Let’s start from the beginning…
After work yesterday, Ryan drove me and my friend Laurel to the airport to catch our 6 p.m. flight to Chicago. We enjoyed dinner while waiting at the gate at the airport.
I opted for a chicken caesar salad from Starbucks.
The whole bottom of the salad had a layer of Parmesan cheese, which I loved.
Our flight took off about 15 minutes late. Unfortunately Laurel and I didn’t have seats together, but I did get to enjoy two hours of quality time with my book.
When we landed in Chicago, we headed to baggage claim to meet up with our friend Leah and take the train into downtown Chicago to my friend Krystal’s apartment to kick off bachelorette fun!
I was so touched my all the time and effort my friends put into planning a weekend full of bachelorette fun! They had every last detail planned and presented everything to me in an adorable itinerary.
After changing into a tank that said “BRIDE” on it, given to me by my girlfriends and donning a hot pink feather boa, it was time to enjoy some drinks!
My friend Merri played bartender and made us delicious chocolate martinis by combining hot chocolate mix and vodka and topping them with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
How cute is my glass? My friend Leah made a bedazzled martini glass for everyone with our initials on them.
In addition to my boa, I also wore a necklace that my friends made with paper rings. Each ring had a different dare written on it to complete throughout the night!
After enjoying a couple more drinks, we were ready to head out to Howl at the Moon, a fun piano bar in downtown Chicago.
Once there, we sang, drank and danced the night away!
My friends were pretty sneaky and even had me called on stage a couple of times. I made sure to sing my little heart out to Madonna’s Like a Virgin and Goin’ to the Chapel. 
Luckily my friends joined me half-way through and helped sing along!
After all of the singing and dancing, we took our party train to Beaumont’s, a late-night bar for some more fun.
And that was our night in a nutshell (minus the 3 a.m. ransacking of tortilla chips, French onion dip, peanut butter bars and cookies 
).
Today has been flyin’ by and I’m off to take a shower before more bachelorette fun tonight.
Here’s a hit about what we’re doing this evening: Boys will be girls.
Cheers!
looks like you’re having so much fun! i love all the pictures, and i love how planned out everything is…you have great friends!
ooh…you’re going to a drag show, aren’t you! i went to one in chicago for a bachelorette thing too!
erica
This is so fun – I’m going to discreetly direct my girlfriends to PB Fingers for bach-ette ideas for my party
PS youre friends are so stinking gorgeous and cute! Love LOVE the agenda and paper ring necklace!
Sarah
You have fabulous friends!! It looks like a great time, enjoy your weekend!!
Rachel
aw, you guys look like you’re having the BEST time! hope tonight is even more fun
Heather
Awesome Julie…It sounds like you will be hitting up Baton Club tonight! It is soo fun! That is where we went for my bachelorette party. I’m glad you made it to Howl at the Moon…that place is sooo fun. Have a blast!!
Lauren
Wow, I’m so impressed with your friends’ planning! Are you the first one to get married?
Have fun tonight!
jessica
It’s really good to see you having fun!!!<3
Courtney
You look so happy with all your friends! They did a GREAT job. Down to the last detail. Wow!
Have fun tonight. And I love drag shows if that is what you are going to do. LOL
Tina
Looks like a super fun bachelorette party! You have some great friends!
Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews
You look like you’re having SOOO much fun! Karaoke is my favorite! Enjoy tonight!
Kelly
this looks like so much fun! i hope you are having a fantastic time! =0)
Janna’s Keeping it Real!
Not only are your friends awesome for having so many cool details for your bachelorette weekend, but you are all gorgeous! Take the windy city by storm!
Frugal ‘n’ Fit!
HAVE FUN! Aw these pictures are so awesome – I can’t wait for my party one day
haha, I’ve got QUITE some time, but this makes me look forward to it. You are GORGEOUS!
Enjoy every moment, Julie, you deserve nothing but happiness
Meg
Sounds like you are having a great weekend! Have fun!
angierunner
How fun! I can;t wait to see what else you guys are up to.
Jessica @ How Sweet
I must say it looks like a good time!
I gotta ask, what brought the bachelorette party to Chicago???
Emily
i actually grew up in palatine, IL & came back to celebrate w/ some college friends that moved here.
peanutbutterfingers
ooh fun!! i am actually moving to Chicago in two weeks!! I had Giordano’s for the first time while I was visiting and it was heaven on earth!! YUM!
Emily
I think I know where you are going tonight. Been there, done that. Be prepared for some beautiful “girls.”
Thinking of you! xo Mama
Mama
How fun!! The boa has made its official debut! xo
Amy @ Vitamin Amy
sounds like so much fun! you have such awesome girlfriends!
I hope you have even more fun tonight!!
Marina
SO FUN! I can’t believe how much detail they put into planning everything. You have such amazing friends!!
I’m thinking drag show???
Jackie (Peaces of Earth)
Looks like such a good time!! I love that necklace with all the rings on it!
Enjoy the rest of your fabulous weekend, Julie!
40apples
Looks like you had a great time! I hope the rest of the weekend is even better!
-Erika
Erika
You have some amazingly organized friends – it looks like a ton of thought went into this weekend. Enjoy!
Rachael
Looks like a blast and what great planning by your friends! Keep enjoying yourself
cardiopizza
Oh I am so impressed with all that your friends are doing! That’s amazing and lovely and wonderful
Chicago is such a fun city…I have to wonder if you are going to the Mashed Potato Club tonight
Shanna, like Banana
How fun! One of my best friends just moved to chicago for an internship with the bulls..and hopefully I will get to go visit her in september when ill be close in St Louis! So glad your having fun!
erin
Looks like you’re having a BLAST! What a fun, fun time. =)
Amber K
What a fun night out, I love making martini glasses…those are cute. I need to check out the salads ar Starbucks too.
Nicci
Those martinis looked yummy!! Have so much fun this weekend in Chicago! Such a great city
Brooke
You look like you had so much fun!!
Kailey@MissionHealthy
Aaaww, it looks like you’re having a fun time!! And you picked a great city to do it in
Looking forward to seeing what the rest of the weekend holds for you!! Boys will be girls, hmm???
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
I love bachelorette parties and yours looks like so much fun. I can’t wait to hear all about the rest of the weekend!!
kaitm
Fun times Julie!!! I am so glad you are enjoying yourself to the max!!!
Kelly
One thing that I did not do that I highly regret. Enjoy it!!!!!!!
Britta
Oh my gosh! looks like so much fun!
enjoy yourself this weekend with all of your friends! I am so amazed on how detailed all of the plans are!
Anna
Hahaha that looks like so much fun! Have a good rest of the weekend!!
Katie
Wow, what a fun, special night!! Ryan is there with you?? can’t wait to hear all about round two!!
justjac
nope – just the girls!
peanutbutterfingers
Looks like you gals are having a ton of fun!
Did you all plan to wear white & (some shade of) gray? Great group picture.
Hope the weekend is amazing.
Shelby
yep! they planned the outfits & everything to a t!
peanutbutterfingers
Wow, what a BLAST you all had! Terrific photos.
Girlfriends are the best.
Erin
Great pics!!! Seems like my bachelorette party was just yesterday. (Try 7 years ago!) Have fun!
Melissa (MelissaLikesToEat)
Looks like so much funnnn!!! What a gorgeous group you girls are!
I went to a Howl at the Moon in Indianapolis and LOVED it!!!
Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life
Ah, how fun!! Congrats again and hope you had a wild and crazy weekend!!!
Lori
It looks like your having so much fun!!! I can’t wait to see more picture
You do have some great friends! My bachelorette party is this up coming weekend! I’m from Ann Arbor, Michigan and we’re headed to Nashville! This makes me even more excited! Thanks for sharing 
Elyse
Piano bars are the best place for bachelorette parties
Looks like you had a blast!!
Anne @ the doctor takes a wife
It looks like you had a fantastic time! You’re friends seem super thoughtful
Those martini’s look soooo good. How does she do it? Just take dry hot chocolate mix and add in some vodka?
Cassie
yep – & she just shakes ‘em up w/ some ice cubes (but takes the ice cubes out before serving). SO good!
peanutbutterfingers