What to Expect at Chicago’s Dinner in the Dark

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Have you ever heard of a restaurant where guests eat dinner in complete darkness? What better way to elevate a flavor experience than by focusing solely on taste and smell rather than sight? I first encountered the idea in the movie “About Time” with Rachel McAdams and Domhnall Gleeson, where the characters meet on a…

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Holiday Lights at Morton Arboretum’s Illumination

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Every winter, the Morton Arboretum in Lisle hosts a holiday lights walking experience at night, featuring thousands of lights set to classical and holiday music. This 1,700 acre outdoor tree museum just down the road from us is world-renown for the mission of collecting, planting and studying trees to preserve endangered species and spread awareness…

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Best Drinks and Decor at Santa Baby Bar Chicago

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Gaudy. Over the top. More ornaments than you’ve ever seen in one place. Welcome to Santa Baby Bar. Located on Clark Street in Chicago’s Wrigleyville neighborhood, this seasonal hotspot is just steps away from iconic Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Step into a North Pole wonderland of lights, parachuting Santas, and…

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A Very Pink Christmas!

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Merry Pink Christmas! Growing up, I hated pink. No one could make me wear it or decorate with it, and I certainly didn’t appreciate that being “girly” was equated with the color. I was girly in lots of other ways! Setting aside my past opinions, I now see pink with new eyes. A delicate baby…

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An Offbeat Thanksgiving Dinner at Medieval Times

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Since moving away from our families in California, we’ve cherished the generosity and love from our new friendships here in Chicagoland. These wonderful people have become like family to us, inviting us to holiday meals with their relatives and sharing their traditions so we never feel alone. This Thanksgiving, we had the option to join…

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How to Throw a Killer Halloween Party

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One spooky October night, Brandon and I hosted the most elaborate Halloween costume party that’s ever been thrown. Well, at least the most elaborate one we’ve ever been to! It all started with a group of friends (and one Pomeranian) willing to dress up, play games, eat potluck-style, and compete for the ultimate grand prize…a…

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Jack’s Pumpkin Pop Up: A Fall Selfie Paradise

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Having experiences used to mean going out and doing things – watching a show, going to a dance, eating a meal, creating some art. Now, the concept of an “experience” has changed to mean…selfies. And lots of them. The backgrounds may change, but the activity is always the same; someone’s poor Instagram husband finding the…

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My Halloween Decor with 7 Spooky Greeting Cards

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Happy Halloween! I recently embraced the idea that #1, greeting cards make excellent home decor because they are affordable, diverse and easy to store, and #2, I’m allowed to buy greeting cards for myself, why not! Autumn has always been my favorite season, but since moving to Chicagoland, I’ve come to realize that Halloween is…

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Braving the Portland Peculiarium Horror Museum

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Three hours to kill until our reservation. What to do, what to do? I know! We’ll show you around The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum, Portland’s exclusive weird science and oddities sideshow, established in 1972. Steps away from the Northwest District’s bustling downtown strip of popular eateries and tourist shops, the props and art in this…

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Fall Fun: Apple Picking at Jonamac Orchard

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Autumn is my all-time favorite season with the cool weather, warm drinks, cozy clothing and harvest-themed activities. When my mom came to Chicagoland for my birthday this year, we celebrated with a trip to Jonamac Apple Orchard for an afternoon of apple picking. I wore these pearls and bright floral shirt she gave me for…

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Fall Flavors: Indulging in Apple Orchard Treats

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Fall activities like apple picking and pumpkin patches are fun in themselves, but you better believe we visited Jonamac Apple Orchard for the amazing treats! First, we ventured into the Cider House for a flight of apple wines and ciders, custom pressed and fermented in the orchard with the freshest apples. We tried these apple…

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