Taste the Taste and an OOTD

Last week in an attempt to squeeze in as many fun daytime activities before Matt started his new job, we headed to the Taste of Chicago.  The Taste is one of the world’s largest food festivals, held downtown the week before the 4th of July.  We’d heard tons of people talk about how awesome the Taste was, so we thought we’d head in to the city to see what all the hoopla was about. 

Our friends, Matt and Christie, still hadn’t been after living in the city for three years, so we persuaded them to join us for the fun :)

We had heard enough reviews of the event to know that going on a weekend was out of the question.  So, we went on a Tuesday, and though it wasn’t unbearable, it was fairly crowded.  And the food?  Ehhh, not so impressed.  I don’t know why, but I was expecting a bit more class or culture or something at the event.  I thought it would be more of a “foodie’s delight.”  Buuut in the end, it was really just like a state fair, greasy food, overpriced, and not so great.  It actually reminded me a lot of our State Fair trip in October, though on that occasion, I went prepared and looking forward to the greasy goodness :)

One food that did not disappoint?  Elote.  Yum, yum, yum.  Matt and I loved it so much we created our own version for our 4th of July bbq, only we kept ours on the cob.  Seriously, so stinking good!  We used a recipe similar to this one.  Warning though, its pretty spicy!

After stuffing ourselves silly, we walked around for a bit and stopped to pose for pictures in front of Buckingham Fountain.  This is one of my favorite spots in all of Chicago, and I want to go back once the Taste is over to enjoy its beauty, sans the smell of grease and cheap beer.

A few hours after we arrived, we left with full stomachs and empty wallets.  Though the Taste wasn’t quite what I expected, I’m glad we went.  We don’t know how long we’ll be living in the Windy City, so we are trying to take advantage of all the sights while we can!  (By the way, thanks to our friend Matty B for this photo idea!)

I also thought I’d share this quick OOTD picture with you.  It’s actually from working a shift at “the store”  this past weekend.  (Yes, I’m still being semi-secretive about the store I work at so this blog doesn’t turn into a shameless promotional tool.)  Its a terrible and blurry pic, and I highly recommend you all email my OOTD photographer to tell him he is slacking on his job :)

Top: Ann Taylor {in other colors here}

Cardigan: Ann Taylor

Skirt: Banana Republic

Shoes: Gianni Bini

Belt: Anthropologie {similar here}

Bracelet: vintage {it was my great Aunt Bunny’s}

Earrings: my wedding day gift from Matt

Ring: David Yurman

I saw this top at Ann Taylor in April and was lucky enough to snag it during one of their 40% off sales.  Flowers, ruffles, flowy fabric…I adore it’s over the top girliness!  So imagine my delight (and my wallet’s dismay) to see that Ann Taylor brought it back in two new colors this summer.  I love love love the cream and am doing every thing I can not to buy it as well.  Willpower, don’t fail me now!

That’s all for now, hope your Tuesday is fabulous :)