Rene-made Craft Fair

 

I love the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood! Artists come from all over the country to sell their handmade goodies, from posters to jewelry to soap. I'm super happy with my buys.

 

Austin-based line feb10 offers cute animal prints for the children's room, or kids at heart. I absolutely LOVE adorable animals; so naturally, I had to have this! I purchased The Alphabet Kingdom, which includes many--woodland, nautical and mystical animals.

 

I also purchased from Minneapolis-based MakeShiftAccessories, which uses exclusively salvaged and found materials. The Sunburst Riveted Copper Cuff is made out of a vintage copper serving platter, brass fire sprinkler head and Spanish peseta coin (the currency between 1869 and 2002). It can't get any better than wearing a vintage and reclaimed item!

My Fair David

David Tutera, of WE tv's My Fair Wedding fame, visited Chicago for the Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival. He stopped by Water Tower Place to give girls tips on wedding planning. 

If you are not familiar with his show, he arrives at anxious bride-to-be's homes three weeks before their wedding. The women show him their vision (actual examples include Day of the Dead, Wizard of Oz and swamp themed) and he takes it from tacky to classy—whatever the inspiration! 

David spoke about his career, the wedding industry, changes to the new season and answered questions from the audience. He wears his heart on his sleeve and believes that this is the defining factor of why he is hired. He said there are other more talented people out there but he is personable and genuine. He also surrounds himself with talented people so they rub off on him.

The new season will follow him around more than ever. We will get more of David—his opinions and personal life. Oddly enough, he is not in on the selection process and is just given a bride and said go! If it were up to him, most of the past brides would not have made it to air.

The wedding industry is ever changing. David said that people are spending less on weddings and they are considering every element more carefully to make it personal. Many women plan before their engagement (I can relate) and even before they have a man.

When asked the top elements for spending the bucks, he said (starting with most important)...

1) Food & Drink: Because you want happy guests

2) Entertainment: Because it sets the mood

3) Decor: Because it adds to the environment

These will have a lasting effect. One more tip? Make a change every 30 minutes, whether it's to lighting, music tempo or an activity. It will keep the guests excited and create a memorable wedding. 

Cookie Bar

For years I’ve wanting to try Cookie Bar (2475 N. Lincoln Ave.). One summery winter afternoon I was in the area and finally stopped by. I ordered the Lisa Marie Presley—a peanut butter cookie with peanut butter cups, milk chocolate chunks, banana chips and more peanut butter. Lisa Marie Presley is a “nuttier” Elvis (cookie that is). It was soft in the center and crunchy on the outside, and sugary but not too sweet. I also sampled the Minty Num-Num—a chocolate chip cookie with a peppermint patty squished into it. The peppermint patty oozed out from the center when I bit into the treat. There is a good amount of mint flavor amongst the chocolate chip cookie base.

If you are more of a do-nut, try theirs—baked not fried.