We all want to de-clutter and downsize. We are tired of looking at things that don’t bring purpose into our lives. But, sometimes emotional reasons keep us from taking any real action. Studies have found that those who hang onto a lot of household objects have more of the stress hormone cortisol. Here are some suggestions from professional organizers to finally deal with all that “stuff”:

Rethink your relationship to your stuff. Instead of thinking about how much you love something, think about how well it serves your life. Don’t give away precious physical or mental real estate to things you don’t use. Yes, you may love that sweater, but have you worn it in the last year? Trash, recycle or donate!

Try “clear 10” — then do it again. Take half an hour to gather up 10 items you haven’t used in a long time. Don’t think, just toss! Categories don’t matter, volume does. Yesterday I threw out 5 beauty products I haven’t used in ages. Then 5 utensils out of the junk drawer. It can be tough but I’m sure we all could find 10 things to toss that we don’t need. Even the best professional organizers can have a hard time. 

Practice the “one comes in, one comes out” method. This is especially important for folks who live in a small space. When you bring something in it has to have a space to live. This will help you when you find yourself impulse buying. If you have to think first, “what am I going to get rid of to bring this in?” –  it will curb some of those mindless purchases. Try not to order online. It’s way too easy to buy without thinking. 

Schedule your organizing time. Consider these as important as any work appointment. Pick out a few hours to file paperwork and pay bills, taking care of business. Another day can be your home day. 2 hours to tackle a closet or pantry. Set a time limit. The task seems less daunting if you know you’ll be done in a few hours. You’ll be surprised how the time flies. Not done? Stop and finish at the next home appointment or keep going to finish, your choice. 

Staying organized doesn’t mean being perfect. It’s about finding systems and ways that work for you. It can get emotional, but the effort is worth it. Make your living space work for you, not the other way around.

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Welcome to the first weekend of 2025 as we wrap up the 2024 Holiday Season here in Chicago for another year!

From the moment you arrive, you’ll be transported into a wonderland of holiday delights at this year’s Winterland at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood which wraps up this weekend.  This thrilling and one-of-a-kind immersive holiday experience takes you on a journey through winter landscapes with photo ops, past snow-covered forests, a giant snow globe, a 16 foot-long Polar Express-themed train, frozen icicle walkways, oversized ornaments, giant Christmas trees and nutcracker soldiers, and so much more.  Then warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or hot apple cider.  You’ll be wowed by the kaleidoscope of colors and winter scenes at this whimsical world of festive enchantment!

The following holiday events are also wrapping up this weekend:

The Lincoln Park Zoolights takes place at Lincoln Park Zoo (North Cannon Dr. and West Fullerton Pkwy.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.  Celebrating three decades of priceless holiday memories, this beloved staple of Chicago’s holiday season offers festive attractions and over 3 million lights across the zoo grounds for guests of all ages.  Zoolights is one of the largest displays of holiday lights within the city limits and shouldn’t be missed!

The Jack Frost Christmas Pop-Up takes place at Fulton Market (170 N. Green St.) in the West Loop.  This outdoor Christmas adventure on two-acres boasts a Christmas market; plenty of photo ops; a variety of activities like bumper cars, axe throwing, ice skating; and more!

The Santa Baby Christmas Bar takes place at Bamboo Bar (3505 N. Clark St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood.  This immersive, multi-level pop-up bar features wall-to-wall holiday décor, photo ops galore, drinks decked out with decorative garnishes and garlands, and offers a festive feast of food options.  Also, families are welcome during the day; however, after 8:00 p.m. it’s 21+!

Finally, Frosty’s Christmas Bar Pop-Up takes place at 809 East Evergreen Avenue near Goose Island in the River North neighborhood.  This event offers three levels of festive fun, four bars, two dance floors, life-size toy soldiers, over-the-top decorations, and more!

For those who have had enough of the holiday season, perhaps one of the following suggestions might interest you:

Making a triumphant return to Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.) in The Loop is Les Misérables with a 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. show on Saturday and wrapping up with a final show at 1 p.m. on Sunday.  This epic musical is set in 19^th century France and tells a timeless story of broken dreams, unrequited love, sacrifice, and passion along with a magnificent score of songs!

Making its first-ever North American tour, Broadway’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child takes center stage at the James M. Nederlander Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.) in The Loop and runs through February 1^st.  You’ll enjoy a mind-blowing race through time with spectacular spells and an epic battle brought to life with the most astonishing theatrical magic ever seen on stage!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

As legend has it, Roscoe Village’s original ‘hangover brunch’ (come in your pajamas!) began at Kitsch’n,  and for 26 years,  Chicago families have welcomed the new year here, with Kitsch’n’s award-winning comfort food and brunch menu.

I’m all for a place that describes itself as a casual neighborhood spot, where you’ll find “a hip 70’s “funk-ploitation theme & too many tongue-in-cheek cultural decor references to mention.” 

Year-round outdoor dining is another cool feature here. Kitsch’n ‘s backyard garden is heated and tented for inclement weather. 

And pajamas are encouraged on New Year’s Day, where they’re open from 10am-3pm and serving, as noted by Chicago Parent, Fried Chicken & Waffles, Huevos Locos (Spicy Crazy Eggs) which are scrambled eggs, spicy chorizo, pepper-jack cheese, mango-mojito salsa; and warm tortillas.  Most appropriately, you could also try The Hangover Breakfast Wrap.

Sam, I Am…and Other Delights

Not to get ‘Suessical,’ but I’m partial to Green Eggs n’ Ham, which mixes scrambled eggs with nut-free basil pesto, smoked ham, scallions, and spinach, and served with rosemary hash browns. Pesto Eggs In A Basket features Texas toast griddled with eggs cooked over-easy inside, cherry tomato, and nut-free pesto, served with their signature rosemary hashbrowns. Chilaquiles “Levanta Los Muertos” (raise the dead)– is a mix of scrambled eggs with fried tortillas, smoky chipotle salsa, pepper-jack cheese, served with with bacon and lime crema garnish. 

Chalino’s Basket has country Farm Bread (2) griddled with butter and eggs cooked inside (over-medium), and topped with fried black beans, chorizo & pico de gallo. On the sweeter side is Coconut French Toast, with rich egg/cream batter dipped in challah bread, then butter-griddled with fresh coconut shreds and tangy/sweet raspberry sauce.

Those seeking a new life in 2025 may well try Mario’s Huevos Divorciados (literally, ‘divorced eggs.’) Two fried tortillas are topped with your choice of eggs, and paired with salsa verde on one side and smokey chipotle on the other.  The taste demands that it be shared as community property!

Lunch specials share equal time here, and Kitsch’ n sandwiches, burgers and paninis include your choice of french fries or mixed greens & dressing. Try their Kitsch’n Tuna Melt, served open-faced with caramelized pepper-jack cheese. Or their Tennessee Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich, coming witha golden crispy thigh, a brioche bun, sweet & spicy pickles, creamy coleslaw, and spicy mayo. Chicken Pesto Panini hasgrilled chicken, basil pesto, and mozzarella inside thick panini bread with olive oil and grilled on the press, while Fish Tacos are made with batter-dipped cod, chipotle aioli, mango mojito salsa, red onion and cilantro slaw, and served with tortilla chips, pico de gallo and lime. 

For a combination breakfast/lunch, try the Breakfast Burger, served with fried egg, chorizo, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion,  and secret sauce.

Resolved to eat lighter in 2025? Chicken Cesar Salad is a bowl of crisp romaine, topped with parmesan cheese, croutons and cesar dressing. Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad has crisp romaine lettuce, topped with grilled chicken breast, chopped bacon, hard-boiled egg, tomato, and avocado with blue cheese dressing.

Wash it all down with specialty drinks like Purple-Haze Vodka Lemonade, which pairs vodka and fresh-squeezed purple lemonade. The Original Tang-Tini has vodka, TangTM, orange, and amaraschino cherry. Kung-Fu Tiki Mai Tai pairs dark rum with pineapple, orange, lime juice, and a cherry.

Google reviews were exemplary:

“I’ve eaten here many times and every time its exceptional! The owners are so nice, the service is always amazing, and the food is so tasty! I’ve tried a lot of different things on the menu but every time I’m impressed. My favorites are the Pesto Eggs in a Basket or the Chicken Pesto Panini, and anything that comes with the Rosemary Hashbrowns. I also recommend the mimosas! If you want an affordable, delicious brunch I’d recommend coming here.”

Kitsch’n is located at 2005 W. Roscoe Street.  They are open Monday-Thursday, 8:30am-2pm, Friday from 7:30am-2pm,  and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30am-3pm. Reservations are available.  Click here for details and information.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

As the new year begins, many of us are filled with a sense of renewal and a desire to start fresh. One powerful way to kickstart this new chapter is by decluttering our living spaces. Clearing out the excess and simplifying our surroundings not only creates a sense of calm and order but can also have a profound impact on our mental well-being.

The Benefits of Decluttering

Improving Mental Clarity and Productivity

Decluttering isn’t just about organizing your stuff; it’s like a mental cleanse for your brain. By clearing out the physical clutter in your space, you also declutter your mind, leading to increased focus and productivity.

Creating a Calm and Tranquil Environment

Picture this: a serene oasis where you can actually find things when you need them. Decluttering creates a peaceful atmosphere, reducing stress and promoting a sense of calm in your home.

Setting Clear Goals and Prioritizing

Identifying Areas of Focus

To tackle decluttering like a boss, identify the trouble spots in your home. Start with the areas causing the most chaos – whether it’s the overflowing closet or the chaotic kitchen counter.

Establishing Realistic Timelines

Don’t expect Rome to be decluttered in a day. Set realistic goals and timelines for each decluttering session. Remember, slow and steady wins the decluttering race.

Decluttering Room by Room

Kitchen Organization and Simplification

Simplify your cooking routine by decluttering your kitchen. Tackle that messy pantry, organize your pots and pans, and bid farewell to those mismatched Tupperware lids.

Bedroom Retreat: Tips for a Serene Space

Your bedroom should be a sanctuary, not a storage unit. Declutter your bedroom by clearing out clothes you haven’t worn in ages, organizing your bedside table, and creating a cozy sleep haven.

Strategies for Sorting and Organizing

Utilizing the “Keep, Donate, Discard” Method

When in doubt, remember the golden rule: if you don’t love it or use it, lose it. Sort your belongings into categories of keep, donate, or discard to streamline the decluttering process.

Implementing Effective Storage Solutions

Maximize your space with smart storage solutions. Opt for clear bins, drawer dividers, and vertical shelving to keep clutter at bay and maintain a tidy, organized home.

Letting Go: Tips for Downsizing

Overcoming Emotional Attachments to Items

Parting ways with your possessions can feel like breaking up with a long-term partner – it’s tough! But remember, that cheesy figurine you’ve had since high school isn’t holding onto all the memories for you. Take a deep breath, thank it for its service, and let it go.

Practical Steps for Downsizing Possessions

Start by tackling one area at a time to avoid overwhelm. Ask yourself the tough questions: Do you really need five black t-shirts? Would you miss that pasta maker you used once in 2012? Be ruthless in your decluttering quest, and remember – less stuff means more space for activities (like napping).

Maintaining a Clutter-Free Environment

Developing Daily Tidying Habits

Clean as you go! Adopt habits like putting things back where they belong after use. Not only will it keep your space tidy, but it’ll also save you from the panic-inducing last-minute clean-up before guests arrive.

Regular Maintenance and Check-ins

Set aside a few minutes each week to assess your space. Are things starting to pile up again? Take a moment to declutter and reorganize. Remember, a clutter-free space leads to a clutter-free mind (and who doesn’t want that?).

Finding Joy in Minimalism

Embracing the Concept of Less is More

Minimalism isn’t about living in an empty white room with only a chair and a plant (unless that’s your vibe, no judgment). It’s about surrounding yourself with things that spark joy and add value to your life. Quality over quantity, always.

Discovering the Freedom in Simplicity

Say goodbye to decision fatigue and hello to a streamlined life. Embracing minimalism can reduce stress, increase focus, and free up time and mental space for the things that truly matter (like binge-watching your favorite show guilt-free).

Bottom-line

By embarking on a journey of decluttering and simplifying your surroundings, you are not just tidying up your physical space, but also decluttering your mind and soul. As you let go of the unnecessary and embrace a more minimalist lifestyle, you open up space for clarity, creativity, and joy. Remember that decluttering is not just a one-time task but an ongoing practice of mindfulness and intentionality. So, as you bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, may your decluttered home be a reflection of the peace and serenity you wish to invite into your life in the new year and beyond.

“Here come the Hawks

The mighty Blackhawks

Take the attack, yeah, and

We’ll back you Blackhawks

You’re flyin’ high now

So let’s wrap it up

Let’s go you Hawks, move out

Now all look out

Here come the Hawks (Here come the Hawks)

Here come the Hawks (Here come the Hawks)”

Orchestration by Dick Marx

So, what are Chicagoans doing this New Year’s Eve…December 31, 2024? 

For a truly unique and exciting adventure, hockey fans and casual observers will be making their way to Wrigleyville for the 2025 NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field! 

This is Wrigley Field’s second time hosting an NHL outdoor game, having previously hosted the second annual 2009 NHL Winter Classic.

Back then, the Chicago Blackhawks were a year away from winning their first Stanley Cup under the captainship of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. This version features 2024 Calder Memorial Trophy winner Connor Bedard makes his outdoor rink debut against their Central Division rival St. Louis Blues. Kenny Albert, Chicago Blackhawks legend Eddie Olczyk and Brian Boucher will call the game action. 

Chicago Blackhawks history 

As Britannica.com tells it, the Chicago Blackhawks were established in 1926 by Chicago-based businessman Frederic McLaughlin, who was awarded one of the first U.S. expansion franchises by the NHL and subsequently purchased the defunct Portland Rosebuds of the Western Hockey League to form the nucleus of his team. 

They became one of the ‘Original Six’ NHL teams, which include the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers.

In 1929, according to Britannica.com, the team moved into Chicago Stadium. ‘The Stadium’ serve as the team’s home until 1994.

Fun facts: Originally known as the Black Hawks (the spelling was changed to “Blackhawks” in 1986 to match the original NHL paperwork), the team had some early success, with Stanley Cup wins in the 1933–34 and 1937–38 seasons. 

And there really was a Black Hawk

According to NHL com, Black Hawk, or Mà-ka-tai-me-she-kià-kiàk, was a respected dignitary and proud leader for the Sauk tribe (present-day Sac & Fox). He committed his life to the preservation and protection of his people, his family and the land they were connected to.

The Black Hawks’ second championship was notable because the Black Hawks won the Stanley Cup after posting a regular-season record of 14–25, the worst record of any team to go on to win the title (that they were in the playoffs at all owed to the fact that six of the NHL’s eight franchises qualified for the postseason).

A 50’s Renaissance 

In the late 1950s, according to Wikipedia sources, the Hawks struck gold once again, acquiring three young prospects-forwards Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita, defenseman Pierre Pilote and star goaltender Glenn Hall.  All four would eventually be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. They bested the rival Detroit Red Wings to win their third Stanley Cup championship. They remained a force to be reckoned with throughout the decade, with Hull enjoying four 50-goal seasons, Mikita winning back-to-back scoring titles and MVP accolades, Pilote winning three consecutive Norris Trophies, and Hall being named the First or Second All-Star goaltender eight out of nine seasons.

The Wirtz Family takes the reigns

Arthur Wirtz and his son Bill took over the team in 1966, beginning a dynasty that continues to this day. In the 1969–70 season the Black Hawks acquired goaltender Tony Esposito, (aka, Tony O) who would go on to set the franchise record with 418 wins and be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Despite the team’s failure to capture the Stanley Cup, the streak featured a number of high points. Notably, Mikita, Hull, Esposito, and Keith Magnusonanchored a Black Hawk team that lost a dramatic seven-game Stanley Cup final to a dominant Canadiens team in 1970–71. 

But as Wiki tells it, the Wirtzes had a reputation for stubbornness and frugality and were vilified by Blackhawks fans for forbidding home games to be televised unless they were picked up by national broadcasters. As Wirtz explained it, broadcasting regular-season home games was “unfair to season-ticket holders.”

In 1988–89, after three-straight first-round defeats and despite a fourth-place finish in their division in the regular season, the Blackhawks made it to the conference finals, thanks to rookies (and future Hall of Famers) goaltender Ed Belfour and center Jeremy Roenick. However, they would once again fail to make the Stanley Cup Finals.

A Millennial Renaissance 

On September 26, 2007, Bill Wirtz died, and was succeeded by his son Rocky, who drastically altered his father’s long-standing policies. Previously, with the third overall pick in the 2006 NHL entry draft, the team selected Frozen Four champion Jonathan Toews and right winger Patrick Kane. Together, along with goaltending by Antii Niemi and Corey Crawford and a strong supporting cast, the team notched three Stanley Cup championships in 2010, 2013 and 2015. 

Today, the team is helmed by once-in-a-generation player Bedard and is poised to take the Blackhawks far into the future, overseen by fourth-generation leaderDanny Wirtz. 

Early Happy New Year, everyone!!

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago