The Rundown v20 and Introducing Erin Ate It

Where did we leave off? I had a wonderful time in Maine for the Kennebunkport Festival, and a less wonderful trip home involving 8 hours of flight delays. In the past few weeks I have tried some new restaurants, picnicked with friends, attended a blogging conference, and made one big life change.

The big news is that I quit my job at Groupon to work for myself! I have been stretched thin for the past 18 months running this site and the Windy City Blogger Collective while holding a full time job. With Groupon out of the picture (it was a pretty terrible place for a woman to work) I get to fully devote myself to projects I have passion for. In addition to The Kittchen and WCBC, Erin Bassett and I are taking on social media consulting projects.

And speaking of Erin, we are launching a fun new web series called Erin Ate It, where Erin eats food I prepare, and we talk about current events. You can watch the first episode above! Let me know what you think!

Here are the other things I have been up to lately:

Charles and I went sailing with some friends. I had no idea that my husband even knew how to sail, but of course, my city boy husband can sail, while I continue to be the worst Mainer of all time and can't sail. This girl from Maine couldn't handle Lake Michigan either… apparently lake sickness is a thing.

The Loews Hotel opened the biggest rooftop in the Chicago. Located in the Streeterville neighborhood, this rooftop houses two restaurants and lawn games, and has great views of the skyline. There were acrobats performing at the opening party, and it looked beautiful against the foggy skyline.

I attended Eat, Write, Retreat, a food blogger conference. It was fun to see some of my food blogging friends from other cities. Plus we got to meet Iron Chef Judge Mario Rizzotti.

The Windy City Blogger Collective hosted our monthly happy hour at Seasons 52, a newish restaurant in River North just off of Michigan Avenue. They spoiled us with lots of amazing appetizers (like lollipop lamb chops) and mini desserts.

I joined friends for a birthday party at Parson's Chicken and Fish, a laid back bar/restaurant with one of the best outdoor spaces in Chicago. The fried chicken sandwich was so massive that I couldn't finish it.

A group of bloggers from WCBC dined at Current at the W Lakeshore. The bright modern restaurant served up severe dishes from the new summer menu including giant scallops with peppers and eggplant.

I picnicked with friends on three separate occasions. And my Broccomole recipe created quite the stir on Twitter, there are some broccoli haters on the internet!

Plus, I was interviewed for the She Did It Her Way podcast. You can listen here. I talk about self-publishing and starting the Windy City Blogger Collective.

What are your plans for the long weekend? Charles and I are celebrating our 3rd anniversary at The American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin, and are so excited to check out the five star resort. It is the place for a weekend getaway if you are living in Chicago. Have you been? Do you have any recommendations? As always, you can follow our adventures on Instagram.