Imagine Events Chicago is hosting a bridal event for the innovative bride March 15th! Please join us for a night of appetizers, cocktails and bridal fashion!
Get your ticks today! https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/225956
Super Bowl Sunday is upon us which means for most, football and beer. Try out one of these beer cocktails to add a little variety to this grand American tradition!
Bee Sting
Ingredients
*dark beer
*orange juice
Directions
Combine your favorite dark beer and oj.
Beer Margaritas
Ingredients
*1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate
*12 fluid ounces tequila
*12 fluid ounces water
*12 fluid ounces beer
*ice
*1 lime, cut into wedges
Directions
Pour limeade, tequila, water, and beer into a large pitcher. Stir until well-blended, and limeade has melted. Add plenty of ice, and garnish with lime wedges. Adjust with additional water, if needed.
Black Velvet
Ingredients
*champagne
*stout beer
Directions
Fill glass halfway with bubbly, then pour stout over a spoon, slowly, to create a layered effect.
Caribbean Night
Ingredients
*Beer
*ounce of coffee liqueur.
Directions
Combine coffee liqueur and beer.
Ruddy Mary
Ingredients
*tomato juice
*pepper
*Tabasco
*Worcestershire
*beer
*garnish
Directions
A traditional Bloody Mary made with beer instead of vodka
Happy Friday Everyone! With the wind and snow whirling around Chicago I’m keeping my shopping limited to online shopping today. One of my favorite shopping sites, especially for all things bridal, is Etsy, everything is either handmade or vintage and always unique. Here are some of my latest finds!
Vintage style bracelet, so beautiful for a winter wedding.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/83302625/bridal-wedding-bracelet-pearls-crystals
This Ivory rose hair clip is only $3!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/91021922/ivory-rose-hair-clip?ref=cat1_gallery_12
These adorable personalized bracelets come four in a set and are the perfect gift for your bridesmaids.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/89874793/personalized-bridesmaid-jewelry-four?ref=cat1_gallery_33
I love this elegant Fleur De Lis cake topper, check out the rest of this seller’s simple but elegant toppers! This one is only $15!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/72723895/fleur-de-lis-cake-topper-silver
Looking forward to Spring and Summer weddings these fans with programs printed on them are a great combination.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/89842200/wedding-fans-with-program-set-of-50?ref=cat2_gallery_28
Happy Friday!
Christmas is only a two days away! Maybe you finished your shopping weeks ago or maybe you haven’t started, wherever you are at on you list please don’t forget about the charities that need your help!
No one loves Christmas more than children, why not make the holidays brighter for children in need by making a donation to some of these great charities.
After School Matters
A non-profit organization that provides Chicago teens with the opportunity to explore and develop their amazing talents through programs focusing on art, science, sport, technology and communication.
http://www.afterschoolmatters.org/index.php
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital works to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric diseases through research and treatment. No child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay.
http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f87d4c2a71fca210VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD
Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
Mercy Home provides kids in crisis with the support and guidance they need to realize their own potential and make adapt positive decisions.
http://www.mercyhome.org/
Toys for Tots
Provides Christmas gifts to children from poor or disadvantages children across the Chicago land area. There is still time to make a drop off to their warehouse at 8900 S. Odell!
www.chicagolandtft.org
Wishing everyone a wonderful and safe holiday!
The Holiday Weekend is a little over a week away! With all of this strangely warm Chicago weather I feel like the 25th is really sneaking up on me. I try desperately to avoid the grocery store madness that happens close to Christmas and have planned ahead by picking up ingredients for these recipes! Try these super easy recipes at your holiday parties!
Feta Cheese Dip
- 2 8-ounce packages of fat free cream cheese (softened)
- 1 8-ounce package of regular or low fat Feta cheese (crumbled)
- 3 cloves garlic (peeled and minced)
- 2 Tablespoons fresh dill (chopped)
This recipe is so easy that all you need to do is blend the cream cheese, feta cheese, garlic, and the chopped dill thoroughly with an electric mixer. Chill for at least four hours and serve with veggies or crackers.
Rosted Romas
Slice roma tomatoes lengthwise into thirds (smaller tomatoes can be cut in half). Place them in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Brush the slices with olive oil and sprinkle with finely chopped garlic. Bake tomatoes at 400 degrees F for about 20-30 minutes, checking often so they don’t dry out or burn. Line up cooled tomatoes on a platter and serve with softened brie cheese and crackers or toasted baguette slices.
Sweet and Spicy Sesame Walnuts
-1 pound(s) walnut halves (about 4 cups)
-1 cup(s) sugar
-1/2 cup(s) water
-1/3 cup(s) (4 ounces) sesame seeds
-1 1/4 teaspoon(s) cayenne pepper
-1/2 teaspoon(s)
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large, wide saucepan, combine the walnuts, sugar, and water and bring to a boil. Add the sesame seeds, cayenne, and salt and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until the water is nearly evaporated, about 4 minutes. Lower the heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the walnuts are golden brown and sandy, about 4 minutes longer.
- Immediately pour the walnuts onto the prepared baking sheet and spread in a single layer. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the nuts are deeply golden and covered with a sandy coating. Let the walnuts cool completely. Break any large clusters apart; transfer to a bowl to serve
Pear and Cranberry Bellini
-1 cup pear nectar
-1 cup cranberry juice cocktail
-1 bottle Prosecco or other dry sparkling white wine
In a small pitcher or large liquid measuring cup, combine pear nectar and cranberry juice cocktail. Pour 1/4 cup juice mixture into each of eight champagne glasses. Dividing evenly, top with Prosecco or other dry sparkling white wine.
Happy first of December! Have you started your Christmas shopping? Easier said than done but I like to start my shopping early. I find I get more thoughtful gifts at better prices when I’m not racing against the clock to check everyone off my list. I wanted to share some of the great gift ideas I’ve come across this holiday season, the best part is everything is under $100!
For the newborn
Personalize first Christmas ornaments, $29.95 at Red Envelope
http://gifts.redenvelope.com/gifts/personalized-silverplated-rocking-horse-ornament-30000942?ref=REDorganicgglbrand_red+envelope&viewpos=10&trackingpgroup=rbbsl
For the young aspiring artist
Set of 20 colors total recycled eco friendly race car crayons, $15 at Etsy.com
http://www.etsy.com/listing/78592258/20-colorful-crayon-race-cars-traditional?ref=cat3_gallery_25
For your best friend
Super cute charms and chains all for under $20, check out the rest at Madewell
http://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/JEWELRY.jsp
For the whiskey or scotch enthusist
“On the rocks” set, $34 at Uncommon Goods
http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/on-the-rocks-set
For the die hard outdoor winter runner
Headphone beanie, $19.50 at American Eagle
http://www.ae.com/web/browse/product.jsp?productId=0226_4041_410&catId=
For photographer
Tiltpod Camera Stand, $15 at Uncommon Goods
http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/tiltpod-camera-stand
Check out my twitter for more ideas! https://twitter.com/#!/lexImagineEvnts
Happy Black Friday everyone! If shopping Thanksgiving weekend isn’t your thing or if you hit the stores last night at midnight have all your shopping done, here are a few events going on in Chicago this weekend to check out. This weather is just too beautiful to not take advantage of!
-20th Annual Wreathing of the Lions, Friday November 25 at the Art Institute of Chicago http://www.artic.edu/aic/calendar/event?EventID=9412&EventType=3
Enjoy live music and hot tea as the Art Institute’s iconic lions show off their annual holiday wreaths.
-Chicago Critical Mass Bike Ride, Saturday Friday 25 meet at Daley Plaza http://chicagocriticalmass.org/
Take a leisurely bike ride with other cyclist through the city.
-Christkindlmarket, 11/23 through 12/24 at Daley Plaza http://www.christkindlmarket.com/en/visitor-information/dates-and-times/
Shop a 16th century inspired market for authentic German foods and handcrafted gifts downtown Chicago.
-Holiday Flower Show, 11/226 through 1/8 at the Lincoln Park Conservatory http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/events.detail/object_id/4ca3a882-4d04-4c1a-9a09-44c29c51ace7/instance_object_id/aea24a07-b8d9-48b9-b29a-0e7072dfe55a/park/3BD1CB82-1868-4FD7-840C-C4FCE847857B.cfm
-Zoolights, Nov. 25–27 & Dec. 2–4, 9–11,Open Nightly Dec. 16–Jan. 1 (Closed Dec. 24 & 25) 5-9 p.m. at the Lincoln Park Zoo http://www.lpzoo.org/events/calendar/zoolights
See the zoo beautifully light up in holiday lights and ice carvers creating sculptures of some of the zoo’s residents
Happy Friday Everyone!
Source: http://www.choosechicago.com/events/Pages/calendar.aspx
Every fall you can count on the trees turning from green to red, orange and yellow….what colors you should be wearing each fall is a changes every year. Here are some of fall 2011’s hottest colors.
Fire Engine Red
Source: http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?Br=F21&Category=BTMs&ProductID=2000018972&VariantID
Vintage Bottle Green
Source: http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/home/us/en/zara-us-W2011
Fuchsia
Source: www.bluefly.com
Marigold
Source: www.jcrew.com
Plum
Source: www.bluefly.com
Shoes are always an important element to any outfit, but as we start to bundle up here in Chicago, they become an essential way to make a fashion statement. Second only to your jacket, your shoes are how you project your fabulous style to the world October through April in chilly climates. Here are some of Fall 2011’s hottest shoe trends, happy shoe shopping!
One of this fall hottest trends is the 1940’s silhouette. Capes, textured blazers, and long maxi skirts are everywhere, the best way to finish this look off is with Oxfords with a sexy heel.
Source: http://www.ninewest.com/Riane/8003235,default,pd.html?variantSizeClass=&variantColor=CHGYBFB&cgid=8346268&prefn1=catalog-id&prefv1=ninewest-catalog
For better or for worse socks and heels are back in! I think the important thing to remember when rocking this trend, is it is higher fashion look. Be sure the rest of your outfit reflects this, meaning don’t try his with your plainest blue jeans and T-shirt. Sarah Jessica Parker knows her shoes, and this is how she pulls it off:
This fall’s colors of choice are softer charcoals and blues, these colors look best on a soft fabic like suede. Although it may not be the most practical material for winter shoes your grey suede booties will look great in the office once you get to work and trade them out for your Uggs!
Source: http://www.zappos.com/gabriella-rocha-kassey-grey-suede
Another trend I love are buckles and laces, especially when the look is added for a vintage look like below.
Source: http://www.thisnext.com/tag/jessica-simpson/items/?start=60 