Various roasted fruits and vegetables

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Don’t like veggies? Try roasting them!

Now that it is finally cool enough to crank up that oven it’s time for roasting vegetables! Roasting brings out the natural sugars in vegetables, which helps get that char and crisp tender texture.
Golden Christmas decorations with large details and a beautiful matching presents

6 Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas For The Holiday Season

The holidays are typically marked with all sorts of festive decorations, but perhaps none is more prominent and attention-grabbing than a Christmas Tree.
Tis the season, calligraphy style hand lettering design in trendy pink, cold green, gold colors

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Getting into the Christmas Spirit!

Two holidays down and one left to go! It’s time to get into the Christmas spirit with the following holiday events for this weekend.
Disney's Mickey and Minnie mouse cartoon character figurines

Neighborhood News: 'Disney100: The Exhibition' celebrates a century of magic in Logan Square

The Walt Disney Company began “with a mouse and a dream” a century ago. It was the dream of a Chicago boy named Walter Elias Disney and his brother Roy.
Wagyu beef on a grill with bell peppers and onions

Restaurant Review: For a nice change of pace, try West Loop’s Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

If you’re tired of turkey and stuffing after this week’s celebration, a great alternative for dining on Friday or any other night might be Gyu-Kaku, a charming Japanese BBQ in the West Loop.
A businessman and woman have troubles understanding each other vector illustration

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Setting family boundaries

This time of year is a good time to think about setting and keeping boundaries, especially around family. If you find yourself breaking out in a cold sweat, or if your heart starts racing at the thought of attending the family Thanksgiving, it might be good for you to keep reading.
Roofer cleaning a rain gutter with an orange glove on

6 Signs Your Home Has a Drainage Problem

It’s no secret that any water that’s pooled in any part of your home will cause nothing but problems. And if there are drainage issues in your home, you’ll likely experience these problems pretty quickly.
Graphic of a turkey wearing pilgrim clothes pushing a shopping cart full of presents

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Gearing Up for the Upcoming Holidays!

This weekend, Chicagoans will be gearing up for the upcoming holidays since this year all our traditional holiday events are back better than ever! And believe me, there’s plenty to choose from as you’ll see in my upcoming weekend blogs.
Christmas Nutcracker toy soldier and balerina dolls on the stage

Neighborhood News: Experience a winter miracle in Old Town's 'Immersive Nutcracker'

One hallmark of every holiday season is the performance of ‘The Nutcracker.’ For 130 years, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet has been a Christmas tradition everywhere.
Roasted turkey garnished with cranberries on a rustic style table decoraded with pumpkins, vegetables, pie, flowers, and candles

Restaurant Review: Thanksgiving Day Feasts under $100 per person in Chicago

The Thanksgiving holiday honors early settlers and Native Americans who came together to have a historic harvest feast in 1621. That first meal, according to National Geographic for Kids, consisted of deer, corn, shellfish, and roasted meat.
Close up of African American family gathering for Thanksgiving dinner at dining table

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Stress Free Holiday

If you’re taking on Thanksgiving this year, don’t panic! With some organization you can pull this off with a minimum of fuss. From getting the house ready to the actual meal, here are some guidelines and handy tips to make everything go smoothly
Real estate agent showing a couple around new home

Private Showings Vs. Open Houses: Which Wins?

Looking for a new home? Before you sign on the dotted line, you’re going to want to have a chance or two to scope out a few homes in detail first.
Thank you Veterans Day graphic lettering

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Honoring Our Veterans!

Before we get started with this weekend’s activities, let’s take a moment to thank and honor all the veterans who have served, and are serving, so honorably in the military in times of war and peace as this Saturday is Veterans Day.
Shopkeeper selling Christmas-themed goods at the Christkindlmarket at the Daley Plaza in Chicago

Neighborhood News: Christkindelmarkets are back in Chicago Loop and Wrigleyville

Ach du liebe! Tis the season to celebrate a tradition that stretches all the way back to the Middle Ages…gathering in celebration and community, bringing light and laughter to a traditionally dark, cold season.
City skyline from 360 Chicago observation deck

Restaurant Review: For year-round rooftop dining, Cindy’s can’t be beat

The temperatures may be dropping, but a beautiful view of Chicago is year-round, thanks to restaurants perched high atop Chicago’s iconic skyscrapers.
Seamless food background made of opened cans of food

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Canned foods are good and nutritious

Canned foods have gotten a bad rap lately, so bad that folks can be ashamed to wheel up to the checkout with them in the cart. But what we think about canned goods couldn’t be further from the truth!
Real estate agent with couple shaking hands closing a deal and signing a contract

5 Ways Real Estate Agents Save You Money When Selling Your Home

It’s understandable – after finally selling your home, it can be tough to fork over the commission fee to a real estate agent. But before you fall into the FSBO trap, consider one very important thing: real estate agents can actually save you money.
Graphic of a young couple enjoying autumn leaves

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Embracing November and Upcoming Holidays!

As we embrace the arrival of November plus our next two holidays of the season, this weekend not only offers us some fun and exciting events before all the holiday hoopla begins, but it also gives us the opportunity to get a head start on this year’s holiday shopping!
Travelers walk to gates at Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Neighborhood News: Flying the friendly skies at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport

Merry holiday season to one and all! Welcome also to the season of travel, which is also upon us.
Two hands grabbing mini tacos off of a shared plate

Restaurant Review: A trip around the world at the West Loop’s Proxi

Chef Andrew Zimmerman’s companion restaurant to Sepia is a chic stop for, as their website describes, “global street food and cocktails in an architectural setting with dining room and lounge.”
Doctor showing tablet screen to an older female patient

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Extending your healthy life

During the last century the average life span has increased from 50 to 80 years. A whopping 30-year difference!
A young father having fun with his daughter while pushing her in a moving box

Clever Moving Tips to Cut Down on Time and Hassle

Just the mere thought of having to pack the entire house and move it all to a new destination can seem like a daunting task. And it can be if you don't plan ahead and use simple yet effective strategies to ease the burden.