Northeast Love in the Midwest
 
We're Windy City through and through, but we can't deny that the Big Apple has a lil' somethin' going on. The whole Broadway bit isn't shabby. We’ve heard nice things about Central Park. Supposedly the nightlife is kinda okay. And then there are the ubiquitous hot dog vendors, and well, hot dogs were our first love, man. 
  
Even without red hots on every corner, Chicago rocks a style all its own. But if a birdie of the east wants to nest in our hood, it's a-okay with us. And so we welcome Brooklyn Industries, which has chosen Chi-town as its first site outside of state lines. BKI's edgy gear is right at home in the heart of Wicker Park and they're equipped with limited-edition graphic tees, boldly colored messenger bags, a line of cropped jackets, and loads of  summer dresses and tanks, all very reasonably priced.
 
We might not understand ketchup on hot diggity dogs, but hip merch within budget? Now there's a language that's got us saying, “We love New York”!   
 
Brooklyn Industries
1426 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
773.360.8182
www.brooklynindustries.com

From the Bottom to the Top
 
Growing up rocking the suburbs, we loved nothing more than cruising to the city for all things punk and indie. We felt pretty gosh darn hardcore as we moshed alongside chain-smoking teens and guzzled contraband vodka in Sharpie-graffitied restrooms.
 
While we never lost the love, we did develop a newfound appreciation for sanitation and not having to steal booze from the p's. And so we were stoked to discover that one of our commonly frequented venues from the days of yore has also come of age. Over on the west side, Bottom Lounge has reinvented itself. The ginormous 18,500-square-foot space houses not only a state-of-the-art music room, but also a rum lounge with seating for 230, a second-floor outdoor deck with a killer skyline view, and a menu chock full of classic comfort food to boot.
 
Bring that rock n' soul of yours to Bottom—but leave the teenage angst in 1997. And puhlease don't let us catch ya scribbling your boy’s initials on the ladies' room walls.
 
Bottom Lounge
1375 Lake St.
Chicago, IL 60607
312.666.6775
www.bottomlounge.com

Head-Turner 
  
If you’re anything like us, you love, love, love to shop. What other great pastime is there? (Besides of course, vegging out and watching reruns of past cycles of Top Model.) You scour the weekend edition of The Red Eye looking for sample-sale happenings and would rather have a hot, new snakeskin clutch for lunch than a chicken salad salad from Potbelly. We so don’t blame you. 
 
Since you’re mos def one of us, you should hit up The Dressing Room. We found hip, trendy pieces by the likes of BCBGirls, Hazel, and local designers Maxine Dear and Festa Stuff, among other lust-worthy items. So you’ll be able to find something fun and flirty for that summer festival, or something perfectly chic for your coworker’s wedding. And the Dressing Room is now featuring cool, abstract paintings by artist JiWon Lee to spice up your pad.
  
As you strut down the street in your fabulous finds, you’ll definitely turn a head or two. Stop in, and tell them Chicago Picks sent you!
 
The Dressing Room
4635 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
773.728.0088
www.thedressingroomchicago.com

Look Good in Your Groceries
  
We clip coupons. Buy Three Buck Chuck. And are pretty keen on “2 for 1” deals.
  
And we’re trying to be smart about grocery bags. Because if you think about it, there’s a whole lotta damage being done by the use of soooo many plastic bags on a weekly basis. A simply chic way to solve this problemo? A Gracen bag. Their design is modern-cool and the bag expands so much that you could tote a case of Three-Buck Chuck! 
 
www.gracen.com

Ave Maria
 
Oprah just finished that 21-day cleanse and now looks as fab as ever.  Michelle Obama has been a fierce force in purple, standing next to her main man. Want in on one of their fashionable secrets?
  
Her name is Maria Pinto. She's a Chicagoan designer and former Geoffrey Beene assistant. Her ready-to-wear pieces go from day to night seamlessly.  Her clothing is elegant and luxurious, and surely says a thing or two about the powerful women behind them. 
  
www.mariapinto.com

Utterly Smooch-a-licious

In the movies, breakups look comical and often... fun. The supporting characters devote all their time to healing the lead character's heartbreak.  And then they get giddy with delight when a new (strikingly handsome yet quiet and unattached) love interest comes to town. 
  
We all know this is baloney. But there is a perfect lip balm for dealing: Love Stinks by Beautiful Twists. It's a vegan, au-naturale lip conditioner, and there’s a flavor called "He'll never know because he will never kiss you again." Touché.
 
www.elladean.etsy.com

Get Glossy
  
Need a cool gift for your best friend? A sassy one-of-a-kind dress for wedding season? Don’t miss the High Gloss Summer Sample Sale—it’s a new event featuring women’s clothing from more than 30 designers (hailing from Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Paris). It also features discounts from 50–80% off, all under one roof!
  
What: High Gloss Summer Sample Sale   
When: June 27–29: 4–9 pm; 10 am–6 pm; 11 am–5 pm
Where: 2301 N. Clark
Call:  312.972.1291   
Visit: www.shophighgloss.com

Tastes like Home 
  
Maybe you’ve always been a foodie, or maybe you’ve become one due to your zip code. Chicagoans like to eat, and we’re not ashamed of it, either.  Year after year we are home to the world’s biggest food festival, which caters to millions of locals and tourists alike. Get in line—and come hungry! 
  
What: 28th Annual Taste of Chicago   
When: June 27–July 6
Where: 300 S. Columbus Drive
Call: 312.744.3370
Visit: Taste of Chicago