Heath Ledger Oscar Buzz

Forget Sex and the City, the most anticipated movie of the summer is The Dark Knight and critics are already saying that Heath Ledger should win an Oscar for his performance in the flick.

Peters Travers from Rolling Stone said Ledger was mad-crazy-brilliant as the Joker and creates "a joker for all ages."

Heath Ledger died in January and will be honored in the end credits of the film.

This just makes me so more excited to see this movie!

Wednesday night parties

Last night checked out the SHE Boutique anniversary party at their store in Lincoln Park. A dj provided some great tunes to listen to while all the chicago trendy girls shopped. I have to say everyone was dressed so well. It made me feel so proud of all the fashionable women in Chicago. I did see some horrible outfits though.. like the lacy number that looked like lingerie with a sweater over it and the worst a grey pantsuit with skinny belt. As a friend of mine critiqued our dislike for the ensemble my friend Kristin chimed in with her genuine "I like it though.. I really like it"

Outside we were approached by an "editor" of Chicago Collection magazine thats having a sample sale of all the beauty products she has gotten from companies by working at the magazine. This girl sketched me out so much! Not only is it illegal to sell promotional items from companies but her whole awkwardness bothered me. Maybe it was the million questions I started to ask her, I don't know. But anyways, they will be setting up a stand at the Bucktown Library on Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m.

After the SHE Party, we headed to Violet Hour for their One Year Anniversary hosted by Don Julio and Esquire. I tried some expensive tequila and had an awesome brovo tequila cocktail - very fruity but with hints of bitters. Cocktail waitresses were walking around with interesting appetizers my favorite being a banana peanut butter bacon dessert. I know it sounds so weird but it was amazing!

So, it was a great party night and the plus side of it was that I made it to work this morning :-)

Lots is going on in Chicago this weekend.

A couple things I'll highlight for you...

Friday night-
1.) Castaways is having a party with Too White Crew playing
2.) Avenue M is hosting there one year anniversary

Saturday
1.) Cubs and Sox are playing at the Cell. I'll be there cheering on the Cubbies!
2.) Stevie Wonder is playing T.O.C. (I'm so sad I will miss seeing my idol)

Sunday
1) Gay Pride parade is going on!

There's just a few for you. There's so much more going on.

SHE Boutique 1 year anniversary party

Back in Chicago!

Got back to the city Late Saturday night and although I had a great time in LA, its nice to be back home. I missed my dog Francie a lot! It was weird to wake up and not have to take her out, etc... I wasn't used to it. It was also hot as hell in LA. The temps were over 100 degrees inland. Closer to the water it was more manageable! I'll be back this afternoon with some stuff going on this week!

Get Smart

I had the chance to go to pre-screening of the movie Get Smart last night and the movie is hilarious! I definitely recommend this as a good classic action/funny movie. Steve Carrell plays the funny/action man part well and Anne Hathaway was a lot better than I expected her to be. I give the flick a thumbs UP! The movie officially opens on Friday!

US Hot Hollywood Party

Lumen is hosting the US Hot Hollywood Party on Thursday...

Nice Weekend - Nice Week!

I had a nice, relaxed weekend AWAY from my apartment and from the city which I can tell you was very relieving. It's nice to get away and RELAX. I saw one of the most beautiful sunsets and got to play with my dog Francie on the beach. You know, sometimes you need to just get away. Your phone is off and you can just chill and relax. Anyways, I caught the tail end of the Wells Street Arts Festival with some friends had a nice sushi dinner on Sunday and got back to work this Monday. I'm leaving for LA on Wednesday so it looks I'll be missing some fun stuff going on in Chicago this week, but posting for ya anyways...

Gen Art Film Festival June 23-27

Giving you all a heads up that the GenArt Film Festival is coming up soon - with quite a few good flicks to check out!  I'm zeroing in on The Last Word on 6/24 with afterparty at Zed 451.

http://www.genartfilmfestival.com/

Tonight :-) @ Empty Bottle

dancing machines unite!

Tasteful Art of the Avenues This Friday June 13th

Bad Tomato!

Well, I'm staying away from one of my favorite fruits right now.. :-(


About 70 people across several states have been diagnosed as having been infected with Salmonella Saintpaul. The Center for Disease Control has identified consumption of raw tomatoes as the likely source of the problem.
Roma Tomatoes Judy Hedding The specific type and source of tomatoes aren't yet certain, but preliminary data suggest that large tomatoes, including Roma and red round are the source.
Many people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps within 12–72 hours after eating infected foods. The illness usually lasts several days to a week. Most people recover without treatment. Infants, the elderly, and people with impaired immune systems are especially at risk to develop more severe infections.

Ribfest Roundup...

Went to Ribfest on Irving/Lincoln this weekend.  Left with  a stomach full of em.  I would have to say my favorites were:

Winner: Gage Street Inn

tender, fell of the bone, great smokyness

Runner Up: Chicago Joes

extremely tender, fell of the bone, great bbq sauce

Ribfest was a lot of fun!

TGIF!

It's finally the weekend.  So many fun things planned and I'm really just looking forward to not going to work for a couple days.  Enjoy the fantastic weather!! Do you even remember how bad winter was anymore with days like this?

Domino Design District 2008- June 7th & 8th

Domino Design District 2008 is going on this weekend with lots of fun events and stores giving discounts on Armitage and Halsted in Lincoln Park. It will definitely be an event not to miss!

Here's some info of events going on but be sure to check out the website for more information and downloadable pdf maps!


http://www.dominodesigndistrict.com/

Not For Tourists : Chicago Party

Not For Tourists will be hosting a party at Gold Star for their book launch in Ukrainian Village. Free PBR and books for all!

Where: Gold Star Bar, 1755 W Division St in Ukrainian Village

When: June 6, 6-9 pm

What: Free NFTs and Beer

o-b-a-m-a!

I'm very happy today because it was announced yesterday that Barack Obama will be the democratic nominee. How long have we waited for this? My excitement was shared with thousands of others who went to Millenium Park to watch Death Cab for Cutie. Ben Gibbard, lead singer of Death Cab shared in the excitement. "You all should be very happy today. It looks like your senator is going to be the next president of the United States." The crowd cheered. Looking forward to the change he can bring after the worst 8 year presidency in history. Three cheers for OBAMA!

Ribfest - Chicago

Ribfest Chicago is going on this upcoming weekend. This year celebrates the 10th annual Ribfest in North Center where local restaurants offer their barbecued fare. Live music on two stages. 65,000 lbs of ribs! Nada Surf is playing Sunday @ 9 p.m. !


When:
June 7 : 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.June 8 : 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Price:
$5 suggested donation benefits the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce
Event Phone Number:
847-677-8273

Find out more here: http://www.northcenterchamber.com/site/epage/1050_62.htm

Taxi!

What a great idea. I was watching Nightline last night and saw this website profiled with Death Cab For a Cutie. It's cool and I think you should check it out!

As quoted on their website:"One Song. One Take. One Cab."I'm talking about the Black Cab Sessions (http://www.blackcabsessions.com)A bunch of independent groups (some unknown, some more popular) playing one song for the duration of the cab ride through out the streets of London.

Death Cab plays Millenium Park tomorrow!

With much excitement and anticipation, Death Cab will be playing Chicago's Millenium Park tomorrow, June 3rd. Death Cab has risen from indie-rock obscurity to mainstream success especially with their recent release of Narrow Stairs. The show is rated to be one of the ten shows to be seen in Chicago this summer by Trib Music Reporter, Greg Kot. I can't wait!!

Back to the Grind

Back to work and trying to get my brain back on track from the amazing weekend I just had. Verona Red played Elbo Room Friday. The rain stopped so I could have a barbecue in honor of my best friend Marie on Friday... Saturday was a perfect 10 weather day in Chicago. Pretty much every girl I saw at the Belmont/Sheffield fest was looking adorable in a summer dress. I think it was a collective yes! from the entire city & state that we had the great weather like we did. Oh yeah, and the CUBS won!! Bully in the Hallway played an awesome show at Elbo Room on Saturday night and Sunday was a FUN DAY with bloodies and some wind on the rooftop. Later on we checked out some Ted Leo and Aki Sushi. Aki Sushi is the best! Now, its back to work though and looking forward to another great weekend this weekend. I'll be updating the blog a lot this week so keep checking back!! Have an awesome week xoxo Amanda