Daily Finds – In Good Taste

Chicago: The Crave Bar

Maris Callahan — Fri, 16 May 2014 05:00:55 +0000

The Crave Bar $5.50 Mariano’s I have a major sweet tooth, so when I heard about an ice-cream bar on a chocolate covered pretzel stick, dipped in dark chocolate and pretzel pieces, I knew I would be an instant fan. After one taste of The Crave Bar, it was indeed love at first bite. Created by Kim and Scott Holstein, a Chicago couple who ran a gourmet pretzel company for 17 years, The Crave Bar is available in three flavors: Milk Chocolate Madness, Cappuccino Craze and Dark Chocolate Decadence. Though I am normally a dark chocolate fan, it was the milk chocolate flavor that I would like to stockpile in my freezer and eat every day. The Crave Bar begins with super premium, all-natural handcrafted milk chocolate ice cream hand-dipped into rich, decadent milk or dark chocolate and salty pretzel crunch, sprinkled with sea salt and fused to a crunchy chocolate and caramel dipped pretzel stick. In case you’re still wondering, it’s worth every last calorie.

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Chicago: Flowers for Dreams

Haley Spector — Fri, 09 May 2014 17:00:11 +0000

My AM train rides are usually spent perusing my Instagram to gain a bit of inspiration for the day. I’m a sucker for sunny travel destinations, too-good-to be true #foodporn pictures, outfits I cannot afford and bright, colorful floral arrangements. Enter…Flowers For Dreams, a Chicago company that creates locally crafted flower bouquets for $35, which includes free local delivery. Want to know the best part? Each bouquet benefits a local charity. These beautiful blooms would be the perfect gift for mom….or to buy yourself to freshen up your home. This month’s beneficiary is Supplies for Dreams, the original nonprofit partner, an organization that helps put together backpacks complete with school materials for CPS students. Done and Done! Owner Steven Dyme is offering In Good Taste readers a 10% OFF code for their arrangements. Use code INGOODTASTE1 to get your flower power on! For more information on bouquets and subscription services visit www.flowersfordreams.com.

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Brian James Footwear

Maris Callahan — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 12:34:27 +0000

No matter how many fabulous pairs of heels you have in your closet, every girl needs a comfortable pair of ballet flats for walking in the city. Whether your commute to work involves a lengthy trek to and from the El or you take advantage of sunny days with a walk over your lunch hour, there are times when a five-inch stiletto strut just isn’t possible. Brian James™ was created by Angela Edgeworth, founder of the award-wining children’s shoe brand pediped® Footwear. She named the company after her husband and her designs embrace comfort, quality and style. There probably aren’t too many women that actually like their feet, so I’ll be the first one to volunteer that my wide feet have been difficult to buy shoes for since I shopped in the children’s department. When I graduated to heels and strappy sandals, shoe shopping did not get any easier. Though occasionally I’ll splurge on a practical pair of sling backs or an irresistible pair of heels, you’ll generally find me in flats. When I wear them, I look just like this model. Just kidding. Though I’ve spent many years stocking my closet with flats to match every outfit, all I really needed […]

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Lucky Bamboo Feng Shui Plants

Maris Callahan — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 05:27:06 +0000

The Lucky Bamboo plant is one of the most popular feng shui cures for home or office. Most floral shops stock numerous types of lucky bamboo, which in the traditional art of feng shui, is used to attract health, happiness, love and abundance. My Lucky Bamboo plant arrived as a housewarming gift from a good friend and colleague who must have known that if I am going to keep a plant alive, I would need a little bit of luck. Lucky Bamboo, also known as Ribbon Plant, is not actually bamboo, but a member of the lily family that grows in the tropical rainforest. Unlike true bamboo, is easy to grow indoors and really? I would never have known the difference if I didn’t become obsessed with the cheerful little plant and dedicate myself to some serious online research. According to Feng Shui masters, wherever bamboo is placed, good fortune is sure to follow. Generally, an indoor bamboo plant is considered lucky in feng shui when it combines all five feng shui elements, which are wood (the bamboo itself), Earth (the rocks the bamboo grows in), water (the water the bamboo grows with), fire (some pots have a red ribbon tied to […]

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