Summer Festivals Anyone??

Metromix has the updated 2011 Chicago Summer Festivals listed.

Here are a few prospects:

May:
28-29 Belmont/Sheffield Music Festival

June:
4-5 Sausage Fest (aka Lakeview Music Fest..)
10-12 Chicago Blues Festival
10-12 Party at St. Mikes (we all know that St. Mike's fest is where the party is at, or at least where you meet men who wear all denim)

July:
9-10 Roscoe Village Burger Fest
15-16 Old St Pats Block Party

Who wants to go with me?!?

Favorite Mexican/Latin American Restaurants in Chicago

So I figured if I wrote a post on making my own Mexican food..I would write about my favorite Mexican food haunts in the city..

Buena Vista  This little BYOB gem in Lakeview is perfect for a cheap night out.  There is a liquor store across the street, so you can pick up some Dos Equis or Margaritas, and head on over.  Never been disappointed with a trip here!

Cesars.  I can't say enough good things about this place.  I am sure I have written about this place before, because their slogan is "Killer Margaritas".  They are definitely killer, and I have never left this place without a satisfied appetite and a buzz.  Mondays are $5 everything for lunch..kind of awesome.

Cafe 28.  Much more ritzy than the other places.  Also more Cuban than any other food, but a great place for a girls night out or date night!

Taco and Burrito House.  Great for take out.  Some of the best enchiladas I have ever had.

La Taberna Tapatia.  I can barely pronounce the name, but I had a blast here.  Great food, even better drinks.  Strong Margaritas. 

Litos Empanadas.  This place has some of the best empanadas I have ever had.  I usually go here when I am running errands on a weekend.  Tried almost the entire menu, and would recommend all of it!

Uncle Julios Hacienda.  This place is huge, and I loved the food.  Only bad thing is if you park here, it is valet.   If you don't like being forced to valet, this is an issue. 

Holy cow that is a lot of restaurants.  But what can I say..who doesn't love some tacos and a margarita??

Mexican Food in Chicago

So I went on a long run today training for my race next weekend.  After I was done, I had a huge craving for Mexican food..not sure why :)  I went out to the Market Place Grocery Store on Diversey.  Kind of expensive with certain foods (Milk is $5 for a half gallon..yikes), so I only buy specialty kind of foods there. 
They have one thing I used to have all the time as a kid, Tom Tom Tomales.  My dad would go to the store featured here .  Sooo good!  I would suggest visiting the store if you want to buy in bulk.  Wonderful for party food.  Or for feeding 5 kids!

A few of my favorite Chicago Mexican Food brands:
Tom Tom Tomales
El Milagro Corn Chips/Tortillas, etc
Frontera (Rick Bayless) Wonderful Salsa and Chips

I will definitely have to add to this post soon.  I make a lot of homemade Mexican at home, but haven't in a while.  Need to get back on it now that the weather is getting nicer, and turning on the oven will be something of the past..I hope:)

Running

Running a race this upcoming weekend, and I am a bit nervous.  I was swamped this week with school, work, and being under the weather.  Had a good training run this am..ran about 4 miles in a good time, so I am happy about that.  I just want to finish the race.  I need to get in one or two more solid runs and some cross training this week, but just not over do it.  I tend to get a runners high so strong, that a 4 mile run will turn into an 8 mile run.  No good:( 

I have been working out a lot lately, mostly running, Bikram Yoga, and cross training.  I wouldn't trade it for how I feel, and how I look.  Getting actual sleep every night, eating well, and working out religiously has definitely made me feel better than I have in a long time.  I just hope I can keep this up, because I love the compliments I am getting from Mike. 

Girls Night..

So we had a ladies dinner and a farewell for Ellen last weekend.  I hate having to post this because I don't want her to leave Chicago!  But I know we will have continued craziness throughout the good ol USA:)

We had dinner at Sunda.  Amazing Asian food, seriously.  If you ever get a chance to go..try the Rock Shrimp.  I could have eaten 3 bowls of it on my own. 

Alexa, Me, Ellen @ Sunda

Wells on Wells



Me and Elle Belle @ Wells on Wells


Can't wait for more ladies nights this summer, and when I go to the DC area for school :)

Old Photos..

So I was looking at the Chicago Tribune today, and I saw that the FBI was questioning the Unabomber in connection to the 1982 Tylenol tamperings in Chicago.

Every time I see this case in the news, they always have pictures of my dad.  He was one of the Health Department employees who worked the case.  I was only a baby when it happened, but I enjoy seeing pictures of him at work (even though this case was awful).   I have a few photos of him in frame, working in college and at work.  He loved being a chemist.  He is on the far right. 

AP Photo October 7, 1982

Favorite Things Friday

So, in the mood of all things pampering..(getting a fresh haircut tomorrow), I figured I would share my favorite places to get pampered.

1. Allyu.  The minute you walk in, you feel instantaneously relaxed.  The atmosphere, the people, the relaxation room..it is all amazing.  I love getting massages, facials, and manicures here.

2. Carissima.  My salon.  I was walking by here one day, found it, and fell in love.  I haven't gone anywhere else in Chicago.  Not sure I will (unless it is my cousin, Ann-Marie).  I go to Lucy, and she is wonderful.

3. Sinead.  Another spa/salon.  I got a massage here once, and it was pure heaven.  Bought one for the bf for valentine's day. 

I will definitely miss these places when I move, and have to find my new "pampering" place.