Oct 24
0

Contemporary Italian Food at Tocco Ristorante in Wicker Park

Posted by | Restaurants | 5 Comments

Adventures in the Chicago restaurant scene are never ending. Thankfully! The ability to have a week of global tastes and flavors needs no plane ride or passport. This week, my friends and I experienced Italian cuisine at Tocco Ristorante. Tocco means “touch” in Italian. Each dish we enjoyed was created with the Chef’s personal touch incorporating fresh local produce and the finest imported ingredients from Italy.

Tocco’s contemporary design is open and airy with private tables for intimate dining as well as a community table in the center of the restaurant. This is a local neighborhood spot that offers a warm greeting from Chef Bruno Abate in appreciation of your visit.… Read more

Oct 21
0
pumpkin bars

My Favorite Pumpkin Dessert Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Posted by | Desserts, Holidays, Recipes | 5 Comments

It’s that time of year again. Pumpkin. In everything these days. I am totally good with that! I love pumpkin. I use it in sauces, pasta, salads, roast it and of course, bake with it. It’s extremely versatile whether doing sweet or savory dishes.

Every family has recipes that have meaning to them. This one is mine. My Mom has been making these bars since we were kids. In fact, she used to make them and put them in the freezer for when guests came over. The problem is, we discovered that is where she was “hiding” them and ate them frozen.… Read more

Oct 18
0

Abt Electronics Launches Luxury Kitchen Design Studio

Posted by | Appliances, Home Design, Kitchen Design, Retailer, Technology | 8 Comments

The kitchen is the heart of the home. No matter how beautiful your living room is, it’s the kitchen where everyone will congregate. If you are fortunate to be able to design your dream kitchen, then there is a new place for you to visit before making any purchases. Abt Electronics and Appliances launched their Inspiration Studio this past Thursday evening to a thrilled and in awe audience of media and interior designers.

Abt Inspiration Studio Inspiring KitchenIf you are not familiar with this retailer, they are recognized throughout the country for their outstanding customer service. This family owned company first launched in 1936 by Jewel and David Abt and has remained in the family all these years later.… Read more

Oct 11
0

Chicago’s Premier French Restaurant: Le Bouchon

Posted by | Restaurants | 4 Comments

If you love French food but going to France for dinner is a bit of a distance, then I highly recommend you stop by Le Bouchon in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood. This French bistro is an area hotspot that consistently pleases its guests as is readily apparent at the always-bustling space.  This is a big clue to make a reservation!

When you first walk in, you realize that this quaint space is just like a Parisian café. The artwork, vast assortment of French wines, tin ceiling and traditional dishes (think escargot, foie gras, French onion soup) transport you to France. None of this is surprising given the history of the late Chef/Owner Jean-Claude Poilevey who was known as a pioneer in bringing French style cooking to Chicago.… Read more

Oct 09
0

Organize Your Kitchen and Life With Hefty® Slider Storage Bags

Posted by | Housewares | 4 Comments

I don’t know about you but I find my life is so much easier when I am organized. Now, I realize that term is in the eye of the beholder, but I do try to think one step ahead as much as possible. There are many ways to implement organization into one’s life from keeping a calendar to scheduling bills to be paid online to how you organize your cabinets and closets and so on. I use all sorts of resources to make this happen but the one I am going to share with you here is so simple and inexpensive, it will be an easy addition to your daily life.… Read more

Oct 07
0

Dining and Drinking at Chicago Gourmet 2016

Posted by | Culinary Event | 5 Comments

The Fall season brings many wonderful things to Chicagoans. And nothing is more exciting for someone who loves the culinary scene more than Bon Appetit presents Chicago Gourmet. In fact, this is the 9th year of this upscale, diverse, educational, fun and delicious food festival.  

chicago gourmet 2016 inspiring kitchen

(Aperol Spritz – Aperol, Mionetto Prosecco, Splash of Soda)

Taking place in Millennium Park, Chicago Gourmet offers attendees a full weekend filled with activities, adventures and great food. You will find chef demonstrations, interactive wine and cocktail seminars, the best of the best restaurants offering samples of their creations, wineries, spirit purveyors and breweries pouring their specialties, food brands sampling new products, cookbooks being introduced and parties like Friday night’s Hamburger Hop and the exclusive Grand Cru tasting.… Read more

Sep 22
0

6 Easy Fall Home Decorating Ideas

Posted by | Design, Interior Decorating | 12 Comments

We are heading into my favorite time of year. The air is cool and refreshing. The trees will soon have multi-colored leaves. And the chance to do a little home decorating is here. Since today is the first day of Fall, finding ways to change the “seasons” inside your home brings new design opportunities. We designate Springtime to cleaning out our homes, filling the rooms with colors whether pastel or bright, open and inviting. When Fall rolls around, we have a similar mentality, only the point of the transition is the opposite–we swap out our summery items for winter whites or deep colors, rich textures and cozy pieces.… Read more

Sep 18
0

A New Look at Nescafe® Taster’s Choice® Instant Coffee

Posted by | Beverage, Coffee, Recipes | 20 Comments

Anyone that knows me knows how much I love coffee. I don’t just drink it for the energy – although that is a nice perk (pun intended). I actually like the flavor! And that is why I am so picky when it comes to the brands I choose to drink.

nescafe coffee inspiring kitchen

 

When Nescafe® Taster’s Choice® reached out to me to try their instant coffee, I was willing to learn more. As I read about their approach to responsibly sourced beans how they roast them, brew and flash freeze their coffee to lock in freshness, I got the feeling that what I knew of instant coffee was no longer current.… Read more

Sep 13
0

Cleaning Made Easy Thanks to O’Cedar and bObi Pet

Posted by | Housewares | 18 Comments

The lovely part of spring and summer weather is the opportunity to have the windows open to bring in the fresh air. That, however, also brings in outside dust. For me, fresh air wins out over dust, which means having a way to clean the floors quickly and efficiently matters. So, in my efforts to find solutions to life’s everyday obstacles, I have discovered two great products that I think make cleaning your floors simple and convenient.

Cleaning made easy with the O’Cedar Easy Wring Spin Mop and the bObi Pet vacuum

The first is the O’Cedar EasyWring Spin Mop and Bucket System  that literally makes washing your floor effortless.… Read more

Sep 07
0

5 Must Try Chicago Restaurants from Green Bean to Donuts

Posted by | Restaurants | 22 Comments

Summer is just flying by, as it seems to always do. But I had such fun this summer exploring Chicago’s restaurant scene. From donut to sports oriented to Sunday Supper to Korean to health conscious restaurants, I found favorite dishes everywhere! Whether you live in Chicago or come to visit, the information below hopefully piques your curiosity to dine at the numerous places I am sharing. 

Chicago restaurants

Let’s start with breakfast. Well, not really breakfast as donuts are perfect any time of day, right?! You know how they say “don’t play with your food”? At Doodles Donuts, you are encouraged to doodle on your donut!… Read more