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Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier.
If you’re looking for a great little restaurant with mouthwatering Italian fare, you should try Tina’s Italian Bake Shop in Gurnee. Tina’s is, without a doubt, one of my favorite restaurants. The Italian cafe ambiance is inviting, and the food is amazing. One of my favorites is the Bandiera Italiana sandwich, which features fresh buffalo mozzarella, artichoke hearts, tomato, basil, a pesto-mayo spread and balsamic vinaigrette. It, like all of the sandwiches at Tina’s, is served with yummy gourmet parmesan chips. The Tacchino sandwich is also great, featuring sliced turkey breast, provolone …
Summer is a lovely time to get away from the kids for a much-needed mom break.  Enlist a friend to watch your kids, or take advantage of their time at camp. One of my favorite summertime spots is the deck at Lindy's Landing in Wauconda. Alfresco,  waterfront dining is offered on lovely Bangs Lake. Their lunch menu offers lots of variety with some really good, cool, crispy salads - perfect for a summer afternoon. So call a friend and chill out at Lindy's Landing in Wauconda!
If you like golfing but not the pressure of an 18-hole course, then head on down to 699 W. Thorndale Ave. in Wood Dale, IL  to try out Top Golf. There you will find a three-story driving range geared to all ages and skill levels. Buckets of balls can be purchased to play virtual games. Progress is tracked by a microchip in each ball so you can actually challenge your entire family. Plus, if you want to take a break, course-side drinks and dining are offered by the amazing staff without you having to leave your lane. They even have loaner clubs available for your use, so no need to drag yours …
Remember a blast from your past called The Snuggery? Well it is back and even more fun than before. Opened now in four locations, including McHenry & Schaumburg, the Snuggery offers a little something for everyone.  Every night you will find a fun bar atmosphere where you are surrounded by TV's showing live games and events, but you will also be able to take part in different nightly events featuring food specials, drink specials and even entertainment. The nightly event schedule depends on the location but the offers include: Bagz tournaments, dancing the night away with a live DJ, listening…
Paulus Park on Rand Road in Lake Zurich is a fabulous place to spend a summer day with your kids. But even without the kids, it's easy to find a quiet corner at the park with a lovely water view and enjoy a book, drink an iced tea or even catch a quick nap in the sun. Take advantage of this wonderful local gem and bask in the local beauty of Lake Zurich at Paulus Park.
Your teens are holding a car wash Saturday at the high school. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your Tweens take tap dancing on Wednesday evening. It is your time. Take it! Each week, we'll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. Today comes an idea to  surround yourself with beautiful flowers. Visit Pasquesi and you can get a free cup of coffee or tea, and stroll around this beautiful garden center. Pasquesi is a family- and pet-friendly garden center …
I'm guessing that the words "working out" and "getaway" are not harmonious in most peoples' minds. After all, working out is hard whereas a getaway should be enjoyable. But the main purpose of a getaway is to find relaxation for yourself.   Did you know that it has been proven time and time again that while you are exercising, you are releasing euphoric chemicals into your system that cause the feeling of happiness and also relieve stress? So while you are sweating off those pounds, you are actually relieving as much stress as a great massage, with the side benefit of slimming down just in …
This week we're featuring a getaway just to our north in the friendly little town of Wauconda.  If you haven't been to the Honey Hill Coffee Company,  107 S. Main St. Unit B, you're missing a wonderful, quaint spot to enjoy a cup of java or a delicious tea.  Espressos and lattes also get rave reviews at Honey Hill.  A delicous assortment of homemade baked goods are available to accompany your beverage.  Their homemade chocolate cake is second-to-none.  The cozy decor features artwork from local artists that is also for sale. For more information, call Honey Hill at (847) 487-8484.
Your teens are holding a car wash Saturday at the high school.  The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon.  Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening.  It is your time.  Take it.s Each week, we'll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. Today there's an offer from Fleming's Steakhouse and Wine Bar in Lincolnshire.  Grab a friend or your hubby for an inexpensive and elegant happy hour.  Discover Flemings  5 for $6 til 7 5 appetizers 5 premium cocktails 5 glasses of…
Do you feel a little a bit of the blahs with all of this rain that we have been experiencing?  If so why don't you grab a girlfriend or your sweetie and head over to Salon Coccole'?  This Thursday, April 27, 5-8 p.m., Salon Coccole' will be hosting a Sacred Nature Spa Night in honor of Earth Day.  Relax with a refreshment as you enjoy Green Luxury.  You will be able to sample products from Comfort Zone's organic Sacred Nature line for hands/neck/shoulders/and feet as well as skin care and body scrubs.  In addition there will be gifts for the first 12 guests and a demonstration on how to form …
For this week's "Mom's Getaway,"  I'm going to suggest one of my favorites -- our very own local Barnes & Noble.  Order your fave Starbucks drink,  grab a table alongside the travel book section and settle in for a little mental get-away.  Now's a great time to browse the travel books and think about plans for a summer vacation.  Should you take a family road trip to the great national parks out west,  or maybe a shoreside vacation is in order this year?  You can explore all the possibilities just by paging through some good travel guides.  I sometimes bring a small notebook and even jot down…
Your teens are holding a car wash Saturday at the high school.  The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon.  Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening.  It's your time.  Take it. Each week, we'll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. Today comes an offer from Williams-Sonoma, Deer Park Town Center,20530 N. Rand Rd., Deer Park. 6p.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday, April 13, Cooking Class: French Farmhouse Cooking (Fee $45.00 per person, reservations required). For more …
Your teens are holding a car wash Saturday at the high school. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take a tap on Wednesday evenings.  It's your time. Take it. Each week, we'll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little more fun.   Today comes an offer from www.potterybarn.com  "How to Design Your Family Room," 10 a.m., Sunday, April 10, at the Pottery Barn, Deer Park Towne Center, 20530 N. Rand Rd., 847-550-6763.   The best family rooms are relaxing, stylish, and invite everyone to…
Moms of preschoolers,  what about a regular great escape? Sound too good to be true? Not so in Lake Zurich. Every other Thursday morning, Alpine Chapel in Lake Zurich hosts Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) open to all area moms of young children.  Based on the foundation that "Better moms make a better world," the morning meeting includes speakers,  discussion time,  crafts,  devotions and a hot breakfast.   Two hours to have time to think, to talk,  to laugh with new friends and to realize you're not alone on the journey.  April presenters will include an organization expert to help you get a …
Your teens are holding a car wash Saturday at the high school. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon.  Your tweens take nap on Wednesday evening.  It's your time.  Take it.  Each week, we'll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, and a whole lot sweeter. Today's Great Escape is Ambrosia Euro American Patisserie, 710 West Northwest Highway, Barrington, (www.discoverambrosia.com). You may enjoy a cup of coffee topped with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. It's the perfect complement to …
If you are feeling a little green that you won't have your fill of corned beef, cabbage and Guinness on St. Patrick's Day, then why not extend the holiday for an additional  day at the Barrington Celtic Fest?  The fest is being held from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., on Thursday and Friday, March 17-18. The Celtic Fest events will be held in a large heated outdoor tent set up on the 200 block of Park Avenue and also at McGonigal's Pub at 105 S. Cook St., Barrington. There will be live music, Irish dancers, Celtic merchants and plenty of food and beverages both at the outdoor venue and at the pub. …
ou just happen to have a free afternoon off, while the kids are off at school.  It is your time.  Take it.Each week, we'll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break. Got an hour?  Then be prepared to be relaxed and rejuvinated at an unbeatable price.  During  the month of March, Massage Envy is offering a one-hour massage at the introductory rate of $39. Massage Envy has locations all over the area,  but our local store is conveniently located in the North Lake Commons at the north west corner of Rand Road and Route 22 just a little down from Dominick's. Call 847-438-…
You just happen to have a free afternoon off, while the kids are off at school.  It is your time.  Take it. Each week, we'll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break. Today comes an idea from Someone's in the Kitchen, www.mycookbookclub.com Someone's in the Kitchen, 522 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, is a gourmet cooking boutique that offers specialized cooking classes.  Chefs from the area teach classes Wednesdays and Fridays at various times.  They say it is like watching the Food Network and tasting the food.  Noon, Friday, March 4 at ($35) Potato Paradise. Learn …
The grandparents are taking the kids for the whole day.  It is finally you time.  Take it. Each week, we'll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little more exciting, maybe even adventurous. It is Restaurant Week in Chicago now through Sunday, Feb. 27.  200 restaurants are offering a  special three-course prix fixe menus staring at $22 for lunch and $33/$44 for dinner.  Prices are per person and don't include beverage, tax or gratuity. It is the perfect opportunity to sample Chicago's amazing variety of foods at reasonable prices.  Reservations…
Your teens are holding a car wash Saturday at the high school. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening. It’s your time. Take it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. Here's today's: It's been a long snowy winter. If you are like many of the moms that I know, you are tired of being stuck inside doing indoor crafts and wiping runny noses. So why not grab a few other moms, take a break from those four …