Peachy Pleasures in Chicago
Posted on: March 23, 2010
Just this past week my girlfriends and I decided to have a girls weekend in Chicago. It turned out absolutely fantastic! We spent our days shopping and getting pampered at a local spa. Being that this was just a weekend trip, we did want to keep our budgets modest and, of course, peachy.
We scoured the internet for the best deals in hotels, restaurants, and spas. I’ve recommended Hotwire.com in the past, and still do so. This time around though we found the best deal with La Quinta‘s facility right downtown. It was a great location for the price, and I was honestly surprised at the bright and lively decor throughout the hotel. Also included in the price was a continental breakfast. Now, this we expected the traditional array of muffins, bagels, and cereals. But we were delighted to find a waffle station, fresh fruit and yogurt, hard boiled eggs, and a variety of breakfast beverages. These are definitely minor additions that are becoming more popular among hotels today, but nonetheless it was a nice surprise.
Our shopping was had on Michigan Ave – not so famous for their peachy prices as it is for luxury and decadence. But there was one gem in the mix, Nordstrom Rack. There you can find designer pieces largely discounted and at a great value. For instance, I walked away with a rockin’ pair of $70 jeans for which I only paid $16!! It doesn’t get much peachier than that for a shop-a-holic like myself!
The key to finding our most valuable peachy pleasure was the research we did prior to driving into the city. Just by digging a bit on the internet, I found Renew Spa. The reviews were fantastic and the prices were just a steal. During the month of March, they were offering specials on hour-long massages for only $65 and manicure/pedicures for $40. We couldn’t pass it up! 
Our therapists were fabulous. My girlfriends had nothing but good things to say about their massages and manicures. My experience was just as great. Being the petite individual that I am, my masseuse said I got about 1.5 hours worth of work in the 1 hour appointment. Sometimes it pays off to be a shortie! I also was fortunate to briefly experience a variety of techniques. She used both hot towels and stones throughout the session. I’ve had other Swedish massages in the past but this was the first experience that combined the stones and towels. I thought it was pretty cool and more importantly, extremely relaxing. I would recommend the spa to any of my friends. Great service for a great value!
I’m psyched I was able to share another traveling peachy pleasure with you. Just goes to show that with some of these tips there are deals to be had in any city!
Regional – I feel like global themes while fun, are pretty stale. Why not try regional food from different parts of the USA? I’m thinking along these lines: New England Seafood, Southern Soul Food, Louisiana Gumbo, or Hawaiian.
Seasonal/Holiday – Everyone’s favorite recipes from the holidays! You’re bound to feast on turkey, ham, green-bean casseroles, cranberry sauces, and pies – can’t go wrong there!
Peachy Pleasure #4: Volunteer
Posted on: March 2, 2010
According to BusinessWeek, “Marquette University has a long-standing tradition of strong participation among all students in volunteer and community service. Several courses involve service learning activities and virtually all student groups have a community service or volunteer requirement for their members.” Fact. In every student organization I have been a part of, Greek Life included, service is an important pillar to the very foundation of the group.
Volunteering has always been a passion of mine. Every year I try to get involved with the community as much as I can, even if it’s only for day events. Perhaps it is my parochial education that has instilled in me this “must give back, must give back” mentality, or perhaps it is just the simple pleasure that I get out of helping a fellow neighbor.
In my time at Marquette, I have taken quite a few opportunities to participate in different programs. To start, my freshman year I was a part of Big Brother/Big Sister Milwaukee, Habitat for Humanity, and volunteered weekly at Penfield Children’s Center. That year, I would have to say Penfield Children’s Center was my favorite. Having assisted with handicap children and adults in the past, I was assigned to the “intensive care unit” for infants. I rocked, played, and fed babies who were struggling to stay healthy. It was a pleasant departure from the craziness of my school schedule, a quiet place where I can just act silly and relax.
In my last two years, I have been involved with a student organization called Midnight Run. The group organizes hundreds of students with a variety of service sites. With this group, I have worked with two different shelters. Last year, I visited a family shelter every week to play and mingle with the families staying there. Occassionaly we helped serve dinner or clean up, but more often than not we organized board games, imaginary games, built Lincoln Log homes, and put puzzles together. Again it was a great escape from the little bubble that you form as a college student, realizing real life’s complexities beyond the cafeteria, classroom, and nightlife.
One of my most intense volunteering experiences was a week long trip to New Orleans. I say intense, because our group worked from 8-5 while there, repairing, painting, cleaning, and gutting Katrina-damaged structures. It’s been 5 years since the storm, and the wreck it left behind remains a constant reminder for the city. I’m told that there has been much progress, but there is so much more work to be done. We worked on one church that hadn’t been touched since the hurricane, and water effectively has been constantly flowing through the building since. There are more buildings like this, buildings whose owners lack the funding and support necessary to rebuild. Volunteer groups like mine continue to make trips there, year round, and so the work progresses.
In a 2007 study, researchers found that older adults whom volunteered experienced longer, healthier lives, being less susceptible to depression and heart disease. One would assume active volunteers often are participative in other aspects of their local communities – another factor in a healthy longer living. But, there is an underlying point. Volunteering is an opportunity to interact with your community, meet new people, and give back to society. It leaves you feeling good. Accomplished. And best of all, it’s free.
Find a volunteer opportunity that speaks to you, or something you’ve always wanted to try. I had always wanted to build or re-build homes, hence Habitat and the NOLA trip, but I soon discovered this is not in my skill set. I had no idea how to properly use power tools or crowbars – and if we’re being honest, I’m not sure I mind ever fully developing that skill set. What I did learn, what you may have gathered, was that my passion in volunteering is impacting the people I’m helping – listening to their stories, living their life for a few moments. It’s all about trying new things, experiencing different walks of life, and escaping the world you live in – even for a few minutes.
Have you had valuable service experiences? Do you think it could lead to a healthier longer life?
The same old routine – alarm clock goes off, go to class, then work, then gym, and then to hours at a library table pounding out the homework. If you’re not a student, I’m sure that’s not too far off minus the classes and studying. When you finally get home, you might be able to catch a couple minutes of your favorite reality shows. You’re itching to escape the monotony, thank goodness for peachy pleasure #3 — get outta town for the weekend!
This weekend I had an awesome opportunity to visit friends in Minneapolis. I didn’t spend much at all and had a fabulous time! So how then, you ask, can I have a weekend getaway on a budget?! Don’t fret I’ve got plenty of tips coming your way:
1) Public Transportation – namely, MegaBus. Book far enough ahead, and you could save yourself at least $20 instead of taking the train. Yes, this does mean a crowded, not nearly as comfortable as you’d hoped for, bus ride. But the money saved in the end, could be put toward your first meal on your night out! Another helpful hint that made my trip even cheaper – our tickets were free! Register your email address, and receive notifications of upcoming promos – and don’t delete them! We saved our ticket promotion for a few months, and applied it when we knew which weekend worked best.
Also, choose a destination that has easy access to restaurants, nightlife, and attractions, thus cutting out cab fares, gas prices, and parking tickets.
2) Where to stay? Well, I’d recommend crashing at a friend’s apartment for the ultimate cheap route, but if you’re really having a getaway, a living room floor and makeshift mattress just might not cut it. My suggestion for last minute deals, Hotwire. The site sells rooms the hotels couldn’t at discounted rates. When my parents come to Milwaukee to visit, they frequent the site and often get to stay at the Hilton for surprisingly cheap rates. The downside, you don’t know where you’re booking until after it has been confirmed. To calm your fears the site’s rating system weeds out the duds.
Student Universe is another site putting the world at students’ fingertips. It’s a great site to check out local hostels that by nature are pleasantly cheaper then the average hotel. Having stayed in many a hostel in Europe, this is an option I definitely enjoy at least looking over, but have yet to stay in an American version — any experience?
3) Reference Peachy Pleasure 2: Check out the campus events! While in Minneapolis, I had the absolute pleasure of going to a Hypnosis show at U of M for free! The show was fantastic, mainly because our friend was the entertainment for the night. Easily persuaded into hypnosis, he had no shame as he belly danced flirtatiously across the stage, chased after bandits in the Wild Wild West, and stole a flying car from an agitated alien. Now I can’t promise that your hypnosis show will be that entertaining, but it definitely proves campus events are worth checking out. What made it even better, free Jimmy Johns for those in attendance. A show + dinner = $0. Awesome.
4) Shop. In Minneapolis there is this great store, Opitz, that sells designer clothes at least 70 percent off. It’s absolutely fabulous! Wherever you go, you must check into the shopping. Plenty of traveler’s sites will list various vintage shops and bargain finds. A quick google search for Chicago led me to Chicago Mag. The author provides plenty of detail on bargain hunting in the city, and while many of these stores may not have unique charm, they certainly have unique prices and may be worth a look!
5) What to eat, what to eat. Well you’ve spent maybe $50 at this point, $30 
for your round-trip bus tickets, $20 on your shopping extravaganza – but all of this has left you hungry. My suggestion – hit the grocery store. This is certainly easier if you’re crashing with a friend, think taco night, spaghetti frenzy, or make your own pizzas. But, if you’re staying at a hotel you’re up to more of a challenge, or some may say sacrifice. Things you could go for: salad/soup bar, hot meals section, lunchables…you get where I’m going with this. I would recommend using this option for your lunch, and save your extra cash to get a real meal. Again do a little research to find quirky restaurants that offer affordable delicious meals before you go!
6) Research, research, research. It all comes down to a little digging around, and you’ll eventually come to the best deals in town. Take 15 minutes to do a quick google search of your next city, and you may just find some gems.
The final ticket of your weekend getaway may not be free or less than $30. However, if you’re in dire need of some R&R, a weekend out of town might just be worth spending a few extra dollars. After all, time away from the craziness of life has proven to increase productivitiy and motivation – so go on and reward yourself – have a fabulous weekend!
🙂
The weekend is over, and back to our desks it is. I hope you all had a chance to relax and enjoy some down time. Wanted to share my peachy pleasure #2, attend a thought provoking campus event.
Last week I had the absolute pleasure and honor of attending Marquette’s Pere Marquette Award Ceremony honoring the Little Rock 9.
Courtesy of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
These are the brave men and women who attended Central High School in Arkansas in 1954 following public school integration. They endured months of badgering, bullying, and even some violence. Anything and everything was thrown their way. But in every single one of them was an endurance I had not seen before.
An hour and half of listening to these most courageous students, I questioned if I too would have volunteered myself to experience such horrible treatment. At the tender age of 16, would I walk with my head held high as an angry mob followed me through the streets? I can not say; I have had the privledge to live in a different world.
Had the award ceremony cost me $20 I may have paid to be able to participate in such a momentous and historic moment for Marquette. But, as peachy pleasures go, this event was free to students. Which got me thinking; it’s now my senior year and have I really taken advantage of all of the free events sponsored by MU?
There are speakers, plays, open mic nights, debate forums, and many other mind stimulating events. I for one enjoy learning and listening to others’ perspectives. It’s a nice departure from ordinary events like intramurals, movie nights, or contests.
If you are a MU student read the News Briefs for upcoming events, I’ve attended political debates and policy discussions I would not have heard of had I deleted these messages. You can also check out the MUSG site and departmental calendars. These events are generally free, or max $5. What do you really lose by checking them out? Especially when it’s an opportunity like the Little Rock 9 Ceremony.
This upcoming event sounds intriguing:
- February 17, 6 p.m AMU 254 At the Intersection: Culture and Segregation
- “At the Intersection” is a free dinner and dialogue series that addresses prominent diversity issues found within today’s society.
- “At the Intersection” is a free dinner and dialogue series that addresses prominent diversity issues found within today’s society.
For all those non-MU fans, follow your local universities’ calendars. Often admission is free to the public or, at the very least, frugal.
Have you had any on-campus peachy pleasures? Share them with us!
🙂
After writing this post, MU sent out this week’s News Briefs and there are several events that sound like they’re worth checking out:
February 23, AMU Ballrooms, 7: 15 a.m.: “Crisis Communication: Navigating AIG Through the Storm”
- Hosted by former AIG executive Nicholas Ashooh. Free public event, register online
February 24, Marquette Hall 200, 6:00p.m. – 9:00p.m: “Foreign Aid: Helping or Hurting?”
- Hosted by Les Aspin Center for Government Alumni Council
February 25, Helfaer Theater 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.: “Open minds: A day for contemplating the role of media and communication in a democratic society”
- Hosted by the authors of The Death and Life of American Journalism
February 25, AMU Monaghan Ballroom 4:30 p.m.: “Toward a New Conversation about the School Achievement of African American Students”
- Hosted by Dr. Theresa Perry, professor of Africana Studies at Simmons College
Hello world,
I hope this post finds you all enjoying the start of your week and anticipating the events this weekend might hold. For some of us, romantic dinners at the hottest restaurant, taking it to the snowy slopes, or perhaps renting a movie and getting take out. And still others will venture out to the crowded theaters to see about 15 of Hollywood’s stars take to the screen in the loveable romantic comedy, Valentine’s Day.
So it is, our first peachy pleasure for the world to enjoy – go see an advanced movie screening, for free! This is something I’ve actually done a few times before: Slumdog Millionaire, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, My Sister’s Keeper, The Hangover, and Last Chance Harvey. Tonight it was Valentine’s Day. Screenings are a fantastic option for the student or friend on a budget. Tickets are free, and if you don’t mind arriving an hour early for your movie to reserve seats, it’s a great experience! And do arrive an hour early, tonight we made it approximately 45 minutes prior to the show, and we were lucky enough to be in the fourth row all the way to the right of the auditorium. It was an interesting angle to watch from, everything seemed abnormally large being that close to the screen, and I can’t say my neck was entirely comfortable the whole evening. However the Majestic Theater in Brookfield, Wi, is really nice, the seats are super comfortable, and if you do get great seats the screen is fantastic.
Going to the movies is one of my favorite pastimes. There’s just something about sitting in a grand auditorium, chowing on popcorn, and the booming stereo that I find purely magical, it’s fabulous to get out and become absorbed into the action on screen. But, these days ticket prices are just too high. On the average, a prime time movie ticket could cost about $10: I can rent a movie at home for $1, get Qdoba for $6, watch the latest episode of Criminal Minds for free (student cable packages are the best!). Nevermind the cost of transportation to get to the theater, these days and with my budget it is just easier to wait for the movie to come out on DVD. But alas, you’re there anyway, have spent the $10 on the ticket, and now you’re greeted by the delicious aromas wafting from the snack bar: popcorn, pizza, nachos, chicken fingers, the list goes on. Tempted by any of these? Take a second look at those prices, we all know they are ripping us off for average popcorn covered in mounds of butter. So try out a more economical option – a movie screening.
Gofobo.com is the place to go for free screenings. You can search by zip code or movie title to find a showing nearest you. I should caution you that there are limited quantities available to the public and then to those with RSVP codes. These codes are made available through promotional media that appears on the radio, in local establishments, and on social media networks. I know this because I date someone who spent copious hours handing out flyers at the local restaurant, inviting me to a variety of events via Facebook, and now drinks out of plastic cups emblazoned with movie titles.
Tonight’s experience is valued at approximately $20 per person, $10/ticket, and give or take $10 for snacks and soda. By choosing to go to a screening instead, I was able to save that $20 that I could put towards another experience on the town or maybe towards my bills? Decisions, decisions.
As for the film, if you enjoy going to out to see movies, Valentine’s Day just might be worth spending the $20. It is the perfect mix of romance and comedy, and the all-star cast truly hit the ball out of the park. I would love to hear what you think so be sure to post your opinions and suggestions for our next budget-friendly peachy pleasure.
🙂
Peachy Pleasures 
