Chicago Renegade {part 2}

Sept. 7 - 8, 2012

Ominous skies on our way to Chicago. It doesn’t even show how strangely beautiful and scary the sky was – this is the tornado belt, after all. Having been through a tornado, I’m sensitive to the signs, but it felt like we were chasing the light. 

There was a spectacular pink sunset as we drove in to stay at Aloft, a branch of the W Hotel. Super cute.

You can’t visit Chicago without sampling a deep dish pizza. Late night at Gino’s East. Sam and I were the last ones out since our loquacious waitress wanted to overshare photos of all her “Jersey Shore” looking children – she was awesome. 

We arrived early in the Wicker Park area and had brunch at the Bongo Room. I know I sound like a broken record when I talk about eateries, but this place was crowded for a reason — the food is ridiculous. Sam and I sampled and shared a beef burrito and caramel, pretzel, white chocolate pancakes. It was AMAZING.

At the Renegade Craft Fair, there was so much to see and buy that I had limit myself. I loved these necklaces and ring. Sometimes I curse.

This magic wallet caught my eye. They are made out of vintage book covers, a very novel idea. More on this later.

Magic pony. I adored these succulents.

We could not have asked for more perfect weather but after looping the fair three times, it grew very warm. We cooled off and rested before reserving to eat at Big Star. Big Star is a very popular Mexican restaurant with a wide open patio next to a stage. You could hear the live music {The Dust Up concert} from a couple of blocks.

While we waited, we checked out a cool bookstore and vintage record store nearby.

Sam and I waited two hours to eat. We thought, those tacos better be DAMN good. As it turned out, they were. The tilapia tacos were so delicious {my favorite}. I could have eaten three of them with Tecate beer. {Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}