Girls Day in the City

Yesterday, I had the day off of work, and I decided to make the most of it by heading into the city for a much needed Girls Day with one of my best friends, Christie.  (For proof of just now long we’ve been friends check out this picture.  Classic.)  Here are a few of our Girls Day shenanigans.

Since Matt and I live out in the burbs, we typically just drive into the city.  Yesterday though, I decided to switch things up a bit and take the train in.  I must say, it was a nice change.  It wasn’t really that much faster, but the blue vinyl benches and double decker seating somehow made me feel more chic than when in my usual ride.  After arriving at Union Station, I walked to meet Christie for lunch.  The weather was sunny and gorgeous, and I spent the whole walk in awe of how much love this city.  I never get tired of snapping pictures here!

For lunch, Christie and I met at Mercadito.  I haven’t had a lot of Mexican food since I’ve been here, but what I have had, hasn’t been that great.  I’m spoiled by the good stuff in Texas.  But Mercadito was delightful, and I was really impressed with this slightly tucked away spot.  Christie is notoriously late, so while I waited on her, I enjoyed their traditional margarita.  Super tasty.

The food was just as scrumptious as their drinks, and by the end of the meal, I was hurting I’d eaten so much.  But today, as I post these pictures, I’m regretting not stuffing down the rest of that guacamole.  I mean, I was wearing a maxi dress.  I could’ve just pretended my food belly was a baby belly and no one would have judged.  Except I was sipping on tequila, so I take that back.  I think people definitely would have judged then.

Christie and I also enjoyed Mercadito’s take on a cucumber margarita.  At least I think that’s what it was.  My Spanish skills are limited.  The rim was lined with cumin salt, I could read that much, and boy was it yummy!

After lunch, we burned off our lunch with some shopping on Michigan Avenue.  We were well behaved and only picked up a couple of things :)

Later that night, after Matt got off work, he drove into the city so we could visit the aquarium.  Every Wednesday night in the summer, the Shedd Aquarium does a big jazz event, and since we bought a membership when my brother was in town, we were able to go for free.  I didn’t spot this cute little guy last time we were here, and he might be one of my favorite creatures there.  I mean, a neon pink and orange fish, what a fashionista.  Or should I say fishionista?  Bahahahahahaha, I am so funny :)

Because the weather has been insanely beautiful lately, the event was pretty packed.  So rather than cram on the deck of the aquarium, we exited and than sat on this little grassy area just next to the aquarium.  Between the view, the jazz, and the fabulous company, it was definitely the best seat in the house!

So we sat, snapped pics, and enjoyed some Swedish fish while we waited for the fireworks over the lake.  The Swedish fish were an accidental theme addition, but since I love a good theme party, I was happy about the fishy coincidence :)

Even though my hair looks like a weird 80s/Jersey Shore pouf in this picture, I can’t help but smile at this :)

Why do we insist on keeping fireworks just to the 4th of July?  Luckily, in Chicago during the summer, they have them every night over the lake.  So fun!

After such a fun girls day yesterday, I’m starting to wish summer wasn’t slipping away so fast.  I have a feeling that in a few months, when we have 15 inches of snow outside our door, I’m going to be desperately dreaming of yesterday :)