The Big Five

Just be yourself! xx CC

Apr 12, 2026

Welcome back to the stack! OH MY it is 70 degrees in Chicago today and that just feels right. Everyone is probably sick of hearing about me talk about the weather (lol), but I can’t help it. I NEED THE SUN. I walked outside today in a tank top AND shorts— we’re so back. I digress per usual— this week was busy busy and next week is even busier! YAY! Fun things coming everyone I am heading off to London, then the Cotswolds, Paris and then back to London!!! EEEEKKK! I can’t tell you how excited I am. I will of course be taking you all along with me. Recaps can be found here and I’ll be posting on my stories (@clairebeaarr) so don’t forget to follow along.

Before I head out let’s chat about this past week. My grandma (a loyal substacker s/o) sent me this quote from a book she’s reading (The View From Lake Como). Titled The Big Five, my grandma said she thought I would love it and that it reminded her of me (to be loved is to be seen).

Upon reading it and rereading it probably 100 times it truly moved me to tears. It truly took what I feel in bones and can never quite find the right words for and summed it up perfectly. Mostly this is how I would like to think this is how I present myself to others around me and to the world, but to have it in front of me in words completely moved me. To have my grandmother send this to me and tell me it reminded her of me just proved to myself that this is how I show up in the world. The life I have created around me is one I am proud of. I am proud to continue the work on myself and the world. To live authentic to myself. To grow and expand, to keep creating and keep living. Just a wonderful reminder to be yourself, and live your life for YOU!

— xx CC

In the Kitchen:

We are back in the kitchen people! Thank goodness! OG’s remember how sick I was over the holidays and I swear it made me lose my appetite. All I could eat was completely bland food yuck! I am finally coming back to craving foods and cooking again. So here is what I’ve been up to!

Eggs over medium every morning with avocado and chicken sausage. Of course an insane amount of hot sauce and salt! I also made a banana syrup for my morning lattes— so easy and yummy! I did 3 ripe bananas, cinnamon, salt, brown sugar, maple syrup and water. Let that simmer and then blended it. Also are blackberries in season?! Because I am obsessed lately, so yummy and great source of fiber!

Kicking off the Weekend!

My dearest Annie and I met up Thursday after work to kick off the weekend (early)! Our usual meet up spot Luxbar— at this point you all know it’s my fav. They always do a new sandwich of the month (brilliant) and usually they rotate but the Tuna Melt was so popular last month they kept it for April. So to say the least we were woman on a mission— Tuna Melt time. Said sandwich was so delicious I didn’t even snap a pic. We of course started with Lemon Drop Martinis (no sug!) and our usuals Tuna Tacos and Shrimp Cocktail. Run don’t walk to Luxbar!

Fit Check: Reformation Top / Madewell Belt / Denim Forum Jeans / YSL Boots (TRR) / The Row Half Moon Bag.

A Proper GNO

Finally was able to try Tre Dita located in the simply gorgeous stunning St. Regis. I mean this restaurant lived up to the hype IMO. The views of Chicago alone make dining here worth it. If you have people visiting or just want to treat yourself— it is a MUST! I will be back. Had to kick it off with a smooth Espresso Martini (we had a night ahead of us lol!) and Emery went with the L'Inizio (vodka, framboise, casoni limoncello, st. germain, prosecco) which I eventually switched to— delish! Then we went with the Panzanella Salad (my fav!), Short Rib Meatballs (insane) and the Spaghetti alle Vongole (light and refreshing!). Highly rec!