When my grandpa was a kid he tore all the elephants out of his circus coloring book because he was already such a staunch Democrat. When his dad had to go to the Republican Building to pick up his paycheck, my grandpa refused to go inside with him. These may or may not be lies. [...]

I will admit that last year’s Renegade Craft Fair Chicago kind of bummed me out. I mean, I ended up with a great little purse from Custom Made UK and a pretty funny felt bacon ornament for my sister but I have a very distinct memory of turning to my husband, who was being very [...]

I think most people, having spent the week end with their fellow baking blogger and Internet life partner, would start off their post with a fabulous tale of co-baking and recipe swapping. Not I! Oh, The Urban Housewife and I had fun alright – discussing blogs we love and hate, shopping at Renegade in the [...]

vanille Originally uploaded by Bake & Destroy Congratulations to Chicago’s own Dimitri Fayard for helping to bring home the 2008 World Pastry Team Championship! Wow, now the Bears just need to win another Superbowl and it’s like, every team I’ve been rooting for will have success. Ok, now let’s all chant… USA! USA! USA! In [...]

Blueberry Rosewater Originally uploaded by Bake & Destroy I’d been wanting to go to Patel Brothers since working on the Time Out Chicago Eating & Drinking guide. I penned most of the Specialty Section and this Indian grocery superstore was the most interesting place I called. So last week end we fought our way through [...]

shirts are back! Originally uploaded by Bake & Destroy I think I used that title last time I got shirts back in stock but I spent my day responding to product reviews today and I’m spent. By the way, send all of your completely bizarre questions about recycling and BPA leaching to me at Reusablebags.com, [...]

…is Dr. Jennifer Kovach with her Vanilla Pepsi Punkcakes! Congratulations to you, Jenn! You’ve won, as promised, the one-of-a-kind autographed Bake and Destroy photo book, a set of classic wrestling-themed cupcake toppers and whatever other fun things I decide to mail you! Now, before you all start booing and throwing your popcorn at me, I [...]