Celebrating in Chicago

This year marks my last year in my 30's, so why not live life to the fullest... I wanted to do something special for my birthday, so my hubby and I booked a last minute weekend trip to Chicago. Now mind you, a lot was going on, kids were just starting school, I just finished my Master's degree and I was embarking on some new ventures.

I love Chicago, it's a fun city with downtown life, good food, arts, shopping and lots of people watching. During my last visit to Chicago (on a girls trip), we came across the London House Chicago, and I told myself, if I ever came back, London House Chicago was where I would stay. So after finding inexpensive flights, and availability at the London House our plans were set! We arrived pretty early, which gave us a full day to start exploring, we dropped our bags off and headed straight for lunch, PIZZA of course! My husband was trilled to finally try Chicago deep dish and luckily Lou Malnati's Pizzeria is a 4 minute walk across the Historical DuSable Bridge.

Y'll, I don't know if you noticed but people are out, I mean really out and about. Chicago was booming with tourist everywhere, locals jogging and wanders like us. The air was fresh, the sun was spectacular and the sounds of traffic filled the streets. Lunch was great, my husband of course over ordered and we had left overs but I guess when in Chicago, lol!

After lunch we walked around Michigan Avenue, explored the buildings and went into some of the luxury stores just to kill some time before our room was ready.

What can I say, the London House in itself is a sight. It’s a beautiful building that overlooks Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River and the hotel is situated in such a perfect placement that you can notice it from every angle downtown. The ambience of the hotel gives you modern chic with old world charm and it’s definitely a place to be with a spectacular rooftop bar that people dwell in, just to get a view of the city. Once in our room, I can’t lie, it seemed like a total bachelors pad with its architectural layout, faux brick accent wall, and the most people watching view one could ever ask for!

I didn’t ask for much for my birthday, besides going on a trip.

Having a little away time was exactly what I got, my trip was filled with adult (much-needed) naps, long walks, Chinese food in Chinatown (of course), people watching, balloons, a glitter latte from Edies and a Ghirardelli ice cream sundae (that we waited 35 minutes for). Of course we went to dinner on my actual birthday, which was 22 August and that morning I was randomly stung by a bumble bee but more than anything it was an opportunity to take a break from the every day responsibilities of life, be grateful for the things that we do have and celebrating how

far we’ve come.

I’m grateful that I’m embracing and embarking on this last year in my 30s with a new outlook and I look forward to what the future holds. I am setting my sights on new opportunities, while living in my true self, that will allow me to celebrate more often than NOT.