Local lovelies, I have a new favorite diner. It’s the HashBrowns Cafe in Old Town (1155 N. Wells, Chi) and it’s the yummiest of the yums. Also- I cannot stress this enough- I was not paid to say this. Nope. They invited me in to check out the digs and have my littles do some serious damage to a stack or two of pancakes with zero obligation to write or post or tweet or otherwise media blitz. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t gush about my love for this place: The gut rehab that the owners did is really lovely- and since the cafe is on a corner, there’s a whopping two seating areas outdoors.
The food is straight-up exceptional. Sourced locally, everything is made fresh (never canned), including squeezed juices. The gals each devoured a gigantic plate of chocolate chip pancakes that were easily the most decadent I’d ever had (sorry Peej) and I made ridiculously short work of a divine Greek burrito.
And I can I just say how wonderful every single person at HashBrowns is? Starting with “Aunt Nikki,” the hostess who- I’m told- makes every kid and family feel special and welcome and never like they shouldn’t be taking their kids out in public? (Parents, can I get an Amen?) My girls asked when we could go back and visit her. (Soon, I said. Mama needs some more of those divine sweet potato hash browns. Dessert in a dish, you guys.) And I had a great conversation with Ronnie Ruffalo, the founder of Hashbrowns (the original HashBrowns is down in University Village on Maxwell Street). Everyone here is SO NICE, friends. There is no reason why you shouldn’t be here every single day with your kids and pals and random passersby on the street. Definitely hit it up the next time you wander through Old Town.
And say hi to me, since I’ll most likely be there, working my way through their burger menu.
We love us some Aunt Nikki.
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And moving right along to Other Things You Need To Know:
I recently got to review a makeup box from Wantable. So. Much. Fun. (Again, not getting paid for this review, only compensated with a free kit. Full Disclosure Frannie, that’s me.)
Wantable’s cool because it’s a highly customizable subscription service for makeup, intimates, and accessories. I chose makeup because I recently heard that folks shouldn’t still be rocking the makeup they wore on their wedding day six years prior. (For example.) And the makeup option (36 bucks for a monthly service, but one-time boxes are cool, too) features full-sized products, not just samples.
It was pretty fun to fill out the preferences questionnaire, because I love when I know the answers to questions. I started with my current beauty regiment. (Shush up, I do so have one.) Each category allows for you to say what type of product you like, love, or rarely use, and items chosen for your individual box will reflect this.
Here’s what I got!
This picture is for my mother, and it’s called the Put Your Eyebrow Down, Keely.
My Ofra universal eyebrow eyeliner pencil is a nice, soft tan color (like my eyes- thanks so much, Wantable!), and its easy application was a gentle filler for those times when- ahem- certain people get a little too tweezer happy. I was pleasantly surprised by this one, because my only experience with eyebrow pencil before this point had been mocking people from afar who shaved off their brows only to draw them back on with Sharpie-like bold strokes. (I was wicked happy that that was not the case with this product.)
A Vincent Longo pressed face powder compact in Golden Sienna which- oh my stars, I’d like to marry and have beautifully matte children with. I’ve never been much of a powder-user (which is a weird thing to type), but really enjoyed the feel and subtle coverage of this guy.
This is my “blushing” face. And it’s a 2 for 1 pic, blush AND powder!
Yes, my trash can made the picture.
I’m the best beauty blogger IN THE WORLD.
I had mentioned in my questionnaire that I wasn’t much of cool tones person (Foreigner’s Hot Blooded could’ve been written about me), so I was a little surprised to see (PI_) Beauty’s Cheeky Blush Pink Ribbon blush in my kit. Definitely a cool tone- but maybe they know better than me? Because I really, really like it. It definitely adds a pop of color that makes me look healthy and- perhaps this is just wishful thinking?- well-rested.
Why is that chair photo-bombing me?
And I’ve never been a major lip liner user, but really liked the smooth application of La Bella Donna’s Duo Lip Crayon in Admire- one side is an easily applied liner, the other a soft crayon. (Does it sound like I’m preparing my mouth for clowning? Yeah, that’s what I feared I’d look like, too. But I didn’t! THAT should be a selling point to you, right there.)
Bottom line: this was super duper fun, and more than a little helpful for folks who dig trying new things, changing up routines, or who view a daily shower as the height of beautifying. (Sigh.)
Listen, when your belly’s happily full and your skin is purty, you can take on the world. I saw that on an inspirational poster, once.
Maybe I drew it myself.
And maybe it involved a kitten.
But that doesn’t make it any less true.
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