A fellow Chicago bloggy friend, Maris of In Good Taste,  has been working hard to plan the National Food Blogger Bake Sale here in Chicago. I’m definitely going to try to stop by because with treats and helping a good cause? You just can’t go wrong!

Who: Some of Chicago’s finest food blogs and bakeries will be there, including Kudos Kookies & Foiled Cupcakes.

What: Remember your childhood bake sales? This one will be even better! Food bloggers and baking aficionados are teaming up to give readers the opportunity to sample some of their favorite baked goods and treats. Proceeds from the sale benefit Share Our Strength.

When: Saturday, April 17 from 12pm – 3pm (CST)

Where: Smash Cake Bakery, 2961 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago IL 60657 (at Wellington) Get a sneak peek at its BRAND NEW location!

Why: Food bloggers from across the country will unite to support the Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger in America by holding bake sales in their states. Proceeds from the sale will support the 17 million children (almost one in four) who face hunger in America. More information on SOS can be found at www.strength.org.

Check out In Good Taste and the Great American Bake Sale to find out more!

Do you think you know Chicago? The hole in the wall places that are absolute treasures that just don’t get the recognition they deserve? Do you know fashion and all the hippest boutiques in the city? Or maybe you’re a foodie? Can you tell us where the best burgers and drink specials are? Are you always on the VIP list and know exactly where the hot spots are? Are you social, savvy and smart?

If so, we want you!

We are looking to add some new voices to our NextGen Chicagonista team!

NextGen Chicagonista wants to bring you the best of Chicago with a fresh spin on things from our own point of view. We are looking to bring a group of diverse and talented writers from all over Chicago (even the suburbs!) together to show you what our city really has to offer.

To be considered, email Jamie at jamieislovely(at)gmail(dot)com with the following:

• a short bio about yourself and why you think you would be a great fit for our team
• a link to your blog and/or sample piece of writing fit for NextGen Chicagonista
• any links to social networking sites you belong to (twitter, facebook, etc)

Our current group of writers will review your application and get back to you if we think you could be a great fit to our already rockin’ team!

What are you waiting for? Get to applying! We can’t wait to hear from you!

(photo credit: R Stanek)

It’s no secret to anyone that I’m a big supporter of indie designers and all things handmade. And it’s widely known that I have a tiny bit of an Etsy addiction. I’m not creative in the slightest and probably don’t have the patience to be either. Knitting and purling would probably make me lose my mind, I’d burn myself with the glue gun and give myself paper cuts trying to make stationary.

This is where Renegade Handmade comes in.

I’m sure everyone has heard about or even been to Renegade Craft Fair. To be honest, it’s pretty hard to miss. This past summer it was massive and boasted over 300 artists up and down Division Street in Wicker Park. Last weekend, Renegade took over Pulaski Park’s field house for a Holiday sale. Just in time to get all your Christmas shopping done.

But did you know that Renegade Handmade has a standing year round store?

Just off the Division / Ashland / Milwaukee intersection sits the store where you can buy and sell handmade all year round. No more saving up your pennies for one big splurge twice a year. Maybe you forgot about your best friend’s birthday and need to pick up something? Stop in an pick up a cute necklace and a letterpress card.  Or maybe you walk on a whim only to realize that your life will not be complete until you own an angry toast plush. Hey, it happens to the best of us!

I buy handmade because I want to support indie artists. The quality, the time and dedication put into their items make each and every piece unique. You definitely can’t buy this kind of stuff at your local big box store.

Besides their two big fairs, Renegade Handmade hosts workshops for the crafty and uncrafty alike. You can also buy from Renegade online. And make sure you check out the newest in their Spotlight Series: The In Stitches Showcase. Catch it before it leaves December 15th!

Renegade Handmade is located at 1924 W. Division or at www.renegadehandmade.com.

Photo credit: back_garage