Spooky Spirits

Skipping the tricks this year but still want to celebrate Halloween with a few treats of your own? Here at Delve, we’re trading the costumes and candy for pumpkins (martinis) and cider (punches). See below for a few of our favorite recipes to help grown-up goblins put the BOO back in booze:

Candy Corn Cocktail (pictured)
Combine 2 oz. SKYY Infusions Pineapple and 1 oz pineapple juice in shaker with ice and strain into glass
Shake 1.5 oz. softened orange sherbet and ice; Strain and pour into glass over above mixture
Shake 1 oz. milk and 1 oz. simple syrup and our into top layer of glass

Pumpkin Martini
1 oz. pumpkin liqueur or pumpkin-flavored syrup
2 oz. vanilla vodka
1 oz. cream liqueur
Shake contents and rim the glass with cinnamon

Bobbin' for Apples
2 oz. Ole Smoky® Apple Pie Moonshine
2 oz. ginger ale
1 tsp. lime juice
1 tsp. Triple Sec
Shake and garnish with apple wedge and cinnamon stick

Blood & Sand
1 part each of:
Scotch whisky
Cherry brandy
Sweet vermouth
Orange juice

Pumpkin Caipirinha
In a cocktail shaker, combine 1/2 lime and ½ oz. agave nectar; muddle.
Add crushed ice, 1 ½ oz. cachaca (or white rum) 1 ½ oz. pumpkin puree and 1 ½ oz. ginger liqueur (or 1 tsp. freshly peeled/grated ginger)

Bloody Punch
2 cups brandy
1/2 cup black currant cordial or schnapps
1/8 cup superfine sugar
4 cups apple cider
1 1/2 cups ice cold seltzer
Mix in a punch bowl at room temperature so sugar dissolves. Then refrigerate and serve.

Feeling extra festive? Throw in a block of dry ice to create a fog-effect from your cocktail punch bowl.

Need a little help on making sure to master the cocktail creation? Pocket Cocktails updated its iPhone and iPad apps with a collection of new Halloween themed concoctions.

*photo via foodcreate.com

This Weekend: Vintage for a Cause

Gotta Have it: Spun Scarves Strip Arizona Poncho

In search of the perfect fall scarf? Look no further. This little number by Spun Scarves ($60), serves as a scarf, poncho and ultimate accessory to a plain white tee. We are loving the southwestern pattern in neutral colors and the price that doesn't set us back a whole paycheck. Pair with your favorite skinnies and a pair of worn-in boots for the ultimate city slicker look.

Bucktown Welcomes: The Edit

While we love our big name department stores as much as any girl, there is something to be said about a boutique with cutting-edge designers and a strong point of view. After attending the grand opening of The Edit (1917 N. Damen Ave), we weren’t disappointed in Bucktown's most fashionable newcomer. Filled with cozy sweaters, feminine tops and bright accessories, The Edit is a breath of fresh air to an area that is becoming increasingly commercial. We loved owner Morgan Gutterman’s picks, who apparently has an affinity for fashion down under, carrying chic and sexy Australian brands such as Bec and Bridge and One Teaspoon among many others.

Whether looking for a cocktail dress or rocker tee, we will most definitely be adding the Edit to our Damen shopping repertoire – check out the store and tell us what you think!

photo credit – Scott Regan

Childhood Opening Video

We know we recently posted about Next's childhood menu, but with opening weekend under their belts and the below amazing video that perfectly portrays Achatz's vision for the menu, we just cannot contain our excitement. Who has been? We want to hear your take on Childhood!

Spooky Chicago Cementary

If you caught the Red Eye's "Graveyards and Ghosts" article today, you're likely still a little spooked. Just in time for All Hallow's Eve, the article highlights a supposedly haunted Chicagoland cementary for those of you looking for a scare.

It's believed that "Resurrection Mary" a local and famous spirit can be seen not only within Resurrection Cementary (7201 Archer Ave., Justice, IL), but is known for hitting up passers-by for a ride.

The Red Eye reports, "Over the years, thousands of people have reported a young woman who flags down passing cars for a ride home. When they ask for an address, she supplies that of the cemetery. Often, 'Mary' vanishes in the car or steps out at the cemetery and fades into darkness.

During the '30s, a Polish woman between the ages of 17 and 22 was on her way back from a dance at the O'Henry Ballroom when she was killed in a car accident. She was buried in Resurrection Cemetery, and locals believe that this is 'Mary.' She is always seen wearing a vintage ball gown and seems incredibly lifelike -- until she vanishes."

Who's up for a late night drive to see Mary this weekend?

Ni Hao, Hubbard St.

With two of the Delve ladies fresh off of a trip from China, this news was music to our dim-sum-missing ears. Franky Fong, of Delve fave Lao Sze Chuan, is bringing an unexpected menu to the sometimes predictable Hubbard St. lineup.

Red Violet, set to open end of November is promising a 200-person restaurant area and posh lounge.

And the menu?

Dish is offering up a preview of Fong’s proposed menu, all stemming from the likes of Beijing, Shanghai and Sichuan:

• Foie gras wonton chicken soup
• Seafood hot and sour soup, with lobster, crab, and scallops
• Black crystal mushroom and edamame in wasabi vinegar sauce
• Stir-fried egg noodles with black truffle oil, wild mushrooms, and black pepper
• Kurobuta pork with pineapple, bell pepper, onion, and sweet and sour sauce

Photo via Dish

Bring on the Cold: Fall Outerwear

Instead of focusing on the dreary forecast and dropping temps, we are trying to be glass half-full kind of people. Rather than mourning the loss of summer, we have re-focused our energy to scouting outerwear to make the change in seasons a little less miserable and a lot more fashionable. Bring on the cold in this season's hottest styles:

(Click on image to enlarge)

The Camel Coat: A rich camel coat with this season's menswear inspired tailoring; Aritiza $350
The Accent Jacket: Leather sleeves meet luxe wool to create this statement jacket; J. Crew $695
The Cape: Something about this knit poncho makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside; Zara $129
The Military Parka: We like our parkas with added glamor (and warmth) thanks to faux-fur accents; Madewell $298

Put a Sock In It

Known to style-mavens as the go-to 'do of the season, the high bun craze is making ballerinas everywhere proud. We just learned from Made in Pretoria (one of our fave DIY bloggers) that in order to get an envy-worthy top knot, all you need is a sock. No, seriously...

(click to enlarge)

Full instructions available at the above link.

*photo via Made in Pretoria

Go See: Friendly Fires @ The Metro

Before they blow up stateside and you are paying an absurd amount of money for a nose-bleed seats, check out Delve's latest music obsession Friendly Fires at the The Metro next weekend. For $20 you get to rock out up-close and personal with this British-Indie-Dance group just coming off their critically acclaimed sophomore album. Added bonus, Theophilus London is doing an opening set that you won't want to miss. Buy tickets here.

FF tracks to get your feet wet: Paris, Skeleton Boy, Jump in the Pool

Vintage Hollywood Comes to Chicago: Decades Pop-up Shop

This weekend, Chicago will get a taste of Hollywood glamour when Decades Pop-Up Shop returns to Chicago for another round of ridiculous vintage that bring us to Rachel Zoe “I Die” kind of moments. For those who aren’t familiar, Decades is a Hollywood-based luxury retailer that consigns vintage and modern designer clothing/accessories from the closets of celebrities, stylists and fashion icons for up to 80% off retail. Lucky for us, in recent years Decades decided to spread the designer love by holding pop-up events in cities around the country.

Need some convincing on whether or not to hit up space 519 this weekend to check it out? See below for this Viviane Westwood frock that is part of the shop’s collection, we told you, ba-nanas.
Although you would be crazy to miss it, for those who can’t attend the shopping event in person a stunning selection of merchandise, hand-selected for Chicago slaves to fashion, will be on-hand at the retailer’s e-commerce site, www.decadestwo1.com.

Madewell Comes to Chicago (well almost)

We are still waiting for Madewell's Gold Coast location to open, but in the meantime, for those Chicagoan's with access to a car, the Madewell in Old Orchard opened yesterday. Just in time for fall, stock up on cozy sweaters, stylish boots and much more (including Alexa Chung's custom line) from J.Crew's hipper counterpart.

Now Open
Madewell Old Orchard
4999 Old Orchard Center
847-679-2486

Grant Achatz - Messing With Perfection?

Rounding out the final week of their three-month Thai menu, Achatz’s Next announced that their third restaurant concept will be much more Alinea-like. Chef-de-cuisine, Dave Beran, is basing the new menu on a simple (yet so-very-complicated) concept: Childhood.

Beran and Achatz are promising a menu with the likes of their own version of chicken noodle soup and sweet potato pies. This got us talking over at Delve about some of our favorite childhood bites, so we took the liberty of coming up with an entire menu all of our own. You know, just to help them out. While we know Mr. Beran will put a fancy and delicious twist on all menu items, we’re wondering if messing with perfection (per our below selections) is wise. For example, we can’t think of any possible way to improve on the genius that is the Koala Yummy.

Delve Presents: A throw back to childhood dining

Appetizers:
A sweet vs. savory combination of Handi-Snacks and Fruit by the Foot (the tie dye version, obviously)

Main Course:
Your choice of two: Velveeta Mac & Cheese with hot dogs, Lunchables, Dinosaur Nuggets, Pizza Rolls and Bagel Bites

Dessert:
An indulgent spread of Dunk-a-roos, Koala Yummies and Gushers

Cocktails:
Spiked Hi-C, Mondos, Squeeze-Its, Sunny D and Fruitopia

After Dinner:
Juicy Fruit, Jawbreakers, War Heads, Bubble Tape and Big League Chew – to go

Look For Less: Lace-up booties

Sure it's warm right now. But we all know Chicago weather is fickle and when it turns on us, we want to be armed with the appropriate footwear. Imagining ourselves wrapped in cozy sweaters and a fresh pair of jeans got us thinking about the perfect fall shoe. After doing much searching we landed upon these Michael Kors Divina Suede booties (left) as the perfect mix of tomboy charm with a killer heel. To be mindful of those who are already feeling the economic stress of fall shopping gone too far, we also pulled a pair of these Steven Baren booties that have the same look and feel for $100 less. Whichever one you choose, lace 'em up and take 'em out on the town.

Hello, Indian Summer

Alright Chicago – you see this forecast? It’s October, so this is nothing short of a miracle. With an amazing weather weekend ahead, see Delve’s top picks for ways you can enjoy the sunshine one last time…



Apple Picking – Embrace your inner kid and head to one of our neighboring states for some good ol’ fashioned apple picking. Just outside of the city, these spots (full of cider, fall leaves, hayrides and pumpkin patches) are a guaranteed good time for all. Our suggestions: Apple Holler in WI (a little over an hour outside the city) and County Line Orchard in IN (just over the border, about 45 minutes away)

Michigan Wineries – Also just over an hour away lives a haven of wineries and tasting rooms for vine-loving Midwesterners. Our top picks: Round Barn Winery and Tabor Hill. Want to hit up more than one winery while you’re there? Try the Wine-O-Wagon tour or Tour-de-Grape bike tours.

Join the Marathon – Didn’t want to spend all summer training for the marathon? We don’t blame you. But just because you aren’t an official participant doesn’t mean you can’t hop in for a couple of miles and get in on the action – plus it’s a great way to support your friends who need a boost somewhere around mile 16 (we’re tired just thinking about it). Check here more info on tracking your friends throughout the race.

Al-Fresco Dining - Tacos at Big Star, beer garden at Longman & Eagle, Picnic in Humboldt Park, there are endless ways to enjoy the culinary delights and weather of this city simultaneously, enjoy it while you can.

Lake Michigan’s Last Stand – Whether you take a leisurely bike ride along LSD or just bask in the sun, enjoy the sights of Lake Michigan before it turns this city into a frozen tundra. Take lots of mental photographs, they will need to last you all winter.

Spa Week 2011

Finally. The one week when we don’t have to let our frugality get the best of us - Spa Week 2011. The week when Chicago men and women flock to their favorite salons and spas for the relaxing treatment that they’ve been waiting for...minus the guilt.

See below for Delve's top five picks for Spa Week:

• Clarins Skin Spa at Nordstrom: 60 Min Clarins Tri-Active Facial Treatment
• Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa: 50 Min Spa Week Stress Melter Ritual with Exfoliation, Aroma Therapeutic Body Wrap and Relaxing Scalp Massage
• Ruby Room: 50 Min Enerssage to Relieve Physical and Emotional Stress with Pumpkin Hand Treatment
• The Lashe Spot: Lashe Extentions, 50 to 60 per Eye
• The Peninsula Spa by ESPA: 60 Min Deeply Nourishing Pedicure Treatment with Restorative Foot Bath Soak

How it works:
Check out SpaWeek.com for participating spas in your area. All available Spa Week treatments will be listed per salon. Ready for the best part? The moment-of-no-return, if you will? All treatments are $50.

Appointments can be made only by contacting the salon directly. And with Spa Week now only five days away, you’re already behind. Ready. Set. Spa.