We all think that we are great multitaskers, but are we really being productive? Researchers state that it can kill your productivity by 80%! One study has found that only 2.5% of the population can multitask efficiently. We don’t understand that multitasking is not what we think it is. It is actually “task switching”. It is not possible to do more than one thing at a time. It is very inefficient for your brain to switch between tasks because it takes your brain several seconds to start on the new task. When you are doing this constantly it can become mentally draining. While you think you are being productive you are really decreasing focus and increasing stress. You are working harder to do things at a lower level of quality while exhausting your mental reserves. 

We may have been programmed from birth to think being busy constantly is good. But simply being busy does not necessarily mean being productive. Focus can help you meet your goals in life. The Pareto Principle is that 20% of what you do produces 80% of results. The hard thing is knowing what those activities are. You need to reflect on just what those 20% are. The best strategies are simple. Focus on 3-5 goals per day. Dedicate time to each. Leave some empty spots in your calendar to spill over. Don’t be so tightly scheduled that there is no time for emergencies or some tasks that can take longer than expected. 

Another trick is to simply remove things from your plate. After you have identified your priorities, start moving things and putting them into one of three categories. Some work can be delegated. Many of us in business still insist on doing home tasks ourselves. What we don’t understand is that our time is valuable. Groceries can be ordered and delivered. There are people who can clean your house. Learn which things can be delegated. Next you can defer. Not all tasks need to be done immediately, but there is a difference between deferring because a task can wait or because it may be uncomfortable. Try not to get the two confused. 

Thirdly, some things can be deleted. Not all we do is necessary or has a purpose at all. So, implement and constantly tweak your systems. Learn from others different systems they use to make their lives easier. Technology can also make our work more productive. Investments in systems and technology will pay for themselves, so long as you review and tweak them often to keep up your productivity and performance. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

This weekend will have you, your family, and friends filled with the enchantment and magic of the Holiday Season!

Chicago’s theatre scene brings the holidays to life with the following holiday productions:

Cirque du Soleil brings its first holiday show, ‘Twas the Night Before… to the Chicago Theatre (175 N. State St.) in the Loop now through December 28^th.  This joyful show is an interpretation of the well-known Christmas classic “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” poem where a jaded young Isabella rediscovers the magic of the holidays.  The performance troupe features an international cast of thrilling acrobatics, lovable characters, and a holiday classics soundtrack re-invented by Cirque du Soleil.  It’s a festive flurry of love and cheer created especially for families!

A Christmas tradition for over 40 years, A Christmas Carol returns to the Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn St.) in the Loop now through December 31^st.  This annual holiday production of the Charles Dickens classic returns to the stage with Larry Yando portraying the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, and Jessica Thebus returning to direct it.  Attendees will watch this Christmas story unfold right before their eyes as the three spirits visit Scrooge in this touching tale of redemption!

Once again, the magical production of the Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker returns to the Lyric Opera House (20 N. Wacker Dr.) in the Loop now through December 27^th.  This classic Christmas ballet is set in Chicago against the backdrop of its 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition and features music performed by the Lyric Opera Orchestra along with the choreography of Christopher Wheeldon, a Tony Award®-winning choreographer.  Can you hear it?  It’s the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy!

This weekend also celebrates Chicago’s lively holiday nightlife scene with the following events:

Rock your ugliest holiday threads (sweaters, onesies, or Santa, Grinch, Elf on the Shelf costumes) for the 2023 Official Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl this Saturday (3 p.m.-10 p.m.) in the River North neighborhood.  This ultimate bar event has you crawling to the best bars and nightclubs as you indulge in holiday-themed drink deals.  In addition, your ticket includes up to 50% off well drinks, shots, and beers; up to 20% off select food items; participation in welcome, halftime, and after parties; DJs at select bars; an Ugliest Sweater contest; and much more.  Don’t miss out on the most festive party of the year!

Howl at the Moon (26 W. Hubbard St.) on the Near North Side will be hosting its Ugly Sweater Party this Saturday (6 p.m.-3 a.m.) and requests you to strut your most tacky, outrageous, and downright ugly holiday sweater for a chance to win some cash in their Ugly Sweater Contest.  Plus, guests can enjoy live music from their talented live band, indulge in specially crafted holiday cocktails, take a picture with Santa, and so much more!

Lastly, you can celebrate the holidays with your pooch at Cody’s Ugly Dog Sweater Party this Saturday (1 p.m.-4 p.m.).  Cody’s Public House is located at 1658 West Barry Avenue in the Lakeview neighborhood.  There will be prizes for the best dressed dogs and their humans along with a complimentary Tito’s custom dog tag station and a pup cup station.  Plus, $1 from every sale of a cocktail on the Santa-Paws Sippers menu will be donated to Second City Canine Rescue!  Woof!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

This is Hanukkah Week, and if you’re in the mood for something completely different, what’s better than a vegan Jewish deli?

Uptown’s Sam & Gerties is a ‘traditional’ Jewish delicatessen offering Geshmak (delicious) vegan takes on “mostly Ashkenazic” delights. Where else, for example, can you find the Goldie’s Laks, cold cured tomato Läks filets with red onion, fresh tomato, and cucumber, with dill pickle cream ‘cheez,’ served with your choice of bagel? Or, a Broccoli and Chedda Knish, which comes with sour cream and a pickle?

Sam & Gertie’s, a weekends-only spot, began as a tribute to owner Andy Kalish’s Bubbe (grandmother) in 2020, and they’ve earned a reputation for fun, innovative cooking. Most everything they make, says their website, “comes out of the shtetls of eastern Europe, New York City, Detroit, and the places Jewish people call home.”

And why vegan? Kalish says, “As a child learning about the Torah, it was clear to me that caring for animals and the earth were central to Judaism. The Torah provides guidance on how we are to look after our animals so that animals can provide for us.”

And they provide well at Sam & Gertie’s. The Dexter Davidson combines their fluffy egg patty, ‘chedda’ melt, with fried salami and giardinara cream ‘cheez.’ Grape-nut Chik’n Sandwich comes with lettuce, tomato, and red onion on challah bread. Smoked Whitefish Sandwich is on a House challah roll with veggies.

The Baykin is their “#1 Most Liked” offering at Sam & Gertie’s.  It combines a fluffy egg patty, chedda melt, smoked ‘Baykin’ and your choice of cream ‘cheez.’

Google reviews were ecstatic.

“It was 12:40pm-ish when I arrived there was nobody else in line. I was running late for appointment. I ordered a pastrami & corned beef & potato latke. I was out of there in 5 minutes. My choices were very tasty. I will definitely be going back to try more menu items.”

“Am so thankful for Sam&Gertie’s. Every time I try something new I decide it’s my favorite menu item until I try something else and decide it’s my favorite menu item and then I try something else, and on and on and on. Basically, what I’m saying is that their food is perfect no matter what you order. The white fish is ridiculously good. The donuts are incredible. The black and white cookies are amazing. The tomato lox is out of this world. The portions are generous too and the pickles are fantastic (and so appreciated). No matter what you order you’ll be happy!”

Sam & Gertie’s is located at 1309 W. Wilson Avenue. They are open Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-3pm. For more information, click here.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

You might be taking the holiday season as an opportunity to add some ‘cheer’ to your interior decor. But the truth is, revamping your interior could probably use some refreshment at any point throughout the year.

And who says you need to blow the budget in the name of a decor facelift? With these affordable interior decorating ideas, you can impress your guests while still keeping your bank account intact.

1. Gallery Wall

How can ‘gallery’ and ‘affordable’ be in the same sentence, you ask? Think second-hand stores or DIY projects instead of fine art to frame your wall. Even oddball paintings can look amazing when you cluster them altogether. You can even try your hand at art by painting something yourself with some canvas and paint from the dollar store, or wrap a canvas in some of your favorite leftover fabric.

A collage of art has a more impressive effect when you let it span from floor to ceiling, or wall to wall. Throw in a mirror or two as well if you’ve got a tight space – it’ll help visually ‘expand’ it.

2. Area Rugs

Who ever thought that layering a rug on top of another carpet was a good idea? Well, it is, and it can be a real problem-solver when your flooring needs some serious TLC. Layering can have a great effect on the floor, and can be done a few ways.

If you’ve already got wall-to-wall carpeting, you can easily define a space and highlight a seating area by strategically placing an area rug where your sofa furniture or dining set is placed. You can also layer a small statement rug over a bigger, more neutral one. This will act to both cover a bigger floor area and frame a specialty rug to make it stand out, allowing you to spend a lot less on a smaller statement rug while still reaping the benefits of the rug coverage your space needs!

3. Architectural Details

Fancy some depth and dimension to your space, but can’t afford the hefty price tag attached with professional architectural work? No problem. A little paint or molding can go a long way in creating the illusion of architectural detail without having to empty your wallet.

You can fake these details a few ways. For starters, use some painter’s tape to help you paint vertical or horizontal lines on your walls or the ceiling, which will make the space appear larger than it really is. You can even create geometrical shapes on the walls to frame your light sconces, artwork, or furniture. And with crown molding, you can add even more depth while adding a sense of style and class at the same time.

4. Bright Colors

This trick works especially well if your space is predominantly neutral. Pick one piece of furniture to act as a standout accent, such as a coffee table, hutch, or a chair. And just about any color can work, whether you’re a fan of fuchsia, blood orange, or peacock blue. That one bold-colored piece can add just enough vibrance to a space without the need for you and your guests to have to wear sunglasses indoors – and it’s a cheap DIY project, too!

5. Long Curtains

Nothing says opulence more than window curtains that drag slightly on the ground. To maximize the effect, install the curtain rod right to the ceiling. Measure the distance from this rod to about 12 inches past the point of where the wall joins the floor.

You can then hit up your local fabric store or thrift shop to snag some spiffy fabric to use as the curtains. Or check out budget-friendly furniture stores like IKEA for cheap curtains that are specifically designed with this effect in mind. Voilà – a rich effect in your space without the rich price!

There’s no law that says impressive home decor has to come with a steep price tag. With these 5 ideas, you can impress your guests and create that highly coveted ‘wow’ factor without blowing your paycheck.

The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel 17 E. Monroe, is the nation’s longest continually operating hotel.

BUT…did you know that the hotel began its life as a gift of love? 💕 

When Potter met Bertha…

When Chicago businessman Potter Palmer met wealthy socialite Bertha Honoré, he wanted his wedding gift to express the enormity of his feelings for her. As the hotel’s website narrates, that led to one of the most extravagant wedding gifts of all time: Mr. Palmer built The Palmer House, first on the corner of State and Quincy, the second on the corner of State and Monroe. Both opened in 1870.

A Gift of Love…Four Times Over…

While accounts vary by historians, this much we can deduce: there have been four incarnations of this historic hotel. Just a year later, the Great Chicago Fire burned both original locations to the ground on October 9, 1871, just 13 days after the second hotel’s grand opening. 

Before Mrs. Palmer could weep over her loss, Mr. Palmer had secured a $1.7 million loan for a new hotel. 

Palmer House #3 “The World’s Only Fire Proof Hotel”

On November 8, 1873, the third  new Palmer House welcomed its first guests, and constructed mainly of iron and brick, according to Wikipedia sources, its amenities included oversized rooms, luxurious decor, and sumptuous meals. The floor of its barber shop was tiled and silver dollars were embedded in a diamond pattern. Soon after, the practice of burying coins was oulawed, and the floors were replaced with tile. 

Fun fact: According to Wikipedia sources, an 1895 meeting at the hotel of faculty representatives from various Midwestern universities resulted in the founding of the Big Ten Conference. It was also THE location for traveling celebrities of the day, from U.S. presidents to Charles Dickens to Oscar Wilde. One of those reasons likely was that the third Palmer House was the first hotel with elevators, electric light bulbs, and telephones in the guest rooms.

Mrs. Palmer was an art collector, who amassed a number of paintings by impressionist Claude Monet. They once hung in the Palmer House, but now are part of the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago. 

Did you know…the Brownie was invented here?

Mrs. Bertha Palmer was having as much fun as Mr. Palmer with the hotel. According to their website, in 1893, Mrs. Palmer tasked the Palmer House pastry chef Joseph Sehl with a dessert suitable for ladies attending the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition. Her request was for a cake-like confection that could easily be transported to the fair within a boxed lunch. The result was the Palmer House Brownie, made of chocolate to comprise a fudge-like density and topped with a decadent walnut and apricot glaze. The original recipe is on the Palmer House website.

May the Fourth be with you…

According to the City of Chicago’s website, the fourth and current Palmer House Hotel was built by Potter and Bertha’s sons, Honore and Potter Jr., as a “grandly-scaled continuation of the Palmer House tradition.”

While the third structure was still popular and profitable, the brothers elected to construct a new, grander, more opulent 25-story building.  The hotel retained its second-floor reception lobby and the entertainment venue Empire Room and two fourth-floor ballrooms, the Red Lacquer Room and Grand Ballroom.”

Between 1924 and 1927, the Palmer House was rebuilt on the same site but in stages, so not to lose a single day of operations.

According to HistoricHotels.org, the  adorned with garnet-draped chandeliers, Louis Comfort Tiffany masterpieces, and a breathtaking ceiling fresco by French painter Louis Pierre Rigal. (NOTE: if you haven’t seen it, you need to!) Other elegant touches included a two-story, gilded lobby with a formal staircase, marble-topped tables, velvet seating, and a ceiling mural depicting Greek mythology.

The ceiling fresco was described by columnist George Will as “a wonderful protest of romance against the everydayness of life.” 

The hotel was purchased in 1945 by legendary hotelier Conrad Hilton and it remains one of the company’s flagship properties, though In 2005, Hilton sold the property to Thor Equities, but retained management through the Hilton chain. 

For the first time ever, the iconic hotel closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, but reopened to the public on June 17, 2021, following a series of upgrades to its interior, including a renovation to its indoor pool.

Today, the Palmer House remains an iconic fixture of Chicago. For more information about events and bookings, click here.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago