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	January 9th, 2009 One thing we’ve learned thus far is that things don’t always go as planned. You get a prime position at a great company, and then come the cutbacks six months later. You wait in line at Garrett’s for nearly an hour, and when it’s finally your turn—no more caramel corn, just cheesy corn. Or maybe you’re on fire with your New Year’s Rez. You’re working out every… single… day. Your muscles have muscles. You’re basically Billy Blank. Then, The Flu happens. And, well, you’re wrecked. Luckily, a new year brings new hope. Makes you learn how to roll with it. It’s time for a new you. At our bestie’s New Year’s soiree this year, everyone wore “I am … in 2009” nametags. Giving us the chance to fill in the space however we liked (e.g.: Lebron James, Susie Homemaker, Hired!). Ours? Sasha Fierce. Watch out, 2009, here we come.

	Chicago Picks:
	1	Take a Looksy Yeah, we’re not proud of this, but sometimes we sift through the day like flour into a baking bowl. All easy-peasy like—sorta just wafting through the hours. And then we realize… you know what? We need inspiration. We need something that makes us think outside the lines. We need art. Our current fave place to get all jazzed up about is the newly opened, eco-minded art gallery and shop, 360SEE. It’s minimalist and quirky (gorgeous sprawling marble floors and reclaimed items throughout). Eye-catching and progressive (a member of the Sustainable Furniture Council). Featuring just 50 works at a time, 360SEE does a brilliant job of fusing sustainability and inspiration. Think: a sculpture of a dog, created completely out of found metals and other trinkets. It’s a whole new genre of eco-savvy art, with found materials such as steel, plastic, paper, and umm… dried grass? You betcha. 360SEE made us stop and ponder. And that alone is good enough on our dull, vanilla days. Now we’re thinking art can be green, in an eco-fashionable way! 360SEE 1924 N. Damen Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60647 773.698.6340 www.360seegallery.com

	2	How Sweet It Is We have this reoccurring dream. Not the underwear one. Not the Brad Pitt one (does that age us?), but the one in which we have launched our own startup company—the business of our dreams! We’re sitting at a big desk, making calls on swank phones, and people are showing us product samples that we make snap decisions on. We love that dream. But thinking about the amazing cupcake treats at the new Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique is enough to make our mouths water and totally reassess our dream-job reveries. Teresa Ging, a former stock analyst, ditched corporate drudgery for good to establish her own dream company and spends her days working with Callebaut Chocolate, pure Madagascar Bourbon vanilla, and real fruit. Each of her artful cupcakes is perfectly decorated with a signature Sugar Bliss bloom (a heavenly rich and creamy frosting), and there are more than 20 incredible flavors (Chocolate Coconut, Banana Banana, Lemon Drop, Pumpkin Patch, or Strawberry Dream to name a few). Dream jobs aside, a cupcake a day has never been this good. Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique 115 N. Wabash Ave. Chicago, IL 60601 312.845.9669 www.sugarblisscakes.com

	3	Food Love Lockdown We're lithe ladies and all (thank you, Hatha Yoga), but we're not gonna' lie—that “salad with the dressing on the side” biz gets old. We love food, and well… we can eat like a heavyweight champ. Which is why we love the new prix fixe menu at Lockwood. For $38, you can treat yourself to a gourmet, three-course meal that will delight your taste buds and really fill you up. With a choice of three appetizers, three entreés and three desserts, there's sure to be an option you'll like—we went with the Caesar salad, drunken risotto (TD4!), and creme bruleé. A taste of our friend's yummy free-range chicken made choosing a favorite dish tricky—even the bread was delicious with the chef's special garlic butter. Located in the beautiful Palmer House downtown, the setting was glamorous enough to make us feel like a star while still maintaining a reasonable price range. This just may be our fave new place to feed our muscles some mussels, and get our Zen-infused yogi self some good ‘ol revitalization! Lockwood 17 E. Monroe St. Chicago, IL 60603 312.917.3404 www.lockwoodrestaurant.com

	Chick Picks:
	1	Bona Fide Yeah, we don’t care if it’s passé. We still like a little pinch of naughty, with a sprinkling of nice. Like pairing a lovely pastel dress with a totally rock and roll bag for a night on the town… or brunch. This hand-beaded beauty is simply divine. Wear it with a black leather coat and girly party dress. Whatever floats your boat, or sinks your pirate ship—this clutch gives you just the right amount of dangerous mystery! Beaded Black Skull Clutch

	2	Chandy Notes Our penchant for chandies started the minute we realized we liked, umm, the finer things. So decadent! So sparkly. Reminiscent of luxury, jewels, royalty, etc.! Coincidentally, it was around the same time we became set on marrying Prince William (approx. 1996). So of course we loved this adorable stationery that our fab ma gave us for Xmas. Personalize a set with your name, choose a color, and start penning your true and destined love! www.americanstationery.com

	3	A DJ Saved My Life List of things we normally have to tune out: trains, honks, sirens, cars, buses, construction sites, bus convos, train convos, and the occasional family member (just to get all teenage angsty for a minute). Without music, our inner peace would be toast. That’s why we’re thinking it’s time to invest in some new cheeky headphones to keep boppin’ happily along our way. This cutesy color-blocked pair sound and look great, and can easily fold up into your pocket! Colorblock Headphones

	Cocktail of the Week!
		Right Gin’s “Right Love” We know, Gin right? But this made us ooh and ahh in surprise and delight. Out is the pine tree-esque flavor of our dad’s G &T's, and in is a refreshing, light citrus taste. Partnering with celebrity mixologist Gregor de Gruyther (awesome name & a sweet job), Right Gin has developed concoctions that accentuate their revolutionizing flavor-flave. So we tested the hype, mastering a mix of the “Right Love” drink. 1½ oz. Right Gin ¾ oz. Blackberry Brandy 1 oz. cranberry juice 1 squeeze of lime, with a twist Shake over ice, pour, adorn with a slice of lime, and enjoy! www.RightGin.com

	Hip Happenings:
	1	Give It Back Sure, we make a Christmas List every year. And yet Aunt Erma or Uncle Billy always seems to present us with something really freaking weird. Bring in any unwanted new items to benefit local homeless charities, and receive a bar gift certificate worth $15 or more at Cubby Bear. Finally—a gift return we don’t feel guilty about. What: Christmas Gift Exchange Where: Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St. When: Through Jan.31 Call: 773.327.1662 Visit: www.cubbybear.com

	2	Handmade Hullabaloo Face the facts, kids—it’s the longest month of the year. So fight the slush and get all mussed up by the wintery winds by heading down to the Empty Bottle’s Handmade Market. Browse jewelry, clothing, scarves, handbags, journals, and greeting cards. Guess what else? There’s a cash bar. It’ll make the trek home all the merrier. What: Handmade Market Where: Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave. When: Jan. 10; Feb. 14; March 14; 12–4:30 pm Call: 773.276.3600 Cost: No cover (21+) Visit: www.emptybottle.com

	3	A Sophisticated Palette When we move, we scramble our junk together and make like a tree. Or, like a bandaid—fast, easy, and nearly painless. Maybe we should learn something from this dainty little art and framing store. In advance preparation for a move in spring, they’re discounting their stock of art, ready-made frames, jewelry, and gifts by 20–40% now! What: Anniversary and Moving Sale at Palette When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through May 15 Where: 1423 W. Chicago Ave. Call: 312.850.9785 Visit: www.palettechicago.com

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