Reviews by lu

lu says "Om on the Range:Amazing yoga,superb teachers, gorgeous facility!" about Om on the Range - Chicago, IL

lu — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:09:17 GMT

I discovered Om on the Range last year. They have Bikram and Vinyssa Classes 7 days a week. The studio is simple, elegant and clean! Wood floors, brick walls and a mirror. All of the classes are held in the studio which is at least 105 degrees. You sweat, stretch and push yourself for an hour or hour and a half. The teachers are great. Supportive and knowledgeable, interesting and challenging. Classes are $15 for a drop-in but much less if you buy a series. No reservation necessary: check it out!

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lu says "Steve's Deli: A large platter of disappointment" about Steve's Deli - Chicago, IL

lu — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:30:27 GMT

We went to Steve's Deli just about a month after in opened. There was a long line and the place was very crowded with people on lunch break. I had my 4 year old son and 85 year old aunt with me. I was excited by the lengthy menu and quickly picked a salad that boasted chicken, avocado, beets, chick peas and thousand island dressing. It was so WEAK! The lettuce was iceberg, they forgot the avocado, and the chicken was tiny! The salad bowl was small and it cost nearly $13! I was not happy! My son had a bowl of matzo ball soup (decent) and mac and cheese and my aunt had a cup of lentil soup (fair) and a big corned beef sandwich (good). Our total bill was $57! While the service was nice and somewhat fast, the restaurant was noisy and my meal was horrible. ...

lu says "Bright, fabulous fun prints: Roberta's got you covered!" about Roberta Freymann - 'New York, NY

lu — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 01:17:03 GMT

My dear friend in New York took me in Roberta Freymann three years ago when I was visiting New York It is now a place I camp out in for hours each time I go to New York. Roberta carries all sorts of clothing, made from beautifully exotic, mostly cotton, fabric from around the planet. Purses, cover-ups, kurtas, skirts, scarves, all free flowing and fabulous! The prices are comparable to places like Calpyso and J Crew, but the selection is much more unique.

A few blocks away, Roberta has a second store called Roller Rabbit that carries bedding, cover-ups, housewares (adorable placemats, napkins and placemats) and beachwear. It is bright and campy and a breath of sunshine.

Check it out, you'll be pleasantly surprised. But don't tell too many of your friends!:)

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lu says "Run, don't walk to Star Fruit - your taste buds will thank you" about Star Fruit - Chicago, IL

lu — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:46:40 GMT

We had to try STARFRUIT, the new kefir smoothie frozen desert heaven that opened in Bucktown. Kefir is similar to yogurt but more active, probiotic cultures.

At Starfruit, there was a line out the door, and we instantly knew why. The place is bursting with a bright and happy vibe. My 9 year old is a Kefir fanatic, he drinks a glass with breakfast and brings one in his lunch. His favorites flavors are peach and pomegranate. We tried a frozen kefir , which tasted sort of like frozen yogurt although the flavor seemed more authentic and light. And, drumroll, it was easy on the stomach!

Starfruit has so many mix-ins to try it was hard to narrow it down. Truly fresh fruit, real nuts, milk & honey granola (a household favorite) and a range of sweeter options like peanut butter cups and cupcakes from Alliance Bakery. They also make smoothies with the kefir and again you can add from their selections of mix-ins. The staff were kind and helpful. My son noticed they use...

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lu says "Beadnik's: A jewelry-lover's paradise. Don't worry: Bead Happy!" about Beadnik's - Chicago, IL

lu — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:46:48 GMT

I walked into the Beadnik's Chicago store and was overwhelmed. By the beauty, the coolness and the opportunities ahead to create beautiful necklaces, rings, bracelets -- the possibilities were endless. Their materials are phenomenal: from rare trade beads to simple stones, ranging in color, size, shape and price. There are hundreds of small bowls placed around the store and beads are sold by weight or by strand. They have a massive collection of chains, cords, hooks, ribbon and wire available to string the beads and pendants.

Throughout the store, they have jewelry for sale that was made by the staff. Bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings, key-chains, almost anything you can think of. They also have interesting jewelery that they have purchased that they sell. Their prices are fair and consistent.

The hidden jewel of Beadnik's is the staff. They are insanely creative and helpful. Cool, hip and very outgoing! Each time I have gone there with a concept they have helped me take it......

lu says "Barefoot contessa: My cooking Hero!" about Barefoot Contessa Parties!: Ideas and Recipes for Parties That Are Really Fun

lu — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:59:05 GMT

Barefoot Contessa is my kitchen idol. Her recipes are easy to follow, her ingredients are fresh and healthy and easy to find at the store.

Ina -- the Contessa -- has a great following. After a successful run as the owner of a gormet store in the Hamptons, Ina has written about 6 cookbooks and has a popular series on FoodTV. She is funny, warm and her recipes are delicious!! My favorites include: orzo with roasted vegetables, chicken chili (no beans) and sweet pea soup. My husband and I cook each Sunday for at least 10 people and each week we turn to Ina for direction and tasty nibbles. Success each week -- unless our family is fibbing!

My one complaint would be that she calls for more oil or butter and salt than we like to use. So we simply reduce accordingly and all is well.

Her reicpes can also be downloaded on foodtv.com and it even comes with a handy grocery list!

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lu says "HANDS ON SITE: Service/staff Awesome! Be a guest @ yr party" about Hands On-Site - Chicago, IL

lu — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:31:28 GMT

Over the past 5 years, when we've had a party at our house, we've liked to treat ourselves to hiring a helper or two to assist with dinner preparation, mixing drinks, taking coats and cleanup. Cleanup, is the ultimate indulgence, since young children do not permit sleeping in, at least you can come down to a sparkling kitchen, which after a late night, is a joyous event.

Over the years, we've called on a Chicago company, HANDS ON SITE, to help us staff our events. First, the office staff interview you about your event: is it a fancy dinner with clients or work superiors? Game night with your crazy big drinker friends? Any combination? They ask what strengths you are looking for in your server -- someone who can make a mean margarita, knows a lot about wine, or is, perhaps, an expert on the BBQ. On the day of your event, they send over a lovely helper who dives in and assists with the anything and everything from designing a beautiful fruit platter to lighting the candles...

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lu says "LOVE these plates! great colors ! Kid Tested! " about Fiesta dinner plate

lu — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:57:10 GMT

I bought these plates beucase i was sick of looking at those ridiculous plastic plates with kids characters on them. And, my kids were always fighting about who got what character.

Well, these Fiesta plates were so inexpensive that I bought them for a mexican themed dinner party three years ago. I bought 30 of them in mixed colors Well, i don't think one of them has broken, or chipped or cracked. Maybe a few have scratched on them, but not many. I got great selection -- turquoise, navy, green, orange, red, pink and light blue. They are microwave safe and really add a splash of warmth to the table. I've also purchased some of the Fiestaware platters as well, but nothing beats the plates!

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lu says "Oxo Brite -- the ultimate rescue treatment for our clothes!" about Earth Friendly Products Oxo Brite - non Clorine Bleach

lu — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 14:03:33 GMT

I stumbled upon OXO BRITE at Trader Joe's. The directions boast rescue treatment for dingy laundry as well as the ability to beat the toughest of stains. Well, I must agree! When my new , cute white jeans where sprayed with strawberry smoothie by my three-year old, I wet the stains with water, put a liberal amount of the Oxo Brite on the stains and let it rest over night. I then washed in cold with Tide Free and Voila! my smoothie stains were no where to be seen. I was intrigued.

My son has a shirt that had chocolate stains that were old and had be washed and dried many times. I was sure it would simply stay an Elmo shirt covered in chocolate for life. I soaked with water and sprinkled Oxo Brite and let sit overnight again. I washed in the machine again, guess what, the OLD stains came out. I was hooked.

I have since been testing the stuff on slipcovers, old towels and socks. I am pleasantly surprised at the power of the powder and I appreciate that is natural, fragrance-free,...

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lu says "Back from the 70's-you'll dance all day & night in your Korkease" about Kork-Ease Sandals - Original

lu — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 13:21:57 GMT

I initially checked out these Korkease sandals back in April, when I was longing for summer (in Chicago, summer kicks in mid-June) and was amazed by how comfortable they are. I loved cute shoes, but must admit, i usually where rubber soled shoes because running around and carrying kids all day makes by back ache all night. Regular flip flops are something i can never wear because they are supportive enough. And, I am a bit of a klutz have been known to wipe out in heels from time to time! But Korkease were different! I rarely wipe out and because the heels are made of cork, they are super light weight. I feel supported, comfortable and TALL all day long!

The colors of these shoes are great -- a bunch of neutrals (beige, dark brown and black) as well as glitzy colors (silver, gold and green metallic). I started with gold but didn't feel they were particularly good to wear on a daily basis, so I picked up a chocolate brown pair at Neiman's for 50% off and recently splurged...

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lu says "Get a workout while you walk with these really cool FitFlops" about FitFlop - Shoes

lu — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:28:41 GMT

You read it right. These are called FitFlops, not Flip Flops. I like getting new and leading edge shoes and these fit the bill so I ordered them, just got them and felt compelled to write a review.

The FlipFlop is a new type of sandle that is "engineered with a safety tapered varying density midsolde that creates a micro wobbleboard workout in every step". From this description we can clearly establish that the company has invested more in their product design and nothing in their marketing department. ">)

So, in non technical and non marketing speak, the FitFlops are designed to make your legs work harder and therefore tone them more. Unlike traditional footwear, these shoes actually ever so slightly destabilizes the foot slightly to create more continuous tension in the leg muscles. The packaging says that the midsole extends the amount of time that the slow twitch muscles are engaged during each step by 10-12%. Slow twitch muscle fibers produce energy by converting fats...

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lu says "Chess Wizards -- Help your kid find their inner stragetic wizard" about Chess Wizards - all instructors - Chicago,IL

lu — Sat, 05 May 2007 13:02:20 GMT

Chess Wizards is an educational, fun after school program located in the Chicago area. I think they have a New York branch and possibly in other cities. They run programs out of schools and through park districts. The teach kids 5 and up. The little ones really learn to play! Using techniques like "Pawn-tastic" the kids quickly are able to grasp this complicated game. My son, at 5, was able to teach out sitter, chess with all the rules. They have tournaments, summer camps at a week at a time, vacation days during school breaks and do birthday parties. Chess Wizards makes chess challenging, rewarding and good fun. Checkmate!

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lu says "Go to Simon's car wash--out w/ mud & cheerios, in w/ the shine! " about Simon's Car Wash

lu — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 02:45:10 GMT

Simon's Car Wash opened two years ago in Lincoln Park on Shakespeare, just west of Clybourn. It is a clean, friendly business that makes taking your car in, simple and uplifting! They clean, clean, clean the grime off your roof, wheels and even vacuum the trunk. If you have important papers or children's artwork strewn about, they carefully place it in a plastic bag and present it to you at the end. They have great magazines (ranging from the Economist to lots of back issues of People) and did i mention the candy? A huge, glass jar awaits. They have kids toys in a section and a great little cafe with free coffee and tea and bottled drinks for a fair price. If you really want to multi-task, you can leave your car and hit Chase Bank or Barnes and Noble. Your shiny chariot will await your return and I guarantee you, you'll be back at Simon's in the near future.

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lu says "Argo Tea smooth, decadent flavor sip after sip" about Argo Tea - Chicago, IL

lu — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 21:07:14 GMT

Argo Tea in Chicago has many locations -- i tend to go to Armitage and Sheffield or Broadway near Belmont. I discovered Argo Tea when i was pregnant a few years ago. It was winter and i loved the coziness of huddling with a warm and toasty cup of tea. They make a drink that is cleverly called a TEApachino, which is early gray tea, mixed with steamed, frothed milk. It is unbelievable! The earl gray on its own has great flavor and wonderful smells. They brew it in a diffuser and it is very different than the earl gray one would buy bagged.

If you liked your tea iced, they have an incredible hibiscus iced tea that is herbal. It is tangy and refreshing and i buy the leaves and brew a big pot to serve it at all our parties and luncheons. It is a great option for a pregnant person who wants something that resembles a cocktail or someone who does not want the caffeine. If you like you tea sweet you can get the Tea Squeeze, which mixes the hibiscus with lemonade.

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lu says "This cousin of yogurt, is my best friend! Over the top taste!" about Lifeway Kefir -- Pomegranate

lu — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 21:43:42 GMT

Low fat, filling and wonderful flavor helps it go down smoothly and drinking it is great for your immune system and helps your digestive system.

I love to drink it straight up in a glass, especially after a work out. Also, I enjoy it with Kashi Go Lean Crunch in a bowl for breakfast. It tastes great and I am full for hours.

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lu says "comfortable enough for all day plus lift that makes feel tall " about Nike - Shox Navina + Running For Women

lu — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 02:05:12 GMT

i love the nike shox, so much i bought an additional pair called NIKE ID where i could create my own shoe with the color schemes i selected. The shoes have amazing arch support, heel comfort and with the extra lift, provided in the SHOX heel, you'll feel 1 and half inches taller. Not bad, for a mom who runs around all day chasing kids and running errands....