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September 12, 2008
We have a secret. Sometimes we leave our drawers and handbags messy, so that later we can dig through our treasures and find something cool. It surprises us every time. It’s very goldfish-three-second-memory-ish, but it always delights us. A red leather coin purse with a stick of gum inside? Why, we hadn’t seen it in months! And the gum was still relatively good. A handmade Christmas card. Directions and a watch. (No wonder we’re always lost and late. They were stashed in last year’s winter purse.) Trinkets and greeting cards. An old cell phone and one gold key. (Mail key? House key? Key to our heart? No idea.) What it all boils down to is practicality. And practical we are not. But on safety measures, living in the city, we need to be. We need to have at least one source of self-defense to fend off any weirdo creepsters. To keep yourself safe and smart, see below about Cavius, a gadget designed to protect every woman. Then, register on Lucky Day Boutique’s website (www.luckydayboutique.myshopify.com) under their VIP List for the chance to win your own personal protection system. We’ve got your back! |
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Chicago Picks: |
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| 1 | Sophisticated Lady Since you’re a Chicago Picks reader we’re gonna go ahead and assume you’re a faithful watcher of Project Runway, and are anticipating the premiere of Rachel Zoe’s new show. With the threat of Old Man Winter soon approaching, we’re all set for lots of fashion TV and plenty of Netflix to keep us occupied. But before we delve into all of that good stuff, we like popping into Plein Aire for something one of a kind to tickle our fancy. They offer unique jewelry pieces that will be hard to find on other stylish ladies in the city, and the hardwood floors and cozy seating area are a great backdrop to exceptional clothing by Ted Baker and Morphine Generation. We had a special affinity for a coat in the perfect shade of winter white by designer Tulle, plus flirty dresses and tops for girls’ night out, and perfect jeans from Chip & Pepper and Level 99 that hug you in all the right places. If you’re looking for a sophisticated outfit to take you from the office to dinner, look no further than Plein Aire. And tell them Chicago Picks sent you! Plein Aire |
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| 2 | Hub-a-bubba We're girls. We need options. Choosing a dinner spot is a 12-step process. Once the heart is set on Italian, we get a craving for Thai… then in walks Indian... followed by Mexican. When it's all said and done, we settle for a can of Campbell's because it's easier than hurting our pretty little heads with all those decisions. Luckily it's chicken noodle no more, thanks to the opening of River North's Hub 51. The multi-level restaurant and bar offers a diverse menu with a taste of everything for those afraid to commit. Items range from sushi rolls and pulled pork tacos to ribs and open-faced BLTs. We enjoyed a smorgasbord of homemade beef jerky accompanied by a spicy cheese dip, perfectly seasoned filet mignon tacos, the braised chicken enchilada stack, and a giant warm brownie with vanilla ice cream. Also on our hit list was the vodka/tequila "hub punch"—hangover inducing, yes, but delicious and totally worth it. Fear not, commitment and decision phobes—head to Hub 51. There's something for everyone! Hub 5151 W Hubbard St. Chicago, IL 60686 312.828.0051 www.hub51chicago.com |
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| 3 | Mix and Match A good cocktail is like fashion: seemingly effortless, subtle yet effective, crisp, and leaves you wanting more. Trust us; we're longtime aficionados of these art forms. And there's nothing like a swank setting to highlight both. That's why we were doubly excited at the prospect of mixing brand new drinks in the stately Hall of Lions at the Hotel InterContinental. Mixology 101—offered by the hotel to showcase its signature drinks—may be one of the only times we've enjoyed our lessons. Featured cocktails included the Gold Coast (rye, Navan, brulee cherries, and blood-orange and Equinox bitters) and the Seasonal Sour (Belvedere vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup and assorted fruit). After our hard work shaking, stirring and sampling we paired our "projects" with delicious appetizers like chicken rolls and spareribs wrapped in phyllo dough. And you won't have to work as hard as we did (hey, humor us): just walk up to the bar— or better yet, pass off the legwork to the boy du jour—and then simply relax with drinks, bites and the glamour of one of the city's most architecturally significant and renowned institutions. The Bar at the Hotel InterContinental |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Protect Yourself We do yoga and occasionally lift weights. We’d like to think we’re strong like Madonna. And hopefully someday, just as ripped! But even we know we’re not superhero material. Fortunately there’s a gadget to protect us, called Cavius, sold exclusively at Lucky Day Boutique. It’s a 4-in-1 personal protection device that serves as an attack alarm, optical smoke detector, door alarm, and bag alarm. It’s small and can easily fit into a regular-sized purse. Necessary for every city girl on-the-go! |
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| 2 | Sashay, Chante, Cashmere! Dresses have always been our forte. Specifically, summer sundresses. But once the air turns cooler, we lurve to layer. There’s just something sexy about layering. It adds mystery and a beautiful new silhouette. One great place to find earthy-crunchy yet sexy pieces? A little place called Souchi. The designer designs and hand-crafts her collections with organic cotton and luxurious cashmere. The aesthetic is sexy and modern, stylish and comfortable, minimalist yet distinctive. Hand-knits never looked so good! |
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| 3 | Hot Like Daisy Buchanan Ever since we read the Great Gatsby in high school, we have wanted to throw a Gatsby-themed party for ourselves—all glitz, champagne and romance. And oh, the costume options! After we stumbled upon these amazing head-bands by Ban.Dō, we decided this was going to be the year. Handmade with satin ribbons, vintage flowers, tulle and feathers, we are head-over-heels for these perfectly lovely adornments—so much so that we not sure we even need a party to wear them! www.shopbando.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Not a Player, We Just Crush a Lot Crushes come and go, but fashion crushes are forever. Which is why we can’t wait for The Couture Crush Fashion Show. The runway show will feature clothing and jewelry from local boutiques and feature the latest fashions from Nicole Miller in Old Town. From sportswear to eveningwear, eclectic designs and gorgeous fall fashions will be showcased! What: Nicole Miller in Old Town Couture Crush Fashion Show |
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| 2 | Get Your Green On One of our life goals is to gain a green thumb. It’s wedged somewhere between #46 (Skydive) and #54 (Become a drummer in a band). With Jayson Home & Garden’s sale it looks more achievable than ever! Save 75 percent off perennials, shrubs, trees, and garden containers. A little green buys a little green, making the world a little bit better. What: Jayson Home & Garden Sale |
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| 3 | Tea Time It’s almost that time again. Time to curl up with a blanket and good book, kick off our shoes and drink flavored tea. We secretly prefer this age-old tradition over the bar scene. Luckily, Todd & Holland Tea Merchants have marked down selected teas and accessories—including Chantal mugs and teapots, and French tea towels—at 50% off! What: Todd & Holland Sale |
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Thanks again for sticking with us through our first year growing pains and helping us flourish; we hope to bring you many more of the best independent picks that Chicago has to offer! |
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