ADD a Little WNDR To your LifeIf you're looking for the perfect immersive art & technology experience then you have to check out WNDR Museum in West Loop. This incredible sensory experience allows you to be immersed in art as you navigate different rooms and explore the stunning exhibits throughout. Your senses heighten as you enter the Wndr Museum seeing sequin walls that change color as you trail your fingers against them. Each room has a different story to tell, and I thought it was so creative how each say something in their own way. One of my favorite rooms has a paintbrush that completes a painting with a robot. It's so interesting to see how art, fused with technology, can be so thrilling! This multi-sensory museum includes installations from Yayoi Kusama and Barbara Kruger. They are opened 7 days a week and reopened with 20+ NEW installations. This is the perfect family getaway, but can also be used for a fun date night experience. There's so many magical rooms inside the museum but if you're looking for personal favorites that is a MUST then some of my favorites were, The WNDR Lightfloor, I enjoyed feeling like I was on a different planet. Basically every time you step the floor lights up like fire flies, shaping and molding to your movements. This amazing floor is made up of 100s of motion sensored LED panels which glisten underneath your feet! Talk about trippy, it's an insanely cool experience! If you're looking for a calmer, more serene experience, then this next room might be for you. My other favorite is the Flux Room. It's so relaxing as pictures radiate off your body, transporting you to a calm forest, or beautiful sky. The sounds, visuals, and scents are all algorithmically generated. It's brings you this aroma of calm but also makes you feel like you've been to these places before. It almost has it's own pulse that conglomerates with yours making you feel almost in a dream like state. It's beautiful, soothing, and the perfect place to come and just been in the zone with your thoughts. If you're seen posts about WNDR Museum then you've probably seen the giant silver orbs that hang from the mirror room. This amazing room is "Let’s Survive Forever", 2017 - Yayoi Kusama. It's my next favorite room that I absolutely was in awe over. Fair warning, if you're an avid picture taker, like myself, you have 60 seconds to take all your pictures, revel in the artwork, and bask in it's beauty. You also cannot touch the artwork, which is understandable. However, this room transports almost to a Alice In Wonderland feeling, with the beautiful crystal clear orbs and reflections of yourself all in view. WNDR Museum was just voted one of the top 5 immersive art experiences in the country by USA Today's Reader Poll and I can completely understand why! There's nothing that I have ever experienced like it. Each room is so unique and it was such a pleasure experiencing it! Thanks for having me WNDR - you surely were a wonder.
Until next time love bugs! xoxox Rachel
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Yachts of FunIf you're like me, you're constantly looking for fun activities to do with your friends or family. Search no further, I have the perfect summertime Chicago activity that you have to try! If you love seeing Chicago with breath-taking views while being on a luxury yacht, then you have to book with Knot Your Boat Charters. This incredible experience allows you to live the luxurious lifestyle, experiencing a yacht all to yourself with the people you treasure the most. There's nothing like the fresh wind in your hair, the feel of the mist from the lake on your skin, and the stunning views from Lake Michigan, showing Chicago in all it's glory. Not only does this rental company provide people with quality boats and yachts but they also charge a reasonable price, so you can have affordable luxury. I was allowed to have 12 people on our yacht - it also is BYOB- yes you read that correctly! I found that to be so awesome, because my friends and I could bring our own drinks on board. I ended up brining some wine, my friend made cocktails, and it was a recipe for a great time! On top of being BYOB you can also bring your own food and snacks. We had some cheese boards, chips and dip, along with some sweets snacks - elevating the entire experience. If you're particular about your music then you will be happy to know that you can link your phone up to their Bluetooth and play your own tunes! We got to sale all over Lake Michigan and see so many beautiful landmarks. Of course, I had driven past some of these places but there's something so magical about seeing them on the boat. We did a later cruise - setting sale in the evening around 6:30. It was so magical to see the sunset glimmering off the lake, casting hues of pinks and orange reflecting off the water. We also got the opportunity to see the fireworks illuminate the night sky from Navy Pier. It is truly something I will never forget. If you're looking for a great Bachelorette, girls outing, or a way to celebrate with family, I highly recommend renting your own yacht and partying it up on the lake. Now, if you're a person who loves a good deal, you can take $100.00 off using my code Rachel100! All you have to do is click here to book and make sure to write in my discount code. Overall, my friends and I had such a amazing time dancing the night away - it was for sure a YACHT of fun!
Until next time love bugs. xoxox Rachel Best Pop Up ExperienceIf you're looking for a fun, colorful, pop-up experience then you got to check out Neon Summer! Chicago is known for it's gorgeous city sights and this Lincoln Park Pop-up is fitting perfectly into this category. This immersive experience is the best activity to do with friends or even with that special someone! When you first walk in you're immediately drawn to all the bright fun colors and activities that they have. My friend, Natalie, and I decided to bee-line it to the bar just so we could sample some of their delicious drinks. I ended up getting their Pink Lemonade mixed with vodka and it was so refreshing and colorful just like the entire experience. Now, if you're a blogger, influencer, or just a person who loves to take pictures, then this gem is the perfect place for you! There's literally sections that are perfect for every type of photo op, make sure your phone or camera is charged because you're definitely going to need full batteries for this experience! Some of my favorite photo op spots were the giant burn book, yes, you heard me correctly. All my Mean Girls fans they have a giant Burn Book along with an inside page featuring the notorious Regina George! They also had gorgeous colorful old-style mobile homes for display and they were so retro and fun! I also enjoyed the Watermelon Sugar set, of course, the song was playing in my head the entire time. Now, if you're not the hugest photo person but love interactive games then they also have go-karts, mini golf, and axe throwing! Pretty much, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So if you're visiting the Chicago area, or looking for a fun experience for your family, friends, or significant other, I highly suggest you check on Neon Summer! Hope you are having a great day!
Until next time! Xoxox Rachel Shake it up with Jojo'sIf you're looking for a delicious treat, along with a colorful, fun location, then you have to check out Jojo's Shake Bar in River North! You've probably stumbled across their decadent images on social media, the ones with the fluffy, colorful, gooey milkshakes? If so, then your mouth has probably watered in anticipation to try some their delicious treats. However, they're so much more than just their milkshakes. I got invited to check out their whimsical outdoor patio that whisks you away to a fantasy wonderland, with it's beaming twinkle lights, and colorful décor. It's almost allows you to get that feeling of nostalgia being a kid in an amusement park, but for adults! I have to say, I did notice families there as well, so this place can also be a great option for a day out with your kids and family. We got to start off trying some of the delicious menu options, I want to give a huge shout out to our waitress, Tessa, she recommended so many great options and was such a pleasure to speak with! First off, we need to talk about these colorful flights of drinks! Just like a rainbow, the Patron Margarita Tower was refreshing, full of flavor, and overall dangerously good! I could seriously finish them all myself. That, mixed with the JoJo's Fries, were the perfect combination! My friends and I also got to sample some of the delicious cocktails, I tried the electric lemonade, and y'all it was amazing! With a tinge of lemon mixed with a hydrating effect of strawberry it's the perfect summer mixture to sip on. We also got to sample some of the tantalizing menu options. The Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich, The Smash Burger, and The Health Nut, were some of my favorites - let's just say we had to unbutton the pants after these yummy options. Of course, you cannot go to Jojo's without sampling their flavorful milkshakes, so we were lucky enough to try the Pride Shake, which is literally the stuff of dreams! This rainbow dream shake is a rainbow fruit shake, with a cake slice, candy heart ribbon, rainbow lollipop, and white chocolate graham cracker. This is what I envisioned when I dreamed of candyland as a kid! Overall, we had such a wonderful time checking out Jojo's Shake Bar. It's the perfect place to celebrate a birthday, get a yummy snack after work, or just chill with friends. Besides, who could say no to a delicious cold milkshake on a hot summer day? I know I couldn't! Make sure to check this River North gem out. Thanks for reading, until next time love bugs!
xoxox Rachel Beach please, check this gem out!Ahoy there, if you're looking for a slice of paradise on North Ave beach, then Shore Club is the place for you. There is nothing I love more than Chicago summers, especially when it's spent tanning, laying out on the beach, and just pretending I'm whisked away to a tropical paradise. Who knew that paradise, can be in my backyard. Shore club offers stunning views of the beach, wonderful menu options, and dazzling drinks as well. The restaurant embodies costal living with it's pastels, teals, and tropical vibe. I love how their menu has a Mediterranean twist giving you the feel of a vacation without leaving the city of Chicago. My friends and I had the opportunity to sample some of their delicious menu options and they did not disappoint. Some of my favorites included the local cheese plate (can never go wrong with cheese), The Mykonos Board, and the fried chicken sandwich. Everything was fresh, light and filled with an abundance of flavor. It's the perfect combination when you've left the beach and need to recharge and get some bites to eat. Now, can we talk about one of my favorite things about Shore club, their tropical drinks! There's nothing more refreshing than a tantalizing cocktail especially when you've been tanning on the beach all day. I got to try the Mayor Daley, which had makers mark, lemonade, iced tea, and fresh citrus. It sort of reminded me of a Long Island lemonade, pairing similar in its flavor. Each one of the drinks we're dazzling in their own right, and just brought the entire beachy vibe all together. I highly recommend doing a flight of their frozen cocktails, it's perfect for sharing, refreshing, and overall a party in your mouth! Bestie, if you find yourself on North Ave Beach, or if you're simply looking for a fun place for a date, a place to entertain friends, or a cool place to visit in Chicago, I highly suggest checking out our little taste of paradise at Shore Club, I ASHORE you, you won't want to miss out on this gem. Happy Hump day love bugs!
Until next time. xoxoxo Rachel Lobster is How I rollAre you looking for a fresh, delicious, seafood option for your entire family to enjoy? Then you have to check out Brown Bag Seafood! They have may locations, but, I checked out the Lakeview location and it was so delicious. I love how the entire décor transports you to a sea side town, allowing the image of a beach to flutter through ones thoughts as you sit outside and devour all their fresh catch items. My husband was born in Connecticut, so I am no stranger to fresh seafood. Also, lobster is my favorite dish, I could eat it everyday if I could. However, in the Midwest it's often hard to find fresh seafood. I was so thrilled to find this place because not only was there a lobster roll, which is my favorite, but they also had other fresh reasonable items that the entire family can enjoy! When you first enter the restaurant you're greeted by smiling faces and warm welcomes. If you have certain allergy restrictions that won't stop you from eating here. Make that known with the host and they can recommend different alternative options for you. The menu was so extensive that it was hard for me to choose - but we settled with trying the lobster roll with parm tots, buffalo bleu tots, the miso soup, and the salon dish. Also, we got a side of their boss sauce and let me tell you, it was so amazing, pairing most of the dishes with it. If you like tangy, fresh, with a slight kick, I recommend getting a side of that sauce. Overall, the food was so amazing, the lobster roll was seasoned so well, great portions, and had an abundance of flavor. In the past when I've had them they would be dry, and not seasoned well. I was so thrilled to find the opposite here at Brown Bag Seafood! I also enjoyed the tots, both of them were a great side for our dishes, I mean you can never go wrong with tots, right! Overall, if you're a avid sea food lover you have to check this place out! Great service, great atmosphere, and great catch! Thanks for having us Brown Bag Seafood, will definitely be back for more! Have a great day love bugs!
Lets Taco Bout La Luna!If you are looking for a fantastic Mexican restaurant, with ambient lighting, rustic vibes, and colorful plating then you need to check out La Luna located in Pilsen! When you first arrive you can see the amazing open concept, allowing you to witness all the delicious smells wafting from the open kitchen delighting all your senses. The second thing you may notice is all the colorful, bright, fun décor! Allow yourself to be whisked away to Mexico in all it's cultural delight. Pilsen is known for all it's amazing restaurants and La Luna definitely fits perfectly in this scene. I love Mexican food, in fact, it's one of my favorites, and I loved how the restaurant sticks to the savory flavors but adds a artistic play on traditional food. Not only is their food amazing but the cocktails are magazine worthy, with their bright colors, fragrant aromas, and delicious taste! Bringing the whole atmosphere together of traveling and relaxing on a beach eating good food, drinking, while listening to poppin' music. ComidaWe were honored to sample a bunch of different items on their menu! We started off with a delicious elote, it had grilled corn, aioli, cotija, and chili powder. It was flavorful, light, and overall a party in the mouth! We also got to sample the Queso fundido and Guacamole. Both are worth a try, each are savory and so delicious!
After the appetizers we tried the Entrana, which had Skirt Steak, chimichurri, and waxman potatoes. Of course, we couldn't visit La Luna and not try the delicious tacos so we got to sample some of those as well. I loved how colorful and flavorful they were. They're perfect sizes for wanting to share or if you want to splurge and have them all for yourself. The owner and waiter was so amazing at explaining all the menu options - along with making sure we felt like we were apart of the La Luna familia. After all the amazing food we finished everything off with a shot of tequila. If you know me personally, you know i'm not the hugest tequila fan, but, I will say this tequila went down smooth and actually didn't taste bad at all. It helped break down all the food and allowed my stomach to relax a bit, haha! Overall, it was such a great experience visiting this Pilsen gem, will definitely be back for their brunch which I heard is amazing! We had so much fun and loved all the amazing options that we got to try. Have a great day love bugs. xoxox Rachel Fons empanadsAfter 2020 I basically ate half my weight in disgusting, greasy, and unhealthy foods. Let's just say that year wasn't the best mentally for anyone or physically. However, as things started to open back up and 2021 rolled around I decided that it was time to get back into a better mentality along with eating healthy. I have been making the push to completely go pescatarian, something I've been struggling with for awhile. I think a lot of my hesitation stems from our restaurant and food scene being so meat heavy. That is why I was so excited to collaborate with Fons Empanads! If you are like me, and enjoy delicious empanadas, but not the feeling you get after eating a hefty meal, then Fons is for you. Also, if you're a vegetarian or vegan, then you're going to love that I am showing you this restaurant. Fons is one of the first plant-based empanada restaurants, and it's conveniently located in Lakeview, Illinois. When you first arrive you are greeted by the owner, Daniel, who truly treats you as if you're apart of the family. Next your senses will be delighted as you see all the scrumptious colorful empanadas on display. The atmosphere inside the quaint restaurant is bold and fun in color just like their delicious menu options! Not only is the food colorful and creative but the drinks are as well. We got to try the refreshing Blue Matcha Blueberry Lemonade and it was amazing! Also, did I mention they make their own garlic sauce that is too die for! I may be back just to purchase a bunch of those! I got to sample their box of empanadas and they were fresh, filled with flavor, and honestly I didn't even realize there wasn't any meat present! The spices and freshness of the ingredients took my senses to Colombia, with it's diversity of flavor in every bite. All of the empanadas were delicious in their own way, with each bite, you could see all the love and passion that the owners put into the cooking. My mom used to always say there's nothing better than a home-cooked fresh meal, and you can taste that in every savory bite. My personal favorite was the smoky mushroom and margarita pizza flavor. My husband's favorite was the Tinga and Ropa Vieja flavor. If you are looking for a delicious gem in Lakeview, then I highly suggest you check out Fons! Also, if you purchase a box of empanadas and bring the box back - you can get a FREE empanada! Trust me you will be back for seconds... it's that GOOD! Have a great day lovebugs!
xoxox Rachel Pointing You In the Right Direction!If you're looking for a chic, atmospheric, hot spot in River North, then you have to check out Point & Feather! My friend and I were invited to check out the restaurant and immediately loved the vibe. With a rustic and sophisticated atmosphere it's a place that you can totally chill and relax after work but also party at over the weekend. There's unimitated activities to do there - which sets them apart from other restaurants in that area. When you arrive you might see some people playing darts - which is so fun, or relaxing and socializing by the pool table. Lisa and I had too much fun playing with the pool table - I hadn't played in awhile but it was fun having that option. The entire vibe of this chic bar gives me dark academia vibes with their evergreen book shelves, high ceilings, and overall rustic look. Whoever did their decorating definitely brings the whole look together - it's one of my favorite things about the restaurant. Food & DrinksI love a good balance especially when the theme matches the food and drinks. The beauty extends past the atmosphere and also trickles down onto the food and cocktails as well. I loved how fresh and flavorful the drinks were transporting you to a tropical oasis with their bold, bright, and fun flavors. You can tell that the in house mixologist really spent time playing with flavors to find the right combinations for each one. The food was also delicious! Lisa and I ended up starting with the nachos which were so good! With a crispy corn tortilla, three cheesy blend, and perfect amount of spice, it's the perfect mix to delight your palette. We also heard great things about the chicken tenders so we got that as well. To be honest, the starters were so filling that it was difficult for us to get a full dish. So if you're a big appetizer person, this place will definitely be for you. However, we wanted to try a full menu option so we decided on the shrimp tacos. They were absolutely amazing, with fresh pico de gallo, sautéed rock shrimp, and sour cream, it was heavenly. I'd highly recommend trying their tacos as they were fresh, delicious, and filled with flavor. Overall, we had such a blast heading to Point & Feather, truly a River North gem. If you're looking for a great after work spot - or looking for a chill place to go during the weekend, you should check this place out! Thanks for having us!
Parlay all day!If you are like me - then a girl's night is definitely needed from time to time. Since Covid getting together with friends seemed to be pushed to the back burner. My friends and I would get together at least every other week (just to catch up). However, when the virus happened it would be every other month. Being a social person - it was difficult to cope with not being able to go out and experience all the fun places, food, and atmosphere Chicago had to offer. Luckily, we all had the opportunity to get vaccinated and we finally got to go out! Parlay is probably one of my favorite places to visit. The versatility is unmatched with it's multiple levels of fun. If you're more of a sporty person who has a chiller vibe than the lower level is for you. Sip some cocktails, enjoy a bite to eat, and watch the games. However, if you like more of a club scene then the upstairs is definitely for you. My friend's and I were celebrating our friend Julie's birthday - and the entire atmosphere was perfect for that. We were gifted a bottle along with some refreshments to go with (pineapple juice, and cranberry juice). The music is always poppin' with great jamming hits and fluorescent lights. The entire atmosphere is that perfect mix for a fun party. Now, lets get to the question on everyone's mind...was it Covid friendly? I can fully answer yes. Although we had our vaccines everyone (staff wise) also was fully vaccinated. In fact, they ask you for your vaccine card to confirm that you are as well. Everything was nicely sanitized and I completely felt safe which is important for everyone. I think the best part of the whole experience was that feeling of nostalgia. I remembered the times before Covid - when going out with friends wasn't such an oddity. In the warmer months they also have a beautiful rooftop that I have frequented often. If you're a foodie and enjoy delicious bites and drinks then that will definitely be more your scene. All in all, if you're looking for a fun girl's night out location or you're traveling to Chicago, check out Parlay - you won't be disappointed!
Have a great Monday love bugs! |