it was long overdue, an outing with dear dana.  i am happy to get in some dana time right before the baby comes and right before the holiday craziness begins for her!

we quickly set a date to meet up and we did our usual routine.  i was on my merry way to pick her up when my baby brain kicked into full gear.  i drove right past her place.  listening intently to the music in my car, relaxed, and ready to eat some yummy food, i just plain passed up her place!  it was only until i drove up to a familiar street that i knew i was way past the street she lives on!  ha!  i called her and laughed about my story, as i was turning back around to pick her up.

[jenis]

[fall gear // vintage boots purchased at u.s. #1 vintage clothing and denim in wicker park]

[enjoying her buckeye]

[selfie]

off to southport grocery we went.  i ordered the southern {house made sausage, red onion & PQM’s pimento cheese, and a jam-filled buttermilk biscuit} and dana ordered the hash {shredded potatoes, red onion, mushroom, peppers, white cheddar topped with scrambled eggs & chive-sour cream}…so delish and filling!  we just absolutely love that place!  after brunch, we walked to anthro – we always must make a pit stop there!  we oohed and awed over the glittery holiday dresses in their store.  we then stopped by cvs for some essentials and then trekked our way to  jenis for some delicious ice cream.  we sat there for a bit, deep in conversation.  it was so calm and relaxing.  i love hanging out with her!  she is such a good friend.  we can talk about anything and that is very comforting.  just a really great, fun day with a silly friend.

happy day!

xoxo

ladies night.

it was long overdue for a night out with my fellow friends.  it can be especially hard trying to coordinate mine and pam’s schedule to find a time to hang out!  well, miraculously it worked out so easy this time!  yay!

we were able to quickly set up a date and time to get together for dinner.  uncle julio’s it was on a thursday night.  i had a doctor’s appointment earlier in the day, which was draining, so i was a bit lackadaisical in getting out the door.  i was the last to arrive {marina said she would be late but she beat me!} and found them sitting in the corner of the restaurant.

i settled in and apologized for my tardiness!  we went straight into chit chatting.  pam and jaime bombed me with some seriously awesome news {sorry folks, i don’t mean to tease but it’s not my biznazz to share}!!!!  i almost flipped out and cried {blame my hormones, i’ve been so teary eyed these past 9 months}.  that really set the tone for the evening and the conversations were beyond fantastic the rest of the night!

the downside about uncle julio’s??  the endless amounts of chips and salsa {so stinkin’ delish!}.  i definitely ate too much!  we ordered so much food!  we had them bring more chips and dip.  we ordered blended drinks.  we ordered a large plate of guacamole.  we ordered a big plate of chile con queso.  by the time our meals came, i could hardly down anything.  i had to do the lean back pregnant pose.  well,  i got it wrapped up and it was my lunch the next day, score!

[heeyyy, it’s the ladies // marinam pam, and jaime //…don’t mind my bloated look, i’m just pregnant 😉 hehe]

we talked and talked and talked.  so much to discuss!  it was an absolute delight to be able to catch up with them.  much love to these dear friends!  they are such good ladies!

xoxo

it was date night with the pals!

i met up with ande, matt, and johann on a cool, weekday evening.  it started out so easy until my goose chase for a restaurant ensued!  i drove my way to lincoln park and easily found a parking spot by our restaurant of choice, sai cafe.  as i walked towards the restaurant, i noticed that the windows were all papered up like it was closed {in the end, it wasn’t closed, their sign is oddly located above a space that is closed, if you walk a little more down the block, you can see the restaurant and the entrance!}!  i thought, omg…ande had recommended this place, did she not realized it had closed down?  so, i text everyone  to let them know that we needed to find another place to eat at.  we then decided to stick with the sushi theme, they suggested kamehachi in old town.

so, i drove my way there.  found another fab parking spot and started walking my way towards the restaurant.  as i approached the space, oh em gee!  it was closed down…wtf?  i text them that the other restaurant of choice had closed down.  oy, and i was tired!  this pregger, hungry lady was tired of getting back fired upon!  i just wanted to sit down and eat!  well, i looked more closely at the window and saw that they had a sign up that the restaurant had relocated!  phew!!!  so, there i go again, i backtracked the way i came.

[waiting]

i was seated by the hostess and waited patiently for my party to arrive!  i ordered a mocktail of a tasty lychee beverage, yum!   it was so delicious!  i love lychee!

[johann]

first, ande arrived, then matt and johann and the fun began!  i love hanging out with them, it’s always so entertaining, lively, and hilarious!  they are such good people and such good, sweet friends.  the world is a better place because of people like them.

[ande and matt]

[some delicious desserts]

we demolished some yummy food {udon noodles for moi}, got caught up in our daily lives, and did a lot of baby talk.  they are so excited for baby h!  as usual, we practically closed down the place.  we can talk and talk and talk; we always lose track of time when we are all together.

it was time to say our goodbyes and we all scurried on our merry ways.  it was so great to be able to catch up with them and spend some quality time together! it was a happy date night with some good buddies!

xoxo