Sherry Corder, along with her husband Archie, opened the Old Victorian Farmhouse in May 2005. True to its name, the house used to be a dairy farm. Today, it is a haven of comfort and times gone by. Full of antiques and old family pictures, something intriguing caught my eye at every turn.

Although the Old Victorian Farmhouse, located in Wauconda, Illinois, is only a short drive from Chicago, you’ll feel like you’re a million miles away. The B&B is also a short drive from Long Grove Village.

What about the bed and the breakfast, you ask? Well, let me tell you! My husband and I stayed in the Secret Garden room, and slept on the most comfortable and luxurious bed I have ever had the pleasure of sleeping on, topped with a featherbed that I would have liked to take home with me, but I could not squeeze it into my suitcase. As for the breakfast, who wouldn’t love Creme Brule French toast, eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit, served on beautiful china, crystal, and silver. Every breakfast should be so fancy. And Sherry is more than happy to share her recipes with the guests, so just ask!

Sherry is also a great resource for what to do while you’re in Wauconda - if you can bring yourself to leave the B&B, that is.

Old Victorian Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast
26668 N. Main Street
Wauconda, IL 60084
847-526-9271

That is what took me to the True Skin Care Center for a chemical peel. The True Skin Care center is found within the offices of Dr. Steven Dayan, a facial plastic surgeon. This allows the estheticians to use products and procedures that can only be used in a doctor’s office, so you know you’re getting a more effective treatment than you might find in a spa setting.

The procedure I had was a mild, multivitamin chemical peel, that took a very relaxing 45 minutes, and costs about $100. My esthetician, Amy, took great care of me and during the procedure she asked lots of questions about my skin and the problems I was having (dry, pink spots and minor breakouts), and gave me some advice and tips on how to take better care of my skin as I get older. She even sent me home with some great samples!

Now for the review: First, the experience itself is wonderful - like a massage for the face. The esthetic suites are warm and comfortable, and the obligatory relaxing music is playing in the background. You can even start out with a cup of tea beforehand, if you like. About 15 minutes into it, I was completely hooked. During and immediately after the peel, I could feel changes in my skin. That night, when I washed my face, I noticed it was clearer and brighter. Over the next day or two, the red spots went away and a week later all dryness was gone. When the harsh Chicago winter starts taking its toll on my skin come January and February, I’m sure I’ll be making another visit to the True Skin Care Center.

Beyond the multivitamin peel that I had, True Skin Care offers a wide range of treatments and procedures including microdermabrasion, all types of facials (from acne treatment to maintenance facials), waxing, lip hydration therapy, purifying back treatments, and lash and brow tinting.

In addition, Dr. Dayan’s practice offers a full range of procedures, including non-surgical (such as Botox), and surgical (such as rhinoplasty). Basically, the Center offers the treatments you want to keep you looking younger, whether it’s a soothing facial or a complete face lift!

True Skin Care Center
845 N. Michigan Ave. (Water Tower Place)
Suite 923 East
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 335-2070

It may be a regular practice for restaurants to offer-up recipes and cooking tips, but when one of your favorite restaurants reveals the secrets of one of your favorite dishes, it is, without question, an event for the record books.

West Town Tavern is the creation of Susan and Drew Gross who, with their award-winning Zinfandel Restaurant in River North, have been significant players in the Chicago restaurant scene for over a decade. West Town Tavern is a traditional tavern in some respects (the comfort food, the open space where bar and restaurant occupy a single, stretched room, the come-as-you-are atmosphere that welcomes staying late to visit with friends and neighbors), and not so traditional in others (no televisions for watching sports, no neon-lit beer signs, no dart boards). A sleek simplicity pervades the restaurant from the decorating to the menu to the vibe of the staff. The food is hearty and satisfying, and my friends and I all agree that we appreciate it not being served in belt-busting portions.

Tip: Visit the website to learn about special West Town Tavern events, check out a menu, discover perfect pot roast secrets or find other delicious recipes.

West Town Tavern
1329 W Chicago AVE
(312) 666-6175

Logan Theater
2646 N Milwaukee
(773) 252-0627

Although my school days ended years ago, my mother’s influence on the importance of granting oneself the occasional mental health day remains with me, and when I play hooky from the real world I head straight away to Bistrot Zinc.

There is nothing like eating at Bistrot Zinc on a weekday afternoon. With its yellow walls, orderly rows of tables, beautiful zinc-covered bar, stark white linens, and crisp baguettes, you may catch yourself actually believing that you have stepped off the streets of our windy city and into gay Paris. The menu is reasonably priced and dedicated to traditional French Bistro fare with delectable dishes like French onion soup, salad Nicoise, steak frites, and quiche du jour. Whatever you order, make sure to leave a little room as the dessert crepes are not, under any circumstances, to missed. The wait staff is a little aloof which is absolutely, perfectly Parisian. Take a seat near the window and you can linger for hours watching those responsible citizens rush past in an attempt to complete their daily tasks.

Another glass of wine, Madame? Oui! Oui! C’est la joie de vivre!

Bistrot Zinc
1131 N State ST
(312) 337-1131