Pretty Bras That’ll Give Even The Most Petite-Sized Gals A Push
We all know about the plight of the buxom when it comes to finding a bra that fits correctly, but what about our smaller-chested sisters? Turns…Read More
Shop It Now1 Girl, 4 Looks: Local Beauty Guru Mercedes Parra
Mercedes Parra is the go-to friend we all dream of having. She's cool, relatable, chic, and, just for good measure, a beauty consultant, too. But wait, there's more! We think Mercedes has the sartorial savvy to add fashion stylist to her impressive resume as well.
We spent the day with this sophisticated Chicagoan to find out what she's stoked to wear this spring and summer, and, while we were at it, picked her brain about everything from style inspiration to shopping wish lists (and, of course, plenty of makeup advice). Click through for four Mercedes-styled outfits and find out why you'll want to get in good with this beauty pro, ASAP.
We spent the day with this sophisticated Chicagoan to find out what she's stoked to wear this spring and summer, and, while we were at it, picked her brain about everything from style inspiration to shopping wish lists (and, of course, plenty of makeup advice). Click through for four Mercedes-styled outfits and find out why you'll want to get in good with this beauty pro, ASAP.
1 Girl, 4 Looks: Chicago's Friendliest Fashion Blogger
Meet Rachel-Marie Jones, style blogger and popular girl du jour in Chi-town. If you haven't already added her blog, Jag Lever, to your Google reader, it's time. We admire her style, effortless cool, and sartorial risk-taking, so we had to pick her brain about all things spring fashion, while snapping a few photos, of course. What should you know about Rachel-Marie? She's got a fearless fashion sense, she might be the nicest person ever, and she's starting to get recognized on the street. No really, it happened during our shoot. If your warmer-weather style is already feeling routine or predictable, take a cue from Rachel-Marie and try something unexpected. She's more than happy to tell you—and show you—how.
Closet Tour: Corri McFadden Shows Us What She's Got
Corri McFadden is the business-owning, style-strutting Chicagoan gal you can catch on blogs, radio shows, and pretty much anywhere you'd look for sartorial stimulation. Her eBay-based business, e-Drop Off, is a go-to for anyone doing some serious designer digging. And now, she can also add "reality TV star" to her resume, since her show, House Of Consignment, premieres on VH1 in exactly one month!
Ahead of the big debut, we stole a moment with this busy lady to get the goods on something we've always wondered about—her closet, of course. How does the girl with endless access to designer brands, luxury looks, and rare finds actually decide what makes it into her wardrobe? Turns out, Corri's got the savvy to make sure that only what she loves (and looks great in) makes the final cut. Click through to read her rules for building and managing the wardrobe you've always wanted, then start DVRing House Of Consignment, come March, to see all of those to-die-for clothes in action.
Ahead of the big debut, we stole a moment with this busy lady to get the goods on something we've always wondered about—her closet, of course. How does the girl with endless access to designer brands, luxury looks, and rare finds actually decide what makes it into her wardrobe? Turns out, Corri's got the savvy to make sure that only what she loves (and looks great in) makes the final cut. Click through to read her rules for building and managing the wardrobe you've always wanted, then start DVRing House Of Consignment, come March, to see all of those to-die-for clothes in action.
Inside The Home Of One Need-To-Know Local Artist
Meet Stephen Eichhorn, a local multimedia artist whose dreamy collages have us thinking about a total home do-over (with art in every room!). We love Stephen's work, and couldn't help wondering what the home of an inspired artist might look like. Plus, he's a living example of how Chicago guys can get maximum style with not-too-much effort. It doesn't have to be all pocket squares and cufflinks, and Stephen is proof. Read on for a look inside Stephen's minimalist, Ukrainian Village home, plus find out what exciting projects he's got on deck for 2012 (including one very enticing fashion-focused item!).
My Style: Tavi's Hair Stylist Invites Us In
In addition to styling the tresses of mega-blogger Tavi Gevinson, Bathsheba Nemerovski earns cool points for a host of other reasons. You'll see what we mean once you take a spin through her classic and incredibly well-styled Chicago space. Bathsheba is all about more-is-more, and we can't wait to take a cue from this vintage-packed, art-covered den of inspiration. Read on to learn more about our girl crush, and if your locks need love, visit her and her team at Sparrow Salon. If her home is any indication, Chicago needs as much creative QT with Bathsheba as it can get.
My Style, Power Couple Edition: Maria Ponce & Trey Berre
We know you love a good peek into Chicago's most stylin' homes, but this month we have our eye on a two-fer. Enter Maria Ponce and Trey Berre, who may have had the busiest year ever. In addition to racking up professional projects that include major photo shoots and a killer line of men's accessories, this Chi-town power couple happened to get, you know, married. But that wasn't the only merger we were interested in—their shared space is the perfect example of how two different (but totally complementary) aesthetics come together to create something stunning.
Click through for a snoop around this couple's envy-worthy home, and learn how to make your personal style and interior design skills fit for two.
Click through for a snoop around this couple's envy-worthy home, and learn how to make your personal style and interior design skills fit for two.
My Style: Kara Mann Takes Us Inside Her Posh Digs
You'll find Kara Mann's interior design genius everywhere from Gold Coast homes to print mags and design blogs. And very soon, she'll be extending her style footprint from here to New York, where she's prepping a soon-to-open satellite office. But before she heads east, we managed to steal a moment with one of Chicago's most prized decor gurus, in the one space that matters more than any other – her own. During our tour of Kara's envy-inducing home, we got all the super-insidery dish on hidden Chicago shopping gems, easy ways to hone your eye, and even her own plans for the future. Warm up your coffee, hang up the phone, and settle in for one of our favorite My Style stories ever.
1 Girl, 4 Looks From A Fashion-Industry Renaissance Lady
Chelsea McGrath is the sort of girl who is likely to inspire some jealousy. She's an ace at branding, styling, marketing, and, just for good measure, her wardrobe is insane. In addition to being the branding director for Sofia, she's got, like, three other cool jobs on her resume. Sigh. It's no wonder why we tracked down Chelsea for a photo-shoot and dish session about the methods to her stylish genius. She's making it look easy, and we're taking her relaxed approach to heart. Let Chelsea's laid-back but perfectly put-together vibe change the way you think about your current closet combinations. Take a walk around the Gold Coast in Chelsea's (amazing) shoes, and see how she's showing Chicago how to step out looking so damn good. And, right here, we have four totally steal-able looks ready for you to test-drive this fall.
Nate Berkus' Design Directors Show Off Their Chicago
Ever since your last bad wallpaper incident, you've left your interior-design choices to the professionals. And there are no pros more posh than Lauren Gold and Sasha Adler, design directors at Nate Berkus Associates. While Mr. Berkus balances his jam-packed schedule (including, you know, a TV show), these ladies keep things oh-so-cute on the home-front—literally. Luckily, we had the pleasure of spending some quality time with Lauren and Sasha to find out where Chicago's coolest design minds love to spend their downtime. We also got a dose of their super-covetable personal style, and are now plotting the greatest closet-copy in history. Read on for an exclusive chat with our city's most impressive design duo, and score some style secrets, interior-design tips, and a unique look at some of Chicago's best shopping and dining—all through the eyes of two total stars.
My Style: Inside Style Editor Heiji Choy Black's Posh Pad
If you've ever wanted to get friendly with your favorite style editor, you're not alone. Heiji Choy Black, style editor at Chicago Magazine, is pretty much our dream BFF. She's tackled the style world from every angle, whether it's editorial, personal styling, or owning her own boutique, Heiji knows her way around looking good. We're giving you the chance to be a virtual fly on the wall in her gorgeous home, without the pesky trappings of breaking and entering or trespassing. Read on for a look at what happens when one of the city's coolest fashion editors brings her work home with her—literally. Heiji's soothing space will get your head right, and you might even learn a trick or two to try in your own abode.
What professional projects are you most excited about right now?
"I am really enjoying my position as style editor at Chicago Magazine. I love bringing to light notable Chicagoans, their passions, their inner workings and styling them for the magazine. I also love putting together items for features like the one in the August issue on coffee and tea. It reminds me of the old Hejfina days of curating and bringing together exciting new products in a thoughtful and visually interesting way."
"I am also the business manager for a clothing line called Bodkin. Bodkin is designed by my friend Eviana Hartman. Eviana is so talented and thoughtful—every piece from the line is covetable, but she also puts incredible thought into the materials she uses and the end impact on the environment in every one of her business choices. The fall collection is full of cozy sweaters and beautiful blouses. I particularly love the Argonne jacket—it's my eco version of the Chanel jacket."
Has anyone in your life influenced your personal style?
"My mother was a huge inspiration for me. She loved fashion as much as I do, and maybe even more. As a child I would spend hours perusing and trying on pieces from one of her four walk in closets or from her huge collection of costume jewelry. I remember times when I didn't understand her fashion choices, but now I realize that she was fearless and dedicated to trying new fashions despite the fact that we lived in a fairly unfashionable Southern Virginian coastal town."
What professional projects are you most excited about right now?
"I am really enjoying my position as style editor at Chicago Magazine. I love bringing to light notable Chicagoans, their passions, their inner workings and styling them for the magazine. I also love putting together items for features like the one in the August issue on coffee and tea. It reminds me of the old Hejfina days of curating and bringing together exciting new products in a thoughtful and visually interesting way."
"I am also the business manager for a clothing line called Bodkin. Bodkin is designed by my friend Eviana Hartman. Eviana is so talented and thoughtful—every piece from the line is covetable, but she also puts incredible thought into the materials she uses and the end impact on the environment in every one of her business choices. The fall collection is full of cozy sweaters and beautiful blouses. I particularly love the Argonne jacket—it's my eco version of the Chanel jacket."
Has anyone in your life influenced your personal style?
"My mother was a huge inspiration for me. She loved fashion as much as I do, and maybe even more. As a child I would spend hours perusing and trying on pieces from one of her four walk in closets or from her huge collection of costume jewelry. I remember times when I didn't understand her fashion choices, but now I realize that she was fearless and dedicated to trying new fashions despite the fact that we lived in a fairly unfashionable Southern Virginian coastal town."
My Style: Lindsay Segal's West Loop Loft
Meet Chicago's most stylish multi-tasker, Lindsay Segal. In addition to lending her talents to visual merchandising and personal-styling projects, Lindsay is also half of the entrepreneurial duo behind Luxury Garage Sale, a way for clients to clean out their (gasp) unwanted couture, while making a little moolah in the process. Naturally, our interest is piqued by the resale end of this project, and we've admittedly perused the racks and scored big ourselves. We took a trip to Lindsay's super-stylish West Loop loft to find out where one of Chicago's most brilliant style stars takes it easy. If you survive a full click-through without some serious apartment inspiration, we'd be, like, shocked. Read on for Lindsay's take on the business of fashion in Chicago, and imagine how you'll replicate her style skills in your own posh pad.
Lindsay wears a Nanette Lepore dress and Forever21 blazer. Her boots are House of Harlow, and her Zebra pal is from Anthropologie.
What are you most excited about at Luxury Garage Sale right now?
"Luxury Garage Sale has a lot of exciting collaborations on the horizon throughout the summer and fall. We are teaming up with great partners hoping to solidify our presence in Chicago as a pop up shopping experience with unique and fabulous gems at great discounts! We also just moved into a great new office space in River North and are planning to host a few private events there. "
Antique birdcage, occupant from Anthropologie.
Has anyone in your life influenced your personal style?
"My mother is probably my biggest style influencer. I grew up in a very aesthetically quirky and artistic environment. I went to houses growing up that all looked very similar (white, creams, loads of traditional furniture and antiques). My house was the opposite. We had a host of strange collections and bright colored, graphic rugs, artwork and pillows. My parents are big purveyors of Outsider Art and it seems that every few months my mom had a new collection (from Cookie Jars to Chalk Figures to Silhouettes to Whimsy Bottles- there was always some interesting visual stimulation in my house) My mother is an artist and has always had a great eye for color and print, and really encouraged me to view untraditional objects from a different perspective."
Lindsay's plate collection comes from ten years of scouring and collecting, both at home and abroad.
Lindsay wears a Nanette Lepore dress and Forever21 blazer. Her boots are House of Harlow, and her Zebra pal is from Anthropologie. What are you most excited about at Luxury Garage Sale right now?
"Luxury Garage Sale has a lot of exciting collaborations on the horizon throughout the summer and fall. We are teaming up with great partners hoping to solidify our presence in Chicago as a pop up shopping experience with unique and fabulous gems at great discounts! We also just moved into a great new office space in River North and are planning to host a few private events there. "
Antique birdcage, occupant from Anthropologie. Has anyone in your life influenced your personal style?
"My mother is probably my biggest style influencer. I grew up in a very aesthetically quirky and artistic environment. I went to houses growing up that all looked very similar (white, creams, loads of traditional furniture and antiques). My house was the opposite. We had a host of strange collections and bright colored, graphic rugs, artwork and pillows. My parents are big purveyors of Outsider Art and it seems that every few months my mom had a new collection (from Cookie Jars to Chalk Figures to Silhouettes to Whimsy Bottles- there was always some interesting visual stimulation in my house) My mother is an artist and has always had a great eye for color and print, and really encouraged me to view untraditional objects from a different perspective."
Lindsay's plate collection comes from ten years of scouring and collecting, both at home and abroad. Shop Owner Angela Finney-Hoffman's Lustworthy Chicago Loft
We love Post 27 so much that we've almost moved in. The eclectic mix of vintage and modern furnishings and design sets our hearts aflutter. So, it's no wonder that we tracked down the store's owner, Angela Finney-Hoffman, for a chat about her style, both in her store and in her inspiring loft. Check out Angela's choice quotes paired with Heather Talbert's gorgeous photos of the boutique owner's home. If you've been meaning to give your space a facelift for spring, we think this is the perfect place to start.
Domus books, vintage postcards, and fabric remnants.
We love Post 27. Tell us what's going on in the store these days.
"I'm very excited about the addition of fashion to the store... I met Evelyn Daitchman (of Axis of Evelyn) after an inspiring trip to Europe. Her vintage is the perfect fit for the store." [Evelyn also styled Angela for this gorgeous shoot.] "Mixing clothing into a furnishings shop just makes sense. Good design is needed in all objects that surround our lives. We also recently launched our blog, Outpost, and we're very proud of it."
Skirt and Blouse by local designer Annie Novotny of Frei Designs. Vintage Ram Belt buckle from a flea market. Antique turkish rug, and sofa by John Hutton for Holly Hunt. Q pillows by shapes and colors, sold at Post 27
If you can narrow it down, who has influenced your style?
"The first was my grandmother, she lived in an amazing house with a blend of '50s lighting and formica mixed with traditional built-in China cabinets. I could sketch almost every detail of her home from memory. Also, Sophie Lachaert is one of my biggest inspirations, she has the most amazing taste."
Vintage blue fox tail clip by Meghan Lorenz, a photo of Angela's grandmother fishing, cork collection, fossilized rock print from the original cabinet of natural curiosities.
What three items from your wardrobe do you wear most often? "My Jim Barnier boots for sure, they make me smile every time I put them on. I bought a vintage trench coat from Evelyn's collection, people say I look like a private eye when I wear it. Also belts. My grandmother had an entire closet for them. They are the perfect accessory, there are so many ways to wear them."
Vintage jacket from the Axis of Evelyn collection, earrings by Janet Ecklebarger, and Jack, Angela's rescue dog. Angela's antique brush collection.
Domus books, vintage postcards, and fabric remnants.
We love Post 27. Tell us what's going on in the store these days.
"I'm very excited about the addition of fashion to the store... I met Evelyn Daitchman (of Axis of Evelyn) after an inspiring trip to Europe. Her vintage is the perfect fit for the store." [Evelyn also styled Angela for this gorgeous shoot.] "Mixing clothing into a furnishings shop just makes sense. Good design is needed in all objects that surround our lives. We also recently launched our blog, Outpost, and we're very proud of it."
Skirt and Blouse by local designer Annie Novotny of Frei Designs. Vintage Ram Belt buckle from a flea market. Antique turkish rug, and sofa by John Hutton for Holly Hunt. Q pillows by shapes and colors, sold at Post 27If you can narrow it down, who has influenced your style?
"The first was my grandmother, she lived in an amazing house with a blend of '50s lighting and formica mixed with traditional built-in China cabinets. I could sketch almost every detail of her home from memory. Also, Sophie Lachaert is one of my biggest inspirations, she has the most amazing taste."
Vintage blue fox tail clip by Meghan Lorenz, a photo of Angela's grandmother fishing, cork collection, fossilized rock print from the original cabinet of natural curiosities.What three items from your wardrobe do you wear most often? "My Jim Barnier boots for sure, they make me smile every time I put them on. I bought a vintage trench coat from Evelyn's collection, people say I look like a private eye when I wear it. Also belts. My grandmother had an entire closet for them. They are the perfect accessory, there are so many ways to wear them."
Vintage jacket from the Axis of Evelyn collection, earrings by Janet Ecklebarger, and Jack, Angela's rescue dog. Angela's antique brush collection.
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