Vancouver, Canada + Chicago, Illinois
This was supposed to be our video episode that we release the second Wednesday of every month. However, due to technical difficulties, we only had audio, the video file was corrupted. So we released this video episode last week instead. What can you do?
Alison is obsessed with food. Period. Apparently she was really hungry while while writing her day. Lulu is obsessed with putting Cadbury Mini Eggs inside raspberries. And as soon as you try it, you will be too.
Alison is wishing for the FirstClassCozy™ Foot Hammock, really anything to make travel smoother would be on that list too. It seems like plane aisles and seats are getting more and more uncomfortable, I mean, have you seen the video of a passenger punching the seat in front of him because that passenger reclined it? Is the problem planes or people? Either way, Alison’s going to need that foot hammock ASAP. Lulu is wishing that someone will take her sublet in NYC soon. If you need a place in NYC, please reach out to her!
Alison did a day in Vancouver, where she got high at dinner, sort of. It’s safe to say that Lulu’s day will definitely be different than Alison’s day.
Lulu books the two-story Chairman’s Suite at the Fairmount Pacific Rim Hotel which in addition to a stunning 8-ft long Swarovski crystal chandelier, has 2 living rooms, a kitchen, and fireplace in the bedroom! A hand-carved soaker tub in the en-suite marble bathroom is a plus, as is the expansive private outdoor area that includes a gazebo, tented terrace, a fire pit and a meditation pond. Guests in the Chairman’s Suite also receive Fairmont Gold services and amenities, including Butler and concierge services, breakfast in the Gold lounge, and evening canapés! Plus twice daily housekeeping, the standard in the morning, and an “evening refresh”. How luxurious!
Lulu books a full day of black car service with 10K Dollar Day favorite, Blacklane. Heading about her day in style, her first stop is for breakfast at Medina Cafe. A very creative and adventurous breakfast, starting with a house-made “Maracuja” soda with passionfuit, kalamansi (a Filipino fruit, her mom has the tree!), and cucumber with a vanilla salt rim on the glass. If you think that sounds scrumptious, how about trying Lulu’s other items of choice: a tagine that consists two poached eggs, sausage, a spicy tomato & chickpea stew, black olives, preserved lemon, and raita on grilled focaccia. I know, I know, but wait for it. She also gets a waffle with white chocolate pistachio rosewater syrup. Oh, and a scoop of lavender ice cream. This sounds like an epicurean dream, and hits that perfect spot of bougie yet approachable. This day is off to a brilliant start.
Lulu embarks on this tour of Vancouver landmarks and modern urban spots. It is a full day tour, but Lulu is most looking forward to exploring Capilano Park - and braving the long suspension bridge. You do have to pay the entrance fee to the park, but the tour cost does cover skip-the line entrances. In addition to the swinging bridge, this private guided tour takes you to sites in Stanley Park, Granville Island, Canada Place, Horseshoe Bay Village, Chinatown, Olympic Village, Barrett's View, and Queen Elizabeth Park.
Lulu is excited to do a little shopping at Edible Canada. She’s a big fan of a gift basket, so a bundle of made-in-Canada goodies wrapped up in wicker and cellophane sounds like an absolute delight! The Best of BC (that’s British Coumbia) gift basket comes with Amola Black Truffle Salt, Sweet Tree Birch Syrup, a Karat Chocolate Bar, a jar of Le Meadows Jam, and a bottle of Okanagan Vinegar Brewery’s 6 years Balsamic Vinegar. For $130 each, Lulu is getting herself one, and one as a raffle prize for our #10KSundaySocial. Every Sunday at 9pm ET we go live on our 10K Dollar Baes Facebook Group page, and every comment made is an entry into our raffle. Usually each week’s winner receives a small gift in the mail, but imaginarily, anyways, Lulu will be mailing them this gift basket!
For lunch Lulu hits up Kingyo, apparently one of the best izakayas in Vancouver. An izakaya is an informal Japanese bar that serves drinks and snacks, and is usually hit up after-work. She is a little early for happy hour, but is excited to nosh all the same. Especially since she orders “Kingyo’s Upgraded Deluxe Gozen”, which is described as “THIS IS KING OF LUNCH”.
Next Lulu heads to Hidden Wonders - a speakeasy magic show — the address is only given after the tickets have been purchased. Magician Shawn Farquhar puts on a mystifying show in a intimate setting, lending a boutique vibe to the experience. Feeling like more entertainment, and wanting to be true to Canadian life, she decides to take in a Canucks hockey game. She’s seen some magic, now she wants to see some fights!
Dinner is at French restaurant Le Crocodile where she starts off her meal with a foie-gras terrine, a half lobster tail, and tomato and gin soup. Lulu loves gin, so is very curious what this would taste like. Coming out next is a grilled wagyu ribeye and a cheese plate, followed by dessert - chocolate crepes with hazelnut mousse filling served with warm chocolate and orange ice cream. Continuing with the unashamed indulgences, Lulu heads out for drinks. Okay, perhaps a little shame, she is after all popping in to The Shameful Tiki Room. Lulu wants to try the Voodoo Bowl - “An intense flavor profile of multiple juices, rums, spices, and more. The secret recipe will never be unveiled. Beware my friends, beware…”. She reckons she will just share with people if they won’t let her order the typically-for-four-or-more-people beverage alone. Except maybe don’t share, because, well, “social distancing”.
Alison wanted to find somewhere fun for St. Patrick’s Day. Though it has already passed, remember this info for next year’s St. Patty’s day travel and celebration recommendations. Chicago is known for hosting one of the most spectacular St. Paddy’s Day celebrations in the world. Every year the Chicago River is dyed a brilliant and bright shade of green just for the holiday. Alison decides to stay in the least expensive room, at the most expensive hotel. And surprisingly, it’s kind of doable. The superior king room at the Peninsula is less than $1,000 for two nights, and getting to enjoy their “Far Eastern Graciousness Meets Midwestern Hospitality” vibe is more than worth that price. Usually Alison would’ve gotten the most expensive suit her $10,000 budget could swing, but she does so much stuff on this day, she had to get a - relatively - affordable room!
There is an entire website dedicated to St Patty’s in Chicago. First things first, Alison browses the best parties of 2020 section, coming across the clear winner.
It’s a “Chi-rish Invasion” at Whiskey Business, one of Wicker Park’s most popular St. Paddy’s destinations! Alison springs for the reserved table package for 30 people. For only $900 this package Includes 2 bottles of premium vodka, 1 bottle Jameson Irish Whiskey, 1 bottle of premium tequila, 3 assorted appetizer platters, 6 buckets of beer, and a dedicated server. This in addition to a dedicated server and table arrangement. Space can accommodate up to 30 guests looking for the perfect party home base. She also would need to purchase the entry fee for each of the her plus 29 guests at her table, which comes to $840. But who is she going to bring with her to this inebriation celebration? She’s calling out any of our Baes to comment on our recent Youtube video, and the first 28 get to join her at this party. This imaginary party, mind you.
After a raucous afternoon of cheers-ing, imbibing, and every other -ing word associating with alcohol consumption, this crew is going to be hungover. Since the days not over yet, Alison decides to treat everyone to some hydration therapy courtesy of IV ME Chicago. While technology and services go way beyond “just a hangover cure’ that is exactly what this group is after. This powerful combination of hydrating fluids, electrolytes, vitamins and medications help eliminate nausea, migraines and muscle pain. Yes, please.
Now that all are refreshed and I think we need a zen activity that is low key yet creative. So we are all heading over to Flowers for Dreams, where they have signed up for a bouquet building workshop. At $114 per person, this is an event unto itself. At the start of the event, a floral designer will introduce the philanthropic company and the workshop experience, while our gaggle enjoy tartines, cheese and charcuterie boards, and beer and wine. Then it’s time to get down to it. All guests are given a space at the Flowers for Dreams flower bar and the materials needed to craft their bouquet. Designers will instruct on how to build the selected piece from start to finish and will be hands on in the bouquet creation process.
A lot of booze, a little nosh, and something to spark the creative juices flowing. Sounds like the perfect day to us here at #Team10K!
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