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Good Food Festival hits Chicago

LisaG — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 22:50:08 +0000

Local farming and fresh, organic ingredients have been buzzworthy for a few years now, and there’s no time like the present to learn about the nitty gritty: cheesemaking, making preserves, finding a good CSA or just watching Rick Bayless cook. [I'm voting for the latter.] The Good Food Festival & Conference is coming to Chicago this ...

Delicious chocolate-covered pretzels for any occasion

LisaG — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:00:19 +0000

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner — and you know, the best gifts are handmade. They’re always chocolate. These chocolate-covered pretzels are quite easy to make, taking perhaps 20 minutes. They’ll take a bit longer to set; if you can wait 24 hours, great! If not, don’t be surprised if you have to make ...

Project Fixup breathes new life into the Chicago dating scene — and Valentine’s Day

LisaG — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:39:04 +0000

If you’ve ever tried the likes of Match.com or, heaven forbid, Craigslist, to find a date, you know what lies beyond. And what looks good on-screen may be completely different in person. [Or just 30 lbs. heavier.] Of course, if your friends are also failing you on finding that fabulous Other, you may wonder where ...

Making dishes less of a chore: Palmolive Fresh Infusions

LisaG — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 23:51:12 +0000

I hate washing pots and pans. This isn’t news, yet they’re one of those chores we must do. So I buy cheap dish soap and use elbow grease. That is, until now. I received Palmolive‘s new Fresh Infusions® in the mail via the Influenster program, in three scents we usually see in a bath and ...

To Free or Not to Free: Shakespeare plays

MonicaW — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 04:12:09 +0000

Okay, that is a horrible play on words, but it just fit:) Anyway, the Shakespeare Project of Chicago is offering three free plays “readings” over the next few months. The plays are held at the Newberry Library in Chicago, the Wilmette Public Library, the Niles Pubic Library, and the Highland Park Public Library. A Woman Killed ...

DIY: Coffee shop drinks at home

LisaG — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 22:49:23 +0000

My love of gingerbread lattes is legendary: I’ve tried bribing baristas a week before the drink “premieres” in-store for a preview, looking forward to it like a kid at Christmas. Of course, it’s not terribly thrifty of me to like a frou-frou coffee drink that can top out at $6-7 when you add in soy ...

Lowering the cost of your prescriptions

LisaG — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 21:40:46 +0000

Prescriptions can be a pricey part of your healthcare, and every little bit helps — especially when the info is at your fingertips. I rely on a few sites to find the right price. Internet Drug Coupons lists all of the latest drug coupons — and some manufacturers don’t care if this is your first, ...

The Thriftista Guide to Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2012

LisaG — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:00:03 +0000

Black Friday seems to start earlier every year—before your pumpkin pie is even ready, the stores are open! A number of retailers, including WalMart, Target and others are opening at 8 or 9pm on Thanksgiving. Will you be take part, or wait till Cyber Monday [and an historically awful day to get any work done]? ...

Christkindlmarket Chicago 2012

MonicaW — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 01:59:42 +0000

Sipping hot, spiced Glühwein on a crisp, cold day. What could be better? Shopping! The annual Christkindlmarket begins on 21 November and will be open through Christmas Eve. Lots of shopping stalls to either buy decorations and gifts, or simply spend a pleasant afternoon with a friend while browsing the stalls, sipping Glühwein to keep warm. ...

Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo 2012

MonicaW — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 01:54:03 +0000

Zoo lights aren’t just for kids! If you haven’t been to Lincoln Park Zoo in a while, try their unique zoo lights experience of touring the zoo after dark, with special holiday lights. Displaying on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from Nov. 23-25, Dec. 1-2, 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, 26-31, and Jan 1-6 — 5pm to ...