Newport, Rhode Island Bucket List

So I made a bucket list for Chicago, so I thought it was only fair to complete one for Rhode Island:

Attractions:
Cliff Walk October 2011
Easton's Beach
The Breakers October 2011/February 2012
The Elms
Marble House
Fort Adams
Naval War College Museum

Restaurants:
White Horse October 2011/February 2012
Cafe Zelda
22 Bowens November 2011
Scales and Shells October 2011
Tuckers Bistro
Black Pearl October and November 2011
Clarke Cook House

Nightlife:
Mudville Pub too many times to list
Clarke Cook House (Boom Boom Room) November 2011 see post here
Red Parrot
One East Pelham
Blue's Cafe

Shopping: (no links bc there are too many stores to list!)
Bannisters Wharf (Hellooo alex and ani) Every month
Bowens Wharf Every month
Lower Thames December 2011
Only In Rhode Island Every month.  They make great care packages!

What is on your bucket list?

Hot Dougs

Many of my friends know I have been trying to make it to Hot Dougs forever.  Seriously.  Every time I have a day off, it is closed.  Boo.  They take random days off, so be sure you check their website before you go. 

My Mr. and I went today, and I was so excited.  Yep, excited for encased meats.  We got there at about 10:10, and there was already a line.  They don't open until 1030.  Yes, people line up that early for this stuff!

I had one of the specials, Garlic and Rosemary Smoked Chicken Sausage with Creamy Roasted Garlic Mustard and Smoked Provolone Cheese.  Yum:)  Best $7.50 ever for a hot dog.

I also had a "Dog", which is a standard Chicago hot dog. 

I would recommend this place to anyone/everyone.  Get there early, bring a healthy appetite, and plenty of cash.  It is a cash only establishment.

2 More Months...

I realized today that I only have 2 more months here at my job.  Wow!  Time is flying, and I have to get my act together.  I should have my move scheduled today, and I will start my packing lists.  Moving is such a pain in the butt!  I am excited for my next step, but sad to leave the people I love back here in Chicago.  I had the best Memorial Day weekend (will write about it soon, I promise!), and I want more weekends like that:)  This weekend should be a close second, since I get to celebrate my guy's 35th bday. 

I am going to miss this place, and definitely need to finish up my "bucket list".  I have been doing quite well on it, and making the most of every day.  Now I need to hunker down, and pack, because I will be living out of a suitcase/car for over a year.  What a thought.  Anyone ever do this and have any ideas? Suggestions?  I am glad I am good at the 30 in 30, because I won't be able to have a lot of clothes, and will definitely be making a few trips to Goodwill.

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Weekend Update..

After working an insane amount of hours last week, and being completely exhausted, I was so happy to have the weekend off. 

Saturday I treated myself to a much needed mani/pedi, brunch with my friends at Wilde (looove that place)..and date night with the bf at Fado and then the Chicago Theater to see Celtic Woman.  I can imagine he was embarrassed to go, but all in all, he enjoyed it.

Sunday I cleaned the apartment, and then went to dinner and just relaxed with the bf.  Getting to see him two days in a row was a treat.  That never happens because our work schedules are so different!

Is it bad that I am already looking forward to our date set for next weekend?  But first..a day off just because this week with a friend.  Sometimes you just need a day off in the middle of the week for some baseball and beer.  Just saying:) 

Leaving Chicago

So it hit me yesterday that I have about 4 months left in this wonderful city.  I need to make the most of it before I move away for at least 3 years. 

I have my bucket list, and it isn't really dwindling down as I would like it to.  Life happens. 

This month I am going to a concert, a Cubs game, and running a 5K.  I am pretty excited about all of it!  5K training has been going really well..and I am looking forward to the race.  I also started Bikram yoga, and spin classes.  Trying to get ready for the summer!

Via

I can't wait to run through Lincoln Park and along the lake.  Love this city!

Dinner and the Opera

When my mister and I were going from the Church back to the hotel after my friends wedding, we talked about how we both wanted to go to the opera.  Not even three weeks later, I found some discounted opera tickets.  Yay!  Date night!  They were for the Girl of the Golden West at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.  I wanted to go to a nice dinner before the opera, so I asked my concierge for some recommendations.  He told me about a new steakhouse, called the Chicago Cut.  Great food!  I had a 1 inch filet, and we shared mushrooms, scalloped potatoes, and sauteed spinach.  The wine was great, and the wine list is on an Ipad.  I am pretty partial to Wildfire for steak, but this is my new favorite.  Oh, and did I mention they came out with a giant piece of chocolate cake for dessert?  And the amazing view?  It is right on the Chicago river.  I am partial to places with a good view, since the architecture of this city is just...well..awesome. 

We went to the Lyric Opera House after dinner, had a drink and walked around looking at all the beauty that the opera house had to offer.  We had amazing seats, main floor, about 10th row.  The opera was wonderful, and it was probably one of the best date nights we have ever had.  We just kept cracking each other up, and great food, and even better company:)

We didn't do anything for "valentines day" but I did make him a nice dinner Friday (Wellington, rice pilaf, steamed green beans with toasted almonds and pie).  I also got him a massage, since I know he needs one after all the hard days he has had at work lately.  Monday was a rough day at work, so I came home, worked on a final, and had some wine.  I had a dozen roses waiting for me when I got home, and it definitely made my day.  Love him!!

Always Love a Good Deal..

So I am notorious at work for being "the girl who knows where to get a deal in Chicago" and "where to go in Chicago".  I live in the Windy City, but don't work here..and have a helluva commute every day, which is worth it!

I look at a few different websites every day (seems crazy I know, but I love to save money on stuff I do, or stuff I'd like to do).

My all time favorite is Groupon.  I have gotten so many good deals from them, what's not to love?  Cubs Rooftop tickets (uber cheap), 1/2 off at restaurants, $25 for $50 of clothes at the Gap, so on and so on.  Their deals are good for one day only, which is why I check it first thing in the am.  This way I don't miss out on anything.  So sometimes my friends get early morning texts asking if they are game for a rooftop game.  Sorry!!!  But I don't want to miss out on saving so much money on something so awesome.  By the way, if you haven't gone to a rooftop game, you are missing out.  I should put that on my bucket list even though I have been to 2, but I could always go to one more?!?


I also check out Tippr, Living Social, and You Swoop.  These websites aren't Chicago-centric, although You Swoop is. 

I bet you can find one thing you could use every week from one of these sites.  Now I am just trying to use up my restaurant vouchers.  Anyone want to do lunch or dinner at Berghoff?!?

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Chicago Bucket List

Ellen and I were talking the other day, and since we are both leaving Chicago soon, we said we had to come up with a bucket list.  Here is mine!

Go to a Bears Game September 27,2010  Bears vs Greenbay.
Eat a burger at Kuma's corner
Have a hot dog at Hot Doug's
Enjoy a Schlitz at Billy Goat Tavern
Go to the Art Institute on a day off just because I can January 17, 2011
Eat lunch at the Berghoff January 17, 2011
Go to a Fire Game May 27, 2010
Take a photography class January 26, 2011.  Still want to take more!
Go to a Cubs Game too many to list!
Run a 5K in the city I ran the Run To Remember on April 30, 2011.  Running the Soldier Field 10 miler May 28th!
Have dinner at Girl and the Goat
Have a drink at Cork and Kerry around Saint Patrick's day Drinks with Tara!
Go to the Museum of Science and Industry
Go to the John Hancock for drinks or dinner
Have some great burgers at Frankie Scallopines.  December 17,2010
Have brunch at Wilde April 16, 2011
Go to a Bulls Game
Have brunch at Ann Sather
Go on an architecture boat tour
Go to Lincoln Park zoo
Go on a Frank Lloyd Wright Tour
Go to a Hawks Game December 15, 2010
See Blueman Group
See an Opera February 15, 2011

I will probably be adding to this..but if you see something I may have missed, let me know!!