Like all I want is a super cheap hotel in downtown Chicago, Priceline! Yes, I realize it’s unrealistic of me, but just let me name my imaginary price, and then we will find out who’s right.
/once got a $25 hotel. It won’t happen again, alas.
Showing posts with label chicago. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chicago. Show all posts
Callie and Jay go to Chicago: take one.
Jay had to change.
whiskey tokens!
guh
oh crap.
chicago diner ftw!
someone didn't want me to go.
Callie and Jay go to Chicago: take one.
VALEO...wellness is lovely
One of the perks of freelance writing
is being able to experience new
things and places and share the best of the best
with readers.
Recently it was my pleasure to visit
a wellness and fitness center
located in the J.W. Marriott
in downtown Chicago.
Valeo surpassed all of my expectations.
Katie Hurley,
brainchild of Valeo
prefers not to refer to this place of renwal as "spa,"
which may seem curious until you
experience its treatments and amenities.
Valeo is not one of those foo-foo
dayspas with heavy aromatics hanging in the air
and offering salon services or blow-outs.
Valeo is different.
It's an underground paradise hideaway.
You feel not just worlds away within its walls,
but since it draws inspiration from ancient traditions,
it also feels centuries away and temple-like.
Valeo features the only CLARITY CHAMBERS
(seen above) in the country.
I absolutely adored the chamber.
Covered with Turkish wraps,
I reclined on an enormous slab of marble
heated from within.
The fireplace with its modern stainless surround
added ambience and enhanced the mood.
Clarity.
So difficult to summon at times.
And yet it comes in the chamber.
For me, there was also something very...
it's tough to find adequate words...
spiritual.
Seriously.
The relaxation area is beyond comfortable
and where I was lucky enough to
chat with Ms. Hurley about everything
from hormones to existential angst to urban renewal.
I love her philosophies about wellness,
the value of intuition, and why I ought never to
feel guilt about caring for my body-spirit-mind.
I'll share more of her insight later.
I have yet to experience fitness at Valeo,
but I hope to in the future as the inspiring
Shea Vaughn offers Shea-netics
right here.
(Anyone else LOVE Shea's son Vince
in Wedding Crashers?)
Beautiful areas at Valeo to refresh before and after
treatments are everything you would
expect from a world class center, and my guide
Patricia was delightful on the tour.
My therapist Cheryl discussed my
concerns and preferences before
my facial treatment, which was indeed
customized just for me and simply
THE best experience.
The products utilized by Valeo are phenomenally
effective (omg the Kaplan M.D. serum!),
and I floated away feeling not so much pampered
but rather fed, cared for, listened to, and honored.
It appears this blogger has modified her perspective
when it comes to spa.
She is particularly hooked on
world class ones
and the idea that there is an alternative
to vacationing at a mediocre property for
a week.
A shorter stay at an exclusive
property such as
is a brilliant option
and a brand new passion.
'Alternative YUM' in Chicago
Starting and ending my day
with a little somethin somethin sweet
is one way I find loveliness in the "everyday."
Speaking of sweet and lovely:
P e n n y ' s P a s t r i e s
is a yummy new biz
which recently blew into the Windy City.
Penny!
Pastry chef and owner Penny
trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris,
earned a master's in Gastronomy,
then returned to the US with a mission:
Customize pastry
for folks with allergies and restrictions
who thought they had to skip dessert.
From vegan to gluten-free to diabetic,
Penny's Pastries
focuses on alternative baking.
The other day we chatted in Chicago,
ummmm...can i just say if you have a sweet tooth it's never a bad
idea to make friends with a pastry chef...
As a baker and lover of pastry,
I HAD TO KNOW...you're going to wow me
without BUTTER and EGGS?
SWEET MOTHER, HOWWWWWW?
via mary ruffle
"First off, I say don't say you 'can't.'
It's that you just 'won't.'
And I can guarantee when
you make the switch, you'll feel much better!"
via mary ruffle
Of course she's right.
I sampled delicious cakes
(carrot, chocolate, and lemon)
and wanted MORE!
Confession: I like cleaning
with lemon products and washing my hair with coconut ones,
but as far as eating the stuff,
I don't do lemon or coconut. I just don't.
However, this cake made me weak in the knees, and it's possible
I may even be gay for it.
Also would never have guessed
these treats were created without
animal products.
No issues with butter or eggs here,
I sampled delicious cakes
(carrot, chocolate, and lemon)
and wanted MORE!
Confession: I like cleaning
with lemon products and washing my hair with coconut ones,
but as far as eating the stuff,
I don't do lemon or coconut. I just don't.
However, this cake made me weak in the knees, and it's possible
I may even be gay for it.
Also would never have guessed
these treats were created without
animal products.
No issues with butter or eggs here,
but plenty of others have them so I wanted
to know more about "alternative baking."
to know more about "alternative baking."
"It's a nicer way of saying baking for people
with allergies...I learned about substitutes in baking
as far as milk, baking soda, flour...you know the
'chemical reaction' type of stuff. But when it
comes to dairy, meat, things you can't just
snap your fingers and make, I had to learn.
I bake in different styles."
via mary ruffle
See, she's a stylish baker as well.
Also she's cute and does musical theatre
so paired with the pastry thing I'm thinkin
marriage proposals are a daily occurrence.
Penny says it's gratifying to bake sweets
for customers with diabetes or allergies
who assumed baked goods were off limits.
"I think people automatically assume
they can't eat it anymore.
So when I tell them I can provide for
them what they want, they think i'm a
magician or someone sent from heaven."
via mary ruffle
I can confirm. Heavenly.
Yep.
PENNY FROM HEAVEN.
***********
No, I'm not buttering up Penny to score more cake.
Come on, now.
After all...she also bakes brownies.
Penny bakes traditional treats for
those who prefer them and can
do 2-day shipping--just contact her at her site.If you visit
you can see what the chef is up to,
grab one of her recipes, and learn more about
alternative baking magic.
A Burning Question:
Just me being curious: your sentiments toward butter are....?
MICHAEL DEL PIERO...an inspired life
Prepare yourselves for a sensual feast.
Take a deep breath.
If you are like me, your pulse will soon quicken
as images from this designer's portfolio render you woozy.
M I C H A E L D E L P I E R O
creates harmonious and nuanced spaces
for discerning clients.
I've admired her work for years so it was
so lovely of her to take time out to chat
for
...AN INSPIRED LIFE.
Many of the images posted here are from her Chicago boutique.
See additional interiors here.
I asked Michael how she captures so much
depth and tactile interest without introducing clutter.
"This is my specialty!
I love things with impact and texture.
If you use too many, you lose impact.
If you use to few, you lose interest.
I work hard to accomplish just the right
balance to create depth, interest, and serenity."
Del Piero employs "A specific color palette, oversized art and objects, and simple fabrics which scream with texture and not pattern help to create the look!"
Spaces designed by Michael reflect such thoughtfulness
and creativity, yet she is quick to graciously point out
how she honors it in others.
"I believe creativity shows up all around us everyday!
I see it in places where one might think it doesn't
exist such as the office of my accountant and my electrician.
The work they perform on my behalf is always surprisingly
creative and contributes to my life greatly!"
The Chicago-based designer is drawn to "Things that lean in just the right way"
for their artistic interest and beauty.
A few years ago, photos of one of Michael's projects
grabbed me, and I immediately thought
"this designer has genuine spiritual depth."
"I am a spiritual person and believe we as humans
have been created by a higher power.
What could be more creative and inspiring?
We are a masterpiece!"
Isn't this wall treatment amazing?Also went nuts for her Winnetka Classic interior.
Del Piero travels the world, collecting art and objects
for her boutique Good Design and clients...
but she doesn't seek perfection.
"I seek out the imperfect!
I have always found the irregular, bumpy,
discolored, oddly shaped, worn and unusual
the most beautiful.
The look and feel of something created by hand,
found, used and weathered is unmatched in its
perfection to that which is clean, shiny and even."
I asked the designer about how she uses contrasts.
"I love the mix of warm with cool.
I think this is not an easy task to get this to work.
The muted gray with the toned down gold is a favorite."
Check out this English Colonial in Wilmette too!
Michael has not always worked in interior design.
It is inspiring to learn of her background
in the corporate world as an executive coach.
"The transition has been what I refer to as 'in the flow.'
I started doing what I loved, coaching others to have
what they wanted in their professional life.
The transition to have what I wanted in mine happened easily.
I began purchasing cool things at the flea markets
around the world, selling them and ultimately placing
them in the homes of the owners.
I'm still helping folks have what they want
in their lives in a different format!"
Michael's idea of the PERFECT CLIENT?
"Confident, open minded, trusting.
If they have taste, I pray for the budget to match.
If they have a good budget, I pray for taste."
There are some incredible artists with works
represented at Good Design...can you tell us about them?
"I am a huge fan of Lucy Slivinski, Joe Boudreau,
Connie Noyes and Michael Thompson.
I rank them right up there with my all time
favorites Willem de Kooning and Jean DuBuffet."
Tip for editing your stuff:
"Keep what you love! If you have more than one closet
or storage locker full of stuff you are not using, PURGE."
What inspires this brilliant creative soul at the moment?
1.
A GREAT SMILE.
2.
GOOD, CLEAN, INTERESTING
INTERIOR DESIGN. THE KIND
THAT REACHES OUT, GRABS YOU,
AND THEN TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY.
3.
THE LOOKBOOK ON THE
ALLSAINTS SPITAFIELDS WEBSITE!
This vignette makes me SMILE!
Does humor play a significant role in your work or life?
"Humor is VERY important in my life.
I work on large scale projects, and it is
impossible for an entire project to complete without
numerous 'issues.' If I couldn't laugh about the
mishaps, I'd be in BIG trouble!
Humor lightens the serious, negative and
down right mean."
Good Design
What pure pleasure to learn more
about this globally successful designstar!
In Chicago now through December 15,
you can view the room
designed for Chicago's Dreamhome
in The Merchandise Mart.
gold coast lovely
Wanted to share a few peeks
of the
E l y s i a n H o t e l
in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood.
I escaped here for a few days last week
to relax and review the Elysian's heavenly spa
for an article I'm writing.
My sister was frightened by these enormous
sculptures in the lobby, but I imagined them
as hospitable guardians made of peanut butter fudge.
The staff at the hotel were the finest
I have ever encountered.
The entrance to our incredible digs,
a GOLD COAST SUITE.
The suite was sophisticated, luxe,
spacious (1250 square feet),
and
full of design inspiration.
More Elysian goodness is here.
We loved having a fire in the impeccably
furnished living room.
The walls were a french grey hue,
and the suite's palette lifted my mood immediately.
We spent time on our private terrace
because it was unseasonably warm
and the view from the 26th floor magnificent.
That would be content posture
on our comfy charcoal velvet sofa.
The VI Spring mattresses made in England
were also to die for.
(We did no shopping on Michigan Avenue!
None.
We left the elegance of the Chanel inspired Elysian
only once to satisfy a craving for my favorite pizza:
Apparently you can like work out at the spa...
all photos by me
Okay. Sooooo not my typical "everyday."
My easiest writing assignment thus far.
And there's a twist to the upcoming article...
This writer had never had a massage in her life!
She's a worker bee and had no idea
what she was missing!
It's all over.
I'll share more lovely decor ideas gleaned from
the Elysian later (and perhaps a
few self-timed photos of two middle aged moms
engaged in a battle royale with pillows).
If you are headed to Chicago,
definitely think GOLD.
Think state of the art spa.
Think ELYSIAN.
Hugs.
elysian rendezvous
I'm about to get really obnoxious
as I was s.t.o.k.e.d. to discover this place.
Parisian hotel lobby, perhaps?
~designed by french-born architect
Lucien LaGrange
~light fixture inspired by a Chanel brooch
~tres 1920s chic...
MAIS NON!
It's the fabulous
E l y s i a n
in Chicago.
C'est magnifique!
188 guest rooms
averaging 889 square feet.
No other downtown hotel
boasts private terraces.
Located steps from Oak Street
and Michigan Avenue shopping.
via busybeingfabulous
While the Eiffel may not be viewable...
this skyline will be!
Did I mention I just booked a suite
at this lovely boutique hotel?
Oui!
Two restaurants here:
Ria
and
Balsan
(named for Etienne Balsan,
who financed Coco Chanel's
first shop)
BTW it's for a girly spa getaway with sister Jo,
not a romantic rendezvous.
FUN and deliciousness
are on the agenda.
Also spontaneous Windy City frolicking.
The 4th floor boasts a
*deep exhale*
14,000 square foot spa.
Will this blogger ever leave the 4th floor?
Je ne sais pas.
No chlorine here.
No chlorine here.
It's all about the saline for our skin and hair.
Where's my robe?????
Where's my robe?????
A TV in the mirror is always a good sign.
Have we seen enough images of the Elysian?
Never!
Want other sexy hotel ideas?