" THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING...... Ohhhhh how I miss those 5 little words that let me know, I'm on a plane, flying someplace wonderful and leaving Chicago, if only for a little while. Now days, those words are not appearing anytime soon on my travel agenda and while others are planning get-a-ways, I believe in planning staycations and adult play dates. COVID is interrupting birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and all things celebratory which we took for granted and now crave. What COVID has provided is an opportunity to think creatively to replace get a-ways and travel surprises with creative and wonderful opportunities to connect in small group settings and find a new happy place...within. How do you do this? First by planning ahead, take nothing for granted, last minute will cost you more, so plan, plan, plan. If you have a large back yard, how about a dinner party for 6, hire a private chef such at Kevin Woodard, chef extraordinaire who cooks amazing meals for any size group ( with COVID limit is six) go to his Instagram page where his menu is his page IG: CookinDaFlava. Work with a local party company, order tents, 3 small rounds tables for each couple, put the music on, add cocktails and instant adult dinner. Too much planning, how about leaving the planning to a social expert and designer like Raub Welch and gather your friends to attend one of his monthly social events. Each curated event is held in his lovely, visual stunning, extensive flower emporium garden. Afroopulence is what comes to mind when attending a Raub Welch event. Choose from Rose’ Wednesdays, Melanin Muse cocktails mixing party ( all drinks are black) or perhaps an intimate dinner party in his secret garden. For this and more, head over to his IG:veryraub for photos and details. Feeling adventurous, let your city be your muse. In my home of Chicago, there are 120 fountains, to discover. Jump in the car and make a day of discovery for each fountain or a select few. Follow a few food trucks for snacks or pack your own. Celebrating a special birthday/anniversary, celebrate each year of life with a different flower, contact the botanical garden and ask for different species to surprise him/her. Have a really big yard, rent a mobile movie screen, invite a few friends over for movie date night for friends/family. How about a pop up celebration. There are locations all over the city that will allow you to host a pop up event, reach out to Andrea Stanton at IG: Myperfectfurniture- she designs such spaces and can create a one of a kind location for your celebration. More of a glamping person, head over to The GWEN hotel, which actually has a glamping experience on their terrace attached to a suite, talk about urban swag, it is lush!! It is located on the 16th floor, with over 1000 square feet of terrace space, talk about upping the game. For more information, visit The Gwen website to plan your stay. These ideas and many more are available and with a little planning, there is something for every style, taste and budget!
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