Holiday sales and complimentary drinks to celebrate the season!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
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(photo credit: New York Times, Tim Boyle/Getty Images)Corruption in Chicago politics is as much a part of the city's history as the Great Chicago Fire or the remnants of stockyards in the Southwest side. But today the inside joke has made national headlines: Governor Rod Blagojevich has been arrested on federal corruption charges for planning to sell now President-elect Obama's senator seat to the highest bidder. The Governor had been under investigation prior to his arrest for his relationship with political fundraiser Tony Rezco.
Many are pushing for his resignation. I'm just processing all of this myself, but here are links to articles about the scandal in the Chicago Tribune and the New York Times. The entire front page of the Tribune is devoted to coverage as it breaks.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Holiday Gift Guide #2
I Am Chicago's second holiday gift guide is dedicated to mothers. I feel as though whether the mom on your gift list is a new mother or an empty nester, comfort is key when considering what gift to buy.
This large patterned cape from Urban Outfitters screams stylish comfort. Mom can wrap it over her shoulders and enjoy a cup of tea during her downtime or use it as a layering piece during these cooler months. It'll up your mom's cool quotient too if you tell her its from Urban Outfitters.
Patterned Cape, $24.99, Urban Outfitters.
Nothing is more relaxing then luxuriating in a tub after a long day. Get rid of the Walgreen's brand body soap and treat your mom to the good stuff: Fresh's triple milled pure vegetable soaps. The oval bars are packed with moisturizing shea butter (which is definitely necessary during the winter to keep sky from drying out from harsh weather) and smell delicious. Each is wrapped in lovely Chinoiserie paper and comes in a reusable box.
Oval Soap Trio II, $42, Fresh.
Who doesn't love cashmere? Treat your mom to a nice cashmere blend that will accentuate any outfit or act as a very fancy scarf.
Refined Silk-Cashmere Wrap, $75, J Crew
My mom works at a nursing home in Kansas City, MO. While I was driving her to work one day, she looked down at her hands and exclaimed, "My hands look like that of a farmer's wife!" She immediately reached into her work bag for lotion and worked it into her hands. To keep mom's hands from "farmer's wife" territory, get her this enriched hand cream made with rosewater and glycerin. An added bonus for environmentally conscious moms? The cream is free of animal byproducts and wasn't tested on any creatures, either. And it diminishes the appearance of sun damage. What's not to love?
Dr. Hunter Hand Creme, $12, Caswell-Masey
This large patterned cape from Urban Outfitters screams stylish comfort. Mom can wrap it over her shoulders and enjoy a cup of tea during her downtime or use it as a layering piece during these cooler months. It'll up your mom's cool quotient too if you tell her its from Urban Outfitters.
Patterned Cape, $24.99, Urban Outfitters.
Nothing is more relaxing then luxuriating in a tub after a long day. Get rid of the Walgreen's brand body soap and treat your mom to the good stuff: Fresh's triple milled pure vegetable soaps. The oval bars are packed with moisturizing shea butter (which is definitely necessary during the winter to keep sky from drying out from harsh weather) and smell delicious. Each is wrapped in lovely Chinoiserie paper and comes in a reusable box.
Oval Soap Trio II, $42, Fresh.
Who doesn't love cashmere? Treat your mom to a nice cashmere blend that will accentuate any outfit or act as a very fancy scarf.
Refined Silk-Cashmere Wrap, $75, J Crew
My mom works at a nursing home in Kansas City, MO. While I was driving her to work one day, she looked down at her hands and exclaimed, "My hands look like that of a farmer's wife!" She immediately reached into her work bag for lotion and worked it into her hands. To keep mom's hands from "farmer's wife" territory, get her this enriched hand cream made with rosewater and glycerin. An added bonus for environmentally conscious moms? The cream is free of animal byproducts and wasn't tested on any creatures, either. And it diminishes the appearance of sun damage. What's not to love?
Dr. Hunter Hand Creme, $12, Caswell-Masey
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
It's A Good Thing I'm Going to Journalism School
See how you fare with the New York Times "After the Deadline" Quiz.
Michelle O
(photo credit: WWD, Christian Lacroix sketch for Michelle Obama)The fashion world has been abuzz thanks to the promise of a fashion-forward First Lady in the White House. Michelle Obama has already been compared to Our Lady Jackie O and top designers are clamoring for a chance to dress her. The Fashion Bomb just posted an entry on WWD's (Women's Wear Daily) collection of designers' sketches for Michelle's Inaugural gown. The slideshow contains a who's who of designers like Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, Karl Lagerfeld, and Diane von Furstenburg. Whatever she decides, I'm sure she'll look gorgeous.
Should Just Remember This...
Sia's performance of her single "Soon We'll Be Found" from her latest album "Some People Have Real Problems" was posted on Kanye West blog this morning. Her voice is so rich and mournful: I immediately felt a lump in my throat and tears sprang to my eyes. Music has a way of translating exactly how one feels without the messy business of actually articulating oneself. I should just play songs to explain myself.
Come along it is the break of day
Surely now, you'll have some things to say
It's not the time for telling tales on me
So come along, it wont be long
'Til we return happy
Shut your eyes, there are no lies
In this world we call sleep
Let's desert this day of hurt
Tomorrow we'll be free
Let's not fight I'm tired can't we just sleep tonight
Don't Turn away it's just there's nothing left here to say
Turn around I know we're lost but soon we'll be found
Well it's been rough but we'll be just fine
Work it out yeah we'll survive
You mustn't let a few bad times dictate
So come along, it wont be long
'Til we return happy
Shut your eyes, there are no lies
In this world we call sleep
Let's desert this day of work
Tomorrow we'll be free
Let's not fight I'm tired can't we just sleep tonight
Don't turn away it's just there's nothing left here to say
Turn around I know we're lost but soon we'll be found
Surely now, you'll have some things to say
It's not the time for telling tales on me
So come along, it wont be long
'Til we return happy
Shut your eyes, there are no lies
In this world we call sleep
Let's desert this day of hurt
Tomorrow we'll be free
Let's not fight I'm tired can't we just sleep tonight
Don't Turn away it's just there's nothing left here to say
Turn around I know we're lost but soon we'll be found
Well it's been rough but we'll be just fine
Work it out yeah we'll survive
You mustn't let a few bad times dictate
So come along, it wont be long
'Til we return happy
Shut your eyes, there are no lies
In this world we call sleep
Let's desert this day of work
Tomorrow we'll be free
Let's not fight I'm tired can't we just sleep tonight
Don't turn away it's just there's nothing left here to say
Turn around I know we're lost but soon we'll be found
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Holiday Gift Guide
Many of my favorite blogs and websites offer holiday gift guides for their readers. One of the things I've noticed recently about these guides is that in today's economic they either range from the wildly expensive ("Dahling, what recession," sniffs Neiman Marcus) to the just plain, old bad (I hope no one gifts me a paper bag vase). With this in mind, I present to you a new series: I Am Chicago's Holiday Gift Guide '08.
Gift Guide #1: For Dad
AMC's hit drama Mad Men continues to win fans with its riveting depiction of American life during the early 60s. Critics and fans alike swoon over the attention to detail and gripping plot lines (not to mention Jon Hamm's portrayal of handsome yet distant ad man Don Draper) Get your father hooked on the series with Season One on DVD.
Mad Men, Season One, $27.49, Amazon.com
The iPod has become synonymous with the MP3 player since its launch in 2001. The wee iPod Shuffle doesn't pack as big of a punch as the Nano or Classic versions, but at $49 and with space for up to 500 songs it should be more than enough to keep your music loving pops happy on the treadmill, while mowing, or reading the paper. You can also engrave a special message for free when you order on Apple.com. The user friendly iPod and iTunes interface will also make any tech weary dad feel like a pro--and keep you from having to play IT guru over the phone.
iPod Shuffle (comes in 5 colors), $49, Apple.com
If your dad is anything like mine, his record collection is a thing worthy of awe. Vinyl collecting dust in stacks or haphazardly stacked away for a rainy day have been forgotten by the continuing wave of new technology, but ol' dad still remembers them fondly. Help him make the transition to today with this USB Vinyl Archiver from Fred Flare. The EZ Vinyl Converter automatically uploads songs to your iTunes library, which he can then transfer to his iPod. Dad will thank you for bringing back the music of his youth, and Mom will be happy those records won't be taking up any more space in the garage.
USB vinyl archiver, $129 (originally $150), Fredflare.com
Gift Guide #1: For Dad
AMC's hit drama Mad Men continues to win fans with its riveting depiction of American life during the early 60s. Critics and fans alike swoon over the attention to detail and gripping plot lines (not to mention Jon Hamm's portrayal of handsome yet distant ad man Don Draper) Get your father hooked on the series with Season One on DVD.Mad Men, Season One, $27.49, Amazon.com
The iPod has become synonymous with the MP3 player since its launch in 2001. The wee iPod Shuffle doesn't pack as big of a punch as the Nano or Classic versions, but at $49 and with space for up to 500 songs it should be more than enough to keep your music loving pops happy on the treadmill, while mowing, or reading the paper. You can also engrave a special message for free when you order on Apple.com. The user friendly iPod and iTunes interface will also make any tech weary dad feel like a pro--and keep you from having to play IT guru over the phone.iPod Shuffle (comes in 5 colors), $49, Apple.com
If your dad is anything like mine, his record collection is a thing worthy of awe. Vinyl collecting dust in stacks or haphazardly stacked away for a rainy day have been forgotten by the continuing wave of new technology, but ol' dad still remembers them fondly. Help him make the transition to today with this USB Vinyl Archiver from Fred Flare. The EZ Vinyl Converter automatically uploads songs to your iTunes library, which he can then transfer to his iPod. Dad will thank you for bringing back the music of his youth, and Mom will be happy those records won't be taking up any more space in the garage.USB vinyl archiver, $129 (originally $150), Fredflare.com
Monday, December 1, 2008
Cyber Monday, Party Wednesday
High end shopping has taken a hit as Americans reevaluate their shopping habits, but the ladies behind SHE boutique (an acronym for "She Has Everything") aren't batting a mascaraed eyelash. The shop continues to offer brand name designer threads to women at their Lincoln Park (1024 W. Armitage) and Highland Park (483 Central) locations. To help the fashion, yet budget conscious of us, SHE boutique has a promotional sale going on their website in honor of Cyber Monday—the biggest online shopping day of the year. Just type cybermonday on the coupon code field when it's time to check out and enjoy 50% off your selection.
SHE is also putting together a winter fashion show in conjunction with GenArt this Wednesday. With today's first big snow in Chicago, Chicagoans will definitely be looking for inspiration to stay fierce while beleaguered in layers. The event will take place at Vertigo Sky Lounge at Dana Hotel (600 N. State), a new bar that has the Gold Coast buzzing. With savings today and partying Wednesday, SHE has you covered—just remember to RSVP for the party today at rsvpchicago@genart.org.
The Three Cs
The Midwest and the Cinema with a capital C are very rarely said in the same sentence. Cinema and Culture has been claimed by the coasts for years, but another C word has claimed the nation's attention: Chicago. With the nation's eyes trained on the Second City as President-Elect Obama shapes our future from here, Chicago's cultural wealth is finally being acknowledged by the masses.
For those of us that didn't need an Obama presidency to know what a vibrant city Chicago is, the Midwest Independent Film Festival continues to be a cultural boon. Their first Tuesday screenings at the Landscape Century Cinema Theatre remains high on the must-do lists of newspapers and lifestyle websites like Going. Tomorrow the Midwest Independent Film Festival will host their first fundraising gala: the 2008 Best of the Midwest Awards, a ceremony to "recognize the premier films and filmmakers" screened during this year's first Tuesday film festival screenings.
Taking place at Rockit Bar and Grill (22 W. Hubbard) from 6-9, the night promises to excite. Limited tickets are still available and with delicious appetizers provided by Rockit, a cocktail reception hosted by Effen Vodka and Corona, and all proceeds going towards the nonprofit organization's 2009 budget, $50 sounds like a steal. Buy tickets here.
For those of us that didn't need an Obama presidency to know what a vibrant city Chicago is, the Midwest Independent Film Festival continues to be a cultural boon. Their first Tuesday screenings at the Landscape Century Cinema Theatre remains high on the must-do lists of newspapers and lifestyle websites like Going. Tomorrow the Midwest Independent Film Festival will host their first fundraising gala: the 2008 Best of the Midwest Awards, a ceremony to "recognize the premier films and filmmakers" screened during this year's first Tuesday film festival screenings.
Taking place at Rockit Bar and Grill (22 W. Hubbard) from 6-9, the night promises to excite. Limited tickets are still available and with delicious appetizers provided by Rockit, a cocktail reception hosted by Effen Vodka and Corona, and all proceeds going towards the nonprofit organization's 2009 budget, $50 sounds like a steal. Buy tickets here.
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