windy-city whirlwind

what a fabulous trip, but i always say that when i go to chicago!

i stayed in my old neighborhood in the gold coast, so everything was within walking distance, which was a plus becuase the weather was gorgeous.

i started out by seeing a friend from college who was overseeing the guilianna rancik swimsuit event at bloomingdale's.... did a bit of shopping at the 900 north mall

and then settled in for a bit of work back at the hotel....

then a little more shopping down michigan avenue....

when i returned from shopping, i checked in with the front desk to see if a package i had been expecting had been delivered, it had not, but i was told there was a gentelman waiting for me at the bar (the famed Pump Room where Frank Sinatrawas known to frequent) i had no idea what to expect, but there, across the room sat my great friend from college, looking handsome as ever in a pin-stripe suit, sipping a martini.

after i picked my jaw from the floor, i told him to give me 30 minutes and i would join him....we spent the next few hours catching up...he's the most interesting person i know, having spent a year in africa traveling, working all over the country as a photojournalist for the AP and now, an attorney!

he joined me for the fabulous show

where we schmoozed with the actors afterwards
(the one in the purple used to play Raul on the Young & the Restless)

and dinner at the fabulous tapas restaurant

sunday, i met one of my agents, who i deal with for work, for a wonderful brunch

then, i gave up shopping (shocker) and headed for oak street beach.

it was H-O-T and i even got into the water a bit

back to the hotel for a little more work and then dinner at

a french-vietnameese fusion restaurant (so delish!)

and a leisurely stroll back to the hotel and a little work prep

breakfast at the neighborhood coffee shop i used to frequent years ago

then off to work

back into boston by 8 pm to tuck muffy into bed 
and to cheer on the celtics with mr prep

lots of fun. lots of old memories. chicago will forever hold a special place in my heart.

i'll be back in september, for work, if not sooner.