As brave and as confident as you think you may be, there always seems to be a shadow of doubt and fear holding people back from attempting to accomplish certain dreams. Think back to when you were a little kid. Chances are you had some pretty big pipe dreams and you told everyone and anyone that would listen how you were going to be a singer, a policeman or president of the United States of America.

Eryn Siegel and Jim Snediker like to approach life with laughter. Siegel, a senior manager in sales development at Pandora, and Snediker, the CEO and founder of Stock Manufacturing Co., a company that designs and manufactures clothing locally, met six years ago while doing improv at Second City Chicago. The two performed together several times, and “many goofy nights” later, they were talking “future puppies and vacation homes,” says Siegel. Snediker proposed on Christmas 2011, and the couple immediately started planning for their fall 2012 wedding at Greenhouse Loft (2545 W. Diversey).

It’s seems unlikely that a Spaniard and a New Zealander, both based in New York, could come together and design clothing that is so utterly Chicagoan. Yet that’s exactly what Michael and Nicole Colovos have done with Helmut Lang, the line they took over after Mr. Lang stepped down in 2005. 

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s hot romance is already starting to fizzle! The Hollywood couple — who are expecting their first child together in July — are fighting about several issues, including where to live. Chicago native Kanye reportedly wants to stay in France, where he’s been working on an album, but Kim does not want to live away from her L.A.-based family. Sources tell me the relationship has been doomed from the start, and it’s only a matter of time before they break up.

This week: Pomellato’s new Victoria ring, Miss Dottie’s Pound Cake, Arami and Hello Sailor.

We spy: Nicole Miller, the 16th Annual Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair, Edith Hart’s Babes and Bagels series and Lord & Taylor’s new store renovation.

Rick Mancuso spends his days at Lake Forest Sports Cars (990 N. Shore, Lake Bluff) surrounded by Ferrari Enzos and Aston Martin Vanquishes, the car made popular by James Bond in “Die Another Day.” To put that in perspective (in case you’re not a car connoisseur), it’s much like singing karaoke with Adele and Sting: A little intimidating and very, very exciting.

A two-floor, 17,000-square-foot space with the largest HD TV in the Midwest isn’t where you’d expect to find a two-time James Beard-nominated chef. But that’s exactly what’s happening at new River North spot American Junkie, where Kendal Duque (formerly of Sepia, Chicago Firehouse and City Tavern) is bringing his approachable yet sophisticated fare to the bar and restaurant.

Dear Jenny, Is it OK to fantasize about someone else but not go any further than that? Is it good for a marriage, or is it bad? As long as it doesn’t lead to anything, I would think it’s alright. What do you think? —Marty from Illinois

Take a spur-of-the-moment road trip to any of these destinations within a three-hour drive of Chicago.