Oh how I love Michigan Avenue...

So we just HAD to come to Chicago for my husband's very last medical school exam (really, we had to come) so...I urged him to make it a weekend trip. As he began his exam on Friday, I hopped on the train and made my first trip to Michigan Avenue. Fabulous! I found myself enjoying the mass retail offerings but was the most excited at Filene's Basement...bargain city! There was a whole bin of designer jeans...7's, Paige's, Citizen's...all $99 and 25% off. What a dream! Though most of Michigan Avenue was grossly overpriced it was fun to take it all in. I fell in love with the iPhone all over again...

Today we made a trip to Lincoln Park, a quaint boutiquey shopping experience. We encounted the worst wet & snowy weather...goodbye decent hair & dry pants. I learned that the jeans tucked into boots thing isnt just a fashion statement, it is a necessity. Wish I would have brought mine!

Though I had to drag my husband kicking and screaming, I discovered a new store to add to my list of favorites. I read about lululemon in one of my magazines and put it on the list of "shops to visit" whenever I made it to a big city (yes that list exists). When I read the article, I thought that anyone that would spend THAT much on gym pants must be nuts...but I was mistaken. They make, quite possibly, the best gym pants ever. Who says you need to go to the gym to get the best ass?? These pants literally give it to ya. Here is my find of the day, a way too spendy pair of workout pants (umm...reflective polka dots and two tummy panels that suck it all in plus seams that run at the perfect angles...they are like designer jeans, but spandex...another dream come true!) These are the Groove Pants and the two top panels come in a multitude of colors & patterns. But, I had to have the polka dots. These are [sadly] not sold online because you have to get the "in store experience" as they called it. It was a great one. The salespeople are some of the happiest people I have seen. Maybe it's because they get to wear spandex to work??? Purchases come in this nifty little brown box bag that has the cutest inspirational sayings on the back...

Let me also recommend HOTEL 71. It is in the heart of the "magnificent mile" and more affordable than you might think. We are very happy here. (thank you free wifi!)