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January 4th, 2008
Well, hi! So glad you could make it to our first slamma jamma kickoff issue of Chicago Picks. We’re kinda new here. Not new to town. Not new to hot spots or great finds in the ever-fabulous Windy City. But we’re kinda like the new kid at school—when that school is comprised of more than 30,000 devoted subscribing pupils on our sister sites: PortlandPicks.com, SeattlePicks.com, MinneapolisPicks.com, PhoenixPicks.com, and the bro, PortlandPicksforMen.com. And we can’t wait to join in. It’s feels like the first day of high school. We have butterflies. We need The Perfect Outfit. We hope we find a clique of BFFs like we had in middle school. And we simply cannot wait to dish on all the best ready-to-wear local fashion we’ve been seeing around the city. Not to mention the coolest venues, best eats and drinks, chic salons, pampering hot spots, totally brill Chicagoan artists and simply the coolest local choices when it comes to independent, unsolicited and unadulterated fun. We are so ready to do this. We’ve got the city by the you-know-whats and we are feeling the love. So the question is: Are you ready for Chicago Picks??? |
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Chicago Picks: |
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| 1 | Pump It Up There are certain items you just shouldn't go without. TiVo seemed like a frivolous gadget until you discovered the genius of never missing “Grey's,” “Top Model,” okay, and “The Hills.” We admit it. We just can’t stop loving to hate Spencer. Alas, we digress. Because for all the Spencers in the world, there are just as many Brodys. And that is a good enough reason for us to hit up Pump. Dress up. Mix, mingle, and flirt the night away in our new red-velvet peep toes. We literally feel compelled to profess our love to these hot numbers. We want to say to them, “Red-velvet pumps, will you marry us? Red-velvet pumps, do you realize you have doublefootedly propelled us toward sexy nights at dimly lit wine bars, filled with shameless flirtation?” Yep, it’s true. And we owe it all to the unbelievably sweet owner of Pump, who can only be described as a cupcake incarnate. With multicolored sprinkles. Two minutes with her and you'll find yourself uplifted—not only by her spirited consultation but quite literally, too, in some smokin’ new stilettos. Pump |
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| 2 | No Plain White Tees Here Our high-school uniform: Plaid skirt (required); knee socks (required); penny loafers (required); general aura of teen angst and gobs of lip gloss (optional). Perhaps due to early wardrobe strictures, we've always sought ways to fashionably um, unleash ourselves. And while our fave LBD and satin trapeze frock have certainly earned their keep (read: a steep price tag), there are plenty of times for making a bold, totally casual-cool statement as well. Which is why we dig Threadless. A simple tee transforms an outfit from martini-and-heels club scene to it's-five-o'clock-somewhere time-for-a-brewski sports bar. And Threadless has hip down to a—well, you know. Their artsy funk tees are colorful and spontaneous, just like us. We love their asymmetrical prints; tempting double-entendres; and graphic design concepts varying from karma to the life cycle of a hamburger. Not to mention their weekly doses of new paintings and special exhibits, which add to our taste for culture and art. After one of their events, we come home laden with clever, evocative tees and feel totally guilt-free. Experiencing art awareness and finding something comfy/cute? We’d say it was a teaseburger in paradise, but we’d hate ourselves. Threadless |
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| 3 | And She Was When we were little, we dreamed of dressing like a rock-star princess. Every day. As we reached tween age, we added a splash of Superwoman-edge to daydreams of grownup chick life. But today, getting dressed in the morning is less fashion-forward and more “no one will notice this shirt is three seasons old, right?” That’s why SHE Boutique is our new, impossibly fashionable best friend. SHE’s look is girly-girl princess, with a rocker edge to boot. The shop stocks all the brands that are about to catch on—Kale, Mint and Honeydew, among others. Shopping there is like raiding your most fashionable friend’s closet. And the best part? The staff is so gosh darn nice. Think haute-couture minus the intimidation. From subtly sexy pajamas to the classiest of ball gowns, SHE takes the stress out of fashion. So get there fast. The shop’s cutting-edge taste plus its girl-next-door customer service has spread like wildfire. Tell ‘em Chicago Picks sent you and score 10% off your next purchase, good through January 31! SHE Boutique |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | We Predict You’ll Have Another Cup What’s the best thing to sip on chilly nights (other than hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps)? Tea. Plus, you can tell your fortune afterward by studying the leaves in the bottom of your cup. We are all about this textural porcelain teapot from Pearl River. The color scheme is punk rock, but the delicate design is a classic Chinese shape. Too bad schnapps and tea don’t mix, but then again, that will probably save us from taking our tea fortunes too seriously. |
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| 2 | It's French for Hooter Hiders |
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| 3 | You Smell So Cool We were perusing Fred Segal online and came across this fab find: Juliette has a Gun fragrance. It’s some French brand (we initially thought it was by Juliette Lewis, who not only acts, but sings in a band and rocks a turban this season.) Anyhoo, it’s described as “the perfume of a virgin witch, docile and provocative, elegant and sensual.” Just like you, right? Oh, what the heck—no matter what it smells like, it will look totally epic on your nightstand. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | C'mon, Get Sketchy |
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| 2 | It Was All a Dream At the ripe old age of 22, Chuck Anderson has already worked for Adidas, Burton, Sony, Nylon Mag, Fall Out Boy, and Dolce & Gabbana—to namedrop an itty bit. Which makes us a little jeal but also a lot intrigued with the fantastical work de Chuck. So if you dream little dreams of creamsicle-colored, provocative and breathtaking art, get to The Threadless Gallery n-o-w. What: Chuck Anderson’s first solo show (Nopattern) When: 'til the end of January Where: Threadless Gallery, 3011 N. Broadway Ave. Call: 773.525.8640 Visit: www.threadless.com, www.nopattern.com |
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| 3 | Dressed in Yella |
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If you like Chicago Picks (and we hope you do!), forward this email or a link to www.ChicagoPicks.com to your T-Mobile Top 5. Your Facebook Top Friends. Your dog Muppet. Your Grandma Dottie. Heck, just spread the word … and feel free to holla at us hrrrr: picks@chicagopicks.com. We’d love to know what you thought of our inaugural issue! Cause just like the Spice Girls we’re gonna make this last forever. We all know that friendship never ends! And tune in next week for more Chicago scoop from the Picks!!! |
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