my obsession created last year by Magnolia Bakery in NYC. I tried to not get my hopes up too much as I called an ordered a pumpkin pie. To my surprise, it was just okay. Good filling consistency, but a little heavy on the pumpkin spices. It was a very good pumpkin pie, but not the best I've ever had, and certainly not up to par with their spectacular other delicacies.

THE WINNER!

Bakery: Letizia's Natural Bakery

Grade: A

Thoughts: Letizia's Natural Bakery is on Division in Wicker Park and I randomly discovered this bakery on a prior cupcake excursion. Their website is http://www.superyummy.com/ which is VERY appropriate. I figured it was worth a shot because they did have pretty decent cupcakes the last time around. We picked up the pie and unfortunately they only had frozen ones, which made us a tad nervous. Regardless, we anxiously waited an hour or so at home until we thought the pie would be ready. Wow, was that worth the wait. Letizia's pie is so delicious, I'm fairly certain it would turn anyone into a die hard pumpkin pie lover. The crust was flaky and buttery and the flavor of the filling was perfectly balanced. NOTE: The only reason Letizia's didn't receive an A+ is because since it was frozen, the filling seemed just a tad underdone. Still delicious, but with a few more minutes in the oven, this pie would be shockingly perfect.

So after two weeks, we are almost through our second Letizia's pumpkin pie, and agree that this has been a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season. Happy eating!

T-Minus 47 days until St. Pat's!

I understand this post is a little premature, but we're only a little over a month out from one of Chicago's most popular celebrations: St. Patrick's Day. St. Patrick's Day is on Thursday, March 17, but the parades have been scheduled for the Saturday prior... including the dying of the river! (Great pics of the process) I'll post local bar specials and parties soon, but for now feel free to brush up on your green egg making skills. (Thanks for that one, Kristin!)

Celebrating with my college gals in 2008. I can't wait for them to come back again, with some new additions! I vow that this year will involve even more green.. if that is possible.

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My favorite quote that you'll hear from at least a dozen people about our not-so-beautiful Chicago River, "If they can dye the river green, why don't they just dye it blue the rest of the time?" Seriously people.