We also agreed it would be a strategic move: With so many friends around, my parents would be too distracted to interrogate him. The plan...

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We also agreed it would be a strategic move: With so many friends around, my parents would be too distracted to interrogate him. The plan...

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We also agreed it would be a strategic move: With so many friends around, my parents would be too distracted to interrogate him. The plan...

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September 2007
The Pitfalls of Mr. Perfect

The Guy I'm Seeing met my parents a month ago, on the night of their 40th anniversary, at a party they held for 60 of their nearest and dearest. At the time, we were only a month or so into the relationship; usually I wouldn’t have thrown someone to the pack of wolves so soon, but, well, who doesn't like a good party? Plus, dodging the question "What's new in your life?" with "Work is going great!" was getting old. Now I could just shove TGIS in the face of anyone who asked.

We also agreed it would be a strategic move: With so many friends around, my parents would be too distracted to interrogate him. The plan...

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Naked Swimming … and Cake!

Today's my 30th birthday. That's a milestone, right? Right! And milestones mean you get to indulge. Since I'm traveling in Europe, the word "indulge" is taking on a whole new meaning. Last night, when the clock in the central part of Nice, France, struck midnight, I announced that we were going to do something to fête the arrival of a new decade. But what would we do?

Night swimming, of course! Everybody thought it the grandest idea, until we were standing at the Mediterranean, shivering and staring at some rather ominous waves crashing in the dark. After some fussing, the boys accompanied me into the surf—for all of two minutes...

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Trendevous at Carson Pirie Scott
September 15, 2007- Carson’s Yorktown location showcased its 2007 fall fashion trends in ready-to-wear, shoes, and handbags in a runway show hosted by fashion stylist Stacy Wallace-Albert. Stacy shared styling tips with nearly 250 guests on how to build a fall wardrobe from top to bottom. Photos by Randy Belice Read more
Goodbye, Wolfgang
By Penny Pollack & Jeff Ruby

Puck Outta Here
Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe (1701 Maple St., Evanston), the bustling spot next to Evanston’s Century Theatres, unexpectedly shuttered its doors on September 16th. Employees were called Sunday night and told the seven-year-old restaurant would not be opening Monday morning. The Puck organization, which is giving much of its leftover food to local charities, released a succinct public statement that read, in part: “Due to rising operating costs we are not able to afford the quality and price value our customers deserve.” Then it closed out with an emphatic, “Live, Love, Eat!” Just not in...

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The Perfect Storm, Italy-style
A big storm is approaching Cinque Terre, the cluster of coastal Italian towns where I am, at the moment, on vacation. We gave up on kayaking pretty early in the day; the seas were too choppy. There's not much else to do here but eat, sun, and swim, so most of the afternoon was spent sitting on big rocks, watching the storm approach, and chuckling at a group of nutty Italian fishermen who were sabotaging each other's lines... Read more
Week 19: Flowers Good, Flu Bad

In Sarah’s pregnancy books, there’s a lot of space dedicated to the importance of flowers. Flora seems to represent life, growth, and beauty, and a Devoted Hubby is expected to have FTD on speed dial for nine months.

I have always bought my wife a lot of flowers, and not just when I screw up. Problem is, my taste in flowers sucks. Carnations, it turns out, are as romantic as nose hair. But every time I brought them home, she smiled and kissed me, because at least I was trying. “That was so sweet of you,” she’d say in a syrupy voice that sounded familiar because it was the same one she used when a family member sent a really awful sweater...

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Green Tie Dos and Don’ts
Holding an outdoor event in Chicago in September is a gamble, and Saturday night's weather didn't exactly agree with the 16th annual Green Tie Ball, which took place for the second year at Northerly Island’s Charter One Pavilion. It's hard to rock black-tie attire AND keep warm when the temp is hovering around 50, but I planned accordingly and opted for black-tie casual: tuxedo pants and a cream silk camisole under a cropped pea coat and Missoni scarf. (Attending the event relentlessly for the past six years... Read more