PopSugar Chicago

Miss the Show? See Highlights From Tory Burch's Runway Debut in Chicago!

Kate Stahl — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:40:00 CST

Last night, Tory Burch brought her Spring 2012 collection - full of dreamy, elegant, 1920s-inspired pieces - to the Field Museum. The packed house of 500 die-hard Tory fans (seriously, the number of Tory Burch logo sightings was overwhelming) was charged, especially when they got to their seats for the American Express-sponsored runway show and found a gift bag stuffed with Tory Burch sunglasses, a tote, and a $50 gift card to the boutique. The enthusiasm continued through the show and after, when InStyle editor and now best-selling author of 100 Unforgettable Dresses Hal Rubenstein interviewed the petite fashion powerhouse. I'll bring you highlights from that conversation soon, but for now, feast your eyes on some of Tory Burch's Spring style fabulousness.

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Stop by Sugar Bliss For Sweets and Style Tomorrow!

Kate Stahl — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:20:01 CST

Cupcakes and sweet styles? What more could a girl want? Tomorrow night, chic Napa shop Cake Plate Boutique is making a stop at one of our favorite cupcake shops, Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique (509 N. Orleans St., 312-845-9669) for an exclusive trunk show from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Stop by the shopping party, and you'll be able to check out look from designers including Milly, Lauren Moffatt (shown above), Trina Turk, Velvet, Lulu Frost jewelry, Tucker, Rachel Antanoff, Orla Kiely, and more! You'll also get to indulge in Napa's other export - wine, of course! - Sugar Bliss cupcakes, shopping discounts, and personal style consultations with Lindsay Kroll and Paige Smith of Cake Plate Boutique. Today's your last chance to RSVP, so do it now! Click here to see the official invite.

The Perfect Sip: Toast to Turkey Wine Tasting at Feast Tonight!

Rebecca Taras — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 07:45:00 CST

Even if you're not on turkey duty, a nice contribution to any meal is a good bottle of vino. If you're looking to impress your dinner mates but your wine knowledge stops after the seven varieties of three buck Chuck at TJ's, then head on over to Feast (1616 N. Damen Ave., 773-772-7100) from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight for a "toasting the turkey" wine tasting.

While you nosh on tasty bites like smoked salmon blinis with sour cream and caviar, assorted cheese and charcuterie, tuna tartar, and smoked duck quesadillas, Feast's sommelier Bret Heiar will take you through a variety of his favorite small batch wines of the holiday season, from red to white and everything else in between. Reservations are not required and the cost per person to attend is only $20, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain when you bring that winning bottle over next Thursday!

Looking for some more holiday fun? Check out our Thanksgiving cooking classes and turkey takeout ideas, and don't forget to tell us what your Thanksgiving plans are too!

Source: Feast

Win Tix to an Exclusive Tory Burch Fashion Show on Wednesday!

Kate Stahl — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:00:00 CST

Earlier this week, we told you about the Tribeca Film Festival, coming to town this weekend (did you enter to win tix?), but film isn't the only thing American Express is bringing to town. This Wednesday, Nov. 16, it's all about fashion! Starting at 7 p.m., AmEx will present an exclusive Tory Burch runway show, Q&A session, and more - hosted by Tory herself at The Field Museum (1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.)! The event is pretty much incredible. First you'll attend a one-hour cocktail reception featuring a presentation of the Tory Burch 2011 resort collection, then you'll sit for a runway show featuring the designer's Spring 2012 collection. Then, following the show, Tory Burch and InStyle fashion director Hal Rubenstein will sit on stage to discuss Tory's inspiration and her thoughts on fashion. Bonus: you'll also get an exclusive Tory Burch gift bag. Drooling yet?

Tickets to the event are available to all American Express card members, but you can win them by following us on Twitter and entering your email and zip code below. So do it now, dolls!

This giveaway has ended. Check out a couple of Burch's beyond-beautiful Spring looks by clicking here.

Lighten Up: 10 Ways to Beat the Daylight Savings Time Blues

Rebecca Taras — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:45:00 CST

While most of us accept the extra hour of Zs we were granted last weekend with relish, there's nothing more depressing than dark skies on the way in and out of work. Buck up ladies and gents; we've got a long road ahead. Here are 10 mood boosters to get you through the doldrums.

Can't even get outside on your lunch break? Get a dose of natural or faux sunlight (aka light therapy) at Whole Health Chicago (2522 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-296-6700).
Get a mega infusion of vitamin D with an oatmeal milkshake (tastes just like a cookie!) at Irazu (1865 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-252-5687) made with loads of rich ice cream.
LOL at one of Improv Olympic Theater's (3541 N. Clark St., 773-880-0190) upbeat and ever-changing performances.
See the light with the golden dawn cocktail (gin, apricot, calvados, orange, and grenadine) from Michael Jordan's Steakhouse (505 N. Michigan Ave., 312-321-8823), part of the hot new steakhouse's seasonal cocktail menu.
Shake your funky mood away with a lively salsa lesson from Salsa Chicago (2725 W. Division St., 773-895-8184).
Faux glow with an Ortanic (available at Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and Halsted Street Fitness Formula Clubs) spray tan and tell all your friends about your amaze Barbados vacation.
Get your holiday shopping done early (and maybe buy a bauble for yourself) at the brightly lit 900 North Michigan Shops (900 N. Michigan Ave.).
Take a Fall escape to a new (or favorite) local destination like the bizarre House on the Rock or the relaxing Lake Geneva.
Act like a kid again at the Millennium Park ice skating rink, set to open on Friday, Nov. 18.
See Michigan Avenue light up for the season at the Magnificent Mile Lights Parade on Saturday, Nov 19.

Source: Millennium Park

Dream of Being a Singing Sensation? Here's Your Chance!

Kate Stahl — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:00:00 CST

Singing is your life. OK, so maybe your not-so-exciting day job is your life, but singing is your passion. Then you've got to stop by the fourth annual Road to Fame contest next week at Mahoney's Pub & Grille (551 N. Ogden Ave., 312-733-2121). Two open calls (Nov. 16 and Nov. 23 from 8 to 11 p.m.) let Chicago's best singers (aka you) belt it out in front of a panel of judges including producer Pogo and Slang Musicgroup owner Vince Lawrence.

Impress the judges and you'll move on to the semifinals on Wednesday, Nov. 30, when the audience will decide who makes it to the Dec. 7 finals, when you'll be crowed the winner (I mean, it's a foregone conclusion, right?). So what do you get? Twenty-four hours of recording and production services from Slang, whose producers have worked for Pink, R. Kelly, Enrique Iglesias, Wyclef Jean, and John Legend. Contestants (only those 21 and older can enter) must reserve a spot by emailing mattk@rushandivision.com with the subject line "I Wanna Sing!" Then get ready for your American Idol moment!

Source: Thinkstock

Calling All Brew Fans: The Beer Hoptacular Is This Weekend!

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

If you're a beer fan (and if you're a Chicagoan, you probably are), there's only one place you should be this weekend: the Beer Hoptacular at Aragon Ballroom (1106 W. Lawrence Ave., 773-561-9500). Last year, the event attracted almost 4,000 brew lovers, who enjoyed craft and specialty beers from 35 breweries from the Midwest and beyond. This Saturday, Nov. 5, all that beer goodness is back again, for two sessions (one in the afternoon from 1 to 4:30 p.m., one in the evening from 6 to 9:30 p.m.). Here's how it works: buy your $35 ticket, and you'll get a souvenir sampling glass that you'll fill up with any (or all, if you're really brave) of the 200-plus beers at the event.

Brewers from Goose Island, Bell's, Finch's Beer Company, Magic Hat, and more will be on hand to give you the deets and provide demos. You'll also find live music and great food, but it's the beer you're going for, so be sure to cast your vote for the Beer Hoptacular beer of the year . . . if you remember after that 50th or so tasting.

Source: Beer Hoptacular

Weekend Pick: Modern Vintage Chicago

Kate Stahl — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:00:00 CDT

If you have any desire to keep your fashionista card, I highly recommend you head to Plumber's Hall (1340 W. Washington, 312-666-1200) this weekend for Modern Vintage Chicago. Why? Well, any self-respecting style lover wouldn't miss a chance to shop vintage clothing, jewelry, and more from designers like Halston, Balenciaga, and Chanel and our city's best indie designers. Modern Vintage is from the same shopping geniuses who put on the Randolph Street Market, who had the smarts to bring the worlds of contemporary design and classic old-school fashion together.

Vintage dealers from Chicago, New York, Texas, and more will sell men's and women's clothing, estate and costume jewelry, handbags, shoes, hats, belts, scarves, textiles, and more on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. While there will be lots of cute no-name vintage wares, if you're anything like us, you'll be on the hunt for Hermes, Dior, Vivienne Westwood, and Pucci. Also on site will be modern-day jewelry and fashion designers including Agga B, Lisa Strecker, Paoo Jewelry, and many, many more. Some new perks for 2011: complimentary furniture delivery to downtown Chicago, a lower advance ticket price ($8; get them here), and $5 shopping vouchers with admission, which you can use on purchases of $25 and up from certain vendors. See you this weekend, and tweet me with any goodies you find!

Think Beyond the Bar: 5 Must-Do Halloween Events

Kate Stahl — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:00:00 CDT

Admit it: you've spent the last five Halloweens in some crowded, no-name bar, wearing a costume you threw together an hour before you left your apartment and already dreading the drama that will be involved in finding a cab home. Or is that just me? Regardless, it's time for a change, and at five awesome Halloween events around town, you'll get a spooky experience that's about more than a half-baked costume and fighting the crowd for a cocktail. Whether you want a scary but cultured experience, a terrifying haunted tour, or a music-fueled ball, keep reading to find the Halloween event just for you.

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About Last Night: Stephanie Izard's Foodie Friends Threw Her One Delicious Party!

Kate Stahl — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:45:00 CDT

Stephanie Izard celebrated the release of her cookbook, Girl in the Kitchen, at the super-cool space Salvage One last night, and it might have been the best party I've ever attended. Why? Well, for one, the food was outstanding. Some of Izard's friends and fellow chefs, including Avec's Koren Grieveson, Primehouse's Rick Gresh, GT Fish & Oyster's Giuseppe Tentori, and Sprout's Dale Levitski (nice friends to have, huh?), each took a dish from the cookbook and used the ingredients to inspire a dish of their own. The results: insanely delicious. There was lots of booze on hand as well, with local brewers, including Goose Island, pouring IPAs, blondes, and more in the cutest little beer steins I've ever seen, and some yummy - and potent - bourbon cocktails (Izard's favorite spirit) created by mixologist Benjamin Schiller. Keep reading to see what you missed (unfortunately, I missed snapping a pic of the woman of the hour, who seemed like she was having the time of her life flitting around among the crowd!), and Stephanie, give me a call next time you throw a bash, OK?

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