Weekend Recommender: May 17–20
See a new film to support the Lincoln Park Zoo, shop an anniversary sale, and enjoy a fashionable feast.
May 17, 2012
Krista K's sleek Lakeview boutique celebrates its 10-year anniversary.
2nd Annual Chicago Film Premiere
Thursday, May 17, 6:30–10 PM
The Green Living Project, a film production company that shares stories about global sustainability, recently turned its lens to the Lincoln Park Zoo’s Nature Boardwalk, a buzzing ecosystem for wildlife in the heart of Chicago. The resulting film and a grouping of other Chicago-centric stories will premiere at the zoo’s Café Brauer tonight, preceded by a VIP Reception. For tickets, a portion of which will benefit the zoo’s conservation projects, visit greenlivingproject.com/chicago2012/. 2021 N. Stockton Dr, 312-742-2000
Krista K 10th Anniversary
Friday, May 18–Sunday, May 20
Krista Kaur Meyers’ upscale Lakeview boutique celebrates 10 years of successful business this weekend. Since opening shop in 2002, Krista K has doubled its retail space, opened a second location nearby for maternity and baby, and ventured into the world of e-commerce. It’s now a one-stop shop for labels such as Elizabeth and James, Helmut Lang, Mother jeans, Current/Elliot, Rebecca Minkoff, and more. In honor of the anniversary, the boutique is hosting a weekend-long sale (and offering special treats like cupcakes). Friday-Sunday; 10 AM-7 PM, 10 AM-6 PM, 12 PM-5 PM, respectively. 3458 N. Southport Ave., 773-248-1968
Buzzed on Fashion
Saturday, May 19, 11 AM–2:30 PM; Fashion Show, 1 PM
Celebrate the best that Old Town has to offer this Saturday, starting with a champagne brunch at Benchmark. Enjoy Prosecco (and an assortment of mimosa mix-ins, of course) while the fresh faces of Factor Models showcase spring/summer looks from area boutiques Sara Jane, Handle with Care, and cityblue. Guests will also leave with a discount card for each store, good through the entire weekend. For reservations ($25), e-mail Kevin Doherty at kevin@fourcornerstaverns.com. 1510 N. Wells St., 312-649-9640
Market Restaurant Reveals a Revamped Roof Deck
Spend a cool summer evening atop this Near West Side hotspot enjoying summer cocktails and small plates.
May 17, 2012
In a city where practically every restaurant can pull back its front wall of windows to let the outdoors in, Market stands above the rest with its newly renovated rooftop. Although the patio opened to the public earlier this month, the official launch party is set for the weekend of June 1.
With seating for 200 in swanky booths and umbrella-covered tables, and boasting a built-in runway/stage (an ideal spot for the nightly live DJ), the revamped roof is the ultimate place for an evening party. But the absolute clincher on the Near West Side spot is the breathtaking scenery: the deck offers unrivaled 360-degree views of the city.
The available drink menu is extensive, with a few new cocktails hitting the mark for summer. Affair in Paris combines Voli Lyte, champagne, and a house-made strawberry puree; and for the guys, The Gentleman mixes Gentleman Jack Whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters. Market is also the only spot in the city to offer the complete line of Skinnygirl beverages for those seeking a bikini-conscious cocktail, and bottle service is available, too.
Since the new layout is so conducive to sharing appetizers, the Market rooftop will serve a selection of shareable small plates for the first time. Menu mainstays include cheese and meat or hummus platters, and the restaurant’s renowned Market Minis (Wagyu beef sliders). 1113 W. Randolph St., 312-929-4787
Q&A With: DreamHome Interior Designer Thomas Bucherie
The man behind the DreamHome’s outdoor space shares tips for our own backyards.
May 16, 2012
Last month, the Merchandise Mart unveiled its DreamHome 2012—a group of showrooms that together create a gorgeous home designed by the city’s top interior designers. The DreamHome, which is open for visitors to view, boasts a bevy of decorating ideas, but none quite so fitting for the season as the outdoor dining space designed by Thomas Bucherie of Thomas Bucherie Designs. Bucherie’s space is modern but inviting, and it’s easy to imagine it filled with friends on a warm summer evening. The designer talks to us about his inspirations and how to make our own outdoor spaces DreamHome-worthy.
What was your inspiration for the DreamHome’s outdoor dining space?
THOMAS BUCHERIE: My inspiration was two-fold: I wanted to showcase products, accessories, and fabrics that had a luxurious feel and were reminiscent of indoor items, while bringing attention to the high-end, quality, and unexpectedly outdoor-friendly products that are available today. Secondly, I wanted to create an environment that mixed contemporary items and rustic pieces. I thought of it as "Miami Beach meets Martha's Vineyard."
How is designing outdoor spaces in Chicago different than in other cities?
TB: Chicago—along with the Midwest in general—really comes alive in the spring and summer; people come out of hibernation and embrace the outdoors. To that end, it's important to provide clients with an exciting but effortless outdoor environment that is not only beautiful and comfortable, but can serve multiple functions. I like to provide clients with the ability to really enjoy and love their outdoor spaces as much as the weather allows.
How can Chicagoans liven up their outdoor spaces for spring?
TB: Add unconventional colors in unexpected ways. [Pieces from] Room and Board's line of 100% recycled furniture, such as the Adirondack, [come] in fresh new colors; we love that it's made from recycled milk jugs! Scatter vividly colored small occasion tables about your current outdoor furniture. Try using electric flame candles in various sizes and colors to add light, interest, and drama to your space, without the hassle and clean-up of wax candles.
What are a few of your favorite places in the city for outdoor furniture and accessories?
TB: Haymaker (5507 N. Clark St.) has brightly colored, powder-coated steel occasional tables. Architectural Artifacts (4325 N. Ravenswood Ave.) is a treasure trove of offbeat and interesting items, and many of them can be repurposed for outdoor use. Primitive Artworks (130 N. Jefferson St.) has an amazing collection of statuary and over-scaled metal pots to dress up an outdoor space. Thomas Bucherie Designs, 1056 W. Lawrence Ave., 312-608-5628
Visit the 2012 DreamHome at Merchandise Mart, Monday–Saturday, 10 AM–3 PM through December 7. 222 Merchandise Mart Plz., 1st Fl., 800-677-6278
Chicago Creation: Sir & Madame Leather Carrier
Utilitarian-chic unisex bag will take you through the city in style.
May 16, 2012
Recently, Ukrainian Village boutique Sir & Madame released its unisex leather carrier ($275). Complete with a handheld-device-accessible back pocket and signature Sir & Madame embossed patch, the oversized, limited-edition tote is available in an array of colors. Our pick is the two-tone look of the cognac and tan carrier, but other monochromatic leathers include hazlenut, red, navy, cognac, and pebble grain.
The bag’s translation to both sexes is appropriate considering it was co-designed by the husband-and-wife team behind Sir & Madame, Brian and Autumn Merrit. Heavy-duty handles ensure that the bag is a practical-chic masterpiece for everything from toting a laptop to carrying your favorite newspaper. A slightly shabby leather look is in line with Sir & Madame’s signature style, as is the bag’s locally sourced story—the leather is from Chicago’s Horween Leather Company and the bags are produced in the USA. 938 N. Damen Ave., 773-489-6660
Fashion Blogger Jena Gambaccini’s Lincoln Park
Style blogger and Lincoln Park resident shares neighborhood favorites and hosts an event at Juicy Couture this week.
May 15, 2012
When local fashion blogger Jena Gambaccini of ChiCityFashion isn’t bringing the runways of New York, Paris, and Milan to Chicago, or acting as eDrop-Off’s social media coordinator, she’s relaxing in her Lincoln Park neighborhood. We got Gambaccini’s take on her favorite nearby haunts and the scoop on an event she’s hosting tomorrow night at Juicy Couture.
What do you love most about Lincoln Park?
JENA GAMBACCINI: I like to explore various neighborhoods in the city and Lincoln Park is the perfect central location. It’s got that neighborhood feel without being too secluded.
How would you describe the style of people that live there?
JG: Overall it's a pretty casual and easy-going neighborhood; there are a lot of college students, and moms wearing Lululemon [Athletica].
What are some of your favorite neighborhood places to eat and shop?
JG: I get all of my beauty products at Blueberry Moon (2108 N. Halsted St.), and all the shops on Armitage Avenue (between Sheffield Ave. and Halsted St.) are really great. There's a lot of great food too—Cookie Bar (2475 N. Lincoln Ave.) has the best cookies in the city; Floriole (1220 W. Webster Ave.) is one of my favorite bakeries; and for a casual atmosphere and great food, DMK (2954 N. Sheffield Ave.) and Fish Bar (2956 N. Sheffield Ave.) are my favorites.
Describe the perfect day in your neighborhood, and what would be your ideal outfit for it?
JG: If I'm not working and it's nice outside, I like to just take a walk—and sometimes I find myself at Sweet Mandy B's (1208 W. Webster Ave.). For work and on the weekends, my typical outfit includes bright or printed pants, wedges, and a loose blouse. I don't feel like myself unless I have some color on, so you'll always find at least one bright element in every one of my outfits. For evening, I love a good shift dress.
Catch Gambaccini in person at Oak Street’s Juicy Couture outpost tomorrow night, Wednesday, May 16, 6-8 PM. The label’s spring and summer collections will be on display/for sale, and Gambaccini will be on hand to style perfect weekend wardrobes for the season. Cocktails, light bites, sketch illustrations, and a donation made to PAWS are more enticing reasons to attend. RSVP to rsvp@skirtpr.com. 101 E. Oak St., 312-280-1637
Photography by Amy Creyer
Local Interior Designers Delight at LA’s LEGENDS of La Cienega
Nate Berkus and Suzanne Lovell represent Chicago at the prestigious LEGENDS of La Cienega.
May 15, 2012
Last week, the shops of the La Cienega Design Quarter temporarily proffered control of their front window spaces to interior designers as part of the fourth annual LEGENDS of La Cienega event. Although in the past exclusive to local LA designers, this year’s LEGENDS broadened its scope to include top designers and a few up-and-comers from around the nation and even the world—among them Nate Berkus and Suzanne Lovell of Chicago. The expansion pays appropriate homage to the 2012 theme, Windows to the World.
For his display, Nate Berkus channeled Mexico City behind the window of antiques and furniture shop Hollywood at Home. In true Berkus style, the display draws on vibrant colors, with neutral geometric objects balancing out the floor-to-ceiling greenery. The result is a space that literally brings the outdoors in.
Just a few blocks north, Suzanne Lovell designed a display at Hollyhock, an eclectic antiques and decorative arts store. Rather than spotlighting a single location as her muse, Lovell was inspired by literary journeys—the places discovered when reading a book. Her space reflects that idea with soft yellows and cozy chairs, just begging for a relaxing book read. The window displays will remain up until May 18.
To vote for Chicago’s best window display, head to our PROJECTWindows page>>
MCA’s 'First Fifty' Exhibit Celebrates Its Roots
To mark the museum's milestone anniversary, an exhibit pays homage to the pieces that started it all.
May 14, 2012
This season marks the 45th anniversary of the Museum of Contemporary Art’s decision in the late 1960s to become a collecting institution. In "First Fifty," a new exhibit that opened over the weekend, the museum pays tribute to the first 50 artworks it collected (from 1968 through 1974), the cornerstone pieces that subsequently shaped the identity of the MCA.
Of those premiere pieces, only 19 remain in the MCA’s permanent collection—some were sold to private individuals in auction and will be displayed as photographic reproductions. The other missing items were deaccessioned and are represented in this exhibit by related materials from the archives. Displayed in chronological order, the exhibit starts with a sculpture entitled Six Women by Marisol, a Venezuelan artist that was donated to the MCA in 1968. The 49 works following include pieces from Enrico Baj, Alexander Calder, Chuck Close, and many more. "First Fifty" runs through August 19. 220 E. Chicago Ave., 312-280-2660
Bloomingdale’s Beautifies the “Brown Bag Lunch”
Legendary department store offers shoppers a beauty-laden lunch with Allium partnership.
May 14, 2012
Beginning this week, Bloomingdale's and Allium team up to reinvent the classic brown bag lunch with a gourmet—and low-calorie—collaboration. In a creative twist on the iconic small, medium, and big brown bags that tote Bloomingdale's purchases, The Brown Bag Lunch ($35), features a 500-calorie, three-course lunch menu and accompanying makeover.
Allium is accessible from Bloomingdale’s, making its offered meal the perfect healthy boost for a midday shopping trip. On the seasonally rotating menu from executive chef Kevin Hickey, a mosaic terrine of white asparagus and leeks, served with asparagus coulis and an herb salad, stands as the current starter. The main course is chicly color-blocked—grilled wild salmon is perched atop purple beet quinoa and vibrant green English pea relish—and dessert’s palette-pleasing 99% pure chocolate, non-dairy sorbet makes for the perfect finish.
Brown Bag Lunch participants will also be treated to a Coffee to Cocktails makeover at the Bobbi Brown cosmetics counter inside Bloomingdale's, before or after their meal. Primping, plus lunch and even a takeaway cosmetics bag, make for the ulitmate relaxation with friends. If it’s just the food you’d like, the lunch itself is $25. Available 11 AM-3 PM; Monday-Friday; May 14-September 3; reserve a spot by calling 312-649-2337. Allium, 120 E. Delaware Pl.
Chicago Creation: Jeneration X
Local author Jen Lancaster’s latest memoir is a must-pack beach book.
May 11, 2012
For the perfect summer read, pack Chicagoan Jen Lancaster’s latest memoir, Jeneration X (NAL, $30), in your beach bag. The pages provide a hilarious look at the author (and fellow Gen X-ers) as she attempts to—finally—act her age. A nationwide tour brings Lancaster back to Chicago on Monday, where she’ll be signing copies of the new book at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville (7 PM).
Lancaster’s breakout memoir, Bitter is the New Black, was published in 2006 and instantly became a cult classic. Since then, she has published five other memoirs and one novel. Although each of the memoirs focuses on different issues—money problems, surviving in a big city, her struggle with weight, and in Jeneration X, coming to terms with adulthood, Lancaster’s books chronicle the comical and all-too-relatable misadventures of a young adult living and working in the city. She tackles topics from grief to karma to buying a house by putting her own signature spin on them, and never fails to keep readers laughing while she does it. For even more from this witty writter, check out jennslyvania.com. 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, 630-355-2665
Photography by Jeremy Lawson
Brunch Plans: Mother’s Day Offerings
Pass on breakfast-in-bed and take mom out to one of the great brunches being served in her honor.
May 11, 2012
At Storefront Company, mom gets a complimentary box of macaroons with her meal.
Mon Ami Gabi
10:30 AM-3 PM
Celebrate mom with a Parisian-style brunch on the patio at Mon Ami Gabi, Lincoln Park’s fabulous French eatery. The spot doesn’t normally serve a morning meal, but executive chef Ben Goodnick will be whipping up sweet crepes, waffles, and French toast, as well as savory quiches and crepes, for the occasion. Mothers can also indulge in a take-home treat. 2300 N. Lincoln Park W., 773-348-8886
Storefront Company
10 AM-4 PM
Storefront Company chef Bryan Moscatello offers up gourmet twists on classic brunch bites, like the blue crab omelette with Canadian bacon, marscapone, tomato vinaigrette, and onion straws. The cottage cheese blintz (herbed sage crepes, blackberry, and ginger preserves) is a must-try starter, and Storefont’s special brunch cocktails will complement any fare well. In celebration of Mother’s Day, every mom will be gifted with a box of house-made macaroons in three flavors: meyer lemon, raspberry ganache, and pistachio. 1941 W. North Ave., 773-661-2609
Cucina Paradiso
10:30 AM-3 PM
If you’d rather not venture into the city for the big day, celebrate family-style at Oak Park’s Italian eatery, Cucina Paradiso. The well-stocked brunch buffet includes salads—from traditional Caprese or Caesar to Italian signatures like antipasto and five-cheese tortellini pasta salad—and a full range of breakfast/lunch options, such as cinnamon French toast and stuffed pork tenderloin. For dessert, a selection of Italian butter cookies, pastries, and biscotti is the perfect finish. $25 prix-fixe per person; $13 per child 12 and under; reservations required. 814 North Blvd., Oak Park, 708-848-3434
