Farmers Market of the Ozarks: A Foodie’s Gold Mine

Connie Missouri, Shopping March 31, 2015May 14, 2015Farmers Market of the Ozarks, Missouri attractions, Missouri farmers markets, Missouri tourism, Springfield Missouri, Springfield MO, Springfield MO farmers market 0 Comment

A good farmers market is a foodie’s gold mine. Veggies and fruits, organic meats and eggs, artisan breads and organic honey brought to the market directly from the growers and producers are as fresh as you’ll find. The Farmers Market of the Ozarks (FMO) brings all of that, and more, to you each week, year-round. The impressive market opened in April of 2012. Only one year later it was named the number 15 farmers market in the country by The Daily Dish.

Yoder’s Country Market: Fresh Amish Food

Connie Michigan, Shopping March 3, 2015August 3, 2015Amish market MI, Amish Markets, River Country MI, Yoder's Country Market 0 Comment

Fresh rolled butter. Peach fritters the size of softballs. Peanuts ground into cappuccino peanut butter. Salads made from generations-old Amish recipes. The aroma of hickory smoked ribs and chicken. It’s no wonder that Yoder’s Country Market in Centreville, Michigan, has had to expand three times in its ten-year existence—and the market is bursting at the seams again.

NEKZ: The Warm and Fashionable Alternative to a Scarf

Connie Shopping, Tech Stuff and Gear February 25, 2015November 22, 2015NEKZ 0 Comment

I am a scarf person. Not the silky kind of scarf that you wear to dress up an outfit, but rather, the knitted kind that puts a barrier between arctic winter temperatures and my skin. The problem is that most scarves are too bulky for comfort under a coat, and when worn on the outside of a coat, they get tangled in my purse handles or the camera strap that I often have around my neck. When I go in and out of buildings, as I often do while traveling, and I take off my coat, I have to stuff the scarf in a coat sleeve. I recently received a NEKZ^TM, an alternative to a scarf, to try out, and I haven’t worn my scarf much since. The NEKZ keeps my neck warm but eliminates the scarf’s bulkiness.

Don’t miss a Midwest Wanderer post. For a FREE subscription, enter your e-mail address in the Subscribe2 box to the left and click Subscribe.

Just 21 inches long, the fleece or faux-fur NECZ wraps around the neck and fastens with a hook-and-loop type fastener. Designer Raquel Graham Crayton originally created the NEKZ for her children, who had the same scarf complaints as I did. When other moms saw the NEKZ, they wanted them for their children and for themselves, as well.

Available in fashionable designs and colors to match your coat or outfit, when you remove your coat, you can leave the NEKZ on, if you’d like. Otherwise, it folds compact enough to easily fit into a pocket or a purse.

Nekz designs are available for men, as well, in solid colors, handsome plaids and camouflage.

Nekz, made in Chicago, are reasonably priced from $16 to $35. Check the web site to view available colors and patterns or to order.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary Nekz. However, all opinions are my own.

Thank you for reading Midwest Wanderer. Don’t miss a post. Enter your e-mail address below and click Subscribe to be notified whenever I publish another post. Subscription is FREE. After subscribing, be sure to click the link when you get the e-mail asking you to confirm. – Connie

Fashion Outlets Chicago, Rosemont: Outlet Mall Experience Taken to a New Level

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois, Shopping January 26, 2015February 5, 2015chicago fashion outlet, Fashion Outlets Chicago, fashion outlets rosemont, outlet chicago, outlets in Chicago, premium outlets chicago, rosemont outlets 0 Comment

Last week I was introduced to the Fashion Outlets Chicago in Rosemont, Illinois. It’s surprising I hadn’t been there before because I am drawn to outlet malls, and this one is less than 90 minutes from home. There is something about an outlet mall that lures me in. Could be signs like this:

Fashion Outlets Chicago has taken the outlet mall experience to a new level with both shops and service. With over 130 stores from Gucci to Gap, Coach to Claire’s and dining options from Villagio to Sbarro, Fashion Outlets Chicago has something for everyone. Whether you’re on an extended layover at O’Hare, just a few minutes away; attending a convention across the street at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center; or driving in specifically to shop, the indoor mall is easy to access.

Don’t miss a Midwest Wanderer post. For a FREE subscription, enter your e-mail address in the Subscribe2 box to the left and click Subscribe.

My trip to Fashion Outlets Chicago was part of a Rosemont tour prior to attending the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show. The visit started with what was described as “light bites” at Villagio, one of two full service restaurants in the mall. The food was plenty to fill up on: meatballs, breaded calamari and zucchini, and several specialty pizzas, including one with prosciutto.

During an orientation to the mall we learned the shops are strategically located, so that similar stores are close together, with convenient entrances to each area. Upscale shops are clustered at one end of the upper level, fragrance shops at another end, and children’s shops near each other on the lower level.

We also learned about the convenient guest services that the mall offers, including shuttles from nearby O’Hare Airport terminals and the Chicago CTA blue line Rosemont station. Travel concierge service, operated by BAGS Inc. at the guest services counter includes airport baggage check-in and boarding pass printing. They also offer packaging and shipping, as well as delivery service within a specified a zip code range.

After the orientation we had about 45 minutes to shop. My husband and I browsed a couple of the shoe stores (38 stores sell shoes) and then found the chocolate. We spent the rest of our shopping time in the Lindt and Godiva Chocolatier shops.

Dark chocolate bars, buy four get one free. How could I resist?

In the Godiva Chocolatier shop I noticed an entire box of only dark chocolates.

I was tempted, but I resisted. Instead, we watched as macaroons were dipped into white chocolate. The shop offers chocolate-dipped strawberries, Oreos® and other delectable treats daily.Wandering back to our meeting place, we noticed large colorful art pieces throughout the mall. Fashion Outlets of Chicago partnered with The Arts Initiative, a newly formed organization dedicated to placing visual art in public spaces.

Forty-five minutes isn’t nearly enough time to even browse a mall as large as Fashion Outlets Chicago. I vowed to go back that weekend but couldn’t squeeze it into the schedule. That means I’ll have to make a return trip, specifically to do nothing but shop.

Fashion Outlets Chicago, located at 5220 Fashion Outlets Way with convenient access off of I-294, is open seven days a week and offers free covered parking. Check the web site for directions, transportation options and hours.

Disclosure: My visit to the Fashion Outlets Chicago was hosted by the Village of Rosemont, Villagio and Fashion Outlets Chicago. However, all opinions are my own. Photos taken by Skip Reed and Connie Reed.

Piggott’s Farm Market for fresh produce, Benton Harbor, Michigan

Connie Agritourism, Food & Drink, Michigan, Shopping June 2, 2013May 20, 2018Benton Harbor farm markets, Benton Harbor Michigan, Farm markets in Benton Harbor, markets, PIggotts Farm Market, Southwest Michigan 1 Comment

Last weekend I discovered Piggott’s Farm Market in the country near Benton Harbor, Michigan. They advertise fresh local in-season produce, so I had to check it out. My hopes weren’t high. May in the Midwest is too early for most produce, and markets usually sell only annuals this time of year. Yes, Piggott’s was selling annuals, and I picked up some petunias and alyssum lavender. But they also were featuring asparagus and rhubarb, both at reasonable prices, and if you spent ten dollars or more, you got a free sage plant.