We mean it. Channel that inner smart ass and let us know what you think!

We’ve opened up the “comments” feed on our blog roll for you - our NorthShoreInsider friends. If you read something that makes your ears burn or your heart sing in agreement, post a comment! If there’s a blog about a great restaurant, and you can one-up us, go for it! If you want to chime in with a “OMG! I love that place too!” - we want to see it! From time to time, we’ll ask a question - if you’ve got an opinion, share it!

NorthShoreInsider can only get better when we hear from the people that use it - namely, you. So don’t be shy! To start things off on a summer theme, we’re asking you:

What’s your favorite beach and why?

Post a comment and let us know - where’s the best sand? Who’s got the best looking lifeguards? Where are the kids the friendliest? Best concession stand? Talk! Talk!

The end of the school year is approaching. It’s already mid-May. QUICK! HIDE! You’re not safe anywhere in the North Shore! It’s the attack of the last minute prom dress shoppers! That’s right ladies, prom season is rapidly approaching (in some cases THIS SATURDAY!) and if for whatever reason you haven’t found that perfect Cinderella ball gown yet check this out: B Beautiful (4149 Dundee Rd Northbrook, IL 60062)

This Northbrook boutique has a huge selection of THE HOTTEST prom dresses around! I know what you’re thinking…if they have the best dresses, girls from your school already went there! (GASP!) To be caught dead in the same prom dress as someone else?? What a nightmare! Don’t fear ladies, this potential humiliation will never become a reality for you! B Beautiful promises to never sell the same dress to two people of the same high school. But how is this possible one might ask? Simple. The infamous WALL!! At B Beautiful they keep an entire wall filled with the top secret information of which dresses have already been sold to the different high schools in the area. (PHEW!) (more…)

So – I’ve had more than one person tell me that Northbrook has a beautiful library. And the book lover I am, I thought I would blow off my weekly visit to Glenview’s digs to check it out.

As Borat would say, “Very nice!”

I know that come the next year or so, Glenview will have a fabulous new building – which is desperately needed. I took the kids last Sunday only to find the Children’s section closed due to flooding. And given that just a couple of years ago I was visiting a small branch library in mid-Michigan, my initial impression of Glenview’s facilities was one of sheer giddiness. But I have to say, for now, Northbrook is so much nicer. Airy, well -lit and set up beautifully. The kids’ section was phenomenal. Of course, it was leaps and bounds ahead of our usual haunt for the simple fact it wasn’t in the basement. The staff was very gracious as well – so helpful setting the kids up on computers, actually, dare I say it, happy to help us.

And I so like the fact my Glenview card can be used anywhere. The hard part will be making sure I don’t return the wrong books to the wrong library!

Afterward, the family and I were starving and needed to grab a quick bite. We headed over to Little Louie’s on Shermer – a great place for a quick bite! And another place we could take the kids without worrying about spilling a pop or being a little on the loud side. I bet it’s really nice in the summer, as it’s located right across from the park downtown. (Note: Will have to remember that!)

A heads up, too – Winestyles is opening a Northbrook location just down the street, on Shermer. Look for it in the next couple of months - a great place to grab a bottle of vino!

Technorati Tags: Northbrook shopping, Northbrook library, Little Louie’s, Winestyles