Travel notes from Chicago

As a self-employed artist, I consider stationery fests my version of a work conference—an opportunity to network, meet friends in the community, and the most perfect excuse to travel (and document about my trip).

I’m glad my schedule worked out this time and was able to spend a week in the Windy City, mainly to attend the Chicago Stationery Fest (now on its second year). This time around, together with my best friend Job, we designed exclusive stationery products that were launched at the fest.

There’s something so magical when the word Chicago pops up in my brain. It’s a very main character energy of a city from my first impressions of visiting three summers ago, and yet, not in an overpowering and in your face kinda way.

Maybe I’m biased: I’m a huge fan of The Bear and I’ve been wanting to visit local stationery shop Paper & Pencil for ages. Two weeks ago, I finally did, walking around downtown with Chicago by Sufjan Stevens playing in my ears, catching glimpses of the city as I explored.

Here are some travel notes from my trip and what I took away from my week in the Windy City, with its famously unpredictable weather.

one

I have lost my faith in connecting EU to US flights. From finding out my flight was cancelled on Sunday (it was scheduled the next day) to being rebooked to another airline (not my preferred one) to missing the connecting flight (the lines at Passport Control were taking forever) to getting gaslit by the service desk (they said I had more than enough time, to which I said—I ran, and it was not enough time) to finally getting a flight out the same day, five hours later.

It was stressful, and as someone who has been actively working on reducing my stress levels, this was not helpful. I was taking deep breaths at the service desk because my heart rate was increasing by the minute. While I had three hours to kill at the airport, I decided to rewatch The Bear and spent the rest of the flight sleeping and watching, (finally) en route to Chicago. The airplane gods decided to cut me some slack, though—the flight wasn’t full and I had the whole row to myself!

two

I was super jet lagged and went to Target at 7am the next morning to get groceries and fresh air. Tyler picked me up at my hotel and took me around fun spots: Field Notes HQ, Center of Order and Experimentation, Paper and Pencil (finally!), lunch and chats at Lonesome Rose together with Eric, La Colombe, Foursided, and I took the red line from Berwyn back to Grand.

We drove past two-flat buildings in Andersonville, so I love that these were the visuals chosen by Paper & Pencil for the TRAVELER’S COMPANY PARTNER SHOP stamp.

three

No trip to America is complete without my trifecta: Madewell, Glossier, and Trader Joe’s. I hit all three in one afternoon; how fitting was it that Madewell and Glossier were right beside each other?

I wound up with a new pair of wide leg jeans (on sale, and the comfiest pair I own yet), a perfectly red Ultralip (in Cranberry), and new snacks and condiments to bring back with me to Europe.

four

On Wednesday, I had a throbbing headache and finally got knocked out in the morning (I swear by OLLY Sleep) before heading to Art Institute of Chicago. The weather couldn’t make up its mind that day, so the heating pads I stuck in my pocket were a lifesaver.

It’s my second time visiting one of my favorite museums in the world, and at the same time, I was so in my head over a project I’ve just started—revamping my website. The afternoon visit definitely put things into perspective, complete with masterpieces from the Impressionists and American artists.

five

I love Chicago’s visual branding as a city. When I first worked on CSF 2025 merch, I nerded out on the Chicago Design System website which had the exact colors of the flag and branding guidelines.

I was staying in downtown for the first half of the trip, and on my last day there, I had the best morning brainstorming at Starbucks Reserve and walkin the whole stretch of the Chicago Riverwalk. I could feel the wind being swept across my face, and yet, I had the best time noticing all the architectural details, making my way around, and of course, taking pictures.

six

Chicago Stationery Fest was all the things! Fun, busy, exciting, exhilarating, overwhelming, and overstimulating.

I’m always working as a teacher at fests, so being an attendee this time around was interesting. It was refreshing to not have any “big” work obligations for once.

Some highlights:

• seeing our merch at the Paper and Pencil pop-up!

• getting to discover creators and artists new to me

• the vendor’s lounge was divine and the perfect place to recharge for a bit

• helping Christine at her table (I personally love packing the orders)

• saying hi to old and new friends!

• matchy outfits with Job (our vision was Bananas in Pajamas)

seven

You can always count on me to take on public transportation.

It was sunny on Friday, and after helping Christine set up her table, Job and I went downtown via CTA and walked around some spots in the city where we drew inspiration for our Chicago Adventures sticker book.

This project was definitely one of my favorites—I’ll share more in a future project debrief post, but if you’d like to know our creative process in designing this sticker book, check it out via my Creative Growth Club (new name!) here.

eight

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of finding stationery you like and getting excited to use them all. It makes me happy to see artists thrive at fests, moreso discovering new names and resonating with their respective art styles.

Everyone was so kind, friendly, and I relished in getting to shop in person!

Special shoutout to these makers:

Paper + Craft Pantry / The Washi Station x Riley’s Desk for Paper and Pencil / Bobo Design Studio / ILOOTPAPERIE / Hot Dang Press / Ash Made Me / Nicole Josephine/ Eggtart Studio / Everyday Explorers Co. / dana ate oatmeal! / Marigold Press / The Creeping Moon / a. favorite design / Nini Mart / Shady Pines Paper Co.

I share everything I got from Chicago here!

nine

Christine, Job, and I shared a suite at The Guesthouse Hotel in Andersonville—a lovely neighborhood where Paper & Pencil is a few meters away, along with many other spots we enjoyed. From Sunday coffee at La Colombe to stopping by Lost Larson for baked goods, and Taiwanese brunch at Minyoli (I’m still dreaming of that amazing cup of cold soy milk), we had the best time.

It’s rare to spend time with two of my favorite people who live so far away, and I’m so glad we did before the busyness of upcoming events. I loved our daily debriefs over dinner, where topics ranged from how we met (this deserves its own essay!) to our opinions on religion, and even betting on our Oscar picks, complete with snacks and Jollibee takeout. I’m still thinking about Cheetos Puffcorn, cheese flavor. Please eat some on my behalf if you see it at your local Target!

ten

I’m feeling a little lucky that the flights back were a breeze. There were several cancellations amongst attendees and vendors, and I was already bracing myself in case I get home later than expected. Luckily, the flight was smooth and getting through Schiphol airport and back to Berlin was a breeze.

Overall, I had a fun time, albeit fully experiencing the weather changes and wind that almost swept us away that one Friday in Downtown.

Here’s a video diary of my adventures in the Windy City.

Have you ever been to Chicago or a stationery fest? I’d love to know what your experience was like!

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