Gingerbread House Display Earns First Place in Window Decorating Contest

The gingerbread house display at Someone's in the Kitchen in downtown Libertyville took first place in the retail category, while Allure Designs in Beauty won first place in the service category.

There's a gingerbread house inside the front window of Someone's in the Kitchen in the heart of downtown Libertyville, but it's not just any gingerbread house. It was created—from scratch, by the way—by store owner Susan Edmondson and was modeled to look like the Cook House. What makes the display even more interesting is that Edmondson's edible masterpiece sits inside a much larger gingerbread house that was designed and built by the Loeb Design Group. "It turned out better than I think either of us could have imagined," said Edmondson. The holiday display at Someone's in the Kitchen took first place in the retail category for MainStreet Libertyville's annual window decorating contest. Allure Designs in Beauty, located across the street, …

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Robert Ritzwoller, CPA

11:40 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Nicely done. A festive touch to downtown Libertyville!   more ›

Gadgets Galore at 'Someone's in the Kitchen'

Downtown Libertyville store offers unique brands and items, including the popular Corkcicle.

When Susan Edmondson tries to decide what the most popular item in her downtown Libertyville kitchen store is, few things top the Corkcicle. The gadget, which can be frozen and then put in a wine bottle to keep the wine chilled, is a big seller. "We went through a lot for the holidays last year," said Edmondson, owner of Someone's in the Kitchen. This year, though, she expects to be inundated with customers clamoring for the Corkcicle. The gadget made the "Oprah's Favorite Things 2012" list. "It's the Oprah effect," said Edmondson. Someone's in the Kitchen has been in downtown Libertyville for 10 years, offering customers traditional cooking supplies and goofy gadgets. Edmondson purchased the business from the previous owners in April. "I …

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Great Escape

Great Escape: A Little Retail Therapy

Why not treat yourself to a Libertyville shopping trip?

You’ve just realized that between little league games, dance recitals, and end of year school room parties, you haven’t relaxed in about two weeks. Next time you leave the kids with your parents, or at a friend’s house, head downtown to focus on you. Treat yourself, while still saving money for your twelve-year-old’s braces, by checking out these favorite and reasonably priced Libertyville items. 1. Red Velvet Cupcake from Lovin Oven Cakery Just like your kids, you’ll want to eat all of the icing on this cupcake. The creamy zesty icing sits on top of the moistest cake a cupcake has ever seen and surrounds another creamy center. For only a few dollars, you can completely indulge your inner kid. 2. New Age White Wine from Vive Le Vine This …

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Chi-an Chang

3:31 pm on Friday, May 27, 2011

Jan, That's what I thought, too, when I read the column!   more ›

Great Escape

Great Escape: The Ladies Night

Start a monthly night out for you and your friends.

Even if we’re already in a book club and regularly get invited to our friends’ boutique parties, sometimes moms need more ideas for regular nights out with the girls. Here are some ideas for you to bounce around with your friends or neighbors. Bunco In my neighborhood, a group of women take turns to host a monthly fun and strategy-free game of bunco. Women enjoy catching up with one another just as much, if not more, than playing the game. Set up and equipment is easy and minimal, so it’s a fairly stress-free game idea. Feel free to use games you already have at home, too! The hostess provides the appetizers and each guest brings wine, beer, soda, or her choice of drink. Meal Assembly Parties When I lived in another Chicago suburb, I, …

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Chi-an Chang

4:45 pm on Friday, April 15, 2011

Thanks for sharing your suggestion!   more ›

Wedding Walk Attracts Brides From Chicagoland Area

Libertyville’s Wedding Walk exhibited the town’s bridal offerings.

Libertyville’s third annual Wedding Walk welcomed soon-to-be brides from the Chicagoland area on Saturday. Brides experienced a one-stop wedding planning event where they could browse offerings from 20 participating stores, 15 of which were located right in downtown Libertyville. “It’s been interesting to hear what’s out there,” said bride-to-be Kendal Dean. “There are so many things you need, from invitations, to alterations, to flowers. It’s nice to know there are stores right here that offer everything.” Dean participated in the event with her mother Cindy Dean and her twin sister Deana who is also engaged. “We’re from Libertyville,” Deana said. “So it’s nice that our town has these services. It’s nice to stay local.” Cindy, who admits …

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Patch Profile

Local Chef Shares Secrets to Cooking Healthier

Chef John Des Rosiers shows us some tricks of the trade.

John Des Rosiers, chef and owner of Innovasi and Wisma, which is set to open on March 1 recently shared some healthy cooking tips. Wisma and will feature inexpensive, healthy and high-quality take home meals, prepared from scratch daily.

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Fun Things To Do This Weekend

Check out the events in Libertyville this weekend.

  Cook. Kids can learn how to make picnic foods during this snowy weekend at Someone’s in the Kitchen. The lesson is structured like a three-course picnic, start with basked cheesy bread braids. For the main dish, learn how to American deli wrap, and end with a fudge-stuffed cookie to hit the sweet spot. Peanuts will be used. Craft. Let your kid’s imagination run wild through various seasonal-themed art projects offered at Petranek’s Pharmacy. Libertyville’s Ms. Robin will lead the projects, followed by story and snacks. Renovate. Dozens of home remodeling experts are available to discuss ideas for turning your house into your dream home at the Home Building and Remodeling Expo. Another bonus? The expo will offer discounts on all products …

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The "Oprah Effect" Touches Libertyville

Libertyville feels firsthand how popular one of Oprah Winfrey's "Favorite Things” can be.

Each year since 2002, Oprah Winfrey has featured a "Favorite Things" segment on her show where she highlights some her favorite products. This year, much to the delight of a local business owner, Oprah listed a set of ceramic knives sold in a downtown Libertyville shop. "I've seen the Oprah Effect," says Someone's in the Kitchen Owner, Bonnie Bock. "It wasn't like she mentioned my store on her show, but the way she talked about the knives, it was incredible." Oprah's influence on consumer buying and public opinion is so strong, it's been dubbed "The Oprah Effect." Bock says that they've sold the Kyocera Ceramic Knife Set for years. After Oprah's announcement, she says she was amazed by the number of customers calling and visiting her store…

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What to Do With Leftover Turkey?

Here are some tips courtesy of Someone's in the Kitchen.

Now that Thanksgiving dinner is over, what do you do with all the leftover turkey? Cold turkey sandwiches may be good the next day, but probably not for three days in a row, so here are some suggestions courtesy of Someone's in the Kitchen. Turkey Breast Turkey breasts are very tender when eaten cold, but Rose Fran, who teaches cooking classes at Someone's in the Kitchen, says reheating would make the meant too dry and stringy. Instead she recommends slicing it up and using it for a turkey salad. Bones and Bits For the turkey parts that you know you will not use within the week, Fran recommends wrapping it up in saran wrap, then placing it in a freezer bag. "The whole idea is to keep the air out, so you have to squeeze it really well," …

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