Hello from Chicago!
I arrived in Chicago late last night early this morning, thrilled to see my friend Leah and her fiancé Matt waiting for me to bring me back to their apartment in the city.
Even though it was late, the three of us enjoyed catching up for a bit before finally turning in for the night. I somehow managed to sleep in until 8:30 a.m. (9:30 a.m. Orlando time!) and awoke feeling excited about today’s activities!
A few of my friends will be arriving to Leah’s around lunchtime and her official bachelorette party shenanigans kick off around 6 p.m. Watch out, Chicago!
Leah’s bachelorette party will actually be the first bachelorette party I’ve ever been to besides my own. Let’s get crrrrazy!
This morning, I unpacked some of the goodies from my suitcase, including the things I need for the bachelorette party tonight that Ryan packed in his super-space saving bag for me.
It went from this:
To this:
Magic! And now I have have of a carry on suitcase that’s completely empty. Anyone want to do some shopping? 
I’m still waiting for Leah and Matt to wake up this morning and in the meantime I’ve been snacking on trail mix and a few small chocolate chip cookies.
The trail mix is delicious! I wonder if Leah’s mom made it because she has a knack for making tasty granola.
And now, since I’m hopped up on bachelorette party fever, if you’re new to the blog, here are the recaps of my two unbelievably fun bachelorette parties:
- Bachelorette Party Weekend I (Day One, Day Two)
- Bachelorette Party Half Marathon
- Bachelorette Party Weekend II (Part One, Part Two)
- Bachelorette Party Reflections
I want to do it again! 
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I can’t wait to hear about your weekend. Reading these stories has me super pumped for my own bachelorette party in a week and a half. We have a few days planned at a beach, but I don’t know anything else since they want to surprise me 🙂
Yay Chicago!!! What neighborhood are you in? Let me know if you need anything!
Ahh! Chicago is easily one of the best cities in the world. Have tons of fun, Julie–and don’t go too crazy on Michigan Avenue. 😉
Ahh I loved your bride to be sports bra from your half marathon! That is wayy too cute!
I can’t wait to hear about your weekend and see all of the fun pictures I know you’re going to post =D
Have a great weekend! Can’t wait to hear and see the updates!
I had to comment since you are here in my hometown! Hope that you girls have a great weekend!! Looking forward to reading about the weekend festivities!
oh i’m excited to hear about all the shenanigans you guys have in store! 🙂 have a great time julie!
Wow, I am impressed with your packing skills! I look forward to hearing about the bachelorette party. Chicago is my former home, so I can’t wait to hear about it!
Trail mix & cookies…I think this is a sign that today is going to be an extra FUN day!!
ENJOY!
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So glad you made it! I’ve never been to a bachelorette party before so I look forward to seeing what kind of shennanigans you girls pull 😉
Have fun!
Cookies for brekkie?? Wheee! Its amazing how much you wEre able to cram in Ryan’s bag! Have the best weekend!! 🙂
I’m from Lincoln Park 🙂 I hope you guys hit up the bars around there!
Woo! Glad you made it to Chicago! Have a great time tonight. 🙂
Have a great weekend! I’ve never been to a bachlorette party, but from what I’ve seen, they look like SO much fun! 🙂
By the way, I’m really impressed by that carry-on! Amazing…
oh how fun! I love cookies in the mornings…. ha 🙂
Num Num NUm I want one of those cookies.
Have fun in Chicago- LOVE that city.
have fun! impressive packing job 🙂
Cookies for breakfast is such a good choice. Enjoy Chicago!
Have a blasty with your friends!
Love trail mix & cookies. I hope you have an awesome time!
I have a bachlorette party in Chicago next weekend! Can’t wait to hear about this one and maybe get some final ideas. 🙂
have an awesome time! 😀
Can Ryan come pack for me?! That is unbelievable!
Have fun in Chicago, Julie 🙂
Have a great time tonight!! Bachelorette parties are the best excuse to go all out 🙂
Bachelorette parties are the best, and I’m sure being in Chicago will make it super fun! Have a great time. 🙂
That granola looks great! Hope you have so much fun! I have yet to go to a Bachelorette Party since none of my friends are married… so I can’t wait to read your recaps..and see how tonight plays out!
Weeeee bachlorette parties are SO fun!!! I bet Chicago would be an amazing place to have one… so glad you made it there safe and sound!!
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and am really enjoying it!
I was wondering: do you ever work during evenings or weekends? In my job it’s hard to avoid but I’m someone who needs at least one day a week off from work (especially on a day like this when it’s the Champions League final!! In Europe girls are soccer fans too:).. so I was wondering how you deal with overtime work.
Have fun in Chicago!
An exciting week end to go on!
Hoping the rain doesn’t stop you! at least it’s supposed to be nice tomorrow and Monday! Looking for a good breakfast place? Try Tempo Cafe on Chestnut. FANTASTIC food.
Have fun at the bachelorette party!
And on an unrelated note, I love when trail mix has lots of raisins and dried cranberries with the nuts. I love the two textures 😀
I love bachelorette parties! Well, i guess get all the girls together and Im game! hahha
And chicago is one of my favorite cities- have fun!
i LOVE chicago!! ive only been once and fell in love!! i LOVE TRAIL MIX.. that stuff is LETHAL
oh not literally lethal.. lethal as in so incredibly addictive 🙂
That trail mix looks so yummy! Trail mix is perfect when traveling, I also take protein bars and packets with me for quick fixes.
Have a fun time!
xo
Jessica
You’re about 4 days late! You could have gone to see Oprah!!!
Mmmm the trail mix and cookies look delicious! Have so much fun at the bach party! I just saw Bridesmaids last night and it makes me think of bridal get-togethers — I found the movie SO funny 🙂
that out of bag transformation is remarkable! have an AWESOME time!! 🙂 and cookies are good at all hours. 🙂
That granola looks great! Enjoy Chicago 🙂
What are doing for the bachlorette party? I’m planning one for this summer and we are all drawing blanks on something new in Chicago. I feel like we’ve done it all already.
Have fun in Chicago! I love it there!
You’re going to have so much fun at your first friend bachelorette party!! We had such a blast at my best friends while in FL that we are going to re-create it in a few weeks with an all nighter and we’re going to see Bridesmaids. It’s always fun when you can get away with the girls 🙂
Wow the camping bag really did amazing things. I love those! I used them on a multi-day hiking trip awhile ago. Life-savers!
Kinda, sorta, definitely jealous about the bachelorette party. I haven’t been to a wedding since I was 5! I just can’t wait for my friends and I to get to that marrying age so I can properly celebrate haha. Enjoy your time in Chicago!
Haha, sounds like its going to be so much fun! And you need to fill up that suitcase, girl!
Yay for getting there safely:) That trail mix looks delish!! I could easily eat a bag all by myself!
Aughhh jealous jealous jealous!! What I would give to be back in Chicago right now…. Have a fantastic time! 🙂
Cute gift bags! Have fun 🙂
Hi, Julie! I just wanted to say that I found your blog online (I believe it was fitsugar.com) and it is the best! You are an inspiration to all. I just wanted to say thank you (your recipes are the bomb) and my boyfriend and I yearned for a vizla before your blog and now I’m just dyyyyin’ to get one after seeing yours! Sadie is the cutest patootie in the entire universe. Enjoy your trip in chi-town and have a great MDW!
I love Chicago – you are going to have such a blast. I’m sure things are already well planned but if you need any recommendations, I’d be happy to help. Have fun!