Sorry I checked out for a few days — I made an unexpected trip to the suburbs (the heat in our apartment doesn’t work too well and it’s been freezing in Chicago) and forgot my laptop. I probably could have blogged from another computer but I didn’t really do anything noteworthy anyway so yeah.
But otherwise my weekend was great–I woke up bright and early Saturday morning for Girls On The Run coaches training!!
I can’t tell you how excited I am to be involved with this organization! I’m sure many of you have heard about it, but Girls On The Run is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. I’m going to be working as a head coach for a group of 10-20 girls twice a week, where we work through lessons about understanding themselves, valuing relationships and teamwork, and understanding how we connect with and shape the world. We’ll also do running each week, teaching the girls the importance of health and fitness. They’ll work up to a 5K at the end of the season. I’m pumped!
The rest of the day was pretty low-key: I went grocery shopping (a dream, as always) and FaceTimed with Kaitlin, who’s currently living in Mississippi. It was so nice to catch up with her and hear about her Mardi Gras shenanigans. Living so close to New Orleans has been good to her!
How adorable is she?
I spent the rest of the day just generally being lazy until dinner, when Colleen and I went out for pizza at Homeslice. All that talk about running earlier in the day really worked up my appetite. We sat on the patio, which was covered and heated. I can’t wait until they open it up for the summer but they did a really good job making it cozy for winter too.
One of the most endearing things about this place is that the owner’s french bulldog, Gary, runs around the patio the whole time. He was not the biggest fan of that giant balloon in the background so there was a pretty scared pup running around our feet the whole time. It was adorable!
We both started with the Pamarita: a pomegranate margarita with lime, soda, and jalapeno.
I went with the Schulz’s BBQ Bird, because barbeque chicken pizza is one of the most underrated foods on the planet. You can quote me on that.
After dinner we walked a few blocks to Sweet Mandy B’s, a famous bakery in Lincoln Park that I’ve always heard of, but had never been to. Because I hadn’t been before I went a little nuts, but it was all in the name of sugar. And Saturdays.
I left with chocolate cheesecake and three cookies: confetti (sugar), ranger (oatmeal with chocolate chips and Special K), and coconut cloud (coconut meringue). Bring on dat diabetes.
I had the confetti cookie this morning with my coffee and it was perfect. Definitely a new city favorite.
Sunday was a lazy day until the afternoon when I went to a CorePower sculpt class and finally got the age-old “Why won’t anyone sit by me?” question answered. Just kidding. My adorable personality makes up for the sweat stains.
If you’re in Chicago and have ever wanted to try CorePower’s Free Week of Yoga but aren’t sure which location/classes are worth your while, I highly recommend the Lakeview location. Ariel’s sculpt classes are the bomb — they’re set to faster-paced music, though, so if you’re looking for calm, relaxing yoga this ain’t your thing. But it does live up to it’s name and it will sculpt. you. up (because you can’t visit a pizza place and a bakery and expect things not to jiggle the next day).
I missed the Oscars because I worked the inventory night shift but I hope you all threw crazy wild viewing parties so I can live vicariously through you! Once again I said I would see all the Oscar-nominated movies and I didn’t see one. Crushing goals one day at a time over here.
Questions:
- Did you watch the Oscars? What was your favorite movie in the last year?
- Favorite kind of non-traditional pizza
i had a big lunch 
Wow that sounds like an awesome organisation to be involved in! even though running is not my favourite thing to do I would love to be a coach – just need to move to the States first! Haha!
Just catching up on all the Oscars gossip this morning – aka who won and what was everyone wearing! It’s on here at the dead of night (2am ish) so I have grown up just watching the recaps!
That margarita… ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😊
There was actually huge satisfaction with coming home from work and just reading the winner list haha. I saved a few hours of my life 😉
I had to work during the Oscars last year and was mentally scared from the experience, so I enjoyed my Oscar pajama party last night for sure!
And that cookie? It looks amazing and like it needs to be in my life.
Hahaha it is scarring to miss out on those events for some reason! They can be a ball.The cookie was so good — like a sugar cookie with really good, crunchy texture (I’m a big texture person when it comes to food).
Haha! No crazy Oscar view party over here…. watched in on the couch with Miguel and Layla. Glad you had a great weekend! That cookie looks bomb and yoga is a weekend favorite for me as well 🙂
Hey I feel like Layla makes every night a party 🙂
Your pizza night out sounds fantastic. I’d approve of any restaurant that had a resident dog!
I feel like I’m always the sweatiest one in the room. It’s a little embarrassing, especially during hot yoga because my sweat is….intense.
You should be proud of that! You’re obviously kicking the most butt during your workouts 😉
That is so awesome that you will be coaching Girls on the Run! I had actually applied to be a coach but then realized the practices started too early in the afternoon for me to get there on time. I am hoping to still volunteer for the 5k at the end of the season.
Yeah luckily my job allows for flexible things like this — you should definitely still running buddy for the 5K for sure!
I love bbq chicken pizza (haven’t had it from homeslice) but I have to say I wasn’t overly impressed by homeslice, sadly. I guess I’m more of a thinner crust person. C’est la vie. Though I do approve of the doggy. Excited for you and GOTR! You’ll be a great coach,dear 😀
Honestly the food isn’t amazing but it’s such a fun place to hang out. Thanks for the words of encouragement! It feels so right that I’m a coach — like I’ll grow just as much, if not more, than the girls 🙂
I love GOTR! I volunteered as a “junior coach” with them when I was in high school and it was so much fun! The girls will just love you 🙂
Thanks!! I’m glad to hear everyone has had such a positive experience 🙂
I love GOTR! I volunteered as a “junior coach” with them when I was in high school and it was so much fun! The girls will just love you 🙂
so great that you’re volunteering w/ GOTR! i need to look into that organization more. i did watch part of the Oscars, until my 10pm bedtime, but i haven’t seen the majority of the flicks — only saw American Sniper, Budapest Hotel and Wild. i really liked all 3 of them and would recommend ’em all.
Oh wait you’re right I saw Budapest Hotel so I did see one!! I still need to see Wild. OF COURSE you loved Wild 🙂 When I think of you I think of that character haha you gypsy-spirit you.
I love that:)
You go to the Lakeview CorePower?? If it’s the one I’m thinking of (the one by Diversey), you HAVE to take a class with Elyse. Have to have to have to. I took her class at a different location, but oh. my. gosh. So I did a whole month of ClassPass, right? And got to experience classes with a bunch of teachers? Honestly, Elyse is probably my favorite fitness instructor in the whole city of Chicago. She is SO happy and SO positive and SO fun. I adore her. (Clearly). I’ve even thought about rejoining CPY just so I could keep taking classes with Elyse (if it weren’t so dang expensive!). UGH. Now I miss her classes like whoa. One of these days I’ll get my butt back there…
How great that you’re doing GOTR! I’ve thought about it many times, but it’d be awfully tough with my schedule. I’m excited to hear how it goes, though!
I’m kind of embarrassed to admit I haven’t even heard of that bakery, but it looks amaaaaazzzzzinngggggggg. Definitely going to have to stop by there some time. And we should totally go to Homeslice some time! I haven’t been in so long, but man is their pizza delicious.
Groupon has a CPY offer right now — an unlimited month for $75! Not a steal, but considering the prices in Chicago…….yeah. haha
I’ll have to try Elyse! That studio is my favorite. Not too big not too small. It’s the one off the Brown line just between Wellington and Diversey.
Let’s go to that bakery! I’ll set up a blogger event for sometime in the next few weeks 🙂 even if we just meet up for coffee and a baked good, it’s worth it. also, thanks for the tips on the therapist. I have Blue Cross HMO but that might be changing so I’ll let you know!
Alllll the desserts. YUM. I think I just went into sugar shock looking at that delicious photo.
I did not watch the Oscars. I’m not big on award shows. I used to be, but then I used to work for an entertainment magazine and lived and breathed awards shows while I was there. It kind of burned me out on them. I DID hear Lady Gaga though and she was absolutely phenomenal. 🙂
I had pizza last night for dinner actually which never ever happens. It was kind of like buffalo chicken, but the pizza was white? I don’t know. It was good.
Congrats on GOTR coach training!!! Such an amazing organization and they will be so lucky to have you! ❤
Luckily I’ve been able to keep it to one dessert a day…otherwise I would go into shock, for sure. So much sugar! That’s so cool that you used to work for an entertainment magazine! It definitely seems like something you can’t do forever though haha so much “Who is she wearing?!” Buffalo chicken is slowly becoming a favorite of mine — I never used to like it but I think I just never had it the right way before or something because that pizza sounds amazing! Thanks for the kind words of encouragement for GOTR! I can’t wait to get started.
I’m hungry now 🙂 I’m also volunteering for Girls on the Run in the fall. Great Cause and program 🙂
Haha yeah all those sweets in one photo can do that to ya 😉 we’ll have to compare our experiences! Chicago vs. Colorado haha. Great cause for sure!
I did not watch the Oscars (no TV) but I sort of vicariously did through Twitter. I’m bummed Boyhood didn’t win anything, but #AskHerMore is trending and fabulous!
MY favorite pizza is Naan pizza. Look it up, it’s great!
Naan pizza! Will have to look that up for sure 🙂 I need to see a lot of these movies, apparently! All people are talking about now are Boyhood and American Sniper.
Boyhood was AMAZING! I listened to an interview with the director for American Sniper and he really knew the actual guy really well. It was fascinating. Both good movies.
There is a local pizza company around Northwest Arkansas and they serve up a BBQ chicken pizza, and it’s the best! I always order it when I go there. So yes, high five to the BBQ bird pizzas. And I think starting the morning with sprinkles on a confetti cookie is a brilliant way to start any day.
Glad we can agree on that! BBQ chicken pizza for the win!
I’ve met Gary! He is SO funny and all over instagram : ) My BFF did Sweet Mandy B’s for her wedding cupcakes. They were AMAZING!
Isn’t Gary the cutest? Wonderful idea using Sweet Mandy B’s for a wedding! I’ll definitely have to remember that!! Haha. The best part is they sell their frosting in individual containers. Brilliant!
Really? I was just emailing Deefields bakery to see if they do that! It is genius!
Oh my gosh how much do you love homeslice?! And sweet mandy B’s?! You went to two of my all time favorite Chicago places. I am getting hungry typing this.
Let’s go to Sweet Mandy B’s soon. I’d definitely be down to go again ASAP 🙂 And I love Homeslice really for the atmosphere — so laid back and chill. Plus, like I said, bbq chicken pizza is the best and they do it well.
That’s so cool that you are doing GOTR. It’s something that I thought about doing, but haven’t yet (obviously). I look forward to reading about your experience!
I am jealous of all your bakery purchases, but after the last 5 days of absurd eating, I think I am ready for a reset tomorrow.
I’ll let you know how it goes and then you should definitely get involved in the fall. Also, if you want to volunteer for our 5K in May as a “running buddy” to one of the girls just let me know!
I can’t wait to read all about your Cali adventures!! There better be so many food pictures in your post that I go into a food coma just reading it.
I got accepted to be a girl’s on the run coach but unfortunately due to my work schedule I was unable to do it. Maybe next time. Those dessert look so tasty. BBQ chicken pizza is one of my favorites too.
It’s a tricky scheduling situation for sure! Thankfully my job allows for me to get to stuff like that. BBQ chicken pizza is heavenly!
i tried watching the Oscars but to be honest, the parts that I did watch were pretty friggen boring! I’ve never seen this Birdman movie that seems to be a big hit, but the previous looked a bit strange to me.
I heard it was boring too so I’m glad I didn’t waste my time either!
Good god, I’m cuddled here in my Chi-town lair killing my gluten/dairy/egg intolerance. I WANT THAT CONFETTI COOKIE. Thank god that you ate it already, or I’d be stalking to find you around the city to demand it from you.
Princess Kaguya was AMAZING. I was throwing things when it lost to Big Hero 6. What the fuck.
Hahaha I’m glad I was able to take the temptation away from you! Gluten/dairy/egg intolerance — man what a cross to bear!
What an awesome organization to be a part of! So cool. Also, I want that margarita. And the pizza. And cookies. All of it, right now. I’m currently drinking coffee so I’m good there.
Allllll the food 🙂
Ah, congrats on the coaching! Excited to read more about it 🙂 That cookie looked so. Delicious.
Thanks! I’ll make sure to keep the blog updated with my experience with the program! That cookie was my favorite thing I got from the bakery 🙂 so delicious.
I can’t wait to hear more about Girls on the Run! I’ve been thinking about volunteering, but haven’t made a decision yet. That drink looks amazing!
Great! I’ll be sure to keep the blog updated with my experience! I can’t wait 🙂