Ten Little Things (that i love about Chicago)

I'm back from Chicago!  I told you it was a short trip!  But I still had an absolutely amazing time.  Pictures will be coming on Monday but for now here is a list of ten wonderful little things about Chicago.

1. The Architecture.  As an architecture student, I was internally freaking out over every old charming building and after every single corner I turned.  The architectural history is amazing there.  I also got to see Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House which I have been studying in school for years and it is just as impressive in person.

2. The walkability and all of the great outdoor spaces.  That is one of my favorite qualities of living in absolutely any city, although Chicago is definitely a much better example of walkability than Minneapolis. The public transportation system is amazing, and there are other people all around walking from place to place.  Minneapolis has a downtown skyway system, which is wonderful in the winter, but which takes all of the energy off of the streets.  (I studied urban design and walkability a lot in college, can you tell?)

3.  Having a friend who lives in Chicago is just wonderful.  It's the one good thing about having friends who move away and live all over the country.  You have someone to stay with and to be your tour guide while you're there.

4. Lake Michigan.  It's amazing to be in the middle of a city and still be right next to an enormous body of water.  It makes for such a pretty location and for so many more things to do in the summer.

5. The Bourgeois Pig.  I went to this lovely, lovely coffee shop with Alaina of Live Creating Yourself and The Everygirl while I was there to talk and to ask her some questions about her businesses. She is just as amazing and kind and intelligent as she seems online.  It's so strange meeting fellow bloggers because you feel like you already know them, but I love being able to put a personality and a voice behind the blogs that I read every day.

6. I loved visiting the northern neighborhood of Lincoln Park.  The amount of charm in that area is just unbelievable.  It's crazy to think that if I had gone to DePaul University (which I was very close to doing!) four years ago, I would have probably been living there right now.  But I can't think about that for too long, because I also loved living in Minneapolis throughout college.

7. For lunch yesterday my friend and I went to a place in River North called Mixed Greens.  I know, I know, I know.  I sound like the most boring person in the world if I went to Chicago and ate a salad.  But this salad was something else.  There was literally an explosion of happiness in my mouth when I ate it.  Someday, if and when I live in Chicago, Mixed Greens will be getting a ton of business from me.

8. My computer did not come with me to Chicago, and it was so nice having a computer break.  Granted I was on my phone constantly checking e-mails and doing blog related things, (I need to settle down with the constant technology!) but it was still very nice to get away for a little while without as much temptation to work.

9. Maybe this is an unfounded perspective, but to me Chicago seems like a place where there is a wealth of opportunity.  Besides the fact that the city is amazing on it's own, this opportunity is probably the main reason I would love to move there someday.  There are so many design firms and businesses and so many talented bloggers in Chicago, and I would love to be a part of such a vibrant community.

10. The energy of the city is palpable.  There are people everywhere and there is always something going on and I love that kind of an atmosphere.

If you just read all of those little details, I applaud you.  Have an incredible weekend, everyone!