Go Cubs Go!

I went to my first Cub game of the season this week.  The Cubs got their butts whooped, but I had a great time catching up with my girls.

A little bit of Goose Island, some girl time, Chicago baseball, and a live band to dance the night way from afterwards was a great way to spend the day!

Cubby Blue.  Great beer only available at the Wrigleyville location.

Let me take a selfie.  

Cheering on the Cubbies!

I love the friendly confines.  

Weekend Roundup

I don't normally share my weekends on here..maybe because life has been boring around here lately? Just kidding.  Life has been non stop since I moved home.

Friday my hubs and I met a cousin out for drinks.  Perfect spring day.  Then we had dinner, headed home, and just relaxed.

Original Photo in on my instagram.  Check it out!
Shirt, Jcrew
Necklace Kenneth J Lane

Saturday, I went to my 15 year high school reunion.  I went to an all girls, Catholic High School, and loved meeting up with everyone.  Especially the nuns!

Diva Pic

Say Cheese Class of 2000!

Me with some of my favs.  Been bffs since the first day of high school!

Dress I wore

Sunday I just did usual housekeeping.  Laundry, errands, and relaxed with the in laws.  My MIL made this recipe.  It is sooo good.  Highly recommend it!

Hope you had a great weekend!!

Fort Lauderdale

Since the North was under a deep freeze and snow storm from hell, I traveled to Fort Lauderdale with my bff before I drove to Chicago.

I was pretty excited to just relax after my last day on the ship.  I literally stepped off the ship and got on the road, and arrived to drinks at our hotel.  We then went to have drinks at the Blue Martini. After some delicious beverages, we had dinner at Seasons 52. I love Seasons 52.  So much.  Especially dessert.

The next day, we relaxed, and then had lunch at the Royal Pig Pub. So amazing.  Worth the trip.  My bff went to a wedding, and I just relaxed at the hotel.

The last day, we went out and about on the beach front.  We had some drinks at McSorleys, and then lunch at Primanti Brothers.  Yes.  A NYC bar and a Pittsburgh deli in Ft. Lauderdale.  I thought the same thing.  But yes.  Yes.

We had dinner at Coconuts our last night, and it was worth the wait.  We drank a glass...er bottle..of prosecco while we waited.  Incredible meal, key lime pie, and company.  Couldn't ask for more!

First Night.  Love the necklace.  Got it at Versona.

Blue Martinia

Royal Pig Pub.  Yummm.

View from our balcony.

Suns Out.  Another Outfit from Versona.

Great artwork next to a tattoo parlor.  No worries, came out of there unscathed. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I had a great weekend out and about in the city I love.

I had a date night Friday with the husband.  Our fav sushi place, and a movie.  Couldn't be better.

Saturday I went downtown with my friends, met up with family, and spent most of the day downtown.  I ended up in my own neighborhood, and just relaxed!

Sunday, I stayed in my neighborhood with family and neighbors and had a great time.  I normally go to the South Side Irish parade, but decided on a change of pace this year..

Makes me so incredibly happy to be home!

Daley Plaza

Obligatory Selfie

What are your St. Patrick's Day Traditions?

Farewell to Jax

I hate goodbyes.  Like.  Hate.

So instead of just looking at a goodbye in the face, I tend to avoid them at all costs.

I had a good few final days in Jax.  You can see them in pictures below..

Date Night at Marker 32.  

Dinner with Friends at the Schnizel Haus

Quite Possibly the Best Sandwich I have ever had.

Last Duty Day.  See that smile!!

Wedding Wednesday-Bachelorette!

So my ladies came to the big city to help me celebrate my bachelorette.  I had such a great party put on my bridesmaids.  I couldn't ask for a better night.  Fun, but still pretty low key.  We had dinner at Quartino, and sang some karaoke at Blue Frog.  Classic Chicago night. 

Festivities are about to begin!

My matron of honor could not fly in, and she made the most amazing bags!  Such necessities! 

Two of my Navy gals couldn't fly in.  Toasts for all!

How cute is this?!  My MOH can plan a party.  And we can taste test a menu.  And drink.

My older sister and me!

What a motley crew!

Birthdays and Ballgames!

So my Chicago trip continues onto Birthdays and Ballgames!  You can read about part 2 here!

I took my guy to Hot Dougs for his birthday.  Lame?  Of course not?!  Who doesn't want some encased meats for their big day.  I had two hot dogs..yes, cheated on my diet.  But then again, I was in Chicago.  The 4 pounds gained was worth it.  I had a pear, wine, and fresh herb pork sausage hot dog with fig peach mayonnaise and jalapeno Havarti cheese.  Soo good.  Sooo sooo good.  We had to go again because this place shuts its doors for good in October.  Mike and I went a few years ago, so we had to go again!



Cheesing.  Waiting in line. 



Yum. 

For dinner I took him to Gather.  The food was incredible.  The service even better.  I had some great halibut..and really want to go back!  We had some time to kill before we met up with some friends for drinks, so I convinced him to go to a bistro for dessert.  We had some profiteroles with some Bordeaux.  So good.  Seriously, the night was a real treat.  After missing his birthday for a few years, it was the least I could do!  We then met some girl friends of mine at a bar.  Great end to a great night! 



Love these girls!

 

 

The next day, we met up with a group of friends from near and far to go to the Cubs game.  Cubs vs the Marlins.  Such a fun time sharing the game with my friends from high school and college.  The college girls flew in from VA to spend the weekend with me.  The high school gals came in from a far as well.  So blessed to have these girls in my life!

 

Go Cubs!



 

Trip to Annapolis....day 1

So after my quick trip to VA to visit family, I picked up my boyfriend at the airport, so we could spend the weekend in Annapolis, Maryland.  He had never been there before, and I have been about a dozen times for various occasions.  Football games, parties..you name it. 

When we arrived, we went on a tour of the Academy with a friend of ours, Adam..as we were in town for his wedding!  Mike loved the tour!  After the tour we ate lunch at Armadillos.  Yum!  I may or may not have assisted the economy with a serious shopping spree at Re-Sails, Lou Lou, Black Dog, and the Pink Crab.  

After my shopping binge, we had "date night" at O'Briens.  I love their food.  We had oysters Rockefeller, some crab cakes, and white wine.  We then met up with friends at the Federal House, for pre-wedding festivities.  After that, some more cocktails before bed...

Meeting up with my Navy gals was the highlight of the day.  I miss my girls! 

I Heart Weekends in Jax!!

So I finally had a 4 day weekend. Yup.  After I worked over 12 hours for 4 days this past week, and was exhausted by the time Thursday evening came around.  I think I even forgot to eat dinner.  Yep. 

Friday I ran some errands on base, went to get my car maintained, and met a friend for lunch.  We actually hit up the Olive Garden.  I haven't been there in forever.  Salad and healthy (under 500 cal) pasta (Ravioli de Portabello).  Yum!  I hung out most of the night Friday.  Just cleaned the house, and hung out with my puppy.

Saturday was a big day.  I went to Jaxtoberfest with friends during the day.  I got a mean sunburn.  They had great bands, good beer, and good food.  I wasn't really in the mood to drink all day, and the sun was a blazing, so we went home early. 

Sunday I god locked out of my apt building.  Long story:(  Kind of put a hamper on some plans, but I did end up going to a fundraiser with friends!  All proceeds went to a local dog rescue!

Monday I hosted brunch at my place.  I love hosting brunch, and having company.  It is a good excuse to clean;)  I also shopped for an upcoming trip, and grabbed some amazing sushi at Bento.  Oh my, it was amazing. 

Life-size beer pong.  Yup, they thought of everything.

I keep forgetting that yes, It is still hot in Florida, and ouccchhh.  Sunburn hurts!

Holy moly.  Mac and Chees bites.  Made with orzo.  Amazing.

Me n my ladies.  So much fun with these gals!

Col's first taste of Jager.  She was pretty excited!

Sushi.  And my foot.  But really great sushi. 

Weekend in Jax

This weekend was a great one in Jax.  I relaxed Friday after a long week at work.  Just sat in the house, grabbed some food for dinner, and caught up on Grey's Anatomy.  Just what I needed.

Saturday, I cleaned and shopped.  I hit up a few stores, got a massage, and hit up Maggianos.  Fantastic lunch!

Sunday, I had lunch with a friend at Seasons 52.  Oh my.  I love their flatbread, and their tiny desserts are amazing.  I had some pumpkin dessert to make it try to feel more like fall around here.  It is 87 degrees out! I did some laundry, and then had dinner with other friends for their birthdays at Seven Bridges.  Yum!

Pasta and a Dark and Stormy.  Perfect Saturday afternoon lunch.

Tea from Teavana.  I may be addicted.

All dressed up for dinner!

Sweet Home Chicago

I was able to sneak away this weekend for a quick getaway to Chicago.

• Dinner @ our fav sushi restaurant
• 1st Birthday for a dear friend's son
• Drinks downtown with great friends
• Lunch with the family

Didn't do much really, but cherished every moment.

Love this guy.  

Staycation

I took about 10 days of leave so I could spend time with family before I move from Chicago.

The first day, we just hung out and went to the Ram to eat.
 

The second day, we got acquainted to the neighborhood, had lunch, and then went to the Cubs game. I re-enlisted one of my Sailors at Wrigley Field. First re-enlistment they have done. Thanks to the Cubs for allowing us to do this for her. I am not sure who had more fun that day! 

Me on the left, PO on the right.



Awesome pic taken from the field.


The third day we just hung out. Relaxed, and grilled on my rooftop. I also introduced my Mr. to my oldest brother and family. My oldest brother makes some mean bacon wrapped fillets. Yum!




I am pasty.  And this picture is awful.  But I did get some sun that day up on the rooftop!



The fourth day, we went to Navy Pier. It was a lot of fun! Billy Goat, Ferris Wheel, walked around, and went to Margaritaville. We went and met up with my middle brother and SIL for dinner afterwards. And enjoyed one heck of a storm that night.

Cheezborger, Chips, Empty Beer.  Yum.

Kind of an awesome ride.  Helluva view from the top, too!

Margarita on the pier.  End of a beautiful Chicago day!

The fifth day, we went to the Museum of Science and Industry. I love that museum. There is so much to see, and even though I have been there a million times, I can never get enough of the chick hatchery.

Oregon Trail??

Old time Berghoff.  I love this place.  Mmm..German food...beer..:)

The sixth day, we left Chicago, and embarked on our road trip...to be continued..