I've Moved!!

Come see my new blog on ShopLocal.com!

It's even better than before.

See you there-

Special Bulletin

Tara Jarmon is now at Target

I popped into Target last weekend and caught a glimpse of the new Tara Jarmon designs. In general the colors were muted and feminine and the shapes are basic and easy to wear. So far the racks are filled with cute spring jackets and pretty camis. I’m waiting for the sundresses to show up.

Outdoor Grills: The Next Generation

Okay, forget that this grill looks like the Starship Enterprise, not only does it look cool, it might just solve every grilling problem for city dwellers and those of us with limited storage space.

Outdoor grilling is one of the greatest things about the summer months. Grilling is a fun way to make all kinds of delicious foods (I grilled some pineapple last year and it was amazing). However, now that we live on the second floor, we spend a lot less time in the backyard and even less time using our grill. We have a big old Weber charcoal grill that has languished beneath a tarp for two summers running. It works really well, but using charcoal is messy and time consuming. Add in an extra flight of stairs and cooking outside quickly becomes a fond memory. Until now! While researching gas grills I came upon an exciting innovation in outdoor cuisine, it’s called the Q Portable Grill. Idea for couples and small families, it has a 105 sq. inch cooking surface, weighs a mere 13 lbs. and uses a standard 1lbs Propane Canister. I can’t wait to get it! It folds up so we could easily store it in the garage or on our back porch in between uses. It’s so light and compact that it’ll be a breeze to take it on car trips to the park, beach or tailgating parties. Most importantly it’s truly affordable. The Q Grill is $99, cheap when compared to some other portable grills that are $200-$300. I’m going to try to pick one up this weekend.

See this portable outdoor grill on ShopLocal.com!

Critters in the Mist

You may recall, from past entries, my affection for esthetically pleasing humidifiers. Well, as it happens, I have discovered yet another good looking air moisturizer. It’s aptly named the Crane Adorable Humidifier. Though most likely meant for a child’s room, I think these charming humidifying creatures might make a cheerful addition to a tired old office or a drab guest room. I also think they might make an amusing gift. Let say you have a friend who loves elephants and you’re stumped for a gift. Why not send them an elephantine home appliance; a gift that is both practical and darling.

You’ll find several animal incarnations of the Crane Humidifier on ShopLocal.com.

Breaking News! Haute Couture to the “États-Généraux”

Paris Designer Tara Jarmon is next in line to take over the Go International campaign at Target. For weeks fans of Luella Bartley’s punk inspired pieces for Target have enjoyed perusing the racks for affordable limited edition fashion forward clothing and accessories. Like H & M’s joint effort with Stella McCartney, Target commissioned Bartley to create a variety of pieces, offering her exclusive designs to the masses. Soon Target will bring us another delight from across the pond when the Go International racks are filled with items by French designer Tara Jarmon. This summer, our closets will get a French twist. Items include a darling polka dot shirt dress and jaunty Bermuda shorts.

Picture Perfect

I love looking at photographs. Whether they’re stunning images of my cousin’s trip to India or silly snapshots from last night’s dinner out, I always get a kick out of seeing frozen moments in time. Unfortunately, I’m terrible at putting together photo albums. My husband and I have boxes of loose pictures that chronicle more than a decade in no particular order. The randomness can be amusing, but mostly frustrating when pictures of a special occasion are missing. Luckily, my aunt put together a wedding album for us. Left to our own devices, there would undoubtedly be a box marked “misc. wedding”.


While surfing the internet today I found this cool new photo album kit, the Adesso Polaroid Guest Book Kit. For about $140, you get a cloth-bound album, a Polaroid camera, and two packs of film. With the kit, revelers can snap pictures, save them in an album and write a note on how drunk they are while helping you organize your favorite pictures. I think it’s perfect for a big birthday party, anniversary celebration or baby shower. Here’s where to get the Adesso Polaroid Guest Book Kit.


If you prefer the DIY approach, check out these instant cameras on SL.

The Wave of the Future

As you all know, a few weeks ago I bought a curling iron for the first time since 1983 in order to give my locks an exciting twist for a party I was attending. Though a somewhat time consuming process, I was very pleased by the results and received many flattering comments from my friends. So pleased was I, that I have since decided to fire up the curling iron a couple of times a week. Whether I’m off to have dinner with friends or seeing a show with my husband, I’ve started to polish up my look with a few turns of my new curling iron. I don’t feather my hair like I used to (though I’ve been tempted) instead I wind my hair into soft tendrils for a modern feminine look. It’s not for everyday, just when I want a little boost.

I got my Vidal Sassoon Ceramic Curling Iron at Walgreen’s, but you can find them anywhere- CVS, Ulta, Beauty.com, etc.

Check out these curling irons on ShopLocal.

Good Luck and Good Shopping!

The Toast Master

I fought it for a long time but, last weekend, I finally bought a toaster. For more than four years, my husband and I were rendered toasterless after I nearly defenestrated our old toaster in a rage over crumbs. No, I didn’t throw the retched machine of tin and filth out the window, but I did sell it at a garage sale for $2.00.

A life without crumbs was grand, however the mornings grew long without the comfort of toasted bread and a BLT was never the same on soft bread. The hazards of life without a toaster became all too apparent when I actually turned an English muffin into a lump of coal having left it under the broiler too long. I just didn’t know if I could go back staring at a giant metal box on my countertop covered in grease and crumbs.

Desperate for answers, I headed to Kmart. Scanning rows of small appliances, I found what I was looking for- the Proctor Silex 4- Slice Cool Touch Toaster. It was clean and white, not too large, and wallet friendly at $19.99. I rushed home with our new appliance and in minutes we were enjoying BLT’s for lunch. Wow, did I miss toast.

Toasters can get pricey. My sister-in-law’s toaster was $120.00! My toaster isn’t particularly fancy, but it really does a nice job. The toaster evenly browns the bread, the slots are wide enough for bagels, the settings offer a wide range of doneness, and there’s a handy cancel button if you think your toast is done. Oh yeah, the crumb tray is easy to remove for a thorough clean up too. My toaster is better than sliced bread, it’s toast!

Check out new toasters on ShopLocal!

My Final Four

March Madness is giving way to the final showdown in college basketball and this fine spring weekend I will be engaging in my own final four- the final four boxes on my back porch.

Since we moved a year and a half ago, I’ve been rearranging and stepping around the same four boxes of crap on my back porch. It happens whenever you move, inevitably there are boxes filled with miscellanea; items that defy categorization and don’t merit a padded box of their own that, nonetheless, must accompany you where ever you go. Personally, I was surprised my husband and I only had four such boxes to move. But now, since the weather is warmer and the days are longer, it’s time to tackle the junk and go to the final four.

My game plan is just to keep my head down, dig deep and stay focused. With a little help from above I hope that all my hard work pays off, and the back porch gets clean. I’ve got some good experience emptying boxes and I’ll be looking to my husband for help when I don’t know if I should throw something out or not. I just want to thank my mom for teaching me about spring cleaning. This Final Four is for you Mom!

Check out more ideas for "springing ahead" on ShopLocal!

How I Cleaned Up on Poker Night

Last weekend my husband held his first annual poker tournament and stakes we high. Twelve card savvy friends arrived at 1pm and left at 1am. Naturally, being the hostess with the mostess, I went all out and made dozens of mini roast beef sandwiches, a vat of homemade macaroni and cheese, deviled eggs, chips and salsa and fresh bloody marys to wash it all down. Between the eating and dealing the floors took quite a beating. The little cup holders on the poker table just couldn't hold up against the fist pounding excitement of the tournament. Our hardwood floors were constantly being splashed with everything from coffee to cola, with a little beer thrown in for good measure. The chips we stacked against the floors but my trusty mop came to the rescue every time. I don't want to sound like a silly television ad, but my Clorox Ready Mop is the best. After soaking up the big spills with a towel I got rid of the sticky residue with a few quick passes with the Ready Mop. It's fitted with a refillable container of floor cleaner and uses disposable pads to wipe away the mess. Once the mess is gone I throw the pad away; no wringing, soaking or squeezing necessary. I actually replaced the original cleaning fluid with a nicer smelling cleaner I found at my local apothecary for a fresh scent. I've had the mop for almost four years and it's as good as new. It really makes cleaning up easier. If you're looking for a new mop, check out the Clorox Ready Mop or the Swifer. Here are some options from ShopLocal. If you're interested in poker check this stuff out.

The Three Faces of Eating

Just as we must eat from a variety of food groups to achieve a healthy diet, so must we shop at a wide variety of grocers in order to get the right food at the right price. For those of us with limited free time, it may seem a bit extreme to make three stops while stocking up on weekly supplies, but your pocket book and your tummy will thank you. My three stops are Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Dominick’s Finer Foods.

My three pronged approach to shopping begins with Dominick’s. It’s a nice big store with a complete selection of all the basics in food, beverage and household supplies. Coupons and in store specials are plentiful every week and prices are generally very competitive. In recent years, Dominick’s has expanded its produce department to include a salad bar and now offers great homemade prepared meals like pizzas and roast chickens. At Dominick’s I do my foundational shopping, bread, milk, eggs, flower, cleaning supplies, toilet paper etc. This is where the bulk of my groceries come from because $50 really goes a long way.

My next stop is California’s gift to grocery shopping, Trader Joe’s. Specializing in specialty foods at special prices it’s a must for stocking up the freezer or preparing for a party. I love their frozen haricot verts and the frozen seafood aisle is stocked with beautifully prepared salmon filets. Party planning is easy with Trader Joe’s where tasty cheeses and savory crackers are abundant. You’ll find the famous “Two Buck Chuck” or Charles Shaw wine for $1.99 a bottle in the extensive wine area along side other great wines at great prices. If you’re in the mood for fresh flowers, Trader Joe’s has an excellent seasonal variety of fresh cut flowers as well as some nice potted plants.

My final stop, is Whole Foods. This delightful food emporium specializes in organic foods, bulk grains and beautifully prepared foods. I make it my final stop because it’s my chance to indulge in something special for dinner after I’ve gotten all the basics for the week. Truth be told, if I went to Whole Foods first I’d have one gourmet dinner instead of a weeks worth of groceries. Usually when I go I have a special recipe in mind or a new cuisine I’d like to try. No matter what you have in mind, Whole Foods satisfies your wildest culinary dreams. Last week I made a giant seafood paella and found everything I needed from the briny mussels to the fine threads of saffron.

Do yourself a favor, take the time to cut corners where you should and indulge your taste buds where you can.

Good Luck and Good Shopping!

Misty Water-Colored Memories

The last time I used a curling iron it was 1988, and I was wearing an electric blue off the shoulder number adorned with rather bulbous satin flowers and my prom date wore Doc Martens. So damaging was the whole experience, I have not since held a curling iron.

The curling iron is the hallmark for the 80’s in my book. I spent the entire decade searing my skin and scorching my hair in the constant pursuit of beauty; or, at the very least, in the constant pursuit of looking like Valerie Bertinelli. Admittedly, I had a lot to learn. In the aftermath of the 80’s, I put down the iron and tossed my hot rollers, opting for a more natural kind of aesthetic. In essence, I got a little lazy with my locks. But, like leg warmers and lip gloss, some things are worth trying again. So here I am, once again, in the market for a curling iron. If all goes well, I may glam up my hair for this fairly formal 40th birthday party I’m going to on Saturday.

I’ll be checking out some of the irons I found on ShopLocal, so I’ll be sure to give you a full report.

Good Luck and Good Shopping!

Happy Trails Ahead

This past week in Chicago, Mother Nature teased us with a taste of warm weather and instantly I'm reminded of all the joys of summer. I know I may be jumping the gun, since March in the Midwest rarely goes out like a lamb, but I can't help but dream of sunny days and long bike rides. Nothing beats a trip through lazy trails that end in the green splendor of the Chicago Botanic Gardens. When my husband got me a new bike for my birthday, we started taking extended rides through the surrounding forrest preserves and up to the Gardens. Starting on a Saturday morning, we'd stop to enjoy a picnic lunch in the afternoon before continuing on to enjoying more of the tree-lined trail.

With sunny days ahead why not dust off your old ten speed or, better yet, get a shiny new Schwinn and hit the trails cycling. Old fashioned fun is great exercise! Just think, if Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid didn't keep in shape while riding a bike with Katherine Ross, they would have never out run the posse as long as they did.

Try ShopLocal if you're looking for a new bicycle!

Mush!

Last weekend I had the privilege of witnessing the inaugural run of the Chiditarod here in Chicago. Modeled after San Francisco’s Urban Iditarod, contestants form teams of “dogs” and “mushers”. Using a shopping cart for a sled, teams race to complete a five mile course, collecting food along the way to give to charity. The course this year began at Wicker Park’s Pontiac Café and ended (appropriately) at a local bar called the Hideout. Before the 12:30pm start time, crowds gathered in the Pontiac parking lot, some to cheer and some to prepare for battle.

Spring was in the brisk March air as racers and revelers gathered on the bustling and much ballyhooed Wicker Park corner of North and Damen. Carts adorned with colorful drapes and fashioned with cardboard cutouts, stood majestically before their mushers and “dogs”, who were equally resplendent in spandex and spangles. The electricity was palpable as onlookers cradled lattes and team members stayed limber by smoking cigarettes. Suddenly, an eruption of whistles signaled contestants to take their marks. Shouts of joy and anticipation came from the surrounding crowd. In an instant, the thunderous crack and telltale plume of smoke from the starter's pistol rose up, and the carts were off in a blur of steel and fanfare. As the teams rattled and surged up the block and out of sight, fans waved flags and made calls of encouragement. How would the racers fair? Where would they find food to load up their carts? How would they survive the perils of the city streets? It would be an adventure only they would come to know.

I’ve already started recruiting potential mushers and hounds for next year. I can’t think of a more perfect company event for ShopLocal.com than sponsoring a cart in next year’s Chiditarod. Maybe with a little coaxing we could sponsor the whole event! Perhaps I could be dubbed Queen of the Ciditarod and start carrying a scepter to work…

I think I need a cup of coffee.

Good Luck and Good Shopping! Remember, it's always a good time to donate to a worth cause, rain or Chiditarod.

My Oscar Gift Basket: A very hot item

Included in my Academy Award prize for winning the Oscar pool this year was a unique new beverage from the kitchens of Wolfgang Puck. I received two cans of Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Rich Espresso Latte in an exciting "New Self- Heating Can". Being a coffee aficionado (or aficiona-jo)I was thrilled to have the opportunity to sample this specialty coffee with its innovative design feature. I thought it only fitting to take it to work and enjoy a warm and tasty beverage while at my desk.




Heating the beverage involves a few, relatively easy to follow, steps. First, you turn the container upside down. On the bottom of the can is another pull tab which you use to remove a metal cover to reveal some plastic innards. The latte is in a can within a can. If you look closely, you can see a greenish blue liquid inside.





Next, you are instructed to depress the plastic surface "until the liquid disappears". In doing so, you combine the enclosed water and calcium oxide. The ensuing chemical reaction produces heat. After ten seconds you turn the can right-side-up. Now, the waiting begins. As the FDA approved quicklime substance inside the outer can begins to heat up, the beverage starts to warm as well. In 5-8 minutes the pink dot on the side of the can turns white indicating your latte is ready.

Finally you shake the can, twist the top lock open, flip the other tab and Voila! It's java time! The creamy warm beverage was tasty, but left a Splenda aftertaste in my mouth. (I like plain old sugar.) Nevertheless, it stayed nice and hot for at least 30 minutes.

It wasn't necessarily less time consuming or more satisfying than a trip to Starbucks, but it was an intriguing little project that was a welcome diversion to my otherwise humdrum Monday.


Good Luck and Good Shopping!

London Calling

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Rule/Cool Britannia is now officially a TREND!” proclaims Vogue.com columnist Camilla Morton.

This season’s wave of fashion weeks around the globe has apparently stirred up a new theme inspired by our friends across the pond. So how do you get the look without breaking the bank? Sure you can buy a counterfeit bag from the guy on the corner or perhaps forego paying the rent and have that gorgeous Burberry Prorsum fitted plaid jacket. But these aren’t your only two options. With a little imagination and creativity you can have most any look you like just by choosing the right pieces. Today let’s go Britannia!

The first key piece is the trench coat. Picture yourself dashing through the spring rain to a black cab or strolling through Kensington Gardens with a newspaper tucked under your arm. Fashionable and practical, the trench coat is a must. Find the color and shape you like best and you’ll have it for the rest of your life.

Next on your list is a shiny pair of black shoes or boots. Wear them with some black tights for a simple and sharp look that would make Her Royal Highness proud.


Finally, round out your look with something a little irreverent like
a Luella from Target top or some edgy silver jewelry. Adding a bit of London punk will make your outfit feel modern and chic.

Above all, remember that fashion is fun. Embrace new trends on a budget and you’ll feel free to be creative and practical at the same time.

Good Luck and Good Shopping!

Ah, Wilderness!

It takes a certain kind of store to overwhelm me, Eva the Shopping Diva, and Costco is one such place.

My parents, inexplicably, go weekly to this uber-store as if they were constantly restocking a fallout shelter. Not to be out done by their shopping prowess, I decided to face the gaping jaws of this mega-retailer after work the other day. I should have eaten my Wheaties.

Everything is extra large in Costco. Shopping carts move like barges through the aisles, and stacks of pallets and boxes rise like icebergs up two stories to the corrugated ceiling. Beacons of fluorescent light reflect off cellophane wrapped cases, obscuring content. Hoards of flat screened TVs blink with cloned, muted images next to displays of coffins and coffee pots. I've only taken three steps and I'm out of breath. To the south, I can see racks of bread rising in the glow of the meat department cases. To the west, a field of outdoor furniture stretches out toward towers of paper products. I am a retailing pioneer left to my own devices, braving the vast territory of bulk products.

I reach for box of tissues and realize with horror that it's not one box but 12. It takes two hands for me keep the whole display from tumbling down on top of me. My thirst drives me to an aisle full of juices. To my dismay, the two-gallon set of apple juice form concentrate encased in cardboard and plastic is too heavy for me to lift off the floor. Sweat beads on my brow as I push the unwieldy shopping cart forward. I must press on. Ahead of me, beyond mounds of fleece pullovers and tube socks, I spy giant tins of cookies and pillowcase-sized bags of candy. My salvation! I ditch the cart and grab a tub of roasted nuts. Thankfully, it's right in front of the check out counter. The rest is a blur until I find myself back in my car, in the parking lot, elbow deep in roasted nuts. My breathing slows and I realize that I'm not quite the shopper I thought I was, yet.

Good Luck and Good Shopping!

Ad-Vonage??

About four months ago, in response to the growing costs of maintaining a land line, my husband and I made the switch to digital phone service with Vonage. Though our cell phones bear the brunt of our telephonic communications, we still wanted to keep a separate number for our home. Just in case. My husband did a little investigation of our options and we chose Vonage for about $25 a month. The almost insurmountable upside is the super low flat rate for unlimited local and long-distance service, very tough to beat. The downsides are few yet a little strange. At times the service can be sporadic and elusive. It's a little like our phone is possessed.

Because Vonage uses our broadband connection, we occasionally experience similarly fickle service in our phone, cable TV and internet access. If it's a little stormy outside we might not get a dial tone or get online. No biggie. However, sometimes friends will call and the phone just won't ring. They'll reach us on our cell phones and tell us to check our house phone for trouble. We pick up the receiver and the hollow sound of the dial tone answers back as if there's nothing wrong at all.

Sometimes it will ring just once and then go silent. For the person calling, everything seems normal, they hear the ring and it goes to voice mail. No one would know that we were actually home.

We try to pass it off on a bad connection, trying not to let dark thoughts creep in...but? What if the phone was trying to muffle the rings, suppress the calls, cut off our link to the outside world?!

Sometimes when we answer the phone we can hear the other person, but they can't hear us no matter how loudly we shout. More troubling are the noises. Every now and then the ring tone will change completely without any outside interference. There's actually only one ring tone option on our phone, yet once in a while it will chirp strangely or ring continuously for a solid minute.

If the phone service is out completely, calls are redirected to my husband's cell phone. So, if I call our house to retrieve messages, I am instead connected to his cell phone. It's as if it doesn't want us to know who called.

Open the pod bay doors HAL.

Olympic Fever Strikes ShopLocal

Rampant Torino-mania is sweeping the office as we speak. Well, it's really only swept over my desk so far, but it's only a matter of time.

I love the "thrill of victory” and the "agony of the drunk", oh, I mean, "defeat". The lugers have razor sharp focus and the snowboarders are exuberant and rad. The skaters are poised and the skiers are daring. Emotions must run the gamut for these O.C.-aged athletes as they mingle in the Olympic Village, vying for their piece of gold, silver or bronze.

In the hopes of finding a sporty commemorative visor or cap emblazoned with Torino 2006, I checked ShopLocal.com for some merch with which to temper my Olympic fever. I think the above long sleeved t-shirt is my best bet. Donning it for the gym, I can celebrate the Olympiad and go for the gold as I chase the dream astride the stationary bike.

Mob (Shopping) Mentality

I spent last weekend with a bunch of girlfriends in Key Biscayne, Florida enjoying the comforts of The Ocean Club (which included 7 swimming pools, 5 hot tubs, a spa, and poolside drinks) courtesy of some friends with parents in high places (i.e. the 14th floor of Ocean Tower Two). The weather was hot, the sky was clear and the margaritas were plentiful. (Yes, I just came back from Mexico, but when a friend invites you to stay for free in a beach paradise you have to strike while the iron's hot.)

There isn't much shopping on Key Biscayne unless you want a leopard print pillow for your white leather couch or a set of serving tongs shaped like coral. But that didn't really stop us from trying. The closest shopping opportunity was the local CVS. We stopped in for things like sunscreen and magazines, but left with so much more.

At first I noticed a rack of beaded necklaces with shells in a variety of colors and lengths, and then suddenly I sensed a frenzy of activity by the front door. My cohorts were gathered around a wall filled with brightly colored sarongs and beach cover-ups. At first we were just pointing at ones we liked, and then my sister-in-law grabbed one and wrapped it around her waist. "I think this is cute!" She exclaimed. I felt inspired and a little bit jealous, so I reached for an orange one, but before I could touch it, my friend Kathy boxed me out and took it for herself saying, "Ooo, I love orange!" In an instant everyone was pulling at the rack like sharks at a whale carcass, things were falling on the floor and display started to rock a little. Then I saw it, the perfect color. It was a brilliant fuchsia sarong with little shimmery beads dangling from the hem. This time I would not be thwarted. I pretended to look a something else while I inched closer to my quarry. I saw my friend Anna out of the corner of my eye and panicked. I made my move, plunged my hand into the fray and felt the gauzy pink cloth with my fingers. Extracting myself from the melee, I stepped back and wrapped the cover-up around my hips, it was wonderful. It would be the perfect compliment to my turquoise bikini. I looked up to see the awed faces around me. "Oh, that looks great" chirped my sister-in-law. "&*$@!, I should've grabbed the pink one" mumbled Anna.

Buy the time we left CVS we had purchased 14 sarongs between the six of us. The young man behind the counter was speechless as he rang us up one by one. As we filed out of the store he nodded his head solemnly and exhaled heavily staring up at the ransacked display. A store circular fluttered and skipped in the breeze as the door hissed closed behind us.

We came, we saw, we shopped.

Breaking News

I was just in Target looking for snacks to take on my trip to Miami and I came across more pods for my Senseo coffee maker. They're actually tea pods. Just like the coffe pods, I place them neatly in Mr. Senseo, but this time out comes a steamy mug of citrus green tea, or a robust cup of Early Grey. What's next soup pods?

Music to Soothe the Savage Beast

Consumer Electronics might not say “I love you” to everyone. However, it really depends upon what you choose to give. A 12 pack of D batteries might cause a break up, but a handy little gadget will fill both boys and girls with love. The key to a good gift, no matter what the occasion, is finding something that the recipient might not get for themselves but nonetheless thrills them once they get it. Many people like a good surprise. My friend Brendan was surprised this past Christmas when his father gave him an XM Radio for his car with a six-month subscription. It wasn’t on his list, but he’s been raving about it ever since. He spends hours in his car traveling for work so he’s no stranger to renting books on tape or burning a CD of his favorite music. However, his weakness has always been musicals. Lucky for him, his satellite radio system delivers hours of non-stop, toe-tapping show tunes. I’ve never seen him happier. Maybe there’s someone in your life that would enjoy the rich music cache of XM radio!

Diamonds in the Rough

While looking through SL for zany yet thoughtful Valentine's Day gifts I came across some shoes from Payless that are absolutely fabulous! Cheap enough so you don't care if they won't last and trendy enough so you don't care if they make your feet bleed, these fantastic new styles mimic high fashion trends set by Michael Kors and Tod's.

First, there's the sexy slingback in a surprisingly versatile leopard print complete with a demure little bow at the toe. An animal print goes with a variety of solid colors. Wear them to add an adventurous flare to a girlish black dress, a fun twist to subdued wide legged pants or amp up a flirty red skirt. Just stay away from mixing prints unless you have a high fashion skill level. If you're more Survivor than Project Runway it's probably best to stick to the basics.

Next up is practically a rip off of the latest Micheal Kors shoe collection. These very resort 2006 white wedges will be all the rage as the weather warms up. With a solid wedge foundation you'll tower over your guests at the garden party as you flit around in your green and white tent dress. These might also go well with a crisp pair of sailor pants and a jaunty blue-striped long sleeved tee. Finish the look off right with a fire engine red pedicure.

Finally, for the office, Payless reveals these sweet flowered peep-toe pumps in black or brown. Spice up your work wardrobe by donning a pair of patterned tights with these shoes and a short skirt in an understated color to call the right attention to yourself.

Wow, Payless really pulled it off this season!

Good Luck and Good Shopping!

All Day with Ebay: The Dark Side of Shopping

I realize that Ebay is one of the greatest inspirations of our time and that it draws our global community together to bask in the glory of capitalism, however, it drives me nuts!

Page after page is filled with items waiting to be auctioned off, everything you could imagine. Do you need a lawn mower? Ebay has dozens. Are you looking for a vintage Gucci dress? Someone in Latvia has one from 1968 in blue. It's amazing, the possibilities are endless.

But, there's a catch. Actually, there are several catches. First, you have to bid. Then, you get the wonderful opportunity to wait anywhere from an hour to three weeks! It’s like begging to give somebody money. It’s like, breadlines in Russia. “Please, please pick me, take my money!” Oh they give impatient folks the option to "Buy Now", but it'll cost you. Even if you win the auction or break down and "Buy Now" (like you wanted to in the first place when you started searching online), you still have a few more hoops.

As with too many Web sites, you have to register. (I am so tired of typing my name, I'm thinking of changing it to "F" because it's the most convenient key to hit.) After registering, getting the proverbial "thank you for registering" email, going to the proverbial "go here" to "activate your account" link and then retracing your steps back to the item you were hoping to get (if you can remember that far back) you can finally "add the item to your cart". Now, you are ready to enter even more information for the Great Lord of PayPal so you can then answer the secret riddle, enter the Kingdom and get your coveted purchase in "1-9 days". Great. That was easy. I just hope I don't move before the package arrives.

Food Court Press

In yet another effort to get out of the office, I've decided to do a tour of food courts around the city Chicago. Unlike some major cities, you don't have to leave the county to go to a mall. They bring indoor shopping right to you in the very heart of the Windy City. My first stop is the Westfield Northbridge Mall at 520 N. Michigan Avenue.

Home to one of my favorite department stores, Nordstrom, I am partial to this particular mall. There's a lot of good browsing to be had at Northbridge. Sephora, with it's maddening array of creams and tints, on the first floor is a favorite stop as is, dare I say it, Forever 21 upstairs with its racks of slightly trashy trends.

But it's just in the last few weeks that I've discovered the food court. Though set in the glass and steel confines of a mall, the dining atmosphere is quite cheery and bright with lots of natural light. My first meal was at Cafe Typhoon a little sushi stand by the escalator. It was a cold day so I opted for a bowl of Udon noodle soup. It was pretty good, though bland and adorned with too many carrots. Diners next door were feasting on plates of pasta and oversized salads at Tuscany Cafe. I was a little jealous, especially when I caught sight of someone sipping on a glass of Chianti.

The next time I stopped in for lunch I left nothing to chance. I marched up to Potbelly's, that grand Chicago favorite, and ordered one of my favorites, a hot roast beef with everything, no hot peppers. Potbelly's definitely had the edge since I've been ordering that sandwich for close to 20 years, but the toasty little meal accompanied by the petite chocolate malt was the perfect compliment to the casual atmosphere of the food court.

The nicest thing about eating at Northbridge is that you feel like your having a proper sit down meal, instead of chowing down in a busy hallway. Stewards constantly clear and clean tables and seating is spread out so there is air of civility, an element of privacy. I give this mall dining experience a fork up!

Good Luck, and Good Eating!

Sugar Substitute

Sweets for your sweets is a tried and true Valentine's Day concept. Decadent goodies are a great way to shower someone you love with material affection. But what if your love is allergic to chocolate? Today on ShopLocal, I found a terrific solution Apple Dumplings from Hickory Farms. These adorable doughy balls are filled with cinnamon kissed apples and come with a delectable caramel sauce. Get them for your sweetheart and, if you're lucky, they'll invite you over for dessert, if you know what I mean.

Puppy Love

My cubby buddy is definitely a dog person. The walls of Lisa's cubicle are covered with photos of her dog Bailey in various poses. There's a photo of Bailey in a cowboy hat in the desert, one featuring the dog beside a Christmas tree wearing antlers, another one in a tutu with ballet shoes and, my favorite the trenchcoat and sunglasses. My coworker's devotion to her pooch is admirable and it struck me that a unique Valentine's Day gift for such an ardent canine fan might be a fashionable leash. I came across this one on ShopLocal and thought it was terrific. So, if you have someone on your list that loves dogs and has a faithful companion of their own, why not give them a really cool "new leash on life"!

How do I love thee? Let me figure out a new way!

Tired of giving your Valentine a box of stale chocolates? Do you cringe at the thought of wrapping up a teddy bear? Me too! I come across a lot cool products while at work so I thought, for the next week or so, I'd recommend some alternative gifts for your sweetheart.


This neat little appliance called the Back to Basics Coco Latte Beverage Warmer will heat hot chocolate faster than a micowave! Pair it with a cute red mug or a tin of gourmet cocoa, and - Voila! You have unique gift for anyone on your list of sweethearts.

Photo Op

While browsing the gadget blogs (this is part of my job, I swear) I came across this cool new appliance. It's the Plus Minus Zero Humidifier by Compact Impact. This sexy looking appliance emits a computer controlled stream of warm mist for up to 8 hours and is ideal for small rooms. At $300 it's not the most economical humidifier, but since it comes in such a fantastic aray of colors it's far and away the most fashionable. In fact, I liked the looks of this darling air moisturizer so much I decided to make its image the first to be included in my blog.

From now on I will be including images of some of my favorite products and perhaps even a picture or two of my co-workers. Who knows?! Stay tuned...

Good Luck and Good Shopping!

Special Bulletin: Coffee Kit Kat

Attention all Caffinatics: The Hershey Company has released a limited edition Coffee Flavored Kit Kat

Please proceed in a calm and orderly fashion.

Merch Report aka Weird New Stuff

Science fiction has always predicted cool medical innovations. On Star Trek, McCoy just carried around that remote control looking thing, pointed it at people and fixed them. In The Empire Strikes Back, Luke Skywalker is suspended in some bubbling medicinal liquid after his arm is ripped off in a fight with Darth Vader. In the Alien movies there are scanners that look like tanning beds that are just right for revealing slumbering parasitic monsters in chest cavities. It looks like the real world might finally be catching up. A company called EJK has unveiled the No-Contact Thermometer for $200. Just point and read. Predictably pen-shaped, the thermometer uses laser technology to read body temperature without the perils of germy tubes of glass filled with poisonous mercury.

The benefits of nuclear power shrink in the shadowy nightmare of a radioactive cloud. Electric cars seem better suited to the golf course. And gas, well gasoline carries a lot of baggage as well. But what if we could harness the wind? Windmills can power farms and small towns but can they be built to do more? SkyWindPower Corporation is developing Floating Electric Generators in the hopes of providing safe, effective alternative energy. These flying windmills with 35 foot rotors hover 35,000 feet above ground and feed off of the jet stream. Many of man’s greatest inspirations have come from the sky, why not better, cleaner energy. I’m just not sure how I can plug in my hairdryer.

Though I’ve always found a hot water bottle tucked in a cashmere cozy quite comforting, the new MegaChi Pendant might offer me a good boost. This powerful piece of jewelry emits 7.83 Hertz and apparently provides a “powerful healing affect”. Feeling, anxious, sad and lonely? A cranky co-worker getting you down? Buy the MegaChi for $250 and ward off those dark thoughts. Or maybe just take a vacation.

The German art of napping has finally reached our shores. Two products in particular caught my eye, the Napmospere (great name) and the Schlafgras (even better name). The Napmosphere is a layered cocoon that fits in a duffle bag so you can take it to work and nap when you’re feeling sleepy in the afternoons. Designed to create the illusion of an open space for the sleeper, you can tuck it under your desk and feel like you’re in a cloud. The Schlafgras or Sleep Grass is what I’d like to get for the office. Made of giant foam tubes, the Schlafgrass provides the sleeper with a “personalized nap landscape”. The photo of a guy in a shirt and tie draped over some Pool Noodles didn’t epitomize my idea of relaxation but maybe the Germans think differently.

More Coffee Talk

As you may have noticed already I am a bit obsessed with coffee. I like coffee served in a variety of ways. Somedays a sweet skim latte does the trick, somedays a robust Americano is what I crave. At home, my Senseo Pod Coffee Maker is my new faithful companion, always ready, always supportive, always home. But I think I've reached a new level of caffinated bliss. Now I can combine the convenience of my Senseo with my taste for Starbucks roasty goodness. While checking the ShopLocal Web site at work, I came across the Starbucks Espresso Roast Pods. The hits just keep on coming. Now all I need to do is get a sleeve of paper cups and plastic lids.

Good Luck and Good Shopping!

Special Bulletin: Luella Bartley at Target

After years as a fashion editor at Vogue and The Eveneing Standard, Luella Bartley started her own line and achieved great international success with her energetic designs that combine a punk rock sensibility with appealing girlish shapes and colors. Her clothes are the kind that entice the eye and terrify the wallet, until now. This weekend I happened to be at Target while they were unloading the first shipment of Luella , Bartley's new line of cheap and fashionable clothes. Wow! What luck! Unlike Stella McCartney's designs for H&M, Bartley's clothes are well shaped with flattering lines in lively colors and whimsical patterns. I couldn't wait to start trying on pieces and collecting my favorites. There was a little of everything, tops, bottoms, jackets and accessories. Pants were pretty straightforward, nothing too inventive, but there was a darling green tulip skirt and a checked, strapless dress with a full skirt that looked great with a black leather motorcycle jacket. Several items featured an adorable cherry pattern, a theme found in everything from jacket linings to canvas bags and wallets. The accessories were bold yet sophisticated in easy to wear colors like savory orange and inky black. My favorite was an elegant cuff that was just $12.99. Overwhelmed by so many good things I limited myself to one purchase, a little navy jacket with white stitching and that great cherry pattern lining. I’ll wait till after payday to go back for more. Hurry up and get to Target before it’s all gone!

Check out Luella at Target!

Back from the Riviera

Hurray! The sun finally showed up in Tulum and I was able to get appropriately tanned. The tip of my nose is a little red, but nothing a little moisturizer can't fix. I feel refreshed and very relaxed.

It was a bit challenging to wake up for work this morning, not because it was early, but because it was so dark and grey. We had been waking up early to a sun filled room every morning and enjoying a cup of coffee on the beach. There was no coffee on the beach for me today.

Once I pried my head off the pillow and found my way to the bathroom in the darkness of January in Chicago, I got in a hot shower and tried to figure out what to wear. My Senseo coffemaker offered me some comfort in the shape of a frothy mug of java. After a week in flip flops and shorts, I felt a pang of sorrow as I selected a turtleneck. With a sigh I checked my email before leaving the house. The little grey mailbox was stuffed with a dozen yellow envelopes. What could these be? Suddenly my screen was awash with emails heralding end of season sales from every clothing store imaginable, from J.Jill to the cute boutique down the street. Everyone is getting rid of fall and winter clothes to make way for spring fashions! This is how I can cushion the blow of returning to a Chicago winter. Defensive shopping!! A pair of boots at 70% off, a cozy jacket for half off , cashmere sweaters at two for one! The options are endless.

Follow my lead! Tough out these last weeks of winter by shopping for great deals on clothes. Picking out the perfect new summer sundress is fun, but you can find super savings on a lot of great winter clothes that you can wear right now.

Good luck and Good Shopping!

Still Raining

Since it´s been raining on and off since we got here, my husband and I have been talking about where our next vacation should be. We both love beach vacations (when there is some sun involved). But for our next trip I want to go somewhere with great indoor activites, like museums and shopping. Maybe we can plan a trip to Paris or Barcelona.

It looks like the sun might come out sometime today, but in the mean time I think I´m going to surf the net, maybe buy a cute skirt or a pair of pretty flats. That will cheer me up. Now if I could only order some sunshine online.

Good Luck and Good Shopping!

Tulum: Traveler´s Paradise

I´m blogging from one of the many internet cafes in Tulum, Mexico. For a little town with only one main street, access to the information super highway is cheap and easy.

It´s hot and humid and I love it! My husband and I are staying in a charming cabana on the beach shaded by palm trees and surrounded by the roar of the surf. It was rainy yesterday so we did a lot of eating, drinking and shopping. I bought a beautiful beaded cuff and a colorful necklace of polished stone. I also have my eye on a light linen sundress.

Even in the remote reaches of the Yucatan I can still shop in store or online. I love it!! Maybe ShopLocal can open an office in Tulum...hmmm...

Just 40 More Hours!

The minutes crawl by as I try desperately to stay focused at my desk. In two days I'll be in the tropical embrace of Mexico's Mayan Riviera, soaking up sun and sippin' on icy margaritas. I've been packed and ready to go for a week, stumbling over my luggage every morning, prepared like a colonial minute-man ready to charge to the airport when the time is right. My husband thinks I'm nuts. He waits to pack until the last possible moment. Amateur. I like to pack early and then take time to reflect on how I've packed, what I've packed and what I've forgotten. Sometimes I even take some things out of my suitcase. I'm trying to travel light on this trip, go with the beach bum theme. I've rolled up a few stretchy sundresses, lined my bag with flip flops and stocked about five bathing suits (they're small!)

What I never skimp on are toiletries and sundries. We're staying in a very rustic place, just a handful of thatched-roof bungalows powered by generators and wind, so in preparation, I went to Target and stocked up on everything. In addition to the usual mini- toothpastes and shampoos, I also found a small first aid kit, handi-wipes, travel size toilet paper (who knows how rustic it'll get), Kleenex, little candles (no electricity after 8pm), bug spray (someone said they saw a tarantula one year), lots of suntan lotion (SPF 1500), Imodium (it's Mexico you know), trail mix to snack on, and a waterproof camera. I'm bringing moisturizer but no make up, some color from the sun is all I'll need. Whoa! I almost forgot to make room for our snorkeling equipment. Whew.

Stay tuned because I'll be blogging from the Caribbean!

Good Luck and Good Shopping!!!

Food! Glorious Food!

On my way to the office today, I took a detour through a newish gourmet food store here in Chicago called Fox and Obel. It's been around for a few years, but today was my first visit. It's fantastic! It reminds me of the great places in NYC like Dean and Deluca and Citarella. Clusters of savory spreads and sweet preserves from around the world huddle next to boxes and bags of specialty snacks and crackers. Bins of artisan boules and baguettes look tempting next to rows of infused oils and tangy vinegars. The deli counter is stocked with beautiful, imported smoked meats and seafood as well as prepared dishes like succulent beef roulade, plump twice-baked potatoes and herb crusted ahi tuna. Around the corner I found a huge international cheese selection full creamy blocks and wedges of the finest fromage right next to racks of great wines. Thankfully, there was a little cafe in the store as well so I could assuage my then ravenous appetite. The menu presented a gauntlet of delectable choices from fresh omelets to grilled paninis. I settled on a bowl of chunky gumbo and a crusty French roll. So often I lunch on humdrum salads and lackluster sandwiches out of convenience and cost consciousness. But, for just a little more, I can choose from a wide variety of wonderfully prepared foods and enjoy a nice walk and some fresh air. Local specialty grocers provide great lunchtime dining options. The next time you're in danger of sitting down to a fast food lunch, find a gourmet grocer and enjoy. You're body’s worth it!

Good Luck and Good Shopping!

In Between Days

January finds us adrift in shopper's purgatory, a retail limbo in between seasons, a place where shopping has lost its purpose. After Christmas sales are a fading memory and winter sale items are running out of stock. It's too late to buy a pair of boots and too soon for sandals. Department stores offer some comfort with white sales and clearance racks but that's weak subterfuge for the aisles raked barren to make way for the coming spring merchandise. Garish Valentine's Day merchandise tries to distract us with sweets and love notes but we know better. There's no good shopping for a few more weeks. Some shops even try to tease us with previews of warm weather clothes, knowing that a crocheted dress would languish in our closet for months.

Times like these that are about planning not action. This is a window of opportunity to explore our coming style options, make some choices and save accordingly. Will you revamp your whole wardrobe in the spring? Or will you just get a few pieces to update your old favorites. In any case, you'll probably try to find your way back to the gym as well. After a few weeks of holiday cocktails and rich meals I made my way back to the gym along with most of Chicago I think. It's been bumper to bumper on the stationary bikes and getting into a cardio-kickboxing class is like waiting to see Star Wars in '77. But hang in there my fellow shoppers. Get some exercise and build up your endurance for the coming shopping season.

Next time I'll give you the lowdown on spring/summer fashions.


Looking for ways to get back in shape? Start here!

Good Luck and Good Shopping

PS Just 4 more days until I leave for sunny Mexico!

As if things could get any better...

So I'm browsing the grocery aisle at Target and what do I see? Right before my eyes appear rows of coffee pods for my Senseo in a myriad of flavors including a rich, delicious French roast. Hurray!

4:30 am is Actually Nighttime, Right?

This morning my alarm went off at 4:30am rousting me from my beloved slumber so I could go downtown and put people in wedding gowns. Before I landed this cushy job, I freelanced as a fashion stylist. This means that on sets and photo shoots I was in charge of ironing, pining, hemming, steaming, taping, gluing, stitching, tacking, and assembling just about anything and everything. It was fun for a time but I am grateful for the safety of my cubby and trusty computer. However, yesterday my former agent asked if I would help her out and do one tinier job. Pushover that I am, I said okay. The job was only a few blocks from my office and I thought, why not. So, at 5:05am I left my house under the cover of night and took the train downtown. It turns out things are very quiet and clean at that hour. The station smelled of Pine Sol, the train car was spotless, and I distinctly smelled air freshener as I walked under the "L" tracks. Nothing was open, but at least things smelled nice.

I am sleepy so I digress.

At the TV studios I found four women, four dresses and a lot of white. The dresses were from a fancy wedding dress shop called White Chicago that specializes in once worn designer dresses. I think a wedding dress is like a car. It's great to have a new one if you can afford it, but it depreciates so fast it's really best to get one used. Wedding dresses are outrageous, beautiful and wildly impractical. That's what makes them so great! Getting the dress of your dreams at a big discount makes them even better.

I lucked out. My mom made my wedding dress and I love it.

Good Luck and Good Shopping!

Squidley Diddley

My husband is kind of a media junky and he likes to keep our home WiFi-ed, HiFi-ed and TiVo'ed at all times. I would be lost without the internet and Uncle TiVo is the best, however, I really hate the cords and wires that nest in the corners of my house. I'm sure there are many very expensive high tech ways in which we could trick-out our home and hide/eliminate these unsightly connections; however we probably shouldn't dispose of anymore income on home entertainment.

So while we wait for our winning lotto numbers or that great stock market windfall, I found something called the PowerSquid. First of all the name is terrific. I'm a big fan of snorkeling and I love grilled calamari so, needless to say, the concept goes a long way with me. In fact, it does look a lot like a squid. It seems our old friend the power strip has evolved into a dynamic power delivery device that I can use for a lamp, a TV, my laptop, and my DSL. The flexible design and power surge protection makes the cords and wires much easier to manage and much safer. Now if I could just figure out what to name it.

Good Luck and Good Shopping

Becoming the Favorite Aunt (Vol.1)

When I was growing up my Aunt and I had a great game where I would refer to myself as her favorite niece and she referred to herself as my favorite Aunt. Though it was for fun at the time, she truly has grown to be my favorite auntie. She's mischievous and merry and we share the same name, really what's not to love. So needless to say, since becoming an auntie about a year and a half ago, it's been my goal to become my nephew's favorite Aunt (sorry Emma). Too young to appreciate monetary bribes, not quite capable of being wowed by my superior sense of humor and impervious to flattery for now, my nephew is subject to my only available weapon - toys. Until recently my gifts received acceptable yet not quite glowing receptions. Then I make a breakthrough with the Steer and Stroll Tricycle from Radio Flyer. He flipped! As soon as he saw the red and blue box he knew right away what it was. "Bi-cle! Bi-cle" he kept yelling as my husband struggled to assemble the trike. With glee my nephew scooped up the seat, placed it on his head and squealed with delight. His parents seemed to like it too. My nephew hates to sit in the stroller for too long and the trike is a nice compromise. It has a long handle in the back that allows an adult to navigate as the child pedals away. Its only downfall is the little bell on the handle bars that is somewhat headache inducing. I'm not sure how to top it, but I'll keep you posted.

Check out more Radio Flyer goodies!

Good Luck and Good Shopping!

Mr. Senseo (Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?)

I had my first cup of coffee when I was 7. (Perhaps that's why I'm not very tall) My Austrian grandmother poured a splash of fresh brewed coffee into a speckled blue tin cup and filled it to the brim with warm milk and a bit of sugar. From that moment I was bewitched by the toasty aroma and obsessed by its creation. My grandma made the coffee in a percolating pot on the stove top. Later, my mother made 12 cups at a time in the automatic drip and in college the deep caramel colored liquid flowed from giant coffee urns into Styrofoam cups. In search of my preferred method I've tried a French press (not enough coffee for the effort), an automatic drip with a separate coffee grinder (kinda messy) and once, in a pinch I used a paper napkin over a mug (not ideal). My counter top espresso machine was a disaster to say the least, too expensive, slightly dangerous (steam is hot!)And it broke after a year.

With a Starbucks around every corner I have neglected my search in recent years in favor of fast convenient coffee to go. In fact, I was quite happy with my $5 coffees until yesterday when I met Senseo. Phillips Electronics has brought Douwe Egberts coffee from the Netherlands to the world with a super fast and clean coffee maker called Senseo. Using petite pods of Douwe Egberts coffee the Senseo quickly and cleanly produces a fine frothy cup o' jo in under a minute just by pushing a button. Gone is the brutal noise of grinding beans in the morning, gone is the trail of grounds on the floor, no more are the stubborn stains on the counter. It's simple- load the pod, push the button, drink the java. There are also several coffee pod flavors to choose from. I started with Dark Roast and French Bistro Vanilla. Is it my favorite coffee of all time? No. However, it is quite tasty and the speed factor is huge especially when I really need the wake up call like Monday morning.

Senseo search on ShopLocal

Diagnosis: Indecisionitis

So this afternoon I took a trip to Sephora to use a gift card I received. A simple enough errand, right? Wrong! I was stricken by a severe case of indecisionitis. This is when you’re in a store and suddenly you are rendered helplessly incapable of choosing anything for an interminable amount of time and the sales people just make it worse. This happened to me today. I spent 40 minutes encased and sweating in my winter coat and hat standing before an array of Tarte Lip Gloss Duos asking myself "Do I want Rhett and Scarlet? Or am I more of a Johnny and Baby kind of person?" It was insane. At one point I tried to take a breather over by the bronzers and I nearly lost my mind altogether. So what brought this on? Was it the odd Hawaiian Punch smell that assailed my nostrils at the door, was it my elevated temperature or was it the battalion of sales people asking me every 36 seconds if I was doing okay? The answer is simple. Some things should be bought in person and some should be purchased online. You should try on jeans , you should lay on a mattress, and you should see a paint color. My downfall happened before I entered the store. My original plan was to buy my favorite face cream (Dr. Hauschka Rose Cream) and had I followed my plan all would have gone well. However, I chose to browse with a gift card in a store filled with things I like when I was short on time and on a budget. Had I unlimited time and a willingness to spend extra cash, there would be no problem. Unfortunately, I was on a lunch break and I had put myself on a spending freeze until my trip to Mexico. What I should have done use the gift card online to purchase the one thing I really wanted, avoiding the store entirely. Luckily, I didn't loose control and use the gift card and whatever plastic, paper or coin currency I had on me to buy everything in sight. Let that be a lesson to you. When in doubt, go online.

Good Luck and Good Shopping

I Sing the Kettle Electric

Through the ages, Americans have received so many good things from our brethren across the pond- English muffins, English Breakfast tea, English toffee, English language, England Dan and John Ford Coley, English Leather (well maybe not that last one). One of the more recent imports, though not much of a technological wonder, happens to be one of my favorites just below English muffins (and that's saying a lot). The electric tea kettle, common for years in most British homes has finally made its way into the hearts and kitchens of many Americans. I was given mine by my Englishwoman sister-in-law who makes the most perfect cup of PG Tips I've ever had. In 70 seconds this ingenious appliance brings a cup of water to boil. Gone are the days of piercing whistles and scalding metal kettles. But it's not just good for tea. In 70 seconds I can have a cup of soup, Hazelnut International Coffee or a creamy cocoa.

Its greatest feat, however, came on Christmas Eve.

Before my family was due to arrive, I jumped in the shower and lathered up my hair at the very moment the plumber was working on a leaky pipe downstairs. Just as the suds were at their peak, the water ran dry and all I heard was the hollow groaning of empty pipes. Cold water was plentiful, but I am not that strong. Once upon a time, I would have boiled water on the stove top and waited, shivering in the kitchen for lukewarm bath water. But not this time. In no time at all, I was filling up the tub with steamy water courtesy of my electric tea kettle. Christmas was saved. I love you Electric Kettle.


Good Luck and Good Shopping

To Thine Own Self Be Dewy

It's common knowledge that Chicago bears the brunt of some of Mother Nature’s worst temper tantrums. Yes, thankfully we are safe from disasters like tornados, hurricanes and earthquakes. However, what we get instead are harsh winters spiked with skin-numbing winds of damp, cold air and weeks of concrete grey skies.

Though born and bred here, my skin has never adapted. Every year when the weather snaps all moisture leaves my skin and I am desiccated like a piece of old shoe leather. But, try as I might to take preemptive measures, I'm left scrambling in January, hunting for more moisturizer. I usually begin my search at a fancy department store like Neiman Marcus or Barney's. There I'll let the people at the counter guide me through the maze of products as I collect little tubes and tubs of samples to try. Invariably, find something I like that my wallet detests. So, I move on to Walgreen's or CVS look for the basics. Aveeno in general makes really great low-cost products. I like their Bath Moisturizing Packets and my husband uses one of their facial moisturizers. Keri and Vaseline Intensive Care make nice fragrance-free lotions that aren't too greasy. My favorite body lotion has always been Jergen's Original Cherry-Almond Scent. It's rich enough to keep my skin hydrated, light enough to use everyday and the delicate fragrance reminds me of my Grandmother.

Don't delay! Protect your largest organ and get some good moisturizer.

Look for face and skin products here!

Good Luck and Good Shopping

Introducing The Merch Report

Every week I put together a snapshot of buying trends and product innovations for my co workers. Now that I have the blog I thought I'd share it with everyone!




Cool Internet Stuff

This week I discovered Google Earth, the latest ingenious service brought to us by those crazy kids at Google. Google Earth provides satellite maps of the entire globe. You can type in your address or an island in the Indian Ocean and it will show it too you. It also shows you every Starbucks. Wow.


The other fun site I visited is called The Name Voyager a. The site ranks the 1000 most popular baby names since the 1800's. You can type in your name or your co workers name (like Fred) and find out that his name hasn't been popular for over 100 years!

Geek Alert

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has been going on all week and a lot of cool new products have been previewed. Samsung presented both the largest LCD screen ("82) and the first Wireless Broadband (WiBro) phone. Pioneer introduced the "inno", the first portable XM2go radio.

Some Things are too Small

There are now three miniscule Bluetooth headsets available. Nokia's is 9 grams, Motorola's and the Bluespoon's are both 5 grams. These little tiny wireless buds fit into your ear and are so compact they are sure to be lost in under 60 seconds.

Okay, that's all for this weeks Merch Report

A Shopping History Lesson

While looking for a space heater last weekend (our house is a little drafty) my husband and I traveled to Sears. Though not as sexy as Target, Sears still has everything that you need including an inspiring history.

Around 1887 Mr. Sears opened a shop in Chicago and hired a watchmaker named Roebuck. Soon they began producing the first large general catalogue. Today, over a century later, Sears sells and services everything imaginable all over the country. It's kind of amazing that some guy opened a shop at the turn of the century and today the second tallest building in the world bears his name.

Our trip to Sears was pretty good, we got what we needed and browsed the aisles of large appliances for fun. Who knew washers and dryers could look so cool?

However, the Sears of my youth was way better. The Sears of my youth was all about hot nuts. At the main entrance was a huge circular concession stand with great troughs of warm cashews, peanuts and pistachios (the red kind) on one side and bins of candy on the other. Near the register was a popcorn maker, a jumbo pretzel warmer, a soda fountain and a hot dog roaster. It was like Mecca. A rapturous, salty sweet aroma filled the air the moment we slipped through the revolving door. Back then, shopping with my mother was not yet the pleasure it is today, and nothing quelled my impatience like a bag of warm cashews and a waxy paper cup filled with Coke.



Ah, shopping memories. Does anyone have a cool, old school shopping memory they'd like to share? I've got a million of them. I'll try to jot down a few more later.

Good Luck and Good Shopping

Here are some space heaters I looked at!

NYE Recap

For those of your intested, I chose to go with the simple black dress and the big wavy hair. Not particularly creative but relatively low impact. For my hair I needed to get a set of hot rollers. So in order to prepare for the party and look like I was actually working on Friday, I used my company's Web site to research the rollers. I really didn't want to spend very much money on them but I didn't want to destroy my hair. So, I looked for some sales at familiar stores and found a nice set of Conair (no, not like that terrible movie with Cusack and Cage)Hot Rollers for $19.99. What do ya know! Our Web site works!

Here's a link to the site if you want to see what I do all day. Right now I'm working on some copy for a gift guide page. If anyone has gift occasion suggestions let me know.

This is where I work: ShopLocal.com