Category: Chicago Food Bloggers

Holiday Gifts Under $25

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So here we are at day 5 of my holiday gift guide.  We started with gifts under $5 and here we are at gifts under $25.  Here are 10 unique gifts for the important people in your life.  These options provide you with a budget conscious way of shopping for all of the people on your holiday list without being in debt when 2018 starts.  Following is a list of gifts for under $25

  1.  Wave Mug and Coaster Set $20.40 (The Grommet)

    Of all of the gifts I have discovered, I think this is my personal favorite.  I enjoy having tea everyday and what a stylish way to have tea without wondering where to place your used tea bag or a small snack.  I really think this is a gift that the tea or coffee drinker in your life would cherish (hint*hint).

  2. Charcuterie Cutting Boards under $25 (World Market)

    This is two of the various options you have to choose from.  Since I added the Marble cheese slicer and marble coasters on previous list, the marble charcuterie board would make a wonderful addition to a hostess set gift.   Or for a more natural look the wood option works as well.

    3.  Map Maker Passport Holder $24.99 (Anthropologie) Mappassport holder 24.99

For the friend or work colleague that is jet-setting around the globe, what a great gift for them.  A stylish way to cover their coveted passport and see the world in style.

4.  Lush Holiday Gift Set price varies (Lush)

Lush set $19.95You can never go wrong with a gift from Lush.  One of the great things is that most of their gifts are already wrapped.  So if you are one of those people who hates the thought of wrapping a gift, Lush is your spot.

5.  Hairo Cold Brew Coffee Pot $25.99 (Bed Bath and Beyond)

Coldbrew bed bath beyond $24.99

A great gift for the coffee drinker in your life.  This cold brew coffee pot allows you to brew your iced coffee without destroying the flavor with ice.  A quick and easy way to brew your iced coffee without the space of many of the larger coffee makers.

6.  Champagne Bears $20 (Nordstrom)

champagne-bears-nordstrom-20-00.jpgA great treat for the adult candy lover in your life.  Candy + Champagne= YUM.  What a great combination.  Who knows they may even share a few with you.

7.  Planning Cork Boards $24.99 (Bed Bath and Beyond)

bed bath beyond cork planner boad $24.99For the person who plans everything or for the person who works from home, these are stylish options to keep them on track.  A great way to plan your week and that all too important ‘girls night out’, this set of 4 boards would be the great addition to the home office or personal workspace.  Who says work has to be boring?

8.  Collapsible Silicone Water Bottle $19.95 (The Grommet)

 

Another great gift for the traveler in your life or the person who always has a water bottle.  The great thing about this bottle is that it collapses, so it is easy to carry in your purse, work bag or workout bag.  The bottle also comes in several colors so find the right option for the person you decide to gift with this bottle.

9.  One Line a Day Five Year Memory Book $16.95 (Urban Outfitters)

Anthropologie 5 year journal $16.99An appropriate gift for the writer or person who loves to journal in your life.  A great way for them to document the changes in their life and the lives of the people that mean the most to them.  This would also be a great sentimental gift for a person going through a transitional phase in their life.

10.  Liz Claiborne Charging Clutch $19.99 (JCPenney)

clutchAnother option for the person on the go who needs to keep their phone charged.  This is an excellent gift option for the blogger in your life or the selfie addict.

I hope you have enjoyed this series of gift guides.  I have provided you with over 50 gifts that you can purchase for the people under you list and all for under $25.  This year you do not have to break the bank when shopping, there are some unique, budget friendly and affordable options for the friends, family or co-workers in your life.  With the money you save you may even be able to pick up an item or two from this list for yourself.  Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!

 

Be Blessed and Be Fabulous!

pink-lips

 

Bravo Batter and Berries

fambatter

So for as long as I can remember I have been hearing about this restaurant on Chicago’s North Side, Batter and Berries.  I have heard nothing but good things, the only complaint that I have ever heard was that there is always a wait, but I always hear that the wait is worth it.  So today I had the opportunity to try Batter and Berries for myself.

Anyone who truly knows me knows that I love breakfast.  I feel as if my day is incomplete if it does not start with breakfast.  Even if I sleep in or get a late start to the day breakfast is my jump start to the day.  My uncle is in town visiting and I promised him that I would treat him to breakfast, and I let him and my cousin decide and Batter and Berries it was.

Let me begin by saying that true to form there was a wait.  Not unlike many other popular breakfast restaurants in the city, so this was no big deal.  My family arrived before I did, so actually my wait was shorter than theirs.  The place was packed to capacity.  It is quaint and cozy however they accommodated our group of 5 easily.  Once we were in and seated the hostess informed us that they short wait staff, but that someone would be with us shortly.  Once we were seated the drinks water and coffee, came right way.  So far so good.

 

Catfish BB
Catfish with Egg Whites and Hashbrowns (with cheese) 

 

Our server came over and introduced himself, he was professional, polite and friendly.  He explained to us about the daily specials available and offered to answer any questions we had regarding the menu.  We made our selections and continued on with our conversation.  Shortly after our orders were taken the food arrived, hot fresh and DELICIOUS.

 

Cajan Salmon Benedict
Cajun Salmon Benedict

 

 

 

My family loves to eat, so anytime there is silence at the table you know and understand that the food is good.  Our waiter can back and offered the signature hot sauce and also explained that the butter was maple flavored, which in my cousins opinion was the perfect compliment to his French toast flight.  As each member of my family raved about how good their food was, we even shared bites across the table.  This was roll your eyes in the back of your head kind of good eating.

Let me just say that the Cajun Salmon Benedict was phenomenal.  The Salmon was seasoned to perfection, the Benedict and Hollandaise sauce were as close to perfect as I can recall.  The potatoes were cooked well and did not require any additional salt or pepper.  My mother raved about the flavor of her catfish, and my uncle was in love with his deconstructed steak omelet.   My other uncle and cousin were extremely satisfied  with their French Toast Flights.

As a breakfast lover, I am so disappointed with myself that I waited so long to get over to Batter and Berries.  I will definitely be going back.  There are so many more things on the menu that I am eager to try.  This is the first and only restaurant I went to and came home and blogged about immediately.  It was that good in my opinion.

 

Be Blessed!  Be Fabulous!

pink-lips