Ice Cream Month Cones

The Scoop on National Ice Cream Month

Posted by | Foods, Ice Cream | 8 Comments

July is National Ice Cream Month, otherwise known as the sweetest month of the year. This means 31 days of creamy goodness offered up in endless flavors of decadently, delicious ice cream.  

With the goal of doing the “hard research” for this article, I dug deep to get the scoop on the latest flavors and brands in the market. After much investigation, I have compiled a list of classic and unique ice creams for you to sample, brand stories to tell, and organizations to support. Oh, and I found a couple surprises to share with you too. 

National Ice Cream Month

 

Adirondack Creamery

Adirondack Ice Cream

When the CFO of a NYC corporation takes his business knowledge and combines it with his passion for ice cream, Adirondack Creamery is born.… Read more

Four Cheese Yellow Pizza

Piccolo Buco & Cooper’s Hawk Introduce Authentic Roman Pizza

Posted by | Beverage, Chicago, Cocktails, Foods, Restaurant Opening, Restaurants, Tourism, Travel | 4 Comments
Have you ever traveled to an international city on vacation and discovered the most amazing food and then tried to figure out how you can bring it home with you?  Well, Tim McEnery of Cooper’s Hawk had that same experience, only he made it happen! Read about how Piccolo Buco and Cooper’s Hawk are bringing Roman Pizza to Chicago.
 

Piccolo Buco by Luca Issa & Cooper’s Hawk

Piccolo Buco Cooper's Hawk Roman Pizza

Introducing Piccolo Buco, by Chef Luca Issa of Piccolo Buco Roma and Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants, where you will find the most delicious and unique Roman pizza. 
chef luca issa
⁣The magic of Chef Luca’s pizza comes down to the extraordinary crust that is light and airy inside and yet has a tall crispy edge.
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NRA sign

2022 National Restaurant Show Trends and Innovations

Posted by | Chicago, Foods, Restaurants, Trade Show, Trends | 6 Comments

The National Restaurant Show took over Chicago’s McCormick Place last week showcasing the latest restaurant innovations. This four-day event that brings together over 60,000 food service professionals came back to life after the pandemic as it introduced us to the latest trends in the industry.  What do you think of the 2022 National Restaurant Association trends?

NRA exhibit floor

Exhibitors and attendees alike were happy to be seeing colleagues once again and talking shop. There was definitely an energy throughout the halls to get back to business as we knew it. This is a very big show which means lots to see and explore.… Read more

shelfgenie title page

Kitchen Organization with ShelfGenie Custom Shelves: Installation Day

Posted by | Chicago, Home Design, Kitchen Design, Remodeling | 8 Comments

The day I have been eagerly waiting for is here!  ShelfGenie installation time. As I mentioned in Part 1 of my kitchen’s small renovation project, I discovered a solution to my cabinet organization challenges when I learned about ShelfGenie at a home design conference. 

ShelfGenie is a national organization with local outlets that provide custom shelving and design ideas to help improve the way your home functions. This could be in your kitchen, pantry, bathroom, laundry room or office. Working in the housewares industry, loving to cook and entertain friends and family but having limited storage means everything I have is stacked on top of each other. … Read more

SWISSOTEL CHICAGO STAYCATION

A Staycation at the Swissotel Chicago Offers Rest, Relaxation & Stunning Views

Posted by | Chicago, Hotel, Travel | 10 Comments

The start of the new year isn’t so much about resolutions for me as it is about the need for a refresh. You know what I mean. A getaway to clear your mind even if just for a few days. The reason why a Swissotel Chicago staycation with the beauty of the city architecture seen from every window, relaxing environment and close proximity to all things Chicago is just the remedy to welcome in 2022.

A Swissotel Chicago Staycation

If you haven’t considered a staycation before, I highly recommend it. Whether you reside in Chicago or live in close proximity (driving distance if air travel is not being considered), you must book a stay at the Swissotel.… Read more

Caramel Corn goodie bags

Easy Homemade Caramel Corn

Posted by | Desserts, Foods, Recipes | 16 Comments

This post was sponsored by Truvia® Sweet Complete®. All opinions expressed in my post are my own. 

As soon as the weather has a chill in the air, my baking equipment comes out of the cabinet. Pantry shelves become filled with different varieties of flours, chocolates and nuts. And of course, I need a sweetness to make my desserts decadently good. Which is why I am sharing my first recipe of the season for my Homemade Caramel Corn using Truvia® Sweet Complete® Brown Sweetener.

Caramel Corn with Truvia

This zero-calorie per serving sweetener adds a warm brown sugar flavor using plant-based stevia. When you use it in your recipes, it measures cup-for-cup making it so easy to replace traditional brown sugar in your creations.… Read more

shelf genie title

ShelfGenie: High Quality Custom Shelving for your Home

Posted by | Chicago, Home Design, Kitchen Design, Organization, Remodeling | 12 Comments

What’s your favorite room in your home? For me, it is my kitchen. No surprise to anyone who knows me or follows me on social media. In my houseware world and home design adventures, I learned about a company called ShelfGenie. And they really are!  

shelf genie booklet resized

A Genie that is. They can magically make cabinets and drawers a place of organization and not dread. I’m sure you know what I mean. You need to find an ingredient in your pantry but it looks like a deep cavern of boxes, bottles and bags. In order to find what you are looking for, you have to take everything out.… Read more

NATIONAL COFFEE DAY

National Coffee Day 2021: 14 Coffee Beans and Flavored Treats to Try

Posted by | Beverage, Coffee, Foods | 5 Comments

Coffee lovers, our day is fast approaching! National Coffee Day is Wednesday, September 29 (and October 1 for International Coffee Day). Whether you are a fan of coffee from your local shop or brew your own at home, there is a cup waiting for you. Since I drink most of my coffee at home, exploring new brands and ways to enjoy my favorite beverage flavor is a challenge I welcome. So, on this special day designed for coffee fans, I am sharing a selection of 14 coffee flavored drinks, sweets and snacks for you to sample.

Now, some people drink coffee for the energy boost – thanks, caffeine!… Read more

kitchen design ideas

30 Organizational Ideas for the Ultimate Kitchen Design

Posted by | Home Design, Kitchen Design | 16 Comments

When you are in the middle of cooking dinner, do you open every cabinet and drawer trying to find what you need? Is your goal to have nothing on your countertops? Organization and efficiency are the most wanted features when it comes to designing or remodeling a kitchen. Here are 30 kitchen design ideas from outlets to islands to create the kitchen of your dreams. 

Cabinet and Drawer Organization

Divided Drawer:

Create a drawer that is set up with containers for flour, sugar and other ingredients you use frequently. Include a sticker for identifying purchase date, expiration date or any other details that are important to remember.… Read more

Summer Salad with Raspberry Honey Vinaigrette

Summer Salad with Don Victor Raspberry Honey Vinaigrette

Posted by | Foods, Recipes, Salad | 10 Comments

This post was sponsored by Don Victor Raspberry Honey. All opinions expressed in my post are my own. 

 

One of my absolute favorite foodie things about summertime is being able to incorporate fresh fruit into my recipes. Whether we are talking desserts, side dishes, sandwiches, main courses or salads, fruit is a welcome addition to any dish. In this Summer Salad with Raspberry Honey Vinaigrette, I have not only included fresh raspberries, but Raspberry Honey from Don Victor Foods to enhance the fruit flavor. 

The beauty of salads is how versatile they are from the salad ingredients to the dressing itself.… Read more