This week Chicago and I shared a birthday — but only one of us turned 38. 😛

I decided to fully treat myself with a day shopping at the Michigan Ave Nordstrom, lunch at Ema, and finally checked AIRE Ancient Baths off my list — and it completely delivered. It allowed me to fully unplug and was seriously one of the most relaxing spa experiences I’ve ever had. AIRE is now on ResortPass, so I was able to use a credit I’d been saving, and it was the perfect way to splurge on a special day. Here’s $20 off your next ResortPass booking if you want to try Aire or another local spa or pool day which is a great spring break activity.

With school breaks just around the corner, this issue includes my packing list for warm-weather getaways, along with the best of the best for what to do, eat, play, and stay in Chicago if you’re spending the week in the city — all rounded up in my Bougie Kid’s Guide.

I know the groundhog already popped out of his cozy little burrow, but in my mind St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago is the unofficial kickoff of spring — the ultimate game of Midwest weather roulette. It could be freezing rain (or snow) or a gorgeous 80 and sunny, we truly never know. While my days battling Michigan Ave crowds are behind me, it’s still such a fun weekend with plenty to do in the city and burbs— all recapped below. If you need festive outfits for the family, Alice & Wonder has great last-minute options available for in-store pickup or local shipping.

I’m also excited to introduce my March small business spotlight: The Weekly Mac, a mom-owned local bakery specializing in unique macaron flavors — including Lucky Charms 🌈🍀❤ which goes live tomorrow just in time for a holiday weekend pickup! Below is the code to get an extra free half dozen macarons as a thank-you for being a subscriber.

As we count down the days until the first day of spring, I hope you find some inspiration to make this month a little more colorful and fun (I think we all could use it). And as always, if you end up doing anything you found here, please tag me and let me know! Thanks for being here and if you enjoy this content I would so appreciate if you could forward this to a friend who deserves a little fun in their inbox❣

👙 Jessie Zhao Swim Set: I now have 3 of these gorgeous colorful swimsuits and coverups by Jessie Zhao - they are so flattering, actually cover your bum and they are reversible so it’s 2 suits in one. I just added this one piece and matching skirt and daresay I look forward to wearing a swimsuit at 38.

🧢 Monogram Baseball Hat : Rey to Z is a local, mom-owned business that makes the cutest monogram letter hats for the whole family, perfect for a beach day. They also have cute St Patrick’s Day hats that can be personalized!

🏖 The perfect beach bag: The only bag I will buy on repeat is J.Crew’s straw tote. I finally had to replace mine after almost five summers of beach trips and vacations, and the latest version is just as good — super cute, packable, and it fits so much stuff.

🌊 Beach and Pool Toys: I tapped a few of my friends for the best beach / pool toys that their kids actually play with and got a great list that I’m packing to take with us on vacation including: Underwater Basketball, Diving Gems, Classic Surfer Dude, Skip Balls, and of course Barbie Divers and her cool little party boat 😎

🧴 SPF Faves: I’m a sun worshiper — but also hyper-vigilant about sun exposure since melanoma runs in my family — so SPF is non-negotiable in our house. These are the products I absolutely swear by: Mermaid Glitter SPF, which my kids are obsessed with and never fight me on; Sun Bum’s leave-in conditioner, which smells amazing and gives you that perfect beach hair; Revision’s tinted SPF, which I wear daily; and Supergoop’s clear sunscreen, which I always keep on hand for quick face touch-ups for everyone.

👖 Pull on jeans: My girlfriend recommended the new-to-me brand Nuud for jeans and basics and I am eyeing this pull on pair to pair with a white tee for comfortable and easy travel fit.

🌼 Stylish Sandals: I ordered these adorable floral jellies from Mini Melissa and was really impressed by the quality, and if I had a boy they absolutely would be rocking Floafers.

🏖 Colorful Swimwear: Mini Boden has really cute swim this year including these rainbow coverups and I also like the bold stripes from Mark and Graham. Quince also caught my eye with new swimwear for girls and boys trunks that looks like it should be double the price.

Not heading out of town for spring break? Chicago is actually one of the best places to turn a week off school into something special. I put together a curated Bougie Kids Guide to Chicago Spring Break filled with elevated family experiences — from luxury hotel kid suites and memorable museum stops to unique outings around the city that make the week feel a little more magical.

👉 Read the full Bougie Kids Guide here

🚤 Chicago Fireboat St. Patrick’s Day cruises - See Chicago’s iconic green river from the best seat in the city - with front-row views of the river dyeing and festive rides through the heart of the city. There are still spots available on the afternoon cruises .
💸 Kids 4–12 are $35 and children 4 and under ride free.

🇮🇪 The Irish Village Market is back on Saturday March 14 from 9am–3pm at Pioneer Court (401 N Michigan Ave) with authentic Irish food, live music, dancing, and a full market of Irish vendors, it’s a family-friendly spot that’s a little easier with kids since you’re river-adjacent without being right in the thick of the crowds.

🍀 Head to Gallagher Way at Wrigley on Sunday, March 15 for a festive afternoon of family fun. From 11 a.m.–3 p.m. enjoy face painting, a strolling magician, Irish dance lessons, music from Old Town School, and kids’ activities with Kid Create Studio.

🍵 All month LondonHouse Chicago is offering a limited-edition St. Patrick’s Afternoon Tea featuring Irish-inspired finger sandwiches, scones, festive treats, and premium teas. Available daily March 2–29 from 12–3 PM, with a kid’s tea service available. 💸 $100 adults | $50 children)

🍟 Junior Chefs Kitchen is hosting a SPD themed “Happy Meal” from scratch cooking class with mini sliders, homemade chicken nuggets, sweet potato fries, and festive Shamrock shakes. Each child will also design their own Happy Meal box to pack everything up and take home. 💸 $55 per child with a 10% sibling discount available.

Through March 28: 🍬 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory @ Marriott Theater

Through March 22 🌊 Splish Splash a Day on the Lake @ The Goodman
(A production specially for children ages 0–5 years and their adult friends and family.)

Through March 22: 💮 Orchid Show @Botanic Garden

All Month: 📜 Hamilton at CIBC

All month: 🐧 Charley Harper Exhibit at Chicago Children’s Museum

March 10-15 🏀 Big Ten Tournament @ United Center

March 15 🇮🇪 Southside and Northside Irish Parade

March 15: Peppa Pig My First Concert (North Shore)

March 19 🦓 Glo Wild opens @ Brookfield Zoo

March 23 ❤ Family Pack Ticket Night @ Chicago Bulls

March 26 ⚾ Cubs Home Opener - sign up for Clark’s Crew for 2026 Season

Sponsored Feature

I remember the first time I bit into a Ladurée macaron in Paris. I was 16, on a French class trip, and in that moment I knew my life would never be the same. To know me is to know my lifelong obsession with all things France — the culture, the aesthetic, and especially the food. And near the very top of that list? Macarons.

So when a friend slid into my DMs telling me I had to try Brittany’s macarons, I was so excited. Truly, some of the best things I discover through Big Weekend come from recommendations from other awesome moms whose taste I trust.

That’s how I found The Weekly Mac, a woman-owned bakery by Brittany Druker — and fellow Chicago mom — creating small-batch, handcrafted macarons. Brittany first learned to make them while taking a course at the French Pastry School and challenged herself to bake 52 flavors in 52 weeks (!!!!). What started as a creative project quickly turned into a cult-favorite local business built around a simple idea: one exclusive macaron flavor released each week — and when it sells out, it’s gone.

✨ Big Weekend Tip: As someone who tries to be mindful about food allergies, I especially love that most Weekly Mac macarons are naturally gluten-free, making them the perfect hostess gift or when you’re assigned dessert for a party!

Macarons are released one flavor per week and available by pre-order online.

✨ Big Weekend Promo: Use code BIGWEEKEND at checkout to receive a FREE half dozen macarons with the purchase of one dozen.
Just add both to your cart and the code will make the half dozen free!

Pricing
3 Pack — $9
Half Dozen — $18
Dozen — $36

📍 Saturday Pickup Location
Love Charlie Boutique
3352 N Paulina St, Chicago

Upcoming Flavors

🍀 Lucky Charms Macarons (St. Patrick’s Day)
Pre-order: March 9
Pickup: March 14

🍫 Chocolate Chip Macaroon Macarons
Pre-order: March 23
Pickup: March 28

Can’t make the Saturday pickup? The Weekly Mac also takes custom orders.

📱 Follow Brittany on Instagram to see each week’s flavor drop and preorder before they sell out: @theweeklymac

Big Weekend offers paid spotlight opportunities for female-owned small businesses in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. 💌 Respond to this email to learn more.

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