Travel Tuesday ~ Chicago by a Chicagoan

I decided to start my first Travel Tuesday with the best city on earth: Chicago.  Chicago is home to me and there are so many great things to do and see here.  There's plenty of information on traveling to Chicago out there, but I wanted to give a real, native's account of it all.

First things first: Sightseeing.  Sightseeing is a pretty traditional way to see a city but Chicago has some fantastic sights.  I'm gonna tell you about what I like and don't like.  I love making lists and the one thing I'm anal about is organizing my lists...so enjoy!

• The Hancock Building
• The Hancock is the second tallest building in Chicago and in my opinion has way better views of the city than the Sears Tower.
• If you go to the Hancock, you have to go to brunch/lunch/dinner/drinks or all of the above on the 95th.  This restaurant has beautiful views of the city and delicious-not as pricey as you'd think food.  
• However, if you go to the 95th, make sure you check the weather and know for a fact it won't be foggy.  I once went and all I could see was white all around me...the turkey sandwich was bomb though.

• Lincoln Park Zoo
• LP Zoo is not only in one of the best neighborhoods in Chicago, but is also a great place to chill with some cool animals.  
• Really nice greenery that makes you feel like you're at a park and not just a zoo.
• Best part about it: it's free!
• Don't miss the monkey's (I've always wanted one as a pet) and the random pink flamingo's.

• Navy Pier
• This is a very tourist-y place so beware and choose a good time to go.  Weekdays are smarter - don't you dare go on the weekend when all you can see are people with binoculars.
• Navy Pier has some pretty great attractions with spectacular views of the lake.  Definitely check out:
• The Ferris Wheel.  Fantastic views of the city from all angles.
• The Beer Garden.  Definitely a little pricey but on occasion they have some great musicians you can hang out and watch for free.
• The random shops that have some hidden cute jewelry and the random video-game rides that offer some excitement. 

Next up: Museums.  Chicago has some damn good museums so don't miss them when you visit and keep checking out the ever changing exhibits if you live here.

• Museum of Science and Industry
• Really big, great museum.
• Things that are always there: huge submarine, old locomotive train.
• Cool exhibits: Body Worlds.  This is the BEST exhibit I have ever been to.  They've taken real bodies and shown you all their intricate workings...muscles, bones, individual body parts, you name it.

• Shedd Aquarium 
• One of the very best parts of Chicago in my opinion.  Not something to do every day because it is definitely expensive, but there are so many cool underwater things to see.
• Dont miss: the dolphin show.  It's like you're at Sea World but better...you can watch dolphins do their thang while looking at amazing views of the lake/city.

• Field Museum 
• The thing to see: Sue the dinosaur.  The largest, most complete TRex ever discovered.  Cool shit.
• The other thing to see: Gems, gems, and more gems.  If you like shiny things, go here.
• They also always have great exhibits that come and go.  Recently went to the Whales exhibit - thanks J.Stuck.  Those whales are so intelligent and intricate.  Definitely worth checking out.

Now for the most important part of this Travel Tuesday: Restaurants and Good Eats.  Chicago has some of the very best food from all different cultures so don't miss out.

• Italian
• Calo Ristorante
• In Andersonville.  Pretty much my favorite restaurant in Chicago.  Best gnocci...ever.
• Carmine's
• On Rush Street.  Delectable.  Can't go wrong with Carmine's.
• Rosebud
• Never been but it's supposed to be fantastic.  
• Sushi/Japanese
• Sushi Samba
• Love this place but you have to be willing to spend a little mula here.  It's a fusion of Japanese sushi with a Spanish flair.  Mmm mmm good.
• Tanoshii
• In Andersonville.  BYOB and super delicious.  Don't forget to check out a list of BYOB places in Chicago.  It's a huge thing here and a way to save money and drink for free (ish).
• Shisho
• Another BYOB this time in Old Town.  Don't miss the Mexican roll.
• Mexicano
• That Little Mexican Cafe
• Yes it's actually called that.  So yum it's out of control. They make the guacamole in front of you and you can request for extra whatever you want in it!
• Uncle Julios
• Delish.  Everything on the menu is brilliant and the restaurant has great lively decor.  Good margaritas.
• Taco Burrito King
• Cheap open all night after you go out Mexican food.  
• Mediterranean
• Andie's
• The best Mediterranean food I've ever eaten.  Ever.  Go here if you're in Chicago without a doubt.
• Old Jerusalem
• All I can say is I finished every single thing on my plate and still wanted more.
• Reza's
• Very similar to Andie's but not quite as good.  Still delish though.
• Chinese
• If you're gonna get Chinese in Chicago you have to go to China Town without a doubt.
• Thai
• Thai Spoon
• Crab Rangoon here is super good as is the Thai Fried Rice.  They have really funny looking fish here, you have to go and laugh at them.  Also, the sushi is tasty.
• Royal Thai
• Every dish is fabulous.  Quiet little place with friendly staff.  Decently priced.
• Duck Walk
• On Belmont.  If you haven't had Thai before - go here.  Fun location.  Get the Pad Thai or Pad See Ew.
• American
• Huey's Hot Dogs
• A great Andersonville hotspot.  I've only had the veggie dogs here but they are awesome.
•  Clarke's
• Great diner with a bunch of options.  Open late!
• Broadway Cellars
• Such good food - a little pricey for the amount you get though.  Great wine.
• Indian
• Little India
• On Bryn Mawr right by my house.  Fantastic Indian food.  I don't think I've ever had better.  Cheap enough with great lunch specials. 
• Hema's Kitchen
• On Devon - in the Indian neighborhood.  Spicy and amazing.
• India House
• Big place. Great food.
• Pizza - You can't come to Chicago without getting some of this.
• Stefano's
• Most people wouldn't come up with this as their first choice pizza place in Chicago but they have the best deep dish I've ever had.
• Edwardo's
• Great deep dish and thin crust!
• Pizzeria Uno
• Amazing pizza.  Great location downtown.  Definitely a touristy place but worth going at least once.

After you've stuffed your face - check out some of the best Neighborhoods in Chicago.

• Lincoln Park
• Pretty parks.  Trendy boutiques.  Really nice area.
• Old Town
•  Great restaurants.  Really up and coming neighborhood.  Easily accessible on public transportation.  Go to Wells Street.
• Gold Coast
• More upscale shopping and dining.  Nice condo's/houses.
• Andersonville
• Where I used to live!  Gay friendly!  So many good restaurants and fun shops.
• Edgewater
• Where I live! Great beaches and lake views.
• Bucktown/Wicker Park
• Funky stores/thrift stores.  Great jewelry.  Boutiques.  Record stores/book stores for cheap.  Artsy and fun.
• Lakeview/Boystown
•  Pride, pride, pride!  Such fun rainbow filled shops.
• Wrigleyville
• Go see a cubs game.  Great bars.  Baseball and bars galore.
• Hyde Park
• Beautiful historic neighborhood.  A lot of parks and restaurants.  Where University of Chicago is located.  Where Obama's house was in Chi.
• Chinatown
• Cool finds.  Delicious eats - very authentic.  You feel like you're in China.

Last, but certainly not least: Shopping.  Chicago has fantastic shopping so spend like crazy and help my city's economy!

• Michigan Avenue
• If you haven't been, you should go.  Don't expect to find deals or unique people.  It's very touristy but there's some great stores and it's pretty.  Go to Watertower mall and eat at Foodlife.
• Belmont/Clark
• Very unique inexpensive shops.
• Bucktown
• Cool thrift stores.  Read above.
• Devon
• Indian neighborhood with really cool jewelry.
• Armitage and Halsted
• Great boutiques.
• North Ave. and Sheffield
• Good J.Crew - good places to get home furnishings such as West Elm and Crate and Barrel.

That's all folks.  Hope you enjoyed - and if you've never been definitely come make a trip to Chicago.  You won't be disappointed.  If you've lived here forever or just recently moved - take advantage of everything this wonderful city has to offer!

Music Monday ~ Pandora Stations

I figured I'd start my first ever Music Monday with what I know.  I'm a huge fan of Pandora, I even bought a yearlong subscription just to take away the advertising.  Check out Pandora One for more info about that.  I've accumulated some of my favorite and not so favorite stations over the time I've spent on Pandora, so I decided to include them here.  Some are random, some are favorites, and some are added by my other half. Disclaimer: In no way am I a music expert or anything of the sort, I just love listening to music and I decided to share. In order of most recent to least:

Adele

Oh, Adele.  Her voice is definitely heaven sent.  Such a joy to listen to, and her new album is so real and sad that I can't get enough.  My favorite song from the album is Someone Like You.  It's incredible.  Watch it live from her home here: Adele - Someone Like You

Visions of Zen

This is one of my most recent Pandora stations and a personal fave. This music is very soothing and reminds me of the importance of taking moments to just breathe.  Very yoga-esque.

Ben Harper

I think I'm in love with Ben Harper.  Best new addition to Pandora.  I've always loved a few of his songs but it's great to hear more on this station. I could listen to him all day.  His voice is raspy and soulful and his music is funky and inspiring.  Yep, in love.

Show Tunes

So this was a pretty random Pandora addition but I got in the mood one day.  I learned that this station plays a lot of Little Mermaid tunes, and well...that's my absolute favorite Disney movie so I come to this station to relive my childhood.

Michael Brecker

Michael Brecker was not only one of the best jazz musicians ever, he's also one of my best friend's dad.  I would've loved the opportunity to meet him as he was loved by many.  I'm not a huge jazz person but I recently added this station to my Pandora to pay tribute and learn more.  He's definitely very very talented.  His family and friends recently made a documentary called "More to Live For" about his (and two others) struggles with cancer and the importance of being in the bone marrow registry.  From what I've seen it's fantastic and gives a good taste of all that was and still is Michael Brecker.  Check it out here - More to Live For and definitely at least watch the trailer.

Wiz Khalifa

Wiz is the shiz and his new album "Rolling Papers" is even better.  I can't get enough of his music and it is especially great to drive to.  Favorite new song is definitely "No Sleep". 

Straight No Chaser

If you currently go or used to attend Indiana University, you know about its very popular A Cappella group Straight No Chaser.  They are pretty damn fantastic.  My friend and sorority offspring Princess was at one of their concerts once when one of the members proposed to his surprised girlfriend in the audience.  Too cute. If you love SNC, you love their performance of "Africa" - Check it out.  Another great A Cappella group is University of Oregon's On the Rocks. My favorite of theirs is "Insomniac" - so great.

Florence and the Machine

Love Florence and love her Machine.  Great music that I got into because of my mom!  This Pandora station is played randomly on our Blueray at home for some good familial bonding time.  The most popular Florence song is also my favorite - "The Dog Days Are Over"

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is an easy breasy listen.  Good for those kick ass girly feelings inside us all.  I've learned through out my mindless TV watching that TSwift is also a pretty great person.  She was on some MTV show awhile back and went to prom with an everyday nerdy guy, basically made his dreams come true.  My favorite song of hers is definitely "Mean".  I could listen to this on repeat for a good while.

Mumford and Sons

Mumford and Sons are incredible.  I'm very happy to have found them and I'm very much a fan.  These guys are talented and really good to watch live (sadly I've never had an actual concert experience, just seen them live on the tele).  My fave Mumford song is definitely "Thistle and Weeds". This probably isn't everyone's first choice but check it out here - Thistle and Weeds

Gavin Degraw

I'm not the hugest Gavin fan, but I share my Pandora One account with my boyfrand and one day found this station added.  I've never had anything bad to say about GDegraw, I just never was a big follower.  However, he's got a good voice and has some important lyrics so I'm a new semi-fan now.

The Beatles

Classic, amazing, and timeless are three words that first come to mind when thinking of The Beatles.  If you have no Beatles in you, I suggest getting on that.  I love listening to The Beatles no matter what mood I'm in, time of day it is, or activity I'm doing.  I've always wanted to learn more about the history and was about to take a class on them at IU until I learned it was completely filled about 5 seconds after it opened.  Instead, I took a class on Bob Dylan, which was also pretty fantastic.  I have no Bob Dylan Pandora station because I have plenty in my own library, but if you want some good Dylan songs just ask.  Also, I'd write about my favorite Beatles song if that was a possible feat...all of their songs are incredible and I'm way too indecisive to ever be able to choose just one.

Tyrone Wells

TDubs is super super sappy, but I love him.  He's got some good melodies and his songs aren't about sad depressing love lost, they're about happy in love now or in the future kinda songs.  Favorite Tyrone Wells songs - "Running Around in My Dreams" and "Happy as the Sun".  Even the titles give you a heads up that they're pretty basic - but they are optimistic and sound great so give him a chance.

Akon

Akon is my secret, yet not so secret obsession (I think I have a lot of those).  He's a great listen and always puts me in a good mood.  My absolute favorite Akon song is "Free to Be"  It's actually a Philip Michael song featuring Akon...but I'd say Akon is the star.  Check it out - Free to Be

Vampire Weekend

One of the very best bands I love and Pandora stations in general.  This station reminds me tons of another best friend, B, and she's definitely the top person I like to listen to this station with.  So catchy.  One of my fave songs by VW is "Oxford Comma".

James Morrison

Such a soulful guy.  I'm pretty sure he speaks exactly what is on my mind when it comes to love and relationships.  When I'm in a chill/doing work/scrapbooking kinda mood this station is on. Favorite song by James - "You Make it Real for Me"...with "Better Man" as a close second.

Dave Matthews Band

Probably the best Pandora station there is.  There's no way to go wrong with DMB.  I just attended the Dave Matthews Caravan in Chicago and it was one hell of an experience.  Dave usually tours the country every summer, but this summer chose to create a music extravaganza at four locations in the U.S.  Knowing anything about Chicago, it's easy to realize this is one of the best choices Dave could've made.  Coming soon in this blog - Travel Tuesday ~ Chicago.

Corey Smith

One of my favorite people in the world, R.Frieds, introduced me to Corey Smith.  The song "If I Could Do It Again" follows my college philosophy.  I got the great opportunity to go to my first Corey Smith concert at Bluebird bar in Bloomington with her and my best guy friend of the time soon to turn boyfriend/lifepartner.  Needless to say, I'll never forget that concert.

Zac Brown Band

If you know me, you know I've never been a country music gal.  However, after attending the wonderful Indiana University, I've opened my eyes to some gems of this genre.  Zac Brown Band is for a lack of better terms, the shit.  Very soulful, good messages in the lyrics.  I'm pretty sure I saw Zac Brown, or his brother/identical lookalike at a bar in Nashville, TN.  First celebrity sighting...ever!  The song Chicken Fried always brings me back to Bloomington and reminds me of my best friends cramped in a small room drinking far too many shots and singing at the top of our lungs.

It's a New Day - Will.i.am.

The cool thing about Pandora is that you can make stations based on one song only, not simply one artist.  I love love love It's a New Day by Will.i.am.  It puts me in the mood to accomplish anything for the day, and is definitely a morning tune for me.  One of my best friends Jess and I once started a Sunday Playlist and I just realized that this song should be at the top of the list.

Major Lazer

Now this is definitely a less listened to Pandora Station, however it always gets me pumped up and ready to go.  Major Lazer is a "collaborative music project" from the DJ duo Diplo and Switch.  They're good to say the least.  Put this station on if you're getting ready to go out or just plain need to get in a good mood.

Drake

When I think of Drake, I think of Jimmy Brooks from Degrassi.  Aubrey Drake Graham wasn't always a famous rapper, he was a Canadian actor starring in an addicting and amazing, sort of poorly acted teenage show.  Take a look at the old Drake - Jimmy Brooks.  Well, he sure did grow up nice and fine.  I'm known to attempt to rap songs when I can...and I've recently been working on Drake's "Up All Night (ft. Nicki Minaj)"  It's incredibly fun to listen to over and over and attempt to remember the words.  Perhaps one day I'll be the next Eminem +female +Jewish +kinda awkward when rapping.  At least we have that white thing in common.

John Mayer

How could John Mayer not be my first ever Pandora station?  He rocks my boat and I've always and probably will always love him.  Forget the bull about him not being a "good guy".  You're most likely never gonna meet him and definitely are never gonna date him, so give it up.  Listen to the music and enjoy.  I've always known that my third favorite John Mayer song is "Clarity".  It's my third favorite because well, I knew it wasn't my first or second.  I've had plenty of friends tell me that this is nuts, but I'm pretty sure it's as logical as it gets.  A few years ago I finally figured out my number one favorite John Mayer song.  This is a huge thing to say but "Vultures" wins.  If there could be a second first favorite John Mayer song it would have to be "In Your Atmosphere".  Now this is not my second favorite, it's just by second first favorite...there's a big difference, right?

Hello World

So this is my first blog, my first attempt at blogging, and even the first time I've ever looked at other people's blogs.  Ever.  To state the obvious, I have no idea what I'm doing.  I started this because I stumbled upon (literally, through the stumbleupon app) a website that started from a blog, and I've recently been brewing up some website ideas in my head.  The website that inspired this should get some credit, so thank you Amanda - I one day dream to have a scrapbook room as big and neatly organized as yours!  After I created this blog last night I spent the majority of my time trying to format it, with absolutely no idea what to write about.  Then, as I was falling asleep I was hit with a million ideas.  The moment before sleep comes always encompasses my most inspired thoughts.  With that said, I've decided to write a daily blog about specific topics that interest me with some alliteration all around.

• Monday ~ Movies, Music
• Tuesday ~ Travel
• Wednesday ~ Wacky, Whatever
• Thursday ~ Tail-Waggers (Dogs, dogs, and more dogs)
• Friday ~ Fashion, Food
• Saturday ~ Scrapbooking
• Sunday ~ Spontaneous

There you have it.  I'm really gonna try my hardest to keep up everyday.  Seeing as I'm a recent graduate and currently unemployed, I'm thinking this might not be a problem.  Monday here we go...