Recommendation Pages

In the spirit of Hygge—because what makes your home smell cozier than fresh-baked bread?—we invite you to join us for a two-part virtual workshop with Eric Pallant. In Part One, on February 15, Eric will introduce us to the Culture (and History) of Sourdough, and walk us through making our very own starter from scratch. In Part Two on February 24, after the starter has had time to mature and you’ve had a chance to try it out in a recipe, we’ll reconvene to discuss your experience, and Eric will help celebrate your victory—or troubleshoot your sourdough issues.

Your $45 ticket includes a copy of Sourdough Culture, admission to both sessions, and instructions for what you should have on hand to make the starter at Part One. The workshops will take place on Zoom from 7 to 8 pm Central Time both evenings. You can pick up the book at Bookends & Beginnings or have it shipped out to you (extra mailing charge applies).

Join FlowersFlowers for a calming, joyful and artistic experience that will leave you with a thoughtfully designed floral arrangement. In this one-hour virtual workshop, the florists will guide you through the steps of selecting flowers, placing the stems and other tips for creating unique designs. 

There are two options for the workshop available for purchase at link below:

The workshop will take place on Friday, February 25 at 4pm. 

Join Evanston Made every Saturday in February from 3-5pm for art making, community building, fire pits, art in nature at Canal Shores Golf Course.

Feb. 26: Cook Your Books: S'more Fun with Artists Book House! ABH will supply all materials to create an Edible Book at the Fire Pit!

In addition, throughout February, the community is invited to get outside during winter and turn the golf course into an outdoor art gallery full of community-created nature ART installations. You don’t have to be an artist to participate, anyone can make and display art! Click here for inspiration.

Once you’ve created and placed your art (holes 1-3, 11-18), send us a photo and location. Click here to fill out this form.

Weaving is an ancient art form that dates back thousands of years and is practiced by artists and craftspeople all around the world. In this workshop, Annie Zirin, local artist and educator, will teach you how to put a warp on a simple wooden loom. You will learn weaving techniques like plain weave, patterns, rya knots and more. And you will leave with your own beautiful tapestry and direction to keep learning on your own!

The workshop will take place at 1026 Davis Street. Masks required. Click on link below to purchase tickets.

Have winter, Covid, and the perilous nature of being a human got you down? If you are feeling stressed or tired, your body may be asking you for some major rest and relaxation. 

Restorative yoga is a great option for weary souls who could use a boost. Instead of focusing on strengthening, sweating and moving forward, restorative yoga focuses on surrendering, softening, and allowing life to flow through you. Using props, we allow our bodies to rest in poses for a longer period of time
than traditional Hatha yoga. This doesn’t mean you need to be flexible!  Restorative yoga is for everybody and every body. 

In this workshop from 2-3:30pm, Rose Campbell will lead gentle movements, longer held positions and breathwork that are profoundly calming and nourishing. The session will end with a guided relaxation and meditation (yoga nidra).  You will leave feeling restored and refreshed for the week ahead.

This workshop is part of Downtown Evanston's Hygge Fest (pronounced hoog-ah) which celebrates the Danish attitude towards life that emphasizes finding joy in everyday moments. Rather than drudge through the winter, hygge is about celebrating coziness, warmth and family, as well as practicing mindfulness.

Cost: $30, members save 15%, sliding scale gladly offered

Ayla's Originals has a variety of beading kits (like this You Are Beautiful necklace kit) you can enjoy at home with close friends, kids or grandkids over hot cocoa or even zoom! Click here to view the beading kits available for purchase online or stop in to purchase kits in person.

Ayla will also host BeadTV throughout Feburary to learn about and purchase different types of beads and learn about beading. 

View the full Bead TV schedule here.
 

A hygge food experience is comfortable, warm, casual, rustic, and slow, enjoyed at home or at your favorite cafe, coffeehouse, or pub. You can find a dining experience like this at the Celtic Knot Public House, a traditional Irish pub providing all the warmth and cozy you need! If you prefer not to dine out, order a Knotty Cocktail (a special blend of Irish Cream Liqueur, Hazelnut Liqueur & Irish Whiskey) to enjoy by the fire at home! 

Stop in Colectivo Coffee to enjoy their hygge-inspired menu, filled with items that will give you that cuddled-up-under-a-warm-blanket feeling. 

DRINKS

BAKERY ITEMS

FOODS

Nakorn Kitchen has created a few gift sets to give to a friend or yourself! 

Purchase the kits at the link below for a cozy afternoon at home.

Newport Coffee is offering a very special offer for Hygge Fest. Stop in for "fika och bulle", a drip coffee and cinnamon roll for just $6.95 throughout the month of February! Make sure to get your Fika Crawl stamped when you take a break and enjoy your treat. 

Get cozy with friends and family at home with Patisserie Coralie's High Tea! All of the High Teas are offered "to go" only at this time with all food and tea packaged individually. There are a variety of menu options including for children, vegetarian, gluten-free and more. View all menus here.


Please note there is a minimum of 24 hour advance notice. (The food is made fresh the morning of your pick up date). They offer a full refund for all cancellation notices at least 24 hours in advance. Cancellation within 24 hours will receive a partial refund.

Prairie Moon is using Mama Stromboli’s recipe handed down through the generations from Stromboli to Stromboli to make the best lasagna dinner this side of of the Mediterranean.

Enjoy a feast of freshly baked lasagna, Luna salad, and garlic bread every Sunday. Serves four. Available for takeout and delivery only.
Please place your order by 9PM on Saturday so we know how much lasagna to make!

What's more cozy than comfort food and beer with family, close friends? Order a tray of BBQ, sides, and growlers or 4-packs of locally brewed beer to push through these winter months! 

Celebrate Hygge Fest this February with an individual Hygge box from Bookends & Beginnings! Fuzzy socks, delicious chocolates, and a soothing candle will get you into the hygge spirit as you cuddle up on the sofa to learn more from the book, Hygge Simplified.

Pronounced "hue-gah," this philosophy of mindfulness and contentment is central to Danish culture. The word likely derives from a sixteenth-century Norwegian term, hugga, meaning “to comfort” or “to console,” which is related to the English word “hug.” Hygge can help us through this cold winter indoors by fostering feelings of coziness and wellness. Another tennant of the lifestyle is togetherness, so consider sending a Hygge box to a loved one this Valentine's Day and passing along the good cheer. 

To celebrate Hygge Fest, Gearhead Outfitters is serving up hot chocolate every Saturday and offering a special Gearhead Camping Mug with purchase of the featured item, listed below.  

February 19: Fits socks are made with merino wool and are a warm sock option for both inside and outside
February 26: Fleece can be any brand for both mens, womens and kids 

Madison Grace has the cutest selection of cozy sweaters to keep you warm and stylish this winter, several on sale! And that's not all--you can find snuggly blankets which pair perfectly with a mug of tea or cocoa and a book! View all the hygge gifts here.

Add some cozy items to your home and day-to-day living from Artem Pop Up Gallery, offering artist-made tea sets, coffee mugs, candles, pillows, hats, slippers and more! 

Fika is a concept, a state of mind, an attitude... It means making time for friends and colleagues to share a cup of coffee (or tea) and a little something to eat.”—John Duxbury, Swedishfood.com

While physical distancing is necessary during a global pandemic, making social connections is still essential. So why not take a virtual coffee break with folks across the country to share thoughts and ideas, and gain different perspectives? Join some friendly Mainers Monday through Friday at 9 AM (Central Time) for coffee, tea, and engaging conversation over Zoom.

No agenda, just connecting with other human beings. Please register here at http://www.thomasmemoriallibrary.org/fika/ and we’ll email you a link and instructions on how to join us! 

Feel free to write Olivia at omo@cityofevanston.org with any questions. Co-hosted by the Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, and the Evanston Public Library.

Join Music Institute of Chicago on February 19, 7:30-9:30pm for a livestream performance with Time for Three, a trio that stands at the busy intersection of Americana, modern pop, and classical music. The performance combines various eras, styles, and traditions of Western music that fold in on themselves and emerge anew. Musicians are Nicolas Kendall (violin, vocals), Charles Yang (violin, vocals), and Ranaan Meyer (double bass, vocals).  

Order a cozy meal kit and enjoy the concert from the comfort of your home! Purchase tickets below.

Candlelight is a hallmark of creating hygge this time of year. Join Studio 3 to decorate a candle holder with colorful glass markers and beads. Your candleholder can be displayed on a table or hung in your space to bring colorful light and soft warmth to the long winter nights.

This project is accessible to makers of all ages and abilities. As an act of mutual care and responsibility masks are required at all Studio 3 events.

Studio 3 is located at 617C Grove Street (entrance in the alley off of Grove or Davis St.)

Tickets are $15. Purchase at link below. 

Consumers throw away an average of 70 lbs./person of textiles and shoes each year which adds up to over 15 million tons of textile waste in the landfill. Start chipping away at that mountain of waste by repurposing your old t-shirts into a useful crocheted rug while having fun in the process. 

Bring 3-4 old t-shirts (we'll have some shirts if you need them). Crochet hooks provided. Prior crochet experience is helpful but not required.

Class is on Saturday, February 5, 3-5:30pm. Purchase tickets at link below.

Viewing art in a cozy gallery setting is one way to be entertained during the winter! Creative Coworking is hosting a Gallery Open House featuring new work by ongtime artists Layy Geni and Jim Parks. Stop by from 4-6pm at 922 Davis Street. 

COVID-19 safety policies will be in effect. Proof of vaccination will be required for entry. Masks will be required in the indoor gallery area.

Commonwealth Running Company hosts a fun run every Wednesday at 6:15pm. On February 9, dress up in your coziest running gear (pajamas accepted!) and enjoy a fun run or jog with a fun running community. After, the group will go to Ridgeville Tavern for beer and food. No RSVPs necessary, just show up at Commonwealth Running (1627 Sherman Ave.) at 6pm. 

As a reminder, please bring your vaccination card and photo ID to go to the restaurant after the fun run. 

Join J. Villa Workshop for a macramé plant hanger workshop as part of the Downtown Evanston Hygge Fest! Joslyn show you several basic knots so you can design your own plant hanger that you can hang indoors or out. These make the BEST housewarming gift or are lovely in your own home. A plant and planter is included. Workshop is from 6-8pm.

WHAT YOU GET

DATE & TIME: Thursday, February 10, 6-8pm
LOCATION: 1026 Davis Street  
COST: $70 - purchase tickets at link below

*Because of the quickly changing nature of this pandemic, refunds are accepted, no questions asked.

Join Studio 3 to create a unique series of cards to share with dear ones this season. Hygge is all about slowing down and connecting with people you care about. Create that warm, cozy feeling in yourself by slowing down and making art at Studio 3 and share the hygge by sending a note of care to someone you love.

This project is accessible to makers of all ages and abilities. As an act of mutual care and responsibility masks are required at all Studio 3 events. 

Tickets are $15 at link below. 

Serve your guests (or yourself) at your next get-together (perhaps the Super Bowl celebration) on a sustainable serving tray made by you! 

In this workshop, you will learn basic woodworking skills while constructing a serving tray out of reclaimed wood and drawer pulls/cabinet handles (optional). Think of all the charcuterie boards in your future. 

Saturday, February 12, 10:30am - 1:30pm 

The art of caning furniture has been practiced since the time of the Pharoahs. Prized in the 18th century as a more hygienic and lighter-weight option to heavily upholstered pieces, caned furniture is still popular today.

Join us on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2:30-5:30pm for an introduction to the art of caning. Each participant will receive a frame and learn the steps to cane a 9.5"x5.75" space.

All materials included. Workshop price includes a $10 materials fee.

Learn how to make a floating shelf out of reclaimed wood. In this workshop, you will learn basic woodworking skills while hand crafting a floating shelf out of reclaimed wood.  It's perfect for tchotckies, trinkets, and tiny potted plants.

We are using reclaimed Pecky Cypress wood for the shelves. This is a unique and beautiful wood that contains small attractive holes created by a fungus.

Thursday, February 17, 6-9pm

Click below to purchase tickets.

Give your muscles and joints some love and start building strength and flexibility where you need it the most (without even leaving your living room floor).

In this virtual mobility class, certified personal trainer and joint mobility specialist Sarah Laspas, owner of Muscles & Moxie Fitness Training, will coach you through a 75-minute floor routine focused on unlocking, strengthening, and reconnecting with the “core” of your body – spine, shoulders, and hips.

Click on link below to learn more and purchase tickets. 

Join One River School for a cozy afternoon of linocut printmaking. Design your own pattern to be printed on a canvas tote perfect for transporting your favorite book or craft supplies. Age Group: Teens & Adults (children under 12 can attend if they are accompanied by an adult) 

Saturday, February 19, 4-6pm 
Cost: $40

Are you looking to learn a new board game, perhaps one that is 5400 years old? Yes, that's true! Come to Evanston Games & Cafe Board Game Night to learn about some more modern games in addition to games of antiquity like Senet, Go and The Royal Game of Ur (which is around 5400 years old!) 

Warm up with a complimentary hot apple cider while you learn to play! 

Open to all ages and levels. No experience needed. Masks and vaccination cards required. 

During this online workshop, participants will be guided through rituals and writing exercises from Nicole Gulotta's Wild Words: Rituals, Routines, and Rhythms for Braving the Writer's Path. We will explore Gulotta's case for "slow writing" and her concept of distinct "seasons" in the writing process. Are you stuck in the season of self-doubt? The season of beginnings? The season of discontent? Wherever you may be on the writer's path, you are warmly welcome to join.

Your $45 ticket includes a copy of Wild Words, which can be picked up at the store or mailed out (additional mailing charge). The workshop will be conducted on Zoom in Meeting Format to allow for interactivity, but you are welcome to attend with your camera turned off and just audit if you wish. Space is limited, so please register early! 

Workshop is from 7-8:30pm. Purchase tickets at link below.

Sarita Kamat, owner of Artem Pop Up Gallery, will lead a workshop to teach you how to make tissue paper flowers. The flowers will be used to create a large-scale installation in downtown Evanston during the summer months. The event is free but we ask you to leave your flowers to be part of the installation. 

In addition, Artem has kits available with a video tutorial for people that would like to take kits to make flowers at home. The kits will be available for pick up at Artem Pop Up Gallery, 1627 Sherman Ave. Monday to Friday from 11 am to 6 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm or Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm

Whether you are new to knitting or an experienced knitter, join CloseKnit's Knit Nite for an opportunity to share your interest and love of knitting and ask questions about your projects. The event is on Wednesday, February 23 5:30-6:30pm at CloseKnit located at 1630 Orrington Ave.