Gals' Guide

The GG Travel Series

2008-07-06T21:59:31-05:00

How was your 4th everyone?

After writing last week's post about the importance of the 4th of July, I thought back to my favorite teacher in high school, Mrs. Voss. Mrs. Voss was my AP History teacher and gave me my first love - American History. I've been to DC, but itching to back. I can spend hours at the Smithsonian and hours reading old books, papers and staring at the White House. Don't ask me why because I can't explain it - I just love it.

I also have good friends that I'd love to visit.

Would you be interested in keeping up with me in Washington DC? Have you been? What would you like to know about?

You Don't Need a Backyard To Have Plants and Grill in the City

2008-07-05T16:26:00-05:00

Michael and I made a Home Depot run yesterday. There are a SLEW of post wedding decorating/organizing that needs to be done. My parents' visit next week is prompting us to finally hang the random pictures, get the outdoor grill together and plant some much-needed foliage outside. This experience reminds me of something I think about every year - you don't need a backyard or any kind of yard to enjoy flowers within a small space.

I picked up two rose plants for $13 each. The basil and banana pepper plant were $3 each and the smaller pots were $4 each. I already had the larger pots for the flowers. Add the smaller bag of plant soil and for about $50, I finally started my mini garden on the balcony. As you can see from the first picture, sure, there may be a little mess as you transfer the plants to new pots (I plan on washing down my 19th story balcony tonight at 2 am when my neighbors are sleeping:) ), but the results will make you smile.

Other tips? I recently ordered a compact Coleman grill from Amazon ($170). Why is this grill so super? It's compact, uses propane and is IDEAL for transporting to a tailgate or camping trip. I'm also in love with the red color and the side areas for prepping food.

So, no matter how small the space, do what you can to make your city dwelling as comfy as possible. If you share a community patio/deck, you can apply these same ideas in the form of a pool - everybody contributes cash to the 'outdoor pot'.

I'm so excited for the new plants that I plan on adding a tomato plant and some other herbs soon!

Thank You, Second Continental CongressThe Actual Date is July 2...

2008-07-04T16:32:53-05:00

Hi Ladies,

In the midst of your pool parties, trips to family cabins, hot dogs, BBQ, friends, outdoor concerts and fireworks, I'd like you to take a moment to pause and say thanks.

Back on July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress took place. At this Congress, members voted to pass a resolution that was proposed by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. The resolution called for independence from British rule. The resolution passed, Thomas Jefferson was the principal writer of a document explaining our independence and on July 4, 1776, the Declaration was finished. This means that the actual passing of the resolution was July 2, not the 4th. Also, the Declaration of Independence wasn't signed on July 4 - it was signed in August. Funny, huh?

However you celebrate today, remember how young of a country we are, compared to the rest of the world, and how hard people worked to give us the right to do whatever we darn well please.

And now, I need to find 76 trombones to lead the big parade...

When You Launch an IdeaShould It Match Your Passion?

2008-07-03T12:31:23-05:00

I was out with GG reader, Laura, last night. As entrepreneurs, we were talking about various ideas, along with a new concept brewing in my head that you'll find out about eventually. Towards the end of the night, Laura asked me about a new idea she had and whether or not she should invest the time and money to pursue it. Initially, I told her, and still agree, that pursuing what you enjoy is the most important. As I put more thought to her question this morning, I realized that many people that became successful in businesses didn't necessarily pursue the passion - they pursued the money.

If you look back in history, many self-made people made million with some basic, sometimes 'not so fun ideas'. I didn't know any of these folks personally, of course, but I wonder...did the oil barons really LOVE oil. I mean, did they bathe in it and use it as perfume? Or, did the oil tycoons enjoy the discovery of the oil, along with the millions their discovery put in their bank accounts.

Did 3M particularly like glue and paper when they created Post-Its? Or did they like the notion of playing with the substances to make a cool product?

Within the start-up circles I find myself in, I can easily tell you about the people that launch their ideas because they see an opportunity, but not necessarily passionate about what that opportunity is. They are moreso passionate about the success they can obtain from taking advantage of the idea. I struggle with this because I have ideas that flow into both categories: passion and opportunity. Gals' Guide is my passion and CondoPerks is a phenom opportunity that has some passion, yes, but that passion doesn't equate to what I do everyday when I write my thoughts to you fine people.

What's my point?

Think about what you want today versus five years from now. Whatever you do today should be the steps that gets you to your goal in 5 years. Perhaps your opportunity will get you there faster than your passion. Maybe you won't be happy unless you work on your passion every single day, which, in turn should fold into the opportunity you didn't consider.

Either way, you can't go wrong, but it may take you longer to get to where you want to be, depending on what you pursue and the sort of timeline you want to hit.

As for me, my passion is growing faster than I thought, but I still freelance and provide web strategy along the way to pay the bills. At the same time, I continue to support my 'opportunity' idea as best I can without a team. Is it difficult? You bet? Will I stop? Heck no.

Happy 4th!

Yelp Eats Chicago! Set Menus for $25 Plus Tax

2008-07-02T20:00:00-05:00

Attention Ladies that love food, enjoy a good deal and are fans of Yelp! Introducing their program: Yelp Eats.

Between Friday July 11 and Thursday July 17, select Chicago restaurants will offer a special dinner menu for $25 plus tax!

Restaurants offering the deal include one of my French faves: Kiki's Bistro. And no, Kiki's isn't 'snooty' French:). Check out the complete list at the Yelp Chicago site.

Get on the horn and make those reservations!

Sugar Bliss Cupcakes Coming to the Loop

2008-07-02T14:54:24-05:00

How many times have you wanted a little sweet treat, yet were presented with a ginORMOUS cookie that you ended up eating in one sitting?

I can't tell you how many times I've been to a cafe, bakery, grocery store or coffee shop and just wanted a little something to go with my beverage.

Chicago's Loop is going to get just the solution in August 2008. Sugar Bliss Cakes will be opening up their FIRST retail location at 115 N. Wabash. Each cupcake is equal to a half slice of actual cake - the perfect sweet treat to satisfy your afternoon snack tooth.

What's ever cooler? Teresa Ging, the founder of Sugar Bliss, was featured in the same issue of Crain's Chicago Business that I was - all about women entrepreneurs. You go, girl!

Our Cancun Trip Video MontageIncludes Tips & Funny Moments

2008-07-02T09:15:03-05:00

Morning!
Here it is. I put together a 9 minute or so video on various events in Mexico. Snippets include:

-Live performances at the resort
-Iguanas
-A heavy storm, complete with yours truly yelping like a baby
-Cancun and wedding tips
-The scene of the 'hammock incident'
-Be sure to watch until the end, as I put in the cutest little surprise for you:)

Other Links I mentioned in the video:
TripAdvisor's Dreams Cancun Reviews - overall great time, but they have a tendency to get a bit more cash out of you, given it's initially 'all inclusive'
Tips on weddings in Mexico