ENDLESS ADVENTURE, RIGHT WHERE I LIVE.

What to Expect at Chicago’s Dinner in the Dark

By Jessica Willis
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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…

Holiday Lights at Morton Arboretum’s Illumination

By Jessica Willis
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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…

Best Drinks and Decor at Santa Baby Bar Chicago

By Jessica Willis
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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 kitshy decor fit for a special holiday celebration with friends. Photo ops abound inside and outside the bar.…

A Very Pink Christmas!

By Jessica Willis
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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…

An Offbeat Thanksgiving Dinner at Medieval Times

By Jessica Willis
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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…

How to Throw a Killer Halloween Party

By Jessica Willis
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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…

Jack’s Pumpkin Pop Up: A Fall Selfie Paradise

By Jessica Willis
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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…

Timeless Elegance in a Glass Pumpkin Patch

By Jessica Willis
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Let’s walk around a glass pumpkin patch together. This whimsical autumn experience brought to you by the Santa Cruz artisan, Chris Johnson. Enjoy!

My Halloween Decor with 7 Spooky Greeting Cards

By Jessica Willis
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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…

Braving the Portland Peculiarium Horror Museum

By Jessica Willis
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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…