Ideas help you get a jump on the holidays
Anyone, anywhere, could do their holiday shopping at the Gap, Target or one of the other chain and department stores.
But here, in suburban Chicago, you have so many other shopping options that you don't have to rely on the ol' standbys. Since all you really want at this time of year is ideas, ideas, ideas, consider some of these locally sold unique and fabulous gift options.
• Lake in the Hills jewelry designer Cindy Hock created a colorful, new Shimmer for Autism crystal bracelet which helps raise money for that cause. It's $55, and of that, $5 is donated to charity. For a full list of retailers, go to www.shimmerbycindy.com.
• The Burton Sleeper Hoodie is marketed to snowboarders, but it's something every teenage boy would love. It includes a pull-down eye cover, a hidden stash of ear plugs, a special pocket for your iPod and an inflatable, removable neck pillow. So wherever you are, you have everything you need to snooze. It's $100, at Burton, 56 E. Walton St., Chicago, or at www.burton.com.
• Camp Cosmetics, 480 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn, is following up its wildly popular Formula 69 fragrance with a fantastic new scent called "Moí." It's for both men and women, and a 1.7 oz. bottle of the parfum base fragrance is $70. While it's hard to describe a scent in words, some of the adjectives Camp Cosmetics creator Michael Perich uses are "rich," "sexy" and "fabulous."
• Cheeky is a cute boutique that not only sells lingerie and sleepwear, but wonderful candles. This KOBO White Birch and Rosemary Candle is one of the customers' favorites. Cheeky is at 658 Central Ave. in Highland Park. (847) 433-4900.
• For the first time in five years, American Girl has a new "historical character," and her name is Julie. The 1970s-style doll spins 45 records and has groovy clothes, among other features. Mothers of American Girl fans can probably relate. The new doll and paperback book are $87 and available at the American Girl Place store, 111 East Chicago Ave., Chicago.
• Classy and kitchy Hanukah gifts can be found at Spertus Museum, 610 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Favorites include a baby bib with the word "Schmutz" (dirt) on it, and a 2008 Born to Kvetch calendar, based on the New York Times best selling book, for $11.99. Also at www.spertusshop.org.
• Festa, a T-shirt company that started in a small Wrigleyville apartment a few years ago with a "773 Forever, I'll Never Move to Naperville" T-shirt, is now a major company. Their shirts were even worn on "American Idol" last season by contestants Melinda Doolittle and Naperville's Gina Glocksen. New this winter are the Festa long-sleeve knit pouch pocket T-shirts and jackets, including "Good, Solid, Corn-Fed, Fun-Loving, Up-for-Anything, All-American Midwestern Girl." They're currently offering free shipping on all orders. ($29.99-$34.99, www.shopfesta.com)
Perfect lips contest
Got great lips? Then consider entering Softlips "Picture Perfect Lips" Search. The winner will receive a $2,500 cash prize, a chance to become a specialty model and the prestige of having the perfect pucker, which will be posted at www.softlips.com.
The contest is open to female U.S. residents aged 13 and up. For rules, photo guidelines and an official entry form, visit www.softlips.com.
Deadline to enter is Dec. 31.
TOUS at Macy's
Macy's continues to fill its State Street store with fantastic store-within-a-store specialties, and the latest edition is TOUS, a leading Spanish jewelry and accessories brand for both men and women. It's now being sold on the first floor, in the fine jewelry area.