Category Archives: Chicago

Mata Traders: I Love My New Top

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I’m totally going to rip off Mindy Kaling right now and talk about something I bought over the weekend that I LOVE. I found the polka-dot printed scoopneck top pictured above at the Mata Traders tent at the Do-Division Street Fest. I tried it on at the festival, but unfortunately there were no mirrors. Thanks to mi prima and my blind faith, I got the size I thought fit best. I just tried it on…I LOVE IT. It fits pretty well and I think it makes me look pretty.

Mata Traders is based in Chicago. All of their products are fairly traded. Everything they sell is just beautiful. I’ve seen them a few times when they have set up shop at Lollapalooza. They also have a store in Andersonville.

Click here to find out more about Mata Traders.

Click here if you don’t get the Mindy Kaling reference. Or just follow Mindy on Twitter. You won’t be sorry – her run fantasies almost make me want to go running. Almost.

Another Note on Harry Potter Exhibit

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Fans of Robert Pattinson will also enjoy the exhibit as it features the Quidditch robes and formal wear (see above) worn by the actor in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Sorry, girls. It’s safe to say that everything’s been dry cleaned, so none of RobPatt’s essence will rub off on you. Plus, you’ll probably get kicked out if you try and touch anything. May Cedric Diggory rest in peace.

Harry Potter Exhibition

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Mi Prima and I were finally able to visit the Harry Potter Exhibit at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry.

It. Was. Awesome. We got to the museum at about 7:45pm, a little over an hour before closing. There were probably about 5 other people at the exhibit besides us, plus two families with a couple litle kids. I loved the costumes – the Weasley kids really do get a run-down wardrobe, Emma Watson is a size negative 6, and I think it’s safe to say that Voldemort is a crossdresser. My absolute favorite part was Buckbeak. The (fake) English accents that everyone had at the exhibit were a bit goofy, but actually added to the enjoyment of the exhibit.

This is a must-visit for a Harry Potter fan. Those who aren’t familiar with the books and/or movies will also appreciate the detail that went into the costumes and props and sets of the movie. For more information on the exhibit, and to find out when the exhibit will be in your city, visit http://www.harrypotterexhibition.com/. Don’t be embarrassed to wear your Harry Potter costume!

Do-Division & I'm Sick of Sushi

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Yesterday, mi prima and I hit the Do-Division Street Fest. I’m starting to fall in love with this area of the city, but I don’t think I will ever be cool enough to live there. The neighborhood never sleeps! ANYWAY… the fest was great. It was smaller than I expected, but it wasn’t overwhelming. I bought a couple cute tops. Mostly, I was reminded of how summer festivals make you sweat and leaves the pungent odor of skank beer floating in your nostrils.

On another (unrelated) note, I am sick of sushi. Maybe it’s because I had an unpleasant experience two (or three) sushi meals ago. Or maybe it’s the whole soy sauce and white rice thing that’s turning me off. All I know is that when someone mentions sushi, I want to gag. However, I will absolutely not turn down a bowl of unagi don if it is offered to me. YUMMMM.

Al Primo Canto

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I think I just gained about 7 pounds plus grew an extra chin. That’s what happens after you eat at Al Primo Canto in the Edgebrook neighborhood of Chicago. I’m too lazy and buzzy right now to get into a whole summary of what this place is, so click here to see their feature on Check, Please!

The assessment? Good food, good service (until it starts to get super busy), and who can beat all you can eat? Favorites included the bread cheese ball things (see above where I say that I’m buzzed right now), the beef, potatoes, and the mushroom pasta. YES! The mushroom pasta was my personal favorite. But everything was truly tasty. The caipahrina was a little bit too limey and not sweet enough for my taste, but the specialty martinis are supposedly good. They also have plenty of wines to choose from. I can’t believe I didn’t mention the chicken. It is VERY VERY GOOD. Again, we had their endless feast….we three girls didn’t get second helpings of anything. There is PLENTY of food. Wear the fat jeans, for sure.

Anyway, the food is good, but Al Primo Canto also has an a la carte menu that I wouldn’t mind trying sometime. Inevitably, this place ends up getting compared to Fogo de Chao, Sal & Carvao, etc…Al Primo Canto is a slightly different concept (no gauchos) and is much less overwhelming. Plus, it’s in charming Edgebrook.

I would like to go back, but not anytime soon since I don’t want to become a huge cow. Bonus! Al Primo Canto is one of the restaurants on Restaurant.com. Currently you can purchase a $25 gift certificate for $10. Also, if someone is having a b-day, they give a complimentary flan for dessert with a candle. No singing, thank goodness.

My Week: my silly iPod, Flight of the Conchords, freezing weather, BSG returns

This week, Chicago temps fell to temperatures that we last experienced a decade ago. My poor car whined every time I started it up. I wore two layers of clothes and a parka. I can’t wait for temps to go up to the 20s…I’ll walk outside in my bikini.

Okay, I love these guys. I have Flight of the Conchords – The Complete First Season and I am having a blast discovering this show.

I gotta love it when I have my iPod on shuffle and Hanson comes on. I don’t even know how Hanson got on my iPod!

Battlestar Galactica returned tonight. My reaction is: WTF?! How awesome was Edward James Olmos???

Other TV highlights from this week include 24 (of course), Privileged (dang!), Damages (just because), The Office (LOL), 30 Rock…

In other news, I haven’t been to The Condo in over a week. I should probably visit The Condo this weekend.