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February 1st, 2008
Wait, what's that you say? Your lips are chapped and your nose is frostbitten? Your winter bod, under all those layers, is growing rather uh … sizable? Your hair is frosted with snow, not highlights, and sort of resembles a wintry “Edward Scissorhands” snow mobile-trampled snow lady? You look in the mirror and not only do you appear translucent, but you actually scare yourself into thinking perhaps you really are a ghost?!? A snow ghost tortured by the 0% chicness that comes with wearing a down parka, long johns and snow pants? Okay breathe. Breathe, breathe. Just breathe. Remember, we are all in this together. Even The Art Institute of Chicago is showing mercy on cold-weather survivors and offering up free general admission for the whole month of February. And keep checkin' out great local eateries—see below for a super offer just for Chicago Picks! (You’re welcome!) And don’t forget all of the super sales to help ya coast into warmer temps … or at least into temps above zero. After all, a girl can dream of warmer climes (and eat, drink, and shop) and throw a killer Super Bowl-or-politico party while she's at it, too. |
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Chicago Picks: |
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| 1 | Ja’ Love Sometimes we get so caught up in the go, go, go (!) mentality of our cab-hailing, appointment-setting, deadline-meeting world that we forget what it feels like to relax those shoulder muscles and unwind, vacation style. Whew! We got tense just writing that sentence. No worries, no hurries, though, mon! Since Ja’ Grill opened in December, we’ve turned over a new, reggae-infused, rum punch-swirling leaf. Ja’ Grill is authentic Jamaican (we literally couldn’t stop eating the oversized fried plantains), from the reggae-spinning DJ to the Jerk-flavored … well, everything. If you go, be sure to try the Jerk catfish and the honey wings with jerk flavoring. The meat patties are the perfect winter-food fix—warm, a bit spicy and oh-so-flaky. But the clincher is the rum punch—three kinds of rum mixed with various juices so sweet you’ll forget you ordered a third. Until you stand up, that is. |
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| 2 | Sharp Shooter Recently we stumbled across a picture we thought we’d burnt already. Hiking boots with short-shorts? Mom, where were you when censorship was needed! With the strike of a match we’re out the door and off to add something lovely to our wardrobe to ward off any flashbacks. It totally works! At Pistol Bazaar you’ll find the crème de la crème of the past (no pit-stained T-shirts or faded Wranglers here) and an old-fashioned photo booth to help you and your clothing make some new memories. From classic fur-trimmed coats a la Hepburn (Audrey) to vintage aprons you can sashay around in while Betty Crocker makes her magic, Pistol Bazaar’s stock is hip vintage for your clotheshorse soul. So breathe easy … Mom may not be here, but you’ve grown a fashion sense and the Pistol has a promise printed on every tag: “If you don’t look good, we’ll shoot you.” And if you hit it big (50 bucks of vintage duds), those pictures you took for your beau are on the house! Now that’s a pretty picture. Pistol Bazaar |
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| 3 | Spice Up Your Life Pardon the Spice Girls ref, but come on girls—it’s a motto to live by. Every time we plan a get-together we keep our ultimate girl-power motto in mind as we search for just the right spot. And every time, the spot we pick is either too crowded, too pricey or too blah. Really now, what’s a girl to do? Head to Thalia Spice, that’s what. This new pan-Asian spot is hidden away on Chicago Ave., but once you find it you won’t want to leave until you’ve devoured your fourth (or seventh) mochi ice cream. The seriously large menu has a full sushi menu and stellar Thai options, most served as tapas. Our favorite: the banana blossom salad, with bits of banana marinated in coconut milk, chili paste and shrimp. So now that we’re hungry again, it’s time to start planning our next fete. With a hugely varied, well-priced tapas menu, plenty of private alcoves throughout the space and a BYO policy to boot, Thalia is our new go-to celebration spot. Because that’s how Spice Girls gotta celebrate (with our friends, natch). |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Cure For the Common Cold There’s something about the cold that makes us crave rich foods. Okay, so maybe that’s a year-round thing, but we sure feel it during these months of Jack Frost. Nothing cures our frostbite like a cupcake, and we’ve met our match with Chicago online bakery Fat Daddy Bake Shop. Using the best ingredients, Fat Daddy stuffs cakes coined “PMS” and “All That Jazzberry” into half-pint jars and delivers them to your door, ready to devour. |
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| 2 | Night Lights for Grownup Girls When we were little, we wouldn’t dare fall asleep without our Glo Worm in our arms and our giraffe nightlight plugged into the wall. We’ve since graduated from days of no-darkness-allowed, and now nightlights have as well. Light Affection will transform your favorite photo into a nightlight print with a stylish black frame. They also make custom standup prints. Now if only they could bring the Glo Worm back in vogue... |
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| 3 | Our Little Black Book |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | “Shoe Per Bowl” Party! Not that we need an excuse to shoe shop, but Pump just gave us a fab one! Our favorite shoe boutique for discovering new designers and styles, Pump is throwing a one-day shoe sale (cutely coined “Shoe Per Bowl” Party) this Saturday. In light of Super Bowl XLII, knock 42 percent off sale items. What: One-Day shoe sale at Pump shoe boutique |
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| 2 | Jazzy Champagne Nights What do you get when you combine jazz, champagne, and soft lighting on a dark, cold Chicago night? You get an evening of effervescent glam and elegance. Fine dining, drinking, and the possibility of romancing. We think it sounds divine and so Ginger Rogers/Fred Astaire-esque! Head to Pops for Champagne for dates throughout February. |
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| 3 | Sushi Fashion Thursdays We love anything Harajuku-related. Maybe it's our fascination with Japanimation. Or bold street culture style and wildly dressed fashionista renegades. Or maybe it's that Gwen's back-up dancers make us wanna be just that Harajuku-cool. In any case, combining a Harajuku-themed night with fashion, music, sushi, and cocktail flights? Sold! What: Harajuku Nights at Sushi Samba rio |
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| 4 | Daisies Do Tell We love beautiful garments and accessories, all deliciously displayed in a posh boutique. So we rejoiced over The Daisy Shop's Season's End Sale (40% off couture garments and 20% off couture accessories), especially timely for Valentine's Day. Get into this award-winning couture resale boutique or shop online! (Shown in photo: Chanel Camellia Brooch, Was $275, Now $220.) What: Season's End Sale at The Daisy Shop |
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| Tired of the Super Bowl chili, beer, chips and testosterone combo? Look to us to get your girl game on. And don't forget to mention Chicago Picks when you hop into our fave spots around town. You may just end up with a sweet discount just for uttering those two magic words! | |||
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