Category — Chicago Is (my kind of town)

Grease is the word! In fact, all the words to all the songs in Grease will be sung out loud all over the US in a major Grease sing-a-along. Girls Night Out, Date Night, or your High School Reunion: do it!

Yes, get your calendars out and find a theatre near you! Starting July 8 theaters across the country will be playing the original 1978 Grease with the words dancing across the bottom of the screen, begging you to sing-a-long with Sandy and Danny and all the gang from Rydell High.

Grease: You’re The One That I Want! ooo ooo ooo, honey!

Where Grease is playing in some of Moi favorite cities:

• NEW YORK
  AMC VILLAGE
  66 3rd Ave
  New York, NY 10003-5506
  (888) 262-4386

• CHICAGO
  AMC RIVER EAST
  322 East Illinois St
  Chicago, IL 60611
  (888) 262-4386

• MIAMI/FT LAUDERDALE
  SUNRISE GATEWAY
  1820 East Sunrise Blvd
  Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304-3040
  (954) 763-7994

If you’ve been reading along you know I often mention things that make Moi happy: Starbucks tall skim chai, extra water, extra hot svp? Mignette? It’s the little things that just for one moment or all day long, make me happy. And occasionally I’m going to share some of them with you, and hope they make you happy too.

The temp in NYC is 94 again today and tres humide: perfect for a sweating glass of iced tea. TBG likes a touch of sweetness to his tea, normally he adds a squirt of honey. Newsflash: honey does not dissolve in a glass of ice cold tea.

To the rescue: simple syrup! I just opened a package from POSH Chicago with my new vintage French mineral water bottle: mine is from Aix-les-Bains. I don’t need a lot of decorative stuff cluttering up my tiny NYC apt, so I immediately put the bottle to good use by making this batch of simple syrup, which sweetens up TBGs tea, coffee, fruit salad, or even a cocktail.

Simple Syrup

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

Boil sugar and water together in a heavy saucepan about 3 minutes, until sugar is completely dissolved. Allow to cool, then decant into a bottle for serving. Stores refrigerated for up to 3 months. I leave it on the counter: its gone in 2 weeks.

Moi tip: Infuse herbs or flavors into your simple syrup by adding mint, basil, lavender, rosemary, lemon or other flavors when boiling. Then strain before bottling. Try the basil syrup with vodka over ice: so refreshing!

Santé!

Fathers Day is less than 2 weeks away: June 20. These gifts have been personally field-tested by TBG and have earned the very hard to come by TBG smile of approval. One of these is bound to please a father on your list!

For the sports fan:

Cufflinks made by Tokens & Icons from authentic souvenirs of his favorite sports team or stadium: I bought TBG authentic football cufflinks from Roslyn,  276 Columbus in NYC; Spare Parts, 2947 Broadway in Chicago carries similar styles (attn Cubs fans!) But online shoppers can also find them at Uncommon Goods or Cufflinks.com. Expect to pay $130 to $150+. I’ve seen styles made from Notre Dame stadium seats, Cubs game balls, Tokens & Icons also carries pens made from Yankee stadium seats, Dodgers seat bottle openers, Boston Garden floor bottle openers, hockey arena pens and cufflinks (sorry, no Blackhawks: yet!) and lots more.

For the sharp dresser:

Living in rainy or snowy climates is not easy for the guy who always likes to look sharp. Check out Swims:  These classic, classy shoe rubbers easily pull-on over shoes and protect them from the weather. Traditional black is available, but why not step it up a notch with orange or yellow? He’ll love looking good and being practical at the same time. These stylish rubbers are made in Norway of a unique stretchy rubber (similar to diver’s suits) and slip on easily over shoes. We bought TBG’s at Allen Edmonds on Michigan Ave in Chicago, but you can also buy them at Bloomies or Nieman Marcus, or at amazon.com. Around $95 – $125.

For the camera or electronics buff:

These handy camera accessories are practical, inexpensive, and useful: a sure homerun. TBG is a huge camera buff, and has bags and cabinets of high-priced accessories. But accessories are usually heavy and bulky, so not always practical to carry on a long walk, a bike ride, or an outing to the park or zoo. Check these gadgets out. I bought TBG’s online at delight.com

Bottle cap tripod: this tiny tripod screws easily onto a pop or water bottle (better filled so it doesn’t tip over) to provide some distance and stability for your subject: no more stretching your arm as far as possible to try include yourself and that great spot in your shot! About $9.50

Powercup On-the-Go Power Supply Cup: Cameras don’t work well when the battery is dead. Same for mobile phones. Traveling buy car requires multiple adapters and accessories to charge the iPhone, Blackberry, camera, and baby bottle heater. What’s a guy to do? This clever latte-cup shaped adapter plugs into the car’s cigarette lighter and rests in the cup holder. Brilliant: it charges both 120 volt and USB ports. Around $32.50.

For the gourmand:

Wine or chocolates: decisions decisions. Why not combine both with these decadent chocolate covered wine grapes: grapes infused with wine and coated in dark rich chocolate from chocolateur Bissingers? Indulge him! $16 plus shipping.

And what is TBG getting the Fathers’ Day? Shhhh, I’ll never tell. But I will share a shopping tip: I’ve been shopping Mantiques from Treasures by the Antiques Diva!

This is one of Moi favorite shows: the 13th annual Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair, featuring over 100 dealers of everything from jewelry to art to furniture to books to maps…and more.

This year the fair is part of the ARTOPOLIS triumvirate: Chicago’s celebration of art, antiques and culture, featuring  the Art Chicago fair of contemporary and modern art;  and NEXT showcasing avant-garde art and culture.

Moi tip: Make a day out of it; or two! Tickets are valid for Art Chicago, NEXT and the Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair.

I just got a tip from Moi fave pilates studio, Pilates Shop/Yoga Garage, that they’re being featured on Groupon. This is the 2nd time in 24 hours I’ve heard of Groupon: my daughter just told me I have to sign-up in NYC, she’s a member in Chicago. So, I decided to check it out. And am I glad I did!

Groupon describes itself as: collective buying power:

1. Each day we feature something cool to do at an unbeatable price.
2. You only get it if enough people join that day… so invite your friends!
3. Check back the next day for another awesome Groupon!

[Read more →]

Looking for that unique, quality gift that can’t be found in every mall or catalogue? Need a great holiday activity for you and your BFFs to share? Just want to shop in one place without running all over town? Look no further:

I’ve been lucky to attend the annual One-Of -A-Kind Sale in Chicago. I had never heard of it until sr L invited me to accompany her to the Chicago show…she attends every December and had a complimentary pass to admit 2. We cabbed to the Merchandise Mart, (it’s huge: MM has it own zipcode!) and took the elevator to the 8th floor. We checked our coats and accepted some complimentary champagne and cookies, then got to the serious business of shopping.

Shopping with a friend (or family) can be tricky: you can’t both buy the same things, you need to shop at the same pace or not be easily insulted if the other one wanders off.

I’m a wanderer…I like to float from aisle to booth and back again. With over 500 booths, plan to wander all day. Each piece sold at the One of a Kind Sale is hand-made by independent artists who are sharing their talents and wares with you. Every type of artisinal craft can be found there: from paintings to ceramics to jewelry to holiday decorations to clothing to gourmet foods. Sr L found a cool placque made from an old door knob and keys to hang buy her front door and hold her keys! She also bought gifts galore, like clever boot cuffs that change the style of any boot in seconds. Moi bought a reversible pleated silk jacket (for Moi, bien sur!) and some Cub-themed dog leashes, one for all the dogs in the extended family. All price points are represented: the presentation and dazzling displays and creative ideas alone are worth the admission price!

And not to worry: there are plenty of gourment cafés, lounge areas and even a big-screen television so you (or your husband) can rest-up between shopping spurts. Chicago amenities  include a licensed child care center, coat check, complimentary bag check, gift-wrapping and curbside package carryout: everything to make your shopping as convenient and hassle-free as possible: they want you to be happy!

One Of A Kind Show and Sale: Chicago

• Dec 3-6
  • Thursday, Dec 3: 12 – 9pm
  • Friday, Dec 4: 11am – 9pm
  • Saturday, Dec 5: 10am – 7pm
  • Sunday, Dec 6: 10am – 5pm
• Merchandise Mart, Kinzie and Wells Streets, Chicago 60654
• Tickets: (a ticket is good for all 4 days)
  • Adults: $12
  • Senior and Students: $9
  • Children 12 and Under: free

This year, Moi is really lucky: I can’t attend the Chicago show, but for the first time, the One of a Kind Show and Sale is coming to NYC! Offering the same high quality artisans and products that have made the show such a success in Chicago, the NYC show is sure to become an annual event.

One of a Kind Show and Sale: NYC

• Dec 10-13
  • Thursday, December 10: 5 – 9pm
  • Friday, December 11: 11am – 8pm
  • Saturday, December 12: 10am – 7pm
  • Sunday, December 13: 10am – 5pm
• Pier 94, 12th Ave at 55th St
• Tickets: (a ticket is good for all 4 days)
  • Adults: $15 (it’s NYC: everything is more $$)
  • Seniors and Students: $12
  • Children 12 & under: Free

NYC show promises to offer quality amenities, including a food and break lounge, coat check, free shopping package check, package and shipping service, and transportation and shuttle services.

She’ll be shopping soon at the NYC show!

I just like it. Not because I’m from Chicago. Not because my grandparents immigrated from Germany. Not from my years living in France. I just like mustard. Always have. Always will.

Actually I like all things vinegar. Even the smell of Easter eggs being colored. I like balsamic vinegar as a salad dressing: hold the oil. Someone I worked with in Syracuse used to keep a giant bottle of vinegar in her desk drawer to wipe the winter salt off her leather boots: made me hungry.

So when I travel, I visit grocery stores, and I search for mustard. (and vinegar, but that’s a different blog.)

quimper mustard pot

On one of my first trips to France a colleague of TBG’s who lived in Dijon invited us to stay with them for the weekend in their 12th century mas (farm house)…I know, how lucky were we! While the guys went off to golf I, speaking not a word of French, loudly repeated MUSTARD and was quickly escorted to a real Dijon mustard shop, where I purchased a Quimper mustard pot and a jar of Dijon mustard, from Dijon! Voilà! This was the first time it occured to me that I could travel and bring home souvenir mustard. [Read more →]

Halloween is Saturday and the streets will be filled with spooky creatures, fairy princesses, super heros, pirates and every kind of sports and action and cartoon character.

pink satin elephant ears

What’s your Little Bit wearing?

Sunday was Trick or Treat on Southport with shop-to-shop trick or treating and face painting, pumpkin decorating, and lots of games and prizes (and a few cocktails were served for the double-wide stroller pushers). Two of my favorite little party animals strutted their Halloween costumes for the crowds and the cameras.

little panda with shiny red shoes

Baby K’s adorable elephant bunting  for newborns from Annie’s Costumes had pink satin ears big enough to carry her off in a Windy City gust, and her big sister niece M had a panda outfit from Baby Ultimate perfectly set off by her ruby red Dorothy shoes.

Be warned: Saturday these two little tricksters will be full of tricks if you don’t have your treats ready!

                                                                                                                                                       …this photo cracked me up, so I had to include it too, don’t you just love them!

party animals - ready to crash

No caffeine for Mignette! She loves to cuddle up to this Starbarks chew toy, and it even barks! We found it at dog-a-holics on Southport in Chicago. $14.99.

a decaf as big as me

Are you familiar with the Southport shopping area? There are some great boutiques (Krista K!) and restaurants  like local fave Ann Sather, where you can carb and sugar up on world-famous cinnamon rolls… and my personal fave, Anthropologie, where you can check out some Man Shops Globe finds. Yesterday I saw the beaded animals Keith shopped in South Africa. You can catch Keith Wednesdays on the Sundance channel at 9pm est or on the internet. Tonite he shops Turkey.

Moi’s DVR is set!

This weekend we drove up to Vermont to join the throngs of leaf peepers…TBG is a rabid photographer, and this was a by week for ND…and I scored a good last-minute deal at the Equinox Resort in Manchester…loved the cuddly Frette terry robes.

We spent most of the weekend parked on the side of picturesque country roads, each setting looking like a calendar photo or postcard, while TBG shifted between his 3 cameras and happily found each perfect photo op…tumbling down barns, covered bridges, pumpkin fields, fabulous fall folliage.

my fave pic...but not TBG's

We stopped at pretty much any place with the word sugar: sugar house, sugar shak, sugar n spice. We bought maple syrup, fresh hot sugared cider donuts, hot spiced cider, spiced cookies, pumpkins, gourds, mums, indian corn and lots of Christmas gifts…sorry, can’t reveal any secrets yet!

We did not stop at the dozens of outlet stores or antiques shops lining route 7a in Manchester and heading up route 100 to Killington…except one. For TBG. We stopped at his country gentleman fashion mecca: Orvis.

We stopped at the Orvis flagship store. We shopped the Orvis outlet store. We scoured the Orvis tent sale. If you’re not familiar with Orvis, let me explain TBG is very familiar with the stores on 5th Ave in NYC and Michigan Ave in Chicago: this should give you a clue that this store is aspirational. For the guy who aspires to the gracious country lifestyle…and is willing to pay for it. btw… they do have ladies and home and doggie fashions also, not my style; I curled up on the huge leather couch by a crackling fire and checked my emails and twitter and facebook while TBG filled his shopping sac. If you like to browse, fly fishing rods, hunting rifles and knives, canoes and paddles…and all the clothes and accessories to go with them. For a price.

Orvis rhinohide canvas khakis

TBG’s shopping recommendation:
I’m told they’re very comfy, very rugged, and improve with age. They have faux-leather trim, are pre-washed, and come in neutral colors like cement and olive. And are on sale now for $59.

Who knew?