First there was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday, then Small Business Saturday, but the newest shopping holiday — Buy Local Week — starts tomorrow, and we're digging the concept. The weeklong event, which runs from Nov. 25 through Dec. 4, encourages you Windy City shoppers to shop local businesses when you're crossing off your holiday gift list. According to the video above, featuring the very cool Kiran Advani, the fashion program director for the Chicago Office of Tourism, and Unwrap Chicago, if every household in Chicago would move $100 of its holiday budget from chain stores to locally owned merchants, it would add $25 million to the local economy. How amazing is that? I can't think of a better excuse to visit all of my favorite indie boutiques this weekend!
It's the same thing every year. The mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, turkey, and pie all taste so good going down and just when you don't think you can eat any more, out comes the late-night sammies. Cut to the next morning when you're experiencing some (slight) eater's regret. There's nothing better than a kick-ass workout to get your mind and body back on track. What's yours? Place your vote, and I'll follow up with a post on our winner. Have a great Thanksgiving, and I'll see you at the gym!
Thanksgiving's tomorrow, and we're taking the day off to eat too much, drink some wine, and enjoy some family bonding, but we wouldn't leave you hanging without some tips for this week's other holiday: Black Friday. Here are 10 things to know before you hit the streets with the rest of America for some mad shopping.
- Head to Topshop (830 N. Michigan Ave., 312-280-6834) for the Black Friday Fashion Dash. The first 100 customers in line will receive a prize, and if you spend $100, you'll receive a bespoke woolen-bow headband while supplies last. Also, you'll receive 30 percent off on knitwear all day.
- Cityblue Apparel & Denim in Old Town (1444 N. Wells St., 312-664-2222) is offering 25 to 50 percent off during an all-day tiered sale. From 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. you'll get 50 percent off, but each hour, from 2 to 7 p.m., the savings go down to 25 percent off. In other words, the earlier you shop, the better deals you’ll get on designs from C/Fan, Jules, L.A.M.B., and more
- Le Dress (1741 W. Division St., 773-697-9855) is having special hours and a round-the-clock sale on everything in the store, including dresses from Milly, Shoshanna, Jay Godfrey, and Corey Lynn Calter, coats from Dolce Vita, and jewelry from Viv & Ingrid. Get 40 percent off from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 30 percent off from 12 to 3 p.m., and 20 percent off from 3 to 7 p.m.
- Stop by Sarca (710 N. Wabash, 312-255-0900) to save 20 percent on all full-priced merchandise, including clothing, shoes, and accessories from Haute Hippie, Alice by Temperley, and Tania Spinelli on Black Friday and Saturday, Nov. 26.
- New Bucktown boutique The Edit (1917 N. Damen, 773-252-3350) is offering 25 percent of all full-priced merchandise, including apparel and accessories from Bec & Bridge, Paper Crown, and Smythe.
- Handle with Care (1706 N. Wells St., 312-751-2929) is celebrating Black Friday all weekend long with 10 percent off all full-priced merchandise and 60 percent off sale items from lines such as Autumn Cashmere, Halston Heritage, and J Brand. Also, spend $150 and you'll receive a $25 gift card to be used in January or February 2012.
- The 900 Shops (900 N. Michigan Ave., 312-915-3916) is offering complimentary coat check from Nov. 25 through Dec. 24. Take the elevator to level six and pick up your coat when you leave the mall. No purchase is necessary.
- Lustre Skin Boutique (1755 N. Damen Ave., 773-278-8777) is offering a Black Friday weekend special from Nov. 25 to 27. Get a microdermabrasion treatment for $65 ($110 value). Make your appointment ASAP as spaces are limited.
- If you're shopping in Wicker Park or Bucktown on Black Friday, bring your receipt to Sabor Saveur (2013 W. Division St., 773-235-7310) and receive 10 percent off your dinner.
- Shopping in Lakeview, Lincoln Park, or Wrigleyville Nov. 25? Bring your receipt to Barrio Urban Taqueria (714 W. Diversey Pkwy., 773-360-8316) and you'll receive a complimentary dessert for lunch or dinner.
From Thanksgiving to New Year's, food is a major focus: sweet treats, apps galore, and, of course, the libations. If you're planning on being the hostess with the mostess any time soon, then learn a few tricks of the trade at one of these upcoming classes.
- Eat, Drink, and Be Merry is the name of the class taking place at the Chopping Block (Merchandise Mart Plaza, Ste. 107 , 312-644-6360) on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Perfect for the gal ready to host a dinner party, you'll learn how to make sausage and herbed cheese stuffed mushrooms, sautéed beef tenderloin, broccoli and cauliflower gratin, and pumpkin donuts with cinnamon sugar for dessert. The cost is $85 per person, which includes two glasses of wine or beer.
- Pastry chef and cookbook author Sarah Levy is as sweet as the treats she makes in her shop, Sarah's Pastries & Candies (70 E. Oak St., 312-664-6223; Macy's, 111 N. State St., 312-781-3004). See (and taste) for yourself at Mariano's Fresh Market (333 E. Benton Pl., 312-228-1349) on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m., when she'll demonstrate how to make three sinful holiday desserts: apricot coconut macaroons, chocolate cupcakes with cocoa fudge frosting, and decadent chocolate almond toffee. There's no cost to attend and there's free wine to boot.
- Forget holiday shopping. Blow off a weekend afternoon learning how to make a jubilant punch bowl at Cooking Fools (1916 W. North Ave., 773-276-5565) on Sunday, Dec. 11, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Resident mixologist Angie Jackson and mixologist Lynn House (chief mixologist for Blackbird) will teach you how to make seasonally inspired ice molds and three old-school punches — one of which dates back to 1848! And to keep you from getting tipsy, appetizers will be provided by the chefs at Cooking Fools.
- Shaken or stirred, who doesn't love a good martini? Give the ol' 007 a festive makeover at Chen's (3506 N. Clark St., 773-549-9100) holiday martini class on Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. While noshing on a bevy of hors d'oeuvres, you'll learn how to make five adult beverages including the Christmas martini, the rising suntini, the pomegranatini, the mint chocolate martini, and a "students' choice" martini, which leaves room for creativity — or trial and error. The class is only $20, which is reimbursed to you in the form of a Chen's gift certificate for a future visit (sushi anyone?).
- Speaking of our affinity for maki, SushiSamba Rio (504 N. Wells St., 312-595-2300) is hosting a sushi and sake class ($75 per person) also on Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Who knows? Maybe the flights of sake you'll drink will help you out when you're learning to roll sushi. In addition, you'll pick up some sake food pairing tips while tasting nibbly bites of tempura, edamame, and sashimi.
Source: Chen's
The Best Black Wednesday Bashes
Happy Black Wednesday! Whether you're looking for a bar crawl, some adventurous eats (turkey testicles, anyone?), or just a spot to meet up with friends and family, there's a Chicago bar or restaurant (like Barn & Company, shown left) ready to serve you silly. Just remember, Thanksgiving is best enjoyed without a (huge) hangover.
Thierry Lasry
