Recently Sarina took her daughter Sammie on a special trip to Chicago, just in time for the holidays. A city gifted with cold and snow, full advantage was taken of, and the city was dressed up to meet the occasion. Trees and lights adorned every street.

While Sarina is well traveled and even went to Chicago for college, the cold was a shock to Florida-born Sammie. If you plan to take a trip around the holidays, bring a thick parka.

After the challenges of adolescence, it’s a great chance to reconnect with a better understanding of adulthood. Nothing gives a young adult appreciation for their parents like being on their own for the first time. Parents of teenagers: remember these years are short, and better times are just ahead. Since bonding time with a college-age daughter, Sarina wanted to embrace the opportunity to make it as memorable as possible. With that in mind, the pair spent their vacation in the opulent Drake Hotel.

Sarina chose to take Sammie to one of her favorites . The Drake Hotel has reached history. The Drake Hotel opened its doors on December 31st 1920, welcoming an incredible decade with great enthusiasm. Greats like Bing Crosby and Walt Disney have graced The Drake. While surviving the Great Depression is no easy feat, the Drake was able to keep its doors open and welcomed visitors with open arms, ensuring many people a job and a paycheck throughout the thinnest times. No visit to The Drake is complete without a cup of tea at the resplendent Palm Court.

Nothing says bonding time like a cup of tea with someone dear. After being separated for college, Sammie and Sarina had a lot of news to share. There is no doubt this will be a cherished memory for both in years to come.

A far cry from the strenuous hustle and bustle of today’s on-the-go world. Palm Court is a place to sit and breathe in the fresh tea. Each table is given an individual tea pot, and a three-tiered tray of delicious finger foods. An elegant tearoom fit for a queen, even Princess Diana graced Palm Court with a visit.

The pair braced the cold to walk around the city, surrounded by the last-minute shoppers going into the bright, welcoming shops. The next stop of note from Sarina was Ralph’s Coffee.

Ralph’s Coffee from the Ralph Lauren store boasts great coffee at a reasonable price. While Ralph Lauren has been a long-standing brand, they recently branched out to coffee as well. In November of 2022, the Windy City welcomed their very own Ralph’s Coffee. Though it boasts an upscale feel, visitors have described it as cozy rather than impersonal. With a wide range of teas, coffees, espressos and an assortment of pastries and sandwiches, there’s something for everyone.

After lunch at a sister spot, the pair opted for Tao Asian Bistro.

Originally built in 1892 as a historical museum, Tao was established in 2018. It’s known for its extravagant decor, delicious food and attentive service. Sarina and Sammie truly loved it.

Finally, as part of personal tradition, the mother-daughter duo stopped in the American Girl Doll Store. This flagship store was opened in 1998, after years of being ordered by catalogs. American Girl is a collection of dolls with their own unique stories and styles. When Sammie was a little girl, her dad gave her one of her most precious gifts: an American Girl doll named Samantha that shared her name and even looked like her.

Sarina and Sammie couldn’t have picked a better bonding trip. The best part of having a Fazan Fave is the favorite people we can bring along.