The Unwaste Shop in the West Loop In celebration of Earth Day, I want to make sure you know about these three zero waste and eco-friendly shops in Chicago! Here’s how it works: bring your jars and containers from home or borrow one from the store, weigh your container and mark the weight, pick out what you want (detergent, shampoo, spices, etc.), and pay for only the product you took. Each of these stores has a real sense of neighborhood community judging by how many regulars seemed to pop in during our visits. Some customers donate their own containers and tote bags, and at least two of thes ..read more

Chicago has some of the best farmer’s markets around the city! There are quite a few I really like that aren’t as crowded and are on Sundays or even during the week. I organized the markets by day of the week and included their address! Their IG, Facebook accounts or websites are also linked if they have one! Double-check before you go because sometimes their hours change weekly. Enjoy some fresh produce and treats from Chicago Farmer’s Markets! Mondays Edgewater – 5917 N Broadway. Mondays, 3pm – 7pm. Jun. 3-Sep 2024. The market has gotten bigger and will take up the entire Broadway Armory p ..read more

In 2019, we took our first family trip to Lollapalooza and to our surprise, absolutely loved it. Kids under 10 years are free and at the time, Mila was 6 months and Noah was 3 years old. There is a big Kidzapalooza area, which is family-friendly with lots to do. There’s a big kid’s area with a kid’s stage, performers, instruments, etc. Tattoos, face painting, photo booths, and more. All are included in an adult ticket. Even air-conditioned bathrooms! Last year, the kids even decorated and personalized their own backpacks. Here are some things that made the entire experience at Lollapalooza rea ..read more

One question I frequently receive is about the best hotel pools in Chicago. As spring break and summer are on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to present the official Chicago Good Life indoor hotel pool guide! Have you heard of Swimply and Resort Pass? Swimply is like an Airbnb for pools, allowing you to book private pool spaces by the hour. Search by town and filter by indoor pool, hot tub, etc, to see what’s available near you! Meanwhile, Resort Pass is all about the daycation. You can browse by city and amenities to find hotels near you that offer day passes and discounted rates. For ..read more

Road trip season is officially here! Here is a list of great Chicago road trips you can do a day or long weekend. Many of these make family trips and a weekend couples trip, all 6 hours or less from Chicago. If you are looking for some road trip essentials like travel pool toys and things to keep kids entertained on trips, you can see my shopping guide here! Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota Although this might be a short flight away, I know many people who have driven it. We just did Mall of America in Minnesota and it’s like Vegas – but for kids. There is SO much to do. Not only is the ..read more

There’s SO much going on in the city right now, so if you’re planning a Spring Break staycation and feel overwhelmed, here’s The Chicago Good Life approved guide! Our great city has it all – gardens, zoos, professional children’s theatre, world-class museums, and tons of kid-centric play spaces! Let me know if this was helpful and if you’ve found anything else worth checking out!  Gardens and Outdoors Chicago has tons of great green space! My favorite kid-friendly parks to visit are these: Garden of the Phoenix in Jackson Park Palmisano Park in Bridgeport Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chin ..read more

Throughout the month of March, Chicago hosts numerous women-focused events throughout the month to honor badass women from Chicago and beyond! There are things to do like visiting landmarks like Jane Addams Hull-House Museum and supporting local women-owned businesses including restaurants, cocktail bars like BIPOC queer owned Nobody’s Darling, boutiques, and checking out independent bookstores like Women and Children First Bookstore. Check out recommended events below! CHICAGO MARCH EVENTS Rooftop patio at AlmaHappy hour at AlmaWomen’s History Month event March 9th Girl Heaven at The Second ..read more

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and I wanted to highlight some fun self-care gift ideas and date options! I think experiences are the best gift and honestly, I would take any of these experiences this Valentine’s Day! Self-Care NOW MassageFace FoundrieAire Spa Now Massage – There are a few locations across the city, and I had a great massage here. The ambiance is also gorgeous. They offer 30-minute massages, too! You can see the reel from my experience here. Face Foundrie – My go-to facial spot. A gift card here would be amazing. Plus mention me for 10% off your first time. My full v ..read more

Get your literary fix with this comprehensive Chicago independent bookstore guide! From cozy used bookstores to feminist bookshops and even a bookstore bar, the Windy City has got it all. Here’s a rundown of all 35 of our indie booksellers by area. North Side & Loop New Book Joy, Edgebrook, 5512 W Devon Ave New Book Joy is a super cute brick-and-mortar with a book nook perfect for small gatherings upstairs. NBJ staff curates books, book clubs, unique reading gifts, bookish events, and more. It opened in January 2023 and is woman-owned. Heirloom Books, Edgewater, 6239 N Clark This c ..read more

The kids are out of school for two weeks, it’s cold, and you need to wear them out so bedtime is quick?! I’ve got some great winter break ideas for you! I’ve divided up these ideas into two categories: Budget-Friendly and Splurge (meaning more than about $30 per person.) I hope this helps you plan out your “break!” Budget-Friendly Activities in Chicago for Kids Exploring PilsenCuddle BunnyChicago History MuseumAltitude Trampoline ParkButch McGure’s Have lunch at Butch McGuires! This uber-festive pub on Division goes ALL out with the decorations. My kids love watching the model train and chowi ..read more