Tips & Insights -- Chicago Shopping & Travel

•Eating Healthy

It’s easy to forget about diets and make poor choices regarding the foods that are available to us when we travel, so we’ve compiled a short list for healthy eating tips for your Chicago shopping trip. 1) Pack a variety of nutritious foods including fruits, raw vegetables, crackers, granola bars…quick solutions for satisfying an appetite whether you fly or drive. 2) Upon arrival at the hotel, skip the mini-bar. If your hotel offers a Continental breakfast, select fruits, cereals and proteins such as eggs. 3) When you dine out, remember to eat only when hungry. Even the great Chicago restaurants occasionally serve overwhelmingly large portions. If you indulge on one meal, scale back on the next. 4) When possible, avoid large meals at night. When your body slows down and prepares for sleep, it also burns calories less efficiently. Pass on the bread basket at dinner. Choose fish or poultry, and try to eat lots of vegetables.

•Shoes

Chicago Destination Shopping Club located at CDSC, includes a shoe shopping category on its website. The trend for 2008 is all about heels…a myriad of options – wedges, stilettos and sculpted forms, in textured and colorful finishes. Look for the latest trends in a huge selection of Chicago stores including Akira (State Street & Bucktown), Bloomingdale’s (Michigan Ave.), Fratelli Rossetti (Michigan Ave.), Jimmy Choo (Oak Street), Lori’s (Lincoln Park), Nine West Outlet (Lincoln Park) and Nordstrom (Michigan Ave.).

•From $600 Phone to Carrying Case

Now that you have one of the coolest, most talked about cell phones on the market, you need a case. Many designers have taken note of the trend and demand for stylish cases to caress that phone in a stylish manner. At the high end, Louis Vuitton offers alligator leather cases for around $1,100. Depending on the size and model, you can purchase other styles ranging from $15 - $50 at Nokia or the Apple Store. See all these stores and more at www.chicago-dsc.com.

•Traveling with Special Items on Airlines

With many passengers still expecting to bring almost any item on board despite the crackdown in safety and security, we thought it would be important to recap rules and restrictions for most airlines. Please note that airlines in foreign countries may have different regulations.

1. Alcoholic Beverages – Passengers are not allowed to take alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol content in a carry-on or checked luggage.

2. Knives & Tools – Pack knives and tools in your checked luggage. Sheath or securely wrap any sharp edges so they do not injure baggage handlers and security officials.

3. Currency, Coins, Valuable Jewelry – If you are carrying valuable items, ask the security officer to screen you and your carry-on luggage in private. This will maintain your security and avoid scrutiny.

4. Musical Instruments – You may bring musical instruments as carry-on or as checked baggage, but first check with your airline prior to your flight to ensure your instrument meets the size requirements for their aircraft. Security must x-ray or physically screen your instrument, so be prepared.