I just wanted to thank you for making sure our baby shower went as planned! It turned out beautiful, everything we wanted and more! Your staff was wonderful, and our waiters Nick, and Adrianna were amazing, they could not have been anymore attentive or efficient!!! Again thank you sooo much for making our day special!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Weibel

On Saturday, May 14, celebrate Gardenology with flowers from our Conservatory.  Bring in a container from home, or purchase one at The Little Traveler and our talented staff will artfully arrange your selection of flowers for you.  We will offer a $5.00 coupon toward a purchase of full priced items in our floral department (minimum $10 purchase).

Be sure to come and see our selection of ribbons as well.  We will be happy to make your choice of custom bows with  any ribbon – perfect for a wreath, door or stair case.

Sticky Fingers Bakeries makes the largest and arguably the tastiest selection of specialty  English Scone mixes.

Black Currant

Harney & Sons, Master Tea Blenders

Wedding: A Tea for Marriage: White Tea with Rosebuds Wedding Tea is an elegant blend crafted for that very special day. Beautiful pink rosebuds and petals capture the eye amidst Chinese Mutan white tea buds, creating the perfect wedding tea. The lemon and vanilla addition impart a wonderfully aromatic scent. A token of the years to come, it is a tea of pure bliss for a most noteworthy occasion.

Tower of London Blend: Chinese black tea with honey flavor.

Palace Gardens Chamomile: Chamomile with a hint of green apples.

Royal English Breakfast: A stout combination of Indian black teas makes a smooth, full-bodied brew. Royal English Breakfast is delicious when complimented with milk and sugar.

Illinois River winery is nestled in the bluffs of the quaint town of Utica on the Illinois River, facing the picturesque Starved Rock State Park.  Inspired by weekend wine tasting traditions in Missouri wine country, the natural beauty of Starved Rock State Park, and a desire to get back to family roots in agriculture,  Gregg Kane established Starved Rock Vineyards in 1998.

His first priority was to learn and perfect the fine art of viticulture.  Three years later, the company was ready to begin experimenting with wine making, with a focus on artistic quality, and when they were happy with what they had, the dream of Illinois River Winery came to fruition.

Among other selections you can try this spring at The Little Traveler wine tasting:

Spring Fling – A yummy Moscatto wine, ready to meet the coming of longer days, milder weather and a reawakening of nature’s beauty.

Born to Ride – This semi-sweet Riesling wine blend appeals to everyone and comes in a jet-black bottle

Meet Treasure Breads founder and president, Geneva Pedersen, at one of her monthly gourmet bread tastings here at The Little Traveler on March 12, April 16 and May 14.

Geneva started selling her breads as a way for her son to learn the value of helping others less fortunate.  Together they baked the bread, sold the loaves at garage sales and donated the proceeds to needy children. People loved the bread so much she moved on to farmer’s markets and now The Little Traveler.  Treasure Breads are perfect for holidays, birthdays…everyday.  And they make wonderful hostess gifts.

The breads are delicious all on their own or you can try one or more of these delicious recipes with Treasure Breads as the main ingredient: Cinnamon French Puffs, Blueberry Bread Pudding, Anytime Treasure Treats.

Bobbe is a folk story-teller at heart who instead of writing, shares her keen sense of humor and creativity through drawing. Bobbe draws dozens of situations featuring unexpected characters before settling on the ones that will be brought to life by Jeff, who uses centuries old techniques and simple tools to carve his wife’s drawings in wood, adding shape and detail to make the final three-dimensional sculpture.  Williraye designs are influenced by classic folk art with an updated twist.

After the carving is complete, Bobbe adds depth and richness with paint.  The resulting  story will delight your family and friends for years to come, whether it’s told through the classic Williraye Christmas Nativity collection or the clever and original Williraye Halloween figurines.

To best capture the subtly of hand-carving without the resulting deterioration of real wood, the Williraye folk art collection is crafted in cold-cast resin and carefully hand-painted with strict adherence to the integrity of Bobbe and Jeff’s original work. Individually packaged, all Williraye Studio pieces arrive in four-color boxes to safely store off-season.

Destined to become a valued keepsake, we know you will be complete delighted with any choice you make from Williraye Studio. Watch a video on Williraye here:

• Swarovski Crystal Representative Ann Andrea will present her new holiday items including sparkling new jewelry! Register to win a free piece of Swarovski Jewelry.

• Representative Angela Casa will showcase the new Holiday Lladro and Nao lines. Register to win a Lladro Snow Votive.

• Waterford Crystal – Visit our Gift Gallery to see all the gorgeous crystal gifts and serving pieces. Sign up to win a crystal ornament.

• Colonial Candles – Stop by and check out the great holiday gifts starting at just $10. Enjoy the scents of Classic Bayberry, Balsam Wreath, Winter Woods and Joyful Noel. Register to win one of several Colonial Candle gifts.

The Little Traveler would like to welcome Liz Hawkins from

Samples available.

Rosa’s Savory Italian Turkey Seasoning

With everything you love in an Italian Poultry Seasoning-Rosemary,

Sage, Garlic and more!

Home for the Holidays Turkey Seasoning

Traditional American flavors for America’s most famous bird-Rosemary,

Sage, Thyme, onion, chives, hints of Hickory smoke and other seasonings!

Gourmet Turkey Brine

Brining has become the rage in the past few years! We have developed a fabulous

Brining blend, which moistens and seasons the bird in one step, with traditional turkey flavors. No further seasoning required. Brining a turkey uses a salt solution to make the meat more moist and flavorful. Complete instructions included. (Note- only turkeys which have not been pre-brined or self-basted can be used for Brining. Further brining will make these turkeys too salty)

As always, Pelago Valley seasonings are all natural and gluten free.

November 9, 10, 18 & 19, 2010

Our famous one-day workshops will prepare you to be the hostess with the mostess AND the guestest that’s the bestest this holiday season.  You’ll get first-hand training from interior design and home entertaining experts, who will show you how to create stunning table settings, lovely centerpieces, and festive garlands and swags.

But decorating is only half of the entertaining picture, so we’ll also give you great ideas for quick appetizers, delicious cookies, and the best wines to bring or serve at your holiday parties.

And for the finishing touch, learn how to put together stylish fashions for your festive gatherings.

A tour of the shop will follow the program, and luncheon and fashion show are included. Tickets are $17.50 per person, and also include a $5 gift certificate to be used on the day of the show.

Call 630-232-4200 on November 1 to register for the November 9 and 10 seminars and on November 3 for the November 18 and 19 seminars.

The Little Traveler carries several of these down-to-earth, family friendly cookbooks, and on Saturday, December 4 from 1-3 pm Jo Ann and Vickie will be in our store for a book signing!

Wouldn’t a signed copy of their brand new cookbook, Homemade Christmas, be the perfect hostess gift for all of your upcoming holiday parties? You might want to pick up a few.

Busy moms love Gooseberry Patch cookbooks because they feature hundreds of budget friendly recipes, using ingredients most households already have on hand. Their comb-binding makes them easy to use since they lay flat on the countertop while you’re whipping up dinner! Each book is filled with hand-drawn artwork and plenty of personality…we’re sure you’ll find a few (at least!) that are perfect for your family!

September 23-October 4

Choose your Vera Bradley Gift!

November 26 ONLY!

FREE Vera Bradley Tote in Baroque

R.J. Linsey uses his thirty years of experience as a researcher, writer, and actor to create portraits of some of the most fascinating men in history. Lindsey draws upon his own family’s rich history; his ancestors served in the Virginia militia during the Revolution in 1776, settled the Great Plains by covered wagon, and joined the Kansas Volunteers during the Civil War.

His Franklin Roosevelt programs have appeared at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, and his voice as FDR was heard reading “A Christmas Carol” at the “Christmas in the White House” special exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Museum in Springfield, IL.  His living history programs have been seen from Jerusalem to London. Organizations such as the Evanston Historical Society, the Rockford Midway Museum, and Rotary One Chicago have even directly commissioned him to create specific biographical presentations.

On October 19 at 9:00 a.m., R.J. Lindsey will appear at The Little Traveler with his presentation: Carr Van Anda with “Stories Aboard the Titanic” Tickets are $18.50 ( includes continental breakfast and a $5 gift certificate to be used that day), and can be purchased on-line or by phone beginning September 27.

On April 14, 1912 the H.M.S. Titanic struck an iceberg and sent out an S.O.S. At 1:30 a.m. Carr Van Anda, Managing Editor of the New York Times read that wireless message.  Van Anda presents a slide program telling the story of the great ship from its construction to its final hours and the newspaper’s response.  He takes a look at the personal stories of various first, second, and third class passengers and the twists of fate that brought them all together.  Artifacts on display.

As a theatrical professional, Lindsey has appeared on stage and television.  Lindsey earned a Masters degree from Illinois State University and is a member of Actor’s Equity, the Screen Actor’s Guild, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Discover new favorites at one of our many tasting stations during this year’s event, September 10-12. We will be sampling from dozens of vintners including Schlink Haus, Glunz and local wineries such as Lynfred and Illinois River, plus many more. In addition to our delightful selection of reds and whites, we will sample several seasonal wines such as Hollowine and Chateau St. Nick. And for chocolate lovers we will again be pouring the Chocovine! This delicious combination of Dutch chocolate and French cabernet is a Little Traveler favorite. And, as always, The Little Traveler’s samples are free!

July 8, 2010: The Debut of New Fall Prints and Styles!

Be the first to pick up the new fall Vera Bradley. The Little Traveler will have all four new prints including Hello Dahlia (fuchsia) and Barcelona (black & white), plus a number of new styles too! We’re especially excited about the the new Laptop Backpack – very convenient and stylish.

Pencil Me In Set

July 8-19: Pencil Me In

Get this specially designed pencil pouch & pencil box set for only $20.

July 22-August 2: Paperclip Gift with Purchase

Free 8-piece Paperclip Set with the purchase of any 2 Vera Stationery items.

August 5-16: Weekender Special

Pick up your weekender for only $75. Any pattern.  (Reg. $92)

Become a member of our Bead Club and enjoy great savings, too! It’s easy!  Just sign up and we’ll keep track of your points.  For every 10 beads you purchase, you’ll receive a $25 gift card good towards beads, bead bracelets and bead accessories.

June 22-26: Halia Beads Event

Receive a free sterling silver bracelet with $100 Halia bead purchase.

June 25 though July 11: Brighton B Charming

FREE bracelet with $50 charm purchase (includes charms, beads and spacers). Don’t miss the debut of the Knotty Stopper Beads starting June 25.

July 23-24: Camilia Beads Event

Receive a free silver bracelet with $100 Chamilia Bead purchase.

]]> http://www.littletraveler.com/content/summer-2010-bead-events/feed/ 0 http://www.littletraveler.com/content/dessert-buffet-tea-atrium-cafe/ http://www.littletraveler.com/content/dessert-buffet-tea-atrium-cafe/#comments Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:08:54 +0000 Bev http://www.littletraveler.com/content/?p=1259 Continue reading →]]> On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 2:30-4:00 pm, you can now enjoy a delicious dessert buffet and tea right here at The Little Traveler.  Reservations are required and can be made by calling 630-232-4200.

The Atrium Cafe dessert buffet makes the perfect pitstop after a day of exploring and shopping.  You’ll find an endless assortment of homemade treats, such as black forest cream balls, chocolate-dipped cream puffs, rum balls, cobblers, pecan pie, brownies, and more!  Savor these assorted pastries with our Little Traveler teas and you’ll be ready to face the next 10 rooms!

$7.95 includes endless buffet and your choice of tea. (No buffet week of Swedish Days).  Reserve your seats now!

“I call my hand rolled clay beads She Beads^TM, because it’s what they are and it’s what I do.”

- Sandy Rueve, president and founder of She Beads®

Sandy Rueve’s design aesthetic moves naturally from her love of gardening to her clay bead designs.  Both activities require nurturing and creativity, two qualities that Sandy has in abundance.

The She Beads story begins back in 1993 with a name you might recognize—Michael Jordan. Yes, the Michael Jordan. Sandy Rueve was working part-time as an X-ray technician for the Chicago Bulls, and one night Michael Jordan walked in while the ever-creative Rueve was stringing beads. He asked her to make him a bracelet and Sandy took that as a cue to learn how to hand roll her own clay beads. As Sandy says, “It was, after all, Michael Jordan.”

When others saw what she could do, she became overwhelmed with requests for more, more, more beads! She started out making the beads in her basement, but now has a 4,000 square foot production facility in Wilmette, IL and 30 employees, including two very important people—her son, Andrew, and daughter, Alex.  In addition to her regular line of beads, Sandy is thrilled to participate with many charities, creating unique beads to help the cause.  Current charities that She Beads has partnered with include: Pink Ribbon Girls, Chicago Ovarian Cancer Alliance, CureSearch, American Heart Association—Go Red for Women, and Oneness.

We have a nice selection of She Beads at The Little Traveler so you can see in person how stunning these beads are.  Many people think they are painted, but they are actually made entirely from a polymer-based clay, designs and all. I could tell you exactly how they are made, but it’s much more fun to watch:

March 19-20: Belly Up to the Brighton Bead Bar

Come see our NEW Brighton Charm Bar and  five new Brighton bracelet styles! Design your own charming creation and register to win one of three $100 Brighton Gift Certificates.

March 30-April 3: Chamilia Free Easter Charm

FREE Easter Bead with $100 Chamilia purchase.

April 30-May 1: Trollbeads Trunk Show

Buy 4 Trollbeads and receive the 5th bead Free.

May 8: Halia Free Mother’s Charm

FREE Mother’s Day Bead with $100 purchase.

May 22: She Beads Trunk Show

Sandy Rueve, She Beads® President and Founder, will demonstrate the artistry of hand-rolled clay bead making.

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