I’m taking a brief hiatus from working on this website. On Friday, January 22, the man who inspired this website (Jack Strom) died of a massive heart attack in his home. He was 48. Grieving …
Read the full story »Keeping kids content on the cheap, from craft days & family activities to festivals & free days.
Cheap eats, dinner deals, and other creative ways to eat out without breaking the budget.
Cinema on the cheap, for days when you want to drop out and tune in — to the big screen.
Nature, outdoors activities, and staying active without a pricey gym membership.
Need to get away? Ideas & opportunities for traveling on the thrifty side.
The environs of NYC and LA have long had places where fashion forward (yet pocket poor) ladies can rent dresses and accessories for events, but until recently Chicago women were forced to buy their finery. Lakeview’s Borrow a Dress Couture has changed all that, with a complete line of dresses for all occasions — as well as accessories and outerwear.
I had the good fortune of renting this cobalt blue asymmetrical number from Notte by Marchesa in October, and the results were stunning. For about the price of a week’s lunches out, I was able to spend the evening in princess mode. And that wasn’t even my first choice! I had originally picked a different dress, but a zipper malfunction had me running back to the store — in the dress, which had to be unstitched off my body to get my out of it. But co-owner Bree was gracious and hooked me up with the Notte dress, and everything else went off without a hitch.
Many people have asked me what happens if you spill something on the dress or have an accident — the answer is that most stains and some damage can be fixed by the cleaners (the fee for which is included in the three-day rental prices, which start at $35 and go up from there). A deposit of the retail price of the dress is held when you rent it, only to be charged to you if the frock isn’t returned or is damaged beyond repair.
As of this writing, BADC is selling off its winter stock to make room for Valentine’s Day pieces, so head on in to check out the steals. And tell Bree that Amy sent you.
Borrow a Dress Couture (3221 N Sheffield, 773-904-8735) is open Mon-Fri, 12n-8pm; Sat & Sun 12n-5pm.
Popularity: 84% [?]
January 23rd is the Yoga Alliance’s Free Yoga Day, which means you can check out free yoga classes at The Mystical Sciences Institute in Evanston (which, I know, isn’t in Chicago…but the CTA will take …
I don’t normally post on free stuff that isn’t exclusive/specific to Chicago, but Crown Publishing’s Read it Forward program was too good to pass up. Sign up online for a free galley proof of one …
The Steppenwolf Theatre remains one of the premier theatres in Chicago, but that doesn’t mean it’s off-limits to frugal city dwellers. In fact, the Steppenwolf offers some of the best ticket deals in town. For …
Compared to NYC’s Broadway (and off-Broadway) shows, which on a good day will set you back $50 a seat, Chicago theatre is generally affordable, with both the Goodman and Steppenwolf theatres offering a smattering of …
Sushi isn’t always the most frugal of meal choices, but Lincoln Square’s Tank Sushi offers a solution to the dilemma of an appetite for maki and a strict budget: happy hour. Okay, so they don’t …
Welles Park is once again host to the annual Tuesdays @ the Gazebo summer concert series, held every Tuesday — rain or shine — in its gazebo (located midway between the playground along Montrose and …
From Middle East to African, Latino, and other variations of world music, the Old Town School of Folk Music’s Concert Hall comes alive with dance-worthy beats and sounds every Wednesday through September for its World …
My favorite way to dine out at bargain prices is by snatching up $25 gift certificates for $10 (or less) at Restaurant.com. Some restrictions do apply, generally requirements to spend at least $35 before the …
Simon and Garfunkel might be so 1978, but that shouldn’t stop you from checking out Amtrak’s Weekly Specials (available only Tuesday through Friday). Recent fare specials have included $8 one-way to St. Louis, $12 one-way …
A nice explanation of the ways in which Shakespeare can continue to educate — and entertain — people of all ages, centuries after his death. Still, the question remains: was he a plagiarist? Perhaps Elisabeth …
I don’t normally post on free stuff that isn’t exclusive/specific to Chicago, but Crown Publishing’s Read it Forward program was too good to pass up. Sign up online for a free galley proof of one …
The environs of NYC and LA have long had places where fashion forward (yet pocket poor) ladies can rent dresses and accessories for events, but until recently Chicago women were forced to buy their finery. …
Welles Park is once again host to the annual Tuesdays @ the Gazebo summer concert series, held every Tuesday — rain or shine — in its gazebo (located midway between the playground along Montrose and …
The Steppenwolf Theatre remains one of the premier theatres in Chicago, but that doesn’t mean it’s off-limits to frugal city dwellers. In fact, the Steppenwolf offers some of the best ticket deals in town. For …
