Gals' Guide

Another Zara is Coming to Chicago! State & Randolph at Block 37

Happy Hump Day,

It was a rumor and now confirmed: Zara will open their third Chicagoland location at the still under construction Block 37 development at State & Randolph. Let's recap the first two shall we?

1. Old Orchard Mall - Opens in September (Skokie)
2. Location on Michigan Avenue - Opens TBD, there is some real estate drama with the building

Just Confirmed:
Location at State & Randolph - Opening next Spring, 12,000 sq ft, two floors.

I'm uber excited about the location on State Street. Why? I live on State St., due south, about a half mile away. Yippee!

Gals' Guide Chicago Event: This Thursday Drinks, Then Dinner!

We are all set to dine at CHIC...

Ok, finally, I made reservations at Chataigne, but I could always add MORE people. They don't start seating people until 7:30, so I suggest those that make dinner meet AHEAD of time if you CAN at the Green Door OR Nacional 27 at 6:30.

Now, the school orders the food ahead of time for the week, here is the menu (5 courses):

-Scallop Ceviche
-Halibut Dish with Vietnamese Pancakes
-Smoke Paprika Osso Bucco
-Risotto Milanese
-Yogurt Panacotta for dessert

It is BYOB and there is NO corkage fee.

So, please tell me if you are still in for dinner AND tell me about drinks before hand at 6:30.

Cool?

Thanks - RSVP Here.

The First Chicagoland Sonic Drive-In: Open In Aurora!

Believe it or not, this food loving gal never tried a darn thing from Sonic - and I feel like I'm missing out. Today, August 19th, Sonic Drive-In is now opened in Aurora. I keep hearing about this Cherry Limeaid drink, too.

Anyone have suggestions, tips or favorites I should try? Michael may take me there for dinner...

Smart Beauty: Cheap Cuts

Haircuts are 20% off at the Aveda Institute beginning this Friday.  If you've never been to the company's local teaching salon, you've been missing out.  The prices can't be beat ($16 for a haircut, and that's before the discount!) and the student stylists are incredibly attentive.  They also do waxing, facials, and massage and are very accomodating if you'd like to make multiple appointments in a single day.  The discount only lasts until September 20 and they book up quickly even when they're not practically giving away their services, so call them at 773-883-1560 to make an appointment ASAP.  Even if you can't make it in before September 20 they're a great resource and one of the best beauty buys in the city.  For more smart spending ideas, check out our earlier feature on cosmetics.

The Hollywood Cleanse & Jennifer Love HewittOdd Diet Potions and Body Flip Flops

Today's post is all about the things people do to lose weight, whether it's to cleanse their bodies or get some press...

Anybody hear of the new diet in Hollywood, and other places, that is all the rage?

It's called the Hollywood Cleanse or Master Cleanse or another kind of cleanse and consists of Cayenne Pepper, Maple Syrup, Water and Lemon.  For 10 days,you don't eat, but instead drink this mixture. It supposedly cleans out your toxins, you lose weight and you feel lighter after the 10 day time period. Hmm.

I know many religious beliefs have fasting as part of their traditions. I also believe in detoxing your body, naturally, if you want to get rid of the 'bad stuff' you've consumed. Something about this cleanse intrigues me and I don't know why. Though, the notion that you must drink warm water with salt in the morning to aid with going to the bathroom is a little too much...

Now on to Jennifer Love Hewitt...

Discount for GG Readers! Online Marketing for Women Entrepreneurs

Your truly and some other STELLAR women include our very own, Laura Roeder, will be speaking on various panel chats about online marketing. For starting your site, to the tools YOU need to use to push things along, this seminar is up your alley.

Online Marketing for Women Entrepreneurs
September 9
Knickerbocker Hotel
8 am - 1 pm

The bonus? Gals' Guide readers get a discount. Use code 'galsguide' to get tickets for $99 instead of $125. What's included?

• breakfast, beverages & snacks
• binder with valuable references
• a full schedule of seminars, panels and hands on workshops
• the opportunity to network with other women entrepreneurs
• introduction to key resources and businesses

Be ready to come and learn a heckuva lot of information and meet some of the ladies I work with, respect and call my friends in the zany world of online/digital/web stuff!

Julia Child Was a Spy for the U.S. Government WOOOOOOW

Holy French cooking, Batman!

I knew of Ms. Child's military service before she went into cooking, but...

She was also a spy for the CIA!  Yep, it was known that she was part of the OSS (Office of Strategic Services), but now it's coming out that the OSS was part of a spy ring.

Now that's one gal that put her safety at risk for the CIA. Then she became a famous chef.

Who knew?

Mayor Daley's Crew Pitch Chicago in Beijing New Chicago Surprises Video

If you think watching Michael Phelps kick some Swimming butt is fun, imagine the Olympics coming to Chicago in 2016. Take a gander at the latest promo video that was shown over in Beijing: