The Czarina knows that some of her wonderful Citizens wander over here looking for food photography tips.

I know that I keep trying to improve my photography, and so I was happy to stumble on this tutorial series by Kodak – some basics for improving your already mad skillz.

The 4th bi-annual Chicago Fashion Week is scheduled for September 21st through September 28th. Designers will showcase their Spring and Summer 2008 collections.

If you are a designer, the deadline for applying for participation is September 1st, and you will need to complete this form.

The Czarina wholeheartedly endorses the idea that Chicago deserves its own spectacular fashion week. According to MW Productions, the mission of the event is to:

[…Support] Chicago’s EMERGING & ESTABLISHED FASHION DESIGNERS. Our goal is to honor this city’s evolving artists and stylists. Their talent, their creations, their techniques and the possibilities these brilliant artists produce.

We will not rest until we are able to place Chicago to where it deserves, after all, for years Chicago has dressed its inhabitants, working professional class, some of its celebrity personalities, socialites and fashionistas exceptionally well, yet credit has gone to other markets. It is about time that Chicago is graced by an event worthy of International recognition.

Watch the official Fashion Week website for your chance to purchase tickets for the fall show. You might just meet that next big designer – get your paws on some unique and stylish clothing before everyone else has even heard his name or read about her in InStyle.

Here’s a well-kept Chicago secret: The Art Dealers Association of Chicago sponsors a River North art gallery tour every Saturday beginning at 11 am. The tour leaves from the Franklin Street Starbucks, covers four galleries, and lasts about an hour and a half. Galleries rotate their participation, so the tour is different as the galleries and exhibits change. Consequently, this doesn’t have to be a one time only activity.

The best part? It’s free! This is a great way to tour several galleries at once and to find your likes and dislikes. It’s also a nice way to meet art dealers without a lot of pressure, so you’ll have someone to call to help you fill that blank space in your home when you’re ready.

STARBUCKS SATURDAYS
750 N. Franklin St.
312-649-0065

The Quick Facts series will give you, dear Citizens, some easy essential lifestyle information so you don’t have to go looking for it all over the Web.

While the Czarina realizes that doing an Internet search on “correct wine temperature” doesn’t take very long, she noticed that there is some contradictory information regarding wine. So, to the best of her ability to determine, you should serve your wine at the following temperatures:

Champagne/Sparking Wine:
37-45 degrees Fahrenheit, 2.8 - 7.2 Celsius

White Wine: 50 degrees F / 10 C

Red Wine: 63 degrees F / 17.2 C

Of course, the *exact* temperature has a lot to do with personal preferences, but the above temperatures seem to be wine geeks’ general consensus as to what will showcase each type of wine the best.