July Update: My Chicago Summer Bucketlist

Posted in Chicago by thechicagogoodlife

Summer is flying by. I really can’t believe 4th of July is already over, it needs to slow down! I wanted to update my Chicago Summer Bucketlist (you can see the original post here.) and share some things we have been up to around the city. We’ve done a few things, but we have so, so much more to do! Many of the things listed are family friendly and a few for the adults only.

Summer in the Windy City is the absolute best and I know there are an endless amount of things to do. If there are any festivals or places I am missing, add them in the comments below and I will include them! Summertime Chi is like no other, so enjoy every moment.

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Our Summer Essentials (mommy & son)

Posted in motherhood, toddler by thechicagogoodlife

Summer is here and I couldn’t be more excited to explore the city on my days off with Noah. I want to try to soak in as much time enjoying it before the dreaded, tiring, third trimester hits.

There are a few essentials we both use that you could probably find in my diaper bag on a daily basis. I feel like everybody has those few things we all use during the warmer months right? Some of these things you could find at Target, Amazon or even Walgreens. If you have any questions about any of them, send them my way. And I would love to hear some of your go-to-products for the summer!

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5Jun2018

Summer Recipes

Posted in recipe by thechicagogoodlife

Spring and summer are some of my favorite times to cook. I love anything on the grill, salads, and lighter recipes on warm, summer nights. We cook a few recipes often that I wanted to share with you guys. They are easy (like just a few steps) and could also be great for entertaining. Let me know if you guys make any! I would love to see if you make any 🙂 Continue reading →

1Jun2018

My Chicago Summer Bucketlist

Posted in Chicago, family friendly by thechicagogoodlife

Chicago summer things to do for everyone, kids, and families

Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park Zoo

Bridge at Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Conservatory

Hotdog at North Avenue Beach

Montrose Point Bird Consrvatory

Chicago is just the best in the summer. In fact, us Chicago-goans wait all year for it. The festivals, beaches, farmers markets, and activities are endless. For tourists, it’s the best time of the year to visit as well. The city and it’s people really come alive during the spring and summer months.

I put a list together of things I like to do in the summer, some I plan on doing, and even ones you can bring the whole family to. If you know anyone looking for adventures or have friends coming in town, send this their way! Continue reading →

29May2018

Kicking Off Summer with Barritt’s Ginger Beer

Posted in entertaining, recipe by thechicagogoodlife

And just like that, the summer season has officially arrived. That means BBQ’s, parties, and long days hanging outside. This past Memorial Day, we had a BBQ and it happened to be very very hot (like 95 degrees). I wanted to make some cocktails that are easy and refreshing for really warm day.

To be honest, I am not the best bartender, but I have been experimenting a lot recently. With some recipe research, I found Barritt’s Ginger Beer. This ginger beer helps making cocktails super easy, just adding a few other ingredients. Perfect for a novice like myself. I also liked that they have Diet Ginger Beer option as well.

My husband and his friends are huge bourbon drinkers, so the Kentucky Mule was perfect. It’s one of the easiest cocktails I have ever made. Just bourbon and Barritt’s Ginger Beer, garnish with mint. Really, that’s it. I made these per order, but because they are simple, it wasn’t a problem

For my friends, I have a few that do not drink, so I decided to make a mocktail. I found the Mexican Mule. Another very easy cocktail, just tequila, lime Juice and Diet Barritt’s Ginger Beer. Garnish with lime and jalapeno. I replaced the tequila with lime soda water and it was delicious. I had one and didn’t even miss the tequila. I made a pitcher of it ahead of time (no ice until drinks were served) and guests could add their own tequila if they wanted. Another very easy cocktail and a major crowd pleaser.

Both mule recipes turned out to be a huge hit and made our BBQ that much better. Definitely perfect for those hot, summer days ahead of us.

They also have several other mule options that are just as easy like an Irish Mule, Moonshine and of course, the traditional Moscow Mule. Check out some of their recipes and let me know what you think!

Until next time,

Christine

This Instagram post is sponsored by Barritt’s Ginger Beer, but all opinions and views expressed are my own.

1Aug2017

Summer Isn’t Over Just Yet! Finish the Summer Strong with Children Events in the City

Posted in Baby, family friendly, toddler by thechicagogoodlife

Summer is slowly coming to an end, but the children summer events in Chicago are still in full swing. I have rounded out a list of some of our favorite kids events in the city for $10 dollars or less.

Sing Along at Lincoln Park Zoo– Children can sing, dance, and clap along with Mr. Singer every Wednesday and Friday at 9:15 and 10 a.m. in the Main Barn of Lincoln Park Zoo’s Farm-in-the-Zoo. Mr. Singer will play original songs and classic sing alongs. There is always a wide range of ages, children bring their own instruments and can request songs as well. The best part is after the concert, you can visit the petting zoo, feed the cows and goats and then have a picnic at Green City Market (Wednesdays only). All FREE!

Green City Market on Wednesdays (Our House Pizza)

Noah had so much fun at our picnic at Green City Market

2. Monica & Andy- Miss Alexis from Bubbles Academy performs every Tuesday from 10:30- 11a.m., at the Monica and Andy store at 2038 N. Halsted. If you haven’t seen a Miss Alexis concert, we love her! She has sing alongs with small musical instruments. props and is overall very engaging! She will explain how each song helps learning in different stages of development and even incorporates sign language into her performance.

Noah is 18 months and he is one of the oldest that attends, so I think this might be more for babies and crawlers. Although, he loves it and we will continue to go. $10 dollars.

3. Whole Foods- Lincoln Park At the Lincoln Park Whole Foods Market on 1550 North Kingsbury Street, there is FREE Bubbles Academy children’s concert every Wednesday and Thursday morning from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m with Miss Alexis. I always like this Whole Foods because it is large and has lots of parking available.

At the Whole Foods in Lakeview on 3201 N. Ashland Avenue, Sarah Jane performs every Thursday from 10-10:30am on the Porch. It does very crowded, so I recommend going early. TIP: They sometimes give out yummy snacks for the kids too.

4. The StoryBook Mom- The StoryBook mom is an interactive read aloud is for all ages. This is great way to introduce young children to theatre, storybooks, music and engage their senses in an immediate and interactive way. She performs at various locations across the city. Monday’s at Shop Little Threads in Roscoe Village on 2033 W. Roscoe at 10:30am. She is also at Monica & Andy and Purple Monkey Playroom on Wednesdays. All the weekly performances are FREE.

5. Park at Wrigley –

Photo Courtesy of Park at Wrigley

The Old Town School of Folk Music, Wiggleworms, performs every Tuesday at 10-10:45am, except on game days. It is an interactive performance with music, movement and dancing. They will even have shakers, bubbles, singing, dancing and more. It is geared toward children 6 and younger along with their caregivers.

There are so many more events across the city like FREE classes at Home Depot, or FREE bowling Kids Bowl .Jump on the Water Taxi for $6-9 dollars (depending on the distance) or all the FREE family and child friendly events at Maggie Daley Park.

Let me know what you think!

~xoxo~

Christine

1Aug2017

Picnic Essentials

Posted in Baby, toddler by thechicagogoodlife

There are many items we need for the park, but there are a few that we MUST have before we leave the house for long periods of time. Now that Noah is a toddler, some of the items are necessary to keep him entertained and make motherhood just a little easier on our summer adventures.

This waterproof picnic blanket is the best! It folds up really small, easy to clean up spills and has handles to make it easy to carry. Picnic Blanket ( 70x80 extra large fold & portable )for family travel , camping , outdoor concert tablecloth lawn or beach mat with color stripes , best kids water-resistant mat tote bag with handle Read more at Motherhood & Family

21Jul2017

Texas Tourism: More than BBQ and Tex-Mex

Posted in travel by thechicagogoodlife

I was recently invited to a Christmas in July event hosted by Texas Tourism at Raised Bar in the Renaissance Hotel. The event was for Chicagoans to learn about different cities to vacation in Texas during our cold, bitter months. I got a chance to talk to representatives from different cities and learn more about each one. We ate, drank wine, decorated Texas cookies and I got to thinking I may just need a trip down to Texas. Read more at Travels & City Adventures

12Jul2017

Our Summer Must-Haves

Posted in Baby, toddler by thechicagogoodlife

The heat of summer is here and there are a few products that are must haves for us this season. Now that Noah is 17 months, we are enjoying the pool, being outside and staying up late. But I am not going to lie, one of my “mom triggers” is the sun and his sensitive skin. All moms have a few triggers like nap schedules, food, etc. The sun is mine, I will admit it. So the products below definitely work for us. Hopefully, for you too! Read more at Motherhood & Family