HANDPICKED

Handpicked Bits of fun, inspiration and cool finds for you

Make it a Magical Summer

As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. After the bummers of the last few summers, we definitely have a bunch of lemons to turn into something magical for the kids this summer.

So, we thought, why not mix up a little secret summer learning to combat the dreaded brain drain, along with a refreshing summer drink.

It’s perfect whether you are celebrating Pride month, Juneteenth, Mother’s and Father’s Day, or National Eat What You Want Day (It’s May 11 so go ahead and treat yourself!). For those keeping track, National Lemonade Day falls on May 1, so let the kids set up those lemonade stands and learn a little about being an entrepreneur, too.

Staff Photographer and Graphic Designer Lauren Jeziorski turned her kitchen into our unofficial test kitchen. Lauren, a pretty awesome mom of one, whipped up a tart magical summer drink we’re calling Magical Mermaid Lemonade. It’s a color-changing lemonade that sneaks in a science lesson about mixing colors and the changing state of molecules. Kids will love seeing the “magical” change as the ice cubes melt and you’ll love their sweet smiles.

Cheers to summer!

Find the recipe and fun places to sneak in a little summer learning ChicagoParent.com/LatestIssue.

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A Day Out in Humboldt Park

Ways to celebrate Chicago’s culturally rich Puerto Rican community

BY EVELYN SANCHEZ-TOLEDO

One of the great things about Chicago is its diverse cultures and the neighborhoods that showcase them. Puerto Ricans have been in Chicago since the late 1940s. Although the neighborhood population is changing, the cultural influence of Puerto Rico is still visible in Humboldt Park.

For a great day out, and a little learning, head to Humboldt Park and finish with a treat.

EVELYN SANCHEZ-TOLEDO

is a former educator and Humboldt Park grandmother who has just published her third children’s book, Las aventuras de Ana la abeja/ The Adventures of Ana the Bee, available in English and Spanish for kids 3-8. estbooks.com

DO THIS

Take a walk with your family starting on Division and Western, through what is known as Paseo Boricua (Puerto Rican Promenade) and head west. Look up and you will see the first of two 56-foot-tall, 40-ton steel Puerto Rican flags.

As you stroll on Division Street, watch for the murals. Among my favorite, at 2460 W. Division, is The 79th, naming Paseo Boricua as the symbolic 79th municipality of Puerto Rico. (The island has 78 municipalities.) The mural depicts the Paseo Boricua flag.

Here are other murals to explore on your walk: Sea of Flags at 2500 W. Division, Escuelita Tropical at 2516 W. Division and Born of Fire at 2700 W. Division.

Head to La Casita de Don Pedro, 2625 W. Division, a small courtyard with a statue of Don Pedro Ablizu Campo and a replica of a traditional Puerto Rican one-room home with a front porch and a zinc roof.

Located at 3015 W. Division is the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture. Two beautiful statues of horses adorn the front entrance of what once was Humboldt Park Stables. The museum hosts exhibits by wellknown artists from the island and around the United States.

From Robert Clemente to Javier Baez, Puerto Ricans are known for their love of baseball. In celebration of this, your next stop should be Little Cubs Field, a replica of Wrigley Field found at the west end of the Park.

Finally, attend the Puerto Rican Festival June 9-12 (the parade is June 11) to immerse yourself in the culture. Enjoy the local artists and experience traditional Puerto Rican music and dance.

TRY THAT

Here is a quick and easy recipe for one of Puerto Rico’s popular desserts, Pastelillos de Guayaba (Guava filled puff pastry). I enjoyed making them with kids. Ingredients • 1 package puff pastry dough • 1 package guava paste or guava jelly (if using guava paste, cut into small pieces and place in microwave for 45 seconds until creamy) • Powdered sugar Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 2. Make sure puff pastry is thawed if previously frozen. Open one sheet and cut into equal size squares. I like 3-inch by 3-inch. 3. Place the squares on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15 minutes or until puffy and golden. 4. Cut the pastry in half horizontally, fill with guava to your liking and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

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No More Mom Swimsuits

Moms can live their best summer lives in super stylish, comfy looks

BY CHERYL LEAHY

If you have ever watched the viral video “I Swimsuit Season So Hard,” you can relate to how difficult it is to find a swimsuit that straddles the line between skimpy and frumpy. Yes, trying on swimsuits can mimic a comedy routine, but you can have the last laugh by finding a flattering suit that you love. Here are a few favorites that will allow moms to focus on what really matters at the beach: having fun with family and friends.

ONE-SHOULDER STUNNERS

The “mom suit” traditionally encases post-baby boobs in a type of double sling without support, allowing gravity to take its course and wardrobe malfunctions to manifest. Enter: the oneshoulder style. Magicsuit is a historically mom-friendly line, with a focus on support, shape and style. The Goddess suit features an asymmetrical neckline with strategic ruching and actual coverage for your backside. No cheeky bottoms or French cuts that leave nothing to the imagination here — you will actually be able to move around without constantly adjusting your suit. From sandcastle building to snorkeling, these suits stay put. The company also has styles with draping that can be tied high or low on the hip depending upon how much coverage you prefer.

CURVES AHEAD

Remember when swimsuits above size 12 consisted of a solid or basic pattern with a skirt attached? Eloquii has elevated suits for sizes 14-28 with bold, beautiful patterns, on-trend styling and, yes, sex appeal. These suits are designed for mamas with curves that are meant to be showcased, not hidden. Most of their styles can be worn as tops as well — pair high-waisted white jeans with the Puff Sleeve Front Tie Bikini Top or pop a skirt over the Ruffle Shoulder Swimsuit. Moms need to be flexible and quite often don’t have the time or space to pack multiple outfits for a day out. And Eloquii is all about the details — from coordinating belts to voluminous sleeves, coordinating sarongs to chic hair scarves, it encourages customers to be as extra as they wish.

Lively took its best-selling bra styles and redesigned them for swim. So if you love the bandeaus, sports bras and bralette tops, you will absolutely swoon over the swim styles. To help customers find the perfect fit, custom sessions are offered at its Chicago bricks-andmortar store or you can also hit them up virtually with a video session. The brand is all about authenticity and inclusivity, showcasing products on a wide range of body types, shapes and skin tones so you are more likely to see yourself represented. It also offers an array of mix-and-match two-piece styles, from plunge tops that flatter while keeping you contained to bandeaus with removable straps that mean minimal tan lines and maximum style. Lively specializes in a wide variety of sizes, from A to DDD, keeping with the theme of inclusively.

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SUPPORT SYSTEM

CHERYL LEAHY

is a savvy millennial mom of two who knows how to show her kids a good time – with a lot of style.

alldressedupwithnothingtodrink.com @cjalldressedup

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Dad Spoilers

Four great Chicago experiences to celebrate the father figure in your life

Find more great ways to celebrate Father’s Day at ChicagoParent.com /LatestIssue.

BY STACI HAUK

Father’s Day is a time to celebrate and check off some bucket list items for Dad. Starting a new tradition or creating a unique experience can be a memory that will last a lifetime. Whether it’s family time, embarking on a city adventure or sending Dad on an excursion all his own to a city hotspot, there is something for even the most discerning dad on this list.

Moody Tongue Brewing Company

Moody Tongue is a Michelin-starred beer concept that offers a 15-course hyper-seasonal tasting menu with curated beer pairings at the restaurant, as well as its most popular offering — a private culinary beer virtual tasting. Dad will enjoy this experience from the comfort of home and will have the opportunity to learn while enjoying beer.

This private, interactive experience allows the participant to taste four different beers while learning from acclaimed brewmaster Jared Rouben, a new father himself. The tasting includes two specialty glasses and two bottles each of Aperitif Pilsner, Juiced Lychee IPA, Steeped Emperor’s Lemon Saison and Bourbon Barrel Aged 12 Layer Cake Imperial Stout.

“Our virtual beer tasting is the ultimate Father’s Day gift,” Rouben says.

2515 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago; $215 moodytongue.com Tall Ship Windy

There is nothing more quintessential Chicago than cruising Lake Michigan in a sailboat. The Tall Ship Windy is perhaps the most notable for a brisk and beautiful family-filled Father’s Day.

Each adventure lasts 75 minutes with great points of history and some embellished pirate stories. Everyone will be a part of the crew — hoisting the sails or even firing the cannons. It is always OK to just sit back and enjoy the incredible Chicago skyline, too.

Option one: On June 18 and 19, 10 national teams will race cutting-edge, foiling F50 catamarans along the shores of Lake Michigan. Book a tour on the Tall Ship Windy for the perfect vantage point.

Option two: On June 19 at 11 a.m., 5 and 7 p.m., Dad can hop aboard the four-mast schooner for an adventure complete with a Dad Joke Competition (at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.). Pirate dad jokes earn extra points!

600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago; starting at $39 for adults, $17 for kids under 12 tallshipwindy.com Chicago Magic Lounge

The trickery begins the moment Dad enters this hidden gem. Disguised as a laundromat, enter a back door that transports visitors to a swanky art deco-style speakeasy.

From there, Dad will be ushered into the Harry Blackstone Cabaret Theater to enjoy close-up magic performed tableside by talented house magicians, coupled with a mind-blowing stage show.

This gift is an opportunity for Dad to escape his everyday life and feel like a kid again. It is an adult-only night out, however. Shows run seven nights a week with ever-changing entertainment, so dad can fit this experience into his busy schedule. Chicago Magic Lounge is the only venue of its kind in the Midwest and truly allows adults to explore that nostalgia that comes with whimsical and classic turn-of-the-century magic.

5050 N. Clark St., Chicago; Tickets start at $50 chicagomagiclounge.com The Studio at W.I.P.

Chicago is no stranger to street art and seeing it in abundance might make Dad want to dabble in a little himself. Maybe he needs an eclectic piece for his man cave or garage and wants the kids to join in. Enter The Studio at W.I.P.

A team of local artists will lead dad and the family through a 90-minute spray paint workshop. Instruction includes can technique, stencil application, line work, drip technique and a take-home 16x20 canvas that will make all of Dad’s friends jealous.

For the dad that appreciates his creative side but wants a little edge, this is a space custom-made for a Father’s Day outing. All classes are kid-friendly and BYOB. The Studio at W.I.P. provides the tools, Dad brings his imagination.

800 Kedzie Ave., #208, Chicago, second location in Evanston; $40 per person native312.events

STACI HAUK

is a mom of two who recently relocated back to her hometown of Naperville. She is a published children’s book author of Sawyer’s Two Cents. stacihauk.com

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What’s in Your Diaper Bag?

Oh, the amount of things we stuff into diaper bags and tote around when we’re out and about with babies.

The bare necessities for baby can really add up — multiple diapers, wipes, diaper cream, at least one change of outfit for those exploding diapers, burp cloth, bottles, blanket, extra socks (because one always falls off those pudgy feet and gets lost), a pacifier or four to account for the drops and of course, small toys and board books to keep baby entertained.

But then there’s all the extras that seem to gather in the bag: snacks and toys if you have older kids, phone charger and more. We reached out to a few new moms to see what they’re packing and the answers are brilliant as well as helpful.

“A butt spatula! I can’t get my nails messed up.”

– LORI ORLINSKY, mom of three, including a newborn girl

@loriorlinskyauthor

“Underwear, because when you are a mom, your bladder is just not what it once was.”

– ERICKA POLANCO WEBB, mom of six, including a baby girl

@erickapolancowebb

“Something that I keep in my diaper bag is our trusted Nail Frida SnipperClipper! It is literally my favorite mom hack because it is made in such a way that it does not hurt your children's fingernails when you cut them! You can not overcut while using them and they are amazing! I started keeping them in my diaper bag and they come in handy way more than anyone could imagine.”

– DANA IVY, mom of three, including a baby girl

@danaivy

“Because I’m forgetful, I keep my grocery list and coupons in the baby diaper bag.”

– ERICKA WOODS, mom of three, including a newborn boy

@1Mother2Another

Lavender scented dog poop bags. “I put the dirty diapers in them before tossing them out when we’re at a friend’s house and I don’t want to stink up their garbage.”

– LYNDSEY SLEEK, mom of one