Chicago

Graham Elliot. Two buzz words in the food frenzy that is the Chicago gastropub scene. You may know him from his namesake Michelin star restaurant, Graham Elliot. Or from his role on judging Fox’s MasterChef. Or maybe it was the lobster corndogs at Lollapalloza. Either way, GE is taking over the town and his new spot grahamwich is as approachable and playful as ever.

With days off around the holidays, how are you going to pass time in the winter wonderland? Here are some suggestions to get pampered, enjoy time with your loved ones, sip and share some cheer.

Sarah Vargo developed Maven after working at some of the nation’s top talent agencies and promotional companies. She started her career at International Creative Management (ICM) as an Assistant to a Talent Agent in Concerts. After gaining experience at ICM, she worked for boutique agencies where she was able to put her skills to test through talent buying, concert promotion and media planning. As the Marketing Director of Le Passage, she worked closely with Rockit Ranch Productions who currently own and operate The Underground and Rockit Bar and Grill. She coordinated fashion shows, charity events, sponsorships, and created trendy concepts and ideas. Clients such as Playboy, Ford Models, Elite Models, Gen Art, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago Scene, Chicago Social, music video editor AVIDDIVA and many others complete her A-List projects throughout her career. Sarah was a contributor to the NBC 5 Street Team and was the Promotions Director for “24/7 Chicago,” an entertainment show on NBC. She is on the Board of Directors for Active Chicago, a non-profit that sponsors the extra-curricular activities for children in need. Sarah is also on the planning committee for the 20th Annual Celebrity Chef Gala benefiting Meals on Wheels. Sarah consults and supports Chicago Non-Profit and Adiango Consulting, which are organizations that promote local charities.

"The soul of politeness is not a question of rules but of tranquility, humility, and simplicity. And in the taking of tea it finds perhaps its most perfect expression." -Ms. Dorothea Johnson, Director of Protocol School of Washington, in her book Tea and Etiquette. Across cultural lines, high tea is an accepted and refined mini-break during the day. Combining sweets with savories, it is a time-honored tradition accessible for the royals to the regulars. Pinkies up.

You know Longman & Eagle as the little gastropub that could. New on the scene, they have already been named “Best New Restaurant” by the Chicago Reader, “One of the Best Bars in America” by Esquire and have obtained a coveted Michelin Star. Now they’ll have another thing to buzz about- being the first bar to offer sleepovers.

Since the word delicatessen originated from delicacies, rest assured that deli food hits the spot like no other cuisine can. Often homemade with family, love, and tradition a great deli does the heart good.

Nicole Pearl, The Beauty Girl and founder of www.thebeautygirl.com, is a nationally acclaimed beauty expert who delivers behind-the-scenes scoop, hot tips and trends on all things beauty to Chicago. A former New York-based beauty writer/editor originally from Chicago's North Shore, Nicole has written for various national magazines such as In Style, Allure, Self, Health, Marie Claire, Seventeen and Cosmopolitan, has served as an expert in TV and radio segments and has been the featured speaker for major beauty corporations. Most recently, Nicole has launched her website featuring one-on-one make over your makeup bag consultations and The Beauty Girl Parties which include custom presentations on recommended products and celeb makeup artist secrets, "swag bags" for the guests and add-ons like spray tanning and manicures. These parties are a fresh entertainment alternative for events like bridal showers, bachelorettes, bat mitzvahs and birthday parties.

Whether it’s mocha, java or espresso, a good cup ‘o Joe can either make or break your mood for the entire day. Keep the creative juices flowing at these caffeinated spots for a quick pick me up or curl up with a good book.

If you’re not in the mood for crazy 4 am door busters like the rest of the country, Chicago offers some of the richest shopping areas in the country (rivaled only by NYC and LA). Make sure your wallet is well padded to drop some holiday cash because the best presents are the ones you give yourself.

Stuck finding the perfect gift for that hautie that has everything? If you’ve been procrastinating, let us do some of the hard work and heavy lifting for you. Here are some uniquely you suggestions that will make a lasting impression on your loved ones. Spread the cheer, but first you gotta figure out who has been naughty and who has been nice.

Possibly jealous of the eight days of Hanukkah or just wanting to stretch out the holiday season as long as possible, the Trump Chicago launched Sixteen days of Christmas to double the celebration from December 16 through December 31, 2010. Throughout the 16-day event, guests are invited to participate in a variety of festive activities, from gingerbread decorating and tableside caviar service to Christmas caroling and specially designed tasting menus.

The Women’s Board of The Joffrey Ballet presents the 13th annual Nutcracker Family Dinner which will be held on Saturday, December 11th, 2010 at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel. The popular family-friendly holiday event raised over $110,000 last year. The evening will feature entertainment for children and adults alike, a traditional family-style meal, and a thrilling performance of Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker. Chicago event designer Jody Elting brought her imagination to life with a magical “green” theme featuring a 12 ft. recycled water bottle tree, recycled Birch trees as “creation stations”, and locally sourced poultry and vegetable products.