Happy Tuesday! Book Sale at Lakeview!

Today from 10am-7pm, 75% off at the book sale today! It's time to loosen those cogs and get crackin' on your summer reading list. Don't have one? Well now's the time to make one! Sale runs through tomorrow.

6/26-27 Rhapsody in Bloom!

Looking for something fun and classy to do this weekend? Take the whole family out to the Rhapsody in Bloom Arts Festival. It's the 8th Annual celebration of art, music, food and bloom, sponsored by WCBU 89.9fm and Times Newspapers. Shop the variety of unique items, enjoy live bands, activities for the kids and yummy culinary treats. The hours are 10-5pm on Saturday and 12-5pm on Sunday. Located on Prospect at Gift (enter on Gift Ave.) For more info call 309.686.3362 or visit PeoriaParks.org

Happy Thrifty Thursday! FREE laughs!

When I'm in the mood to laugh at work I click on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. It's like watching a variety show you never know what's coming. I mean who can resist Ben&Jerry's and Neil Young? Let us know what makes you laugh at work!

Whatcha Eatin' Wednesday: The Ironstone Room

Right next door to and affiliated with Willett's Winery is a lovely little eatery called The Ironstone Room in Manito, IL. Their menu includes such tasty items as Apple Cashew Chicken Salad, the Black Forest sandwich, Fish & Chips, Garlic Linguine, and Créme Caramel. One of their popular items is the Salmon Burger, pan seared and topped with baby greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, herbed mayo, and Boursin cheese crumbles on a Kaiser roll. Served with bottleneck fries. For hours and wine list click here.

Tell 'em Numéro sent ya!!

Next Week Rocks!

Break out your sunblock and camping gear this coming week for Cornerstone and get ready to make some unforgettable memories. Get your tickets online by this Friday and take advantage of the pre-sale prices.Click here to find out how you can be a part of the action.

Congrats to our Numéro Steamboat Runners!

A big congratulations to three members of our Numéro staff for running and finishing :) the Steamboat Classic this past Saturday and to all of our faithful readers, pat yourselves on the back for a race well run! Thank goodness it didn't rain, although that probably would've felt good considering the heat. Keep on running!

THRIFTY THURSDAY: Free advice from Dina Emser

The Direction Called REAL...

One of my favorite coaching questions is, “Are you being real or are you being nice?” Some of the people with whom I work are from the Midwest, where a high value is placed on niceness. In Minnesota they even refer to this quality as Minnesota Nice. You may have picked up on the signs along life’s way that people can’t handle you if you’re real, so you opt to be nice instead, masking your true feelings or wishes for fear of making someone feel uncomfortable. Heaven forbid you should be labeled unreasonable, a know-it-all, selfish, or worse. Better just to agree or shut up.

Maybe you go to either/or thinking: I can either be real or I can be nice. How about considering both/and? If you try to be “real” without kindness, chances are whatever you are trying to say won’t be heard. The listener will either think you are being demanding or feel the need to defend himself, and that kind of stress impedes hearing your message for sure. If you’re just nice without realness, people perceive this as wishy-washy behavior that does not inspire trust. No win here either.

What would it be like to be both real and nice?

Communicating information or giving feedback that is not 100 percent glowing can be challenging to deliver. It’s easy to freak yourself out, imagining how the other person will react. Here are some things that might be helpful to remember:

• Feedback is just information from another person’s perspective.
• The giver can preface feedback with words like, in my opinion or from my perspective.
• The receiver’s job is to take in the information, think it over, and decide what she is willing to do with it.

Consider how much easier it is for you when people tell you what they want rather than make you try to guess. This kind of mind-reading expectation can feel frustrating and disrespectful. It’s like having a map with no compass. Which direction is the right one? Let’s be real—you can know a person extremely well and care for him or her deeply, and still not be able to know what he or she is thinking or wishing 24/7!

Now think about how much easier situations are when you exercise the courage to be real, say what you want, and trust that other people can hear it. You know when you’re being real and when you’re not. Practice watching yourself this week, and notice the times and situations when it’s easy to be real. Notice the places where you tend to go nice or silent.

What if realness is a direction rather than a destination? It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Choose to head in the direction of real, and reap the benefits of respectful communication, warm relationships, and the trust and respect of people who are important to you.

~Dina Emser

Dina Emser is a Professional Development Coach who partners with people to identify their strengths and use them more fully to reach their goals. Call for a complimentary consultation (309.467.4429) or visit her website, www.dinaemser.com.

NEW MUSIC: Patrick Watson

Patrick Watson, leader of the Canadian band of the same name, fuses an eclectic mix of indie folk melded with classical elements and enveloping ambient chords. It's intriguing and vastly layered, I was hooked the first time I heard them. Over the years the band has been over shadowed by the big names that they've toured with--Feist, John Cale, Cold War Kids-- but their talent is undeniable. As proven by the 2007 Polaris Music Prize, which they won for their Close to Paradise album, beating out Arcade Fire and Feist. Their sound has been compared to Jeff Buckley, Nick Drake and Rufus Wainwright.

Close to Paradise is a gem in the sand. It will whisk you away with swelling cresendo and draw you into a whisper all in the same moment. The title track serves up a soulful slow burn to the oncoming tracks. The romantic, yet unsappy, "Slip into Your Skin" will coerce you to grab your significant other and dance close on a dimly lit street corner. "Giver"'s driving beat will lift you up and put you down with it's sweetly sad lyrics. "Weight of the World" is an eerie circus-like waltz followed by "Storm" - a haunting song that to me conjures what Dorothy would of heard in her head as the twister approached her home (even a mention of roads of gold). "Man Under the Sea" will bring you into the depths and takes you with the current. And "The Great Escape" softly acknowledges the feeling that we all look for a little escape in our day. In its entirety Close to Paradise is a waking dream.

A Cure for the Mondays! Get a Massage!

Let's face it, it's a given, Mondays are rough! So why not head out to Three Paths Massage Therapy where Amy will smooth out all the pent-up tension left over from the weekend and the new tension that is forming for this week.

Tell her Numéro sent ya!

Saturday morning cartoon: Duckula

Part One

Duckula was a fabulous little 80's cartoon that gave us a glimpse into the crazy world of vampiric ducks. For some reason the 80's loved duck cartoons (Dark Wing Duck, Duck Tales, etc.) So enjoy this retro gem with some fruit loops or some duck l'orange.

Part Two

Part Three

Fashion Friday: Makeover Madness!

There are a number of important changes to make when transitioning from college to a career and one in particular is your appearance. Most businesses expect employees to look polished and professional and the best impression to make is the first impression during your interview.

We decided to rain our makeover madness all over our friend and blog contributor Erik, pictured above.

Makeover step one: haircut. Sarah Headington of Act 4 Hair Design Studios was on-hand to clean up Erik's do and facial hair situation and she did a really nice job.

Makeover step two: shopping. After we cut off Erik's hair we took him out to buy some new clothes. Like Pretty Woman.

Erik is studying journalism so we tried to find clothes that are professional but still laid-back. You need to consider your career path when choosing a wardrobe because some places have a more casual dress code but many others do not. And business casual doesn't mean you should wear flip-flops and cargo shorts to the office. Make thoughtful choices that indicate you are mature and professional, it will make you stand out from the crowd.

6/11 GIRL'S NIGHT OUT at HOERR NURSERY!!

Looking for some me-time this weekend, look no further than Hoerr Nursery! You're invited to experience an exclusive stress-free evening of sigh-of-relief relaxation, pampering, prizes, wine tasting, good food & friends... All for a Good Cause. Cost is $20 for you and your travel pal(s) or $25 for a single. For more info go here.

Tell em Numéro sent ya!

Your Tropical Getaway Includes:

• Delicious tropical hors d'oeuvres and fruit
• Wine Tasting
• Mini Massages
• Curves Gym Demos
• Mary Kay Hand Treatments
• Island Delight Cooking Demos
• Performance by the Peoria Ballet
• "Creating Your Own Backyard Getaway" Garden Talk
• Amazing Door and Raffle Prizes - Including Maui Jim Sunglasses Gift Baskets and $200 Hoerr Nursery Gift Card

Your Getaway Ticket also entitles you to $10 off your evening's purchase.

Whatcha Readin' Wednesday: Still Life

Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy by Melissa Milgrom

The business of taxidermy is one that is fraught with misconceptions but author Melissa Milgrom's book Still Life approaches the field and its experts with respect and sensitivity. Though taxidermy can conjure images of creepy dead things forever frozen in a macabre pose, it turns out many taxidermists are avid naturalists who consider their field an art that serves to better understand and preserve nature and thus expand our knowledge about the world in which we live. Milgrom's writing can be frenetic at times but it's clear she's passionate about her subject matter and wants to shed an understanding light on a somewhat dark profession.

Review by Allison West.

Refresh your web presence with Lisa Murphy!

How many times have you been talking with potential clients and the inevitable question arises, "So, do you have a website?" and how many times have you muttered something along the lines, "Uh, it's in the works..." when you have been sitting on your domain name for the five years.

Why don't you take action and trust the professionals, trust Lisa Murphy Web Design. Lisa is friendly, easy to work with and is attentive to your web needs. If you want more proof, her weighty portfolio and positive testimonials speak for themselves. Check it out today here and tell em Numéro sent ya!

Happy Friday Happy Hour! Fishbowl!

Summer is not even officially here yet, but it sure feels that way. You work hard all week, yet the kids are out on vacation for the next few months, leaving you wishing you were on vacation sitting somewhere tropical instead of sitting at a desk looking at your Carribbean screensaver. To remedy these summer blues, break out the Tiki torches and crazy straws and throw a backyard party. This drink makes enough to share! Just ask the Numéro team :)

Fish Bowl

3oz Vodka
3oz Blue Curacao
3oz Coconut Rum
1/2 cup sweet & sour mix
12oz pineapple juice
12oz lemon-lime soda
Lemon slices and cherries for garnish

Pour all ingredients into a large fishbowl-like container or pitcher over ice. Stir and serve. Crazy straws optional, but way more fun. We even added pinwheels, now it's a party!

NEW MUSIC: Eyelid Movies + Phantogram

With their first studio release Eyelid Movies, Phantogram has created a lush, aural dreamscape of ambient pop that buzzes with electricity and moody undercurrents. Although the band only consists of keyboardist Sarah Barthel and guitarist Josh Carter, who both contribute vocals, the two produce something of a digital orchestra built from sampling, rubbery synths and mellow dance beats. Eyelid Movies is a very cool album to kick off the hot summer months. For a sampling of their sound, visit here.
Get it at Co-Op Records, tell 'em Numéro sent ya!

JUNE ISSUE: REEL Hits Stands today!

It's JUNE already can you believe it!?!? It's still sinking in here at Numéro. Check out the latest issue which hits stands today! Here's what's inside:

• Drawing the Elements with Local Artist Ann Coulter

• Jigs & Reels: Irish Dancing at Flynn in Peoria

• Fish On: Reeling 'em in with local fishing clubs

• Reel Local: The Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Documentary

Pick one up FREE today at one of these local spots!