Food

BEATNIK

Art, Fashion, Food, Photography

CAN I CHANGE YOUR MIND?

Social Media can be whatever you want it to be but it’s meant to connect individuals from all different walks of life from all around the world. Many place negative connotations on it because of what it’s turned into. I, on the other hand, remain in an optimistic mindset of the positive greatness it ensues. A couple years back I was connected through Snapchat with someone who reminded me of myself. Little did I know she’d been following me on Instagram before I connected with her on Snapchat. Her name is Fena (such a beautiful name). We exchanged so many different ideas and connected on so many different levels. She was the Boston creative version of myself.

THE FRIENDS

Who knew that after the connecting via the worldwide web of social media we’d one day get to meet in person? I was so excited to finally hug the flesh that embodied such a magical spirit. The plus was that another friend was coming with. I’d met her through Fena….she was her best friend Mimi. When we finally met up it was as if we’d been friends for years. These girls are my sisters!!! I love them both dearly

THE FOOD

We decided to link at probably one of the most eye pleasing places in my hometown, Chicago. The decor aesthetic is absolutely breathtaking. Beatnik and the drinks don’t disappoint. We met for Sunday brunch + drinks which was nothing less than amazing. I ordered the Pork Cheek Fried Rice (seasonal vegetables, cilantro, fried duck egg, aleppo pepper which I opted against because I simply cannot with spicy ANYTHING). Collectively we decided to indulge in their Chai Cinnamon Rolls (I ADORE chai ANYTHING) I ate all of my food and some which, as much of a foodie as I am, I never finish my food.

THE DRINKS

We all indulged in a few cocktails…one our favs was the Bright Eyed and Fuzzy Headed! So good, it was like dessert in a cocktail glass and I’m no sweets fan but this was perfect!

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AFTER GRUB SHENANS

After stuffing our faces we had to get in a few shots…no, not more liquor…photos! I didn’t mention that one of the things that linked Fena and I together was our love for photography and graphic design. She’s a photographer and I, an aspiring one. We HAD to do it! Look at these backdrops, we simply couldn’t resist!!!

THE OWNER

We’d questioned our waiter and got a wealth of knowledge regarding the owner, all the interior decor accolades belong to the him, who went all out with purchasing one of a kind pieces from all over the world. He also informed us that the owner graces the place with his presence often. It would’ve been a nice treat to meet him and pick his brain.

THE LOOK

This look had to be comfortable and free flowing easy to deal with as womanly tings were taking place that week so I was heavily bloated and it was raining cats and dogs that day. I wanted to be bright and airy to bring about some color to the day. My dress, a bright neon green maxi for only $9.99 with a $5 tan 3/4 length sleeve shirt with black stitching both from Urban Outfitters.  I added a pair of FENTY Puma Creepers, a $5 beret with grommet holes throughout and a bold pink lip from MAC for more color. My necklace is hella old, like at least 10yrs, I couldn’t tell you where I got it from or how many times I almost got rid of it but was glad I didn’t that day.

“I”ce (S)cream for Sushi + Crepes

Fashion, Food

I had been craving sushi for a couple weeks so I headed up North for some shopping and decided to stop off for some. Starved and frustrated because parking is always bad up North in Chicago, mix that with the ever going construction and bad drivers and BOOM pure irritation. I’d driven past a good handful of sushi spots before I was able to find a decent parking space only to get out, walk to the door and see that they didn’t open until 5pm…it was only 2:30pm. So my mini excursion continued. I doubled back southbound on Clark street hit a couple illegal U-turns and stumbled across this place Sushi Mon. I walked by a ramen spot and an interesting rolled ice cream spot before heading in. I knew I wouldn’t do the ramen because I’ve tried to like it but can’t seem to get with the program. Rolled ice cream however is a good treat. Ice cream is already my favorite and I get the pleasure of watching a little performance while it’s being made? Can’t beat that. Any who, I head into Sushi Mon who lucky for me opens at 11am on Saturdays. The place was completely empty so I got a cozy window seat and browsed the menu. As much as I love sushi I absolutely cannot indulge in raw fish, so I always opt for something cooked. My belly wanted something filling and my eyes agreed but I know I never finish my food so after teasing myself in the Specialty section of the menu I went back to the basics section and chose a California roll (can’t go wrong) for $8.95. They didn’t have much of a beverage section, just Coke, Sprite + Diet Coke. I didn’t want sushi and water so sushi and coke it was. One word DELICIOUS. Very satisfying especially because I’d been craving it. I scarfed it all down and headed back out.

I knew I was going to get dessert and Aha Crepe was next up. As much of a foodie I am, I’ve never had crepes before so this was gonna be a treat for me. I was stuck between their Strawberry Banana and Chocolate Strawberry. Here’s the thing, I don’t love Strawberry ice cream, but I wanted the bananas. I chose the chocolate strawberry because I wanted the chocolate more than I did the bananas.

They’d made the Strawberry Banana one….I didn’t order that one so they had to make another of the correct order. They let me keep the wrong one which of course I couldn’t eat. I had no room so I snapped a few pics of it and enjoyed the one I really wanted. A lady & her daughter came in shortly after I’d offered it to her as I didn’t want to just toss it but I was so distracted with snapping pics I hadn’t noticed that she’d already ordered and paid for their treats so I kindly gave it back to the associate and went about my day.

Mine had Matcha ice cream which was a first for me. It was pretty good but the real treat was all wrapped in the bottom of the crepe, peaches, strawberries, Nutella, chocolate covered pistachios and chocolate drizzle. SO GOOD! Needless to say I’ll definitely be back this Summer and taking my daughter and whomever else with me!!!

Let’s chat a bit about this cute little number I threw on for the day. I’ve been here for pops of color lately. Denim on Denim is already a win, throw in a few hints of the rainbow and……..

But Chicago’s weather has been extremely bipolar and although we’re almost to the middle of June we’ve been getting rain and 60 degree weather off and on. So because my hot pink Vans are cloth and it was raining cats + dogs as I was leaving for work I had to wear socks…the chunkier the better. These were a bit thin but you couldn’t tell once they’re scrunched down. Navy blue and from my fav store Urban Outfitters Surplus for $1. The denim shirt is literally a boyfriend shirt, jeans are a Target sale I purchased a few months back. The hat is my fav right now Felt Cowboy Hat highlighted in one of my recent posts. The buttons on my shirt are by Takashi Murakami from his exhibit at Museum of Contemporary Art last Summer which I thoroughly enjoyed! I purchased the metal pin and the cloth button, both his signature flowers. The third button on my shirt is a boombox pin I bought from a record store in Hyde Park. Music is my life and we’ll get to that one day in a future post.

Sidebar: by the time I’d gotten off work & made it up North it was hotter than a bumble bees balls & I was strongly regretting not wearing a more transitional look that day.