Dear Pennies & Pens,
So, as youâre starting to see, Team ISLP is always busy inking the page. Last month, we were in Chicago to create content for our second digital travel guide, Chillin in Chi-Town. Yup, thatâs right, we visited the Windy City in the heart of winter. And yes, that ink was not for the meek at heart. It takes a strong Penny or Pen to brave that cold, lil baby!
But nonetheless, we went anyway because we found great deals on our flights and hotel so we decided to brave the cold. Plus, call us crazy, but we thought it would be cool to experience Chicago in the winter. Chicago is one of those cities thatâs beautiful anytime you go. And thereâs always something to see and do so itâs worth it to go and get the experience.
I left for Chicago on February 20th from Dallas and I was immediately exposed to the Chicago weather because my flight was delayed by about 2 hours. But somehow, some way, I made it there safely. Upon arriving, I went straight to check in at our hotel which was the Fairfield Inn & Suites Downtown Magnificient Mile.
I must admit this was hotel was seriously dope! Our room was clean, the beds were ridiculously comfortable, it was in a great location, and the staff was soo nice! And did I mention they have free hot breakfast every morning?! It was so nice to wake up and go get good free food without having to leave the hotel.
The only feedback I would give is to have more Vegan options for breakfast. I know Veganism is still a new concept to some people but there are easy ways to accommodate the Vegan diet. Like having non-dairy milk for cereal as well as a Vegan cereal option or hot items like pancakes and waffles could be made without eggs and milk so that itâs Vegan. I always say that brands shouldnât underestimate the amount of non-Vegan people whoâll eat these options. As long as the food is good most people are willing to eat it. Plus, since itâs a part of the free breakfast, Iâll doubt youâll get many complaints.
But back to life, back to reality, Chillin in Chi-Town will offer readers an exclusive inside look on Chicago by featuring Vegan food & restaurants, multicultural art, chic fashion, trendy wine and cocktail bars, jazz music, and more. Also, weâll be featuring our event, Chillin in Chi-Town: Brunching with Bloggers as well.
As far as what we did in Chicago, we were all over the place! First, we went to Chicago Diner which is a Vegan restaurant that was started in 1983. Chicago Diner was fuckin amazing! Damn that was some of the best food weâve ever had. We had the Reuben and the âchickenâ noodle soup. On a cold ass night in Chicago, this meal was literally everything, hunty!
The next day, we did a Vegan food tour at The French Market. The French Market is Chicagoâs oldest and largest food hall. It houses countless restaurants which offer everything from all inclusive meals to small snacks and drinks. We visited Chicago Raw, Vegan Now, and Loop Juice. Each of these brands creates nothing but delicious Vegan food and drinks.
I must admit that these brands are super dope. Everything I tried from each of these brands was amazing! Even though Iâve been Vegan for four years, I must admit that the thought of Raw Vegan food terrifies me so I rarely eat it. But Chicago Rawâs food is so good that Iâm definitely going to start incorporating raw Vegan meals into my diet. Chicago Rawâs food was life! I seriously couldnât believe it wasnât cooked! Chicago Raw is absolutely a must for any foodie whether you are Vegan or not.
Next, we went to VeganNow which is a pop shop for Original Soul Kitchen, a Vegan/Vegetarian restaurant that opened in Chicago in 1983! The best part?! Itâs Black owned. Whoop-whoop. One for the culture. I absolutely adored the food at VeganNow. It was oh so good. My tummy was fat and happy when I was done.
After that, the last stop was Loop Juice. Loop Juice offers fresh juices and smoothies made with organic fruits and veggies. I loved the smoothie that I had, it was fantastic! It was refreshing and filling. You could definitely have one of these smoothies for breakfast and be good to go. Loop Juice gets its name from the fact that itâs inside the Chicago âLoopâ aka the center of the city.
After the Vegan Tour, I met up with my cousin Quincy back at our hotel. Once we met up, we somehow lucked out and found free parking for Quincyâs rental car. We parked near Fulton Market. We really lucked out because free parking is absolutely unheard of in Chicago. Chicago in general has a horrible parking situation so God really blessed us with this one. We spent that first night in our room because Quincy was tired from driving in from Delaware.
The next day, we went to Beermiscuous. Beermiscus is a café for beer lovers. It is seriously every beer lovers dream! They have beers on tap, by the can, and by the bottle. Our visit to Beermiscuous was amazing. We loved everything that we had!
One of the beers (I canât remember the name, my bad) was the perfect light beer, smooth and drinkable. I like beers that have fruity flavors without being too hoppy. I usually stay away from IPAs and stouts because IPAs are often too hoppy for me and dark beer feels heavy to me. But I love Pale Ales, Amber Ales, and Wheat beers.
Beermiscuous was dope because the staff was friendly, the dĂ©cor is chic, and the vibe is super chill. Just like it states on their website, we saw people at Beermiscuous having business meetings, people on dates, and people who were just there to chill with friends and family as we were. It was so dope to experience their relaxed vibe and amazing beer. I didnât know this prior to our visit but Chicago is known for craft beer because one of the first craft breweries, Goose Island was started in Chicago in the 1980s.
A lot of the brewers who worked for Goose Island have now started their own breweries so the craft beer scene in Chicago is pretty dope. In essence, if youâre a beer lover, you absolutely need to plan a trip to Chicago! Your first stop should be Beermiscuous because not only do they sell/stock many local Chicago beers, they also sell a beer guide that gives you info on Chicagoâs breweries.
Their guide is extremely extensive and it has a variety of different breweries featured. In the Beermiscuous guide, they give you the lowdown on where each brewery is located, what type of beers they offer, when they are open, etc. Itâs exactly what you need to get your cold brew on. You absolutely must check it out!
Overall, we must give major props and shout to Beermiscuous for their hospitality. We are so excited to have partnered with them and we truly recommend checking them out. Beermiscuous is definitely a must-see destination to properly chill in Chi-Town.
The next day, I hosted my first event in Chicago! Chillin in Chi-Town: Brunching with Bloggers was a blogger brunch designed to introduce local Chicago bloggers to ISLP + 8515. Chillin in Chi-Town: Brunching with Bloggers is also about helping ISLP + 8515 connect with local bloggers to get their insight on all things Chicago. During the brunch, attendees were able to network, promote their blogs, and get free blogging tips. Last but not least, attendees were able to purchase signed copies of #MakeUrPenLoud: How To Be A Lifestyle Blogger.
Chillin in Chi-Town: Brunching with Bloggers attendees included Kelly Darling @kellndarling, Brinker Burnett @brinkerbrunett, Allan Sokol, and Quincy Allen. This brunch was absolutely fabulous! It was so fun meeting and connecting with the attendees and giving them advice on managing their time, building their brand, and creating content for their blogs. This is the first time, Iâve hosted an event where I was the âexpertâ so it feels good to know that I can now use my experience and knowledge to help others.
When I started blogging and then started my business, I had to learn everything on my own so I promised myself that once I made it, I would help other people. We decided to go on a mini book tour for our books #MakeUrPenLoud: How To Be A Lifestyle Blogger and The Loudest Pen Ever. Since we love bloggers because hello thatâs how we got started, we decided to create exclusive events just for bloggers.
We also decided to do this because too many brands discriminate against bloggers. Theyâll host events but then ask bloggers to pay for admission but not traditional journalists who work for major publications. We canât stand this because indie bloggers are the ones who discover new brands and since weâre indie publishers we donât have the budget to pay to attend events. So instead of just complaining, we decided to create our own event that is specifically geared towards bloggers.
Brunching with Bloggers is a collaboration between ISLP and 8515. Basically, ISLP provides the products and 8515 plans the event. This works perfectly for me because it allows me to promote both businesses at the same time. Iâm pleased to say that we had three bloggers attend our Chillin in Chi-Town: Brunching with Bloggers event. It was absolutely fabulous connecting with each of these bloggers to learn about their brands and business. The bloggers who attended Chillin in Chi-Town are brand new to the world of blogging so it was fun giving them advice on how to create content, manage their time, and work with brands. They also offered amazing insights on Chicago as far as the history and drama as well as creative events. S/O to all the bloggers who attended which included (list names).
Chillin in Chi-Town: Brunching with Bloggers was at True Food Kitchen in downtown Chicago. We chose this location because they have amazing healthy Vegan and non-Vegan options as well as great prices. Plus, since it was in downtown Chicago, it was in walking distance of our hotel. Who could top a location like that?!
After the brunch, Quincy & I headed over to the Art Institute Chicago. The Art Institute Chicago was founded in 1879 and it is one of the worldâs largest museums with an extensive collection of art and artifacts. The Art Institute Chicago agree to host our visit since I was there to create content for the Chillin in Chi-Town travel guide. Iâm happy they did too because it was truly an honor to visit this iconic museum.
We spent all of our time in the African exhibit because these works take time to analyze and process. We meant to visit the other areas but we only had two hours. In other museums, two hours is a lifetime but at the Art Institute Chicago, itâs barely enough time to scratch the surface. In essence, I would recommend making the Art Institute a day trip so you can get the full experience. I certainly wish that Quincy and I wouldâve made it a day trip. Then we couldâve seen more. But oh well, it just gives us another reason to come back to Chicago!
Overall, I truly enjoyed this museum. They have a beautiful collection of African art and artifacts and it was beautiful to see. As a Black woman, I love learning about African history as it makes me feel more connected to my ancestors who came before me. Seeing their creations up close and personal only makes the connection that much more real.
Once we finished at the museum, we went back to our hotel to get some rest before heading to Second City to see She The People that night. For those that donât know, Second City is a comedy venue that also offers comedy classes. Second City has produced some of comedyâs best comedians like Tina Fey.
She The People is a female produced sketch comedy show with an all-female cast. We almost missed this show because when Second Cityâs PR team sent me the invite, I responded but my response ended up in their SPAM folder. This happened with other emails so I called to let them know I had responded. Iâm so glad I did too because sure enough my email was in their SPAM. Pro tip to bloggers: ALWAYS follow up if you donât hear back from a brand repâŠespecially if they invited you to the event. Your email may have gone to their SPAM or they may have just forgotten to respond. Either way, donât chance missing out an opportunity!
Okay back to She The People. As I said, it was a sketch comedy show so it included a collection of different sketches. I must sayâŠthat shit was fuckin hilarious, Pennies & Pens! Like damn, Quincy and I laughed from the time we got there until the time we left. I never thought I could laugh so hard at people I didnât know. Those chicks all deserve comedy Oscars becase they are doing the damn thang.
My favorite sketches included You Oughta Know, the one about Beyonce`, and the one where the comedienne related any celebrity to the assisination of another celeb. It was freakin awesome! I loved this show because it made me laugh and think. I felt uplifted and happy after leaving but I also realized that there are some things I need to work on. Like the You Oughta Know sketch got me thinking about how pop culture is distracting us from whatâs really going on because we know all these pop culture facts but donât know shit about our government. The show inspired me to start paying more attention to politics and current issues facing the world. I would highly recommend this show for your next trip to Chicago!
For our last official day in Chicago, we started off the day by enjoying the complimentary breakfast at our hotel. Then we took a journey to the DuSable African American Museum in Hyde Park. Iâm calling it a journey because it was a 40 minute train ride and then a 15 minute walk after that. And yâall know that anything over 2 minutes in the brutal Chicago cold is one minute too many. We were so cold by the time we got inside!
However, I must admit that the DuSable is well worth the journey! Itâs definitely a fantastic museum. Itâs very organized and I love the way itâs put together. I feel like they give you a broad yet focused view of African American history. The first level features (find ladyâs name) work, as well as the work of other local Black Chicago artists. Next the museum moves into military history but of course since itâs the African American museum it focuses on Black soldiers.
Itâs so crazy that the military was once segregated. To have men of color fighting for this country and to treat them as second class citizens was just plain wrong. When I was in middle school, our teacher had us interview world world two veterans for a project. The veteran that I interviewed was African American and of course, his unit was all Black since the military was still segregated. As an adult, I am so thankful that we had to do this project because I got to learn about his experience and then share it with my classmates. Since my school was majority white, it was an eye opener for us all. Even my teacher said that my interview brought a unique element to the project because it was something that many of us take for granted. We forget that segregation was once the law.
Anywho, back to the topic at hand â the DuSable African American Museum, the next exhibit we saw was the history exhibit where they focused on talking about slavery, Jim Crow, and segregation. These exhibits are always tough to view (especially when youâre Black) because when you realize that your ancestors were actually treated like animals and were once someone elseâs property, it really sends chills up your spine. Then after slavery, there was segregation so things still didnât really improve.
I loved the historic exhibit because they had artifacts from slavery and Jim Crow as well as videos that spoke about the various issues featured. It was truly immersive and I enjoyed every minute of it. I like how this exhibit started a conversation because while viewing it, I struck up a conversation with fellow visitors and they agreed that the exhibit while powerful was disturbing since itâs based on real history.
The last and final exhibit we went to featured the work of a South African artist (find name). This exhibit was as haunting as it was powerful. Most of the pieces depicted some form of violence or sex hence why itâs marked mature and the museum doesnât allow visitors under 18 to view it. After seeing it firsthand, I can see why. In no way is that exhibit appropriate for children but is a must for adults.
The works were absolutely stunning! Even though they are a little difficult to look at, they are well worth checking out. The colors used and the details that are depicted are unparalled. These works were created by an extremely talented artist who has a distinct style that needs to be celebrated. I truly enjoyed this exhibit and it was wonderful note to end the visit on. I would definitely suggest adding DuSable to your Chillin in Chi-Town to do list. You need know your history just as much as your wine varietals.
Our last and final stop in Chicago was the Prohibition Bus Tour. During this tour, we visited five local bars and restaurants that were speakeasies during the Prohibition era. The bars and restaurants are still open for business and most have kept or restored the original décor. I absolutely loved this tour!
It was so much fun. Our tour guide Elizabeth was hilarious, nice, and super knowledgeable. As she told our group, âIt was the best goddamn history lesson youâll ever receiveâ. Like it was so dope! You get to drink during the tour, learn about Chicagoâs history and Prohibition, see the city, and connect with cool people. Our group was very diverse, we met a couple from Mexico City and London. There were also a few locals on the tour so that was cool too.
While on the tour, we visited Harry Carayâs, Club Lucky, Margeâs Still, and Exchequer Lounge. Margeâs Still stood out to me the most because itâs Chicagoâs oldest bar and they have an amazing Champagne Cocktail. I absolutely loved it! Iâm not much of a cocktail person but I do love my bubbly so this was the perfect drink for me.
Harry Carayâs was cool too because thatâs where our tour guide Elizabeth started the tour and told us all about Al Caponeâs right-hand man (find name). His story was fascinating so it was cool to learn about him in a place he once frequented. Club Lucky was cool too, itâs now an Italian restaurant and bar. We didnât really have time to order food but we did get some beers from here. I had my first Peroni which is suitable since Peroni is an Italian beer.
I also liked Exchequer Lounge, this spot was once owned by Al Capone. Itâs crazy to think that he was a real person because heâs been so romanticized in pop culture. The dĂ©cor here was really dope, this place felt truly authentic. We didnât get anything from here but I did enjoy visiting. Also itâs right around the corner from the Art Institute Chicago so if youâre looking for a spot to grab drinks after your art walk, look no further.
Overall, I would definitely suggest that you check out the Chicago Prohibition Bus Tour. It was such a unique and memorable experience. And it didnât feel cheesy or touristy because you know some tours can be like that. This tour felt real and authentic. Before I go, I must give a S/O and thank you to the bus driver, Carey who was absolutely hilarious. He definitely gave us a few laughs and even let me borrow his portable charger so I could charge my phone.
Thatâs all the ink Iâve got for ya on Chicago, Pennies & Pens. Sike nah, this is just the beginning. The first chapter if you will. A sneak peek, a preview. Just like we did with Cruising thru Cali, Team ISLP is going to use our ink to create Chillin in Chi-Town, our second digital travel guide. Chillin in Chi-Town will have feature length articles on the places we visited, what we ate, and what we saw. Chillin in Chi-Town will also include photos by moi. Stay tuned because itâs coming soon to a page near you via www.islpdtx.com
And there it is. de la PenâŠAll Pen Everything. With us, keeping it real never goes wrong.
P.S. If you’re digging how we chilled in Chi-Town, then you’ll love how we cruised thru Cali. Check out our first digital travel guide, Cruising thru Cali here:Â http://bit.ly/CruisingthruCali
