An at-home donut factory, Robosaurus Rex—Daily Candy editions of late have featured some items that are less than confection perfection.

We’ll always love the DC, but why not start 2008 with a subscription to a new e-newsletter? Starting Jan. 4, Chicago Picks (like its sisters, Seattle Picks, Portland Picks, Minneapolis Picks and Phoenix Picks) will show up in Windy City inboxes every Friday with shop profiles, sales scoops, event listings and more.

As a resident of the rainy city, I’m signed up with Seattle Picks. It’s so chock-full of fun, chatty banter and recommendations that I don’t always get through it in one quick morning read. But that’s a whole week’s worth of goodies.