On Friday morning, Kevin and I took a cab from our hotel in Chicago to a small bakery the Ukrainian Village, Shokolad Pastry & Cafe. We started the day with their crepes… glorious crepes. Chocolate & cinnamon for me, Nutella & banana for him. Heaven! Despite being *completely* stuffed, I couldn’t pass up this incredible looking Opera cake from the pastry case. With layers of chocolate, vanilla, almond biscuits and espresso buttercream, how could I resist?? :)
Of course after that, I totally deserved our 2 mile trek up Chicago Avenue.
We made our way through the Ukrainian Village to the trendy Wicker Park neighborhood. Our first stop was Pitaya, where I totally fell in love with this dress!
And these earrings! Had to grab these earrings. Only 5 bucks! Won’t they look nice with this ruffly top?
Pitaya has a few locations across the US, definitely check them out if you’re near one! Too bad the closest one to me is 5 hours away. I might have to consider driving there sometime!
We ran in the Marc Jacobs boutique, and look what I found! Yep, that stressed-out look is definitely the face of someone with two boston terriers. ;)
Right after that we ran into the sweetest, tiniest, fattest little BT I have ever seen. Totally scooped him up and got some kisses. I wanted to put him in my purse and run. Wicker Park was very dog-friendly. Most of the stores had water bowls out front for the thirsty pups.
Kevin tried to talk me into buying this shirt, but I resisted. But check out the back! It was hard. But then check out the price. Ack!
Oh man. Stopped in this cute store, M2 Boutique. Loved this place!
I was mesmerized by this necklace. It just so happened to go perfectly with the navy blue dress I was wearing. And the khaki dress I just bought. And that white top I brought with me. And everything else I own. Or have ever owned. In my entire life. Amen.
This bracelet was conveniently (and innocently) sitting right next to the necklace. I could get into some serious trouble if I lived in Chicago.
This cuff bracelet was calling out to me! Between this place, Sephora, and Sur La Table, I think I spent my entire life savings in Chicago.
Kevin’s a huge Braves fan, and it just so happened they were playing at Wrigley the weekend of his bday.
It was a pretty exciting game. The left fielder and third baseman had a huge collision going after a fly ball. The pitcher got beaned by a line drive. And the Braves came back to win it in the 9th inning!
And I finished off the rest of my Opera cake. :D
Hey Amanda,
I’m from Chicago so never stayed at any hotels there, but now that my family and I live down here in Birmingham I’m planning on taking my husband for his first trip there to see where I grew up. What hotel did you stay at while you were there? You usually stay at some great places!
Thanks!
Thanks to your amazing blog and your section on Pitaya I have some brand new shorts from their website
Great shirt but indeed the price…
I love the dog on the right that is my doggie i just picked up my little pup chica
Looks like a great time in Chicago, the game sounds like it was a good one. Just curious…what camera and/or lenses are you packing around on your adventures?
Can I just say that I’m thoroughly impressed that you shopped someplace OTHER than Michigan Ave in our fair city? Very brave of your tourist selves. :) How far west did you go on Chicago Ave? Past a certain point, it can get a bit scary…
Looks like a fantastic trip! And, you look great!
What a way to start off a post – that cake looks delicious! And I love that dress too, it’s way too adorable! Now I want one!
Oh my goodness! That cake..mmmm…I am almost drooling all over my laptop. I absolutely LOVE that dress!! And I also love the jewerly. Looks like you had a great time :)
Loved the clothes and jewelry and about died seeing the yummy crepe photo! Oh my goodness I wish I could’ve pulled that thing out of the screen to eat it!
And hello girl–you look HOTT! That dress looks amazing on you too. Keep it up!
Hi Amanda! I don’t know that I’ve ever commented before but I’ve been reading for a LONG time. All I have to say is a)please go shopping for me as you have great taste and b)your blog always makes me hungry!!
My blog is private due to a stupid family drama situation but if you’d like to see it, let me know. :)
I have one question. How do you capture such AMAZING photos?! You must have a secret technique–or else you’ve got a great camera. :) Please tell.
That t-shirt is too cool!! I may just have to get one… ;) And I love all the jewelry and that dress and the cake… I think I’d go broke and gain a few pounds in that City!! :)
Amanda let me say you look totally amazing in that dress. Great job!
Teresa
Hey Amanda
LOVE your pics from Chicago.. Such a beautiful city!
Where do you like to shop for your little sweaters and shrugs that you always seem to have with cute little sundresses.. I’m always looking for something like that to throw on top of tanks or dresses and have trouble. Yours are so cute!
Thanks
Carrie
Hi Carrie! That one I have on in the pic was from Pitaya- I just tried it on to see how it’d look with the dress. I have one at home that’s very similar that I got at Ann Taylor Loft. I also see them a lot at the little “teen stores” as I like to call them! :) Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, Papaya, etc. :)
amanda – chicago’s my home – i unfortunately just moved! you have to try cafe babareeba – spanish tapas :) and you must go also try meli in greektown for breakfast.
Amanda…how in the world do you stay so tiny? All those mouthwatering photos of all the food you find on your trips…I am hungry just looking!
Oh thank you! I so much enjoyed your post, it felt like I was there! Beautiful finds. And I would certainly not pass that cake! Wishing you many more happy birthdays, trips, and posts.
I don’t know if this is weird to say, but that dress is so adorable and your legs are so amazing! I’m jealous! Chicago seems like a really fun place to visit!
Looks like you guys had a blast and yes…LOVE that dress!
Chicago looks amazing. And that cake? Drool!
i love chicago and the miracle mile! its been a while since iv’e been so thanks for sharing your trip!
Awesome weekend for you, Kevin and the BRAVES… YAY, go Braves! :)
You. Have. OUTSTANDING. Taste. <3
you have the best fashion sense!
Yummy. Beautiful. And Go Braves!!
I have to say that Chicago is one of my favorite cities! I absolutely LOVE that gray rhinestone bracelet! I’ve been to the Pitaya in Athens, Ga but didn’t purchase anything (somehow!). Athens is only a little over an hour from my hometown. One of my good friends works for the cubs so whenever I can make it up there I always try to make it to a Cubs game (although the Braves always come first!). Isn’t Wrigley Field awesome?? Looks like y’all had a great time!
I just signed up for your posts and just happened to be we are headed to Chicago tomorrow!! Thanks for the great info and will for sure hit some shopping spots!
Hello there….I have been here before and I kind of stumbled upon your place again! I love it! It caught my eye that you were in a Ukrianian area. I am full blooded Ukrainian…all my great grandparents are from Ukraine. Anyway….I thought it was on your site that I once found a place for scrapbooking. You could get a few free things and other things you had to pay for. Do you have any idea what I am talking about. If not…just excuse me….I may be going crazy!! Stop over and say hi. :)
Hi Tana! Good news! All my stuff is freeeee! :D I have a few digital scrapbooking freebies and some really cool free fonts! :)
You had right until you said the Braves came back to beat MY CUBBIES in the 9th inning! :-( Sigh…….. Looks like you experienced all of Chicago, except for maybe Rush Street????? Good for you!
oh yikes, sidetracked by desserts….
the website: http://rockscissorpaper.stores.yahoo.net/botesh.html
I love that dress–looks wonderful on you. Did you add the belt or does it come with it? Great touch, either way!
Check out this site for Boston Terrier stuff. Better prices for showing off your love for BT’s!
Thanks, as always, showing us such beautiful desserts, oh yum!
It came with it.. Isn’t that awesome? :)
And OMG, that is so funny, not 15 mins ago someone sent me a link to that SAME site! For the owl stuff! Crazy!! :)
I was like wait..??! Wasn’t I just here?? :)
Major deja vu moment! :)
I’m loving that taupe ruffly dress and cuff bracelet!
that dress is stellar! i love love it. and those earrings. girl, just come be my stylist!
I love that necklace! I have never been to chicago but it looks like I need to now! :)
Mmmmm! That opera cake looks heavenly!! I’m drooling here and just dying to take a bite! Loved the photos of the dress and jewelry, too. Looks like Chicago was a grand time!
Isn’t Wrigley Field great? I love to go to games there, especially when the Cubs get beat. The fans are soooo serious and get so annoyed!
I was totally surprised at how small it was.. and the manual scoreboard! :)
Love the outfits and all…however, there is a reason I do (and always will) shop at Wal-Mart!! :) Happy Birthday Kevin (aka: Amanda’s Husband (:)
I just loved that t-shirt – thought it was perfect for you! Thought you would have bought it at ANY price – that was until I saw the actual price! I cannot believe that anyone would pay that kind of money for a t-shirt! I mean it is a great t-shirt, but really – it is just a t-shirt!
Thanks for sharing always, Amanda!
I know, right?? I gotta admit, I’ve paid $100 for a piece of clothing (can we say Miss Me Jeans?? :)) but for a t-shirt?? Yikes! :)
your purchases are making me jealous and that cake is making me hungry!
I spy a super cute necklace on you!!
My fashionable friend! :) After borrowing yours 57,000 times, I finally broke down and got one. Love it!! :) Can’t wait to go shopping with you in 2 weeks! :) xoxo
I am enjoying your Chicago pictures so much. Just one question…how do you stay so slim with all the delicious food you eat or do you just sample everything? Would love to know. Keep posting your wonderful pictures! Have a great day!
Amanda I think you achieved the TRIFECTA! Baseball, chocolate and lots and lots of ruffles! Glorious. Have a good day! :)
I LOVE all of your Chicago pictures girl! That first picture of the Opera Cake has me drooling, might be the most beautiful dessert I’ve ever seen! Lol! Looks like you guys had a fabulous time!
I remember coming to your site from Scrapjazz long ago, before it was a blog! So much has changed here! That dress—super awesome!
Looking forward to seeing what else you’ve got here on your blog!
Awesome, Amanda! I love your pose! Btw, I like the dress too! Yay!