1st Annual River North Craft Pub Crawl

Oh, how I so thoroughly enjoy hanging with my amigos! We hit the streets this weekend to partake in the1st Annual River North Craft Pub Crawl. This was my first time attending a pub crawl, so I didn't know what to expect... and it was rather adventurous for me since I'm not much of a beer drinker. The event lasted about 8 hours (though I only managed to hang in there for about 4 or so) and featured 10 River North Bars: American Junkie, Bull & Bear, English, Epic, John Barleycorn, Hubbard Inn, Mercer, Moe's Cantina, Public House and Rockit Bar & Grill.

So, what were my thoughts on the event? It was just okay. Granted, I had fun spending times with my friends, but each venue only featured 2 beers, none of which were particularly good.. though I've been told Craft Beers are an acquired taste, so it could be something that was too outside the box for my non-beer savvy taste buds to understand lol.

I thought it was a cool enough concept to get a "stamp" on your "passport" at each location, with attendees being eligible for a raffle at the end of the event for going to each location. This definitely made it a bit more interactive and encouraged attendees to go to each location, but I heard rumblings that there wasn't really going to be a raffle. (Insert -__- face). I'm all for advertising, but scheming and lying to get folks involved is not a good look. Again, this was just something I overheard attendees saying so I don't know if it was really true or not.

Would I attend a Pub Crawl again? Maybe. It'd depend on the featured venues and I'd definitely pre-game a bit earlier with my crew. It wasn't the worst experience, but I was happy I didn't pay full price ($20) for my ticket. Oh, and another tip... I'd be sure to bring CASH!!! It was annoying having to use my debit card at each location. My mistake tho... I never keep cash on me.

Here's a little video my friend shot during the day. Told y'all I had the mouth of a sailor lol... I can't even remember who I was referencing lol.

What to do Memorial Day Weekend 2013 in Chicago

Memorial Day Weekend is approaching and that means it's time to kick off day parties, drinking, warmth, sunshine and roof tops!! Chicago comes alive in the late spring/summer, and any Chicagoan knows we have to go balls to the wall before August comes to an end and Fall starts rearing its ugly head. With that said, there are tons of events to check out this upcoming weekend.

Thursday

What: Radio Killers 4x4 DJ Set featuring DJ A-OH, DJ All Styles, DJ Sean Mac & DJ Jay Illa
When: Thursday, May 23rd
Where: Lumen - 839 W. Fulton Market
Cost: RSVP by texting "Lumen" and FULL names to 773-818-4214




Friday

What: TGIFresh Presents #Flagship
When: Friday, May 24th 9p-2a
Where: Tantrik - 800 W. Superior (entrance on Chicago Ave. side of bldg)
Cost: Mandatory RSVP. Includes Don Julio hosted bar 9p-10p, free cover before 10:30 and reduced cover until 11:30p. RSVP by clicking here


tgifresh 11 | April 13, 2012 from AvriBijon.com on Vimeo.

What: The Turn Up featuring DJ Hero and DJ Sean Mac
When: Friday, May 24th
Where: Bevy - 215 W. Ontario
Cost: RSVP by texting "BEVYFRI" and FULL names to 773-818-4214





Saturday

What: Posh Entertainment "Salute to Summer: The 50/13 Experience" Part I
When: Saturday, May 25th 4:30p-8:30p
Where: Market Bar & Restaurant - 1113 W. Randolph St.
Cost: $10 online. Entry will cost more at the door, so snag the ticket online for cheaper here.



What: Allure - The power of Attraction
When: Saturday, May 25th
Where: Enclave - 220 W. Chicago Ave.
Cost: RSVP by texting "ENCLAVE" and FULL names to 773-818-4214



SUNDAY

What: CircocNation "Life is Best Celebrated before Night" Day Party
When: Sunday, May 26th 3p-8p
Where: Sawtooth Lounge - 1350 W. Randolph St. 
Cost: Free before 4p with RSVP. Click here to RSVP. 
Perks: RSVP includes complimentary food and Ciroc cocktails before 4p 

What: High Society "Summer of the Sexy" Memorial Day Weekend Party
When: Sunday, May 26th 9p-2a
Where: RSVP Lounge (downstairs portion of Club 858) - 858 W. Lake St.
Cost:  Free Before 11:30p with RSVP. Click here to RSVP for the event.



Summer of the Sexy 2013 - Cinco de Mayo Day Party Recap from Fame Production Group on Vimeo.



What: 2nd Annual "Summertime Chi" Day Party
When: Sunday, May 26th 2p-8p
Where: Market Bar & Restaurant - 1113 W. Randolph St.
Cost: RSVP by texting "ROOFTOP" and FULL names to 773-818-4214
 


What: Posh Entertainment "Salute to Summer: The 50/13 Experience" Part II
When: Sunday, May 26th 2p-6p
Where: Epic - 112 W. Hubbard St.
Cost: $10 online. Entry will cost more at the door, so snag the ticket online for cheaper here.

#FitchTheHomeless

Abercrombie & Fitch has been in the news recently because of statements the CEO made re: not wanting fat or uncool people rocking his clothes. I've actually never been a fan of Abercrombie & Fitch... it just always had a slightly suburbanite d-bag quality to it (kinda like how I never liked Ed Hardy lol), but I see why his statements have people feeling some type of way. Personally, I don't think he's saying anything folks haven't heard before. Many brands are able to control who rocks their clothes by either pricing them out, limiting selection, sizes, where it's sold - - the list goes on and on.

I remember back in high school folks went hard for Tommy Hilfiger, all the while he had made it rather clear his clothes weren't intended for an urban consumer. While I think the business model Abercrombie & Fitch has isn't politically correct, I see where they're coming from. No, I don't think it makes for "good" business, but his statements aren't shocking.

Nevertheless, I do think the CEO looks like a bit of a tool lol, so I'm all for the following video that was made. Abercrombie & Fitch is NOT the shit... Let's make #FitchForHomeless a success!! lol...

Danity Kane is Reuniting (via @TMZ)

Stop each and every solitary press! TMZ just reported that Danity Kane is reuniting and my life force is about to sky rocket into the stratosphere!!! I used to go hard for Danity Kane and even bought both of their albums... and that was a big freaking deal since I had no problem bootlegging everything else (well, not everything lol), but YES!!! Danity Kane is set to return.

I should also note that they're reporting D-Woods isn't returning with the girls, nor is Diddy (wasn't he always the 6th member? lol...) - - but truth be told, Aundrea and Aubrey gave me life... and Dawn's voice was super dope... and Shannon, well she just played her part and didn't bother me. I'd love to see all 5 original members back together, but I'll still buy an album.

I really hope TMZ isn't playing with my emotions because a new album from them would make me entire Summer that much better. I know I'm not alone in this. Who else is excited about them coming back on the scene?

Losing Weight for my 30th Birthday

A few months ago I decided that I needed to get back on the fitness wagon, but this time not focus on trying to drop X amount of lbs or fit into Y outfit. I wanted to set realistic goals and create a lifestyle change. My good friend Sexy and the Chi told me that things get REAL after 30 and I better be at my ideal weight before I join the club.

I decided that I wanted to reach my target weight by my 29th birthday (next month) and maintain it for a full year leading up to my 30th birthday next year. I knew it wouldn't necessarily be "easy" to drop the extra weight, but I made a commitment to shed some lbs.

I started in December 2012 and as of my last weigh in a few weeks ago had dropped 11 lbs, 3% body fat, and regained my jaw line lol. Operation "save my face" has been a success thus far!

Some of the key elements I introduced to aid in my journey:

1) Personal Trainer
2) Heart Rate Monitor
3) My Fitness Pal app

I'll be doing a few blog posts and probably 1-2 YouTube videos detailing my progress and experiences thus far! Everyone wants to get on their "Kanye workout plan" for the summer, but what about having something well rounded for the entire year? I mean, Chicagoans especially tend to give ourselves a pass at gaining during the winter and then working like slaves to get ready for the few months we have to frolic during the summer. None of that equals a healthy lifestyle.

Have you introduced any new things into your diet/fitness routine?

Poor Kim Kardashian

I know everyone is giving Kim Kardashian a hard time for basically rocking a couch to the Met Gala, but I woke up this morning feeling feisty and protective of her. Maybe it was the fact I ate popsicles until 3am and the sugar is affecting my brain, but something in my life force wanted to send out some love and support to Kimmie Cakes.

Fuck Anna Wintour! Seriously... Kim should adopt the attitude that she has not one entire fuck to give the American Vogue Editor-in-Chief. Wintour is a seemingly smug 63yo woman that lets her BFF Andre Leon Talley rock bath robes in public. I know Kardashian craves the spotlight and attention at desperate levels, but after being played like Boo Boo the Fool when Vogue cropped her out of the picture on their site (below), she should just give up her Wintour approved dreams of grandeur.

Another thing I feel like nobody wants to acknowledge is how much work it must take to stroke Kanye's ego. Just imagine waking up to the reality that you're carrying the spawn of Mr. West and the baby could be a bigger brat than he is! That's scary... I feel like Kim is constantly getting a bad wrap, but she let this man throw out all of her awesome clothes and proceed to dress her in black rags... and he never smiles or opens doors for her. It kinda sucks from the outside looking in and I do feel <--- this ---> bad for her.

Now, I'm sure Khloe and Kourtney are somewhere letting out a few laughs lol... but really they should intervene on their sister's life force and help her get the shit together.