iFly Chicago

Happy Monday ya’ll! If you’re anything like me, this day couldn’t go by any slower. Why are Mondays seriously the worst? Even with the best mindset going in, I always feel like Mondays like to take a sh*t on you and your life. The only thing you can really do to overcome it is a big glass of wine and reminisce about the weekend.

I had the opportunity to go check out iFly this weekend with the babe and his family. I had gotten us these tickets for Christmas and just now redeemed them- woops. But regardless of that, we had a BLAST. Seriously some of the most exciting and adventurous thing I’ve done in awhile and everyone had fun. This is something really for the whole family.

iFly takes you through a instruction video and your instructor will teach you the basics. The staff was amazing, extremely patient and had a good sense of humor. After the instructions were given, they got you suited up in a suit, goggles and helmets (talk about a sexy look…). From there you formed a line and got into the tunnel. One by one you were taken into the wind chamber and experienced 1 min of “flying”. This was such a cool feeling, being able to fly and feeling weightless. After your first turn, you can opt to go up high with the instructor ($10.00 additional charge) or just fly low again for a minute. We opted to go up and it was so exciting. That experience felt more free and liberating, I can see why it becomes addicting.

All in all, we had such a great time at iFly and I highly recommend it to anyone that’s looking for a little adventure in their lives. We’ll definitely be back for more!

Brunching at Home

Hey ya’ll- Hope you had a great mdw! Was this Tuesday not the longest day ever? Please don’t let Tuesdays become the new Mondays <fingers crossed>.

So I’ve been on a brunch kick. Who doesn’t love mimosas and breakfast and lunch foods? I love the combination and the fact that pretty much anything goes. Plus brunch always feels super chic and classy. Definitely one of the easier meals to host and entertain.

I made this brunch meal for Mother’s Day a few weeks ago and repeated it again this past weekend. It’s been a hit every time so far with everybody!

I would keep your menu very basic and straight forward. I chose to do 1 sweet dish, and 2 savory mains (1 breakfast and 1 lunch item) along with a couple easy to prepare sides.

My sweet dish was from Chrissy Teigen’s cookbook Crave. If I haven’t said it enough already, this book is amazing. Her French Toast recipe was OUT OF THIS WORLD. So boozy and delicious it had everyone eating seconds and thirds. Best of all you could prepare everything the night before and all you had to do was pop it in the oven in the morning. Simple! So everyone- BUY HER BOOK.

Next item on the menu was breakfast hash brown cups. Perfect for meal prep actually and they hold very well. Plus they look adorable- presentation is everything.

Hash-Brown Cups 

Ingredients

• 1 bag frozen hash brown
• shredded cheese – I like spicy pepper-jack
• eggs
• non-stick spray
• cupcake tray
• Bacon
• green onion or chives
• 1/4 butter- melted
• salt & pepper

Directions:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 400F. Thaw hash-browns according to their directions. Spray the cupcake tray with non-stick spray (make sure to get every nook and cranny. Mix the hash browns with some salt, pepper and the melted butter. PACK the bottom of the cupcake trays with the mixture and pop it into the oven for 10-15 mins or until they start browning.
2. While the hash brown is baking, start to cook your bacon. Keep the strips nice and straight and cook until they’re about done, but not crispy. If they crisp up, it’ll be impossible to form the correct shape.
3. Take the hash browns out of the oven. Curl the cooked bacon inside the tin above the hash browns. Try to make sure they touch so that the egg won’t run out.
4. Sprinkle some cheese on top of the hash browns and then crack an egg on top. Be careful not to crack the yolk!
5. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and green onion and pop it back into the oven. Should take about 8-10 mins to cook. I like my yolk a little runny so it’s up to your preference!
6. Carefully take out the bites (I use a rubber spatula) and serve hot.

Can be refrigerated and reheated up to a week!

Next up is that something lunch oriented.

I follow Giada’s Salmon Cake recipe with some minor modifications. I use wheat saltines and add in some green onion into the combination. Make these the night before and refrigerate them over night. Then all you have to do in the morning is give it a quick pan fry.

For my sauce, I add in some Sriracha for a kick and more flavor.

Serve the cakes over a bed of arugula, fresh tomatoes and a squeeze of lemon.

Try these brunch tips and recipes and let me know what you think! Remember to make things easy for yourself so you can enjoy your company!

Grad in Lackland

Hey ya’ll- HAPPY HUMDAY. The week is almost over!

Sorry I’ve been away, life’s been rather crazy and I’ve been doing some mild jet setting. Nothing too glamorous, but still pretty awesome to get out and see the world (or the US).

So as you might know, my little brother joined the Air Force. And earlier this month he GRADUATED Basic (aka crazy bootcamp and getting whipped into shape). His graduation allowed for my family and the BF to go to Texas for the first time and see if Texas is really that big. In the short time that we were there I was amazed and fell in love with the cities that we experienced. But since this state is sooo big, there is soo much to talk about and my trip will be divided into several different posts- gotta cover it all!

I didn’t know what to expect for the graduation but apparently it’s kind of a big deal. Definitely blew away high school and college graduation- so you go Yanni! The ceremony was beyond anything I’ve ever experienced before and the entire grandeur of it all was impressive to say the least.

Not only did we get to experience graduation, we also got to see the Lackland Air Force base. It’s HUGE and very different from what I imagined. It’s similar to a college campus and it’s its own community/city within San Antonio.

Pictures of the graduation and Lackland doesn’t even do it justice.

Weekends in LaPorte

This past weekend I had the opportunity to get away and get a little R&R with some of my best girlfriends. We always have a blast together and my friends lake house in LaPorte is the idea location for a quick girls weekend. We spent the quick trip doing wine tasting after wine tasting, walking around and meeting some local townies. Cinnamon Toast shots anyone? Here’s a recap of everything that we did.

Snapchat’s a must follow me @ Chininawang

First winery stop #1: St. Julians. 6 wine tastings- yes please

How all Christmas Trees should look like

Winery #2: Round Barn- 5 wine tastings with options to try something from their distillery- FYI avoid the tequila…

Stop #3: Shoreline Brewery for food and beers

Forgot to take pictures past this- woops

Backyard views don’t get much better than this

TGIF that it’s Friday. What plans do you have for the weekend?

 

Touring The Art Institute of Chicago

Right now is the time to go to The Art Institute of Chicago because they currently are exhibiting THE VAN GOGH Bedroom series! Once in a lifetime opportunity. This seriously doesn’t come around often and it’s such an iconic series. I had the pleasure of going this past weekend and it was phenomenal.

When you check in they’ll tell you that the exhibit wait is an hour to hour and a half but it goes so fast and definitely goes faster than an hour- so don’t be scared to have to wait.

If you haven’t been to the Art Institute ever, make sure to check out the Modern wing. That’s what the museum is known for and even features pieces from Picasso, Matisse, Bonnard, Dali, etc.

The Van Gogh exhibit will be there till May 10th, so make your way there- no excuses!

St. Patty’s Day Party Ideas

Woohoo! Let the festival of green continue! For those in Chicago, the majority of us celebrated this past weekend but St. Patrick’s Day is officially tomorrow and many of us may be celebrating this upcoming weekend. I celebrated with some of my best friends and they did an amazing job hosting. I’ve gathered some of my favorite party ideas that my friends to throw an awesome St. Patty’s Day party for you.

Photo Cred: LStrom

Step 1. Have an amazing spread, but make sure to keep it simple for yourself.

• Cucumber Sandwiches
• Bagel dip: this is something that my girlfriends and I have loved since Freshman year of college. Perfect for St. Patties because carbs are good for you…
• Guacamole and Chips

Step 2. Have green drinks

• Jell-O Shots (green apple Jell-O with cucumber vodka- delish)
• Green Goddess Sangria– refreshing and sticks to the theme of green
• Lots of Green River- add it to any drink to make it more festive

Step 3. Photobooth and Decor

• Green straws
• Small hats
• Streamer wall
• Gold balloons

Step 4. HAVE FUN!

Weekend Recap

Ugh Mondays, is it Friday yet? As we sit in the office, I would like to think back and relive the weekend.

Started off the weekend with a volunteer fundraiser for Young Life. Free spin class and doing some good for the community- yes please!

Went to the Big City this weekend for some Russian Tea (recap to come).

Spent the evening at the Bulls Game with the fam and bf (not pictured).

Acupuncture date… so romantic- I know. If you have back, neck or any body part pain, you have to try it. Such a great way to alleviate pain naturally.

And of course the OSCARS! The fashion, Chris Rock and Leo FINALLY winning, made for one of the more entertaining shows.

Some of my favorite looks of the evening….

But the ones that took my breathe away…..

Rooney Mara in Givenchy Haute Couture

Charlize Theron in Dior… slay

As for the afterparty, some of the stars looked better than the red carpet in my opinion.

Back to reality and more coffee.

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