xoxo, lm

Save yourself hours of gift analyzing

Valentine's Day is going to be here before we know it and even though it can be a fun holiday, it also can be a confusing one.
 
We've all been there. You get flowers or chocolates from a guy and you can't figure out what his intentions are. He could be giving you a gift as a friend, or maybe he wants a little something more.

Well, hopefully you'll find the following list helpful. I searched and found the meanings of different colors of roses for your time of need!

Red - Love, respect
White - Purity and innocence
Pink - Appreciation, grace

Get that resume ready!

You don't have to adjust your screen. No need to put on your glasses, what you're reading is true - The Chicago Tribune is hosting a career fair!

The fair is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 11 at Drury Lane. The Trib is promising exhibitors hiring in various fields and positions, and the event will be organized in three pavilions: general; healthcare, nursing and engineering; and technology and security clearance.

Update your resume and put on your best power suit - it's time to show those employers what you're made of!

xoxo,

Lisa Marie

Navigate the networking scene

It seems like eons since I've turned on the 6 a.m. news without hearing of layoffs or the difficult economic climate. This week, two friends told me their companies are letting go of employees. It's no secret - most of us are a little uneasy about the future of our jobs. Will someone from human resources show up at your desk with a pink slip? Let's hope not. In the meantime, get your name out there and start networking.

There's a lot of sites that support networking and our favorites are free:

Twitter (social networking and micro-blogging service)

LinkedIn (professional networking site - share your resume)

Facebook (social networking site)

Post your information, listen to what people are saying and engage in the conversation. You can learn from a community interested in your field and make business ties.

Going to wine and dine tonight?

TGIF! I don't know about you girls but it's been a LONG week and I'm ready to kick back and have some fun with friends tonight!

After flipping through this month's Martha Stewart Living, I'm excited to try out a new bottle of wine.

The magazine had a couple suggestions for bottles of wine that taste like a million bucks, but only cost about $5-$16.

So if you're looking for expensive-tasting wine that won't break the bank, take a look at their selections:

 Merlot: Turning Leaf's Reserve Merlot (2007, $10)

Cabernet Sauvignon: St. Francis's Sonoma County (2004, $16)

Chardonnay: Gato Negro's Valle Central (2007, $5)

In case you haven't heard ...

Rod Blagojevich is no longer the governor of Illinois. The state senate voted 59-0 to oust him from office and also banned him from again holding elected office in Illinois. Patrick Quinn is the newly appointed Illinois governor.

We like to keep our laid-off ladies in the know! For complete coverage, turn on any news station or visit any news site - you can't miss it! Here are my local go-to sites: Trib and NBC Chicago.

xoxo,

Lisa Marie

Do-it-yourself wall art

If you laid-off ladies are anything like me, you have an appreciation for art but just can't afford it. Don't sweat it, I have a suggestion!

Ever since Lisa Marie and I moved into our apartment we have had a hard time finding ways to fill up the walls. When it came time to my bedroom, I knew I wanted something blue, green and brown to match my comforter.

But when I couldn't find affordable, matching art, I made my own and you can, too!

Here's a picture of "the piece" I made for my bedroom wall. It was a little time consuming but easy and more importantly cheap! I went to Joann Fabrics and purchased nine flat canvases which were about $1 each. Then I spent about $5 on regular ol' crayola paint and just let the creative juices flow!

Revitalize your spirit at free tasting

I hope you're available Thursday night! Uncommon Ground, 3800 N. Clark St., is offering a free spirit tasting from 5 to 7 p.m.

I've been to the restaurant a handful of times and although it's a bit on the expensive side, sometimes you pay for quality - here you definitely get it.

The menu is loaded with organic dishes and locally produced food, the walls are covered with local artwork and the atmosphere is laid back. It's a great place to come for creative inspiration, to visit with friends or to grab a Wi-Fi signal (Kate and I used to drink their to-die-for hot cocoa while surfing the Web).

The event features Veev Acai Liqueur and includes free passed appetizers presented by executive sous chef Justin Martin. They will share the new seasonal TreeTini and other specialty Veev cocktails.

Club Monaco sheds winter clothes, you gain deals

The season of baseball, rain boots and dining al fresco seems far away, but not in retail land. If you need to stock up on gear for the chilly weather, reader Ashley recommends visiting Club Monaco's Final Winter Sale, with discounts up to 70 percent off. The upscale retailer is unloading its cold-weather clothes to make room for spring duds.

Ashley says her friend snagged an adorable $6 skirt at the Lincoln Park spot, 2206 N. Halsted, and she stumbled upon a jacket, skirt, clutch and scarf for less than $200 (OK, so $200 doesn't seem like a steal, but she says she needed work clothes). She also notes that she's obsessed with the black-and-white patterned scarf. "It's cashmere but lightweight and twisty and it's so warm," she says.

Unfortunately, the clothier doesn't display any of its sale items online. If you have the funds and you're near 900 N. Michigan Ave., 1731 N. Damen Ave. or the Lincoln Park store, drop in. Share the details if you get good deals!

xoxo,

Lisa Marie

Here's a good reason to get out of bed ...

Good morning sunshine! Roll out of bed and make your way over to your neighborhood Panera Bread. I promise - it's worth it!

I heard a rumor about free coffee today, Jan. 28, at Panera Bread but thought it sounded too good to be true ... so I found out for myself!

I spoke with Aaron, a manager at the Panera Bread in Lincoln Park, located at 616 W. Diversey Pkwy, who confirmed the rumors!

"We will be giving out free samples of our new light and dark roasts all day [today]," Aaron said.

And that's not all.

Womanly guidance: They make me shine a little brighter

I've been blessed with a lot of fabulous women in my life. Some old, some young, they motivate me and help me pave a smooth, unparalleled path for the future. Two women who rank top on my list:

My thrifty woman - my mom: Oh, Patti. She's too great for words. My chic mom has the determination to get the best deal in town - no matter what it takes. She's the woman who walks into DSW and walks out with three pairs of Franco Sarto shoes for $32.59. She gave me my wicked shopping gene and although I'm not up to par with her budget-savvy ways, she's taught me all I know. Plus, she comes with a killer sense of humor, confidence and she gave me my favorite trait - curly hair. Who else would a 20-something want to look up to?!

My career inspiration - Katharine Graham: She took the reins in a male-dominated industry and led the way as publisher of The Washington Post for more than 20 years. In her Pulitzer Prize-winning autobiography, Personal History, she chronicles waning confidence in herself and her abilities. The women's movement and her rise at the Post self-assured her and made her a role model for women like me. Take a note from Katharine: you have the skills, you just have to believe. I've never met her (she passed away in 2001) but the strength of her work carried on to me.

Who motivates you? I'll share more with you later!

xoxo,

Lisa Marie