Undecided.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town: Gift Guide 2009

The holidays are here! After weeks of turning a blind eye to the holiday decorations on Michigan Avenue, I can finally be excited about the lights, glitter and sparkle on the street. Yesterday I listened to holiday music and decorated my apartment, so I'm in full-on holiday mode and I love it!

I was one of the crazies that got up early Friday to go shopping but if you still have a few people left on your list (or all of them - I won't tell!) here are some ideas.

Don't forget that today's Cyber Monday, so you can get Black-Friday-like deals online. Search for coupon codes on sites like Coupon Cabin and Retail Me Not to get deeper discounts.

Gift guide 2009

- Magazines. It's a gift that keeps giving. On my wish list this year? Body + Soul, Smart Money and Mother Earth News. Through Dec. 1, you can get Real Simple, Food & Wine and others for $5 on Amazon.

- Etsy. For the person who has everything, Etsy has something they don't. Find homemade gifts and even shop local to find necklaces from Jeneri Jewelry, an oversized bag by Elizabeth Wren, ocean flourite wishbone earrings by Toni Designs or Chicago photos by Helene Smith.

- Books. Find them at a used book store, and I think it's the best present ever. The books have so much character and mystery.

- Gift sets. Make your own! A blanket, gift card for pizza and movie for your favorite couple; a robe, slippers, bubble bath and book for your favorite mom; an apron, burger seasoning, grilling tongs and a case of beer for your favorite dad.

- Memberships. Brookfield Zoo for a family. Gen Art for yourself or CWIP for the professional in your life.

- Movies! Netflix is a good option, as is Blockbuster by Mail (which is a little more expensive but you can trade in a number of DVDs at the store).

What are you looking forward to giving this year?

xoxo,
Lisa Marie

 

Make your season bright

It's official: the holidays are almost here! I don't know if I can contain myself. After months of false holiday cheer simulated by over-eager stores, Thanksgiving's so close I can taste it. And that's when my real holiday season begins. 

 

In the spirit of the season of this week, which will be filled with all kinds of glorious things - my family, my grandma's delicious pumpkin squares, the 3 - yes, 3 - turkeys my dad makes (one baked, one grilled, one deep fried!), the Black Friday deals and the leftovers, here's some things you shouldn't forget:

- Be grateful. For the last few years, my entire family writes down what they're thankful for on a Thanksgiving placemat. My mom puts out all the placemats from years' past and all of us - cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, nieces and nephews - read what we were thankful for the year before.There have been some significant others that have made it on the list one year but not the next (which gives us all a good laugh), but reading and writing it makes us all feel really thankful. Even if last year's Thanksgiving boyfriend left you on the curb. 

- Black Friday! Here's some sites that list the deals - or alleged deals - coming our way. Sales, more sales and even more sales. Oh, wait, there's more sales, more and whew!

- Lincoln Park ZooLights start Friday, Nov. 27 at 5 p.m. Admission is free.

- Winter wonderland. All nine of the city's ice skating rinks open Saturday, Nov. 28. Admission is free if you bring your own skates. Otherwise, they're available by rental.

- Relax. Sit with some hot cocoa or cider and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.

- Love. Give lots of hugs to all those you are thankful for!

Have a very happy Thanksgiving!
xoxo,
Lisa Marie

I wish I may, I wish I might

I'm not feeling overly inspired today, with the wind howling outside of my window and my candle flickering next to the remainder of the dinner I consumed (a bowl of Life cereal - after the potato incident, I took the night off).

But a burst of 6:30 p.m. energy sent me out the door again, into the chilly air of the City of Dreams (quoting the mural on Broadway Street and Diversey Parkway). The street's lamp posts were glistening with holiday decorations that rejuvenated me. I got home, popped in The Devil Wears Prada and then decided to research its author, Lauren Weisberger.

Miss Weisberger's book was published by the time she was 26 and from what I read, her movie deal was inked at that age, too. I turn 26 in a few weeks. And surprisingly, I'm not as horrified at the idea of entering my late 20s as I thought I would be.

But a number can be a daunting thing and I decided to draw out a goal sheet. And what better way to stick to it then do it here with my ladies. Of course, if you read it, you must also add some goals of your own. Personal, professional, luxurious or thrifty - you deserve the best, so make sure you get it.

For now, my goals are vague and that's the way I like them. Career-wise, I always knew exactly what I wanted to do. And that didn't turn out quite as I hoped, which leads to a little disappointment. Of course, you aren't supposed to hold your wildest dreams until you're sitting in your rocker, Manolos on, reading the latest Vogue, so for now a little innovation and a lot of creativity go a long way (and a little denial: "Of course I wouldn't rather be working at Glamour").

Here are my goals - what are yours?

- Buy local whenever possible. Or American at the very least. My dad's a small business owner and I believe in him and small businesses, so why not put my money where my economy is?

- Get creative. I can't draw or paint but I have a creative fire in me. It's time to release it. Paint even though I'm no good at it and draw just because. Take some photos and mess around in Photoshop. It'll be completely, unabashedly for me.

- Do for others. It makes me really, really happy and fulfilled to do good with or for others. So it's really time to buckle down and do it. Join clubs, join efforts, become an advocate, let my passion soar.

- Spend time with the people who make me me. I do that now, but there's always room for more of it. Dinner with seester, stealing hugs from brother, watching Oprah (before she goes off the air!) with ma, cooking with dad, lounging with the beau, giggles with my girls, filling the kitchen at family parties and visits - there is nothing better. Nothing. 

- Become less of a consumer and more of a ... me. Stop buying what's cool and start buying what I need. Think less about labels and more about the product. Make things - maybe learn to sew (but I shouldn't get too ambitious). I love the hippie/environmentalist mentality and now I really want to fill my life with it.

- Don't get too down during the blah! times and don't get too happy during the best times, just enjoy it all. A perfect life isn't perfect, but I will find the crazy, unique, flawless definition of perfection that fits me.

- And I want a pet pig.

Take that, Weisberger :)

xoxo,
Lisa Marie

P.S. No cheating! You really do have to share your goal(s).

Novice Chef: Baked Potato 101

It seems simple enough: one potato and a microwave and before you know it, you've got dinner. For most people, it's as simple as that. For me, cooking is never simple.

I wanted to make something filling and warm, and a baked potato seemed like the best option. I can remember watching my mom and aunts wrapping potatoes in foil, spearing them with a fork and cooking them, so I did the same. My poor potato didn't know what it had coming.

I wrapped it tight and dropped it into the microwave. It cooked for 2 minutes, then 1 minute, then I called my house to make sure I was doing it right.

LM: I'm making a baked potato, how long do I need to keep it in for?
Mom: Do you have it in foil?
LM: Yes.
Mom: 10 minutes, I think. (Stops to ask our neighbor how long to cook it). Pat says about 7 minutes. Don't forget to poke holes in it.

I cooked it for 6 more minutes and when it still seemed cold and hard, I gave up and went to the grocery store. I needed to buy shredded cheese for my tater topping.

I got home, reconvened in the kitchen and put 7 minutes on the microwave. Then, I cut it open to see if it was cooked on the inside. Negative. 

I tried one more time for 10 minutes and cursed at the potato. I then decided that I should check the power setting. I cranked it to what I decided was the highest power setting (the buttons are confusing!) for 5 more minutes. Nothing. 10 minutes at the highest power setting? Parts of it were soft but 90 percent was uncooked.

The poor tater had been cut in half at this point, stabbed repeatedly and had pieces of aluminum foil stuck in it (above). Yum.

I decided to call my house one more time.

LM: Can I put a baked potato back in the microwave after cutting it in half?
Dad: Do you have it wrapped in something?
LM: Aluminum foil.
Dad: OH, NO! No, no, no. You don't want to put aluminum foil in the microwave. That starts fires. Wrap it in a paper towel or something. Make sure it has holes in it.

I walked to the kitchen, wrapped the sad-looking potato in a paper towel and placed it in the microwave for 8 minutes. The timer beeped and it was ready to eat! I added some toppings and dinner was finally served ... 2.5 hours later, with a little foil in it for added flavor.

 
 Here are my tips:
- No matter what your mom says, don't use foil in the microwave (in her defense, I think she assumed I was baking it in the oven).
- Don't forget to poke holes in it!
- Get your hot pad ready. If you put it in a dish, the dish will be extremely hot. Did I mention I also burned my finger?

Result: It was edible ... and I think I hold the award for most time spent microwaving a potato.

xoxo,
Lisa Marie

You Know You're Not an Adult When ...

... you call the maintenance man to fix the dishwasher (because it isn't starting) and to request a new sink stopper (because it's not stopping the water) and it turns out that neither item is broken. The dishwasher has to be reset before it will start and the sink stopper had to be turned - not pushed - to fill the sink with water.

Wow. I can only imagine what the maintenance man thought of my "repairs." At least it didn't require a lot of his time!

Have a lovely weekend! 
xoxo,
Lisa Marie 

P.S. If you want a taste of fall, visit my Examiner.com page, where I posted a fall photo tour of Michigan Avenue. Did I look like a tourist? Yes! But I totally loved it. The weather was amazing and I did it at the perfect time because today, the holiday decorations have started to come out full-force. I saw giant wreaths on buildings and miniature trees lit up on the Magnificent Mile. I feel bad for poor step-sister Thanksgiving - she's always overshadowed - but holiday decorations make me positively giddy!

Sample sale at Kate Spade online

Right in time for the holidays, Kate Spade is having an online sample sale with markdowns on handbags, wallets, clothing and jewelry. It ends Nov. 13 but due to high demand and limited inventory, visit the site ASAP if you're looking to make a purchase. Go forth and conquer, ladies!

A special thanks to all the veterans out there. You're an inspiration.
Have a great day!
xoxo,
Lisa Marie

P.S. Also, if you're looking for Veterans Day deals, I found a site that has an extensive list of promotions. VeteransDaySales.com has compiled a list of deals, some which expire today and others that expire later this week.

Worth It!: Body Shop lip protector, body butter

Back off, unwanted dry skin and lips: I'm guarded by The Body Shop. After using a lip balm my dentist gifted me and still suffering from a chapped pout, I went to my favorite beauty store and found the most amazing lip balm.  

With the guidance of the sales associate, I picked up Hemp Lip Protector, which restored my lips almost immediately. The only problem is it costs $8. Ouch. I've vowed to keep a watchful eye on mine so I don't misplace it and although $8 is steep, it's happiness in a tube. In this case, money does buy happiness (just ask my lips).

And if you want to be head-to-toe moisturized, grab some body butter while you're there (I like the Hemp, Vitamin E and Aloe body butters the best, as I think they're lighter than others). It also is pricey ($20) but keeps my skin glistening in the summer sun and quenched in the winter. Some users say it's too thick and greasy but I'm a huge fan. I generally use it before I go to bed and the next day, my skin still feels fabulous.

For a lot of reasons, I'm a loyal Body Shop customer and I can't help but rave about their products when they make me feel amazing in my skin. Plus, they have killer sales so I never pay full price for an item. Right now, there are sales on both body butter and lip balm (although I have lip protector) and their Love Your Body card will save you even more.

What products do you use to get through the winter?
xoxo,
Lisa Marie 

Laid-off Ladies finally has been reinvented and renamed Undecided. Until February 2010, the URL and e-mail will remain www.laidoffladies.com and askthegirls@laidoffladies.com. More information can be found in the About this Blog section. xoxo, lm

Hello, luva: Beta brings designer deals to Southport

The season of frigid air and hot cocoa is so close I can feel the frost on my fingertips, with Hanukkah being five weeks away and Christmas seven. I was stunned when my grandma dropped that bombshell on me this week, and as much as I love, love, love the ho-ho-holidays, I never have enough time to shop!

If you have any fashionistas on your list this year, Beta Boutique is having its Sample Sale Spectacular from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 7 and noon-5 p.m. Nov. 8 at a special off-site location, 3829 N. Southport Ave.

The boutique will offer 40 to 90 percent discounts on designer sweaters, jackets, dresses and more, and will include designs by locals Lara Miller and Eskell.

Don't worry, I won't tell anyone if you pretend to look for your sister with every intention of buying only for yourself. The word sale sometimes brings out the worst in me, too.

If you can't make it this weekend, the store has a permanent location in Bucktown at 2016 W. Concord Place, and it's the city's "first and only permanent sample sale." It makes my heart swoon.

xoxo,
Lisa Marie

P.S. You can read an extended version of this article on Fashion Files.