A CHICAGO FAVORITE: INTELLIGENTSIA COFFEE

My sister recently visited me in Chicago. I love playing tour guide in this city. It’s so much fun to have the opportunity to show off my favorite places and to try new things as I’m still pretty fresh here. I’m planning to eventually create a full guide of what I recommend seeing and doing in the city, but in the mean time I will share just a small tidbit here and there.

And the first one? If you have a day to spend in Chicago, I recommend starting it off with a latte from Intelligentsia Coffee. The coffee is delicious, the cafes are adorable, the baristas are super friendly, and most importantly to me the beans are not just fair trade, but direct trade.

Have you ever had Intelligentsia? While the company started in Chicago, they also serve coffee in LA and New York. If you try a cup of jo from Intelligentsia, I hope you’ll let me know!

if you’re lucky enough to enjoy a soy latte from Intelligentsia, you’re lucky enough

SPRING HAS SPRUNG IN CHICAGO

I have said before that I think there is no such thing as bad weather. That being said, is there anyone out there that doesn’t get simply giddy when the weather is nice, when the sun is out, and when flowers are blooming? I wish I knew scientifically why spring makes us so happy (so hey psychologists, feel free to share!). But as I am looking through some of the photographs I took over the past week or two, I guess I don’t even care why. To quote a little fella named Bob, don’t worry be happy.

if you’re lucky enough to live in Chicago in the springtime, you’re lucky enough

STOP AND ENJOY THE ALLEYS

It’s not always just about stopping to smell the roses. Sometimes I find myself in new neighborhoods in Chicago and I’ll stumble over something that is so fun to look at I get a little giddy. When I run into something like an awesome alley way and I have my camera on me, it makes my entire afternoon. (This particular alley way is in West Loop right near the Little Goat).

Does this ever happen to you? Do you remember to stop and smell or stop and enjoy your environment?

if you’re lucky enough to enjoy your unique surroundings, you’re lucky enough

A FRIDAY THOUGHT: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS BAD WEATHER

The weather in Chicago is currently insane. Less than a week ago it was beautiful out, at least 60 degrees and sunny. Yet this week it has been dark, grey and raining non-stop. The city is flooding, streets are caving in, and buses are filling with water. I have fallen in love with Chicago in a serious way, but lately I’ve been craving a change in weather for the better. Or at least that’s what I was letting myself think.

Yesterday morning I went to yoga with my favorite teacher, Allison. She started us off by saying how lucky we were for having such stormy weather. Huh? It was only 6:30am so I assumed I misheard her. But she continued. She explained how energetic lightening and thunder is and how we should use this natural spark to buzz the rest of our body, to exhilarate the rest of our day. First of all, how amazing is Allison? Second of all, what a great reminder that the opportunity to enjoy the weather is completely up to our unique perspective.

I mean just look at these photographs I’ve taken of Chicago over the past 9 months. Isn’t each one of them beautiful in their own way?

Sunshine is soothing, rain is refreshing, wind is wonderful, and snow is special. There is no such thing as bad weather, there are only different kinds of good weather. So wherever you are and whatever it looks like outside of your window this morning, I hope you are enjoying it.