Friday Favorites 5/22

Happy Friday Babes!

We’ve made it another week! Let’s give ourselves a round of applause. As we gear up for the long weekend, I can’t help but ponder about how different this year’s holiday weekend looks compared to year’s past. Usually around this time, I’m preparing for the parade of backyard bbq’s, lawn games and stocking up on my favorite Leinenkugel Summer Shandy. There’s something about taking that first sip around this time that’s almost an inaugural Summer tradition, it hits differently.

This year though, with no lake house visits or afternoon gatherings in sight, I’m kind of taking solitude in the quietness of it all. How many obligations do we volunteer for that we actually don’t have much interest in in the first place? Memorial Day is no exception. Instead of playing merry go ’round to family and friends houses, I’m taking this weekend to do some tasks I’ve actually been looking forward to. Organizing my room, going to a restaurant with a couple of friends (something I haven’t done in a very long time), drinking wine and grilling out on my own balcony. Wow, I really am an introverted extrovert lol. Well, whatever your plans look like this year, I hope you take the extra day to participate in something you actually want to do, and don’t feel obligated to do. You deserve that extra day. You really do.

And if you catch yourself looking for a quick escape, some time for yourself, here are some of the most entertaining links I found around the web this week. Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

ALDO x Rocky Barnes collaborate on what I’m assuming will be a collection of our dream Summer shoes

Shaun White stops to skate these neighborhood kid’s ramp and it’s the cutest video you’ll ever see

Jason Derulo tries out a TikTok trend and ends up without two front teeth, omg it’s so bad!!!

The Cuomo brothers are at it again in this hilarious video of Chris teasing the Governor of New York after taking the coronavirus test on live TV

Jeffree Star responds back to backlash of new palette name, I think his response is eloquent and valid and my mom just ordered the palette, I can’t wait to try it!

One of my new favorite personalities on Instagram, Serena Kerrigan, hosts a live dating show on Instagram Live every Friday night called Let’s Fucking Date. She goes on two dates and then recaps with friends on the after show. It’s so entertaining!

Prince William and Kate Middleton have never been funnier than in this video of them playing bingo!

Since we might be more inclined to stay home this Summer, here are 11 pool floats to up your Instagram game

On Sincerely-Sydney ICYMI

Psychology of the Color Green (and why I’m loving it lately)

Last Week’s Friday Favorites

My Thoughts on Being Sincerely Quarantined

Sincerely,

Psychology of the Color Green

Dear Friends,

One of my favorite subjects to study in college was color theory. I spent semester after semester hunting down classes that would expand my knowledge in the meaning behind a color. It fascinated me that by simply eyeing a certain hue, it could dramatically shift your perception of the subject or transform your mood. A color on its own could make you think one thing but mix it with another and it takes on a drastically different definition. Colors appear naturally in the world around us, the sky is blue, the grass is green, tree stumps are brown, if you need a mood booster, simply step outside and look around you.

If you’re a color theory virgin, let me give you the basics. Red=power, immediacy Orange= enthusiasm, optimism Yellow=happiness, youthfulness Blue=calm, tranquility Purple=royalty, regal White=purity, innocence Black= authoritative, absence. If you’re doing your ROY G BIV in your head (that’s an acronym that lists the colors of the rainbow in order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet) then you will have noticed that I skipped over green. Well one, that’s because it’s the subject of this essay and two because I’ve been particularly intrigued by this color lately as I think its perception parallels a lot of what’s happening in the world as we speak.

Again, for the virgins, Green=growth, harmony. That is why the color green is so synonymous with Spring. This new season that we are in exemplifies the rebirth and regrowth of the nature we lost during the colder months. Trees and flowers sprout new buds, geese lay eggs, water is replenished. It’s almost as if the world takes these Spring months to heal from the harshness that preceded it.

This morning, for the first time in a long time, I decided it was necessary to start working out again. I’ve felt sluggish, unmotivated and tired. As Elle Woods once said, endorphins make you happy and happy people just don’t shoot their husbands. Although a husband is nonexistent in my life at the moment, I figured it would not hurt to still take her advice. We have this incredible stationary bike that usually resides in our living room, but as I’ve been staring at the same four walls for what seems like four years, I decided I needed a change of scenery for my multi-mile ride. I folded up the light-weight bike and took it out to our condo’s balcony for a relaxing view of our backyard lake while I sweat off last night’s taco dinner.

Within the first few pedals, I sincerely felt invigorated. I peered around my surroundings to see wildflowers blooming, trees with an abundance of leafy greens, overgrown grass and the new life of baby goslings waddling around my backyard. It truly was a scene of green. A scene of rebirth, regrowth, renewal and it was exactly what I needed.

With the passing of each mile I rode stationary, I couldn’t help but wonder, isn’t that exactly what our world is doing all around us right now as well? The parallels were palpable. Our society is coming out of the deadness that was quarantine, restaurants and businesses are starting to reopen. We are revisiting the life we once knew and reviving the occupational obligations we had to leave behind. We are having to heal from the losses and start fresh much like our agricultural climate. If there was a color sponsor for this new season we’re enduring, I’d bet my money that it would be a shade of green. Pantone, you can call my agent for that one.

I think that is why so many people yearned for their daily walks during this pandemic. It was the one hour they had a day to connect with nature and experience growth firsthand. While our world was at a standstill, by simply taking a lap around your neighborhood, it brought hope that even though our life as we knew it was dying down, much like our plants do during the Winter, there is always a rebirth after it is all said and done. I think people needed that constant reminder. It was comforting. It made people hopeful.

But it is important to remember that once a plant dies from the Winter cold, it will absolutely reappear in the new Spring season, but it will never be exactly as it once was. Our society will be no different. Although we’re entering civilization again, it’s important to draw comparison in that social distancing, masks and acts of caution are our new normal. You can’t yell at a plant for growing purple flowers this year when you loved its yellow ones previously. Quite frankly, it doesn’t care, you just have to embrace it.

Green has such a strong meaning. In its literal sense, green is the same color as money and thus could represent an abundance of wealth. Our economy will definitely be affected by this year’s events. Green could characterize self-control, something a lot of us will have to exercise as we embrace our new lives post-COVID meaning no raging boat parties this Summer, sorry Playpen goers (Chicago reference). But green also means growth and rebirth, something that maybe our society needed to go through in order to come out stronger, to find meaning in our lives and reevaluate what truly is important to us. I’m embracing the green of it all. I hope you will too.

Sincerely,

Friday Favorites 5/15

Happy Friday!

For those of you who are new around here, I used to have this weekly series where I’d share some of my favorite links around the web that I discovered throughout the week. It was meant to be a fun, entertaining and informative short article published every Friday as a way to sort of wrap up the entire week. If you like to keep up with celebrity news, pop culture trends and current events, then this was meant to be the perfect piece for you.

When I took a hiatus from blog writing, my weekly series thus took a time out. But now that I’m back, I figured there’s no time like the present to pick back up where we left off especially since there are so many good resources and content out there right now with everything going on. People and organizations have really embraced digital storytelling. So in an effort to get you through the day, that much closer to the weekend, here are some of my favorite pieces of content from this week. I hope you enjoy and I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Danielle Bernstein, founder of We Wore What, released her book this week. My copy of This is NOT a Fashion Story came in the mail on Thursday!

If you haven’t seen this adorable video of Kylie Jenner’s daughter Stormi doing the #ToddlerChallenge you need to indulge yourself ASAP

Hollywood pays tribute to Jerry Stiller who passed away earlier this week at the age of 92. He will always remind me of my childhood.

Blair Eadie of Atlantic-Pacific launches another collection at Nordstrom in collaboration with Halogen. It’s entirely whimsical and classic, just like Blair, and she hopes it invokes a feeling of optimism

Starting today at 1PM CST, Facebook will be hosting a star-studded virtual graduation for the class of 2020

Rise Up New York! telethon raises over $115 million for people and non-profits most impacted by the coronavirus outbreak

Bruce Willis posts quarantine content on TikTok I didn’t know I needed in my life…DAMN he looks good!

And ICYMI on Sincerely-Sydney this week

I recreated two Gigi Hadid street style looks

How to stay positive in a world of chaos

Gift ideas for the alternative mom

Sincerely,

I Recreated Two of Gigi Hadid’s Street Style Looks. Here’s the Results

Dear Fellow Fashionista,

Let me say this louder for the people in the back. Shop your own damn closet! Especially during these uncertain times, when I think everybody is doing a little bit of belt tightening, it is so important to find new and innovative ways to wear pieces you already own. I have recently found a lot of joy in doing this. Sort of in an outfit mixologist kind of way. A little bit of this, splash of color, dash of denim, hint of neutrals and I’ve masterfully concocted something exciting to wear for the day.

One of the biggest sources of inspiration for me these days? Googling celebrity street style. There are bazillions of paparazzi photos out there of celebrities wearing casual yet chic outfits while out to lunch, getting a coffee, heading to a meeting…you know stuff us normal folks also do on a daily basis. And the best part is that I bet my bottom dollar that if you put your thinking cap on and ponder hard enough, you can recreate some of your favorite looks from the items hanging in your closet right now. No purchase necessary.

That’s exactly what I did with the above two looks. When the news broke of Gigi’s pregnancy, and my Google history already flooded with pinned street style inspo, I decided to type in her name and see what I could conjure up. These two looks are quintessentially Gigi. Effortlessly chic and down to earth, just as I’ve read she is in real life. After a few quick swipes in my wardrobe, I found pieces that were almost identical. I even pulled the pieces and some similar options for you to see exactly what I used to come up with these replicas.

Look 1: Green with envy

Look 2: Band Tees Rock

As I’m vulnerably posting my recreations, I couldn’t help but wonder…are there any celebrity looks you’d like to remake with your own closet staples? If so, I challenge you to take the plunge, snap a photo and tag me using #SincerelyStyling. I can’t wait to see what you mix up!

Sincerely,

How I’m Remaining Positive in a World of Chaos

My Dear Friend,

Are you having a hard time? Yeah, me too. Let’s face it, what’s going on in the world right now is utterly shitty. Unemployment rate, at-home order, global pandemic…these phrases are not at all sexy. In a time when news reports, rules and regulations are changing by the minute, it sure seems like for the past two months I’ve been stagnant. It’s as if I were painted into a scene, much like the Whistler’s Mother, unable to move but rather gazing upon the four walls constantly surrounding me unlike the whimsical artworks that line Hogwarts’s Halls permitted to roam freely as they wish. Some days, I love the autonomy. Some days, I can feel the walls around me closing in by the second. Just the mere thought of those days runs shivers down my anxiety-stricken body. It’s the unknown of it all that really takes my breath away.

But I’m always reminded of the simple fact, it’s out of our control. Why worry about the weather tomorrow when there’s literally nothing on this green Earth you can do to change it? Why worry about life looking so obscenely different right now when you can’t change the circumstances? Even though some days are the lowest of lows, I try my hardest to shift perception. Focus on what I can control. Focus on the good, the opportunity that lies ahead. I have chosen to grow from this. Grow as a creator. Grow as a daughter, a girlfriend, a friend. Grow as a career-women. Grow into a more positive version of myself. As a born-again cynic, this is something I’ve been working on for quite some time.

A quote from the globally renowned book/movie trilogy Hunger Games, who’s dystopian, post-apocalyptic nation sometimes doesn’t seem too far off from our current situation, always sticks like glue to my consciousness. “Hope, it is the only thing stronger than fear”, said President Snow. He foolishly put too much faith in fear. I, such as triumphant Katniss Everdeen, choose hope.

Now I know my listicle isn’t the magic potion that will change the world for the better overnight. I’m not that naive, but I’m hoping that by sharing a few ways I’m trying to stay positive during all of this chaos that the message could radiate out into the world much like the ripples from a single drop of water. Even if one person finds value or solace from these thought starters, then I have done my job.

That’s what we’re really craving, right? A sense of community. The social aspect of normal life. I heard on the radio today, “it shouldn’t be called social distancing, it should be called physical distancing because we still have the need and capability of being social.” That’s right and this little corner, this community we’re building, is my way to stay social with you. It won’t happen overnight, but if you dig deep for the inner hope inside of you, I think these are some easy ways to start steering your mind into becoming more positive, sightseeing for the silver lining and waving away negativity through the rearview mirror:

Channeling energy: This pandemic stirs up a lot of emotion inside of us. We have the choice on where to put that energy, into being angry or use it for good? I think a great way to channel energy right now is to be creative: paint, draw, color, write, compose, sculpt, cook, tie dye (since we all know that’s the biggest trend right now). There are so many opportunities to morph your energy into a creative outlet that yields something tangible.

Write down your thoughts: You have many thoughts right now, I’m sure you do. You’re doing yourself a disservice by keeping those bottled up. Take 10 minutes a day for yourself to write down all of those thoughts. It could simply be a list of words describing how you’re feeling that day: angry, sad, mad, anxious, tired, unmotivated. Doesn’t matter, just get them out of your head. It’ll be cathartic, what do you think I’m doing right now writing this?

Keep a routine: It’s so easy to sleep in or stay up late. Act as if life is normal, fake it ‘til you make it kind of thing. You’ll feel more normal, you’ll be getting the sleep you need, which is vastly important and you’ll limit the other problems or chaos that could arise if you do veer off into a free for all. Assess and prioritize all of your current tasks, don’t abandon regular responsibilities.

Create a sanctuary: I’ve read so many articles that claim that if the space around you is organized, tidy and your personal sanctuary, you free up space in your mind. When the physical space around you is organized, you have the time and energy to organize the thoughts swirling around upstairs. Since we’re stuck in our homes, rather have the ability to be at home more (all about perception), our surroundings are more important than ever. Make those interior adjustments you’ve been toying around with. This is one of those areas where you can control what you can control.

Press pause on the news: The news is just too much for me right now. Every time I take a few minutes to catch up on the latest, I can feel a lump form in my throat. I’ve decided that, in order for me to strive to be a more positive person, I need to halt constant media coverage. It was on ALL THE TIME at my house because if there was a sudden change, I wanted to be the first to know so I could prepare. That was not the right way to go about it. I listen when I need to, otherwise I stick with reputable articles online when I feel like it.

Take a break: An afternoon walk is now an activity that I not only enjoy but look forward to. In those fleeting moments, I can take in the scenery and not think about a single thing. Give grace to my mind to wander. The same can be said for a podcast you appreciate listening to or binging a TV show as a guilty pleasure (mine is Real Housewives of Beverly Hills). Take an hour for yourself. You deserve it.

Get dressed: This is one of, if not, my favorites. I haven’t been partaking as much as I’d like (that will change this week), but when I do, it’s honestly a joy. Not only get dressed but wear something ridiculously fancy just for the hell of it. Wear a ball gown, a blazer, heels, a skirt, a jumpsuit, a wild print. Since no one is really going to see you anyways, it’s a great time to experiment with a new trend you’ve been yearning to try. Again, one of those areas in life you have full control over!

As I write these points, I can’t help but wonder if you’ve uncovered some sure-fire ways to boost positivity in your own life? If so, I’d love to hear what helps you get through the day. And always, I’m here if you need anything.

Sincerely,

The Alternative Mom Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Dear Fellow Daughters Out There,

I’m not quite sure who decided that Mother’s Day gifts and gift guides were limited to items adorned with floral prints, kitchen appliances in hues of pink or ivory, sweet smelling candles and petite jewelry settings. Every time I come across a new gift guide around the web, it’s a regurgitation of the same stereotypical pieces a mother should have or should want. I oppose this notion wholeheartedly. Where are the gift guides for the moms not interested in these things or for the moms who simply just aren’t as girly?

My mom, for example, has more tattoos than days of the week, enjoys watching Supernatural and plays video games. I can’t find a perfectly curated list of Mother’s Day gifts suited for her. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has experienced this. So, since one doesn’t exist, I decided to create one for myself and the other daughters out there who A) are last minute shoppers (sorry mom) and B) need to spark inspiration for what I like to lovingly call the “alternative” mom. Here are 15 ideas I think our hip moms would love:

  • 1) Gift certificate to her favorite tattoo parlor for the next art piece she’s been dreaming of – I’m not putting myself on the hook for references here, totally your preference!
  • 2) Not all moms are blonde or brunette, two years ago my mom dyed her hair scarlet red and that can take a toll on anyone’s hair. Gift her a gift certificate to get her hair professionally done – again totally your preferred salon
  • 3) My mom LOVES her sparkly Doc Martens, here are some pairs that are fun
  • 4) Not a night goes by that my mom isn’t playing Animal Crossing on her new Nintendo Switch. It’s such a cool compact electronic for the gaming moms out there // Nintendo Switch
  • 5) Grills aren’t reserved for Father’s Day gift guides. My mom loves to grill and here’s an electronic one that is condo or apartment friendly // George Foreman Standing Electric Grill for under $100
  • 6) Summer is coming! Gift your mom a rad pair of Ray Bans or this awesome cat eye pair of sunglasses from Amazon
  • 7) Moms come in all shapes, sizes and backgrounds and who better celebrates all women than Good American. Gift your mom an epic pair of jeans that will make her feel super confident
  • 8) My mom enjoys photography and often takes sick shots while at concerts. If your mom enjoys a similar hobby, consider this awesome polaroid camera // Polaroid Camera
  • 9) The rocker moms love music. This chic record player would fit any aesthetic and allows your mom to bust out the oldies // Record Player
  • 12) Gaming headphones could allow your mom to completely immerse herself in the digital world // Under $50 at Best Buy
  • 13) Spice up your mom’s wardrobe with some cool vintage band tees
  • 15) Kat Von D can take your mom’s makeup collection to the next level and it’s all vegan. Here are some options to consider

I hope you and your mom are able to spend this Mom’s Day together and I hope she loves her crazy, cool gifts! What are you planning on buying her this year?

Sincerely,

Sincerely Quarantined

Top // Pants // Similar Belt // Similar Sunglasses

Dear Friends,

Woah this is not the world I left when I published my last blog post, which by the way I checked and was exactly 3 months and one day ago today. Since then, a lot has changed the biggest shift coming in the form of a worldwide pandemic and stay-at-home order. Can you believe what’s happening? Can you believe this is how 2020 is turning out? Can you believe that we’ve been sheltering in place for almost 2 months? It’s wild.

I missed you guys and I missed expressing my inner most thoughts to my little corner of the internet. Why has it been so long since my last post? Good question. I honestly don’t know. I think I got to a point around the time of my last published work where I was extremely overwhelmed. Everything I had going on from family, to work, to travel, working on my blog, maintaining a social life, keeping my space clean, cooking, laundry, more work, it was a lot and the thought of taking my “free time” (I use that phrase loosely because it essentially didn’t exist) to write seemed less like an enjoyable pastime and more like a chore. At the beginning of this year, I honestly think I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. It was always go go go and never any time to really stop.

And then the virus hit. It has been total devastation and something I don’t think any of us ever expected. Thank god for the frontline workers and first responders who put their own lives at risk every day in an effort to keep us safer. I grieve deeply for the families who’ve lost loved ones. I actually thought at the beginning of 2020 that this was going to be “my year”…yeah that didn’t age well.

In the ever so slight silver lining of the scenario, it’s given the world, and me, some time to take a breather. Some time at home. Some time to spend with family. Some time to reevaluate what’s important and how we’ve been living our lives. Some extra time to get back to doing the things we once found enjoyable. Being forced to work from home has literally given me 3+ hours back into my day with the lack of a commute. It’s allowed me to exercise, to cook, to clean, to organize. I know a pandemic is not a productivity contest, but when I feel like it, I can actually get shit done. The Earth is literally healing around us. Maybe in some sort of twisted fate, this was God’s (or whatever higher power you believe in) way of telling us to slow the eff down.

That may be an unpopular opinion, some may disagree, I mean troves of people across the U.S. are protesting beach re-openings. Those people are idiots, but I completely understand that others have not had my experience and that some people are really suffering right now. If you are one of those individuals and there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.

It’s been a while since we’ve communicated. How are you? What’s been going on? I seriously would love to know. As an extrovert, I’m sort of craving human interaction right now. Conversation and a sit down at a nice restaurant are my personality’s reinforcements.

For me? I haven’t been up to much lately. My mom tore her rotator cuff so she had to have surgery a few weeks ago and I’m now chauffeuring her to physical therapy three days a week. I’m still working from home full-time, I’m so thankful for my job and the seamless integration of being fully operational while remote. I’m quarantined with my mom at our house but still am able to visit my boyfriend often. I’ve been trying to get through Three by Ted Dekker (the book) which I started over a year and a half ago…I’m a horrible reader. I’ve been trying to take advantage of the now vast array of free online courses when I can, possibly thinking of signing up for Masterclass to take Anna Wintour’s and Annie Leibovitz’s sessions. We’ve been supporting local as much as possible whenever we don’t feel like cooking. I joined TikTok because why not and it’s so fun! Besides that, not much else has been going on.

I’ve been taking a lot of time to think about content and what this next phase of my blog will bring. I have some fun ideas I can’t wait to post, and I hope you love these new posts as much as I do. If you have any ideas for me or I can be a resource to you in any way during or post-COVID, please do not hesitate to reach out. Share with friends and family that I’m back baby! I’m thoroughly looking forward to this next chapter with you guys!

Sincerely,

My Tech Backgrounds

Similar oversized blazer // Another blazer option // Cream lace cami // Light wash jeans // Black and gold belt // Similar mules // Another mule option

Happy Monday,

TBQH (to be quite honest), I never really thought about or frankly cared about the background of my tech devices. iPhone background, iPhone wallpaper, Desktop screensaver, Tablet background…none of the above crossed my mind. All of that changed in one fell swoop when I randomly discovered the ingenious, monthly-themed tech backgrounds from The Everygirl. That’s right, at the beginning of every new month, The Everygirl releases a slew of perfectly curated backgrounds for all of your tech devices. The range of devices you can download the backgrounds for include Desktop, iPhone 8 / Google Pixel, iPhone X / iPhone 11, Samsung Galaxy or iPad / Tablet. A variety is offered so you can choose the one that quintessentially coincides with your personality or aesthetic.

I’ve been rotating my backgrounds now since November of last year, and I’m obsessed! In complete transparency, I almost look forward to the first of a new month, so I can quickly navigate to The Everygirl’s site and download my new screensavers. February first was a magical day for me. It’s the little things that get me excited nowadays.

Here are some of the past tech backgrounds I’ve chosen from The Everygirl’s site. My February choice is in the above image.

If your interest is piqued, and it should be, here is a link to the new February backgrounds. This is one of those tools that help me stay uber organized. I love the background options with a calendar view so I can quickly access the entire month’s outline. It’s one of those things you never knew you needed until you finally got it! Again, I’m OBSESSED, go download your favorite NOW!

Sincerely,

Friday Favorites 1/24

Happy Friday Night,

Here is your reminder that, if you haven’t already, you can enter my JORD watch GIVEAWAY! I am giving at $100 towards a JORD watch of your choice. That could cover an entire JORD watch or I also want you to know that they have amazing Apple Watch bands as well! You can enter via think link: www.jordwatches.com/g/sincerelysydblog It’s as easy as one, two, three! Enter now!

Okay, now that that’s out of the way, happy Friday to you. You know, I though that, after the craziness that was the end of last year, things would start to slow down a little work wise. The exact opposite is my life right now. Check back at the end of February, I should be back to breathing normally by then. In all reality, being busy is good and I’m not complaining! It just means that when weekend time comes, I’m taking full advantage of the two-day mental break.

Speaking of, I cannot wait to get my hair done tomorrow. I usually go about every 6-8 weeks since my hair is naturally dark and I like being blonde, but with holidays and time of the year, I haven’t been since mid-October…yikes. Glad to get that fixed and then spend the rest of the weekend getting my life back in order. What are your plans? If you find some time to take for yourself, here are some great links around the web to keep you entertained! Happy Weekend!

Seth Meyers and the Jonas Brothers Go Day Drinking – HILARIOUS!

The #DollyPartonChallenge is sweeping the internet right now – I even made one of my own. See it HERE

How Jasmine Star Went From Law School Student To Becoming An Entrepreneur’s Go-To Guide For Social Media Presence

Fashion Blogger Krystal Bick’s “A Night at the Plaza” – Amazing article and stunning photos

One of my Favorite Bloggers Mary Lawless Lee of Happily Grey Opens Her First Store In Nashville – Need to book a trip ASAP!

Wish List

Everything I need to stock up on at Ulta this weekend…

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation

Bare Velvet Lip Kit Kylie Cosmetics

Full Dry Volume Blast Living Proof

Perversion Urban Decay Mascara

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer

On Sincerely-Sydney ICYMI

JORD Watch Giveaway

Band of Bohemia Restaurant Review

Last Week’s Friday Favorites

Sincerely,

Restaurant Review: Band of Bohemia

Hello My Fellow Foodie,

If you’ve been around here for a while, whether you follow me on my Social channels or subscribe to my blog, you know that I have an obvious love for fashion. My other true love though comes in the form of food. As happy as I would be to dive into a freshly steamed pile of Christian Siriano dresses, I’d be equally as happy stuffing my face with medium rare lamb chops and truffle mac n cheese. My mouth is just salivating thinking about it.

That’s why when I was asked by a coworker to cofound a lady’s supper club, it was a true no brainer. And then I thought, well this would be a perfect opportunity to document my (hopefully) delicious endeavors and report back to you as to whether these hot spots are worth your hard-earned dollars. So here I am, reporting out on my first supper club experience. Read on to gorge yourself with my Band of Bohemia review.

Band of Bohemia was the first restaurant we all wanted to explore. A hop skip and a jump away from the Loop, it is strategically located in Ravenswood right off the Metra train stop. You can’t miss it as soon as you step out on the platform. Location was convenient and there’s even some parking if you wish to drive. At this point, it was so far so good.

Walking into the joint was surprising. It is ginormous in there. It was dimly lit but decorated to the nines. Think warehouse shabby chic with a variety of seating options, an inviting bar area and open kitchen. There was candlelight, soft, jewel-toned couches, drapery and an expansive bar top area. While waiting for our table, our group situated ourselves at the bar to grab a drink. I would say the inside itself is a great selling point. Okay, still so far so good.

To be completely honest, I think the drinks were, in my opinion, the best part of the entire experience. Band of Bohemia is actually a brewery as well as a restaurant. Not only do they have a fully stocked bar, but the menu offers up a wide array of specialty cocktails and craft brews. Inventive, innovative and imaginative is how I would describe these colorful concoctions. Out of the box ingredients complemented the more usual cocktail combinations. I had the Lazy Daisy, Magic Wand and I indulged in one of their locally-crafted Pale Ales. All were spectacular. Another really high selling point for this place.

Food wise. This is where the place missed the mark for me. It was what I was gearing up for the entire planning period. It fell flat. I guess going into it, given the name, I expected the cuisine to be either Middle Eastern or Asian. In reality, it was kind of a mix of a lot of things. A more gastropub of global eclectic food, which I really appreciated. Regardless of what you want to call it, what we had was fine, some of it amazing, but it didn’t completely blow my socks off. Some of the items we got off the menu included: Walleye Crudo, the Octopus starter, I ordered the Halibut with Pineapple three ways as an entree and Garam Masala Ice Cream dessert , but I would say the best taste any of us took that night was the Dill dessert. It was refreshing and something that I’ve never tasted before. That’s coming from me, someone who doesn’t even like sweets and my favorite thing on the menu was their dessert.

Portions were also pretty insubstantial. I think I actually left there and went home to eat some leftovers because I was still hungry and maybe that’s where I left not fully satisfied. Perhaps if I left feeling sufficiently full, the food would have been better perceived. Like I said, the food was not terrible, it was good, but just okay. If someone planned a night and picked this place as their dinner spot, sure I’d join (mainly for drinks and dessert) but would I voluntarily go there again myself…probably not.

Overall, I would give Band of Bohemia a 5 out of 10. It was fine, there’s really no other words I can think of to describe it. If you are choosing between a few options and this Ravenswood spot is one of them, I’d advise maybe considering elsewhere first. This joint does have a Michelin Star and a very high-rated Brunch menu though and that means something to me, so maybe I need to give it another shot.

Sincerely,