Dear, dear, fellow theatre-goers: I miss holiday shows a downright ridiculous amount. The sparkling snowflakes swirling around the Sugar Plum Fairy, the jolt of delicious fear before Jacob Marley appears, the sound design that makes your eyes weepy and your heart grateful? Yep. I miss those holiday shows. I miss holiday shows that I haven’t even seen yet, too. But if anyone knows how to turn lemons into a glitzy limoncello cocktail wearing a Santa hat, it’s the Chicago theatre {Read More}
A gift for all in Goodman’s ‘A Christmas Carol’
December 18, 2019 By Leave a Comment
That Dickens was pretty solid with enduring themes. And to create a work in December of 1843 that rings true- and, some might say, is the peak embodiment of the Christmas message- in December of 2019? Quite a legacy A Christmas Carol has. Ebenezer Scrooge, the miserly Christmas-hater, has a spiritual awakening or three on a night when magic can happen. His eventual change of heart (and wallet) has far-reaching ramifications for 1800s London and its residents of varying means, leaving everyone {Read More}
My goal for 2020? To take care of others- and myself
December 10, 2019 By 2 Comments
Exactly one year ago, I weighed 117 pounds. I was in severe pain; my belly, my ribs, my brain. For a month, nothing was “officially” wrong. Blood tests were fine, organ functions were skipping along, and- if you disregarded the fact that I couldn’t eat a thing- my doctors assured me that I was all good. I would wake up in in the middle of the night, weeping, panic gripping my chest, the knowledge that I was actually dying keeping {Read More}
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ celebrates life’s little joys
November 21, 2019 By Leave a Comment
It’s a wonderful life- yes, even now Who’d’ve thought that a radio show about a small town in the 1940s would resonate so hard- and make me so weepy- in a big city in 2019 (at Thanksgiving)? Well, life’s full of delightful surprises if you just know where to look. Friends, here’s your heads-up: American Blues Theater’s live radio performance of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!’ will cure what ails you. (Especially if “what ails you” is a {Read More}
4 terrific ‘something they want, something they need’ picks for the littles!
December 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Disclosure: Thank you to this month’s sponsors for making our holiday oh-so merry and bright with our “something…” roundup! Although I’m compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and thoroughly stoked children are entirely my own. *** It’s always a little tricky to balance the intake of goods with the output of, you know, doing good during the holidays. That’s why I’m so, so happy to present Lollygag Blog’s guide of “something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to {Read More}
6 ways to do more on Black Friday
November 23, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Black Friday and beyond Happy Black Friday, everyone! Ready to do more? Today kicks off a huge shopping weekend which steamrolls into Cyber Monday…and then Giving Tuesday! With all of the opportunities to buy, I was thinking of ways to do things like, you know, give back…reduce waste…teach some good ol’ fashioned values to my Google-at-their-fingertips kiddos… And then Suzy totally schooled me. The kids’ elementary school is in the midst of a holiday toy drive and the girls asked {Read More}
4 very specific ways Netflix saved my holiday season (so far)
December 6, 2017 By Leave a Comment
As a member of Netflix’s Stream Team, I love sharing the best of the streaming best each month- and this month, it may even restore a little of your fa la la. Although I’m compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and travel chargers are entirely my own. The craziness of the holidays is upon us, friends. (Heck, it’s always upon us, but now it’s wearing a little jingle bell.) Even if you’re staying in town- even if you’ve finished your shopping by {Read More}
“You’ll Want to Play With These, Too” Holiday Gift Guide & Book Giveaway!
December 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Usually I let my kids do the fun stuff; the reviewing, the taste-testing, and the experiencing. Not today. I’ve gotta tell you- as soon as these gems arrived on my front porch, I knew that not only were these the kind of toys I wanted to play with, but that this season seemed to be ushering in a renewed love of free play with never-ending options. How awesome is that? (Disclosure: Although I’ve been compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and toys {Read More}
