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 Now2 Chicago Designers Create The Jason Wu For Brizo Window Display
We're having a proud moment. Local window display designers Linsey Burritt and Crystal Grover, (you know them as INDO), recently collaborated with Jason Wu and Young and Laramore to design a window display for the launch of Wu's faucet and accessory line for Brizo at the DREAM20 Showroom in the Merchandise Mart.
INDO focuses on found, reclaimed, and repurposed materials for all of their truly breathtaking vitrines, and this most recent installation is no exception. Made of salvaged polypropylene and vintage and dead stock fabric, the fluid, baroque display will be up until August in the Merchandise Mart for your viewing pleasure. We find the Jason Wu for Brizo sign especially cool — it's made of high density foam and strung on clear plastic rods so that it floats in mid-air. Our hats are off to these ladies and their beautiful work, and we can't wait to see what's next!
INDO focuses on found, reclaimed, and repurposed materials for all of their truly breathtaking vitrines, and this most recent installation is no exception. Made of salvaged polypropylene and vintage and dead stock fabric, the fluid, baroque display will be up until August in the Merchandise Mart for your viewing pleasure. We find the Jason Wu for Brizo sign especially cool — it's made of high density foam and strung on clear plastic rods so that it floats in mid-air. Our hats are off to these ladies and their beautiful work, and we can't wait to see what's next!
Bring The Heat! Show Us Your Best Summer Instagrams
Hot off of the first warm weekend we've had this year, we're dying to find out how Chicago welcomed summer. We know you've all got your phones glued to your hands, Instagramming every moment, and we want to see what you've got. Tag your best summer instagrams from the weekend with #chisummer2012. We'll pick our favorites and run a slideshow this Friday. Think your Instagram skills are top-notch? Prove it! While you're at it, make sure to check out @refinery29 on Instagram, too. Part Vintage Sale, Part Art Opening, All Awesome
If you can't decide between shopping and getting all arty about things, we found a Friday night event for you. At Dovetail vintage in West Town, local artist
Pablo Arancibia tackles this introspective quest through considering relativity and
kinship in his latest art opening. While most people understand their genetic make up as a contribution from
their mother and their father, Pablo Arancibia takes his understanding a step further. His work features family portraits with
people replaced by animals to express the common thread of DNA.If the journey to self understanding doesnʼt draw you in, complimentary craft cocktails by guest mixologist, David Piwinski, might do the trick. Dovetail will be offering 50% off of all men's clothing and a free gift with every purchase all night. Perks aside, this is an impressively curated collection of vintage goods. The ownerʼs sharp eye shines through in her store's stock, and thought-provoking art openings like this Fridayʼs are one of the reasons we love Dovetail so much!
When: Friday May 18, from 7 p.m. To 10 p.m.
Where: Dovetail, 1452 West Chicago Avenue (at North Greenview Avenue); 312-243-3100.
Photo: Courtesy of Dovetail
Support Chicago's Lady Artists At This Super-Sized Sale
If Mother’s Day crept up on you (again), there is no need to stress — we found the perfect last-minute shopping locale. This Saturday, the first-ever Chicago Art Girls Pop-Up Shop will feature handmade goods made for — and by — intrepid and inspiring ladies. And with over 35 artists featuring goods ranging from jewelry and clothing to housewares and paintings, gift-finding failure is not a possibility. We’re particularly excited for Kinaloon’s hip and handsome handmade stationery! The all-day event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will feature refreshments to keep your marathon-shopping spirits high. Both admission and girl-power are free!When: Saturday, May 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Helium Gallery, 4710 North Ravenswood Avenue (between Lawrence and Leland avenues); No phone.
Photo: Courtesy of Anastasia Mak
This Local Food Drive/Pop Art Exhibition Is Can't-Miss!
The Greater Chicago Food Depository has kicked off this year's CANstruction, an event that tasks local architects, engineers, and construction companies with using canned goods to create the coolest sculpture they can muster. The best part, aside from all the "can" pun opportunities, is that all canned goods used in the construction are donated to the food bank, meaning the event does some serious giving back. In fact, last year's can-petition raised almost 96,000 pounds of food for the Chicago community, a number that shouldn't be taken for CAN-ted (we had to!). The sculpture exhibition is now open for public viewing through the end of the month, so head down to the Merchandise Mart to check them out, and to take advantage of some seriously awesome photo opps. We've also nabbed a first-look at some of the most clever designs, so take a peek through the slideshow to get an idea of what you're in for.
The Merchandise Mart, First Floor Lobby, 22 Merchandise Mart Plaza (between Lower Orleans and Wells streets); 312-527-7762.
Photo: Courtesy CANstruction
The Merchandise Mart, First Floor Lobby, 22 Merchandise Mart Plaza (between Lower Orleans and Wells streets); 312-527-7762.
Photo: Courtesy CANstruction
The #1 Reason We're Obsessed With Chicago Right Now
It is currently 83 degrees in Chicago right now. Yes there are some clouds, but like, they're clouds. You lived through a blizzaster last year dude — those fluffy white things in the sky ain't gonna hurt ya. Stop what you're doing right this minute (yes, we're actually telling you to stop reading Refinery29, you can check it from your phone, too, its cool), and go find an open patio to commandeer for the rest of the afternoon. When we get these days, we roll with them. That's a must. Use one of those in-case-of-emergency-emergency-excuses you've got saved up and bolt from the office immediately. We wish you luck. Photographed by Shani Silver
How To Score A Dream Job: Advice From 5 Successful Chicagoans
If you're on the job hunt, you know how tough it can be to find—and land—your dream position. From resume writing and interviewing to following up, tracking down an awesome gig can practically be a full-time, well, job. Today, we're helping you fine-tune your employment-seeking skills to help you stand out among the masses. Five successful Chicagoans are sharing their secrets to success, covering every aspect of your hire-ability. We chatted up business owners, a PR maven, and even a television personality, to find out how you can put their experience to good use. Click through and take this advice to heart—and soon you'll be prepped to impress. Happy hunting!
5 Things To Do This Week
Check out the Gold Coast's newest bridal boutique, and meet designer Tracy Reese, when she throws an in-store fashion show at BHLDN on Thursday. She'll show off dresses from her pre-fall collection while you sip on cocktails. As a bonus, a selection of Tracy's dresses will be available for special order. (Yahoo Local)
Even though Earth Day is over tomorrow, you don't have to stop celebrating good ol' Captain Planet. Check out Green on the Scene, a day full of exploring the best of Chicago's green businesses. Highlights include a trip to Uncommon Ground, which has been dubbed "The Greenest Restaurant in America," and sampling organic booze at Koval Distillery. (City Swarm Chicago)
If you haven't been able to check out the Latino Film Festival, this week is your last chance to view the best movies out of Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. Hit up the Closing Night Event on Wednesday, where they'll be screening Tribute To Argentina, a heart-wrenching film about a lonely hardware store owner who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a downtrodden Chinese man who doesn't speak a word of Spanish. (Chicago Latino Film Festival)
Is ginger the most underappreciated ingredient? Find out at this cooking class (part of the World Kitchen Series) that will teach students how to use the root in drinks, entrees, salads, and desserts. It goes without saying, but this is probably for ginger lovers only (the food, you guys). (Explore Chicago)
Celebrate Chicago's newest dining destinations to earn the title of 'Great Neighborhood Restaurants' at LTH Forum's special dinner event. You'll get to chow down on food from Manny's Cafeteria, and watch the awards presentation while you dine. We have a feeling you'll leave with a very long restaurant wish list. (LTH Forum)
Even though Earth Day is over tomorrow, you don't have to stop celebrating good ol' Captain Planet. Check out Green on the Scene, a day full of exploring the best of Chicago's green businesses. Highlights include a trip to Uncommon Ground, which has been dubbed "The Greenest Restaurant in America," and sampling organic booze at Koval Distillery. (City Swarm Chicago)
If you haven't been able to check out the Latino Film Festival, this week is your last chance to view the best movies out of Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. Hit up the Closing Night Event on Wednesday, where they'll be screening Tribute To Argentina, a heart-wrenching film about a lonely hardware store owner who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a downtrodden Chinese man who doesn't speak a word of Spanish. (Chicago Latino Film Festival)
Is ginger the most underappreciated ingredient? Find out at this cooking class (part of the World Kitchen Series) that will teach students how to use the root in drinks, entrees, salads, and desserts. It goes without saying, but this is probably for ginger lovers only (the food, you guys). (Explore Chicago)
Celebrate Chicago's newest dining destinations to earn the title of 'Great Neighborhood Restaurants' at LTH Forum's special dinner event. You'll get to chow down on food from Manny's Cafeteria, and watch the awards presentation while you dine. We have a feeling you'll leave with a very long restaurant wish list. (LTH Forum)
Laugh At Vince Vaughn (& Other Amazing Talent) At This Funny Fest
If Chicago had a prodigal son, Vince Vaughn just may be it — the guy loves his city, and dangit, we love him right back. He always brings the laughs, and it doesn't hurt that his movies often play like 90 minute ads for the Windy City's awesomeness. Which is why we're dying at the chance to see him perform standup, along with a dozen of his funniest friends (Aziz Ansari? Yes please!). TBS Just For Laughs Chicago is back for a fourth go-around this June, and the lineup does not disappoint: In addition to Vince and Aziz, there will be appearrances by Bill Engvall, Patton Oswalt, and Mike Birbiglia, to name a few. Tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m. here, so set your alarm and snatch up as many as you can — remember Rule #1: Never leave a fellow crasher behind. Photo: Courtesy TBS
Fund This Local Kickstarter And You'll Never Lose Your Keys Again
Born from Chicago-based design company Materious, Cubby is a genius piece of home decor that combines function, form, and convenience into a cool little product we simply must-have. The problem? We can't have it! Cubby is not currently in production, and is not available for sale. But...but...it's so cute! And functional! Let's fix this problem. Help Materious get its baby in production by funding the Kickstarter campaign for Cubby. Watch the video below, and decide for yourself if this product is worthy of your dollars. We think it is. We'll take three.
(Kickstarter)
Video: Via Kickstarter
Video: Via Kickstarter
Learn To Blog About Anything: Our Editor Will Teach You How
How many times have you stopped what you're doing and thought "I wish I was as cool as Shani from R29?" We know we often find ourselves in awe of our humble Chicago ed's wit and digital panache — and now she is sharing her wisdom with the masses (or, 40 lucky Chicagoans to be exact). Next Tuesday, Shani will be waxing poetic on headlines, kickers, and everything in between, at her Basics of Blogging class. Whether you've been secretly dreaming of starting your own blog, or you have a site in need of some TLC, there's no end to what you can gain from picking the brain of Refinery's own master of the web. Register for class here.
When: Tuesday, April 17, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: Catalyst Ranch, 656 West Randolph Street (between Halsted and Desplaines Streets).

Photo: Via Dabble
When: Tuesday, April 17, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: Catalyst Ranch, 656 West Randolph Street (between Halsted and Desplaines Streets).
Photo: Via Dabble
Enjoy Local Art And Shop Seriously Affordable, Stylish Pieces
Second Friday's in Pilsen are, if you're not already aware, an amazing way to catch up on the local art scene, hang with friends, score some free wine, and get your flirt on. This particular Second Friday intrigues us because of local photographer Caleb Condit, and his show at Comet Vintage. Appropriately, his work focuses on individuals photographed in their retail work spaces, and we think the images are a stellar way to capture style from two different standpoints. The images in Friday's show, as well as his work that await you in our slideshow, were all take in the shops on Milwaukee Avenue. We're hearing musings that Logan Square and the Gold Coast are up next for Caleb, so stay tuned. Stop by Comet Vintage this Friday, April 13 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., and bring your disposable income. Caleb's pieces start at just $50, and for locally produced art, that's a steal.
Comet Vintage, 1320 West 18th Street (between Throop & Ada streets); 312-733-7327.
Comet Vintage, 1320 West 18th Street (between Throop & Ada streets); 312-733-7327.









