30 DAYS OF...

30 days of D.I.Y

Day 8 

D.I. "HI EVERYBODY!" (was that funny? I'm not sure...) Anyway, things have been going wonderfully this week. I've had a chance to make stuff almost every day! Some of the projects are going to take more than just one night after work, but I am so excited I am even starting some things I have been putting on the back burner for months! ALSO, at work, we are organizing a Holiday DIY event for the ladies. We did something similar last year where we made a couple of ornaments and these little snow globes we ripped off from Anthropologie, it was super fun so why not do it again this year?!  Besides the projects I started here are two I completed:

The sneezing, the coughing, the runny noses...STAY HOME PEOPLE! I don't want your plague. In turn, I created this hopefully magical elixer I call the "Don't get me sick, bro" smoothie. Here is the recipe:

"Don't get me sick, bro" Smoothie Makes two cups

1 Banana 1 Cup of romain lettuce 1 Small gala apple 1/2 Cup of blueberries 1/2 a lemon 3 Leaves of green chard 1/4 cup of water 4 ice cubes NOW, BLEND AWAY!!!!! 

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I am one of those lucky people that lives across the street from Home Goods. What's Home Goods? Well, it's the most amazing place in the world and has aisles of nothing but discounted...home goods! Everything from nice Calvin Klein sheets to crystal serving dishes, for half the price! Just go there, I promise nothing but joy and wonder. On one of my Home Goods trip last week, I found these really nice bamboo spoons and thought they were looking a bit too plain. So I added a bit of glitz and glamour with some silver spay paint and painters tape! It was so easy and there are endless options. These are really going to make an awesome gift and you should totally make them. 

30 days of D.I.Y

Day 2

Anyone who has a Pinterest account, and sits on it repinning amazing things knows what I am talking about when I talk about my "DIY Board" of potential projects that I have yet to complete. Just pinning them seems close enough to doing it, so I tuck it away for a rainy day and hope one lazy afternoon I get off my butt and actually make something...well, today is the day! I decided on doing DIY projects for this month for a number of reasons...

1. The holidays are coming up and what a better way to force myself to make people presents

2. I don't remember the last time I completed a project that didn't have anything to do with using the computer

3. I just want to make stuff!

Last month, I left everything a bit too open and didn't get to complete the projects I was hoping because I figured I could just "do it another day" and totally procrastinated. To keep myself motivated and on track, I created a DIY December calendar that I would have to physically reference and mark off. After looking at my Pinterest board, I organized everything I wanted to do into topics: art, crafts, health, and food and labeled everyday on the calendar with a different topic to complete. Hopefully this works!

So let's back track to day 1! I was really excited and motivated so I did two DIY things! First, I signed up for this great Skillshare class about a month ago called The First Steps of Hand-Lettering: Concept to Sketch taught by Mary Kate McDevitt (love love love her). Procrastinating, as usual, I finally hunkered down last night and worked on some of the assignments for the class to try and finish my hand lettered phrase. This class is awesome and is a great way to get back into sketching and doodling and thinking outside of the computer box. It is absolutely something I needed. To me, art and drawing is so important, but I haven't made much time for it in the last couple of years. Before I spent over 1,000 hours a week staring at a computer screen, I was painting and drawing almost everyday and was actually pretty good! Now, I realize how, like anything else you want to be good at, you have to practice and work at it everyday. That is what I hope to gain most out of this class, as well as this month's topic. You can check out my hand lettering progress here.

After working on some of the assignments, I took a look at my Pinterest and have been wanting to make these Honey-Chamomile cupcakes for weeks! Since I was planning on taking these to work, I modified the recipe to make a nice little cake. If you take a look in your pantry, I guarantee you have pretty much all the ingredients to make these delicious treats. My only recommendation is use a little less sugar for the icing. The recipe calls for 1 1/2 Cup of Powdered Sugar (made my teeth hurt), I would use just one cup and see how that tastes. Everyone at work seemed to like it and I am totally going to make these again. 

image via russian mind

30 days of back to my roots.

Day 30

Another thirty days is complete! Granted I didn't do something Russian every SINGLE day, but all in all I did get a chance to reconnect with my heritage.

I still have a lot of learning to do, especially on the language end of things, that I really hope to keep up with. It's quite difficult to learn Russian, anyone can tell you that, but what is hardest is the fact that I am not surrounded by it everyday, like I do when I am at home or with my parents. I can use apps, I can watch videos, I can do those things all day long, but if I am not surrounded by people speaking Russian its quite hard to learn. A couple times I called my grandma to practice a little (oh, and to see how she was doing which she obviously loved) because she still speaks little to no english, and when my parents were recently in town I made it a point to cary on conversations with them in Russian only. Like many other people I know, I can understand pretty much anything someone will say to me in Russian, but when its my turn to speak my brain cannot put the calculations together and let the right words and sentences come out of my mouth. I guess I'm fluent in Russianglish?

I didn't get a chance to do as much cooking as I hoped for, BUT why would I stop trying just because this 30 days are over? I still have plenty to delicious treats to make, and with the weather making me want to sit inside all day, there will be a lot more traditional recipes I will continue to try and master! 

The main thing I really wanted to do was go to a Russian banya (bath house/spa) and I found one right in the wicker park called Red Square. Now, for anyone who has ever been to foreign spa, it's not only relaxing but it has many health benefits and you get to be naked around other naked people (well the real pros go naked)! If you have ever been to the Korean Spa north of Chicago called King Spa, this place was pretty similar. You pay an admission fee of $30 which grants you endless hours of sitting in the hot tub, sauna, and steam rooms. You also get a robe, sandals, towels, and a locker to put all your things. If you want to get anything like a massage, or facial those cost extra, but not expensive at all. Red square has a full restaurant, and there were definitely many people sippin on beers and wine while they sat in the hot tub!

(pro tip: uhhh don't take plastic cups into a hot sauna room...they melt...)

Russian Banya's have been around for centuries, and many people would build their own if they had a Datcha (a country house outside of the city many Russian families had). What is important about the banya is contrasting hot and cold. Traditionally people would sit in the sauna, laughing, drinking, sweating...then jump in a freezing cold lake...then run back into the toasty sweat lodge! Since Red Square didn't have a freezing snow covered lake to their disposal, between steam rooms and sauna's you pull down a shower lever of freezing cold water onto yourself. Besides the steam room and sauna, I made an appointment to get a traditional "healing therapy" called the Platza Massage where they basically hit you with bundles of oak and eucalyptus, called a venick, that has been soaked in hot water... (i'll wait, while you read that last sentence again)... So what did I think? Well, besides being completely naked and having other people sitting in the sauna room watching, it was not so bad! They don't whack you with the sticks, but ummm i guess it's something along the lines of this: 

For the record, the above video is WAYYYYYYY more intense then what I had, but I would 100% recommend it! The health benefits are awesome and your skin feels great afterwards. Just let yourself relax and get hit with bundles of leaves, no biggie!

I am absolutely going back! They are super accommodating, clean, and friendly. Only recommendation is to go with other people and stay for a while, get some food, have some vodka and totally relax! DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE IN YOUR BIRTHDAY SUIT EITHER! 

This thirty days was a bit tough. I didn't plan correctly or organize all the things I really wanted to do to reconnect with my heritage, but that's ok because my heritage isn't going away and I have all the time in the world to keep learning and participate is traditions, and now that I have a bit of a taste, I want to keep going! It's awesome to live in a city where so many cultures surround us every day and we have access to learning about traditions and histories so easily. So take some time and explore what Chicago, or any city, has to offer, culturally. Whether it's your own heritage or someone else's, don't just go get Chinese food...go to China town and experience a Sunday morning Dim Sum or like me, go to a Russian Banya, not just a hoitey toitey spa. It'll make your feel proud!

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So what's on the plate for December? (drum roll please) 

-image via flickr-

30 days of back to my roots.

Day 18

STRASVOYTEY! (hello in Russian) It's been a while, I know! Maybe my next thirty days should actually be updating this thing...sheesh! Since my last post a lot has been going on. Honestly, like my previous topics, I have slipped and haven't done something Russian every single day, but again THAT'S OK! What is awesome about this topic is there is such a variety to do, the culture, the language, the food; it has been pretty great so far! Even a friend of mine tried making my mom's borscht recipe and it came out so good!

I haven't been cooking as much stuff as I have wanted due to work and not really planning things out correctly and making time for it, but this week I am going to make one of my favorite delicious treats: VARENYKY (or vareniki). There are a variety of ways to make these delicious perogie-like pockets. The toughest part is the dough, once you get that you are as good as gold! You can fill these puppies with pretty much anything! Cheese, potatoes, plums, blueberries...as long as you top it with sour cream its good in my book! So stay tuned for the recipe and pictures of me in a deep deep food coma. 

I've been slowly keeping up with the language. I decided to not purchase Rosetta Stone because I found an abundance of resources on Youtube for daily conversation along with using a great app called Busuu!

Here are a couple videos for you to try, don't be scared:

Granted it's a bit easier for me to follow along and do the lessons since I'm sort of brushing up, but what I like about that last two videos is they zoom in on the shape your mouth should make when saying a word, its totally different then any words in english and takes a lot of practice. What I'm struggling with the most, is remembering phrases. If I hear it, I understand it, but when I have to say it I completely draw a blank! Guess I should talk to my parents more in Russian...

30 days of back to my roots

Day 3

Nothing makes me think more of my family than this Soviet movie from 1965 Operation Y and Shurik's Other Adventures. This is by far my dad's favorite movie and I've probably seen it 800 times.

  30 Days of back to my roots.

Day 2

Alright, enough slacking! Time to get back to work. I came to the conclusion to do thirty days of getting back to my roots. "What does that even mean?" you ask. Here is a bit of reference to this month's topic: contrary to belief, I am 100% Russian (not irish, but Russian)...technically Ukrainian but let's skip those details. I was born in Kiev, Ukraine and that is where my family immigrated to America from when I was about two years old. Growing up I spoke Russian in my home, ate Russian food, was read Russian books...but as I grew up those traditions sadly fell to waste side. Because we moved to Columbus, Ohio there wasn't a Russian or Jewish community in my school and I just got used to speaking English at all times. Although I could understand it when someone would speak it to me, it became harder and harder for me to speak it myself. Then, after college when I moved to Chicago, not only did I completely stop speaking and/or hearing the language but I never learned to cook my mom's food, so that tradition went out the door as well. I really value where I come from but I always just felt it would always be part of my life whether I tried or not, but looking now, it really isn't! I want to be able to speak to my parents in Russian and maybe even learn to read some really great books all in Russian! I want to learn to make some classic recipes and family history, so why not start now! 

I downloaded a Russian language game app called Bussu to help me on the go, but I also just purchased Rosetta Stone to help me with the alphabet and writing. 

Today I am going to try and make some classic Borscht! I've also, been using Pinterest to gather some super tasty Russian recipes. 

Not only will this thirty days make my mom super happy but there are a lot of things to do and hopefully this will inspire anyone out there to get back to THEIR roots or if you are a total mutt and have the background of the united nations, then choose something to make or do or learn about! It might actually be pretty interesting. 

30 Days of Slacking.

That's right, slacking. I have totally been slacking on this blog and this month's topic! There are a number of reasons of course. I went on vacation, I couldn't decide what I wanted to do next, I was just lazy...

The thing I am struggling with, is that, the reason for doing this was for me to do things I've always wanted to do, or had been curious about. I know I have only gone through two topics so far, but I keep thinking how people would find it interesting or not, and that is NOT the point at all. More than anything, I want to encourage people to go out there and do whatever it is they have been wanting to do and to throw away all those things that are stopping them. 

I'm giving myself until November 1st to choose what I want to do for my next thirty days and suggestions are more than welcome, but if I choose something like thirty days of not showering, and that isn't very "inspiring" to you, then DON'T READ THIS BLOG, but hopefully the mere fact that I am doing something other than sitting on my butt will motivate some people to do that same. (ps. not encouraging people to stop showering, unless they really want to try it...)

Since this post isn't really about ANYTHING, I thought it would be a great "WHERE ARE THEY NOW" opportunity. 

Have I kept up with my first two topics? Yes and no.

I am absolutely no longer vegan. At least that's what my burger said to me last weekend. I WILL say, that I have added vegetables drastically more to my diet and realize how filling breads, cheese, and meat can be so I try and eat those things is smaller portions. 

I am still kinda frugal! I'm still sticking with the brown water we call coffee at work but have had to purchase my lunch a couple times this week since i've been too busy to hit up the grocery store. Because I went to Nashville for vacation this past weekend, I should really balance out the rest of the month because I definitely wasn't concerned about my spending for 4 whole days. 

What are some potential topics? 

Exploring Chicago Getting back to my Russian roots Lucid dreaming Cooking something different Drawing/wheatpaste Yoga Song writing Inventions Strike up a random converstaion with a stranger No drinking

Any other suggestions would be great! 

-image above via Highlander-

30 Days of Frugal.

Day 30

Ok guys, here we go. Last day of being frugal! FINALLY. I'm going to be honest and say that this was pretty tough. When I wasn't traveling to weddings or working all day, I reflected on what I normally would do on the weekends or after work and it was...spend money. For no reason, except for pure boredom, which is absolutely no reason at all. I will say I have been pretty good this month, and the total I have saved is pretty astonishing (we will get to that later). I slipped a bit last week buy having to buy myself lunch twice (pro tip: save half your lunch for the next day!) , going out to dinner twice, and buying coffee. I did keep try and keep a balance while ordering cheaper menu items, splitting things with friends, & NO BOOZE, but the urge to purchase out of boredom has absolutely gone down tremendously. The voice in my head before handing over the dough has changed from no voice at all to "do I really need that?" and that little voice will stay with me for quite some time following this past thirty days.

What I will take away from being frugal: 

Once you change your habits and realize how simple it is, why go back? I see my habits prior to this experiment are a tad embarrassing. WHAT WAS I THINKING? 

Coffee: I have coffee at work and at home that is just as good and full of caffeine. Going to Starbucks or Intelligentsia is more of a treat at this point and something I will purchase sporadically. (pro tip: want a Pumpkin Spice Latte everyday? Don't want to spend $5 for one cup? Duh-da-da may I present International Delight's Pumpkin Spice coffee creamer)

Taxis: I haven't taken a taxi all month! Very different from last month, for sure. Riding my bike everywhere, to work and back, to the grocery store, place to place, completely for free. With taxi's all over the city, and a raise of the hand, it was so easy to just hop in a cab on a rainy day from work. Something like that  would normally run me $16 one way. Now let's add in those cabs I would take every weekend around town. After looking at my bank statement from the month of August, I spent $234 on cabs alone! holy... 

If I HAVE to take a taxi, I will. Safety has much more value. In the meantime, I will stick to my two wheels before the whole city turns in to a slushy snow globe. 

Food: I work at an digital agency in downtown Chicago, surrounded by a plethora of restaurants for me to choose from once the clock strikes noon. Previously, I would have no problem spending $9 a day on my lunch. I stopped that cold turkey and started packing my lunch everyday. Not only did I save money, but I had so much more variety throughout the week. Honestly, the places in my building are getting pretty old, how many falafel sandwiches can I really have? In addition, my room mate and I signed up for weekly CSA boxes, which are full of veggies we need to go through before it goes bad! When I did buy my lunch this month due to forgetfullness I saved half for the next day and tried to keep it under $6. I don't think I will go back to my old ways in lunch department, I would just feel too guilty. 

Dinners out with friends has gone down tremendously as well.  I've invited people over instead and shared my home cooked meals, and when I have gone out its been to little diners where I really try to get my money's worth. Denying invitations for weekend brunch all month, which would normally run me $20-30, was a bit tough but  I came to a conclusion that I really am not missing out by not going out to eat with my friends if I find something free and fun to do afterwards! Going out for the hell of it isn't something I want to do anymore, and would rather splurge for a birthday party or celebration of some sort. 

Shopping: Boy oh boy. I had a problem. Whether it be home goods or clothing, I just shopped. It was a mindless time filler. Online, in the store, it didn't matter, it was something to do and because I liked deals, I saw it as actually "saving" money. This was one big thing I had to change, and like any habit, I have dropped my old ways. In an urge to start anew and clean out my closet, I would normally fill it back up with pointless purchases, but this time, I tried to be a bit more creative and decided to have a clothing swap with some of my friends. I ended up getting some awesome "new" clothes and so did everyone else, without spending a dime! With that, I rid my closet of unnecessary items, gave the rest to charity, and decided to be more thoughtful when purchasing clothing.

Think about it, stores like Forever 21 and H&M are considered cheap, but so are the quality of their clothing. They are cheap because they are their catering to a trendy market. Because trends come and go so quickly these days, these companies need to make large amounts for as little as possible, and as quickly as possible, for people like you, me, and every other 16 year old to purchase. I read a great article about the shopping habits of women in France. These stylish ladies don't have many items in their closets and shop selectively. Though a little pricier, they last longer and are essentials. I understand we all can't shop at tres chic boutiques, but even items from the thrift store can be better quality then what you will find at Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters. 

Misc: The items that stayed consistent in spending was my rent, internet, & electric. 

I replaced my gym membership which was $50/month with a $25 Groupon to an unlimited monthly membership to a yoga studio. 

I switched my CTA card from a monthly charge of around $100 to charge per ride. Since I rode my bike to work every day, I only spent $15 on the CTA this month. 

Now my feisty friends, are you ready for my grand total in savings? I looked at my bank account and the difference between Day 1 and Day 30 was:

$2, 632.81!!!!

Pardon my French, but HOLY SHIT. Let that number seep in for a moment and think about all the ways you can save a little. Even if you make $2,000 an hour, I don't care. It's about much more than that. How do your habits effect the world and things around you? You probably never think about it that way, do you?  Go ahead treat your self, everyone should, rich or poor, splurging or frugal, but don't make it a habit where these special "treats" no longer are things you look forward to and lose their value. Because I held back, changed my ways, became more thoughtful, and balanced my life, I am able to spend a couple days of vacation with my friend in Nashville. I'm not going to blow my savings in those four days, but because travel is something I value, I wanted to put my money towards that in particular.  

Finally, with my new found awareness, I decided to set up a meeting with a financial planner at Next Door Chicago to understand my expenses and keep up with my new lifestyle.

So I ask you, what do you value? One of Mahatma Ghandi's most famous quotes "Be the change you wish to see in the world." It's hard yet rewarding. As long as you think creatively and cut back on a couple things, you too can save a buck or two and go on and do something extraordinary with your life. 

30 Days of Frugal.

Day 24

Coming in on the home stretch once again! With such a busy month, I feel like I haven't even had to time to reflect on how much I have been NOT been spending in comparison to my old ways. Obviously with the rules I set for myself, I have definitely broken a couple times this week, and mainly because of the topic of this particular post: COFFEE. 

Coffee is a wallet drainer. I am stating this as a fact, not an opinion. It is a magical, wonderful, money depleting joy, that I can't seem to get enough of. That was my number one rule this month was to stop purchasing coffee. Let me put in perspective my daily coffee consumption (obviously varies) prior to this month. Also, let me say I have complete access to free coffee at all times in my office at work. Anyway, here we go:

Morning: Starbucks Grande Unsweetened Iced Coffee $2.71 (x5)

Late Afternoon: Starbucks Grande Unsweetened Iced Coffee $2.71(x5)

[on Thursdays] Late Afternoon: Intelligentsia Small Latte $3.50 

[on Weekends] Morning: Gaslight Medium Iced Coffee $2.70

The grand weekly total of my coffee consumption = $33.30

The grand monthly total of my coffee consumption =$133.20

Obviously, these two totals vary week to week and month to month BUT wtf? $133 a month! I just spent less last weekend driving to Southeast, OH! 

Here are some awesome things I could have purchased instead of all that coffee:

A badass new blender

A haircut

A massage

About 4-5 concerts

This jacket

This list could go on and on....

I am so surprised when I look at the total and see how much money I spend on KEEPING MYSELF AWAKE throughout the day. I don't know what it is, but coffee is this magical thing that goes beyond its act of caffination your body. It is a social thing, it is an entertainment things, it is a "morning ritual", it is a "break", it is something we feel we "deserve". I go to intelligentsia during the week when I feel I "deserved" a nice coffee. Oh, my week has been so hard, blah blah blah. How about we be a little honest with ourselves and change that deserve to want.

"I WANT a small latte made by you there cute barista in a bow tie"

I never wasted so much money on coffee until I started working in Chicago with other people who trained me to think this was just a normal thing, when it really shouldn't be. By no means am I judging the people around me, I am just saying, how did it get so bad? Here are a couple infographics to help us understand:

About America's Coffee Consumption until 2012

This one is pretty great showing the world in comparison. Damn Finland. 

How much caffine is actually in your cup?

And of course your medical benefits of drinking that java. 

  In college, I spent no more that $1.50 on a cup of coffee, if it wasn't brewing our studio OR if my mom didn't make me some in the morning. I saw getting a coffee at a coffee shop as a nice treat, or more of a social thing when meeting up with friends. Now, I just get coffee when I can't think of anything else to do and I'm just bored...yeah, no way, jose. THAT is why, I made that a number one rule for this month and it has been going wonderfully.  

The addition of my daily bike ride in the morning has been giving me enough energy where I don't even think about getting coffee until around lunch time, and at that point, I walk over to the kitchen and make myself  FREE cup of "no so bad" coffee. Because I have been drinking so little coffee lately, even what we have at work has been caffinating me pretty sufficiently! It wasn't until this week, after a debaucherous work party, I felt I needed something with a bit more "umph". 

30 Days of Frugal.

Day 19

Cheapo in Chicago!

I'm going to spare you all this week with my play-by-play of how frugal I've been (total snooze fest), and give you something you can actually put to use; a list of fun things to do and explore through my delightful city of Chicago while hardly spending ANY money! 

Like the saying goes "there's no such thing as a free lunch", it's pretty hard to do pretty much ANYTHING in a large city for "free". And since we are being very precise, I will follow that last statement by saying, it is pretty amazing as to how many things you can do in Chicago for less that $5 (I include public transportation in to almost everything).

So here we go, in no particular order, let us begin with the list:

1. Chicago Culture Center  One of my most favorite places in the city lies right off of Michigan Ave, and so sadly taken for granted. I can't begin to tell you how many people who have lived in Chicago much longer than me, still don't know about this amazing institution. Admission to every exhibition is completely free, and these aren't just some no-name artists and designers showing their works. Everyone from Stephan Sagmeister to Rembrandt have had their work in this beautiful building, and all can be viewed for FREE! AKA $0.00.  Due to little funding and Rahm Emanuel's city wide budget cuts, the center has been on the verge or closing or completely losing its entire exhibition staff, luckily they have managed to stay afloat and can only keep chugging away with the help of people who really understand how valuable it is to have a place like this so easily accessible and beautiful. Come for the exhibitions and stay for the amazing glass dome and insane architecture. It's really an awesome experience and incredibly underrated. 

2. Garfield Park Conservatory 

Admission to this historic conservatory in completely free (they do ask for donation which you really should throw in a couple bucks). An amazing jungle on the west side of the city can make you feel you are in the tropics even on the grossest and coldest Chicago days. 

3. Picnic on Logan Boulevard

Ok, so I may be a bit biased since I live on right on Logan blvd, but having thing long tree lined section of the road is practically one large park asking me to buy a cheap bottle of wine and call a couple friends and just hang out all night. Earlier this summer I invited a couple friends to relax and hang out one evening not expecting much. Four people turned in ten and we ended up hanging out until 2 in the morning, FOR FREE! Fun is free everybody. There are picnic tables, soft patches of grass, and enough room for your to fire up the grill before the summer is over. 

4. Free week of  Yoga There are a plethora of yoga studios in Chicago, and they all offer your first week of yoga to try out for free. When I first moved to Chicago and couldn't afford the price of these classes, I bounced around from studio to studio getting my namaste on. 

5. Revolution Brewery Tour Complimentary guided tours of this awesome brewery in Logan Square. 

6. Free movie night at Delilah's 

When I used to live in Lakeview, I would constantly hit up Delilah's for their $1 cans of American beer and their awesome Free Movie Nights. Movies ranged from cult classics to weird B movies. Total dive, but a nice place to hide away! 

7. The Beach

Weather it's hot as hell outside or getting a bit chilly, I love going to the beach. It's simple and straight forward and can wash all your worries away with one simple beach nap. One of my favorite beaches to relax at in Hollywood Beach, just north of the city. 

8. MCA Free Days

9. Next Door Chicago Workshops Super cozy coffee shop offers a variety of daily workshops as well as free financial advice! Just set up a meeting with one of the State Farm financial advisors. 

10. People watching at ANY farmer's market

Pure entertainment. I love waking up early on Sunday morning's and hitting up my local farmer's market, no just to pick up some produce, but to look at everyone and anyone walking around. The farmer's market in Logan Square is quite predictable with it's hip crowd and plethora of children and adorable dogs, but I also love heading east and hitting up the Green City farmer's market in Lincoln Park and seeing how the other half lives with their work out gear and Longchamp purses. You really get a sense of the city that feels absolutely different then going to your regular old grocery store. I dunno if that's weird but I can honestly be entertained for hours at these things. 

11. Osaka Japanese Garden

I have been wanting to visit this beautiful garden nestled on the south end of the city in Hyde Park. Seems so peaceful and relaxing, a great way to end a long bike ride and explore a new part of town. 

12. Brave New Art World Held on the first Thursday of every month, River North's galleries open their doors to the public and streets are bustling with performance artists, musicians, and visual artists selling their work. Connecting high brow with low brow brings out an awesome crowd with chances to snag some free food and booze as well as mingle with local artists. 

13. Wolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities This Andersonville space is technically a store, but in my opinion a museum and total visual experience. If you can drop $450 on taxidermy mice, be my guest, but I'll just look for free. 

14. Grab a treat at a mexican bakery

I know its not free, but why don't you hit up the couch cushions and wrangle up $1.50 and grab yourself a delicious treat. One of my favorites is close to me in Logan Square called Panderia La Central.

15. Walk home from work

If you are downtown 9 to 5-er or have to take public transportation at all to get to work and back, do yourself a favor and take an afternoon to walk home instead (granted it being relatively safe). You can really learn a lot about this city on foot and won't even realize how far you have walked or how long it took. Stop at a park, walk along the Lakeshore path, meet a friend, whichever way you won't regret it and I'm sure you will find get some good pictures. 

16. Bookman's Corner For the longest time, I thought this place was completely abandoned and whoever used to own it was a total book hoarder. Little did I know, this place is still open for business and is a menagerie of literature. Allow yourself a pretty good amount of time to look through the piles of treasures. It's insanely ridiculous. 

17. Any Anthropologie store in the city and make the stuff yourself Use great will power when walking through the perfectly crafted store (do NOT go in the sale section) and use this time for inspiration and motivation to make your own fork magnets for a third of the price. 

18. Smith's Night at Danny's Every 4th Tuesday of the month you can let out your inner Morissey and cry out to the songs you love with fellow Smith's lovers. Dancing is free but boozin' is going to cost you, not a lot thankfully. Always like going in the dead of winter to warm up and shake my booty. 

19. Creative Mornings Chicago

Monthly small lecture series featuring people leading the design and tech community in Chicago. Seats fill up fast, so stand by your computer to RSVP as if you are waiting for Kiss tickets. Such a great and intimate lecture series. Super laid back and totally worth to take a week day morning off. 

20. RIDE A BIKE! duh.  Even better than on foot, biking around the city is really nice especially with a couple new bike lanes added on Milwaukee Ave, Elston, and Damen. You can really ride across the city in an hour, whether you take the Lakeshore path 20 miles or ride up and down Milwaukee Ave, wear a helmet and take in the city on two wheels.