Christen A. Johnson – Page 25

On college acceptance day, 7 parenting tips for managing disappointment

December 13, 2018 at 8:41 a.m.

Some decisions are mundane, like choosing what to eat for breakfast. Others, though, can feel grandiose. Like deciding where to attend college. On Tuesday, National College Acceptance Day and the...

Ramen Takeya devotes an entire section of its menu to "otsumami" or drinking foods — nestled among them the Japanese street snack takoyaki. The ball-shaped snacks are made with a batter that crisps up into a golden shell while remaining creamy and soft inside. Hidden away are Chiclet-size pieces of octopus, tiny surprises in the center of each ball. Six balls are served in a red and white paper boats and drizzled with sweet and salty Japanese barbecue sauce, creamy mayo, aonori (dried seaweed) and fishy-but-in-a-good-way bonito flakes (cured fish shavings). Between the crispy-meets-creamy texture and the sweet-meets-salty flavors, it's easy to see how a refreshing beer (or soda, for non-drinkers) would pair nicely. $6. 819 W. Fulton Market, 312-666-7710, <a href="http://www.ramentakeya.com/">ramentakeya.com</a> — Grace Wong

25 Mother’s Day brunch spots to wine and dine mom

May 31, 2019 at 4:02 p.m.

Another year of gifting your mom a macaroni-art picture frame just won't cut it. Instead, celebrate her in a way she'll truly feel loved: with brunch and mimosas. Here are...

Dining companion rude to the wait staff? Here’s how to handle it

December 14, 2018 at 1:06 p.m.

Q: Your dining companion is rude to the wait staff. You're offended by your companion's behavior. What do you do? If the person is a guest — the one not...

Passenger behind you keep kicking your seat? Here’s how to handle it

December 14, 2018 at 12:34 p.m.

Q: You're traveling on an airplane, and the person behind you keeps kicking your seat. How do you handle it? Flying is a chore. Some airlines have done away with...

Personal shopper Georgia Little helps 17-year-old Kiersten Lofton pick out accessories at The Glass Slipper Project.

Prom dreams come true for Chicago teens — thanks to personal shoppers, thousands of donated dresses

May 12, 2019 at 11:34 p.m.

It took Kiersten Lofton only three tries before she found her perfect prom dress: a floor-length, navy chiffon gown with a jewel-embellished halter neckline. It was the second dress the...

Craving a cuppa? Cue the animals

May 23, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.

The 2018 International Home and Housewares Show, held in Chicago last month, featured many kitchen themes and trends, such as splashes of color, earthy and natural looks, silicone molds and...

Poodles typically weigh 40-70 pounds, but their hypoallergenic coat, minimal barking and friendlier-than-average nature make these pooches a good fit for those in rental units.

‘It was perfect’: Evanston man proposes to girlfriend in Tribune ‘Jumble’ puzzle

December 14, 2018 at 11:09 a.m.

When Aly Jiwani began to consider taking the next step with his anagram-loving girlfriend, Paula Acuña, he had a vision for the perfect puzzle proposal. "One of our earliest memories...

How to respond to a person who RSVP’d yes but didn’t show

December 14, 2018 at 11:07 a.m.

Q: You're hosting a party, and someone who RSVP'd yes decides to ditch at the last minute, after you've spent money creating a place for this guest. Do you talk...

African-American and Jewish teens from Chicago journey together in search of common ground

December 14, 2018 at 10:23 a.m.

When Genevieve Hicks’ health teacher told her about the “Let’s Get Together: An Interfaith Journey Toward Justice” trip, Hicks was scared. “I was really afraid to meet different people that...

Nine West, the women's shoe and accessory retailer, filed for bankruptcy Friday in New York, citing declining mall traffic as one of the contributors to falling sales.

Shoe retailer Nine West files for bankruptcy

May 12, 2019 at 11:34 p.m.

It's so hard to say goodbye to a loyal shoe brand that has faithfully supplied your favorite strappy sandals and playful pumps. But the good news is, you don't have...

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