i'm a TJ addict

Well I failed at blogging this week majorly. I like that I get to go on trips for work but being out two days mid-week ALWAYS messes me up. Coming back to 300+ work emails (I really wish that was an exaggeration) just makes the rest of the week SUCK.

I meant to prepare a Wedding Wednesday and a Si.Pi.Di post ahead of time so they would post while I was out, but it's just been one of those weeks. January CAN NOT come fast enough!

Anyways, as you know from my last pathetic post, I was in Chicago the last two days. Usually on my trips I have some "me" time, but I was only there for exactly 24 hours this time.

 

 

I have a goal with every city I travel to. I HATE looking like the tourist, so right when I land, if I have the time, I like to walk around a bit and immerse myself in the city. And I also have a problem. I'm addicted to Trader Joe's and I WILL go to one in every city I visit. NYC - check. Dallas - check. Chicago - you betcha I went.

 

 

 

 

Over thanksgiving one of the dips we had as this Herb Brie did from TJ's. I was obsessed with it. So naturally, I put my bags in my hotel and marched right on over to TJ's. (I did good this time, my hotel was only 2 blocks away. In NYC I had to walk two miles. Worth it? YES.) I found the dip and some delicious fresh bread.

 

 

No cheese and bread lunch is complete without some wine. And GUESS WHAT? TJ's is kinda known for their wine. And by known for I mean it's SUPER CHEAP. Seriously - that bottle was four dollars...and it was not the cheapest one there. It was pretty tasty I must say. Especially tasty when drank (drinked? drunk?) out of those cheesy clear hotel coffee cups. 

 

This is for you TJ newbies - they have the best candy/dessert known to man-kind. Those Milk Chocolate Salted Caramel Butter Cookies? Yea. May or may not have scarfed down a whole tray in five minutes. They taste like super fancy homemade Twix bars. I usually just get the normal Fleur de Sel Carmel's but I had to step it up this time, and I am SO glad I did. I'm sure the cocoa truffles are equally as deelish but I'm waiting to eat them until I give them to my father-in-law the cocoa truffle addict.

 

After my amazing TJ experience I could have just lounged all night and watched HGTV/be a fatass, but I had our company "holiday" party to get to. Fortunately I have great friends all over the place so I was able to meet up with a sorority sister of mine. It was really fun to gossip catch up on everyone ;)

 

Last year the company party was INSANE - and by insane I mean that I fell asleep on the bar (yes, at the party) and got kicked out of the next bar because I tripped. (You guys probably think I have a drinking problem. I seriously don't and this proves it - I don't drink a lot so when I do, I don't know when to stop. EMBARRASSING.) So this year I stuck to water until everyone decided that must mean I am pregnant. Nothing like that to make you switch to champagne ASAP.

 

After the party some of us were hungry so we went to billy goat's.

 

 

If you ever go to Chicago, make sure you stop here for a late night snack!

 

It's true what they say in the SNL skit - they won't get you get a single. And really, the double is like a normal single at most places because the patties are so thin. It's not the greatest burger ever, but the history inside the place makes it a great spot.

 

I'm already planning my next trip - for fun this time - because there is SO much to do there and 20 hours is not enough! Can't wait!