Fact: Chicago is totally sweet. And on a recent trip there to sell artwork at the Renegade Craft Fair, I had so many sweet moments which cemented the city's status as awesome. Care to go through my vacation slideshow to hear all about it? I'll take that as a yes. Here goes: 50 sweet moments and snapshots from my trip to Chicago!
- The first thing I saw after getting off of the plane? Dunkin' Donuts. No matter where you are, donuts mean you're home. Vanilla Kreme? Yes please.
- The reasoon I was there: the Renegade Craft Fair! Dudes, dudettes, it was. Off. The. Hook. Several blocks closed down just for art! How much awesomer does it get?
- On the way to the craft fair, my cab driver gave me a delicious chocolate candy. Which makes the answer yes, I will take candy from strangers.
- Host files #1: Abbey, of AbbeyChristine. The genius behind the Ira Glass finger puppet (and so many others) I had the good fortune of staying with Abbey and her boyfriend Ben (see below). Among her other talents, Abbey has an amazingly retro-outfitted kitchen. YES!
- Host Files #2: which brings us to Ben. As a Chicago tour guide, Ben was amazingly informative, and when I would idly ask something like "I wonder how far away that is?" Ben would say something like "Well, because 8 blocks make a mile in Chicago, it would probably be such and such a distance". Also, we had a great conversation about CandyBlog.
- HOOT! Owl show at Renegade Handmade: so, I didn't win the competition, but my piece did sell, and not to brag but it was among the first to sell.
- The cutest 7-11 ever.
- Leaving love notes to this fair city.
- Sweet Cakes: after Leigh (Rhymes with Twee) told me two years in a row that I had to go here, I finally made good on my promise. And I wasn't let down--a delicious savory biscuit and two chocolate chip cookies (vegan!) rewarded myself and my boothmates for walking over in the rain.
- Best customer interaction ever: first, find out customer is from St. Paul (near where I did the mural in the bathroom at Cake Eater Bakery). Me: "have you ever been to Cake Eater Bakery?". Her "Yes!". Me: "Did you go to the bathroom??". Her (not knowing I did a mural there): "Um, no."
- Having a delightful dinner at a cool restaurant called Otom with cupcake royalty from Bleeding Heart Bakery, Cake Eater Bakery, and Cupcakes Take the Cake.
- Being surprised with a ginormous box of Swirlz Cupcakes after dinner. YES!
- Totally sweet: Natalie of Bake and Destroy brought me vegan chocolate peanut butter cookies. YES!
- Awesome overload: Natalie of Bake and Destroy returned the next day (with her cute husband and son) with MORE treats, from Angel Food Bakery.
- Part 1 of the "Trailer Park Special" from Angel Food Bakery: The "Airstream" (a homemade Twinkie).
- Part 2 of the "Trailer Park Special" from Angel Food Bakery: The "RV" (a homemade Zinger).
- Part 3 of the "Trailer Park Special" from Angel Food Bakery: I don't know what this was, but it was delicious: a chocolate Twinkie-shaped cake, filled with peanut butter and coated in chocolate. Oh yeah.
- German chocolate cookie from Alliance Bakery! The cutest pile of poo-looking confection ever.
- Floriole! You were closed, but I left you a love note.
- Sweet Mandy B's! You put me in a state of buttercream bliss.
- Adorable: a "recipe" in the window at Sweet Mandy B's.
- A drive-by at Molly's Cupcakes. Didn't get anything, but saw that they had peach cobbler cupcakes (!).
- Cotton candy shortbread from Phoebe's Cupcakes. Le nom.
- Unfortunately they weren't open, but I got a beefcake contact high from Meatloaf Bakery.
- Not cake, but hilarious: POSTAL POLICE!
- More Cupcakes: delicious cocktail flavors, on the day I went. Took a walk with the Margarita cupcake. Margarita cupcake didn't make it home.
- The bakery case at Milk & Honey (where I hear the granola is fab).
- Me and a celebrity: Michelle from Bleeding Heart Bakery!
- This girl, who is possibly my new hero.
- Better than the White House: House of Fine Chocolates.
- Homemade funfetti! From Phoebe's Cupcakes
- The most beautiful word (as sighted in a flyer from Sweet Mandy B's)
- Another beautiful word: as seen in the window at Bleeding Heart Bakery.
- Totally awesome coffee from Intelligentsia.
- Sweet visitor to booth: Jessica from MO!
- Spied at Whole Foods: Jennie and Vera's cookies!
- Sweet visitor: Kelly!
- This has nothing to do with cake, but I want to point out that I found these tattoos in a magazine. Yes, someone has these Law and Order tattoos on their body. How I wish I could meet that person.
- Sweet regret: I was not able to visit Fritz Pastry, but I look forward to saying hi next time!
- Sweet visitor: Tamara!
- Sightings like this truck.
- Scooter's wasn't open on Monday when I walked by, but I did pause to dream about their "Coconut Cream Pie" - Vanilla Custard, Coconut, Graham Cracker Pie Crust blended and topped with whipped cream.
- I did, however, get to sample Black Dog Gelato.
- Stopped at the retail Threadless Store, home to so many sweet tees!
- So sad: I missed Bethany, but did enjoy the artwork of her buddies Shawnimals.
- How happy do these frosted cookies (from Sweet Mandy B's) make you?
- Yay for sweet signs on the street.
- Sweet celebrity sighting: I got to catch up with the lovely and amazing Lucy and Ryan Berkley.
- Totally got a tattoo with Sheela. Yes, it involves a baked good. No, I'm not going to show you.
- Having very sweet dreams upon returning (exhausted, but exhilarated) home. Seeya next year, Chicago!