This week took me back to another favorite: 5411 Empanadas. Sometimes, you just have to go to a place you already know and love. I went to the location on Southport. It’s quaint, small, and charming. There are a handful of tables, as well as a long bar with seating. The menu is small but mighty, with 16 types of empanadas. I decided to start with their newest addition: Sriracha Pork. I also ordered the Mushroom, Thyme, and Blue Cheese: sliced mushrooms sautéed in garlic butter, thyme, and blue cheese; and the Bacon, Dates, and Goat Cheese: crispy applewood smoked bacon sweetened with thinly sliced dates and goat cheese. All three were fantastic! The Sriracha Pork was very tasty. The meat had just the right amount of spice and the soft, sautéed red cabbage gave it added crunch. It’s hard to narrow down, but I think my favorite was the Mushroom, Thyme, and Blue Cheese. The flavors are just fantastic- creamy, smoky, buttery- need I say more? The Bacon, Dates, and Goat Cheese is also wonderful. The goat cheese is tart and tangy, the bacon is fatty and rich, and the dates are perfectly sweet. My best friend ordered the Ham and Cheese: smoked ham, mozzarella, shredded parmesan, and oregano; the Mac and Cheese: macaroni elbows, smoked gouda, white cheddar, asiago cheese, pimento, and scallion; and the Banana Nutella: perfectly ripe bananas and Nutella. The Ham and Cheese was my favorite of the two savories! I don’t normally like ham that much, but this is just a great combination. The Banana Nutella was very nice as well! I’ve never had one of their dessert empanadas, but this has definitely converted me. 

5411 Empanadas has multiple locations in the city: Wicker Park, Lakeview, the Loop, Southport Corridor, and River North. You can find more information about their locations, catering, and delivery services here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Smaller rooms can be difficult to decorate, because if you don’t know a few important tricks, the space can end up feeling a little claustrophobic. Here’s how you can keep a room feeling airy and spacious, even if it’s just a studio apartment or an attic.

Breathing Room

Your first inclination might be to arrange all your furniture flush against the walls. Though this may add a little extra room to move through the room, it’ll make everything feel more crowded and congested. Instead, try arranging items at an angle, or pull them six inches away from the wall.

Mirrors And Strategic Colors

Dark paint will make the room feel smaller. Instead, opt for whites, light grays, and other light colors. A well-placed mirror will also expand the room’s appearance—think of the times you’ve been in a restaurant and a mirror made the space look twice as large.

Multi-purpose Items

Look for storage everywhere—you can keep books and DVDs inside an ottoman, or store blankets in a bench or hollow coffee table. If you don’t have room for a dining table, you can invest in a coffee table with a pop-up section.

Raise Your Window Treatments

It’s common to hang your curtain rods just a few inches above your windows, but to make the ceilings appear taller, you can hang them just a few inches below the ceiling. It can have a dramatic effect.

Swap Out The Sofa

The sofa is likely the biggest, most unwieldy item in your living room. What if you swapped it out for a settee or a pair of comfortable chairs? You won’t lose much in functional seating, but you’ll gain some precious space and room for foot traffic.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: It might be getting colder, but you can still check out the indoor session of the Wicker Park Farmer’s Market! Held at The Robey Hall, this indoor market is the first Saturday of every month. Mark your calendars for January 4 from 10 am to 3 pm! Vendors include Beacon Doughnuts, Cheeze and Thank You, Frogtown Juice Co, Jacobson Family Farm, Tamales Express, and more. Find more information here.

Lakeview: Buddy the Elf and Santa are coming to Tuco and Blondie this Sunday, December 15! This fun and festive holiday event features a $10 kid-friendly brunch buffet. It includes some of Buddy’s favorite foods- candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup! There will also be healthier options available. Meet, mingle, and take photos with Santa’s favorite elf and of course- Santa Claus himself! The event is from 10 am to 2 pm and all pictures are complimentary. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Find more information here.

Lincoln Park: Santa Claus is heading to Summer House Santa Monica! On Sunday, December 15, Sunday, December 22 (both from 11 am to 2 pm), and Monday, December 23 (11 am to 3 pm), Santa Claus is coming for brunch. He’ll be taking gift requests from your kiddos, as well as passing out sweet treats! Find more information here.

Andersonville: Mark your calendars now for Late Night Andersonville! On Friday, December 20 from 5 to 9 pm, participating Andersonville stores will stay open late; offering special refreshments and deals for shoppers. It’s the perfect way to finish up that last minute Christmas shopping! There’s also restaurant specials, pictures with Santa, carolers, musicians, and more. The free holiday trolley runs along Clark St from 6 to 9 pm as well! Find participating businesses here.

Logan Square: If you’re looking for a sporty holiday activity, look no further than Curling on the Roof with Whiskey Business! Curling is a team sport where the participants compete for points by sliding round-shaped stones down an ice pathway at a target called a “Home” and points are tallied based on whichever stones are closest to the center or “Button”. Curling reservations are available on weekends or weekdays. Each reservation is good for one hour of curling on one of three 50 by 50 foot courts on the 3000 square foot rooftop. Dress warmly, as it is outdoors! If you need extra warmth, you can purchase drinks from the hot chocolate bar. Weekend curling is $40 an hour and weekday curling is $25 an hour. Find more information and make your reservations here.

Evanston: Are you looking for a crafty holiday experience? Join FlowersFlowers for their Holiday Workshop on Saturday, December 21 from 4:15 to 5:15 pm. Firstly, you’ll learn how to create a beautiful floral arrangement with unusual and novelty seasonal blooms. You’ll also discuss the many floral accents that make the holidays extra special, while creating your very own holiday centerpiece. The workshop is just $90 and includes all materials and instructions. Reserve your spot here today! 

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Many people start the new year with “Resolutions”. Many involve losing weight, eating better, or spending less money. Most of these good intentions tend to be forgotten before the end of January. Most resolutions fail because there is no plan. 

First, we need to call them by their right name: goals. Next, we need to put them down on paper. Start jotting down the things you really want to work towards. They can be personal or work related, but keep them separated. Look over your list and pick two that are the most important to you. Try to make the goal as simple as possible. I used to think I needed pages of goals and plans but the simpler, the better. Goals also need to be measurable in some way. Losing some weight sounds good but how can you tell if you’re successful? Losing 10 pounds in the first quarter of 2020 is measurable. Then you can decide your strategies. 

Strategies are the action plans that get us to our goal. Say you are in sales. Meeting more contacts is your bread and butter. One of your priorities could be to meet X number of new people per week to increase your client base. One strategy could be to attend more functions with your family, like school and sporting events. Another is to go to more networking meetings. Practice your scripts with others in your office to become proficient. A strategy for losing weight could be setting a specific number of workouts per month- say 25. Knowing you have to get those 25 done in one month will keep you from putting one off, thinking you have plenty of time. 

Tell others about your goal plans. It’s called accountability and it increases the likelihood that you’ll stick to your plan. Keep track of your progress; this is why we make progress measurable. This also helps you reassess. Maybe you need to course correct by changing up a few workouts or figuring out new ways to meet people. It’s better to realize in February you need to change things, instead of waiting till October and finding out your goals are out of reach. 

So try out a new goal plan for this new year! Check out different goal plans online for more ideas on structuring a goal plan to fit with your wants and needs. Remember to keep it simple, have a way to measure your progress, and DO so often. 

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Guess who’s coming to town?  Looks like Santa Claus will be here this weekend but won’t be delivering any gifts, yet!

Thousands of Santas will hit the streets of Chicago for the 11^th annual Santa Hustle® Chicago 5K and Kids Dash this Saturday at Soldier Field (1410 S. Museum Campus Dr.) in the South Loop.  Santa Hustlers will jingle their way through cookie and candy stations along the course to fuel their holiday cheer!  They will also receive a Santa hat, beard, and a finisher’s medal – and new this year – men’s, women’s or unisex hoodies, along with an option to add a Santa shirt, full Santa suit, or Mrs. Claus packages.  The Kids Dash (known as the Rudolph Run) is recommended for ages 2-10 years old.  Kid participants will receive a Santa hat, Santa beard, a race bib, and a finisher’s ribbon.  Afterwards, head on over to Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood for the traditional after party which includes an awards ceremony, medals for top finishers, drinks, and food.  It’s a magical experience and really has something for everyone!!

Santa is not done yet!  He’ll then be heading over to the 14^th annual SantaCon Chicago this Saturday at the Tavern Tap Pub, Congress Plaza Hotel (520 S. Michigan Ave.) in the South Loop.  This is a weird and wonderful annual bar crawl through the heart of downtown Chicago.  Everyone 21+ is welcome, and you can join the festivities at any point and at any time!  You just need to check in or register and the key is to show up in a full Santa suit.  But if you haven’t had time to grab a Mr. or Mrs. Claus costume, just get into the spirit of the event and join the fun!  Be sure to check the website for the complete schedule.

Too early for Santa Claus?  Perhaps one of these events will suit your weekend needs:

See 90 small Christmas trees and religious displays at the 16^th annual Christmas Trees from Around the World highlighting different ways of celebrating the holidays at the County Treasurer’s Office (118 N. Clark St., Rm. 112) in The Loop through January 2^nd.  Three-foot-high trees are decorated by members of ethnic and religious communities to represent their heritage.  Also, on display are a Christian Nativity scene, an African American Kwanzaa Kinara, a Hindu Prayer Thali and a Jewish Menorah!

Don’t feel like going to The Loop for your glühwein fix?  Then head on over to the Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville at Gallagher Way (3637 N. Clark St.) now through December 31^st.  This authentic German-style outdoor market gives visitors the opportunity to continue their holiday shopping and tasting of traditional German and international foods while enjoying family-friendly entertainment!  The Christkindlmarket has been a winter mainstay since its debut in the Chicago Loop in 1996!!

The Swedish American Museum (5211 N. Clark St.) will be hosting their Julmarknad this Saturday and Sunday in the Andersonville neighborhood.  This annual Christmas Bazaar features traditional Scandinavian and modern handicrafts for purchase, Scandinavian food, and traditional entertainment.  Visit the Children’s Museum for crafts, games and a special visit from Santa!  It’s entertainment for the whole family!!

Ho-Ho-Ho!