5 things to do! | Chicago June 19th - 21st

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This is first of my Summer series called 5 things to do! It'll highlight 5 things to do in or around Chicago from Friday to Sunday.  My goal is show low to no cost events.  If you're having an event be sure to email me at thefatgirloffashion@gmail.com to be listed.  



1} Dew Tour | Friday Noon to 8 p.m. & Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  
The skateboard and BMX competition will be held at Ninth Street and Columbus drive 
This free event is returning to Chicago after a 5 year break. 


2} The Taste of Summer Fashion show | Saturday 8 p.m. until 
This it the 3rd annual fashion show being brought to Chicago by THE 8874 GROUP.
 The show is being held at 2000 W.  Fulton and tickets are still available and can be purchased at www.the8874group.com 


3} Empower State of Mind | Saturday 4 p.m to 9 p.m. 
This is a women's networking and empowerment event powered by Kiwi Boutique & Red Kiva. 
This event is being held at Red Kiva located at 1108 W. Randolph St.  It'll be hosted by Naturi Naughton aka Tasha from Power.  Tickets can be purchased at empowerstateofmind.eventbrite.com 


4}  The Legends Concert & Festival | 12 p.m.  to 10 p.m. 
The KLEO Community Center is having family friendly day of music, food, vendors, and fun.  
This FREE event is happening at 119 South Garfield.  



5} Live at the Apple Store | Sunday 2 p.m. 
Joe Hertler and The Rainbow Seekers will be performing at the Lincoln Park Apple Store. 
This Free event requires RVSP at Apple.com 

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Mr. Brown's Lounge

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I had the privilege of going to new loop location for Mr. Brown's Lounge for press preview night and I had a blast! The loop location is at 81 East Wacker Place.  It's Adjacent to the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago.  This the second  Mr. Brown's Lounge to hit Chicago.  The loop location is operating during lunch, dinner and what I like to call party hours.  Sun-Thurs: 11am - midnight and Fri & Sat: 11am - 1am.  The food is jerk style of cooking using dry -rubbed or wet marinated overnight with a very hot spice mixture called Jamaican jerk and then slow cooked on a charcoal grill for maximum flavor. 




I sampled a few of their go to dishes.  The MBL Island Jerk Chicken that comes marinated and also dry rubbed with Jamaican herbs & spices.  It was fall of the bone good.  I also had sides the fried plantains, Island Styled mac & cheese, rice & peas with bread.  I tasted the Guava Shake (coconut drop cookies) and the Banana Pudding.  The Banana Pudding  is no box brand; It's made of banana bread, fresh banana, caramel and plantain and taste like heaven on a spoon.   

And of course I sampled some libations.  I had 1 or 2 ok ok ok a few.  They all were great ( insert iPhone smiley face).  I like to have a drink when I step out with my friends but I don't care for hard drinks.  I find myself left out when I go to many bars and lounges.  I'm pleased to say Mr. Brown's lounges offers something  for people like me.  Yes they have a fully complete and stocked bar.  The bartenders were at the ready to whip of something for everyone.  I had the Whaler and Pretty girl both are pour in mix drinks.  I slipped on the Humming Bird which is a blended drink.  Lastly, I had the Dirty Banana, it tasted like a banana smoothie with a kick and my personal favorite.  

I'm very pleased with my experience at the loop's Mr. Brown's Lounge.  The staff was amazing, very knowledgeable and friendly.  The decor was very cute and inviting.  Even the bathroom.  I mean a girl loves a good full body selfie and the floor to ceiling mirror will offer just that.  The music was upbeat and added nicely to the party friendly vibe. 



I'll be back to the loop location very soon.  There are a few more things on the menu I still need to taste.  Like the Grilled Shrimp and  Jerk Seasoned Filet Mignon.  I'm also eyeballing the homemade rum raisin ice cream.  hmmmmmmmmmm sound like a delicious treat to have while seating out on their patio.  This pocket friendly place is a wonderful fit for this area.  It's true Mr. Brown's Lounge is a great place for authentic Jamaican dishes, culture and nightlife.    

Go to mrbrownslounge.com for their full menu and info both location
mrbrownslounge can be found on social media
https://instagram.com/mrbrownslounge/
https://twitter.com/mrbrownslounge
https://www.facebook.com/mrbrownslounge
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mr-browns-lounge-chicago-2 

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Plus Size week in NYC

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The plus world has come alive this week.  The plus size love fest kicked off Saturday June 13th with first annual #goldenconfidence pool party presented by Essie Golden.  Curve girls came to show off their gorgeous shapes of all sizes while parting like rock stars.   
This lead right into Full Figured Fashion Week.  FFFWeek is now in it's 5 year and  kicked off Sunday, June 14th with FFFWeek® Celebrates Curvy Fashion at JC Penney.  Today there will be A Luau Party! hosted by Revee' Lamar - The 2015 FACE of FFFWeek, Tomorrow are Media Event (invitation only),  A Small Business Leader's Guide to Business Structure (licensing, trademarks, branding, social media) Hosted and Moderated by: Ernest Jackson, Celebrity Publicist, MNS Media, and the founder of FFFWEEK founder Gwen DeVoe will be launching her magazine DeVoe Magazine.  Wednesday offers Fit for Me by Fruit of the Loom Media Breakfast (invitation only) and my personal favorite Curves at Sea All White Cruise hosted by Revee' Lamar, 2015 FACE of FFFWeek.  Thursday there will be a FFFWeek® Model Intensive with Sharon Quinn (private), Hal Rubenstien and Marla Wynne Exclusive Blogger Event hosted by Hal Rubenstien and Marla Wynne followed by  Cocktails and Conversations with Gwen DeVoe.  Friday FFFWeek® and PLUS Model Magazine Present The Celebrate My Size Expo and Town Hall Meeting, JIBRI Pop Up Shop followed by the Indie Designer Showcase.  Saturday "Turning Passion into Profit" Panel Discussion along with JIBRI Pop Up Shop,  Retailers/Boutiques Showcase/Industry Awards Ceremony  and Sunday will be round out with JIBRI Pop Up Shop.   

To keep the plus love going we have Chastity Garner of Garner Style & CeCe Olisa of  Plus Size Princess hosting "theCURVYcon"  to be held on June 20th.  theCURVYcon is a day-long event that plans to bring plus size brands, fashionistas, shopaholics, bloggers and youtubers into one room, to chat, shop and embrace all things curvy.  theCURVYcon offers 3 ticket levels from General Admission at tickets prices $99 (Tickets still available theCURVYcon.com ) to sold out Platinum Level at $249.00.  The day will feature many of my personal curvy favs from actress Amber Riley, Gabi of Gabifresh.com, to Jessamyn Stanley of My Name Is Jessamyn and  Ty Alexander of Gorgeous in Grey  just to name a few on various panels.  theCURVYcon Panels include How to be Stylish at any Size presented by MONISTAT® Complete Care™ Chafing Relief Powder Gel®, Rock Your Confidence: From the Bar to the Boardroom, Speaker Meet & Greets, Plus Size Health and Fitness, Sex, Love & Dating at any size and ending the day with Amber Riley as the keynote speaker.  There will also be a  theCURVYcon Mall  for your shopping pleasure.   



I'm thankful for all you ladies for your affords  to improve the state of the plus, curvy and  fat community.  When we come together for events like these brands listen.  Our words as well as our dollars speak volumes.   I personally want to wish a congratulations to  Essie and Chastiy.  I'm very proud of you for all that you do.  I've reached out to you both and you two have been nothing less than a blogger friend to me.  I'm glad to see your dreams take flight and know I'll be in NYC with you both next year.  Congrats again ladies.  

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Traveling While Fat | Toronto

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I've finally settled back in from my vacation.  I went to Toronto, Ontario Canada.  I've been to Toronto many time however this was the first time I went with my good friends Dana and LaMara.  Yes! The Passport Posse was back together.  It was great seeing LaMara again.  She has moved away to start her new life with her fiancé.  With us both being busy living life we don't get to talk as much as we use to but seeing her again it was like she never left my side.  Dana, My anchor is always fun and is my go to travel partner.  She preparing to move away also witch made the trip bitter sweet.  Dana pointed out that I was a "good time cry baby."  Witch is true.  Happy times brings the tears and yes they flowed.  



The flight from Chicago is a short one.  I choose to fly Porter Airlines  (www.flyporter.com).  I had used Porter once before when I went to Montreal.  The service was first class and wanted to use them again.  Another bonus of using Porter was the airline flew in Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) only 1.5 miles from downtown Toronto.  The Bishop airport is the smaller of the two Toronto airports however it is idea for a traveler staying in or near downtown Toronto.  It'll save you time & money from trying to make it from the big airport witch is much farther away.  
The airport was a short distance from our hotel.  I'm a loyal HHonors member.  HHonors is a loyal points program ran by Hilton hotels world wide (www.hilton.com)  I enjoy Hilton properties because for me they offer a standard of excellence.  I lived at a Hilton DoubleTree for a year.  Yes, lived.  It was my full time home and I haven't stayed at another hotel since if Hilton was an option.



For this trip I stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Downtown.  I used the prepay option for an additional saving.  I suggest only using this option when your plans are set in stone because it's nonrefundable.  The hotel staff was amazing and very knowledgeable.  The hotel was in one of the 5 China towns located in Toronto.  It was also about 3 blocked from Eaton Centre.  Eaton Centre is the starting point for everything in Toronto.  It's the largest shopping center in downtown Toronto and offers shopping options for all budgets.  










I took a double decker bus tour with  citysightseeing (citysightseeingtoronto.com).  This is a on and off tour that goes all over the city.  The tours guides offer did you know type information though out the tour.  From start to finish if you choose not to get off it's about 2 hours tour.  Again I prepaid for the tour to save of cost.  



I ate at many great places while in Toronto.  Two however hit a high note.  One was Duffs Famous Wings  (www.duffsfamouswings.ca).  Walking down College street looking for a meal and a drink Duffs' pulled me in by my noise and was no disappointment.  I tried 3 of their many favors.  I had the hot, hot honey garlic and bold BBQ.  I also tried 3 of their dipping sauces Duff’s Blue Cheese, Duff’s Creamy Dill and Ranch.  It also came with a side of delicious fries.  At the servers suggestion no on the menu I had a drink of Jack with cold apple juice.  It left me with a smile.  








The second restaurant and the main reason for my trip was lunch at the famous Resturant360 at the CN Tower (cntower.ca).  I've been wanting to dine there for years and never got the chance.  It was everything I'd imagine it would be.  While dining you are spinning 360° at one of the highest points of Toronto.  This gives you an amazing airy view of all of Toronto.  For a saving I choose lunch over dinner because the menu is a little pricy.  I scheduled lunch at the latest time possible before dinner service. I had the prix fixe 3 course lunch.  As an appetizer I had the classic shrimp cocktail witch included cognac infused cocktail sauce.  My main course was cold smoked long bone pork chop with caramelized onions.  It was plated with spaghetti squash,  cranberry gastrique & rosemary jus.  My last and dessert course was white chocolate orange cheesecake.  It was not only tasteful it was also filling.  

With the prix fixe lunch option you receive passes to the glass floor that looks down from seems like the top of the world.
This trip to Toronto was the best ever for me.  To be with my good girlfriends while exploring new places is what the good life means for me.  Be sure to use the hashtag #travelingwhilefat on social media to see all the pictures & video where you can find thefatgirloffashion.com 

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