Colorful bags from desert peoples
Living in a metropolitan area certainly has its perks.
For example, where else could you drop into a shop and see a free exhibit of antique bags created by nomads and peasants in areas like Persia, Afghanistan and Turkey?
Creations that many tribal groups made for their personal use are displayed at Minasian Textile Arts, 1244 Chicago Ave., Evanston.
These bags held bedding, grain, salt, tent poles and bread for weddings.
Intense colors and bold graphic designs were an antidote to the visual monotony of desert life.
The artisans made them with many techniques including weaving, brocading, tufting and knotting.
The exhibit will run through June 21.
Lead your family down memory lane
Could there be a better company to bring nostalgia to our homes than JCPenney, founded as a Wyoming dry goods store in 1902?
Of course, Penney's new American Living collection updates the looks that we remember from the summers of our youth. And it makes it easy to bring an eclectic, designer look to your bedrooms.
Check out Village Garden with its mix ofˆ½ pastels, florals, plaids and ginghams.
Other themes include Modern Country, Lilac Park and Sea Island.
Prices vary, but a four-piece comforter set in the Village Garden group is $400 to $500; sheet sets are $120 and up, and shams and decorative pillows are $50.
Visit www.AmericanLiving.com.
Scrub the tub like Mom showed you
In honor of Mother's Day (Yes, it's next Sunday -- a word to the wise), The Pampered Chef, based in Addison, is selling pink items in its campaign to Help Whip Cancer.
You might need tools like these $10 kitchen gloves or an apron for your spring cleaning projects. The company donates $1 from each product to the American Cancer Society. Pairs of gloves autographed by celebrities are for sale online through June 2.
Mother's Day is a good time to remember that all women are at risk of breast cancer, but early detection saves lives.
We're not sure anything as practical as cleaning supplies makes a good Mother's Day gift, though, but there are other choices. Visit www.pamperedchef.com.