They’re both topics I wrote about in the February issue of Chicago Parent. Thanks to Melanie and Sheila for making my job easy!
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From the category archives:
Chicago Stuff
I hate doing “touristy” things… especially in my adopted hometown of Chicago. I try to avoid crowds like the plague (except if I’m trying to score a really great deal on December 26… you know I like to shop), and since I don’t celebrate Christmas I can’t help but find that this time of year gets overly bogged down with jingly songs on the radio and altogether too many bad drivers heading downtown to do all those touristy things I try to avoid.
However, since we’re a little Chicago-bound this year because of the newborn, (Although I’m totally regretting getting sucked into flu scare so much to cancel any thought of traveling until the kid is like 15 or something.) I figure I have to bite the bullet and do a few things for my older son that would otherwise send shivers down my lululemon-clad (yes, still wearing it all) body.
Like eating at Ed Debevic’s tonight. Where I found myself honestly saying, “Honey, please eat your chicken finger. Please.” Like it was some sort of vegan tofu patty chock-full of vitamins. I figured it was better than the fries and rice krispie treat presented on the side of it. I even saw some meat in there.
Or, graciously accepting my friend Kim’s offer to go to the top of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere because I’m not afraid of heights or anything and I thought the little man would enjoy eating a cookie 103 floors up. I was right. And I was so proud he spotted our health club from the top of the Willis (Sears!) Tower. He we is are seriously sheltered.
Look, mommy! The eliptical!
But in all honesty, when you have the time, are a little bored, and have friends that will motivate you, being all touristy in your hometown city can be rather exciting. I even have grand plans to take the kids to the Modern Wing of the Art Institute next week. It’ll make me feel a tad better about having worn a paper hat all night.
Happy Holidays to all!
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… and are looking for places to entertain your kids and yourselves…
You might want to check out the Chicago neighborhood of Bucktown. Check out my suggestions in this month’s Chicago Parent for a three-mile walking tour of one of Chicago’s neatest enclaves.
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I know Monday morning sounds so much better, but I didn’t have time to post some of my favorite links on the web until now. Following is a list of some good Monday afternoon reads. Â
- Take a bow, or kirtsy:  The site formerly known as sk*rt is back with a new name! Go check out kirtsy. The site’s as cute and fun as it sounds.
- SWAT this:Â I still am hesitant about becoming a SWAT, but the conversation continues. Check out the dialogue here on BabyCenter and from a SWAT participant herself, Mojomom.
- Some good news for the PR flacks: I’m so sick of PR getting such a bad rap on the blogosphere. Is a PR-blacklist wiki really necessary? Do we bloggers really want to align ourselves with such McCarthy-like behavior? I think there are better ways to educate the PR field about blogger outreach, and so does Maria Bailey. Check out her new site, Mom Select, which helps companies and PR folks connect with moms and mom bloggers. It’s opt-in so everyone wins.
- Public schools may not be for me: I have a new post up on Chicago Moms Blog today where I voice my opinion on the right to choose a private education over a public one for my son.Â
- How many different feet you meet: If you’re in my hood, check out the new shoe store, a pied. Your shoes and wallet will thank you!
Tags: Mom Select, kirtsy, Maria Bailey, PR spammers , Chicago Moms Blog
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I remember fondly the days where I looked out of my office window into the vastness of the South Side of Chicago.  The cars! The lake! The daydreaming! Fortunately or unfortunately, I’ve left that great view behind me and onto a different kind of office. The coffee shop.
The noise! The uncomfortable wooden chairs! The expensive beverages!
I never fancied myself as the kind of person who could hang out in a coffee shop for the afternoon just killing time on the internet catching up on e-mails and writing. I have admired those who can. Those who can pop out wonderful work amidst the cell phone calls, the espresso machines whizzing and the god-forbid-its-mainstream music.
But on a day with not so many errands to run and a babysitter (not a nanny, no no!) at home with the kid, I figured I’d shlep my computer around and try to find a spot where I could settle until the “free” wi-fi (which is only free if I spend too much money on a not-so-good croissant sandwich) runs out.Â
Of course, I’m the idiot who couldn’t figure out how to get the “free” wi-fi code activated and had to bother the man behind me to help me out (Vista firewall issue, go figure). And of course, I haven’t gotten a lick of my new “work” done, but in reality my new little office isn’t so bad. It’s warm, the sun is shining in (finally) and there must be a new beverage on the menu that I haven’t tried yet.
I see that this might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. If only they hadn’t run out of chocolate scones.
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Considering I live in the host city of the 2007 BlogHer conference, and I blog with many fine Chicago mommies, I thought it was my duty to share with all visitors some things to see or do in the city outside of meeting our favorite bloggers and partying it up. I even recruited a few friends to help expand my short and narrow-minded list. Trust me, we’re better than any concierge at the W.
Sadly, my hubby nixed the idea that I camp downtown Chicago for the weekend. Boo.  But, if you are so lucky to be staying just off the Magnificent Mile, you might just enjoy the following in the Windy City. (I personally believe the nickname is derived from politics, not by the strong winds off Oak St.  Just be glad you’re not visiting us in December!)
Eating Out: Why watch what you eat? You’re going to be hanging out with all women for the weekend, anyway.
- Pizza- Although I prefer New York Style pies, many like Chicago-style pizza, with its oddly square-cut pieces that leave you with only a few crust options and center pieces of all cheese. But I digress. Some choices for the ‘za: Giordano’s, (Rush St. location), Lou Malnati’s, or Gino’s East (East Superior location). I like Lou Malnati’s the best, but you’ll have to take a cab. The deep-dish pepperoni pie just might be worth it, though.
- Quick bite or snack- My friends at the Chicagoist turned me onto this neat little market off the Mag Mile called L’Appetito. Seriously, the sandwiches rock. And they won’t cost as much as the peanuts from your snack bar.
- For the serious foodie in you - Head on over to Randolph St. A short short cab ride away will offer you 3 consecutive blocks of some of the best eats in the city. I’m partial to the sushi at Sushi Wabi. But I realize that if you’re flying in from California, you’re probably laughing at the idea of sushi in Chicago. So go to Red Light or Avec instead. Your stomach will thank me.
Out and About: You don’t have any kids with you… steal away for a few!
- Millenium Park- Everyone was skeptical when Millenium Park was built, but even the harshest critics were proven wrong. This free, 24.5 acre park has some of the coolest outdoor art I’ve ever seen. And a free 8 a.m. exercise class will help you burn off all that great food you ate. For more information about what to do at Millenium Park, read Kim’s great round-up.
- Lincoln Park – I know it’s like so cliche Chicago and all, but really, this park is ‘da bomb. There’s a free zoo, (petting zoo too!) a beach and conservatory. And, oh yeah, every Saturday morning there’s a fresh “Green City” market. (It opens at 7:00 a.m. so you have no excuse!)
- Architectural Tour – Chicago’s got some of the best architecture around, and the best way to see it is from our beloved river. Take one of these river tours because it gives you the prettiest (and most relaxing) view of the incredible Chicago skyline. You could take a walking tour instead, but well, I’m feeling too lazy right now to recommend that one.
- Navy Pier /Lakeshore Drive - Oh right, most of you are staying right next to this quintessential Chicago landmark and wonderful walking/ bike path. If you can break away from all the great speakers for a moment or two, tour around the Navy Pier grounds, ride the ferris wheel or rent a bike. The view of the pier is great from any angle!
- Be like the paparazzi - If you don’t have time to do any sightseeing, the ladies at Cool Mom Picks are giving incentive to stalk out your favorite bloggers at the conference. Go on a BlogHer scavenger photo hunt and earn points to win cool stuff.
Shopping: You would all be lying if you didn’t want to do a little shopping while you’re all alone in the nation’s third largest metropolis. Unfortunately, we don’t have that cool “no sales tax thing” that New York City does, but we do have some good places to get some great duds. Trust me. I like to shop. A lot.
- State Street - Believe it or not, State Street between Wacker and Madison has some of the best discount shopping in any 4-block radius I’ve seen. Besides checking out the summer sales going on at our beloved Marshall Fields, er, Macy’s flagship store, you’re just a stone’s throw from Nordstrom’s Rack, Filene’s Basement and H&M. You didn’t come all the way to Chicago to go boutique shopping, right?Â
- Oak St. - If you’re hitting it rich from your blog, you can probably afford to buy a thing or two at one of the chic boutiques on this famous Chicago shopping block just off the Mag Mile.  I’m not yet, so I just go down there and drool over the diamonds in the window at Graff. (I wonder how many more click-throughs I’ll need for that canary yellow one?)
- Boutiques - Unfortunately, most of the good boutiques in Chicago are a cab ride away. But if you’re in need, check out Wicker Park (stretch of Division St. near Damen Ave.) or Armitage Ave. between Sheffield and Halsted streets. Lori’s Shoes is still my favorite place to shop in the city. Even if it’s worse than O’Hare’s security lines on a Saturday.
Most of all, enjoy the conference and your visit to our wonderful city!
Tags: blogher, Chicago, sightseeing, blogher conference 2007
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Cross-posted at Chicago Moms Blog where you can meet my fine Chicago mom blog friends!
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