<span style="font-size: x-small;"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;" title="IMG_0412" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0412.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_0412" width="525" height="789" /></span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;" title="IMG_0409" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0409.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_0409" width="525" height="789" /> </span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;">{These pictures were taken within a moment of each other – the day was brilliant with storm clouds appearing and disappearing!}</span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;">For our anniversary dinner, I wore a lovely blue dress from </span><a href="http://www.blackhalo.com/#/home/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Black Halo</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.  I have featured them on my </span><a href="http://ionlyweardresses.com/2010/05/dress-designs-black-halo/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dress Designs</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> before and I’ve been jumping out of my sparkly gold shoes because I couldn’t wait to debut the dress here and show the Boy.  He said it was the most sophisticated and most beautiful dress he’s ever seen in my collection – which means Black Halo is a keeper!</span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;" title="IMG_0415" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0415.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_0415" width="525" height="659" /></span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;" title="IMG_0402" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0402.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_0402" width="525" height="789" /> </span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;">My favorite part about this dress?  The tiny side buttons and all the back appeal!  My love of cut-outs and especially back cut-outs isn’t a product of the latest trend – it’s because of my love of saris and the exposed tummy that most saris show!  The ornate earrings are from India – I love Indian jewelry!  I love how polished the dress makes me look, and it’s fun comparing this to what I’ve worn for earlier anniversaries.</span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;" title="IMG_0427-1" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_04271.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_0427-1" width="525" height="789" /></span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;">The first time the Boy took me to the </span><a href="http://ionlyweardresses.com/2010/03/elysian-weekend/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Elysian Hotel</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> in Chicago, I fainted from the luxurious settings.  The Elysian is Chicago’s answer to the </span><a href="http://www.sohogrand.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Soho Grand</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> or the Waldorf Astoria.   We were looking for a holiday without leaving town and the hotel delivered.  If there’s any hotel in the world, I would live at, it would be the Elysian. </span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;" title="IMG_0457" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0457.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_0457" width="525" height="789" /> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;" title="IMG_0459-1" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_04591.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_0459-1" width="525" height="789" /></span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;">So when we pulled into the courtyard of the hotel, I squealed with surprise.  I was so excited because this time we were going to enjoy dining at their new restaurant <em><a href="http://www.riarestaurantchicago.com/">Ria</a></em>.  <em>Ria </em>is making </span><a href="http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/April-2010/Balsan-and-Ria-at-the-Elysian-Hotel-Dining-Out-restaurant-reviews/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">waves</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">:  Chicago Magazine has already voted it the best newcomer restaurant of the year, an accolade that I think is well deserved.  <img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;" title="IMG_0481" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0481.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_0481" width="525" height="789" /></span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;" title="IMG_0480" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0480.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_0480" width="525" height="789" /></span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;">The interior of the restaurant is as gorgeous as our hotel room – silver and grey draping, marble, and an art installation that looks like sea birds taking flight – but made out of bone material?  The restaurant isn’t vegetarian friendly (yet) but the items sent to the table for me were perfect, especially the ricotta dumplings.  The best part?  Dessert.  Heavenly! </span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px;" title="IMG_0483" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0483.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_0483" width="525" height="351" /> </span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;">Another highlight from the weekend was a couple’s massage class.  I really enjoy couple’s massages but the Boy surprised me with something that was even more fun: a class where a masseuse teaches you how to give the perfect backrub!  We took ours at the popular </span><a href="http://www.spaspace.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Spa Space</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> – the best part about this little gem in the South Loop is that because of the nearby chocolate factory, the air always smells sweet!</span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px;" title="IMG_0487" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0487.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_0487" width="525" height="350" /> </span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;">In the beautiful dressing rooms, I met the assistant manager Jemma who had just finished running a half marathon and will be running the Chicago Marathon this October .  Since the Boy is running the Chicago Marathon for the first time, I thought this was a good sign. </span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;" title="IMG_0510" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0510.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_0510" width="525" height="789" /> </span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;">{I’m a lucky girl   This handsome lad takes all my photos for me – yes, he’s a saint.  Luckily, he also love the new camera he got me!}</span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;">The class was so fun and I learned so much! </span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;">Favorite Tip # 1:  Use the top of your forearms (not the bottom closer to your wrist) as an alternate way to create pressure: a softer option than using your thumbs or your knuckles and a harder option than the full open palm.</span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;">Favorite Tip # 2:  It’s always good to create continuity in touch – it’s best not to remove both hands at once from the other person.  Most therapists keep one hand on the body and keep their potions close by, so they can grab it quickly without removing the other.  It creates a more nurturing feeling and thus a better experience. </span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;">3)  My favorite quick move:  have your partner sit in front of you and lean on their shoulders with your forearms or elbows (depending on the level of pressure the person can tolerate).  This can be done quickly over clothes and really loosens the stress knots in the upper back and shoulders. </span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;" title="IMG_0460" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0460.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_0460" width="525" height="789" /> </span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;">I love anniversaries and Valentine’s and all those days – not just because of the dinners and the presents.  It’s because we can take a day out of our busy days and celebrate being a couple.  Who wouldn’t love that?</span>

<span style="font-size: x-small;"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px;" title="IMG_0478" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0478.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_0478" width="525" height="350" /> The Boy gave me this necklace and pendant for our first anniversary and it is my favorite piece of jewelry.  I’m an old-fashioned girl and I love pearls because they represent timelessness and elegance.  Pearls used to be the traditional jewel for engagements and there’s a part of me that wishes that Victorian custom was still in place.  I love wearing it for every anniversary and hope there will be many more to celebrate!</span>

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