Undecided.

In awe: Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave.

I'm giddy with excitement over a building. Not a pair of shoes, a book or a piece of jewelry, but the gorgeous architecture of the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave. If you haven't been, you must put it on your to-do list.

I was looking for a used book store today, and headed to the building to pick through the shelves of the store on its second floor. I had heard of the building and knew it held a monthly Open Studio event to allow the public to witness its beauty, but thanks to the book store, I finally saw it up close.

The marble - amazing! The ceilings - sky high! The concept - brilliant! You see, the building is specifically designed and home to the offices of working artists. One of my favorite parts? To get to the second floor, I had to take an elevator and it was manned by an elevator operator!

If you want to take in the building's beauty, it's open to the public from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. this Friday, and the second Friday of every month. You can look around the building, talk to artists and see works of art, theater and music.

The used book store is a gem as well. Used book stores are such unique, magical places, and this one is no exception. It's open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

What's one of your favorite spots in the city?
xoxo,
Lisa Marie

*photo courtesy of www.chicagoarchitecture.info

Prepare for July 4 events in Chicago, beyond

There's no better reason to celebrate than a holiday, and since the Fourth of July is this weekend, there's plenty of cookouts to be had, fireworks to be seen and maxi dresses to be worn.

If you're going out of town, remember a few things:
- Sunscreen! Seriously. It doesn't matter if you tan or burn, premature aging is never in style. Don't leave home without your 'screen!

- Pack it up! You'll pack your clothes, of course, but don't forget to pack some groceries, too. Bring alcohol and pop from home, along with snacks, fruit, veggies, and sandwich and grill items, and you'll be prepared to have fun in the sun without spending extra cash on eating and drinking out. Another option is to buy groceries when you get to the town you're staying in, and then you won't have to drive with extra weight in the car.

- If you're going to a concert, try to follow the same rules: pack a snack and drinks for before and after the event. Water's one item that's good to bring for after the show, as there's a good chance you'll be thirsty after getting your groove on.

If you're staying in our fabulous city this weekend, there's plenty to do:
- Of course, there's the July 3 fireworks. Record numbers usually turn out to watch, so if you're attending, be prepared to fight the crowd. The Petrillo Music Shell is hosting the 85th Army band at 7:30 p.m. July 3, and the fireworks will follow at about 9 p.m. Most spots along the Lake offer a decent view.

- On the Fourth of July, the Grant Park  Orchestra will play its inaugural Independence Day concert at 1:30 p.m. at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, North Michigan Avenue and East Randolph Street. Fourth of July fireworks will start at 10:15 p.m. at Navy Pier. (Don't forget that Navy Pier shoots off fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday through Labor Day weekend, at 9:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. respectively. There also will be a show at 9:30 p.m. Sept. 6.)

- Our baseball teams will play on the Fourth (Cubs @ home @ 12:05 p.m. vs. Milwaukee and Sox away at 12:10 vs. Kansas City), so you can always turn on the TV, invite some friends over and grill out. If you don't have a grill and your parents live nearby, invite friends to your parent's house to use their cooking facilities ... and maybe a little of their food. For me, it's my parent's grill or my George Foreman, and as much as I love my George, nothing beats the smell of food roasting on a grill during the summer months!

- If you want to get creative, throw a birthday party for the U.S.A. (Happy 233rd!). Have friends wear red, white or blue, make a birthday cake and offer some appetizers. No need to plan a drink deal for this birthday party!

Enjoy your Fourth!
xoxo,
Lisa Marie

Photo courtesy of http://hastings.house.gov

Happy Pride Parade weekend!

It's a weekend when the city is abound with equality, amazing costumes and entertainment. If you, like me, are a Grace looking for your Will, or if you just want to support the community and its people, join in on the fun!

Festivities start today at 3 p.m. for the Chicago Pride Fest on Halsted St. and Waveland Ave. Performers are set up on two stages with acts starting at 4 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m. On Saturday, festivities begin at 11 a.m. and PETCO's Pride Parade invites Chicagoans to bring their pets at 12:30 p.m. to the stage area. From there, participants will go on a short parade route and return to the Pride Fest grounds where jurors will pick the best participants, who get prizes! The fest ends at 10 p.m. both days. In addition to two stages full of performances, there will be food, arts and crafts at the fest.

Then, get a good night's sleep and get ready for the Pride Parade! It starts at noon on the corner of Halsted and Belmont streets. From there, it proceeds north on Halsted St. to Broadway St., south on Broadway St. to Diversey Parkway and east on Diversey Parkway to Cannon Drive.

Get all dolled up and stake a spot on the street with friends. I always have a great time when I go! The energy's amazing and everyone's out to have a great time and support equality. There are floats decorated to the nines, fabulous costumes and giveaways. Try to stay at the front of the crowd so you can get some goodies. In years' past, I've got lip gloss, chips and free Chipotle!

There are 250 floats, vehicles and groups in the parade - so bring some water and settle in for a good time!

Share your favorite costume - send pictures if you can - and show your support!

xoxo,
Lisa Marie

Catch a glimpse of Broadway in Chicago for free!

All you Broadway lovers are in luck!

The organization Broadway in Chicago and the city of Chicago have come together to put on Broadway in Chicago Concert in the Park.

The free event stars at 6 p.m. Monday at the Petrillo Music Shell in Grant Park as part of the Taste of Chicago.

If you haven't had the dough to see some of the musicals the city has had to offer recently, now's your chance to catch a glimpse of Chicago's recent musical performances for free!

If you make it over the Grant Park in time you'll be able to see the full cast of Jersey Boys, and the original stars from Mary Poppins just to name a few! For more information you can head here!

So get your "Jazz hands" ready!

Kate

Summer brings free movies, music in parks

Watching the big screen under the summer sky is a nice way to spend a night in the city, and thanks to the Chicago Park District, there are Movies in the Park from now through September.

There are more than 170 current and classic movies that will be shown throughout the city's parks, according to the CPD, and you can click here to get details on dates, locations and titles. All Movies in the Park are free and you can pack snacks and a blanket to make your viewing comfortable!

If music's more your thing, the Grant Park Music Festival has kicked off to showcase classical music for the 75th season. Concerts are free and held on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St., through Aug. 15.

Summertime in the city is here, so pencil in some time to enjoy free entertainment and nice weather!

xoxo,
Lisa Marie

Celebrate the first day of summer with Dad

Looking for something to do for Father's Day?

Check out the Adler Planetarium's new exhibit that opens at 1 p.m. Sunday June 21. The Sunfest exhibit features activities such as, solar telescope observing, reasons for the seasons, space visualization laboratory, all which celebrate the summer solstice (summer officially is here at 12:46 a.m.).

What better way to see a 3-D image of the sun for free! Actually, all the activities are free Sunday with paid admission!

So try something new this Father's Day and show dad a good time!

Kate

Museum madness: Free days galore!

Since the warm weather's not fully cooperating and we can't rely on it to plan outside play dates, pencil in a day to visit one of Chicago's museums - for free!

Target - which I already love for its clearance shoes, jewelry and home goods sections - is giving me reasons to love it more: it's sponsoring free museum days at The Art Institute of Chicago, National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago Children's Museum and the Field Museum.

If you haven't seen the Modern Wing at the Art Institute, 111 S. Michigan Ave., you must stop by for free admission from 5-9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays through Labor Day. The new wing is simple, yet gorgeous, and if the weather does perk up, there's a bridge that leads you from the new wing to Millennium Park!

The National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W.19th St., will be showcasing its exhibits free of charge from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. It's located in the Pilsen neighborhood, and it's the largest Latino cultural organization in the country.

It's been years since I've been to the Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, and I think now's the time to revisit it. Basic admission is free from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. the second Monday of the month. The next free Target day is July 13 and there's also regularly scheduled free basic admission days, with the next one slated for Aug. 25.

Chicago Children's Museum, 700 E. Grand Ave., now is free for those ages 15 and under from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. the first Sunday of every month. Kraft also hosts a free family night on Thursdays from 5-8 p.m.

If you're having a visitor from out-of-town this summer or if you want to hit up some of the city's main attractions on your own, you can buy a CityPass, which provides entry to five city attractions for more than 50 percent off. The pass costs $69 and sends you to The Field Museum, Hancock or Sears Tower, Shedd Aquarium, Planetarium and Museum of Science and Industry (without the discount, adult admission costs $130.50).

The pass has to be used within nine days of purchase. For details and to purchase a CityPass, visit the site. CityPass also has discount deals in many major cities, so if you're going on vacation this summer, check it out!

Enjoy some museum madness!
xoxo,
Lisa Marie

Enjoy season with farmers markets, festivals

Ah, this weather rocks. There's absolutely nothing better than summer in the city. Festivals (!), sports events, ice cream, cookouts - when accompanied by family, friends and sunshine, I can think of few things that put a bigger smile on my face.

To make sure you celebrate the season appropriately, here's a list of some festivals and farmers markets going on now or in the next few weeks that you shouldn't miss (and that I can't wait to attend!).

* Farmers Markets - They're amazing. Cheap flowers and produce?  Check. Unique jellies, jams, breads and other items? Got it. Support local growers? You know it. Here's a detailed brochure with market times, dates and locations.

* Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest - noon-10 p.m. Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday (May 30, 31), located on North Sheffield Avenue from Belmont Avenue to School Street. Bands like the Trippin Billies and Mike & Joe will be there to provide some tunes and there's also fine arts and crafts. There's no cost for admission but they ask for a $5 donation at the gate.

* An event after my own heart: Printers Row Lit Fest. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 6-7 in the blocks surrounding Dearborn and Polk streets, free to attend. Booksellers, wine tastings, exhibitors, poetry, cooking demonstrations and more. If you want to attend the free author events at Harold Washington Library Center, you have to register for tickets online.

* Old Town Art Fair - 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 13-14 at Lincoln Avenue and Wisconsin Street. 260 nationally acclaimed artists will be on-hand. $7 donation requested.

* Chicago Turkish Festival - 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 29-30 (hurry over!) at Daley Plaza, Washington Street between Clark and Dearborn streets. Free to attend, cultural performances between noon and 2 p.m., food, exhibits, music and more.

* I know there's a lot of people, I know it's usually hot, but I saw a bus advertisement for the Taste and it's approaching: June 26-July 5, free entry and free music! There's a list of musicians, but Counting Crows, Barenaked Ladies, Buddy Guy and The Wallflowers caught  my eye. And - bam! - Emeril Lagasse will be in attendance opening day.

* Eastside Millennium Art Festival - noon-5 p.m. June 5 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 6-7 on Lake and Stetson streets on Michigan Avenue. Free admission, live music, food and 175 artists (reader Janie's sister is one of them!).

Get your summer on!
xoxo,
Lisa Marie

*photo courtesy of city tourism

Find unique, vintage items at Randolph Street Fest

Happy Memorial Day weekend! I hope everyone's having a relaxing weekend and remembering the men and women who have died in our nation's service.

Today, I went to the Randolph Street Market Festival with my high school besties. We bought our tickets online (they're $2 cheaper than at the gate) and we also received two $5 vendor vouchers to be used with purchases of $25 or more. 

The fair is over for the month of May, but it also will be held on June 27-28, July 25-26, August 29-30 and September 26-27 on the 1350 block of West Randolph Street (between Ada and Ogden) and inside Plumbers Hall on 1340 W. Washington.

There are antiques, vintage clothing and jewelry, furniture, art, an indie designer market and tons of one-of-a-kind items. Four out of the five of us girls made purchases - including jewelry, a framed photo, flowers and drink stirrers - so there's something for everyone! If you're hungry, there's food and drinks within the fest gates and if you want to bust a move, there's a live band.

Make a day out of it and let me know any purchases you make - there's so many unique items!

xoxo,
Lisa Marie

Tour MCA's art galleries for free

Thought-provoking artists and exhibits are at your fingertips for free on Tuesdays at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave.

I went to the museum at the end of April and my eyes were wowed. Most of the exhibits I saw are no longer showcased at the MCA, but on the fourth floor, there were wheelbarrows filled with popcorn and brightly colored blue, pink and yellow ornaments, a USA Today exhibit, and a picture of the Board of Trade pit circa 1999 that looked peaceful from afar and hectic up-close (I can only imagine what it looks like today!).

When I entered the museum, they were installing a work by Olafur Eliasson that was breathtaking. It was simple - a spectrum of brilliant colors on the main floor that went across the wall and down a hall. Eliasson's works, titled Take your time: Olafur Eliasson, will be at the MCA through Sept. 13. According to a patron, Eliasson is taking the art world by storm, and his show at the MCA has been dubbed one of the must-sees of the season. 

Go take in a little art at the MCA any Tuesday throughout the year for free. It's open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and there's a good chance you'll leave with a better grasp of art and beauty.

xoxo,
Lisa Marie