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July 25th, 2008
Everyone and their mom has a blog these days, and it seems to us that these places are nothing more than digital soapboxes where it’s okay to passive-aggressively display your views. (“I’m a conservative!” “I hate the Blue Line!” “I love hot dogs!” etc.) Add in our e-networking, and sometimes we wonder how many minutes in a day, week, and month we are actually face-to-face dealing with people. We’re constantly texting, emailing, g-chatting, and facebooking. And we’re starting to notice that we are really craving real smiles and hugs (over emoticons). Is our generation hiding behind layers of technology? Are we creating personality profiles for ourselves that are as legitimately genuine as “The Hills”? We wonder, we ponder. And then we dash across the room to check our beepin' Crackberry, email our Ma, check our blog for comments, and text our friend that “we’ll call her later.” Eesh, the digital age. Baby steps, baby steps. |
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Chicago Picks: |
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| 1 | Rockin' 'Ritas Who among us hasn't experienced a tequila night? You know—everything is rollin' a-okay, then in walks the sneaky Senor Cuervo. We'd tell you the rest but frankly, we don't remember it. As much as we curse our frenemy in the morning, we're always ready to rebuild the friendship come nighttime, and Angels & Mariachis is there to mediate the reconciliation. The self-proclaimed "taco bar and rock cantina" serves up premium specialty tequilas, flavored margaritas (pomegranate = YUM), and mucho Mexican cerveza. To help soak up the drinky drinks, they offer a full menu including faves like the queso fundido with chorizo, chicken poblano and mushroom tacos, and made-to-order Holy Guacamole. The incredibly unique decor is reason enough to not overdo the sauce (you can't appreciate it if your vision is too blurry to see it). Adorning the walls are authentic, handcrafted pieces inspired by symbols of Mexican urban art (think saints, matadors, cowboys) and detailed hand-painted murals. Enjoy those 'ritas in moderation though, ladies, so you can experience a taste of Mexican culture. Ole! Angels & Mariachis1721 W. Division St. Chicago, IL 60622 773.227.7772 www.angelschicago.com |
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| 2 | Unique Boutique Once upon a time, we reveled in looking like everybody else. So we're not sure whether to cringe or laugh at the memory of dragging mom across town in search of the latest Hypercolors tees. In our defense, it was junior high—everyone was doing it. Over the years, we've come to realize there's something to be said for originality and staying ahead of the curve. Melissa Shipley, CPA-turned-fashion maven, aims to deliver all of the above and then some with Lissa on Maxwell. She scouts out budding, lesser-known designers and brings them to Chicago before they're plastered across US Weekly. She first introduced us to the likes of Castle Starr and Madison Marcus, and now she's stocking romantic yet sleek pieces from Jarbo, Yeojin Bae, and Lerario Beatriz. Beyond the radiant goods, the shop is full of warm lighting and a bubbly staff that creates an inviting atmosphere you don't always find at high-end boutiques. No offense to those color-shifting cotton numbers, but Lissa is an experience actually worth trekking across town for! Lissa on Maxwell729 W. Maxwell St. Chicago, IL 60607 312.563.9470 www.lissaonmaxwell.com |
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| 3 | It's De-Lovely If there's one thing we're really good at, it's rationalizing the necessity of satisfying our sweet tooth. Bad hair day? Certainly a brownie is in order. Chipped nail? Ain't nothing a donut can't fix. Lovely: A Bake Shop gives us so many reasons to splurge, we don't even have to desperately fish for excuses. Hardwood floors, a painted tin ceiling, and vintage rocking chairs make for a decor more charming than a British accent and a set of baby blues. The staff is uber hospitable and just as sugary sweet as the sweets. And there's plenty of seating for you to kick back and enjoy the goods. As for the goods, well, there are muffins in blueberry, apple walnut, and banana pecan. Personal-sized pies of blueberry and apple almond. Cupcakes galore ranging from double-fudge to carrot cake and vanilla bean. The croissants are baked to buttery, flaky perfection, the pain au chocolat tastes like it's imported from France, and the peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are soft, chewy, and TDF. Simply put: Lovely is lovely. Lovely: A Bake Shop1130 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60622 773.572.4766 www.lovelybakeshop.com |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Our Heart’s Desire |
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| 2 | A Summer Scent Since we are now (semi) responsible grown ups, we’ll wear At the Beach 1966 by CB I Hate Perfume instead to make us feel like it’s summer in our cubicle. The prime note is Coppertone suntan lotion, with additional scents of wet sand, driftwood, seashell and boardwalk. We feel more summery already. |
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| 3 | Heavenly Devon Take a girl with an eye for design and interest in space formed within architecture (with design education from NYC and Paris), plus a newly established studio in the artsy metropolis of Minneapolis, and you've got earthy/funky/groovy jewelry designer Devon of Devon Jewelry. Devon breaks barriers with her rough-edged pieces and fun, interesting designs (think flowers, honeycomb, and bone-like shapes). Checkout her timeless yet unique line today! |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Grace with Your Presence Grace, a luxe shoe boutique, is holding their sizzling summer sale event! Do not miss this spectacular sale featuring spring and summer merchandise marked down to 70% off. Grace will be stocked with incredible deals on exclusive footwear collections from designers like Luciano Padovan, Celine and Pucci. Meow. What: Grace Final Markdown Sale |
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| 2 | Wild West Loop You know we love us some west loop boutique action. We can swing in and out, leaving dressed head-to-toe like the maneatin' tigresses we are! Look for end-of-summer deals, check out new offerings for fall, plus get discounts of up to 75% off at bess & loie, Erin Gallagher, Koros, Pivot, The Oprah Store, Tribeca, Ouest, 2 Sisters, and Takohl Gallery. What: West Loop boutique Sidewalk Sale |
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| 3 | Puppy Love Your furry four-legged friend deserves some treatage. After all that unconditional love and devotion, it's time to head to Sam & Willy's for this huge sale! Save 50 to 90 percent on dog and cat accessories, including Poochee collars and Fatboy dog beds. Plus you'll find Marmalade cat furniture and plenty of snacks to keep your pet's teeth pearly and healthy! What: Half-Decade Tent Sale at Sam & Willy's Pet Boutique |
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Have you told your friends about Chicago Picks yet? Or maybe you don’t know a single soul in Chicago (we don’t believe that!) |
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