PopSugar Chicago

A Day in the Life of eDrop-Off's Corri McFadden (and a Sneak Peek of Her New VH1 Show!)

Rebecca Taras — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:00:00 CST

You could say eDrop-Off founder Corri McFadden is somewhat of an overnight success story. After all, it's not every day that a college project - a business plan for a luxury consignment eBay store - turns into a multimillion dollar biz with 37 employees, including stylists, bloggers, and photographers.

While many bricks and mortar shops and boutiques may have been affected by the shaky economy, eDrop-Off brought in over $3 million in sales last year (that's over 50,000 drool-worthy luxury label items) and is trending to sell over $6 million this year. From designers and store owners, to low-key ladies who always wanted a piece of Chanel in their closet, eDrop-Off has a diverse (and stylish) clientele between their Lincoln Park storefront (2117 N. Halsted St., 773-525-7467), Gold Coast pop-up shop (1155 N. State St., 773-525-7467), and online arm.

With both looks and brains, it's no surprise that McFadden caught the attention of television network VH1, so stay tuned to see the savvy fashionista starring in a new reality series this Fall. The show will take viewers through the craziness of running what looks like a glamour only biz. Until then (we promise to follow up with McFadden once the show airs) we've got an insider look into McFadden's life as she balances business, filming, and a social life. Keep reading for the rest of Corrie's fabulously fashionable busy day and for a sneak peek of her VH1 show, coming in January!

A Day in the Life: RSVP Gallery's Marc Moran

Kate Stahl — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:30:00 CDT

We recently told you about the uber-coolness that is RSVP Gallery (1753 N. Damen Ave., Lower Level, 773-770-6666), a land of hip, exclusive merchandise the likes of which attracts celebs like Kanye West and Jay-Z. So who is the man behind the gallery? That would be Marc Moran, a guy cool enough to surround himself with art from Jeff Koons and Takashi Murakami, sell designs from 3.1 Phillip Lim and Alexander Wang, and work with some of Chicago's most promising musicians. He also works with creative company @superfun, which is so hip that I'm still not sure what it even does, besides throw some awesome parties. We followed around Moran to see how a cool kid lives.

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A Day in the Life: The City's Chicest Interior Designer Kara Mann

Kate Stahl — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:30:00 CDT

Chicago's most stylish interior designer, Kara Mann, has gained national notoriety for her edgy-chic aesthetic, which translates just as beautifully to her residential projects as it does on her petite frame, which is most often enhanced by a pair of sky-high Loubs. In short: the girl knows how to dress, both a room and herself. Since opening her design firm in 2005 - the Kara Mann showroom (119 W. Hubbard St.) followed shortly after - the Evanston native has been recognized for her enviable sense of style by publications including InStyle, Vogue, Metropolitan Home, and The New York Times. Currently in the process of renovating her own home, working on projects in Chicago, Dubai, and beyond, opening a New York office, and creating collections for Moore & Giles and Jean de Merry, Mann is just a bit busy these days. Keep clicking to check out a typical day in her very fashionable life.

Source: Kara Mann

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A Day in the Life: Handle With Care's Brinton Coxe

Kate Stahl — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:30:00 CDT

Every stylish Chicago girl fantasizes about owning her own boutique (or is that just me?), but Brinton Coxe actually lives the dream. The New Trier and Tulane grad has been obsessed with fashion for as long as she can remember, but it was just a few years ago that she bought neighborhood staple shop Handle With Care (1706 N. Wells St., 312-751-2929), which has been in business for more than 30 years. Since Coxe took over, the shop has been better than ever, featuring a huge range of apparel from everyday items to outfits perfect for a big night out. So is the boutique-owner life as good as your fantasies? If a day in Coxe's life is any indication: totally.

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A Day in the Life: Lockwood Sous Chef Val Benner

Kate Stahl — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:30:00 CDT

With the rise of Top Chef, No Reservations, and the Food Network, a chef's life might seem more glamorous than ever, but one look at Val Benner's normal day, and you'll realize that the average chef is too busy working to indulge in the perks. Benner, the sous chef at Lockwood at the Palmer House Hilton (17 E. Monroe St., 312-917-3404), has also put in time at the American Club in Kohler, WI, and the Pump Room, but since joining the staff at Lockwood, her food has really begun to shine by turning seasonal farm ingredients into contemporary dishes. She also helped to launch the restaurant’s 2,000-square-foot rooftop garden. Check out a typically busy day in Benner's life below.

5 a.m.: Wake up. Walk my dog Callie and feed her a breakfast of brown rice, kibble, chicken, probiotics, and lard. My breakfast: yerba mate latte with soy milk and honey. Sit down at my vintage refinished dressing table and nurse my yerba mate while making myself presentable for the masses and wake myself up. Walk to the El and hop the blue line into the Loop.
6:30 a.m.: Say hello to the farmers at the Adams Street Farmers Market. Confirm everything they're dropping stuff off at the hotel after the market. Giggle at the fact it's finally apple season: my favorite!
7 a.m.: Walk into the Palmer House Hilton, throw on my clogs and chef's whites, and head up to the 25th floor roof and water my garden. Harvest herbs, flowers, and items for lunch service. Keep reading for the rest of Val's busy day.

A Day in the Life: Jayson Home & Garden's Caroline Scheeler

Kate Stahl — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:40:00 CDT

If you're like me (and pretty much every other design-minded person in Chicago), you're probably obsessed with Jayson Home & Garden (1885 N. Clybourn Ave., 773-248-8180), the chicest, most expertly curated home store in town. Full of curiosities, midcentury-meets-modern furniture and a combination of ethnic, rustic, and sleek accessories, the shop basically looks like my dream home. The eclectic mind behind the vision: Caroline Scheeler (shown above with her equally cool children, Owen and Stella), head buyer for the shop. Scheeler travels the world searching for vintage and contemporary furniture and decorative items, and, luckily for us, brings them all back to the Clybourn corridor. The Chicago native let us in on a day in her incredibly stylish life. Keep reading for her music-, design-, and kid-filled day.

A Day in the Life: Chef and Restaurateur Paul Kahan

Rebecca Taras — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 07:59:26 CDT

Welcome back to A Day in the Life. Last time, we took you through a day with Kelli Zink. This week, we've got the inside scoop on Paul Kahan.

I say "chorizo-stuffed medjool dates with smoked bacon" and you say Avec (615 W. Randolph St., 312-337-2002). Those tasty (and highly addictive) little morsels aren't the only reason people are enamored with executive chef/partner Paul Kahan's cuisine, and his other wildly successful restos (Blackbird, Publican, and Big Star) prove it.

But we're not here to tell you how great Kahan's food is (you already know that) or how many international accolades he has received (including a prestigious James Beard award). We want to get personal with the son of a Chicago delicatessen and smokehouse owner who briefly worked as a computer scientist after college. Whether he's being green or just trying to stay in shape, we love that he treks to and from work via his bike five days a week. Hungry for more? Read on.

A Day in the Life: CelebTV's Kelli Zink

Rebecca Taras — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 08:02:00 CDT

Welcome back to A Day in the Life. Last time, we took you through a day with local designer Lara Miller. This week, we've got the inside scoop on Kelli Zink. From charity events to fashion shows and store openings, she is the face (and voice) of Chicago's social scene, and you'll never see her wear the same outfit twice - ever. But that's just her nighttime gig. Zink is a host on CelebTV.com, a daily celebrity news and gossip website, which keeps her busy traveling between Chicago and LA on a regular basis. You may have also seen her sharing her pop culture insight on CNN Headline News' Nancy Grace and ShowBiz Tonight among several other leading entertainment news shows.

Meanwhile, she finds time to contribute to her new blog, Don't Wait by the Phone, as well as Giuliana Rancic's (E! News) blog, fab.fit.fun, which pretty much describes Zink in a nutshell. If you want to know how somebody who is always in the limelight stays fit while dating a chef (Chicago's own Ryan Poli, pictured), Zink can tell you it comes from her 6 a.m. workouts, never drinking before events, and sticking to a fairly strict seagan diet. Though her routine was no doubt altered during a recent eating-and-drinking tour of Spain with Poli and the culinary team behind his upcoming Tavernita, I saw Zink just a couple of weeks ago, and there was no sign of the culinary excursion. Kinda makes me want to set my alarm an hour earlier. How does she do it? Read on to find out, plus some of her favorite Chicago places.

A Day in the Life: Local Designer Lara Miller

Rebecca Taras — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 08:43:49 CDT

Welcome back to A Day in the Life. Last week, we took you through a day with 555 Designs' Karen Herold. Today, we're going behind the scenes with local designer Lara Miller. Known for her gorgeous hand-loomed and sewn earth-friendly pieces, Miller isn't just getting noticed by Chicago fashionistas; she received the leadership in emerging business award on Capitol Hill from the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce, which speaks volumes for her commitment to the craft of making women look gorgeous while respecting Earth in the process.

Miller uses the city's architectural and cultural landscape as her muse and eco-friendly fibers (think organic and recycled cotton, bamboo, hemp and vegan silk) to create multifaceted pieces that any woman can wear. We love the fact that most of the garments can be wrapped or reversed to create an entirely different look (sounds like the perfect companion to our suitcases when traveling this Summer!) As if devoting blood, sweat, and tears to her label weren't enough, Miller also serves as the executive director of the Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy's on State Street and is a founding member of The Mayor’s Fashion Council, which supports and promotes other fab Chicago designers. How does she get it all done? A day in Lara Miller's life proves that there is no rest for the weary.

Read on to live a day in the life with Lara Miller.

A Day in the Life: 555 Designs' Karen Herold Is the Eye Behind the Girl & the Goat and More

Rebecca Taras — Wed, 18 May 2011 08:02:00 CDT

Aside from the food, it's the ambiance of a restaurant that evokes memories and gets people talking. 555 International is the design firm behind some of the most popular restaurants in town - you may have heard of the Girl & the Goat (809 W. Randolph St., 312-492-6262) and GT Fish & Oyster (531 N. Wells St., 312-929-3501). A native of Ellecom, Holland, Karen Herold is the vice president of design at 555, a position she may have never had if it weren't for meeting her husband-to-be in Europe and moving to Chicago. Herold was introduced to James Geier of 555 International, and the rest is history. Hired as creative director, she was promoted to her current position in 2007. She looks to her native country for design inspiration (Dutch designers and artists as Studio Job, Piet Boon, and Moooi) and travels the country on an almost weekly basis to capture the latest trends. Her self-induced "homework" is dining at restaurants to garner the true customer experience. But what's even more surprising is that she still has time to check her son's homework in the process.Click here to read about a day in the life of Karen Herold.