<p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"><img title="IMG_0412" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="789" alt="IMG_0412" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0412.jpg" width="525" border="0" /></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"><img title="IMG_0409" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="789" alt="IMG_0409" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0409.jpg" width="525" border="0" /> </font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">{These pictures were taken within a moment of each other – the day was brilliant with storm clouds appearing and disappearing!}</font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">For our anniversary dinner, I wore a lovely blue dress from </font></span><a href="http://www.blackhalo.com/#/home/"><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">Black Halo</font></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">.&#160; I have featured them on my </font></span><a href="http://ionlyweardresses.com/2010/05/dress-designs-black-halo/"><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">Dress Designs</font></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"> 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.&#160; 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!</font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"><img title="IMG_0415" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="659" alt="IMG_0415" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0415.jpg" width="525" border="0" /></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"><img title="IMG_0402" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="789" alt="IMG_0402" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0402.jpg" width="525" border="0" /> </font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">My favorite part about this dress?&#160; The tiny side buttons and all the back appeal!&#160; 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!&#160; The ornate earrings are from India – I love Indian jewelry!&#160; I love how polished the dress makes me look, and it’s fun comparing this to what I’ve worn for earlier anniversaries.</font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"><img title="IMG_0427-1" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="789" alt="IMG_0427-1" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_04271.jpg" width="525" border="0" /></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">The first time the Boy took me to the </font></span><a href="http://ionlyweardresses.com/2010/03/elysian-weekend/"><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">Elysian Hotel</font></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"> in Chicago, I fainted from the luxurious settings.&#160; The Elysian is Chicago’s answer to the </font></span><a href="http://www.sohogrand.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">Soho Grand</font></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"> or the Waldorf Astoria.&#160;&#160; We were looking for a holiday without leaving town and the hotel delivered.&#160; If there’s any hotel in the world, I would live at, it would be the Elysian. </font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"><img title="IMG_0457" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="789" alt="IMG_0457" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0457.jpg" width="525" border="0" /> </font></span><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"><img title="IMG_0459-1" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="789" alt="IMG_0459-1" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_04591.jpg" width="525" border="0" /></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">So when we pulled into the courtyard of the hotel, I squealed with surprise.&#160; 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>.&#160; <em>Ria </em>is making </font></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"><font size="2">waves</font></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">:&#160; Chicago Magazine has already voted it the best newcomer restaurant of the year, an accolade that I think is well deserved.&#160; <img title="IMG_0481" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="789" alt="IMG_0481" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0481.jpg" width="525" border="0" /></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"><img title="IMG_0480" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="789" alt="IMG_0480" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0480.jpg" width="525" border="0" /></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">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?&#160; The restaurant isn’t vegetarian friendly (yet) but the items sent to the table for me were perfect, especially the ricotta dumplings.&#160; The best part?&#160; Dessert.&#160; Heavenly! </font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"><img title="IMG_0483" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="351" alt="IMG_0483" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0483.jpg" width="525" border="0" /> </font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">Another highlight from the weekend was a couple’s massage class.&#160; 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!&#160; We took ours at the popular </font></span><a href="http://www.spaspace.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">Spa Space</font></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"> – the best part about this little gem in the South Loop is that because of the nearby chocolate factory, the air always smells sweet!</font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"><img title="IMG_0487" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="350" alt="IMG_0487" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0487.jpg" width="525" border="0" /> </font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">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 .&#160; Since the Boy is running the Chicago Marathon for the first time, I thought this was a good sign. </font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"><img title="IMG_0510" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="789" alt="IMG_0510" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0510.jpg" width="525" border="0" /> </font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">{I’m a lucky girl&#160;&#160; This handsome lad takes all my photos for me – yes, he’s a saint.&#160; Luckily, he also love the new camera he got me!}</font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">The class was so fun and I learned so much! </font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">Favorite Tip # 1:&#160; 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.</font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">Favorite Tip # 2:&#160; It’s always good to create continuity in touch – it’s best not to remove both hands at once from the other person.&#160; Most therapists keep one hand on the body and keep their potions close by, so they can grab it quickly without removing the other.&#160; It creates a more nurturing feeling and thus a better experience. </font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">3)&#160; My favorite quick move:&#160; 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).&#160; This can be done quickly over clothes and really loosens the stress knots in the upper back and shoulders. </font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"><img title="IMG_0460" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="789" alt="IMG_0460" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0460.jpg" width="525" border="0" /> </font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">I love anniversaries and Valentine’s and all those days – not just because of the dinners and the presents.&#160; It’s because we can take a day out of our busy days and celebrate being a couple.&#160; Who wouldn’t love that?</font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"><img title="IMG_0478" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="350" alt="IMG_0478" src="http://ionlyweardresses.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_0478.jpg" width="525" border="0" /> The Boy gave me this necklace and pendant for our first anniversary and it is my favorite piece of jewelry.&#160; I’m an old-fashioned girl and I love pearls because they represent timelessness and elegance.&#160; 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.&#160; I love wearing it for every anniversary and hope there will be many more to celebrate!</font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></p>  <p><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></p>  <p><font size="2"></font></p>