We came. We saw. We conquered … the gift shop. Family vacations are an investment in experiences, providing an opportunity to relax, reconnect and make new memories through exploration and togetherness. After spending the time and money to get to your destination, souvenirs such as overpriced T-shirts or yet another stuffed animal seem like a […]
A new year brings new theater, but it also brings annual winter favorites. Here are five things to do around Chicago this weekend. “Botanic Garden” Opens Jan. 7 Lake Forest “Botanic Garden,” a play written by local author Todd Logan about a widow going on her first date since her husband died (who is also […]
Trade today’s stresses for the charms of yesteryear with a quick getaway to picturesque Galena, Illinios, a three-hour drive from Chicago. With 85 percent of this quaint, tiny town listed as a national historic district, visiting is like stepping back to a calmer time. While the eclectic shops, spas and wineries make for a fun […]
Listening to opera is not for everyone, this much is true. But far too many people exempt themselves from the glitz and glamour of a live opera performance because they’re afraid they won’t like it — or worse, won’t understand it and risk looking like a hayseed. Use this helpful guide to find out which […]
Updated Jan. 10, 2018 Sometimes it’s hard to get out of that winter blues funk. Without the excitement of the holidays, snow and sub-zero temperatures lose their appeal and winter quickly becomes monotonous. Luckily, Make It Better has a wealth of ideas to keep you occupied — some indoors, some outdoors, some a little out there, and some that take no […]
Fill up a bowl with popcorn, grab a blanket and settle in for a movie session. Make It Better staffers share their favorite films to get lost in on a cold winter’s day. “The Sound of Music” My all-time favorite movie. I grew up wanting to be Maria — and practically achieved it with my large family who […]
First we tackled our homes, reading and discussing Marie Kondo’s bestseller, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.” We embarked on a purging frenzy, donating books, clothes and housewares at breakneck speed. Many of us are still at it and have seen some changes in our lives. This time the Cynic’s Self-Help Book Club turned our collective […]
As a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, the Wilmette Theatre relies on donations and support from the community and local businesses to continue its mission of providing quality, educational and entertaining programs to the community. This year, we owe special thanks for major contributions from the Jerome Mirza Foundation, Make It Better Magazine, and North Shore Community […]
Not every great love story is conventional. Take, for instance, the story of Robert Neal and Edgar Hellum, who met and fell in love in the 1930s in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. They shared a passion for art and architecture — and each other, as it turns out. “Ten Dollar House,” the moving story of the […]
If you’re hosting family and friends for Christmas this year, or just want to get out of the house, these events around the Chicago area will keep you entertained after the holiday. “SHE, Streisand and ME, Monet” Dec. 26 Skokie Critically acclaimed Barbra Streisand impersonator Michelle Monet will pay tribute to Babs with “Don’t Rain […]
