So Much Wine, So Little Time!
 
Nothing makes us smile more than a few glasses of wine and snacks with our girlfriends. It is all a Chicago girl needs to melt away the stress of traffic, and the next week’s approaching deadlines. And with the bustle of the holiday season quickly approaching, it can be tough to find a place that’s not too crowded, but not so empty that you won’t get a wink from the cute guy across the bar tossing back a few with his boys. 
 
Well, when we first walked into Bin Wine Café, it was love at first sight, smell, and taste. We were warmly greeted at this cozy neighborhood restaurant, and without missing a beat, we were asked which of the glasses (out of 36 bottles, to be exact) we would be starting out with. After choosing a rich, dark red Malbec, we complemented that delicious tongue-staining nectar of the gods with a rich yet perfectly creamy goat cheese—one of the 20 organically focused cheeses we had to choose from.   
 
And c’mon, organic cheese and liquefied grapes? A Friday happy hour can’t get much healthier then that! 
 
Bin Wine Café
1559 N. Milwaukee Ave.  
Chicago, IL 60622 
773.486.2233 
www.binwinecafe.com

Embellish at Sage
  
We would love to be able to spend our whole week shopping for a wardrobe of perfect accessories. We would then stand out at all weddings with ex-boyfriends in attendance, or at least at bars on Saturday nights. But given that we're expected to work real jobs (and rely on Chicago public transportation, to boot), it’s impossible without one of those nifty Harry Potter time-traveler thingies or a stand-in doppelganger for the office. 
  
At least it was impossible—until we discovered Sage Accessory Boutique in East Lakeview. It’s a brand new jewelry and accessories boutique that promises to outfit the "total woman" with every accessory she could ever imagine… all in one location. And that's not an understatement, it’s their goal! Plus, The Everywoman can afford it—prices range from low to high. One bus ride, you're there, and you're outfitted and ready to prove to the world that yes, you finally stopped wearing your grandma's Bakelite. 
  
And if you're riding that bus because you're eco-conscious, Sage has a fantastic selection of vegan bags. Yes, vegan. We told you it was fantastic!
  
Sage Accessory Boutique
3127 N. Broadway St.
Chicago, IL 60657
773.248.3388

Look the Part
 
We love the vintage look but thrift stores make us sneeze, snooze, and scram. What’s a stylish gal to do? 

Enter Clothes Optional, an adorable and ultra-chic used clothing store in the heart of Lakeview. You’ll find hip, previously-loved denim (figure-flattering high-waisted jeans—oh, we love the 70s!), imaginative hats, quirky gloves, and our personal fave, an array of printed, striped, patterned and downright fabulous scarves. If you’re lucky, you may even find a pair of retro boots or an 80s messenger bag. And men and women alike will love the assortment of vintage tees offered at reasonable prices. New to the used-clothing scene? No problem, the friendly staff is incredibly helpful, and can give anyone that hipster “I hang out in Wicker Park and know a lot about music” look. 

Don’t miss the basement, which offers even more retro stuff. And the fun (or should we say, “sass”?) doesn’t stop there—the owner often features local artists in shows and parties at the store. Now all we need is a boyfriend in an emo band!
 
Clothes Optional
2918 N. Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657
773.296.6630
www.myspace.com/clothesoptionalchicago

Hellooooo, Handbags!
 
When you have a handbag fetish as profound as ours, not every handbag will do. We seek not only hotness and glamour, but products by small designers—we are trying to be politically and fashionably correct, you see.
 
So hello, Hello Betty! It's a super chic online shop that carries mostly handcrafted and made-to-order bags that are absolutely T.D.F. From clutches to hobos they're totally unique—so right for feeding the addiction. Enter the Code CHIPICK and save 20% off your purchase!
 
www.hellobettyshop.com

Baby, It’s Cold Outside
 
Are we the only ones who go bananas trying to use our iPhone when we are wearing gloves in chilly Chicago weather? Every time we want to use the darn thing, we have to take off our gloves and submit our poor hands to the biting temperatures.
 
When we complained to a friend, she recommended Dots gloves. They are completely brillie. Simple black gloves with smooth (no scratching!) metal dots on the fingertips so you can use your iPhone or iPod without ever taking them off. Glorious!

She’s Got Legs (She Knows How to Use Them)
 
The wardrobe item that we are going completely crazy for this fall? Tights. We are totally obsessed—colored tights, wool tights, tights with patterns, tights with mini-dresses, tights all day, every day. Our favorite way to wear them is with our Steve Madden runway knockoff booties (so rocker chic).
 
Especially when we pair the booties with our new favorite tights by Shibori. They are fabulous—colorful, hand-dyed, and each pair is totally unique. It’s like wearable art.

Texas de Brazil's Caramel Apple Martini

Careful, or you'll get bambooze-led by this sweet treat! It's more heavenly than any leftover Halloween candy in a plastic pumpkin tin. Texas de Brazil's bartenders create a perfect blend that is sour and sweet—a magical cold-weather concoction. One sip of their Caramel Apple Martini is like taking a relaxing trip to Candyland, with just the right amount of bite to it. Create your own today, or stop in for the real deal.

Caramel Apple Martini
4 oz Van Gogh Wild Apple vodka
1 oz Sour Apple Liqueur
1 splash of Butterscotch Schnapps

Serve in a caramel-rimmed glass paired with a granny smith apple slice, and the world is yours!

Sip & Shop

There is a correlation between some of our fave activities. Namely, sipping leads to shopping. Shopping leads to excitement. And doing it all for a good cause leads to warm fuzzies. Don't miss this event—a portion of the proceeds go to Providing U Motivation to Pursue Success (P.U.M.P.S), a nonprofit that empowers young women to reach their greatest potential!

What: Sip. Shop. Chicago! shopping event
When: Saturday, Nov. 15 4–8 pm
Where: Galleria Unico, 44 E. Superior
Call: 708.945.3816
Visit: www.sipshopchicago.eventbrite.com

Pre-Holiday Get Down
 
The other night we grabbed a bottle of vino and split it with our friend. Who lives in Nashville. We had a digital cocktail hour. Another way to de-stress? The holiday shopping event from The MidWasteland and Eskell. Enjoy drinks and tunes by a DJ, and get your holiday groove on. Chicago Picks readers and friends will receive an extra 25% off all items, including sale items! 
 
What: The Pre-Holiday Holiday Bash 2008
When: Saturday, Nov. 22, 11 am–8 pm
Where: Eskell, 1509 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Call: 773.486.0830
Visit: www.eskell.com, or
www.TheMidWasteland.com for the 25% off coupon

Wine Days

There are a few things that help keep us warm during the winter. Boys. A hefty yet stylish coat. And wine. Get your drink on at the second annual Pinot Days Chicago, featuring 150 pinot noirs from Cali, Oregon, New Zealand, and France. Enjoy specialty food pairings and meet knowledgeable winemakers, who are on hand for questions.
 
What: Pinot Days Chicago
When: Saturday, Nov. 15, 1–5 pm
Where: Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.
Call: 312.595.7437
Cost: $50
Visit: www.pinotdays.com