As summer slowly sets in, here are some of my picks for fun in the sun...

KAYAKING
Kayak Chicago

Check out the rest after the jump!

If you want to shake your tush to any of the spots you saw on our "Best Of" Workouts...

Beach Yoga
YogaNow offers al fresco classes every Monday starting June 2nd. So next time you downward dog, do it in the sand!

Kangoo
Bounce your way to a better body at Crunch Gym with Kangoo. It's the exercise that has everyone jumping...

CrossFit
Push yourself to the max with CrossFit. Download daily routines for FREE or visit Windy City CrossFit for face-to-face motivation.

The Actors Gymnasium
Don't let the funny noses fool you... the circus arts are a serious workout. The Actors Gymnasium in Evanston has workshops for all ages and levels.

Dance Dance Party Party
Dance like no one's watching every Wednesday and Sunday at Dance Dance Party Party. Sorry gents, it's ladies ONLY!

So it's almost warm and I'm sure a lot of you will be hopping on your bikes shortly. With that in mind, thought you should take a ganders at this...

Happy Monday!

If something at Shop CHICago caught your eye, here are links to the designers we featured...

NAZLY VILLAMIZAR (Miami)
Funky, colorful, geometric handbags...
www.nazlyv.com

LARA MILLER (Chicago)
Versatile, eco-friendly fashion...
www.laramiller.net

NATALIA VILLAFANA (Trinidad)
Comfortable, colorful style from the Islands...
www.nataliavillafana.com

DOLLYBIRD (Chicago)
Jewelry made from all-natural elements...
www.dollybirddesign.com

What's old is new at Swap-O-Rama!

This nationwide clothing exchange is coming to Chicago this Saturday at the AV-aerie (2000 W. Fulton, #310). A bag of old duds and $20 gets you in the door... and the rest is up to your DIY magic. Pull from piles of rags and make them into your riches. Stations are set up to help you mend and fit your new threads into a one-of-a-kind (and recycled!) look. So start digging through your closet...

If you like something you saw on our Cub-free Tour de Wrigley, here's all the info for the places we hit...

Yesterday
1143 W. Addison
(773) 248-8087

Hubba Hubba
3309 N. Clark
(773) 477-1414
www.hubbahubbachicago.com

Pick Me Up Cafe
3408 N. Clark
(773) 248-6613

Stage Left Theatre
3408 N. Sheffield
(773) 883-8830
www.stagelefttheatre.com

The Cubs home opener is just one week away and we wanted to let everyone know Metromix plans to be a part of the action!

Stop by Casey Moran's before the game on March 31st, and meet our very own Jackie Tranchida. We're making her work.

She'll be out saying hi to fans, giving away Festa T-Shirts ,and more. Doors open at 7am with a beer & brunch buffet for $15! See you there!

Breakdance Chicago is giving you the chance to bust a move! We've got two free passes for a full six-week session. If you want your shot at becoming a B-boy or B-girl, send us an email with your name and number. Deadline for submissions is Sunday at midnight...

Amy Winehouse took time out from self-destruction to do a little good. My former girl crush posed mostly nude for the UK's "Easy Living" Magazine in an effort to raise breast cancer awareness. Five buck says we'll see guitar knickers and duck tape tops coming down the runway shortly!

This one's for all of you in the hurt box today. The "metromix" crew feels your pain :( We hopped on the CLTV float for the 53 Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade... which meant beads, funny hats and face tattoos (and later on, Guinness!). Hope you all had as much fun as we did... watch TONIGHT for a recap!

Now go find the folks in your office who aren't wearing green and pinch them! Go, now...

Hi all! I was lucky enough to crash Josh Kelley's CD release party at Rockit, and here's just a snippet of him performing "Tidal Wave". His new album came out February 5th. It's called Special Company and that "special" someone is none other than wifey Katherine Heigl. This guy is wicked talented and fantastic live... did you know he plays 14 instruments? You can check him out for yourself on February 21st when he's back in Chicago for a show at The Metro.

... with the sound of godawful music. "The Hills" star Heidi Montag released the video for her debut single, Higher. It's directed by pseudo-fiance Spencer Pratt... so as expected, it's pretty blah. Since I'll never get those three minutes of my life back (yes, I watched it all the way through), I thought I'd put you through the same amusing agony... enjoy!

Yes, boys and girls... the New Kids On The Block are rumored to be reuniting. But do we likey the idea? Five teenagers "Hangin' Tough" is adorable. Five men approaching mid-life crooning about "The Right Stuff" is just plain creepy. It's like mixing cheeseballs and chocolate... it sounds like a really great idea, but the outcome would likely be subpar.

On the bright side, I've been looking for an excuse to use my heart-shaped Joey McIntyre pillow. Who was your favorite New Kid?

Hi all... it's Jackie here. You may or may not know, but I just got back from a trip to Israel. And I never come home empty handed! Mom and Dad got the usual touristy knick-knacks... and the roomies were gifted some last minute finds from Duty Free. But for you all, I brought back my most favorite discovery... Israeli songstress Yael Naim. She was born in France, but raised in Israel... and she sings in both English and Hebrew (and I think French, but I can't really tell). She just released a self-titled album, and her single "New Soul" has been in my head for nearly a month now.

You're welcome, and enjoy!

P.S. Fun fact for ya... "New Soul" just happens to be backing up the new ads for the Macbook Air. But if anyone asks, you heard it here first!

American Gladiators came back in fantastic form last night... all of the cheese and glory I remember from my youth. As an avid watcher in the 90s there was a lot to live up to and Gladiators '08 did not disappoint. Powerball, assualt, the eliminator and then some... plus the delightful addition of water.

More AG ramblings after the jump...

Of course, this Florida gal would be talking about winter. On one hand... there's the caroling, snow-covered sidewalks, mistletoe (wink, wink) and general citywide glee. And to be fair, a palm tree wrapped in twinkling lights is just wrong. On the other... you've got car scrapers, frost-bitten cheeks, a whopper of a heating bill and toes that will seemingly never thaw.

The hoildays are joyous, no doubt. But come the New Year, what's the point of winter? Please help me see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm looking for that bar, that toasty drink or that cozy cafe that helps you make it through the months of miserable weather...

Hi, it's Jax here! Now it's too cold for a picnic... but why not bring the fun indoors? Grab a blanket, a basket and a bottle of wine... cause we're throwing a carpet feast!

Check out Pastoral Artisan's favorite fondue recipe after the jump...

Hello... it's Jackie here! So the folks at the French Pastry School are helping to make you the hit of any holiday party with a homemade Chocolate Lava Cake. I jumped in the kitchen with Master Pastry Chef Jacquy Pfeiffer and got my hands dirty. Trust me... if I can do it, so can you!

Check out the recipe after the jump...

Congratulations to our very own Jackie Tranchida! She won an Emmy for Outstanding On-Air Achievement on Metromix TV! The awards were hosted by Jeff Garlin of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm. It's Jackie's first nomination and first win.

If you have ideas on what our Emmy award winning reporter should cover on upcoming shows, let us know!

We had a new addition to my family yesterday... the adorable five pound ball of fur you see above. She's a Cavachon, and her name is Dulce. The puppy lives at home in Florida with my parents, who now refer to her as my sister. Here's where I get salty... this now makes me a middle child. Dulce, Dulce, Dulce! She's getting all the attention and new chew toys, and I'm left to fend for myself. More importantly, for the last 24 years I was told my Mom was allergic to dogs!!! Sneaky, sneaky.

So here's where you come in. My 'rents have assigned me the glorious task of giving the pup a middle name and I got nothin'. The only thing that comes to mind is 'de Leche' cause that's my favorite ice cream flavor. Any and all suggestions are welcome...

So you may have read my recent gushings about super-cutie Vince Vaughn... so down-to earth, so funny and oh so tall. Well, my interview with him was magical to say the least. I got a hug! Thought you might want to check it out...

Video is after the jump...

So maybe "love" is a stretch... but a girl can dream, right? Chicago's own Vince Vaughn was on the red carpet last night for the premiere of his new holiday flick "Fred Claus", and I was right there with him!!! I was drooling. But you'll have to watch tonight to see all the "magic" happen...

He is, pehaps, my favorite Chicago celeb... and yours? Are you a Cusack fan? Or are you on Team Piven? Maybe Jenny McCarthy? The list goes on... Post a comment and let us know who makes you all warm and tingly inside!

Hi all, it’s Jackie here. Welcome to this momentous occasion… as this is my very first blog. To be completely honest, I wasn’t exactly sure what a blog was until about a week ago, so bear with me.... my brother got all of the tech savvy genes.

I would like to dedicate my inaugural blog to my friend Graham who inspired this post. About a week ago we were at InnJoy for some late night grub, and I was whining about how I have nothing to say on this very blog. He’s all about the blogging and said it’s as easy as writing about what you see. As if by divine intervention, at that very moment a guy wearing a blue jean jacket with a Tweety Bird patch on the back grabbed the karaoke mic for his rendition of some awful 80s hit. Don’t even get me started on the jacket, let’s just focus on the beautiful music that was being made. I realized we haven’t done a karaoke story on this show since we featured the ever popular Carole’s Pub almost two years ago… and that’s too long to go without a little Debbie Gibson. So, tell me your favorite karaoke bars. Please. Or my next post might have to be about Road Runner iron-ons.