School is out and summer is in full swing. It’s easy to get caught up in sunny days and backyard barbecues, but don’t let the season pass you by without planning a memorable summer vacation. Whether it’s a day trip to a nearby city or a lavish once-in-a-lifetime international extravaganza, summertime is the perfect time...

What is one to do when the spa beckons but the bank account or calendar is scowling in disapproval whenever you think about it? In such cases, an at-home spa day is the ticket, and the Her Hacks team has a carnival fairway of hacks, tips and tricks to get the most out of the...

When it comes to summertime, vacations and weekend excursions often are in the picture. Whether you are spending a weekend in Chicago, a month backpacking around Europe or relaxing on a two-week Caribbean cruise, packing your suitcase for the trip can be the biggest headache of all. There are many logistics to think about when...

The tri-states features an abundance of places to enjoy walking, hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing and other fun outdoor activities. Dubuque maintains a 53-mile bike/hike trail system, which includes 28 miles of on-street route for biking and 25 miles of paved trails for walking, hiking and biking. Now that the weather is warmer, it’s time to...

Patrons of the Galena (Ill.) Food Pantry can find many essentials, from food to used clothing. For years, though, one type of item has been notably absent: Feminine hygiene products. Now, a local charitable group hopes to remedy that. Women and Friends Making a Difference, of Galena, has launched an initiative to gather feminine hygiene...

Have you ever had one of those months where you get paid, but you don’t know where all your money went? Most Americans are in debt due to soaring college costs, credit card debt and the need to keep up with the Joneses. I recently heard of people purchasing a family pet on a payment...

Touring Kris and Scott Kelly’s garden is like entering their living room. “We kind of live out there,” Kris said of their garden at 984 Patricia Ann Drive. “We don’t have a living room or dining room. Our business is in our home and the house is small. So we spend a lot of time...

What is one to do when the spa beckons but the bank account or calendar is scowling in disapproval whenever you think about it? In such cases, an at-home spa day is the ticket, and the Her Hacks team has a carnival fairway of hacks, tips and tricks to get the most out of the...

For families — and everybody else for that matter — protecting skin should be a top summer priority. After all, there is no shortage of summer skin woes you’ll want to avoid. From protecting skin from sun to repelling disease-carrying insects, here are some top insights that will help you and your family enjoy a...

A vacation from school is no excuse for a vacation from thinking. Not only can learning be made fun, but you also can avoid a rusty return to school by keeping kids’ minds active all summer long. Here are a few fun ways to make thinking and learning a priority, while not detracting from the...

I’ve always understood (and indulged) the allure of travel. Some of my earliest memories are of traveling to foreign lands. (Thanks Mom and Dad, for your bravery and stamina in traveling overseas with a 3-year-old.) Most of the time those on those trips, we were headed to my father’s birthplace — Haifa, Israel — where...

When it comes to where to go for a decadent French toast bar, a made-to-order omelet station and a bottomless mimosa, brunch options have become plentiful. From tried and true tri-state establishments such as The Bridge Restaurant & Lounge and Timmerman’s Supper Club to fusion fare from newcomers to the fine dining arena such as...

After a polar vortex, spring flooding and a slow start to the warmer temperatures, is it any wonder why many of us are more enthusiastic than usual about summer? The season that brings sunshine also brings something else: The itch to travel. And we’ve dedicated this edition of Her to all things great for getting...

According to a recent study conducted by the University of Oxford, there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to a fun night out or a good old fashioned getaway with your girlfriends. Research shows that meeting up with your best gal pals twice per week is good for your health, citing that both...

For some of us, vacationing is about taking respite from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. For others, it can be about more. Last fall, three local longtime friends decided to take a trip to Thailand. But it wasn’t just any excursion. It found Cally Burkle, Jaime Ellerie and Lea Droessler fasting, getting...

We don’t need science to tell us that spending time with our girlfriends is good for us. But just in case … Plenty of research confirms that notion — including a pair of Michigan State University studies involving nearly 280,000 people. The studies found that friendships become increasingly important to one’s happiness and health. “Not...

What is one to do when the spa beckons but the bank account or calendar is scowling in disapproval whenever you think about it? In such cases, an at-home spa day is the ticket, and the Her Hacks team has a carnival fairway of hacks, tips and tricks to get the most out of the...