Hästens Beds: Hands-On Review

Few of us can boast that we sleep in the bed of Scandinavian royalty but a new offering from Hästens—supplier of beds to the King and Queen of Sweden—gives you some idea. The 157-year-old company's state-of-the-art layered mattress take luxurious slumbering to a whole new level. I recently had the opportunity to try a couple of these palatial beds at the Peninsula Chicago courtesy of …

Valerie Leonard: Classic Pet Portraits

Far from simply photoshopping an animal head on a human body, the pet portraits of Valerie Leonard reflect a level of care and personality that's peerless in the field. Inspired by the Old Masters, as well as film and family portraits, her images balance a level of whimsy with a stateliness befitting their regal subjects. Based in Connecticut, the artist devotes days to each portrait. …

Olympus EP-1 “PEN” Camera: Hands-On Review

Addressing the growing market for a smaller camera with professional features, Olympus recently introduced the compact, lightweight Micro Four Thirds EP-1 a.k.a. "PEN" digital camera. I never go anywhere without a camera, but schlepping the bulky DSLR is not always convenient and my iPhone camera quality isn't always acceptable. Interchangeable lenses, a range of in-camera filters and the option to use full manual settings lend …