TLC 

Lately we’ve been in the mood for some serious pampering. We’re talking full-body massages, facials, mani/pedi dates, you name it, we’ve tried it or it’s on our list to get one. Perhaps our need for kid-glove treatment is due to the fact that we are longing for spring and summer, even though old man winter has only just come around. Seriously, whatever will we do with ourselves?  

Lucky for us, we get a glimmer of hope thanks to Handle With Care boutique. This slice of heaven is chock full of skirts, dresses, pants and more to tickle our fancy. We nearly swooned at the sight of the DVF dress that met us at the door and had to squeal with glee when we saw offerings from Minnie Rose and Citizens of Humanity. Put that together with plenty of fitting rooms and friendly associates, and you’ve got a regular shopping day with the gals—gotta love it!  

If you’re in need of a cold weather pick-me-up, this is definitely the place to go!  

Handle With Care
1706 N. Wells
Chicago, IL 60614
312.751.2929

Habit Forming
 
Yes, we’re still talking about basking in the newness of 2009. It’s time to do a self-check on habits. Because committing to good ones can only bring good things and happiness!  C’mon we’re giving karma a chance. Sayonara, Murphy’s Law of ’08!
 
We’re starting off right by cleaning out our overstuffed closet, and making room for new and better things (first step: ridding closet of The Ex’s pj’s and clothing). It’s new clothes, more fabulous jewelry, and chic handbags for us. Oh mama, it is going to be a good year! First stop on our shopping spree: Habit. The sale signs on the storefront are certainly promising, and inside we felt like a kid in a sassy candy store. They have beautiful Annie Havlicek party dresses (at 20% off!) Snoozer Loser items (40% off!) and Sutara (50% off!)  Yes, our heads spun. Lovely, affordable, and chic—three of our favorite adjectives.
 
Plus, more than half of the designers featured in Habit are from the Chicago area. So you’ll be doing your body and the local economy good!
 
Habit
1919 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL 60622
773.342.0093
www.habitchicago.com

Sweat Appeal
 
New Year’s resolutions. Easy come, easy go. This year we
are vowing to stick with the workout portion of our promises. What could be better than a good workout, breaking a sweat, getting more flexible, all the while jamming out to tunes and looking cute doing it? 
 
So if we must work out, at least we have found a way to have fun. Enter: Corepower Yoga. This new studio in the south loop offers great classes to get your heart pumping, and an ever-changing boutique of to-die-for clothing by designers such as lululemon, Beyond Yoga, Tonic and Be Present. Finally, cute workout clothes! Shopping and working out have combined forces, and it’s genius. The yoga pants hug to your curves perfectly, the tanks make your arms look fab, and if you forgot a change of clothes to wear to “after yoga cocktails,” there is plenty of hip post-workout clothing to choose from as well. 
 
And with the studio offering a free week of yoga to any new students, we are thinking this year’s resolution is going to be a smooth success!
 
Corepower Yoga
555 W. Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL 60607
312.829.9642
www.corepoweryoga.com

Preppy Perfection

As teenagers, we fantasized about going to a private boarding school. Cute plaid skirts and old-money heirs! Oh, how prestigious and glam! (…or maybe just a silly “Facts of Life” façade…) But we've found pieces from Tomtom Jewelry that make the perfect prepster accessories nevertheless.
 
Unique and edgy with a preppy twist, we are in love with the Swallowed By The Sea necklace, handcrafted with navy ribbon and bronze, silver, enamel and brushed gold chains. It's so
very Serena!

www.tomtomtomtom.com

Granny Panties, Be Gone!

Amidst our New-Year-New-You fervor, we cleaned out the
old underwear drawer, and realized we were past due for some new underpinnings—we had far too many “laundry day” panties. It was the perfect excuse to stock up on the ultra-feminine, luxurious, romantic pieces from SiBelle by Sibel Mesta. 
 
We adore her Sweet Treats Gift Boxes with the 100% silk 
chiffon sheer panties—not to mention the camis, garter skirts 
and stretch silk bras. We love an underwear makeover—and so does our man!

www.sibellenyc.com

Picture = A Thousand Words

We have been hunting for the perfect artwork to hang on the still-blank walls of our bedroom. It has to be original (no posters of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night”) and it has to be an expression of our (great) taste. When we found the illustrations by Australian artist Kelly Smith, it was a match made in heaven. 
 
Her prints are ethereal and heartbreakingly beautiful. They’re like fairytale high-fashion prints—and so girly! We can’t wait to adorn our room with her talent.

www.birdyandme.com.au

“V” is for victory.  “V'” is for very, very nice. “V” is for the little bit
of vanilla vodka kick you get when you mix Red Bull, Red Bull Cola, and Jaegermeister! Sound kooky? Well, it kinda is. But
it's made using natural ingredients with a kick of caffeine and
an unexpected (but rather brilliant) taste. You won't believe it
'til you try it.

V-Bomb
1 oz. vanilla vodka
1 oz. Jaegermeister
1 oz. Red Bull Cola
1 oz. Red Bull 

Pour all the ingredients over ice in a highball glass, and get
ready to rock! (Or make it a girly night by pairing the V-Bomb
with crème brulèe and chocolate truffles. Either way, don’t say we didn’t warn you.)

www.redbull.com

Smashing Spring Fashion
 
There’s snow up to our eyeballs and icicles on bicycles all over town, but that’s when it’s time to get a leg up on incoming spring looks! Check out fashions from p.45, Apartment Number 9, Robin Richman and Hejfina. Cocktails and bites are provided by SKYY Vodka, Blue Heron Wine Brands, California Pizza Kitchen and Lindt Chocolate.
 
What: Whirlwind Spring Preview Fashion Show
When: Friday, Jan. 23, 7–9 pm
Where: EcoLogic Lofts Center, 2359 N. Seeley Ave.
Call: 773.327.4445
Cost: Free
RSVP: Before Jan. 20 at ecologiclofts.com!

Sha-Sha-Chic!
 
Local designer Sarah Radford of Chic Gems has long been a part of various charities. This month, help out PAVE (founded
on behalf of victims of domestic abuse) by shopping online at Chic Gems’ sale! Enter the discount code “pave” to save 10%
on any jewelry purchase—20% of the proceeds will be donated directly to PAVE.
 
What: Chic Gems Virtual Trunk Show
When: Through Jan. 31
Call: 312.602.2561
Visit: www.chicgemsetc.com