Step 1: Choose your accent color and add in metallics. In our case our accent was a festive red, which we made a little less traditional by showcasing it in ombre napkins, neon red garlands, etc. The metallics add that extra bit of flair, making your table shimmer amidst the glow of candles.
Step 2: Mix and match your place settings and serveware. We wanted to keep our plates all white to let the accents shine. We chose Vietri plates (don't be afraid to mix patterns, as long as they are in the same color palette) and paired them with gilded platters from Canvas Home for a special holiday touch. The gold flatware tied it all together.
Step 3: Add candles! This step is crucial to creating that cozy vibe, hygge anyone? Sprinkle votives across the tabletop and choose one scent to layer throughout your house (you don't want scents competing). Guests will appreciate the full holiday experience!
Holiday cookies from Michigan baker, Kelsey's Cakes & Cookies
Step 4: Don't forget favors and extra decor touches. Think flowers, personalized cookies and other little accents (note: this means thoughtful details, not clutter). We love the look of an updated twist on retro brush trees scattered about. Consider adding a holiday favor to each place setting for a meaningful touch - we chose unique holiday cookies that guests could admire and eat :)
Step 5: Enjoy! Nothing quite like spending time gathered around the table with family and friends. Soak up every minute!
Photos by the talented Amy Marie Baker
GET THE LOOK:
]]>
I'd love to continue ranting and there are so many people I'd love to call out and express our gratitude to - but I'll save that for the launch party :) So mark your calendars for October, we can't wait to show you what we've been working on!
I also wanted to take the time to answer of couple questions for you all as well:
We're shooting for October but will have a better update in the next couple weeks on timing :)
This is something we're still working through and would love your opinions on, please feel free to comment below and weigh in! At the moment, we're looking to be open Wednes. - Sat. (or by appt.) with hours of 10am to 6 pm.
A lot! We're marketing ourselves as a concept store and want to treat the space as so much more than just a shop. If you followed our travels last year to Berlin, I was bursting with inspiration from all the shops and creative communities there and took what I saw as a launch pad for this store hybrid.
The shop will have a constant influx of beautiful new products for your home, lifestyle and little ones - not to mention, all sorts of occasion gifting. We painstakingly approve each item that we feature in the store and want you to love everything as much as we do. We'll be showcasing a wider selection of curated products and artists and can't wait to introduce you to them!
Our goal is to create a space that promotes the work of our super creative friends. Kelsey, of Kelsey's Cakes, will have a counter in the store where she will be showcasing her amazing baked goods for special events throughout the week. We're also super amped about Art Hop and can't wait to feature the artistic talents of our dear friends and family members.
Last, but certainly not least, we will also be hosting monthly creative workshops to further foster the creative community vibe. We'll be updating our website with these new events and will be including bio information all on our teachers. Expect everything from a calligraphy courses to "Flower Arranging for the Holidays."
We chose Kalamazoo because we've always had a huge, supportive community there and we felt this was the place to have our creative vision run wild. We have been so humbled by all the people who have helped us get to where we are, offered to help and been our cheerleaders - thank you!
As far as the website goes it will still be under the name Curate Chicago - our founding roots. We're in the process of creating another site for the shop (will launch soon) but it will link to our original site if you would like to online shop. We'll also be adding a "buy online, pick up in store" button which will provide you with additional flexibility to your shopping routine, hooray!
As much as we love Kzoo, we still feel strongly that Chicago is our home for the time being. That being said, I will be traveling back and forth during the week to help manage the shop and make sure we have an exciting calendar of events throughout the week. We are looking for 2 part-time sales associates, in addition to my amazing sis, to help us run the store throughout the week as well. If you or someone you know is interested, please check out our application form here or pass along.
]]>
Cheers to more events in the future and sending a huge hug to all our Kalamazoo friends. Thank you is not enough, xoxo!
Kelsey's Cakes beautiful {not to mention, delicious} cookies on display above
Loved meeting new little faces too!
1608 - Wine & Cheese Bar: Set in the renowned Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, the name and ambiance of this bar harkens back to the city's founding date and site. Featuring a plethora of cocktails, wines and cheese - 1608 is the perfect spot for relaxing and taking in the beautiful scenery (inside and outside of the hotel).
Café-bar Artefact: The perfect spot of escaping the cold and cozying up by the fire, we ended up spending an afternoon enjoying conversation, yummy cocktails and games of checkers in our own semi-private room. Set in the gorgeous Auberge Saint-Antoine Hotel, the bar is located in the lobby and exhibits the same luxe, historical vibe. If you're a fan of grapefruit infused drinks, their Aphrodite cocktail was divine :)
Chez Jules: This charming bistro features seasonal, refined French food. The perfect place for enjoying those classic French dishes - tartare, anyone?
L'Affaire Est Ketchup: If you share a guilty pleasure for Anthony Bourdain's shows like myself, you may have seen this place featured on Parts Unknown while exploring the city's culinary scene. Its quirky interior, friendly staff and unpretentiously French food are an absolute delight. I definitely recommend making a reservation in advance, as this place fills up quickly on weekends and you'd be hard pressed to find a table without one. One additional note - given the small vicinity of the space and its open-faced kitchen (where they cook your places on a small electric stove), your clothes will end of smelling of the plates you consumed the night before... Which adds to the experience, right?
Image via restoquebec
La Planque: Would love to check out this rustic gastropub on a future visit!
Le Clocher Penché: If you're looking for a brunch spot, this bistro is a must. Incorporating locally sourced ingredients, this farm-to-table's menu boosts everything from salmon tartare with a grapefruit emulsion to a poached egg on an herbed waffle.
Image via foodieinquebec
Saint Henri: Located on one of the main stretches in the Saint-Roch neighborhood, this bright coffee house embodies a natural, Scandinavian-style interior. Think lots of clean, whitewashed walls and natural wood - perfect for enjoying a great cup of coffee.
Lastly, no trip to Quebec is complete without poutine, originating in the province. Be sure to grab a dish while visiting at one of the many restaurants featuring the dish... You'll definitely feel very full after :)
Swell & Ginger: Featuring a beautiful assortment of pastel-colored women's clothing, this modern boutique is located in the heart of trendy Saint-Roch on Rue St-Joseph. It's full everything from pretty bombers to super soft knitwear.
Marché du Vieux-Port de Québec: If you're looking to taste a wide selection of local foods, Marché du Vieux-Port is the city's largest farmer's market. Featuring a wide range of products - from fresh produce, artisan cheese, to speciality syrups and preserves - this is a great spot for picking up a unique souvenir from your travels.
Zozo + Arty: Unfortunately, this shop was closed by the time we discovered it but the windows boosted the most adorable selection of baby and kids clothing and toys. Definitely swing by if you're in the market and find yourself near the Saint-Roch neighborhood.
Château Frontenac: The iconic hotel is a must-see (you probably couldn't miss it given it's stately presence, even if you tried) on your trip. Explore the grounds, the riverside boardwalk features spectacular views of the St. Lawrence and a great place for taking some snaps. If you're feeling adventurous, grab a toboggan and test out the luge - followed quickly by a cup of hot cocoa. If you aren't staying at the hotel, be sure to wander around the enchanting interior public spaces and see firsthand why it is a National Historic Site in Canada.
La Citadelle: The official residence of both the Canadian monarch and the Governor General of Canada, this National Historic Site is located atop Cap Diamant. Its star-shaped fortification walls enclose 300 years of the city's history - from the French colonial period until present day. If you're a history buff, check out the museum and its rotating exhibitions.
St-Roch, Limoilou & Old Québec: Explore the city's trendy, creative side in St-Roch and Limoilou. Both districts bustle with vibrant restaurants, beautiful churches, avant-garde art and a quirky selection of shops. Grab a beer at the local brewery, La Barberie (just a couple blocks away from Saint-Joseph), and take in the laid-back scene.
Seeming worlds away (no pun intended), Old Quebec is as picturesque as it gets. Full of landmarks and awe-inspiring architecture, spend the day walking the cobblestone streets and climbing the many flights of stairs to take it all in. The breathtaking views and side street charm are sure to be imprinted on your memory.
Have you been to Quebec or planning a trip soon? Leave us a comment on your favorite places or things you hope to see!
If you are searching for a book to come to life in your home Masks in the Forest is just that! Complete with pop-out interactive face masks, you and your child can literally act out the text with each and every page. Your bedroom becomes a jungle, monkeys swing from the trees in your living room and a lion hides under the kitchen table…shhhhh!
Daniel acting out the different animal characters with the masks from the book
Daniel and I had a blast making the words of the book come to life in our house. I took the role of the narrator and he became the actor. We began by scoping out our settings for the book. Together, we built a fort for the hunter to hide in, hung green party streamers from the living room ceiling for the monkeys to swing and visualized the lion living under our kitchen table! As I read the text, Daniel reenacted the show - handing him a new mask for each page, he made the corresponding animal sounds and pretended to behave like the animals in the story. Our house was filled with roaring lions, prancing deer, hooting owls and so much more. At the end of the story, I instructed Daniel to read the whole book by himself and he promptly replied “I did it!"
This fun, interactive book gives you all the tools your need to encourage your child to read. As you read with them, show them the text and ask them to act out what they see on each page - I'm confident they'll learn and experience all the more (plus, it's sure to be entertaining for you). I hope this book helps promote your imaginations, filling your house with laughter and play!
Ways to Encourage Reading:
Have your little one act out the pictures and the text as you read
Have your little one read to you, show them the pages and encourage them to use their own words to describe the pictures
This book is all about letting your sense of adventure and curiosity run wild and free! Treasure hunts, counting, numbers and nature all packed into one book of fun for you and your little one. We loved unpacking this book together the past couple days. The possibilities are endless for what you and your child can do and learn together with this book! I want to walk you through a couple days in the life of Daniel and his Technicolor Treasure Hunt book.
Daniel scoping out the white flowers in his front yard
Day One: We stared our day off outside on a treasure hunt nature walk using the Technicolor Treasure Hunt as our guide. With our book in hand, our goal was to see and collect as many items from the book that we could. We saw mushrooms, birds, leaves, the sun, feathers and even a few purple budding flowers {hello Spring!}. Once we got home, we separated all our treasures by color and placed them on color specific construction paper to make a beautiful nature collage.
Day Two: Using the book as our guide again, we began to tackle the task of counting. Each page in the book encourages the reader to count all the items they see, starting from one to ten. On this particular day, the weather was very rainy so we decided to go shopping for our items around the house. We had ten shopping bags, each numbered one through ten, and our goal was to put the right amount of items in each bag to match the numbers outside. Not surprisingly, Daniel's favorite bag was the one containing ten M&Ms - because at the end of the hunt he got to eat them….after he named all the colors first☺.
Creating and matching the color sticks to different items around his house
Day Three: Today we went on an indoor and outdoor hunt with our book, our goal was to match color sticks with all things we saw. I created different colored popsicle sticks by gluing colored poms on them {you could easily use markers as well} and prompted Daniel to run around naming the colors and matching the stick to objects in the same color family. We matched our orange stick to play dough, crayons and an orange football helmet. At the end of our hunt, we made a color rainbow with fruit loops and cotton balls to display all the colors we saw.
“The future belongs to the curious. The ones who are not afraid to try it, explore it, poke at it, question it and turn it inside out.”
I hope that you and your little one can let your curiosity get the best of you as you explore this book together!
My hope is that as Daniel gets older he welcomes all people - from the Atlantains, the French People, the Kenyan Blacksmith, the Japanese businessman, and more (just maybe not the raccoon ☺) - and that he would be confident to be who he wants to be. May our homes be an environment where we foster others and a place where we can be who we want to be. “This is my home and this is me. Where is your home? Where are you?”
Daniel visiting their city's Gospel Mission (left), playing in front of his own house (right)
Fun activities to do with your little one:
I finally got around to writing our Amsterdam travel guide, only a couple weeks behind schedule :) If Berlin felt like a city bursting with culture and life, Amsterdam was like walking into a storybook. The cobblestone streets, canals and bustling bikers all add to the city's charming nature. I was particularly excited about our visit because of the ties it holds to my heritage. I loved visiting the country that my grandparents came from, learning more about their culture and homeland brought back many wonderful memories of times spent with them while they were still living. I couldn't be more thankful for the opportunity to explore more of my heritage and this beautiful city!
Image via amsterdamnow.com
De Kas: Set in the midst of a park a bit further out (inhabiting the greenhouses from the former Amsterdam Municipal Nursery), this beautiful restaurant serves up fresh and seasonal dishes featuring the produce grown in their nursery. The menu is Mediterranean inspired with bright favors, the perfect match to the modern and open decor.
Foodhallen: At odds with what to eat for lunch? Then Foodhallen is your place, think of it as a miniature Chelsea Market. With stands featuring cuisine from Vietnamese street food to Spanish tapas, this indoor market has you covered in the food and drink department.
Gartine: This cozy, little cafe was on my must-go list for breakfast - I had read that it was somewhat of an institution when it comes to breakfast and pastries. Unfortunately, I didn't look close enough to see that it was closed Mondays and Tuesday....ooops! Definitely will be giving it a try on our next visit.
Happyhappyjoyjoy: For our first night in the city, we had a made a reservation at this cheerful asian street food inspired restaurant. After roughly 12 hrs of travel (and no sleep on my end), this place hit the spot. The decor is bright and fun, with every item we ordered being the perfect medley of sweet, sour and bold flavor. Don't miss the crispy chicken baos, they are amazing!
Image via Hiding in Plain Sight
Hiding in Plain Sight: Set on a corner (and a bit off the beaten track) in Centrum, this award winning cocktail bar is a true gem. The atmosphere is cozy - you'll feel as if you're being transported back to the 20s - and marries seamlessly with the delicious mixed drinks.
Juuls: Idyllic and quaint, the dining experience at Juuls is a fresh take on the traditional pre fixe menu. The menu changes monthly so the plates are seasonally fresh and innovative. The service was amazing, with the team offering personal suggestions, customizing plates, and creating drinks that complemented each dish perfectly.
Image via Lotti's
Lotti's: The Hoxton's in-house restaurant and bar, Lotti's in basically open round the clock (think breakfast, lunch, dinner, repeat). The relaxed, hip vibe of the hotel continues through the restaurant with design cues reminiscent of your local Soho House. If you can't make it for dinner, be sure to swing by for drink at the bar as they serve up a great cocktail.
Venus & Adonis: This charming Jordaan bar & grill is a great stop for lunch or an afternoon drink. The decor is equal parts chic and eclectic, I especially loved the teal velvet upholstery used throughout. A great place to take in the quintessential Amsterdam scenery with the perfect view of the canals.
Pancakes!: Traditional Dutch pancakes, you can even customize by picking your toppings. Be sure to check out one of their two locations for breakfast.
Cottoncake: This store meets cafe is perfect for enjoying a latte (and dark chocolate almond cake) while perusing their curated selection of womenswear finds. They seek to highlight new, local brands as well - all fitting with their modern, edgy aesthetic.
Denham the Jeanmaker: Founded in Amsterdam by the respected jeanmaker Jason Denham, there are multiple shops across the city catering to both mens' and womens' denim. Known for their expert tailoring, they feature a wide array of fits in various washes. I was particularly fond of their Girlfriend Tapered style.
Likestationery: Set amidst the charming streets in Joordan, this quaint shop carries a beautiful selection of paper goods and utensils perfect for showcasing on your desk. I loved this adorable watermelon notepad.
Image via Petra + Kaarten blog
Maison Rika & Rika Boutique: With two outposts shops (one featuring the cult clothing line and other centered on home decor) on the trendy, Nine Small Streets of Amsterdam - these stores are a must see. Full of unique finds, the tiny boutique is stocked with everything from playful sweatshirts to the infamous Rika star bags. Again, not in my price range but certainly fun to look. And if you're looking for a unique alternative to a hotel, you can book one of the chic guesthouse rooms above the home store.
Nuvo Niche: Showcasing beautiful paper, gifts and fashions this store is located on the canal ring in picturesque Prinsengracht. Be sure to check out their in-house label, we left with one of their cozy sweaters for Marco (you can see him wearing it in our last post) and some watercolor cards to add to my collection.
Six & Sons: On the western side of the city center, this storefront is located the lively Haarlemmedijk street. Heralded as a concept store, they feature a wide variety of items (especially for men) from vintage finds, furniture, gifts and clothing. Their sunglasses, books, and bags selections are all on point.
Anne Frank House: Visiting the Anne Frank house and museum (where she and 7 other people hid for over 2 years during WWII), made her diary so vivid. The tour is incredibly moving, featuring interview clips of her father and close friends, handwritten letters and important documents throughout the space. As you walk through the secret annex you are overcome by the reality of her situation - how the 8 people struggled to keep quiet hiding in such a dark, small space and how only one of them survived after the war.
Rjiksmuseum: Showcasing the work of the Dutch masters Vermeer and Rembrandt, no trip to Amsterdam is complete without a visit here. The building itself is stunning, housing 8,000 historical and artistic objects. I loved seeing the beautiful, arranged still lives I studied back in college - come to life with expert detail.
Van Gogh Museum: A stone's throw away from the Rjiksmuseum, we packed a full day and didn't have the chance to go. Will definitely be visiting in the future!
Vondelpark: Perfect for strolling or testing your luck on a city bike, the Netherland's most famous park is situated in the center of the city. Full of beautiful gardens, monuments and waterways - it makes for the quintessential spot to enjoy an afternoon picnic and some Dutch cheese.
Looking for additional pictures and an inside look into some of our favorite spots? Be sure to check out our instagram here!
P.S. We scouted these awesome lightboxes while shopping in the city, so naturally we decided to carry them in the shop!
]]>
Distrikt Coffee: My love for this place extends far beyond the fact that it totally refueled my mood and energy levels after a 6 am flight earlier that day. True to Berlin style, it has a very industrial vibe with killer coffee to match. We shared an açaí bowl and their go-to berry compote pancakes, with their breakfast selection just as amazing as their coffee.
Crackers: Such a hidden treasure, literally and figuratively. The hip bar and restaurant is nestled behind a gate with only a small sign indicting its presence. Buzz the ringer and enter into it's glitzy interior. P.S. walking through the kitchen to get to the restaurant is the correct route.
Image via Berlin Food Stories
Industry Standard: Tapas style, this cozy restaurant features a mix of French and Mediterranean cuisine. The wine list is extensive and they know how to pour a great cocktail. We loved this Neukölln spot, especially the mussels.
Le Bon: We missed the lunch cut-off but I have to share this beautiful gem of space. Added to my brunch list (pancakes, please!) for next time, the corner restaurant is nestled on the perfect side street in Kreuzberg. And they somehow achieved a minimal and warm interior, no small design feat.
Image via Time Out Berlin
Twinpigs: Hip and trendy, this cocktail bar is situated in the Neukölln, a short walk away from Industry Standard. The aesthetics of the space totally won me over, left thoughtfully raw - almost echoing the city itself. Cool atmosphere, great drinks, and chill vibe - definitely a place to check out on your visit.
Westberlin: The perfect spot to enjoy a coffee, sandwiches or pastries if Checkpoint Charlie is on your docket for the day - the space is bright, modern and full of design, architecture and photography books/magazines to peruse. I loved the bright pops of neon furniture used throughout the space.
Zeit für Brot: Dark chocolate cinnamon rolls, need I say more?
Also be sure to check out Themroc, Bitte Coffeehouse, and The Store Soho House (brunch and coffee!)
Bikini Berlin: Ahhhh if only shopping malls were this cool in the US! Marketed as a concept mall, it's full of edgy boutique shops. I especially loved Vitra Artek and their curated selection of paper, small leather goods, gifts and coffee. Another cool note, it has huge windows overlooking the city zoo.
Hallesches Haus: Heralded as a modern general store, I left wishing this shop could be magically transported to Chicago. Full of unique finds for your home and to complement your life (think beautiful leather pouches, illustrated cards and stationery). We particularly liked the outdoor space, perfect for enjoying their coffee and cakes or a late afternoon glass of wine.
Image via HelloMe
Tiny: Super stylish clothes for your little one, this shop is equal parts adorable and edgy from its clothing to its interior. Swing by if you're in the market for amping your kid's style game.
Voo Store: Another coffee shop meets store, seeing a pattern here? Just another reason to love this city, their retail game is on point. Although many of the items were out of my price range, talking to you awesome Acne Studios sweatshirts, it's definitely worth browsing for the cool set-up. Don't miss it though, it's semi-hidden down an alley in Kreuzberg.
Walking the Cat: The most darling children's store, with an even wider selection of kids clothing than Tiny. The owner is super friendly and has amazing taste, extra plus - they have a website and ship worldwide! We picked up some adorable sweaters for my nephew here.
Bauhaus Archive: On my list for next time!
East Side Gallery: This stretch (approx. 1.3 km) of the Berlin Wall now stands as an international memorial to freedom. It features murals from artists around the world and I highly recommend walking it to take in each work and the themes portrayed. When we were there, the west side of the wall featured a photography exhibit of the civil war victims in Syria. It was heartbreaking to see the violence done to the people depicted in the portraits, especially juxtaposed against the loaded backdrop of the wall.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe: This massive, outdoor memorial consists of arranged concrete pillars, ranging in various heights, across a sloping field. To explain how moving it was I can try to tell you our emotions while walking through the memorial. We felt alone, overwhelmed, lost and alienated. When standing back from it, you see all the pillars come together as one - almost like a sea of concrete that spans as far as your eye can see. Many observers have said that it feels like a cemetery to them. It makes you reflect on how unfathomable it is that roughly 6 million Jewish people were murdered during the Holocaust.
Mitte & Kreuzberg neighborhoods: Two of our favorite places to explore while there, they each have their own distinct personality. The Mitte is a central borough (formerly spanning parts of both East and West Berlin). It contains a mix of quaint side streets, shops and restaurants as well as the historic core of the city. Kreuzberg has a much more eclectic mix and the trendier of the two. Being a new cultural center for the city, it's inhabited by many immigrants and full of restaurants featuring diverse ethnic foods. Be sure to walk along the
Oranienstraße, which is one of the main commercial streets in the borough.
Sammlung Boros Collection: The art history nerd in me totally geeked out with this exhibit. The contemporary art collection is housed in a WWII bunker and the Boros' worked hard to keep a lot of the its original integrity in tack - including evidence of the many phases it went through after the war. It features pieces by Ai Weiwei and Wolfgang Tillmans, to name a few. Be sure to reserve far in advance - tours are guided (huge plus at only 12 euro a ticket) but can only accommodate 12 people at a time.
Topography of Terror: An outdoor museum, it is set on the site of the Headquarters of the Secret State Police, SS and Reich Security Office. A long timeline features text, photos, newspaper clippings, etc from the rise of the Nazis until the end of WWII. A length of the Berlin Wall still stands a backdrop to the exhibit, a sharp reminder of the division of the city. Extremely moving, the museum shows how the regime instilled and built up so much fear, leading to the horrible terrors they committed.1. Our Parvara pillow is paired with this dark grey velvet chair | 2. The shimmering gold accents on our Bengari pillows pair perfectly with this sofa | 3. Add a pop of neon with the Antigua pillow on a blush toned chair | 4. This colorful pom pillow adds a whimsical touch to this sparkly chair, perfect for a nursery or kids' room | 5. Add a modern edge to a grey sofa with this bold, tasseled pillow
]]>Daniel wears the starlight print sweatshirt paired with the matching sweatpants and his favorite toy camera.
Harper is wearing the sweet and soft, swallows dress.
Aliza and Harper are matching in their swallows print dresses. We paired Aliza's with the starlight fringe vest and accessorized with our silver cat purse. Shoes similar here.
Thank you to all those who stopped by and supported us, we had such an amazing time meeting each and everyone of you. And a special shout out to everyone who helped bring the shop together, from the construction to the staffing - I am beyond grateful for you. If you weren't able to make it, you're in luck! You can shop everything on our site now. Be sure to stay tuned to updates about future events and pop-ups in your area by signing up for our emails (plus, get 10% off your first purchase). Thanks again for stopping by, we love you all!
Image via Eater
PARACHUTE: If you are willing to make the trek out to Avondale, I cannot speak more highly of this eclectic, Korean fusion restaurant. The flavors in each dish are complex and pack a serious punch. Not to mention, my favorite cocktail I've tried this year - be sure to try cocktail #3 for a beautifully balanced (and fragrant) drink. Reservations go quickly so you need to book in advance or be flexible on the day - we snagged a late Wednesday night spot and the place was still packed. Be sure to try the to-go bing bread, house pickles with kimchi, braised nettle mandu and the slow-cooked beef short ribs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image via Eater
DOS URBAN CANTINA: Created by husband and wife chef-team (and former Frontera/Topolobampo alums), Brian and Jennifer Enyart, this modern Mexican restaurant features bold flavors mixed with a casual, neighborhood vibe. Known for their seafood dishes, the ceviche is fresh and bright but grounded with a guacamole base. Their mussels are another favorite and be sure to try their interpretation of street-style, sweet corn. Major plus, they have 1/2 gallon pitchers of their classic cocktails that are perfect for sharing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Images via Sink|Swim
SINK|SWIM: Looking for a nautical vibe to boost your summer mentality? Then look no further than Logan Square for a coastal-inspired menu with an interior to match. Created by the Scofflaw group, this is the first restaurant-focused enterprise under their belt. Although we only stayed for a post-dinner drink, the playful vibe and seafood-rich menu is unlike anything Chicago has to offer. The classic fish sandwich, smoked octopus and roasted sweet potato are all on my list for our next visit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image via marketwatchmag.com
MOMOTARO: Confession - I haven't actually tried this restaurant myself yet, it's been on my must-try list for quite some time now. However, Marco has been lucky enough to come here numerous times for work and has raved post-meal each and every time. Supposedly it's enormous menu can be tricky to navigate but the allstars really shine through...specially, the katsuo tataki (to start), Miyazaki wagyu, and any one of the skewers in the "From the Coals" section. This Japanese powerhouse is definitely a spectacle and knows how to break the rules, in a good way.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Images via Cellar Door Provisions
CELLAR DOOR PROVISIONS: Although this restaurant has been around for a couple years now, I haven't had an excuse to go until my friend suggested lunch there a couple months ago. This bright, rustic, no-frill space (menus for the day are posted on a scroll of brown paper) highlights the craft behind this farm-to-table lunch and breakfast mecca. Their mission is to "remind us all that food is really worth gathering around" and they certainly achieve this through a commitment to technique and fresh ingredients. Make sure to try their unbeatable cannele and a trip there is not complete without the homemade bread.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
]]>
Image via mfkrestaurant.com
Image via Chicagomag.com
Image via Anna Zajac
Images via Jenis.com
All photos taken by Ali B. Photography
When: Tuesday, December 8th, Cocktails start at 6:30pm
Where: DL Loft
What: Shopping, DIYing, & lots of bubbly!
Buy Your Ticket(s): Here
]]>Sleeping Bag || Footie Pajamas || Chewbeads || Mobile || Swaddle || Floor Mat || High Chair
]]>
]]>