Today I got a facial and have been trying to keep up with one every two to three months.  Cindie is really friendly, professional, and makes the experience relaxing and pleasant.  I’ve noticed a huge difference in my skin since keeping up with these facials, combined with my Boscia mask treatments.  I’ve also had a massage and some waxing done at Lillie Ann’s and loved that too (as much as anyone can love waxing– ouch.)
The facility is kind of off the beaten path over by Harpo Studios at 1260 W. Washington.  It’s small and it’s no Mario Tricocci.  You won’t be lounging around in your robe in the “quiet room” is what I mean by that.  However, there’s free parking, the place is immaculate and tastefully decorated/ seems brand new and seems reasonably priced.  Every person I’ve encountered has been nice and made my visit a truly relaxing, pleasant experience.  I keep going back.  I really can’t think of a better way to spend part of my afternoon off.  I also owe a big thank you to my thoughtful husband who bought me two facials for Christmas!  I think I’m going to schedule the next one for April so I can enjoy an hour to myself after the baby’s born.  You’re watching the kids right hun?! 

This restaurant is located at 676 N. St. Clair, almost hidden by parts of Northwestern’s Hospital.  It’s not obnoxiously marked, nor is there an obvious valet sign.  David commented to the host that we drove around awhile before finding it and he aptly replied, “We are discreet.”  The decor is minimalist chic.  Black chairs, white linens, white walls.  Each table is individually lit and has a small, artistic flower arrangement.  When we got to the table they provided me with a small stool on which I could place my purse.  I knew this was going to be no ordinary restaurant.

I’m drawing a blank for the perfect word to describe the service.  Superb.  Friendly.  Knowledgeable.  Excited.  Professional.  Choreographed.  Yes, choreographed.  We were dining with another couple and they made sure that two servers came each time to present each course.  That way the ladies’ plates were placed in front of us at the exact same moment, and then the guys’.  It was a ballet of beautiful food.

Warning: Recommended only for special occasions or if you have saved up a bit.    They offer a prix fixe menu and you can choose from three options.  Rick and David got the Chef’s Collection which I believe consisted of six courses (tasting size the staff called it) and Angela and I got the Grand Collection- four courses.  Not inexpensive but worth the cost if you have something to celebrate, or if you’re incredibly wealthy and dine like this on a weekly basis (not us!)

How do I begin to describe the food?  We started off with a “caviar.”  When I told them I was pregnant and couldn’t eat caviar they explained the quotations on the menu.  The chef took cooked sturgeon, combined it with milk, and served it atop an avocado mousse with little crackers that you ate like caviar.  Each person received their own artfully crafted tiny tin with the lid set ever so carefully to the side.  The lid was labeled Tru’s “Caviar” or something like that.  These people go to great lengths; are you getting the idea??

Highlights: the corn soup was served in a vintage looking cappucino cup.  The cheese cart was made up of sheep, cow, and goat’s milk cheeses mostly from France and Spain.  When my friend mentioned she was going to the restroom a woman came to the table whom we had not previously seen and said, “I’m here to escort you to the restroom.”  AFTER the most amazing dessert ever they brought out a freaking TRUFFLE CART.  You chose as many divine candies as you could after eating 4+  courses and previously eating dessert.  No need to flag down the valet; the car is there waiting for you when you get up to the door.  AND they sent us home with delicious Madeleine treats, “For breakfast” the hostess said.  We spent five hours with our friends in this amazing restaurant, eating amazing food, and being treated like absolute royalty.  I told our server, Aaron, I wasn’t sure how we were going to go back to a “regular” restaurant after this!  He said, “After a few drinks!”

Can you tell this place is my new personal fave?????  Like I said though, after our bill we probably won’t be there again until next October 14.  (David and our two friends were thirsty for some alcohol I should add.  That makes a big difference!)  Bon appetit!

Tru’s Website

So I’ve started ramping up my reading on what makes extraordinary companies what they are.  My goal by the end of this year is to make my company the absolute best place on the planet to work. It’s lofty, I know, but definitely possible.

I went and saw and met the CEO of Zappos, Tony Hsieh (pic below), who has also tried (and many would say, has succeeded) to do the same thing.  I’ve read books like “The Science of Happiness” (I’m still trying to get my wife to waste a couple of days and read this).  And I’ve been tooling around trying to find stories about other companies.  And then I found the motherload.

Peak: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow

I’ve just finished reading a truly inspiration book by Chip Conley, named Peak.  Chip Conley is the founder and CEO of Joie de Vivre Hotel group, and I’m proud to say is one of my Linkedin connections.

The book is about apply decades old psychology ideas to today’s business world, where things have changed in such a way that everyone is working harder and longer than before.  And because we’re spending our time working, we are looking for more meaning in our workplace.  This book is for the leaders of that workplace to create an environment for realizing what Conley calls “Peak” experiences, or those that transcend our normal desires, and even those that seem better than normal.

Maslow is the psychologist Conley models his ideas from.  Conley explains Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which identifies a person’s the lowest level need as that by which their basic needs (food, water, shelter, comfort) are met.  The second level on the hierarchy is achieved by exceeding expectations.  And the the last, the peak of the pyramid, is transformational, resulting in a transcendental, almost nirvana-like, experience.

The book is split into several parts, identifying the areas in business where the hierarchy can and should be applied, namely the workplace (managing employees and dealing with co-workers), in customer relationships, and investor relationships.  It’s fascinating to see how he has applied this to all facets of his business.

I’ve started implementing many of his suggestions, but am a far way off from success.  Wish me luck!

Peak: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow

picture courtesy of http://www.lasplash.com/publish/FoodAndBeverage/cat_index_chicago_food/Chez_Joel_Restaurant_Review.php

Anyway, it’s off the beaten path located at 1119 W. Taylor and is an intimate, cozy place to go for lunch or dinner.  Their website said they do brunch now too so I’m totally going to have to check that out.  I had rabbit the last time I went served with potatoes and carrots.  Truly delicious and I have had rabbit in France.  David had chicken (kind of bizarre choice for my meat eating husband) but it was also amazingly juicy, tasty, everything you could hope for.  I have to mention that everything is beautifully presented and portions are not “chic small” but not disgustingly big either.  Pretty perfect I have to say.  So come on over to my neck of the woods and give it a go.  David and I are happy to join you if you want company… as long as you let us know at least a week in advance so we can arrange for a babysitter!!

P.S. DEFINITELY get dessert.  They always have something chocolate and amazing on the menu (my favorite) and they have light, fluffy, delectable creme brulee– David’s favorite.

I’m going to try my hand at uploading the trailer: my first wordpress video uploading experience.

Confessions of a Shopaholic Trailer

This was such a cute movie.  Isla Fisher is hysterical.  I was truly impressed and surprised with her superb physical comedy.  There is a dance scene that had me laughing like crazy.  Hugh Dancy wasn’t bad to look at either!  I think I totally related to this movie because I have always been a bit of a shopaholic myself.  Don’t get me wrong… I have no credit card debt… BUT seriously one of the ladies in the BCBG area of Macy’s used to know me by name, as did most of the employees in the dress department at Bloomingdale’s.  The movie captures a lot of the reasons why people shop and makes you examine that a bit.  So, it’s a chick flick with a moral!  And, even my stepdude Frank and hubby David got a kick out of it.   Hope you enjoy it as much as I did and this personal fave shouldn’t cost you too much at all!