• Several local spas are taking part in the Pretty in Pink Fundraiser and offering fixed-price ($31) massages, facials, and other beauty treatments. Every participating spa and salon has made a donation to Breast Cancer Network of Strength. Be sure to mention “Pretty in Pink” when booking your appointment. (ends Oct 31)

• Want to see something spooky? Take the Chicago Hauntings Ghost Tour, featuring Hull House, the sites of the St Valentine’s Day Massacre and Eastland Disaster, and more. (RSVP required)

• Want to see something funny? Check out Friday the Halloweenth: the 3-D Murderous Musical! The play pokes fun at ‘80s slasher flicks and includes the usual victims: the Virgin, the Foreign Exchange Student, the Stoner… Be prepared to be splattered with (washable) blood. (Fridays, ends Oct 31)

• The 18^th annual Chicago Country Music Festival will feature local and national artists, including Gretchen Wilson and Taylor Swift. (Oct 11-12)

• The 19^th annual Chicago Humanities Festival “Thinking Big” celebrates history’s big ideas with 120 programs in 25 venues throughout the city. (ends Nov 16)

• The Horror Society Film Festival brings 12 hours of the most blood-filled, gory, intense horror on the big screen to the Portage Theater. With every ticket purchased, you will receive your own barf bag. Um, ew. (Oct 11)

• Two dozen restaurants and shops on the north side will take part in the 3^rd annual Andersonville Dessert Crawl. Two different “crawls” will each feature 12 dining stops. (Oct 12)

• Charlie’s Chicago hosts its very first Chicago Frito Pie Contest. Amateur chefs have re-invented this comfort food favorite. Five dollars earns you a taste of each; then you can vote for a winner. Proceeds go to the Howard Brown Health Clinic, Direct Aid, and Vital Bridges. (Oct 12)

Photo credit: (c/o SXC) Crystal Woroniuk, City of Chicago, (c/o Flickr) zol87

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

At downtown’s Oak Street (near Le Colonial), you don’t have to look far to find high-end beauty treatments. One hot new trend for hair is long, luxurious locks. However, almost every time you see a celebrity with lusciously long hair, it’s being “assisted.” You can get the celeb treatment right here in Chicago, but it may cost you a penny or two. Salon Mor offers the full Great Lengths service for over $3,000. Actual human hair from Indonesia is attached to your own hair and is maintained by stylists for the five months you wear it.

Just a few doors down is another highly-ranked destination in the beauty business: the Marianne Strokirk Salon. Marianne has treated the likes of Maria Shriver, Diane Sawyer, and Hillary Clinton in her career and has appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” As you can imagine, getting a seat in her chair doesn’t come cheap. All new clients pay over $350 for their consultation and quality cut.

After all that treatment to your hair, what about your beautiful face? The Four Seasons Spa is considered one of the most luxurious in the country by Forbes Magazine. Open to the public, you can get a facial that you can’t get anywhere else. The 80-minute “essence of rubies” treatment utilizes oil imported from Dubai infused with rubies. It also includes a three-layer mask and relaxing massage techniques. Pampering yourself with this lavish treatment will run you $225.

Now that you’ve gussied up your hair and face, you can’t go out wearing the same old dress now, can you? Fine fashion is a must. At the Plaza Escada on Michigan Avenue (across from the John Hancock Center), you’ll find some of the most extravagant (and expensive) looks around. While the store claims to have something for people of “all walks of life,” they also make it known that they only carry “the best of the best.” Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Catherine Zeta Jones, Bette Davis, and Katherine Heigl have all been known to wear Escada fashions on the red carpet. You too can look like a movie star in these gowns, which can cost as much as $12,000. Want something a bit more casual? Try the Escada Couture jeans hand-beaded with Swarovski crystals on for size. They retail for $10,000.

While you’re on the Magnificent Mile, make a stop at Saks Fifth Avenue (across from the Apple Store). You can find one of the hottest names in shoes here: Jimmy Choo. You can take home a pair of heeled snakeskin sandals for just $1,295. Or get yourself a purse that may be worth more than the money you’ll keep in it! You can currently pre-order a Bottega Veneta tote for over $5,000. Or book a personal shopper for the afternoon and have him/her browse through names like Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, and Prada for you.

And finally, everyone knows that there is only one place to go to complete the high-fashion look: Tiffany & Co., where it’s all about that little blue box. You can slip on a ring with round pink sapphires and round diamonds set in platinum for over $7,500. And you’ve heard of and may even own a pearl necklace, but what about a diamond necklace? A necklace of emerald-cut diamonds in platinum retails at $1.25 million.

Even if your budget doesn’t allow for such grand expenses, you can at least have fun doing some haute window shopping.

Photo credit: (c/o SXC) elvis santana, (c/o Flickr) six steps, cammom

Salon Mor: 49 E Oak St; 312-573-0626
Tues – Sat: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Parking pay lot
Public trans: Bus # 36
http://www.salonmor.com/

Marianne Strokirk Salon: 41 E Oak St; 312-640-0101
Tues, Fri: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Weds: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thurs: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sat: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Parking pay lot
Public trans: Bus # 36
http://www.mariannestrokirk.com/

Four Seasons Hotel Chicago Spa: 120 E Delaware Pl; 312-280-8800
Daily: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Street parking difficult, valet available
Public trans: Bus # 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151
http://www.fourseasons.com/chicagofs/spa.html

Plaza Escada: 840 N Michigan Ave; 312-915-0500
Mon – Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sun: 12 noon – 5:00 p.m.
Parking pay lot
Public trans: Bus # 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151 or Red Line train (Chicago)
http://www.escada.com/

Saks Fifth Avenue: 700 N Michigan Ave; 312-944-6500
Mon – Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sun: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Parking pay lot
Public trans: Bus # 3, X4, 10, 26, 125, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151 or Red Line train (Chicago)
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/

Tiffany & Co.: 730 N Michigan Ave; 312-944-7500
Mon – Weds, Fri – Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thurs: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sun: 12 noon – 5:00 p.m.
Public trans: Bus # 3, X4, 10, 26, 125, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151 or Red Line train (Chicago)
http://www.tiffany.com/

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

Originally located in Highland Park, the hair salon opened a spot in Chicago’s Gold Coast. The talented staff here specializes in blowouts, dry cuts, and color, and many of them are from recently closed Mon Ami Coiffeur on Oak Street.

There are seven color and six styling stations available in the 1300-square-foot (121 m²) space with modern and minimalist décor. Likewise, your hair can be arranged just how you want it, whether that be modern and edgy or natural with minimal product. To complete the experience, the salon also offers facial treatments, make-up artists, manicures, and pedicures.

With a relaxing space and knowledgeable staff, the Taylor Reese Salon is a great place to let your hair down.

Photo credit: (c/o SXC) Leannz0r

Taylor Reese: 6 W Maple St; 312-640-0700
Street parking
Public trans: Bus # 36, 70
http://taylor-reese.com/

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

• The 2008 Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in the nation and showcases domestic and imported cars, trucks, and SUVs. Of course, there are also plenty of interesting experimental and concept vehicles to see, too. (Feb 8-17)

• If you’re going to spend a lot of money on a date, maybe it should be for a good cause. At the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation 17^th Annual Dream Date Auction, you can bid on date packages designed by local singles. Choices include international getaways, exclusive behind-the-scenes tours, and premium sporting event and concert tickets. Must be 21 or older. (Feb

• Hockey isn’t just for boys. Women can learn the basics of the game from current Chicago Blackhawks players and personnel during the Ladies Hockey Hook-Up. The event includes an appetizer buffet, martinis, gift bags, and more. (Feb

• Doc Films, a student film society at the University of Chicago, is holding the Japan Foundation Midwest Film Festival, featuring five contemporary Japanese films, all centered on the country’s post-WW2 generation. (Feb 8-10)

• Tough-skinned? Take a dip in the ice-cold waters of Lake Michigan as part of the Lakeview Polar Bear Club’s 7^th Annual Celebration of Shrinkage. This year, the group will be raising money in support of the Rowell family. (Feb 9)

• Let’s get naked! Er, rather, find naked. Go on the hunt for nudity as part of The Naked at the Art Institute Scavenger Hunt, where you’ll be on the lookout for muscle men, bathing beauties, provocative Picassos, and peeping Toms. No previous experience with art (or nudity) is required. (Feb 9, 16)

• The Lunar New Year Parade honors the Chinese Year of the Rat with dragon and lion dances, marching bands, floats, and more. (Feb 9) (parade route)

• Just in time for Valentine’s Day… ladies can get pole dancing and striptease lessons at Flirty Girl Nite Out. This ladies-only social also offers free manicures, pedicures, makeovers, massages, hair styling, and gift bags. (Feb 9)

• At the second annual Pink Valentine’s Day Party at Victor Hotel, both couples and singles can enjoy a body painting fashion show, a live photo shoot, drink specials, and contests. (Feb 9)

Photo credit: hthg1983

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

Spas all over the city are now offering some post-reveling recuperation like Luxe in Roscoe Village. The head-to-toe revamp at this full-service beauty spot is simply called the “hangover facial.” The relaxing session here starts with a foot soak next to a cozy fireplace. Then, the skin care specialist begins a manual, lymphatic drainage technique to help release toxins. Cold stone therapy is then applied to increase blood circulation. And to top it all off, reflexology is also offered for the feet. This hour-long respite will cost you $110. Additional treatments include lash tinting, waxing, skin brightening, hydrating peels, body buffing, and masques made with lavender rose, vitamin C, and papaya. Also, women will love their custom-blended cosmetics including shadows, powders, bronzers, and lipsticks.

A couple years ago, Dayna Delaurentes opened Urban Spa Chic, where all of the services are customized to whatever your individual needs are. However, even though you can create your very own “spa day,” one pre-planned package here can be perfect after a long night out: the “After Hours.” This treatment lasts about an hour and a half and costs $110, including a 30-minute body massage, a pedicure that focuses on the balls of the feet (and where your toes got squished by those dancing shoes), and then a “Bye Bye Bags” eye treatment that is geared toward dark circles and puffiness under the eyes. You’ll come out feeling rejuvenated, revived, and refreshed. (Reservations are recommended; guests must call ahead to bring children.) Want to share the love? Urban Spa Chic will rent out the entire spa for a few hours or all-day events.

Finally, Bliss has locations all across the country, but their Chicago outpost can be found in the W Hotel on Lake Shore Drive, where a beautician scrubs, hydrates, and massages your skin with strange but surprisingly beneficial ingredients like sesame or chocolate. This 9,600-square-feet space envelops 16 treatment rooms, where you can enjoy specialties like the Hot Cream Manicure, the Plum Plum Pedicure, or the Quadruple Thighpass. You can even enjoy brownies while you pass the time in the waiting room! As you can tell, Bliss is all about serious skin care with a fun attitude. The day-after remedy here is called “the Hangover Herbie.” It starts by being rubbed with rosemary oil and getting wrapped in a mylar blanket to help detoxify. A masque is then applied to hydrate and revitalize the complexion. While that dries and soft jazz plays in the background, the technician gives an intense 15-minute foot massage. After the masque is removed, the face is sprayed with oxygen to activate the vitamins in the skin, increase circulation, and kill surface bacteria. It retails for $215, and it’s a 105-minute treatment. Unfortunately, you will have to leave and face the non-pampering world at some point, but not without a green tea supplement, which will help replenish the nutrients back into your body so you’ll be back and ready to hit the town again.

Photo credit: Wikipedia, RK Catch (c/o Flickr)

Luxe A Salon & Spa: 2109 W Belmont Ave; 773-665-2049
Tues, Thurs: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Weds: 3:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Fri: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Street parking available
Public trans: Bus # 50, 77
http://www.luxeasalon.com/

Urban Spa Chic: 1401 W Hubbard St (2nd floor); 312-492-8050
Tues – Weds: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Thurs: 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Fri: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sat: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sun: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Street parking available (free after 4:00 p.m.)
Public trans: Bus # 9, X9, 65
http://www.urbanspachic.com/

Bliss @ W Hotel: 644 N Lake Shore Dr; 312-201-9545
Sun – Sat: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Parking pay lot, valet available
Public trans: Bus # 2, 3, 3X, 29, 65, 66, 124, 157
http://www.blissworld.com/

Post from: The Chicago Traveler