#10– Poetic Reflections on life, love and soul
#8 & #9– Looking for Glam and Fashion to wear this Holiday Season
#7 – Across the solar system lies another world….. POND PUNKIES!
#6 – Eco Friendly Living with Green Home Experts
#5 – Treats for Santa support a Textbook Scholarship Fund
#4 – Pamela Peterson, Artist Extraordinaire of Art Pastiche
#3 – Liz Moore, Realtor by day and MICHE bags by night….
#2 – JWillin Consulting
#1 – Tan Travel in Oak Park, IL
Looking forward to seeing you again in the New Year.
Happy Holidays!
The tenth stop on Aileen’s Count Down to the Holidays! is with Lynn Torre, CFP®, CFDP and owner of Financial Transitions, Ltd., and Author of Dance of the Leaf.
I have had the privilege of being part of Lynn’s dance and I am truly honored to share this dance with all of you. Dance of the Leaf is a must read! When you find yourself needing a little inspiration pick up the book and flip to any poem, read it and reflect on it for the day and for the rest of the week. Lynn’s poems are like passages filled with energy and inspiration.
Dance of the Leaf is Lynn’s personal reflection on life, love and soul. When you allow the energy of life to flow through you and trust that you are exactly where you need to be, at this moment in time, incredible truths will be revealed. This is exactly how this book has come to be.
A Sampling of Poems from Dance of the Leaf
I thought I was not good enough
Not worthy or deserving
All my life I believed this stuff
It really was unnerving
….
When you view yourself as less than
What you get is what you see
It all looks very real to you
Self-fulfilling prophecy
….
Now I look in the mirror
And smile when I see
An incredible being
Who really is me
What inspired you to write your book?
I started writing this poetry as part of my process of self-discovery and reflection on life. I was in search of my own truth – these poems eventually evolved into the book.
What sparks your creativity?
Meditation and quiet introspection, almost all of my writing is done very early in the morning when my mind is calm and without distractions.
What’s one big thing you want people to take away from your book?
To be inspired! To look within and discover all that they can be. Also to make a difference in the world by doing their dance.
Who is the perfect reader for your book?
Someone who is looking for inspiration, and introspection. But read only one at a time. It is not meant to be read cover to cover like a novel. Just sip from it.
Any other notes or comments you would like to share:
It is my hope that my words open reader’s eyes to new possibilities convince them to believe in themselves and impress upon them the importance of love – of self and others.
Contact Information:
Lynn Torre
Financial Transitions LTD
Dance of the Leaf
22W132 Butterfield Road
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
www.FinancialTransitionsLtd.com
www.DanceoftheLeaf.com
Follow Dance of the Leaf on Facebook and YouTube.
Order your copy Today!
The eighth and ninth stop on Aileen’s Count Down to the Holidays! is with Susie Duboe Bryant, owner of Hinsdale Furriers and Formally Hers in Hinsdale, IL.
Looking for something to spruce up your wardrobe? Going to another Holiday party but your one little black dress has been worn time and time again? Want to find something rare and warm that no else has? Then head on over to Hinsdale Furriers and Formally Hers, here you will find an outfit for your next special event, without breaking the bank.
A few months back my niece was in need of a gown for a pageant and after countless hours of shopping and trying on gown after gown at bridal stores she wasn’t able to find anything trendy yet eloquent. I told her about Formally Hers and at first she was hesitant, but she gave it a shot. The first dress she saw and tried on she fell in love with. It was the perfect color for her, trendy for her age with a taste of eloquence.
On this stop I hope you enjoy your experience with Susie’s stores just as much as my family has.
What inspired you to start your businesses?
Hinsdale Furriers is truly a family owned and operated business that has been located in Hinsdale, IL since 1952 and is currently owned by third generation owner, Susie Duboe Bryant.
In 1927, Susie’s grandfather began a furrier business in the State & Lake Building in Chicago. Her father brought the business to Hinsdale in 1952 and Susie took ownership in 1982. The shop is currently managed by the fourth generation of the family, Melissa Waters.
Can you describe your store as if I knew nothing about it or the market?
Hinsdale Furriers is a full service furrier offering onsite cleaning, glazing, storage, repairs, remodeling, alterations and appraisals for furs. They take great care with each and every garment that is brought into Hinsdale Furriers, making sure it stays in the best condition possible for as long as possible.
Hinsdale Furriers offers a large selection of new furs and shearlings at competitive prices. Often times if they do not have exactly what you are looking for, they can order or make it for you.
They also have a section of the store called “This Old Fur” where they take gently used furs on consignment and sell them at unbelievably affordable prices.
What’s one big thing you want people to take away from when they visit your stores?
The atmosphere at Hinsdale Furriers is friendly and honest. We hope that people leave us with a sense of trust and warmth. We try to educate our customers so that they can make the best decisions possible for themselves. We provide an honest opinion along with quality products. It’s our excellent customer service that sets us apart from the rest.
What inspired you to start your businesses?
Since we started the “This Old Fur” section at Hinsdale Furriers – where we take used furs on consignment – customers began asking us where they could consign the gorgeous gowns that they only wear once on special occasions. This planted the idea to start our own business of consignment formal wear, now cleverly called Formally Hers. We really owe the Hinsdale Furriers’ customers for coming up with the idea.
Can you describe the store as if I knew nothing about it or the market?
Formally Hers is an upscale consignment boutique located in downtown Hinsdale. We accept formal gowns, cocktail dresses, prom dresses, fancy separates, shoes and evening bags on consignment. All garments are in ready-to-wear condition. We have many designer labels available at a fraction of the retail price. Formally Hers benefits both the consignor and the buyer. When items are brought to Formally Hers, they must already be cleaned and on hangers. When we sell garments, the consignor receives a check for 50% of the selling price and the buyer receives a gorgeous, often times one-of-a-kind, outfit for their next special event, without breaking the bank.
What’s one big thing you want people to take away from when they visit your stores?
We pride ourselves on our boutique-like look and feel. Many customers are shocked to discover that we are actually a consignment shop. Our showroom is clean and beautiful and does not have that “consignment shop smell”. People are also amazed at our fantastic prices.
Contact Information:
Hinsdale Furriers & Formally Hers
33 E 1st Street
Hinsdale, IL 60521
www.hinsdalefurriers.com www.formallyhers.com
www.thisoldfur.com SeeYouDowntown.com
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The seventh stop on Aileen’s Count Down to the Holidays! is Lisa Riebe, Children’s Sci-Fi Author of Pond Punkies.
Just like the adventure that Lisa takes you on in her books Lisa and I have our own adventure to share. I met Lisa a few months back at a local Author’s group, Author! Author!, where she announced Book #2 – The Unearthing, and asked if anyone would be interested in a pre-view of the book before it hits the stands and I just about jumped out of my seat to grab one for my 10 year old daughter.
The next day over breakfast I shared the book with my daughter and with the strangest look on her face she said, “Mom I know these characters.” I of course did not believe her because how could she, we don’t have Book #1 – The Arrival, in our family library. After bantering back and forth my daughter turned to me and said, “Mom I KNOW these characters…. Remember back in Kindergarten my friend had her Aunt come read to us a story… (puzzled and in shock that she remembers kindergarten but cannot remember to put her clothes away) again I didn’t believe her. So, I contacted Lisa and asked her if I could share this strange story with her, and wouldn’t you know it……… It was Lisa that came to my daughters’ class to read an insert of Book #1 – The Arrival. From that moment my daughter and I were hooked on the Pond Punkies and enjoying the adventure of Blaze, Ace and the rest of the Pond Punkies together.
This is truly a book for all ages that has imagination and likes to get away from reality for a bit and enjoy an adventure.
This is a GREAT STOCKING STUFFER this Christmas for the kids, grab one TODAY! CLICK HERE!
Let’s all get to know Lisa and her passion for being a Children’s Sci-Fi Author
What inspired you to write your book?
I really wanted to be an inventor. I was always trying to invent something. Once my son was old enough, he caught the inventing bug too. We would sit around trying to think of things to invent. One day while sitting around our pond in the backyard, my friend Sue, my son, and I came up with the idea for a toy. Not just any toy. It had to be a toy related to ponds. It would be a pond punkie action figure. I decided no one would want to play with the action figure if they didn’t know anything about pond punkies. I wanted to write a book showing where the pond punkies came from, but also try to pull in the younger reluctant boy readers. The Arrival was born!
What sparks your creativity?
I’m not sure if any one thing sparks my creativity. I have always been a creative person. I do get some ideas from my dreams. Things just pop in my head and I try to write them down before they get replaced by new things.
What’s one big thing you want people to take away from your book?
I only hope that when the kids are done reading the book that they were able to leave reality for a bit and enjoy an adventure. I would like for them to understand the special bonds of friendship and that sometimes hardships are part of that bond.
Who is the perfect reader for your book?
Second grade through fourth grade. (Aileen’s opinion: this is a great book for all ages! I truly enjoyed reading it together with my 10 year old.)
(This is a video of a boy reviewing Pond Punkies – The Unearthing.) Grant takes on Rampage! Don’t steal his Pond Punkies Book!
Contact Information:
Lisa Riebe, Children’s Sci-Fi Author
2011 Global eBook Award Winner
2010 Indie Book Award Finalist
Read Pond Punkies blog at http://www.pondpunkies.com/wordpress/ or follow on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Order your copy today – CLICK HERE!
The sixth stop on Aileen’s Count Down to the Holidays! is with Maria Onesto Moran owner of Green Home Experts.
We all know that we should be more eco-friendlier, but how?
My advice, start with your home. Our homes are our sanctuary and the more sustainable your safe haven, the more sustained you will feel in it. Deciding to make green choices in your home can be overwhelming for some, not with Green Home Experts in your neighborhood.
Maria can help educate you with making small changes that can help make a difference. Making the littlest changes to your home to be more environmentally friendly is a great start. Then focus on your increased green awareness for larger future projects. Whatever your eco-friendly needs are Green Home Experts is here to help.
Green Home Experts is an independent retailer of eco-friendly building and home supplies. We specialize in all things green to create a healthier home for you and your family.
We are your local source of sustainable products. We offer green products for cleaning, gardening and everyday living. We also supply a variety of eco-friendly paints, flooring, cabinets and construction materials. 
But there is more….. You just have to see for yourself and stop by the store, I know you won’t leave empty handed.Looking for gift ideas, check out Maria’s Green Gift Guide, something for your neighbors, co-workers, teachers and friends.
I have so much to say about Maria, but I will let her tell you herself. Here is what Maria shared with me during our interview for the countdown; I hope you are inspired and ready to Go Green!
What inspired you to start your businesses?
I worked for an organization now known as Mercy Housing Lakefront. They provided permanent, supportive housing for people who were formerly homeless. While I was on staff, we built 2 LEED-certified buildings in 2003 and 2005. As the vegetarian hybrid driver on staff, this really fed my passion. When my husband and I bought our West Loop condo, I was looking for some of the non-toxic finishes we’d put in the buildings at work. But they were impossible to find anywhere other than online. I wasn’t willing to buy a new toilet or paint online. Knowing there were a lot of frustrated homeowners like me, I wrote a business plan and from that came Green Home Experts!
Can you describe your business as if I knew nothing about it or the market?
Green Home Experts is an independently owned business, with two basic components. We are part eco-showroom and part eco-general store. So you might come in here looking for cleaning supplies, garden materials or kitchen ware. Or you might come here looking for eco-friendly flooring, paint, cabinetry, insulation, etc. We are open to all members of the public and work with homeowners, contractors, designers and architects. You don’t even have to be human to shop here—we have canine customers all the time!
What’s one big thing you want people to take away from when they visit your store?
We want people to have fun when they’re here. We want to be a joymaker in people’s lives. If you shop here, you are making better decisions for the health of your family and the planet. So you should feel good about yourself when you’re here. We’ve always got something fun going on—free workshops and demonstrations, sales, and our annual holiday party in December and anniversary party in February. There’s a coloring station here for kids, treats for dogs, and lots of laughter for everyone.
Contact Information:
LOCATION UNTIL NEW LOCATION
12/31 as of Jan. 2012
Green Home Experts Green Home Experts
823 S. Oak Park Ave. 811 S. Boulevard
Oak Park, IL 60304 Oak Park, IL 60304
(708) 660-1GHE (1443)
GoGreen@GHExperts.com
www.GHExperts.com
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Read Green Home Experts Ghexperts.wordpress.com blog and also follow on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Yelp Find us on SeeYouDowntown.com