Girls About Town - Chi Town Part III

On the 3rd day of our Chicago trip, we decided to go back to the Taste of Chicago to eat [of course], and people watch.

I don't remember what these were, but they looked good!

Some pizza Lo picked up 

While making our way around the Taste, I met some of the sweetest ladies who recognized me from the blog. 

Thank all of you for the kind words, and for stopping to say hi! It's always fun to meet people in person!

After eating I thought it would be cool to snap pics of other fierce naturals at the Taste! I am going to start carrying my camera around more often to snap naturals about town. Thank you to everyone who participated!

I loved her Bohemian look, and I loved this guys curly fro and beard!

I loved this chica's lilac dress, and her hair & skin was amazing! -  This woman's fro was lush, I had to snap a pic!

After taking pics, Lo and I made our way back to Kean's house to get dressed for dinner

We made our way to Japonais

I had an Asian Pear Martini to start; it was absolutely delicious!

It was so good I had another!

My dinner came, and it was amazzzzzing! Filet Mignon w/Uni Butter - White Miso Truffled Potato Puree & Grilled Asparagus

Everyone was all smiles after dinner & drinks!

Noelle invited us to Crimson Lounge after dinner, and of course we obliged!

Another night of dancing, good eats, and plenty of laughter!

Japonais:
600 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 822-9600

Wearing:

Strapless Ethnic Print Dress: Forever 21

Black Tights: H&M

Black Boots: Ralph Lauren

White Purse: Vintage

Sequined Jacket: Vintage

Black Lace Dress: H&M

All Jewelry: Forever 21

Lip Color: Ruby Woo - MAC

Windy City Part Deux

The weather in Chicago was absolutely wonderful! We slept in the second day, and decided to treat ourselves to mani-pedi's & a light lunch with the boys. The top picture was taken around Hyde Park which is near the Obama residence. I heard his street has more security than Fort Knox, so we didn't even try to make our way over there.

Someone asked me how my hair got so big, I believe it was due to the humidity in the air. I seriously had to twist it every night to keep it from turning into a ginormous fro. I twisted my hair dry, and decided not to add any additional product, because I didn't want that "stiff" look.

In other hair news, I decided to give myself a micro chop [only 2 inches] to give myself more volume and hopefully rid myself of some of the ends I have been holding on to for the past few years. I plan on doing this sometime today, so of course I will document the process. I really want to "shape" my hair because I am tired of the moppy mushroom look, but I think I will wait and have a professional take on that task.

After getting our nails done, we decided to change clothes and head to the Taste of Chicago. Our friend Kean egged us on big time, and we had a mini shoot in the garage. Fun times.

 

We saw a cool ladder, and took advantage of the opportunity...lol

We got to the Taste kind of late, so we decided to just walk around and get a quick bite and return the next day when we had more time.

I got this delicious caramel upside down cupcake. I wish I would have purchased another for the road, the cake literally melts in your mouth. Hopefully I find a similar recipe online!

Later on that night we went to a rooftop party Kean's friend hosted in the Meatpacking District of Chicago. The view of the city was absolutely amazing, and again his friends made us feel right at home. I had fun getting to know everyone, and for the first time in a long time I can say my shyness wasn't an issue. I am not quite the social butterfly as of yet, but I am getting to a place where I don't mind social settings with new faces, in fact; I am starting to embrace it.

After the party, we all caravanned over to a club where we literally danced till dawn. My feet were hurting so bad the next morning, I thought I was going to need foot surgery...lol


Wearing:
Yellow Maxi-Dress: Random Boutique find in Calabasas
Oversized Clutch: Vintage
Cuff: Forever 21
Glasses: Michael Kors
Watch: Michael Kors
Purple Jumper: Vintage
Leopard Bra: Victoria's Secret
Hope Ring: Forever 21
Feather: Purchased from a "healer" on an Indian Reservation

Already Home.

 Pic I snapped while on the subway

I am back in my neck of the woods, although my heart is still in Chicago! Thank you Kean for being such a wonderful host and allowing Lo and I to take over your amazing loft for 4 days :-)

I had zero internet connection & splotchy intermittent cell coverage which actually turned out to be a good thing considering I've been needing to hit the reset button for a while now. It afforded me more time to laugh till it hurt with friends, and focus on taking in all of Chicago sans modern day balls & chains.

My hair had a mind of it's own the entire trip, it grew two times it's weight due to the humidity [lol]. Instead of fighting it, I just rolled with it. In these pictures, my hair is just styled in a simple twist out with Miss Jessie's Buttercreme. I lightly brushed it with a paddle brush for additional volume.

I will spend my day today recouping, and responding to emails, questions, & comments on the blog. Over the week I will recap my trip with tons of photos! These are from our first night:

Our crazy view!

First night Kean took us to a wine bar! Glasses of Moscato for everyone..

Lo getting the camera ready..

Love these three! [Lo, Tony, Kean]

Next stop...Crimson

The energy was amazing, everyone made sure we were comfy! 

Shots of Ciroc for the b-day girl!

The decor at Crimson was amazing!

T & Kean w/Mickey the GM of Crimson; who was also an amazing host...

Tried to give you all a shot of the back of my dress - Ah well. It's one of my favorites..my mom wore it when she was around my age!

Crimson Lounge

333 North Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60654-4956
(312) 923-2473

Wearing:

Dress: Vintage [Mom's]

Bracelet: Aldo Accessories

Key Ring: Forever 21

Earrings: DIY

Chi Town Bound: What's In My Bag?

Patterns & Bold Colors

Some of My Favorite Accessories

Stuff to Keep Me Busy on the Plane: Sketchbook/Markers, The Life of Langston Hughes [Vol:2]

Zebra Platforms/Aldo - Gold/Brown Heels/Tory Burch - Black Peep-Toes/Report - Black Slouchy Boots/Michael Kors

Over-the-knee Mirrored Wedge Boot/Jeffrey Campbell 

I am so looking forward to the vintage shopping, cheating on my diet, inspiration, and of course pictures! I hope everyone has a dynamic week! I am bringing my laptop so I will most definitely update while on the road.

Sending you all love and light! :-)

Hot Honey/Oil Treatment

Last night I did a hot honey/oil treatment and Whoa Nelly! Oil + Honey = shiny, soft hair! I decided to use Brazil Nut oil because it acts as a mega conditioner, leaving your hair soft, and manageable. The addition of honey was for more sheen and also for it's humectant properties. Humectants attract water molecules [moisture] and binds them along your hair shaft. This results in hair that is properly hydrated, and less likely to break. This is a great treatment to try during these warm summer months if you are having issues retaining moisture.


Note: I use the double broiler method because sometimes heating up natural oils/butters in the microwave can kill a lot of their nutrients & moisturizing properties.

Here's what you will need:
Small Bowl
Small Saucepan
Honey
Spoon


Here's what you do:
Fill your saucepan halfway w/water, and bring to a boil
Place your small bowl in the saucepan of water [like a double broiler]
Immediately add honey + Brazil Nut oil until it is the consistency of conditioner
Once the mixture is warm to the touch, remove the bowl from the heat
Apply mixture to WET hair, you can either do this as a pre-poo, or as a conditioner
Cover hair w/plastic cap and allow to sit for 30-40 minutes - You can sit under a dryer, or even a steamer!

Also, for all of you who asked about my scalp massages [mentioned in my previous post] here's the skinny: I use an equal mix of Kesavardhini Oil + Bhringraj Oil + Nagachampa Scalp Oil - These were all purchased at Pioneer Cash & Carry in Artesia Ca [Indian Grocery Store]. I can provide pics & ingredient info when I get back home!

I would massage my scalp three times weekly, once on wash day [after conditioning], then two additional days at my leisure. I used about a quarter size amount of the oil mixture, and concentrated on my scalp only. It is actually good to sit in a chair, laying back as far as you can while performing the massage [this is purported to help increase blood circulation].