My trip to CHIC-AGO...

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

For those who don't know, last year my daughter Sara married a guy from Chicago. Now,  I have no complaints here....really.  I mean she found a super guy who's just perfect for her. But, let's just get this out of the way:  I was pretty sad she was moving away from me, and I had NEVER  been to Chicago in my life before her engagement! All I ever heard was that it was cold, cold, cold...after all, it's the windy city.

After a year of moving around, my daughter finally settled into her new apartment and her new life in Chi-town and off I went to visit her. Luckily for me it's July and it was FAR from cold or windy...it actually reached over 100 degrees. As I observed the beauty in this jewel of a city I began to understand why Oprah and so many others love Chicago, and I began to feel calm about Sara making a life there. Here are some photographic highlights of some of the beautiful things from my trip.

When I arrived, Lake Michigan was covered in an eerie fog...
Super casual and easy attire for the shore includes my well worn denim skirt, kiki riki t-shirt, H&M tank top, flip flops from Marshalls, necklaces from Forever 21 and my can't live without accessory splurges: Tom Ford Sunglasses and Michael Kors watch.



Later we went downtown to check out some hotel decor...
Sara and I sporting neutral colored tops.  Changing into a black pencil skirt and heels brings a day look into evening.

I loved this window display spa advertisement. Those oversized crystals are to die for.

We proceeded to my favorite: The Elysian, a hotel I'd seen in design magazines and was anxious to experience.
This is the front courtyard of the hotel by day.

Chandelier, chandelier....which one is the fairest of them all? This one comes close!
A fabulous design embedded in the marble floor.

Gorgeous grillwork in the lobby.

Plush black velvet twin sofas, gold trimmed tassles, black laquer and white marble make for a stunning and dramatic sitting area.
Fabulous floral design at the front desk.
 At the Hilton...a much older hotel, we checked out the magnificent ballroom that immediately reminded me of my beloved childhood Cinderella storybook. 








More fabulous window decor


On a different day I explored the beaches across from Chicago's Lincoln Park 
(the famous OPI nail color 'Lincoln Park After Dark' and the band Linkin Park are both named for this park)

Breathtaking views of skyline and beach.
Lake Michigan is a freshwater lake with a gorgeous blue color.
I couldn't get over how clear the water was, especially for a city shore.

Colorful boats dot the pretty nautical view.
And more...
The beauty of fabulous cloud formations.
Ooh la la...I love Sara's tres chic French look featuring a beret topped braid, a chained bag ala Chanel and super slimming black.
A trio of hydrangeas greet customers at the entrance of this building.
Here's a great decorating idea on the cheap: A wash of a  bright and happy color is all you need to bring a drab bathroom back to life. I am super impressed with Sara's call to paint the dark brown cabinets the same color as the wall, giving a custom vanity appearance.
And now that I'm back on the east coast it feels like I never left. But the impression of the super friendly, helpful and engaging midwestern people will remain as a reminder that it's worth the extra few seconds it takes to greet people with a smile, slow down a bit, and actually enjoy each day's moments. New Yorkers are awesome...but we can take a lesson....

Have a fabulous day!

Don't forget to click LIKE on my fashion-isha facebook page for gorgeous and inspiring daily posts!

Feel free to take any photos from this post but please credit them back to www.fashion-isha.com.

  • Share:

You Might Also Like

11 comments

  1. You were only 2 blocks away from where I live! Looks like a fun trip and I hope you got to enjoy the spa at Peninsula or dine at Shanghai Terrace! The Elysian is GORGEOUS...I am trying to gather the girls for a dinner there nest month! Lincoln Park is a fun place to hang out! Enjoy and hope you come back to the Windy City again!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, look like you enjoyed your trip!
    Amazing pics, this hotel is really Europe-style!^^
    xoxo
    S
    http://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. great photos! i lovvve chicago. looks like you had a fun time! <3 rubygirlblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love how you capture such beautiful pictures! Looks like a fun trip. It's funny that you think of Chicago as a cold city. I'm from Michigan and I just think of it as the closest big city, not really cold... haha. I am impressed that Lake Michigan is so clear & beautiful where you were. Now, I love Lake Michigan & I'm by the shoreline but I haven't seen the water look as nice as that! :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your photos are fabulous, but what I can't believe is you are old enough to have a daughter that is married? You look fantastic and your daughter is beautiful too!

    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  6. I could get lost in these pics - so many ideas, so inspiring. Great idea to paint the vanity the same color as the wall! Your daughter is lovely (but of course you already know that). Did you go in that Sky Deck - I've always wanted to do that!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have only been there once but it looks like you had a GREAT time!!

    jen
    http://blankwhiteframes.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. each picture is better than the last. looks like such an amazing trip. thanks for another wonderful post.New outfit post. Lunch in Beverly Hills. Would love if you'd check it out. Thanks love. xoxo

    www.fashboulevard.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Looks like you have a great time! Beautiful photos!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Chicago is fancy, fun and friendly. The Best time of year for Chicago(I've heard) is during lalapalooza. emigrating to canada allows applicants to live and work as permanent residents. I was in chigago and didnt even go to the concerts and had a great time.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Chicago is fancy, fun and friendly. The Best time of year for Chicago(I've heard) is during lalapalooza. emigrating to canada allows applicants to live and work as permanent residents. I was in chigago and didnt even go to the concerts and had a great time.

    ReplyDelete