Maggie Leigh From Zozo For Kids
We’ve been pretty busy around here getting ready for Midsommarfest (June 13 & 14) and the Farmers Market (Wednesday evenings, starting June 24), but we’ve still managed to get out into the neighborhood and come up with great ways to spend our 20 bucks. Read our lists from Week Two after the jump. Leave a comment to let us know what you did with your 20 bucks this week!
JESSICA
$20 – Sunday bruch with friends on the back patio of La Cocina de Frida, pototao flautas and chicken tortilla soup (my favorite).
ELLEN
Well, it’s all about food and being short. $11 got me a Panini de Melody Nelson and an “Ellen’s Weird Green Drink” (you REALLY don’t want to know) at Kopi Cafe. $6 for a tuna sandwich at Piatto Pronto (please don’t tell the Veggie Police). And $30 to get a bunch of stuff shortened at Pine Cleaners. Oh, for longer legs.
JASON
Jason MORE than met his $20 challange this week. As part of the Uncle Jason Project, he bought these adorable Melissa & Doug brand magnetic dress up wooden dolls from Zozo For Kids – Joey for my nephew Aidan and Maggie Leigh for my niece Allison. Unfortunately, Zozo For Kids is soon closing their store to concentrate on their online business, but those who like a bargain they are having a big sale at the moment while they are still in the neighborhood, and it is worth checking out. The dolls were $10.50 each, minus a 15% sale on toys. You would think my 20/20 challange would be complete. But I had some birthday money left over and needed some retail therapy, so I headed down to Clark Street on a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon to buy presents for Uncle Jason. I got a 12″ non-stick frying pan ($42.99) and some silicone tongs ($12.99) from The Wooden Spoon, a great organic cotton scarf ($19) from Skinstinct, a bottle of my favorite J. LeBlanc olive oil from City Olive ($21.00), a bottle of my favorite summer wine, the wonderful Aveleda Vinho Verde ($7.99) from In Fine Spirits, and a copy of The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan ($16.00) at Women & Children First. In addition, I finally became a member of Women & Children First after reading about them in Time Out Chicago last week. For only $25, I get 10% off books and get to support a fantastic neighborhood institution. Did you know you can order any book that is in print from their website? And you can arrange to pick it up to avoid paying for shipping. And you can feel good about supporting such an important part of Andersonville. Talk about win/win/win!
WHAT DID YOU DO WITH YOUR 20 BUCKS?
For information about all of the great businesses in Andersonville to spend your 20 bucks, visit www.andersonville.org. To join the Andersonvile 20/20 Challenge, go to www.andersonville.org/2020.
2 books from Women and Children First because of the Time Out Story and a case of a beer, (the name of which I’m keeping quiet about because I love it, it’s hard to find and you’re sure as hell not going to punish me for posting this by buying it out) at In Fine Spirits.
Two fun metal buckles and a summer leather belt at Hip Fit on Foster!
Brunch for two at Ole Ole on Saturday around noon – amazing selection of brunch food, from roasted rib eye to chilaquiles to ribs to made-to-order waffles and omelets. All you can eat, only $15 per person!
A fab dinner (for four) at Latache!
Huey’s Friday Special: Charburger, Fries and a Drink for $7 — and hummas, pita and greek yogurt at the Middle Eastern Bakery $14. Apparently, I was hungry this week!
Burgers and beers for my husband and me at Hamburger Mary’s
Drinks at Marty’s both Friday and Sat..my head!!! Well over $20!!
Dinner at Andies Friday and LaTache Saturday…my jeans no longer fit. I guess I’ll have to go buy a girdle somewhere in Andersonville. I can see this is going to be a vicious circle!!!
Monday: Burger and fries from Hueys – $7.50
Saturday: Dry Cleaning from Pine Cleaners – $16
Sunday: Breakfast at Kopi – $14
Root Beer Float at George’s: $4
Pizza from Calo – $18
Also a member at Cheetah Gym, $55/month
Pizza for 3 at Antica Pizzeria Ristorante – north of $40; Danish casserole dishes at Brown Elephant – $6; apples and oranges at Edgewater Produce – $5+. Can’t wait for the Farmer’s Market to start!
Every time I step into Marguerite Gardens, I just want to stay. I adore the selection of flowers and had them arrange some sunflowers, dahlias, lilac and other beautiful items. $30 and I had a GORGEOUS bouquet to brighten someone’s day.
Next stop: City Olive. Much like the grocery, I should not enter that space on an empty stomach. Phil was so helpful, (and let me sample many products!) I went in with a budget of $100 to put together a delicious colletion of goodies for my parents anniversary next week. Ended up coming in just under budget at $99.49.
I HIGHLY recommend the Balsamic Espresso Reduction to drizzle on ice cream or a grilled filet. So Yummy!