PopSugar Chicago

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: 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.

PopSugar City Girl: Chicago Kidswear Designer Lindsey Berns

Kate Stahl — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:03:00 CDT

In just a couple short weeks, I'm expecting my first baby, a little girl who my hubby and I have decided to name Mae after my great-grandmother (don't worry: awesome editor Rebecca Taras will be bringing you all the best of Chicago every day while I'm out bonding with my little lady). As you can imagine, children's clothes have taken on a whole new level of importance in a mind that was previously only obsessed with styles that came in grown-up sizes. But meeting native Chicagoan Lindsey Berns (shown left) last week gave me the best of both worlds. Berns, a Northwestern grad who moved back to the city a year ago from New York to be closer to her family (including her pint-sized niece and nephew), just launched her debut collection of the cutest children's clothes I have ever seen - and believe me, I've seen a lot of sweet stuff in the past nine months. The vintage-denim-inspired collection, made for girls ages 12 months to four years, is somehow both modern and timeless. I have to admit, I wish about half of it came in my size. While Berns doesn't have plans yet for a matching mom-and-daughter line (think about it, Lindsey), she does have great taste . . . in everything. And below, she's sharing an awesome list of her favorite Chicago things with us. Keep reading to check them out, along with a sneak peek of her collection.

This Week's Must-Do List: Bring Out Your Inner Green, Get Some Gossip Girl Bling, and Try the Trapeze

Kate Stahl — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 08:02:00 CST

Registration opens today, Monday, March 7, at 5 p.m. for aerial arts studio Aloft Loft's free taster classes on March 26. At Aloft Loft (2041 W. Carroll, Suite 306, 773-782-6662; shown above), you'll learn some basics of aerial and circus arts on a trapeze or silk rope. Workshops fill up fast (only around 12 students are accepted per class) so be sure to RSVP today!

Common Threads' annual World Festival takes place tonight, March 7, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Soldier Field (1410 Museum Campus Dr., Gate 14, 312-329-2501). Sample cuisine from around the world and from local chefs including Koren Grieveson of Avec, Paul Kahan of Blackbird, Andrew Zimmerman of Sepia, and more. Top Chef's Gail Simmons (shown above) is the honorary host. Tickets are $250, while VIP tickets, which include access to reception from 5 to 6 p.m., an exclusive fashion show, and an afterparty at the James (55 E. Ontario), are $500.

Join in and celebrate the good old days, when '90s hair bands ruled. Classic rocker Bon Jovi comes to the United Center (1901 W. Madison St., 312-455-4500) for two shows on March 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $19.50 to $139.50.

Stop by Sterling & Stones (900 N. Michigan Ave., 6th Fl., 312-278-6637) from 12 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 11, to check out the latest designs from local jeweler TZEN. Designed by Chicagoan Julie Liu, the line has won the prestigious Rising Star Award from Fashion Group International and has been featured on Blake Lively and Kelly Rutherford on Gossip Girl. The trunk show will include a 20 percent discount for all TZEN purchases (loving the black sapphire bracelet shown above) along with free gifts and prizes.

On Friday, the 36th annual Forever Green, Chicago's largest St. Patrick's Day party, takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.). Bands Missing Ted and the Larkin and Moran Brothers will be performing, along with Shannon Rovers and the World Academy Irish Dancers. Advance tickets are $45 for general admission (including Miller Lite and wine) and $60 for VIP, which ups your bar pass to include Jameson and Svedka vodka drinks. Ticket prices increase $5 at the door. All proceeds go to support local charities Dignity Diner, a program serving Chicago’s homeless and hungry, and Raising Awareness, a national MS society.

Source: TZEN, Aloft Loft, and Getty Images

Save the Date: Wine Enthusiast Toast of the Town Coming to Chicago June 17

Kate Stahl — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 08:00:00 CST

Thirty top restaurants and 500 (!!) wines? Sounds like my kind of event. And on Friday, June 17, it will be happening at Wine Enthusiast's Toast of the Town, taking place at the Field Museum (1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.). The event series makes stops in San Francisco, New York, DC, Miami, and, luckily for us, Chicago, and offers gourmet dishes, live music, and most importantly, tastings of lots and lots and lots of wines from around the world.

Some of the restaurants participating this year include Avec, Girl & the Goat, Blackbird, Boka, Piccolo Sogno, Takashi, and The Southern, and you'll be sipping on wines from vineyards including Domaine Chandon, Stags' Leap Winery, De Loach, and many more. Tickets are already on sale, and discounted pricing is available through May 25. VIP tickets (regularly $169, now $149) include early entrance to the event, access to hundreds of reserve wines, and the opportunity to talk with the wine makers and restaurateurs. Regular tickets are now $99 ($109 after May 25). Click here to buy yours now!

Weekend Tips: See a Style Wunderkind, Sip Some New Brew, and Give the Super Bowl a Foodie Spin

Kate Stahl — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 08:02:00 CST

On Friday, 14-year-old Style Rookie blogger and Oak Park native Tavi Gevinson (who's been featured in the New York Times and The New Yorker and has inspired high-end designers including Rodarte) is heading to Chicago to be a guest on live chat show The Interview Show hosted by Mark Bazer at The Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia Ave., 773-227-4433). The show starts at 6:30 p.m., and tickets are $5 at the door.
CityGrounds Coffee Bar (507 W. Dickens St., 773-857-1576) celebrates its grand opening all day on Saturday, Feb. 5. Expect single-origin coffees, addictive Metropolis Coffee, lots of gourmet decaf options, a second floor full of couches and chairs perfect for hanging out, and a European-inspired design. The opening will also feature some surprises, including live performances.
On Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 6, Avec (615 W. Randolph St., 312-377-2002) will add a projection screen showing Super Bowl XLV to its Sunday dinner service. The regular dinner menu will be available, so football fans can order up wood-fired flatbreads, housemade sausages, and panzanella with pineapple-foie gras vinaigrette, along with some game-day specials.

Source: Style Rookie

Save the Date: A Girl-Power Chef Dinner at Hot Chocolate

Kate Stahl — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 08:00:00 CST

Talk about a powerhouse lineup of lady chefs! To celebrate the sixth anniversary of Hot Chocolate (which really does have the best hot chocolate in town), chef Mindy Segal has enlisted six of the best female chefs not only from Chicago, but from around the country, to participate in one must-attend dinner event.

Avec's Koren Grieveson, Girl & the Goat's Stephanie Izard, Naomi Pomeroy of Portland's Beast (a Food & Wine Best New Chef 2009), Missy Robbins of New York's A Voce (a Food & Wine Best New Chef 2010), and Celina Tio, a former Iron Chef contestant and chef at Kansas City's Julian, will all join Segal on Feb. 28. The six-course dinner will take place at Hot Chocolate (1747 N. Damen Ave., 773-489-1747) and will include beer pairings from New Belgium Brewery. Tickets are $200, a small price to pay for this once-in-a-lifetime experience, and all proceeds will benefit Share Our Strength. Call Hot Chocolate at 773-489-1747 to buy yours.

Source: Hot Chocolate

Food News: New Menus at Two of My Fave Dinner Spots

Kate Stahl — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 08:01:00 CST

Two of my favorite eateries, Avec and Mana Food Bar, which both strangely have interiors that look a bit like saunas (see Avec, above, and Mana, below), recently announced new menus for Winter. I love any excuse to visit them again, and a lavender-scented rabbit terrine and Brussels sprouts with miso mustard are calling my name!

Avec (615 W. Randolph St., 312-377-2002) just announced a new collection of Mediterranean small and large plates. Small plates include sardine escabache served with hard-cooked egg salad; Burrata cheese with charred leeks and saba (a grape juice reduction); lavender-scented rabbit terrine with Swiss chard; and seared sturgeon, cauliflower, grapefruit, and fennel. Large plates sound just as delicious, especially the wood-fired flatbread with Merguez sausage, golden raisins, red potatoes, Meyer lemon, and anchovies.

Mana Food Bar (1742 W. Division St., 773- 342-1742) often reminds me that I could totally be a vegetarian - as long as I eat chef Jill Barron's food every day. New dishes on Mana's menu sound insanely yummy: potato-farmer's cheese pierogi seared in brown butter and served with apples and dill, mushroom and corn tamales with fire-roasted tomato salsa, and saag paneer, a dish that pairs spinach, cheese, and spiced yogurt and serves it over couscous. New sides include Brussels sprouts with miso mustard and polenta with Asiago cheese.

Honey, I think I know where we're going to dinner tonight . . . and tomorrow night.

Source: Avec by Doug Fogelson and Mana Food Bar by Grant Kessler