Holiday parties have begun to fill our calendar. Whether you’re more attracted to bold jewel tones or the simple sophistication of black, we have assembled six looks for the upcoming season of soirees. 1. Pick an LBD with personality Jacquard dress, $298, Sara Campbell; Jimmy Choo peep toes, $550, Shirise; 14k yellow gold […]
Thanksgiving. No other holiday is more about food. We’re here to ensure that your table stands up to the challenge, with just the right ingredients for a beautiful holiday setting. And whether you splurge or conserve, you’ll have plenty of reason to give thanks. Presentation is everything Serving Bowls: Splurge: Hand-turned Circle Bowl for Room […]
Once the goons and goblins stop ringing your doorbell, any and all Halloween décor just seems so frightful. To bridge the gap with style and budget in mind (and the best nature has to offer), we asked landscape architect Craig Bergmann, owner of Craig Bergmann Landscape Design and interior designer Paul Klug of Paul Klug […]
“The Happiest Time of the Year.” Whoever came up with this slogan was trying to sell a lot of something. For many of us, the month of December brings too much to do with too little time. Add to that an ailing parent, a child with special needs, teenagers (need I say more), and […]
With the commercial real estate market in a slump, Steve Sullivan teamed up with Champaign County folk artist Lynn Tague to start Haywire Creations. Sullivan’s brother, Dan, collected Tague’s whimsical folk art for years, so he got the idea to feature her art in a calendar and greeting cards, with Midwestern themes of shared holidays […]
Is your house home base for the family over the holidays? We’ve got the goods on where to go—for everyone in your family: Arts & Music For kids of all ages: Try Dr. Suess & The Art of Invention at the Museum of Science and Industry. 40-somethings will enjoy the trip back in time […]
Pressure is four unfilled stockings hanging from my fireplace. Plus the big gifts that I need to buy for my children and husband, and then my list of parents, friends, siblings, nieces and nephews—all whom need a thoughtful gift with that “wow” factor. For everyone who has ever thought, “Well, maybe he’ll like it,” […]
If your idea of outdoor holiday decorating is inspired by Clark Griswold in “Christmas Vacation,” more power to you. But if you’re looking for something less brazen, we’ve got the secrets to seasonal success. Getting Ready To Light It Up Hanging holiday lights is no easy task, so keep this in mind before you start: […]
Here are seven tips to make a holiday without breaking the bank: Gifts 1. Control the gift budget by setting aside cash in envelopes or buy gift cards from retailers, and bring them along when gift-shopping. Both systems set a constraint that makes it tough to overspend. Before purchasing any gift, ask yourself, “Does he/she […]
We’re all searching this time of year: for the perfect holiday cookie recipe, the most gorgeous trimmings for our home, the ideal gift for everyone on our list. And after all that is accomplished, we might even search for a little serenity. We’ll leave the serenity to you, but meanwhile, we’re helping by giving […]
