While it can sometimes be a challenge, I’m attempting to make the effort to go to more events these days {especially after so many of you told me I should get out of my comfort zone more in this post last week – thank you!}. I’m going to be honest, it’s definitely a struggle to go to events on the weekdays, especially when I feel like I just got hit by a train after a long day at work {and I kinda look like a hot mess too…whoops!}. But still, every time I get my booty to an event, I usually don’t regret it – and I love bumping into friends and meeting new creatives and bloggers in Chicago. It’s all sorts of inspiring, and usually pretty darn delicious too!

A few weeks ago, my friend Cait came back to town for a few days and threw a party for herself {okay, maybe not – it was with her company Collectively, but we jokingly pretended it was a welcome home party!} and I was lucky enough to enjoy cocktails and the most delicious food at SoHo house in Chicago. If you don’t have a SoHo house in your city, it’s basically a club {and hotel open to the public} for creatives – people who work in advertising, film, writing, etc. It’s one of the most beautiful places to spend an afternoon, and they have various restaurants, a rooftop pool, a game room and more. It’s pretty swanky, so whenever a friend who has a membership mentions she’s going to spend the day there – I eagerly raise my hand to accompany her 😉  Since I was coming straight from work, I wore this comfy pleated dress with one of my favorite vests I’ve had for years for a simple, chic look. Most days I can be found at work with jeans, flats and a t-shirt, but since I knew I was going to be swinging by SoHo after, I decided to get dressed up slightly more than usual 😉 Plus, it’s always slightly nerve-wracking when you know you’re going to be surrounded by Chicago’s most fashionable guys and gals at one of the nicest places in town. I still managed to be somewhat under-dressed, but it’s all I had it in me that day – you know the feeling. But clearly I was going to show up no matter what because my love for Cait is just that strong – see above for reference and how I embarrassingly made her take a photo with me, haha. Since you’re usually not allowed to take photos in SoHo house Jenn Kathryn was able to snap a few photos in the Belt room on the 4th floor so I could give you a little behind-the-scenes look at the Collectively dinner, and how chic SoHo house is if you’ve never been! The entire hotel and club is impeccably decorated, from the gorgeous gallery walls to mid-century modern pieces, and the cutest little knick knacks I’d not so secretly like to fill my apartment with. I often joke with people that I’m going to hide in the bathroom until they turn off the lights and secretly live there…I think people think I’m kidding, but there’s a part of me that wants to try.  And as usual, dinner did not disappoint! Besides having the great company of Chicago bloggers and creatives, the food was so delicious – and while I tried to resit eating everything, I completely failed. Burrata, cheesecake, chicken and wine? All. Of. The. Above. It was such a fun night and reminded me that I need to make more of an effort to show my face at as many events as I can – it’s so nice to catch up when everyone’s lives are so crazy – over a few glasses of wine of course 😉

Tell me – are you a fan of events? Or are you kinda like me where you typically avoid them at all costs? I’m pretty sure my sweet spot is definitely somewhere in the middle.