Friday, October 28, 2011
There’s a reason we all say, “I need a vacation.” Because we do.
A few months ago, I stood in amazement of my friend who booked a trip for herself to see some old friends in Minnesota. She waved goodbye to her husband and three kids and escaped for some “me time” that she probably hadn’t had since before her eight-year-old daughter was born. For mothers who always put themselves last, and hate to spend time or money on themselves, I asked Sharon Belmont of Libertyville’s Classic Travel Service for some ideas for girls getaway packages. Belmont, whose travel agency is located in downtown Libertyville, offered many suggestions, both near and far, for mothers and her friends who need to get away. Beaches Resorts Girls’ Getaway Packages These all-inclusive packages include a cocktail party, sunset catamaran…
Friday, October 14, 2011
Everybody cut footloose as a classic 1980’s remake hits Libertyville movie theater today.
Few things bring me back to the 80’s more than Kevin Bacon dancing around an abandoned warehouse in jeans and a white tank top. Footloose was one of the few movies of its era that stuck with me, that I still find myself wanting to see again, and when I do, actually enjoy. The remake, which hits theaters today, is said to be a mix of old and new, while still trying to stay true to the movie that fans loved. The movie is said to include some remakes of classic songs from the original as well as new music from artists like the White Stripes, Cee Lo Green, Smashing Pumpkins, and Blake Shelton. Liberty Theatres have scheduled times for Footloose starting Oct. 14. It’s known for fair ticket prices and bottomless popcorn, and it’s downtown …
Friday, October 7, 2011
Choose your family’s holiday card while sipping wine with friends.
When Kristine Knutson first opened downtown Libertyville’s How Impressive, an invitation, stationary, and gift shop, she would run an annual Christmas Card Party in Mickey Finn’s upper level. She’d donate 20 percent of each card sale to charity. Now How Impressive is celebrating its fifth year, and Knutson still holds her annual Christmas card events, where customers can browse through the store’s card selection in a friendly and fun atmosphere. The event now is held at Café Pyrenees and customers can now choose between receiving the 20 percent discount, or donating it to charity. Knutson says she started offering the option when the recession hit. This year’s event will be held this Saturday, Oct. 8 from 12-4 p.m. at Café Pyrenees. All …
Friday, September 30, 2011
The Vine in Grayslake offers crowd-pleasing performances.
Two summers ago, a friend invited me to her husband’s 40thbirthday party. She had booked a musician to play at the outdoor party, a guy she called “Stu,” and was excited for her friends to hear him play. I was impressed. This Chicago-area piano player seemed to know every song the crowd requested, and soon my friend’s backyard was filled with dancing suburban moms and dads. Recently, this same friend informed me that Stu, Michael Stu Stoinski, plays regular gigs at The Vine in Grayslake. This intimate restaurant and martini and wine bar offers great food, weekly drink specials, and wonderful service. Stu will be at The Vine on Wednesday, Oct. 5 and Saturday, Oct. 8. The Vine’s specials include $5 martinis and cosmopolitans on Wednesdays …
42.34432
-88.042219
101 Center St, Grayslake, IL
/articles/great-escape-intimate-live-music
/locations/5488439
Friday, September 23, 2011
Art-loving moms, escape to nearby Ansel Adams exhibit.
I have always loved all things art, from theater to writing to sculpture and painting, and I knew living near Chicago would provide me with infinite resources to be around and enjoy them. As I became a wife, mother, and writer, and my home moved farther and farther into the suburbs, I found that long Metra rides and interstate traffic was keeping me from visiting the museums I so loved. I was elated to find out that the Lake County Discovery Museum would be presenting a rare Ansel Adams exhibition featuring what he considered his best photographs. Ansel Adams is known for his photographs revealing the changing beauty of the natural world. I personally have found that his pieces invoke more peace in me than any massage or pedicure. This …
Friday, September 9, 2011
With child care and many options, joining a gym can be a great mom escape.
Throughout our marriage, my husband and I have had to discuss where we can cut back to maximize our finances. It’s always hard, but in the end, it benefits the whole family. Each time we talk, our gym membership comes up for discussion. My husband is rightfully stubborn against canceling our gym membership, even when things are tight. His reasoning is simple: I am a better person when I regularly go to the gym. When he says this, he’s not talking about my jeans size. He’s talking about my ability to smile while the boys make a mess with PLAY-DOH, make jokes with him after the kids go to bed, and somehow feed the kids, take my son to football practice, and still cover a Parks and Recreation meeting all in one evening. He’s right. I’m more …
Friday, September 2, 2011
Get an evening away and a workout all at once.
About a year ago, a friend took me to a Zumba class at a nearby health club. I had never tried the class, a Latin-inspired dance fitness program, and I felt a little silly, as a mother of two, shaking my hips and torso. But I was hooked. Since then, I’ve taken Zumba classes from six different instructors in the northern suburbs, as well as one in a crowded gymnasium in a northern Ohio university. I never thought I’d learn how to samba or salsa, and I never thought I’d have so much fun burning 600 to 800 calories per hour. As such a lover of this Latin exercise program, I was elated to hear about a Nightclub Zumba event taking place at Libertyville’s Austin’s Saloon. The program, led by two Chicago area instructors, takes place each month …
Friday, August 19, 2011
Escape with a gal pal for a shopping spree at local consignment store tent sale.
I, like many moms I know, love consignment shops. I love finding barely worn polo shirts to replace the barely worn polo shirts my two growing boys can’t fit over their heads. While I’ve never been able to sew my children’s Halloween costumes, coming home with a bag full of items for my family, which cost me only a few dollars, makes me feel like the crazy savvy mom I always envisioned I’d be. So, naturally, I love Libertyville’s Renew Family Consignment shop, which sells gently used adult and children’s clothing, shoes, and accessories, home décor, jewelry, and other magnificent finds. Saturday, Aug. 20, Renew Family Consignment will hold a Tent Sale starting at 10 a.m. featuring bigger items that can’t fit in the store. Items such as …
Friday, August 12, 2011
Wisma offers healthier options for those over-scheduled evenings.
A few weeks ago, our mom escape idea was to retreat to your kitchen and enliven your inner chef. As moms, though, we know that over-scheduled evenings don’t always allow us this luxury. Instead of burgers and fries at the drive-thru, head to downtown Libertyville for some easy and healthy takeout at Wisma. Wisma, owned and operated by chef John des Rosiers, opened its Libertyville location in March this year. The idea is to offer customers a healthy, delicious takeout option. The restaurant’s vast menu options include pastas, salads, grilled meats, and artisan breads, just to name a few. My favorite, the orechiette, pleases my kids as well. For the kids who only like kid food, there are several options for children, including macaroni and …
Friday, August 5, 2011
McHenry Outdoor Theater offers the 2011 Fall Throwback Series.
School will be in session in just a few weeks, fall sports will begin, and soon every mom’s calendar will be full. Get your babysitters now for a fall date night escape to McHenry Outdoor Theater. When I was a kid, our summers involved many family drive-in movie theater nights. I remember piling into our Chevy Suburban in our pajamas, the smell of popcorn in our car, and being carried back into our house because I had fallen asleep during the second feature. Because I loved these movie nights so much as a kid, I was ecstatic to learn that one of the few existing outdoor theaters is just a few miles from Libertyville in McHenry, Ill. While I thoroughly enjoy bringing my children to the drive-in as a family escape, I was giddy when I found …
42.350488
-88.238088
1510 N Chapel Hill Rd, McHenry, IL
/articles/great-escape-a-nostalgic-date-night
/locations/5017665
