Dresses at a bargain in Elgin

Piyush Patel found himself in an unusual role Saturday, casting “yes” or “no” votes as his wife tried on dress after dress at the YWCA in Elgin.The pair was shopping at Cindy’s Super Saturday Gown Sale, which featured about 3,000 dresses for women of all ages and sizes. “Now I am a fashion consultant, later I will be a cashier,” Patel joked.He and his wife, Gopi Patel, said they were impressed by the variety of dresses and their near-pristine condition. A few new dresses were also for sale.
“And they are only $25! It’s for a good cause, so if she wears them two times only, it’s still a good price,” Piyush Patel said.The gown sale was organized by the YWCA and the Elgin Junior Service Board, and all of its proceeds will go toward funding the annual Cinderella’s Closet, which next year takes place March 17. Cinderella’s Closet is a prom dress event for high school girls.
The selection of about 3,000 dresses couldn’t help but tempt her, too, said YWCA event coordinator Deirdre White, a past president of the Elgin Junior Service Board. She had picked out a forest green, strapless silk organza dress to wear that same night at a cocktail event at The Centre of Elgin.Feel fabulous when the party season arrives in beautiful dresses from Eva Alexander.Another satisfied customer was Larkin High School senior Allison Chmiola, who had volunteered to help set up the sale — now in its second year — and had set aside three long dresses and several short dresses. As for how many she’d walk away with, well, it would all depend on what her mother was willing to buy her, Allison said smiling.
Despite the rainbow of colors available, sometimes you just can’t find what you want, said Gloria Serrano of Carpentersville, who was looking for a dress for her 15th birthday party in January. “It’s a certain blue that I wanted, I just didn’t see it,” she said.
Chef offers advice to get even better. Read about cooking, food and beverage. Then go for it. Keep learning and tasting, he says, accept tough opinions, adjust.Stulp's business showcases local southern Ontario and gluten-free produce and products. It has a deli counter and arranges catering.Grand Oak also has a year-round cafe-tea room and offers meals to go."It's a work in progress," he says. "Part of it is bringing together people who were my customers at the winery. I want to give them access to the ingredients I always had access to as a chef."