Chicago Eats: Cantina Laredo

You know I love anything related to Mexican food -- and Cantina Laredo in downtown Chicago is no exception. I watched them build the space for this restaurant, it was quite the project, the sidewalk was shut down for months, but I think the end result is great. There are large windows that slide open in the Summer months for almost al fresco dining and the second floor actually has some nice city views at night.

Via

 The food is delicious and the margaritas are strong. What more could one want from a Mexican restaurant? The pitchers of margaritas are a must, they aren't listed on the menu but are available for around $30.

 

One thing I liked about their entrees was that they were served with fresh veggies, instead of the standard beans. It really helped to lighten up the meal a bit.

And they have an awesome special during the week, "Happier Half". The entire upstairs lounge food menu is half-priced from 4-7 p.m. This includes their tableside guacamole, ceviche and empanadas. Yum.

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Cantina Laredo
508 North State Street

(Near State and Grand)
Chicago, IL 60654

312.955.0014


Words for Wednesday

Design created by A Little Ditty

Not exactly sure who said this, but I do love it! Happy Wednesday!

Fall Decorating Ideas

With the weather shift in Chicago, I'm definitely thinking Fall now -- even though I am so sad to see my favorite season Summer go. I linked up the Fall planters in the city from the last few years to Southern Hospitality's, It's Fall Y'all Autumn Link Party. Head over there for lots of great Fall decorating ideas. I'm excited to do a new Fall arrangement in my front planters, I'll post pictures soon!

In the meantime, lots of great inspiration on what to plant here:

2011 Fall Planters

2010 Fall Planters

2009 Fall Planters

Words for Wednesday

Love this one. I started following Real Simple on Pinterest because they do a new quote every day. You can see them here.

Colorado Rocky Mountain High

This past weekend I went on a little adventure with my cousin (and BFF) to Colorado! My cousin Kate, is an amazing photographer (see her work here) and had a wedding to shoot in Silverthorne, CO so we decided to make a trip out of it. I've never spent much time in Colorado before and could hardly believe how gorgeous it was out in the mountains! We were close to 2 hours out of Denver in the Colorado Rocky Mountains in little town called, Silverthorne.  It is near the famed Breckenridge ski area.

Every day we were out there it was sunny and gorgeous!

Kate & I

Silverthorne is situated right on Lake Dillion, the water, the mountains, the blue sky...gorgeous!

We ate at a few of the local spots, Hacienda Real in Frisco and Red Mountain Grill in Dillon. Both were delicious. We loved the hanging lanterns at Red Mountain Grill!

Apparently we came to Colorado at the perfect time, it was Aspen season. Aspens are the most common tree in Colorado (they remind me of birches) and there is a short window of time in September when they all turn yellow. It was just beginning when we were out there and it was beautiful.

Any readers out there from Colorado? What a great state, just reminds me how many different and gorgeous areas we have right in the United States. It's pretty cool that we have a little bit of everything, from tropical to mountains, desert and farmland. Hope everything is having a good start to the week!

*all pictures taken by a little ditty

Happy Labor Day and the largest American flag

I don't know about you, but I am beyond excited to have a day off of work! I never got a chance to post these pictures I took at the State Street Macy's from around the 4th of July, but I thought they would be extra fitting for today, too. It's the largest flag ever to hang in a department store, it's 5000 sq ft! Macy's first hung a flag of this size in 1916.

The flag they had hanging in July is a reproduction of one used in the 1940s and was created in 2003.

Who's feeling extra patriotic now? Enjoy the day off!