That strange noise? It’s called silence.
Those few blessed hours between the school bus pickup and dropoff. And now that they’re here, you may find yourself in the position of having or needing to fill them. Here are several suggestions that will at least get you brainstorming:
Exercise
Are you having a hard time committing to a new routine? Join a group of women for a bike ride. For example, Higher Gear runs a Tuesday morning Women’s Ride in Wilmette. The promise to others you’ll be somewhere will motivate you to get going.
| Cycling | Spin | Workout |
| Higher Gear 1515 Sheridan Rd., Wilmette 847-256-2330 highergearchicago.com | Revolution Spin 904 Sherman Ave., Evanston847-440-4262 revolutionspinning.com | Dailey Method 410 Green Bay Rd., Kenilworth 847-920-5260 thedaileymethod.com |
Here are a few more articles to get you motivated:
7 Reasons to Walk with a Friend
Hobbies
Those first weeks of fall are a great time to catch up on old hobbies, like those scrapbooks sitting in the corner, or to start a new one. Just think—take a knitting class now and before you know it, you’ll be making scarves for all your friends just in time for holiday gift giving. Or learn how to really use that digital SLR camera.
| Knitting | Photography | Garden |
| Three Bags Full1927 Cherry Lane, Northbrook 847-291-9933 threebagsfullknittingstudio.com | Chicago Photography Center 3301 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago 773-549-1631 chicagophoto.org | Chicago Botanic Garden 1000 Lake Cook Rd.,Glencoe 847-835-5440 chicagobotanic.org |
Shop
With no little one in tow, you can actually take a few minutes to try on a new jacket or skirt, and with the peace of mind that Cheerios aren’t being crushed into the carpet or that your “hide-and-go-seek” child isn’t going to knock over a rack of $500 dresses. Here are a few places to explore:
| A Classic | Fashion Forward | New |
| The Lake Forest Shop 265 E. Market Square, Lake Forest 847-234-0548 thelakeforestshop.com | Avenue Fashions 9720 Waukegan Rd, Deerfield847-940-1818 avenuefashionsdeerfield.com | Skandal 907 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka 847-386-7900 shopskandal.com |
Fashion picks for fall:
Need more ideas? Visit our Better List
Back to School
Maybe that trip for school supplies inspired you to buy a few pencils or dust off an old backpack. Or maybe an empty nest has you thinking about your next chapter. There’s no reason to ever stop exploring, learning something new or traveling a new path. Here are a few places to get your started:
| MBA During the Day | Continuing Education | Community College |
| Lake Forest Graduate School of Management Conway Park, 1905 W. Field Ct., Lake Forest 847-234-5005 lakeforestmba.edu | Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies 339 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago847-491-5611 scs.northwestern.edu | Oakton Community College 1600 East Golf Road, Des Plaines 847-635-1600 oakton.edu |
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