10 Things I’ve Loved Lately – March 2021

Looking back, this March was a lot of experiences, which makes me inexplicably happy. Shifting from things to experiences has been an active intention for me over the years and last year experiences weren’t super possible. It feels like EVERYTHING costs money and well, I’ve got money goals and to be a lot more mindful of what I have been blessed with. March, although not done yet, has inspired me to do things like make my bedroom a happy place, find some new books to read and reduce screen time on the weekends. While all of these are works in progress, they symbolize a lot of peace and comfort starting to take shape in my life.

Writing this post for the month of March has reminded me that previously, while not my intention, had a lot of shopping links. There’s pretty much no point in buying new clothes in Chicago in March or April. I’m going to try to practice mindful self-discipline and mindfulness about what I have, not what I don’t have. I can feel a bit of consumerism coming in big time which means I’m trying to fill a void with “newness” and I need to look internally into that void.

#1

Chicago’s Burger Scene

It finally happened, I found Chicago’s burger scene. It is glorious. I feel right at home and am no longer slightly questioning how Chicago could call itself Midwest and have such terrible burgers. However, their fries are bad. Real bad. I have yet to have a good burger AND fries in one meal. (Honestly I don’t get it. How do you have SUCH a good burger and no fries?) But… and hear me out, the burgers are so good I’m willing to overlook the bad fries. That my friends is SAYING SOMETHING.

The absolute, hands-down favorite burger in all of Chicago (from my friends perspective) is from The Loyalist which I STILL have not had. I have GOT to plan a solo-date night with myself and go and pick one up one of these beautiful spring evenings.

Favorite Chicago Burger (So Far)

Little Bad Wolf. I will never forget the first time I had Little Bad Wolf. I was celebrating my 30th birthday, in the back of a limo and we all dressed up and ate burgers and drank fine champagne. Such a good night and I drove 30 minutes each way the next weekend for that burger.

Small Cheval

You may think these are the same burgers and they are not. What I can tell you though is Chicago burgers look the same often ad not until I started photographing them did I realize that. Little Bad Wolf just has a synergy with all of the ingredients that Small Cheval doesn’t, but the cook on the burger is top-notch and they let their good ingredients sing. Small Cheval has the better of the worst fries, so in the race to the bottom they are on top.

#2

Social Media-Free Sundays

No one is subjecting us to scroll endlessly at other people’s lives and be discontent with our own. Yet here we are, doing it all day long. When I find myself getting a little cranky and let’s face it, unthankful for my life, I try to remove myself from social media. While I do want to grow and share my life with you, I also want to keep strong boundaries around what parts of my life I will publicly broadcast.

Sunday is a hard day. Sometimes I’m sad. Sometimes I’m really busy. I just never quite know the vibe of that Sunday. Thus, removing myself from social media scrolling has helped me a) get rid of Sunday Scaries b) focus on what is good in my own life and c) not feel like I lost control of my weekend.

#3

Vaccines and Science

I received my first dose of a vaccine. I am beyond thankful for our healthcare, grocery, essential works and the scientists that worked beyond tirelessly for our bratty butts to get a vaccine. The number of lives COVID is taking from us is a cruel, cruel heartbreak and I am amazed that anyone wants to still help save humanity after the year of trash we have been. I am the first to admit I truly don’t understand science, which is why I just want to say thank you to those that do and work to help us enhance our quality of live, and quite literally, save our lives.

#5

Looking Up

“DON’T LOOK UP, YOU’LL LOOK LIKE A TOURIST!” – Me to myself the first time I walked downtown Chicago. Months later, I’ve learned to tell myself TO look up. I walk downtown and wonder what everyone’s story is. Who lives in the Marina Towers with the best view? There’s a lot of beauty in looking up instead of straight ahead.

Chicago’s iconic buildings and skyline tells a story of time, progression and our values. I love seeing the iconic deco buildings and starkly modern skyscrapers that are (in my opinion) almost ugly in contrast. You can see what was important at the time of the building and I think about how we will never go back some styles of buildings. How lucky are we to get to experience the past and present in such a beautiful way.

#6

Cooking for One

I went through a period (during the first 30, 60 and 90 days) where I didn’t cook at all. I just ate random things and everything was cold. Anyway, perhaps it’s the slightly nicer weather but I’ve been cooking a lot. Even baking! I’ve been buying my Trader Joe’s favorites and made it a goal to eat one hot meal a day. I even took a virtual cooking class to learn how to make Greek food! I was pretty worried for a while I was never going to get back my love of cooking and we are back in business.

Favorite recipes lately?

• Hortopita– a savory spinach Greek pie loaded with flakey pastry and greens.
• Stephanie’s Gyro sliders and homemade tzatziki sauce – a live cooking class a took and recommend for the recipes alone!
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie – The only kind of pie I like in my life.
• Orzo Salad – I never make this recipe the same way, I throw veggies I have into the oven to roast and they always somehow work in this.
• Corn Risotto – I add in a ton of fresh parmesan to this and add 1-2 leeks if I have them on hand.

#7 – #9

Beauty and Skincare

I’ve been slowly getting into makeup this year. Slowly. Anyway, I am a true make-up noob so I don’t really make recommendations very often but if you are like me, and have no eyeshadow talent, buy these sticks. They are incredible and make you look like a true pro. I want them in every single color. But thankfully they make a few in mini size that you can get here. They make you look GREAT on your virtual meetings. (Oh and if you have taken the Bobbi Brown make-up MasterClass can you tell me if it’s worth it?)

While I AM trying to get more into make-up, I am still not willing to do much more than a dewy, fresh-faced look. My old brow stuff ran out and I buy this brow tint and this brow freeze and wow they do NOT move. You can get the Anastasia Brow Freeze for $23 or you can get this NYX for like $8 and I actually like it better. And you KNOW I am not a drugstore make up fan. Also worth your time is checking out this magnetic mascara.

Oh and you guys LOVED this shirt I’m wearing with the make-up. You can find it here, it’s a super cute and affordable spring shirt! Comes in a lot of colors, straight and plus size.

#10

March in Chicago

Chicago in March in a real treat. Good, bad and weird treat. The moment we had our first above 50 day I literally saw people in shorts and tanning sooooo you could say it’s been a long winter. Chicago makes you work for those sunny, slightly above freezing days so you gotta soak them in when you can.

We were all pleasantly surprised when the city decided to dye the river green after telling us they weren’t going to. Let me tell you, Chicago goes HARD for St. Patrick’s Day. I had no idea CHI-rish was a thing but based on the beads I was given, it is. Perhaps it was a bigger deal this year since we’ve all been cooped up but apparently leprechaun visits are a thing? It sounds exhausting to be a parent and keep up with the Easter bunny, leprechauns and who even knows what other holiday visit I am not aware of. Anyway, March gives us all hope for those beautiful, hard-earned sunny days that feel like they will be here in… two – three months. (I am holding out for ONE more snowstorm before I feel like we are out of the woods.)