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Floradise

A lifestyle blog by Marette Flora

Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest Haul

I had one of those perfect Chicago summer weekends. I don’t know how I’ll top it. First, I love spotting the blooms in the neighborhood.

Also, Graham’s parents visited us on Saturday and we had a wonderful time catching up. Once our visitors left, Graham and I walked to the Glenwood Avenue Arts Festival to check out the vendors. Last year we purchased a couple of art prints and some natural skin products, along with the most delicious frozen sangria drink I’ve ever had.

This year, we wanted to shop different local vendors to spread the love. We typically walk around the entire length of the market before committing to a purchase. We passed by a van that we thought was a nice concept for a shop, so we stepped inside. I purchased two soy candles in tiny glasses that happened to be on sale. I also liked a T-shirt that said “Chicago love” but it was only available in kids sizing. (The designer has women’s online.)

Two new candles in our living room.

T-shirt by Megan Lee Designs.

On the way out I noticed a natural skin care booth, so I picked up natural deodorant that has a lovely coconut scent.

Graham gravitates toward anything to do with plants, and he immediately purchased a little cottage with a living moss roof from another seller. It, too, was a great deal.

We noticed the storm was about to hit, so I quickly browsed a booth that should all things wood. I saw a lovely bird-cage ornament with a red bird and I had to get it. Graham and I collect ornaments from places we go, and this would be ours to represent Rogers Park, our neighborhood. We probably would have bought more had it not started storming.

Events such as the Glenwood Ave. Arts Fest make me proud to live in this diverse and accepting neighborhood.

Watch my video below and subscribe to my channel if you haven’t already!

Last year’s recap: Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest 2015

Just Roll With It

When I say yoga has changed my life, it’s no exaggeration. Lessons that I learned from yoga can be applied in everyday situations. I was reminded of this yesterday. Graham and I planned to walk to a neighborhood Thai place for dinner. I was looking forward to pad Thai; I didn’t want anything else. But when we reached the door to the restaurant, we saw chairs stacked on top of tables and the sign was turned off. We had forgotten it’s closed on Mondays. I was instantly hangry. I didn’t want to walk just one more block to the sushi place Graham suggested next. Countless negative thoughts floated around in my head. I still had a frown on my face as we walked into Asahi Roll on Sheridan in Rogers Park. I didn’t even want to sit in the restaurant; I wanted to take the food back home. I had an idea that the food wouldn’t be as delicious.
On my first taste of yakisoba noodles, I realized how wrong I had been. I sampled Graham’s sushi rolls: the Avocado Torch, spicy California and shrimp tempura.  I couldn’t get enough, yet I hadn’t even wanted sushi! That spicy mayo elevated that California roll. The mix of spicy tuna, avocado, tempura crunch, eel sauce and spicy mayo on the Avocado Torch sealed the deal for me. I wondered why we hadn’t tried this place before. We devoured every bite of the meal. I couldn’t understand why the small, no frills location was not more packed. We must have been asked four times if everything was to our liking. Asahi Roll, we’re going to be friends.
So what’s the lesson in all this? First, temper your hanger. Second, just go with the flow. Nothing is under control. When one plan is derailed, be open to the possibilities. It may lead you to the best sushi you’ve had in a while. Also, one of their rolls is the Arizona Summer, which seemed like a sign that I was meant to try this place. That’s next on my list of rolls to try along with the Loyola Roll. 

vegetable gyoza, asahi roll, rogers park, chicago, sushi
Vegetable gyoza

Shrimp Tempura, Avocado Torch, Spicy California, sushi, Asahi Roll, Chicago, Rogers Park
Shrimp tempura, Avocado Torch, spicy California rolls

Just roll with it! post signature

Rogers Park Taco Crawl

Let’s taco ’bout how much I crave tacos. It’s pretty much every day. I didn’t realize until the Rogers Park Taco Crawl how close I am to quality Mexican food restaurants. 
Tickets for the taco crawl, organized by the Rogers Park Business Alliance, were $10 and were good for 10 tacos at 10 local eateries. All of them were along Clark Street.
Sadly, only three places served pescatarian-friendly tacos. I made the most of the crawl by trading my chicken taco for a veggie at one place and bringing home other tacos for Graham. (During the crawl I was only aware of two pescatarian-friendly places; I had missed that Chikis has a veggie option as well.)
The crawl began at Fonda Doña Chio, where taco lovers got a punch card and coupons for future visits. The restaurant was the most crowded of all stops because it was the first. The squash blossom tacos were delicious and flavorful. I could have had a couple more.  Next we walked to the corner of Morse and Clark, where musicians were performing and more tacos were being served. 

Fonda Dona Chio, Rogers Park, tacos

Our next stop was several block south. We walked to El Pulpo Loco for shrimp tacos. I am still thinking about the taco. I will be back to El Pulpo Loco for more.

El Pulpo Loco, shrimp taco, Rogers Park Taco Crawl
Shrimp taco from El Pulpo Loco on Clark Street in Rogers Park.

By this point my companion had eaten four tacos and only had room for one more. We walked to Taqueria Hernandez for the last one of the night. It was more of a quesadilla with carne asada (that I gave to Graham). 
Despite not eating all 10 tacos, the taco crawl was worth the investment because I learned about authentic Mexican restaurants that are worth the visit and I saw a part of Rogers Park I had not explored. It was also my first crawl. I hope the Rogers Park Business Alliance organizes more of these events. 
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Lake Michigan Sunrise

It only took me six months of living in Chicago to wake up early enough for a Lake Michigan sunrise. It was well worth it for the gorgeous skies. 
I ran to the beach with my camera, only to find I had forgotten my memory card. Great, I got up early for nothing. I could have tossed and turned in bed for at least another hour. I wasn’t about to waste the opportunity, so I ran back home to get my memory card and made it back in time.  

Rogers Park, sunrise, Chicago, Lake Michigan, Floradise

Early bird catches the worm, right?

Rogers Park, sunrise, Chicago, Lake Michigan, Floradise

Mindy Kaling once wrote, “There is no sunrise so beautiful that it is worth waking me up to see it.” This is one thing I disagree with her about.

Rogers Park, sunrise, Chicago, Lake Michigan, Floradise
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I wasn’t alone on the beach. Dog walkers, runners and coffee drinkers joined me.

Rogers Park, sunrise, Chicago, Lake Michigan, Floradise
Rogers Park, sunrise, Chicago, Lake Michigan
Rogers Park, sunrise, Chicago, Lake Michigan

Rogers Park, sunrise, Chicago, Lake Michigan

Graham has begged me for months to get up early with him to watch the sunrise. I can now see why. Will I do it every day? Maybe not. I’ll try sometimes though. Have a beautiful day!
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Heartland Cafe, Rogers Park, Chicago

Any day that I get to spend exploring Chicago is a gem, especially if I have Graham as my companion. Last weekend we had the rare ability to go out to breakfast together. I finally had the chance to try out Heartland Cafe on Glenwood Avenue in our Rogers Park neighborhood.

I’ve seen the quaint shop/restaurant on the way to yoga and during the Glenwood Arts Fest. It seemed like a perfect spot to grab breakfast or lunch. Breakfast on the patio was the best choice on that crisp, cool morning after a rainstorm.

I chose the Heartland Panhandler scramble with eggs (instead of tofu) and veggie sausage ($9.50). I have never been a fan of sausage, but I was curious. It also had broccoli, cheese, mushrooms, onions and Jack cheese. The menu said potatoes, but if it had spuds they were reduced to mush. The dish was tasty and filling, but the sausage was a little much after a while. Believe it or not, I also ordered a side of potatoes that never came, but by the time I was done with my scramble I didn’t want them anymore anyway — at least that’s what I told myself.

Graham went with the chocolate-chip whole-wheat pancakes ($8), continuing the trend of him ordering a sweet breakfast while I stick with savory. He devoured every bite (minus a few bites that I stole).
I get the worst case of buyer’s remorse all the time when I try something new at restaurants. I wondered if I should have ordered the dish without the veggie sausage. On my next visit, I may opt for the breakfast pie, described on the menu as “baked eggs and cheese delivered between two golden-brown sheets of puff pastry, served with our savory sauce.” Sold! For dinner, the vegetable gratin is on my list.

 

Afterward, we admired the murals along the L train tracks on Glenwood Avenue. They cover both sides of the tracks.

According to this mural, President Barack Obama began his senate campaign at the Heartland.

 

 

Happy Friday! What breakfast spots are you hitting up this weekend?

Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest 2015

Seeking to find artwork for our abundant bare wall space, Graham and I walked over to the Glenwood Ave. Arts Fest in our Rogers Park neighborhood on Sunday.

The farmers market was held next to the fest, creating one big walkable marketplace. One of the first booths to catch our eye was Anastasia Mak’s. We were drawn to her vibrant pieces, many of which were of Chicago landmarks. We made our way around the entire fest before deciding we wanted to buy a print for my office. I also walked away with a print of a turtle from Bala Thiagarajan and a homemade body wash in a Raspberry scent. I wished I could have bought something from every artist.

 

A sangria slushie took my mind off the humidity for just a little while. I wanted more, especially with Graham stealing sips of mine.

The murals of Rogers Park complemented the event.

Besides the food vendors, Heartland Cafe was a Sunday brunch option. I’ve been wanting to try it for weeks.

The Sunday farmers market was to the east of the train tracks.

 

On the walk home, we more spotted local restaurants that we’d like to try out, including a Mexican food place. We realized there’s still so much of Rogers Park and Chicago we haven’t seen.

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