Big savings on ultra-chic getaway at Affinia Hotels

Chicago Blue light special at Affinia HotelsYou may not be able to start the new year with a slimmer waist or fatter bottom line, but you'll look awfully smart when you take advantage of the savings with the Affinia Hotels' 7-Day Sale starting at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 4. Treat yourself to total customized comfort and an uber chic getaway in downtown Chicago, New York or Washington, D.C., through April 5. With discounts up to 30 percent, the sale offers nonrefundable rates starting from $89 in D.C., $99 in Chicago and $139 in New York. The Chicago hotel is home to Marcus Samuelsson's C-House restaurant and the C-View 29th floor rooftop terrace in the heart of the Mag Mile. Blackout dates apply and this offer cannot be combined with other special rates. Book beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 4, through midnight Sunday, Jan. 10, at Affinia Hotel, 166 E. Superior, Chicago. The sale rates are only available when booking through affinia.com/newyearsale or by calling (866) 246-2203 during the promotion period. Mention code 7Day.Sticks and seeds won't break my kneesBreak cabin fever with a trip downtown for a Lurie Garden Family Workshop. "Sticks and Seeds: Re-Thinking Recycled Art" will have families creating cool works of art using art supplies and parts that have been stashed away all year by the Lurie Garden staff. All workshops include a walk and talk in the outdoor Lurie Garden. Kids must be at least 6 years old and accompanied by an adult. 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Jan. 10, at the Garland Room, first floor of the Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago. The workshop is free, but you must preregister at (312) 742-8497.Teenage graced landPegasus Players kicks off the new year with its 24th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, a professional production of three one-act plays written by Chicago high school students. The Young Playwrights Festival is a 16-month cycle of workshops, performances and special programs. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 7 -31, at Pegasus Players in the O'Rourke Center at Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago. Tickets cost $15 with student and senior discounts available. (773) 878-9761 or pegasusplayers.org.Midwest What a flakeAs if you needed a reason to visit the Wisconsin Dells, the 20th annual Flake Out Festival offers something for the whole family. One of the largest winter fests in the Midwest and home to the only state-sanctioned snow-sculpting competition, the fest offers a snow tubing hill, horse-drawn sleigh rides, an ice maze, dog weight-pulling demos, live music and lots of action for kids. Expects lots of food like pulled rotisserie chicken, chargrilled brats and hot dogs. 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22; 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23; and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24, at 150 Gaffer Road, Wisconsin Dells. Go to flakeoutfestival.com for details and a list of lodging with rates starting at $59 per night.A month of Mardi GrasTwelfth Night on Wednesday, Jan. 6, is not just the end of the holiday season, it's the beginning of Mardi Gras in St. Louis. The Soulard Mardi Gras Krewes read a proclamation followed by a musical procession that winds through the historic neighborhood ending at the corner of 7th and Soulard where the Mardi Gras flag rises and fireworks signal the official start of the Mardi Gras season. Fun-filled activities are held in St. Louis throughout the months of January and February. Events include a family Winter Carnival, Taste of Soulard and a Cajun Cook-Off, Barkus Pet Parade and wiener dog races, a Lumi#232;re Place Grand Parade and a Lumi#232;re Place Fat Tuesday Parade. Times vary per day from Wednesday, Jan. 6 to Feb. 16, in St. Louis. Visit stmardigras.org. For lodging packages, go to explorestlouis.com.Shiver me timbersIf you can't stop it, top it (winter, that is) at the "Coolest Celebration on Earth" - the 124th Saint Paul Winter Carnival. The festival offers ice-carving demos, ice skating, hockey tournaments, lots of music, curling demos, parades, a sports fest, snow sculptures and more. New this year are hot air balloon liftoffs a half-hour before sunrise and sunset; a rugby and lacrosse exhibition; and the Saint Paul Winter Carnival Beer Dabbler with 40 different beers to sample. Don't miss the Saint Paul Winter Carnival Kids' Day and Parade, broomball challenges and carnival fireworks. Event times vary from Thursday, Jan. 21, to Sunday, Jan. 31, at the Landmark Center, Rice Park and the state fairgrounds in downtown St. Paul, Minn. (651) 223-4700 or winter-carnival.com.Worth the tripIf you didn't pop the question over the holidays, you still have time to plan the most memorable romantic experience. The Stafford hotel in London has created the Perfect Proposal Program available during February. Sign up and the experts take over: the Stafford's "World's Best Concierge" (named by high-end travel agents of Virtuoso) runs point, advising on a proposal concept and handling all logistics whether seeking to pop the question during a candlelight dinner in the hotel's 380-year-old wine cellars or something more theatrical, such as on the stage of the famed Globe Theatre. The Perfect Proposal Program includes two pre-arrival conference calls with the head concierge; a virtual meeting with a Horton Fine Jewelry consultant to select a ring; romantic amenities including Pol Roger champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, rose petals on the bed, a "his and hers" Floris gift set and monogrammed bathrobes; and guaranteed late checkout on the day of departure. The package is priced at $3,760. The program is subject to availability and requires a minimum of 10 days advance booking. Extended cancellation terms apply.Available Feb. 1 to March 1 at the Stafford in London. Call +44 (0) 20 7493 0111 to book.False16001071Mardi Gras kicks off early in St. Louis.Courtesy of River City ImagesFalse