Let summer go to your head

Fashion isn’t the only thing that women are thinking about this season. Hair trends need to stay current as well so so we went straight to the local experts for advice on the hottest looks for summer.

Peggy Adducci, independent hair stylist at Olivia Jean …

Grilled steak sandwich perfect for Father’s Day

In honor of the men in our lives, a proper Father’s Day feast should feature manly fare with an indulgent flair. Few dishes are as masculine as a grilled steak sandwich, but managing the sandwich’s star ingredient is often laden with preparation pitfalls.

Don’t shrug off shoulder pain

More than 4 million people in the U.S. seek medical treatment every year for shoulder problems that account for more than 1.5 million visits to orthopedic surgeons, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Rotator cuff injuries are among the most common shoulder problems. …

Fishy fun for Father’s Day

Reel ‘em in this Father’s Day with “fintastic” gifts for Dad (and that’s no fish tale!)

Rock star local chef launches his own line

While chef Jaime Laurita was on tour cooking for Steven Tyler, the Aerosmith front man told him: “You know, I really wish you’d let your freak flag fly.”

High-flying fun: Keeping kids occupied during flights

Take the stress out of air travel with these crafts, games and activities that will keep even the littlest passengers entertained.

Swimwear that suits everyone

Trying to find that perfect and perfectly fitting swimsuit can be painful, but it doesn’t have to be. We asked some local fashion experts about cool looks for a hot summer day at the beach, and got good news for shoppers.

Give beets a chance

When I was a kid and my Dad would go out of town on business, my mom and I invariably dined on a dinner of meatloaf and beets at least once while he was away.

Sound of summer can be harmful to hearing

Summer is one of the noisiest seasons. Fireworks, trains, concerts and road construction can be harmful to your hearing. And once hearing is damaged, it cannot be repaired. One in 10 Americans has hearing loss that affects their ability to understand normal speech. Aging is …

New buttercream designs take the cake

Buttercream is back. In a recent survey conducted through Facebook, the Wilton company learned that more and more cake lovers crave a return to the days of good old-fashioned buttercream and classic decorating techniques.

Homespun: Get your hands dirty with composting

Whether we’ve been tenderly coaxing plant starts from seed or plan to pluck up seedlings from a local garden center, Mother’s Day weekend historically signals the start of the growing season for northern Illinois’ Hardiness Zone 5 since the fear of frost has typically passed.

Bones of contention as grilling season heats up

Steaks on the grill will be hotter than ever this Memorial Day weekend. And as grilling season officially kicks off, chefs are debating everything from marinades to meat cuts.

Use springtime to lessen screentime for whole family

Technology now plays a major role in our day-to-day lives, bringing a host of time-saving benefits, but also a few drawbacks for our youth. Creating family “play days” can get everyone off the couch or unglued from television for a few hours each day.

BLT casserole: a twist on a classic sandwich

Throwing grass seeds, spreading mulch and cutting back unwieldy vines sets the stage for a welcome onslaught of sunny days, cook-outs and summery cocktails. Planting hardy perennials, flavorful herbs and delicate annuals brighten any yard in advance of the summer entertaining season, but meal planning often takes a backseat during the busy march toward Memorial Day.

Classy trash: Chefs reeling in less popular fish

The National Marine Fisheries Service estimates that one-fifth of the fish caught in U.S. waters are discarded. Lately, sustainability groups like Chefs Collaborative are bringing less celebrated fish like smelt, speckled trout or carp — sometimes called trash fish — into the mainstream.