Mar's Bachelorette Party-Take 2

I was going to post about running (but that can wait until tomorrow).  Some people were requesting more deets about my bachelorette party :-) Apparently I wasn't very descriptive in the last post. Oops!  The whole weekend was a blast.  That Friday, my sister, cousin and mom came down to Chicago early.  They wanted to spend some time with me before the craziness commenced on Saturday.

We had a pretty low key night.  We went to one my favorite restaurants, Cafe Ba Ba Reeba.  I love everything about this place.  Their food is spectacular, The wine is to die for, and their patio makes you feel like you're in eating in Spain.  They also have a gluten-free menu and their waitstaff is very knowledgable about gluten allergies (my mom has a gluten allergy). Always a plus! We shared a few tapas between the table and then my sister, cousin and I split two servings of the chicken, artichoke & spinach paella.  That was my first time ever having paella and I will definitely be making/having it again.  Sooo good!

On Saturday, I had big plans to take my sister & cousin to a Bar Method workout class, but we found other things to do instead.  Mostly, because my sister didn't want to have to pay $20 to go to a workout class. So, we just went running instead.  After our run, we spent the rest of the afternoon soaking up the sun and eating lunch.  

Around 5pm my MKE (Milwaukee) girls finally arrived in Chicago!  What I loved most about my bachelorette party was that this was the only time since I've moved here (3 years ago) that ALL of my friends were able to visit at the same time.  That made it that much better.  

My sister did a fantastical job as always.  For this being her first time as a bridesmaid, much less a MOH, she has been nothing but wonderful during this whole process.  My apartment building has a party room, so we rented that out instead of messing up my actual apartment.  We played two games.  One being the underwear game.  Which I had an awful start to.  It was a lot harder than I thought!! I ended up taking two shots during the duration of this game for my wrong guesses.  The gist of the game is you have to guess who brought what pair of underwear based on which pair best describes that person.  My friend Hollie got my cupcake underwear because I know she likes cupcakes.  Hers was the only one that I got on the first try :-)

   

After the undies game, we had some drinks, opened some gifts & ate some pizza.  After the gifts we played another game.  I'm not really sure if that one had a name.  My sister passed around a bowl of reeces peanut butter cups and instructed everyone to take as many as the want.  Once every chose their pieces, they had to go around and tell things about me depending on how many pieces they chose.  I'm not going to lie, I was a little nervous for that game!  But the stories weren't too bad and some even took me down memory lane :-)

After the game, we consumed more drinks, took more pictures, and boarded the trolley.  The trolley was probably the funnest thing about the night.  It got pretty wild :-)  Our driver took us all around Chicago and I LOVED every minute of it.  First he started off by taking us near the planetarium and gave all of my OOT friends the best view of Chicago at night. From here, you could see the whole skyline.  It was beautiful & I wish I would've brought my camera! It takes excellent night pics.   

After the planetarium, we drove past Buckingham fountain for another photo op.  Our next stop was the Kit Kat Lounge in Boystown.  On our way there, we drove through the Cold Coast & the "Viagra Triangle", a place in the Chicago where all the old men with money hang out trying to pick up us young chicks ;-) Everyone loved the trolley & us girls.  We even had a boy in Boystown give us a little peep show!

The Kit Kat lounge was pretty outrageous.  I'm pretty sure I was laughing the whole time I was there.  

We sipped on martinis....

snacked on dessert...

...and watched a man impersonate Whitney, Tina and Rhianna. 

It was so much fun & I would definitely go back there for a girls night.  But it was definitely bachelorette party central, so reservations are recommended.    After The Kit Kat Lounge, we hopped back on the trolley and drove around the city some more.  We attempted to go the Hangge Uppe, but didn't approve of the lines and at this point, it was probably best that I went home.

So there you have it!  My crazy bachelorette party :-) It was a lot of fun and so nice to have everyone with me on my big night! I have the best family & girlfriends :-)  

When Real Life Happens

You dont' have time to blog for two weeks...Oops!  Well I'm back just in time for the first day of marathon training, which should be interesting because my ankle still hurts from time to time.  My PT friend said that I should still be icing it since it's still a little swollen (two months later).  I'm going to give it a go and just see what happens.  There's always next year... 

So what's been going on in my world the past two weeks? 

26 days until the wedding, so lots of waiting around for response cards at this point and tying up a few loose ends.  Waiting is the worst.  We still have about 25 response cards outstanding and they're supposed to RSVP by this Friday, so I'm just a little bit annoyed.  More so at the people who we know are coming (bridesmaids & groomsmen). We need to know what to feed you people!    

I completed my training for The Bar Method front desk job & last Friday morning was my first day.  The training definitely took a lot out of me.  The job itself isn't hard, it's the waking up at 4:30am that's the tough part.  Training was about 2 weeks long and it completely exhausted all last week.  Thankfully, the 5:30am part is one day a week and right before my weekend off.

LC and I found a tenant for our condo in Milwaukee.  HOORAY! My sister's been living there for the past three years and has been an exceptional tenant.  It's been nice having her there because we knew there would be no problems and it was always nice having a place to stay when I went to visit.  I don't think the new tenant would appreciate me crashing on her couch for the weekend...My sister is going to Texas for some training and will be gone through November.  I will miss her dearly :-(  So for the first time, we are now officially "real" landlords.  Definitely not by choice, but the condo market is what it is right now.

I celebrated my last single night out with all of my ladies this past Saturday.  I had a blast & my sister definitely went above and beyond yet again :-) 



My wonderful bridal party & I

We started out in the community room in my apartment building.  We sipped on some cocktails, played some games & ate some Chicago style pizza :-) Perfect pre-drinking food.  After that, the trolley picked us up at around 9:30, we drove around the city, took some more pictures, went to Kit Kat Lounge & hopped back into the trolley.  Drove around some more & ended up at The Hange Uppe.  It was my version of a perfect bachelorette party. 

As far as marathon training day #2 goes, I'm supposed to run 3 miles today BUT with a heat index of 100 degrees, I maybe running it on the treadmill or going to Bar Method tonight.  For sure, waking up super early to run tomorrow.  Also, getting back on track with week with healthy cooking! We've been so busy that the past two weeks have been quick, packaged meals :-( I can't wait to cook something this week that does come from a frozen bag!!!  Good news is, I'm about 8lbs away from my 1st goal weight/wedding goal weight. I know that I won't lose that in 3 1/2 weeks but hopefully I'll come close. 

My BFF's Bachelorette Party

This past weekend, my girlfriends and I celebrated our BFF's last "single" night out.  Marrisa's getting married next week before boarding a cruise to the Bahamas.  I really wish we could go, but with it being so close to our wedding, it's not within the budget.  But she's having a little reception when they get back, so I'll for sure be in attendance for that.  

On Saturday, I woke up at 5am, went to drill & sat in chem gear all day.  

After Drill, I showered & got ready for the night's festivities.  We started our at a friends house for drinks, appetizers & a passion party.  It was lots of fun to see the naughty stuff & learn new things about my friends I NEVER would've expected :-)  


After the passion party, we played musical penis...a first for me.  Last two women standing got to take home a free gift.

After Lizzy's, we headed over to Mo's Irish Pub in Wauwatosa to have dinner, too many drinks, and listen to one of Marrisa's favorite bands, The 5 Card Studs.   The studs can best be described as a Las Vegas style, cheesy, 70's cover band.  They're so much fun to dance to! We always have a good time when we go out to see them.

I always look forward to spending time with my friends from home, and catching up with some of my bridesmaids.  I've been friends with these 3 girls since we were about 11 & 12.  They're the only 3 non-related bridesmaids, but they're like sisters to me.  

Besides dancing, drinking & catching up, we also enjoyed a night filled with laughter.  This was probably my favorite picture from that night, partly because I forgot that I took it and mostly because the look on my friend's face is priceless and makes me laugh every time.  Not to mention this man's snazzy pants :-)  

Next bachelorette party of the crazy wedding season will be mine in just a few weeks.  I'm really excited because all of my girlfriends are coming to Chicago!  For the first time since I've moved here, we're all going to be together in the Windy City for a fun girls weekend.  It's something we've always wanted to do, but it never worked out for all of us at the same time.  I'm looking forward to the shenanigans we're going to get into :-)