This past weekend I was one of the millions of moviegoers across the country to experience the 3-D version of the movie Alice in Wonderland. Being a big fan of Johnny Depp and director, Tim Burton, I had been waiting to see the movie for over a year. I am happy to report that in my opinion, the film lived up to every one of my expectations and delivered a fantastical fantasy world of wonder. And unexpectedly, I also came away from my movie-going experience with some tasty food for thought.

Without revealing too much about the plot of the film, Lewis Carroll’s books Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass are both well-represented in the film. Many of us are aware of the basic story of how Alice chases a white rabbit through the garden, falls down a rabbit hole and finds herself in a mysterious land of wonder. She meets many interesting characters in Wonderland and has a few big adventures too. And throughout the film she understands that what she is experiencing in Wonderland is much like a dream, although it feels very real.

What I love about these books and the film are the underlying themes of discovery, adventure, impossibilities becoming possibilities, and the ability to make choices that determine the outcome of our experiences. Alice is a girl who is faced with many choices throughout her journey in Wonderland. Each time she is faced with a decision, she tells herself, “This is only a dream. I choose to do what I want and I cannot be hurt.” And when she makes her choice, she tests the limits of what is deemed “impossible” to find that it becomes possible and she is triumphant. As Alice’s awareness of her ability to choose her outcomes becomes stronger, she is able to apply the same principle to her experience in her “real” world. She makes choices based on her needs and desires, instead of making choices to please others or to play a role of someone she is not. Ultimately, Alice uses her power of choice to create her own authentic life experience.

Leaving the movie theatre, I was impressed by the film’s recognition of the importance of finding our own way, making our own choices, and standing up for what we believe is right for our lives. What a wonderful lesson to bring into our daily experiences in the “real” world! We all have the ability to choose what we experience. We all have the power to create new rules for ourselves that align with our highest ideals. And we all have the creativity within us to use our imaginations to set us free.

Falling down a rabbit hole to realize our true potential may just be the trip we need to create the life of our dreams. Allow yourself some time in Wonderland to dream and experience the impossible. You never know, making friends with a white rabbit, a mad hatter and a blue caterpillar may lead you to experience the greatest adventure of your life!

We’re almost there…It took a month before ballots were counted and Bill Brady was declared the winner on the Republican side of the gubernatorial ballot. Now for the Democrats to chose a candidate for Lieutenant Governor. Did you know that they are accepting applications for this position? Yes, they are!

Of course we have no idea if they will actually select a candidate from the pile of applications or not. Browsing through the list of applicants we can see a good number of women threw their hats into this race. Far more today than just over ten days ago when I first peeked. We find the daughter of a favorite Senator, my former State Senator and one of my friends. I haven’t talked to Megan in far too long, so it was a fab surprise to see her name on that list. Have you thought of filling out the short application yourself? Why not?

First, don’t believe that to get the job you need to be Madame Curie with a couple of Nobel Prizes tucked in your bag. Just take a peek at how the GOP Lt. Gov. candidate Jason Plummer did on Chicago Tonight last month. I don’t point to this to shame the poor guy, but rather as evidence that anyone can run. But you do need training, media and political training.

And wouldn’t you know it…The White House Project is finally coming to Illinois! I attended a training a few years ago in Milwaukee. Unfortunately I didn’t complete the whole weekend due to an impending blizzard and I was car-pooling with a former co-worker. What’s the White House Project you ask? It’s a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that is working to increase the number of women running for office from the most local of offices all the way up to the White House, thus the name. They are nonpartisan, so right leaning, left leaning, moderate sitting (do moderates lean?) women sign on up!

While I’m not going to be running for office anytime soon, I did appreciate the training in terms of how I look at political candidates. I  worked one campaign years ago, when my husband ran and won a seat on our local school council. This was pre-kid so he was a community member. Don’t laugh. We designed hand bills, shook hands and even made homemade signs for election day. It was a blast. And hey, that election cycle is coming up!! Who says we only have winter and construction season in Chicago? BAH! We have election season too and it also seems to last like winter…FOREVER!

As much as us Chicagoans still talk about “The Machine” and how that sucks the joy out of politics around here, I do suggest that the women out there at least consider the White House training. The information you gain is invaluable as a citizen, much less a candidate. Perhaps you will meet a politician and become inspired to run against her!

The reason I write so much about women getting involved in politics is that women often do bring a different voice and view to how policies are crafted. How would your life story impact how health care is doled out in this country? How would your child’s needs impact how Chicago Public Schools are run? As the old saying goes, “The personal is political” and what’s more personal than garbage pick-up, pensions and who is teaching our children?

So get to it! Go! Run!

Are you running for a LSC? Let us know in the comments and why you are running.

As the weather finally starts to warm, I’m starting to think about the coming days with my kids at the parks, zoos, and pools. But to many farmers and urban gardeners in and around Chicago the change in seasons is their green light to get things growing! We are so fortunate to live in a city like Chicago where there are myriad farms and gardens whose growers take the idea of sustainable, local and (many times) organic food production to heart. We live in a city where we can get such a wide variety of edibles that are locally sourced, you might be more of a localvore than you know! This coming weekend, there are two great opportunities to learn about these food movements in two very different ways.

The local and sustainable food movement may seem new to many of us, but in fact many of the principle concepts were born from the WWII era’s Victory Gardens, right here in Chicago. Rations and decreased resources were spun into a positive food movement that built morale and instilled pride, as communities drew together to feed their families. You can learn more this weekend at “Chicago Victory Gardens, Today and Tomorrow”, the fascinating upcoming lecture/performance by blogger and avid gardener LaManda Joy. LaManda and her cast present a multi-media performance that will educate and inspire, drawing parallels between “the Victory Gardeners of the 40’s and the booming garden movement of today”.

Another not-to-miss event this month is the 5th annual FamilyFarmed EXPO Food Festival. This is the place to be to find info and resources on how you can eat local, support sustainable farms, and find the CSAs and stores that are the right fit for you. There is surely something for everyone at FamilyFarmed this year with a Kid’s Corner, a packed workshop and lecture schedule and a cooking demo lineup featuring celeb chefs such as Rick Bayless, Gale Gand and Paul Kahan. There are also over 140 exhibitors offering a wide selection of local eats, great gifts and important information on year-long healthy and local eating!

If after attending these events, you’re inspired to get your own hands dirty or make your life a bit more sustainable, sign up for a workshop this March and April, run by the Angelic Organics Learning Center. Angelic Organics is a CSA farm located in Caledonia (just East of Rockford, IL) and their Learning Center is serious about educating we “city folk”. The Learning Center has a Chicago location and there you will learn basic concepts on how to start or improve upon your own urban garden, or even how to raise happy, organic egg-producing chickens in your own backyard. You just can’t get much more local than that!

WHEN & WHERE:
“Chicago Victory Gardens, Tomorrow and Today” with LaManda Joy
Sunday, March 28th – 2 p.m.
Chicago Dank-Haus
4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago
Tickets are $7 and for sale at  www.theyarden.com.
Proceeds will be donated to Hyperlocavore–a yardsharing community.

FamilyFarmed EXPO Food Festival
Saturday March 13th – 10pm-6pm
UIC Forum
725 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago
Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door. Kids under 12 are FREE.

Angelic Organics Learning Center workshops
(space is limited, so sign up fast for these events!)
Basic Backyard Chicken Care
March 20th – 10am–1pm
Logan Square – St. Augustine College West Town Satellite
3255 West Armitage (one block west of kedzie), Chicago
Workshop Fee is $45

City Growing: Healthy Soil, Compost, and Early Planting
April 17th – 10am-2pm
Angelic Organics Learning Center – Chicago Office
First Presbyterian Church – 6400 S Kimbark Ave., Chicago
Workshop Fee is $10

Our guest writer Sami Ari( @SamiAri formerly known as @tokyofan) who blogs at SamiAri.net answered our twitter request to write about their Restaurant Week’s gastronomic adventure and so check out his 3 destinations below: The Drawing Room, Mirai Sushi, and Province.

Crafted Cocktails and more at The Drawing Room

You arrive at the corner of Oak and Rush street and there is no sign anywhere of this restaurant you made reservations for. No signage, no windows or sign of life. There is, however, a man standing in front of a wooden door with “Drawing Room” written on it, vertically. The nice man asks you if you have reservations. Yes, we sure do. He opens the door and instructs to go down stairs into the unknown. After going down a flight of stairs we are to open another door. Once you open that door, the amazing food and drinks adventure begins at The Drawing Room. The dinning room is dimly lit, the right amount of volumed music is playing and you are seated at your table. My first thought was “this is such a sexy chic place”.

Our server was incredibly nice and seemed very passionate when educating us about the cocktails menu. Turns out, they take that very seriously at The Drawing Room. We are told that every cocktail is very carefully crafted by their talented mixologist with the freshest ingredients and that the menu changes seasonly but they are always able to make you any cocktail if it’s not on that season’s menu. I can’t lie, the cocktails looked intimidating but the lovely server made sure I know what I’m signing up for. For my first drink I opted for the “Paramour”, a delicious gin and citrus concoction that took me back to those days where the summer breeze blows into your face while sitting down on a bench by lake Michigan. That said, I would have to name my favorite cocktail the “Amuse”, something that wasn’t on the menu but was graciously sampled to us. That cocktail was serious business. Sometimes you have a drink that has too many flavors that ruin the essence of it. Amuse wasn’t like that. It was many flavors working in perfect harmony to create one of the best tasting sensations I have ever experienced from a cocktail.

So yes, the decor is chic, the music is seductive and the cocktails are out of this world but that’s not to say that the food is any less pleasing. Their menu is just as diverse as their cocktails. Whether you get the East Coast Oysters or, my favorite, the toasted Italian barely, goat’s feta, caramelized eggplant, hazelnut-spiced honey crusted chicken. Your soul and body will be in food paradise. Whatever you do, you will want to make sure you leave room for dessert. It felt like every spoon of my crème brûlée danced slowly with my taste buds, making sure it’s a slow very pleasurable experience. I couldn’t help but swing my head a little bit, left and right, in appreciation and of happiness.

I left the Drawing Room feeling cheerful and already planing my next trip there. I highly recommend going there. It is perfect spot for a first date or a group of 6 of your close friends, celebrating your birthday. Even a quick drink after work. Although I have to worn you, the bar only seats about six people. I don’t think anyone under 21 would have a good time, to be honest, definitely not a family oriented environment. I hope that doesn’t discourage you form visiting the Drawing Room, however, because that would be a shame. Reservations are required. After dinner, you can always check out their sister establishment “Le Passage” and dance the night away.

The Drawing Room @ Le Passage
URL: http://www.lepassage.com/
937 North Rush Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 266-2694

Other places visited during restaurant week that deserves notice:

Mirai Sushi

The Wicker Park area has been expanding tremendously in the past years and it will keep going in that direction. There are few sushi places within blocks of each other in neighborhood but Mirai sushi gets my vote for the sushi restaurant to check out. The restaurant has two floors. The first is where the sushi bar resides along with a dinning area. I arrived earlier than my reservation time so I went to the second floor where, in addition to several dinning tables, there is a lounge with ample space. Upstairs seemed less noisy and with a lighting affect that resembles a cool lounge. With its backless high stools and large samurai art work, I couldn’t help but get a 60s cool vibe from my surroundings.

My favorite item from their menu would have to be the “Spicy Mono”, one of Mirai’s signature maki rolls, it consists of spicy octopus topped with spicy tuna with sweet unagi sauce. They also maintain a good selection of sake inspired cocktails. Mirai might as well be one of the best sushi spots in Chicago, whether it’s with your family, a date or anything in between, it will surely satisfy your sushi cravings. If it is a date you are on, I highly recommend trying to get reservations for the upstairs area for a more romantic feel.

URL: http://www.miraisushi.com/
2020 West Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622-3154
862-8500

Province

Want a place that has a great deal of good food and boosts a “green” attitude? If so then head over to Province, a contemporary American restaurant with influences from Central and South America as well as Spain. They are housed in a building with a “Gold LEED-EB certification by USGBS which means that the construction of the building is established to minimize environmental impacts. Yes, you can eat delicious food and be a better Earthling at the same time. I would recommend going there for lunch when it’s less busy. Otherwise, strongly recommend making reservations.
The staff there were incredibly nice and made sure we were attended to without being pushy. The best part was getting a table visit by their owner and chef Randy Zweiban to make sure the meal was to our liking. I throughly enjoyed my meal which included the “Wild Mushroom” soup and the “Pan Roasted Farm Raised Trout” with sweet potato hash and caper vinaigrette. I love sweet potatoes so imagine my excitement to see it on the menu. Definitely a must try!

http://provincerestaurant.com/
161 North Jefferson Street
Chicago, IL 60661-2301
669-9900

Eager for spring?  Of course, we all are!  The good news is that you can get a taste of spring starting this weekend at the annual Chicago Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier.

Imagine walking in through a beautiful entrance garden featuring dancing waters.  All those bright greens and colors you missed all winter dazzle your eyes.  And it just gets better and better!  Several popular Chicago venues, including the Museum of Science and Industry and the Shedd Aquarium, create special feature gardens designed around a theme specific to the venue.  And this year many Chicago theaters will feature gardens in accordance with the show’s theme, “Cultivating Great Performances.”

You don’t have to be an avid gardener to enjoy the Chicago Flower and Garden Show (I’m not), just a person who enjoys beautiful things.  And if you are an avid gardener, there are a variety of educational seminars for you every day of the show.

There’s also a huge marketplace, with over 100 vendors selling garden-themed products (and other stuff).  For the kids, there’s a large Kids’ Activity Garden.  And for the chefs out there, the show features cooking demonstrations by some of Chicago’s top chefs in the Garden Gourmet series offered three times a day.

Come on, guys, it’s March, and we haven’t seen flowers in oh so many months.  Take some time to drag yourself and your family to a natural paradise that’s sure to delight all your senses.  All the ticket info you need to know is right here.

See you at the show!

Chicago is heating up! I know, I know.  NOT weather wise but we are fast becoming the Midwest hotspot.

Chicagoan and ‘The View” cohost Sherri Shepherd was here in Chicago  last weekend.  Reason?  DuSable Museum honored her at their 100 Night of Stars Gala! She looked stunning (picture above).   She also hit up Ajes Salon where a fellow friend chatted her up and said she was super nice and she also went Stepping at Taste Entertainment.

Fun weekend for Sherri!

Jersey Shore stars Pauly D and Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino made an appearance at Lumen last Friday.

Jessica Simpson was here to tape an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey show,  she grabbed food  at Le Colonial,  Table 52, and Mercadito. She was a busy lady!

Chicagoan Angela Martin has struggled with pursuit of becoming an American Idol contestant.

When she first auditioned she had to leave due to the murder of her father THEN last year she  could not continue on because a speeding ticket required her to  be in court and led to her arrest.

This year she made it to the semi-finals even though her mother has  been missing since Christmas Eve. Needless to say she did not make the final 24.

She also has a special needs child. WOW! So Ellen (new judge on Idol) surprised her with the news that fellow judge Kara DioGuardi will pen a song for her.

“You’re going in a studio,” DeGeneres said. “She is going to produce a song for you and we’re going to get you a record label.”

I know you have heard of Rae Lewis-Thornton the    Emmy Award Winning AIDS Activist, who was diagnosed with HIV at the age of 23. She became a household name and inspiration to  all after she told her story on the cover of Essence magazine.

I had the honor of speaking with her on Twitter.  She has been an inspiring and uplifting spirit in my life.

On March 25^th at Bottom Lounge please join the ladies of The Red Pump Project in honoring Ms Thornton and raising awarness for AIDS.

Wesley Snipes and the director Antoine Fuqua held a special screening last Tuesday here at the AMC for the new movie Brooklyn Finest. My insider said the film is a must see but she couldn’t get over how short Wesley Snipes is! That’s all she could talk about.

Lastly we have the Marc Jacobs store here in the Windy City.  It offically opened on Thursday at Rush and Walton.  I’m hearing they have a great, attentive staff and they gave away free goodies to those who attended the preview and the Grand Opening.

Until next time

I tell what I know. Not what THEY say

Dinner and a movie… the classic date night activity.  But during this season of life with young kids when Hubby and I are lucky to get out at all, it is hard to find the time (and energy) to spend four or five hours out of the house.  On the rare occasion of a date night, we end up either having a nice dinner together or grabbing a quick bite somewhere so we can make a movie time that doesn’t keep us out past midnight.  Well, for Valentine’s Day we decided to step out of the date-night box just a bit and try something new.  We had heard of these places where you can eat dinner WHILE you watch your movie and that sounded right up our alley.  Boy was it ever!!

Our experience at Gold Class Cinemas, located in Bolingbrook and South Barrington, was fabulous and one of the best date nights we have had in a long time.  It is a first class, stylish and fairly swanky environment from the moment you walk in the front doors.  The ticket counter/concierge is part of this ultra-hip lounge with a full bar and cozy seating areas all around.  After we bought our tickets, we were sat at a table in the lounge where they bring you a menu and take your order for both dinner and drinks.  When it is almost time for your movie to start (they recommend you get there about half hour before to pick your food and enjoy the atmosphere), a waiter comes to bring you and your drinks to your seats.  And the seats…  that is the best part.  There are only about 30-40 seats per theater and they are the most comfortable chairs I have ever sat in:  incredibly soft micro-fiber recliners with pillows and blankets available to make sure you are as cozy as can be during your movie.  I felt like I was in my own living room.  Except it was even better because there was a waiter there to bring me a super-yummy dinner and a refill on my wine.  And if I needed anything during the movie, there was even a little call button for mid-show ordering. And although there are waiters in and out during the movie, they are never intrusive or in the way.  They are simply there to ensure that you have the most relaxing and enjoyable experience possible.
If popcorn and candy are more your thing during a movie than gourmet sandwiches and appetizers, they have that covered too.  You can get any kind of typical movie-theater candy (served in martini glasses) and popcorn or opt for the more gourmet varieties.  Add in the full bar and they have thought of everything.

It is a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for right?  Our evening with two movie tickets and a full dinner (appetizer, 2 entries, dessert, popcorn, 2 drinks and the tip) was just shy of $150.  So it isn’t something that you could do every weekend.  Or at least we couldn’t.  But for that occasional date night when you want a break from the reality of dirty dishes and needy children, it is a great option.   It was just was just what I needed after a couple weeks of viruses and strenuous work schedules.  I felt pampered and relaxed.  Hubby and I cuddled up in our side-by-side recliners, sipped our beverages and enjoyed a romantic movie.  A perfectly romantic and relaxing evening.  We will definitely do it again.  Definitely.  And if you love to watch movies (and eating delicious food) and doing so in style and ultra-comfort, I highly recommend you check it out too.

Unless you’ve been hibernating this winter, you’re aware that Chicago’s hottest sporting attraction takes place on ice. The Blackhawks return to action on Tuesday, March 2 after a two-week, Olympic hiatus. But no matter what medals are won or lost in Vancouver, hockey’s stock is certainly rising in Chicago.

If you’ve never been to a hockey game before, and don’t know the difference between a check and that piece of paper you get from your office every two weeks, here’s a girl’s guide to the game.

For Starters

Plan on getting into your seat about 15 minutes before the puck drops to catch the pre-game show, which includes laser lights and well choreographed warm-up footage that works fans into a lather.

For the national anthem, don’t place your hand solemnly over your heart. Standard operating procedure at Blackhawks games is to stand, clap and cheer while resident singer Jim Cornelison belts out another booming rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner”. This roaring tradition is one of the best in the sport.

Never make the mistake of asking your neighbor what quarter it is because there aren’t any. Instead, three 20-minute periods are separated by two 17-minute intermissions. That’s when fans pour out of their seats to grab a beer or a bite around the United Center. The 300 level was recently dubbed the “Madhouse on Madison” and outfitted with glowing flat screen TVs, refreshed dining options and two open area bars with views of the ice.

When a game is tied at the end of regulation time, don’t race to the parking lot. Stick around to watch a five-minute, sudden death overtime period. If no clear victor is decided during that time, the game turns to one of the most exciting moments in professional sports – the shootout, which pits a single shooter against the goaltender.

Hockey Lingo

Penalties: You want the other team to get them so they have to play a “man down” that gives your team what’s dubbed a “power play”. Otherwise known as a really good chance for the Blackhawks to score a goal.

Offsides: The ice is separated into three zones: offensive, neutral (center) and defensive. You’ll know it by the two blue lines that split the ice. Offensive players can’t enter the offensive zone before the puck. If this doesn’t make any sense to you, don’t sweat it. You can still enjoy the game without getting it.

High-sticking: No secret here. Would you like a stick in the face?

Icing: A tool used to make sure the game doesn’t slow to a snail’s pace, icing means that the defending team slapped the puck all the way to the other side of the ice to get it away from an arsenal of shooters. When this happens, the refs stop play and set up a face-off (see below).

Face-off: It’s like a restart button and happens in a variety of places on the ice (just look for the red dots). It’ll make more sense when you’re there, trust me.

Fighting: Some people love it, some people hate it, but fighting remains an important part of professional hockey. Just keep in mind that players get five-minute penalties for fighting and even more if one is deemed the instigator of the brawl.

Players

Six Blackhawks were named to Olympic teams and played for their respective countries in Vancouver:

Patrick Kane – Team USA

Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook – Team Canada

Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopecky – Team Slovakia

Victoria’s Secret named Hawks forward Patrick Sharp Chicago’s sexiest athlete, beating Brian Urlacher and Derrick Rose.

Say it with me: Byfuglien sounds like Buff-lynn and Hjalmarsson really starts with a “J”.

Extra Credit

Impress others with your wicked hockey knowledge by dropping comments like “I’m not sold on the new black sweaters (hockey speak for jersey). I prefer the classic red sweater for home games.” Or confidently sing the circa ‘68 fight song “Here Come the Hawks” before the puck drops.

And when the Hawks score a goal, (and they will as one of the league’s highest scorers) join more than 20,000 others in joyously singing along to The Fratellis’ “Chelsea Dagger”. Just don’t forget to high-five your neighbors. You’re now part of the hockey family.

For ticket information, visit www.chicagoblackhawks.com

It’s the dead of winter. It’s a time of hibernation for nature, rest and renewal. As humans, we may just feel tired and cold for a few months. I know I’ve spent most of my time recently indoors, hibernating under blankets, and watching TV. Although this may seem like lazy behavior, I still find inspiration during this restful period. Two television programs provided me with a renewed perspective this past week – The Winter Olympics and Dr. Wayne Dyer’s “Excuses Begone” telecast on PBS.

I am continuously amazed at the physical abilities and mental stamina of Olympic athletes. Their examples of courage, strength and triumph over every obstacle are spell-binding. Many times I found myself transfixed by the television screen, mouth open in awe, sitting at the edge of my seat, hoping and praying and cheering them on to victory. Some athletes won gold and some are going home empty-handed, yet their consistent drive to achieve their Olympic dream is an awesome motivator for people of all abilities. I consider myself to be an observer of sports rather than a participant and as an observer, I want to get inside the mind of an athlete and understand what drives them so fiercely. What lessons can I learn from their example? Perseverance under pressure comes to mind. Giving it all you’ve got no matter if the odds are stacked against you is another lesson to learn. Holding the vision of a dream accomplished in your mind before it is even a part of your experience in reality is the most powerful inspiration for me. I imagine that every single Olympic athlete across the globe has dreamed of winning an Olympic gold medal for most of their lives. And because of their ability to hold the clarity and detail of that dream in their minds first, they accomplish great things.

Dr. Wayne Dyer’s program “Excuses Begone” provided me with an inspiration that hit closer to home on a more practical level. He spoke of the power of our subconscious mind and our ability to tap into that power by simply observing our thoughts. I’ve been practicing this technique for many years yet I’m always learning new approaches. Dr. Dyer spoke of the activity of your conscious mind during the last five minutes before you fall asleep at night. And how most of us lay there in bed rehashing our days, what was accomplished, what was not accomplished, and particularly what went wrong during our day. These daily summaries tend to be negative in content and, if we are able to drift off to sleep, when our subconscious mind takes over we are entering this period of rest with negative thoughts swarming around in our heads. Not exactly a restful, satisfying, stress-free approach to sleep. This got me to wonder, what do Olympic athletes think about right before they fall asleep? Maybe they think about their training schedules and how to do better tomorrow, but I bet you without a doubt that every one of them drifts off to sleep with the thought of winning that gold medal. And they do that every single night.

So maybe we are not all Olympic athletes or doctors of psychology, yet we can learn from their examples. Imagine the power we can harness within ourselves by simply thinking positively right before we rest our conscious minds into the subconscious. Taking those five minutes to count blessings, affirm our strengths, congratulate ourselves for doing the best we could, and feeling hopeful for a fresh start tomorrow. Holding our dreams actively in thought and believing that we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. Then, we get to dream of endless possibilities for a few solid hours, without restrictions or limitations, finding ourselves rested and refreshed in the morning.

Make your dreams Olympic-sized and go for the gold!

We all know where to go for the shopping staples, which include stores like Gap, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Old Navy. But, what to do if you’re looking for a store off the beaten path? New boutiques and designers are always flocking to Chicago and it can be hard to keep up! That’s why Danielle Lutz founded Chicago ShopWalk, a company that started off offering guided shopping tours and has expanded to a full-service image consultancy.

ShopWalk offers clients the opportunity to explore neighborhood gems with a dedicated stylist, who makes sure that you don’t buy the too-trendy tube top or soon-to-be forgotten poncho. This attentive touch is what has made ShopWalk so popular with residents and tourists alike, especially moms. “We get a lot of moms on the tours because this is a time for them to get together with friends and enjoy girls’ time and shopping,” Lutz says.

There are three main tours offered on a regular basis. The neighborhood tour gives you the opportunity to check out finds in areas, including Bucktown, Lincoln Park, Old Town, and the West Loop. Looking to learn about the hottest homegrown talent or recent style transplants? Then, the “Made in Chicago” Designer Tour is for you. And, then there’s the ever-popular “Bachelorette Bustier Tours,” a great way for a bachelorette to celebrate her upcoming nuptials with her favorite gals while touring lingerie stores and enjoy champagne. Now, if you want to only focus on scoring the best denim or cocktail dress, you can always sign up for the “Hunter Gather” tour, an excursion dedicated to finding exactly what you and your party are interested in.

I asked Lutz about some timeless style tips for women, especially moms, and she gave me two great nuggets. First, always make sure that you keep a nice cardigan with you, and avoid outdated styles of jeans (*ahem* “Mom jeans”) and invest in a nice pair of designer jeans. To hear more pearls of wisdom either on a shopping tour or image consultation, you can visit www.chicagoshopwalk.com. Tours start at $40 per person, and include treats and discounts along the way!

ShopWalk Chicago
773-255-7866
www.shopwalkchicago.com
Tours start at 1p daily and are offered seven days a week, rain or shine. Image consultation appointments are based on reservations and availability.