Celebrate Hollywood’s Biggest Night with Chicago’s Only Official Oscar Party!

The magic and glamour of Hollywood will come alive in Chicago next Sunday with Oscar Night America, the only academy-sanctioned event in the city certain to delight film buffs and cinephiles alike.

Hosted by the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the event will feature a live High-Definition telecast of the 84th Annual Academy Awards presented in the Film Center’s two state-of-the-art movie theaters, a delicious dinner, a silent auction, impromptu prizes and raffle drawings throughout the night. And of course, no Oscar party would be complete without a red carpet upon arrival, hosted by none other than Chicago’s It Girl, Amanda Puck. So get your tickets here, then prepare to experience the spirit of Hollywood right here at home.

WHEN: February 26, 6:00pm to Midnight

WHERE: Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State Street

TICKETS: $100 General Admission, $200 VIP (purchase here)

Behold, BHLDN Arrives in Chicago Alas!

Over 300 stylish supporters turned out for Monday night’s glamorous launch party celebrating the arrival of online wedding and special occasion brand, BHLDN, and its second ever brick and mortar location in Chicago.

The romantic, vintage-inspired brand comes to life in the form of a 19th century European style townhouse with soaring 15-foot ceilings perfect for adorning with wings (of love, presumably), saturated French blue walls, a spiral staircase, and grand windows looking out to The Waldorf Astoria.

The two spacious levels hold well-edited attire and trimmings for the special day, including a curated collection of one-of-a-kind vintage treasures exclusive to the Chicago boutique.

The stunning concept store will take you through the complete experience, from the gown and accessories to the décor to intimates like lingerie and cologne. The bridal salon is staged with a runway-like display of mannequins showcasing the season’s gown collection, ethereal numbers in shades of champagne, blush and ivories. Equally impressive are the plush, boudoir-like fitting rooms, large enough for the bride, her family, and friends!

In the décor salon, customers can pull from stocked drawers and cubbies to design their desired event vision.

Ostrich feathers and beads come together in whimsical hairpieces in the accessories salon suited for Grecian goddesses.

And if you fancy something blue, try on the sweet polka dotted Bettye Muller heels with vintage beaded bows for size.

The well-branded event would not be complete without French-inspired fare and a silhouette cutout artist. BHLDN officially opened its grand doors to the public yesterday on Valentine’s Day, appropriately so.

VISIT: 8 East Walton Street, 312.573.2573

Maggie Kubley’s No Gift / No Surprise Delivers This Valentine’s Day

This Hallmark holiday break out of the usual romantic dinner and movie mold. Try a non-traditional outing to get in touch with your softer side with No Gift / No Surprise, a fully staged musical performance piece by Maggie Kubley, a local multidisciplinary performer.

Together with Chicago-based modern dance company, We Stand Sideways, Kubley presents a Vagina Monologues-esque story about a woman and her journey through the muck and madness of a broken heart. The multi-media installation promises to wow you with enthralling elements of video, photography, music, and dance choreography as it takes audiences inside the mind of a love-drug junkie struggling to sweat out a breakup.

We promise, No Gift / No Surprise has a happy ending.

Friday, February 11 and Saturday, February 12, 8:00 pm, The Den Theater, 1333 N. Milwaukee Avenue

Purchase tickets here.

Food for Thought: Feast Exhibit at the Smart Museum Elevates Food and Art Movement

If you’ve ever wanted a taste of a Night at the Museum experience minus the Ben Stiller antics, beginning February you can join the Smart Museum of Art for a new interactive exhibition called Feast: Radical Hospitality in Contemporary Art.

via Smart Museum of Art

Over 30 artists will orchestrate shared experiences with food and drink to spark new ways of thinking about the world around us, including dining with artists in the galleries after-hours, ritualized soul food dinners and even a radical show where the gallery will become an active bar with patrons taking part in the work by drinking beer. The participatory meals, projects, and salons taking place in the museum as well as in commissioned public spaces throughout Chicago will address the social, commercial, and political structures that surround the experience of eating together.

There’s nothing more enticing than good food, except perhaps art with food. Learn more about how you can join the feast.

VISIT: 5550 S. Greenwood Avenue, 773.702.0200

Sweetheart Macarons for Your Valentine

This year for Valentine’s Day think outside the usual box of chocolates. How about a box of 24 French macarons? Parisian chef Eddy Rocq created a special Sweetheart Collection of macaron cookies. The heart-shaped cookies are created fresh daily, and are the perfect gift for your sweetie on the fast approaching holiday.

The Sweetheart Collection includes 2-dozen French macaron cookies in four mouth-watering flavors. Dark chocolate with a Valrhona chocolate ganache filling, Raspberry with a white chocolate ganache filling, Peach Mango filled with fruit ganache and last but not least Red Velvet filled with creamy bourbon vanilla.

This year surprise your Valentine with these sweet treats. To order click to the Rocq Macaron website.

Net-A-Porter Hosts Exclusive Soiree for Chicago’s Best Bloggers

Chicago’s status as a fashion city is growing fast in the eyes of global powerbrokers like online luxury retailer Net-A-Porter. The prescient combination of Chicago’s own stylish First Lady, Michelle Obama, with high-profile boutiques and a fashion-hungry citizenry has brought the fashion spotlight to the Windy City like no other time in history.

Nicole Williams of Net-A-Porter, right, in Michael Kors.

On January 11^th, Net-A-Porter hosted an exclusive party for Chicago’s most stylish social media stars. Present at the event were Jeff Kieslich of The Midwestyle, Anna Wisniewski of See Anna Jane, Kelsey Kreiling of Laundry Magazine, and the Style Block girls along with 20 other stylish bloggers, all of whom were handpicked to attend.

Jeff Kieslich holding Jena Gambaccini’s custom Proenza Schouler PS1

Erin Brennan, Bridget White, Chelsea Lavin, Jena Gambaccini, Corri McFadden.

The soiree featured a lovely tongue-in-cheek drink menu that paired classic drinks with fashion’s most important designers like Christian Louboutin and Karl Lagerfeld. Perhaps most perfectly of all, the ‘Black Manhattan’ was re-named the ‘Rick Owens.’

In conclusion, Chicago’s brightest style bloggers spent the evening mingling with one another while lusting over the luxury fashion depicted in the Cruise 2012 Net-A-Porter lookbook.

*Photos by Jena Gambaccini

Be on Time (and Stylish!) in the New Year with Division Street Watch Co.’s Timepiece-Inspired Jewelry!

We love an on-trend sparkly statement necklace as much as anyone else, but every once in awhile you come across a piece so distinct and timeless (excuse the pun!) that you want to wear it forever, like Division Street Watch Co.’s new collection of timepiece-inspired jewelry and accessories.

1930’s steel and brass pocket watch keys on a 27″ brass chain

The watch company’s owner, Steve Evavold, designs and makes each piece by hand in his cozy Division Street shop using vintage watch pendants, sterling silver nurses watches, pocket watch fobs and pocket watch keys. The collection is a perfect reconciliation of fashion meets function––all timepieces are lovingly restored to good, working condition. The pieces range in price from $195 to $400.

1920’s pocket watch vest chain with blue cut glass spinner fob

Victorian ruby glass and gold pocket watch fob on a 14k gold chain

1930’s gold filled watch case “shaker” on a 14k gold chain

Division Street Watch Co. is a one-of-a-kind vintage watch shop that carries a hand-curated and ever-changing selection of unique and rare fine watches. The shop specializes in Swiss wristwatches created between 1945 and 1970.

VISIT: 2017 West Division Street, 312.714.6083

Best Picks for Last Minute Gifts

Christmas is just days away, but don’t panic! If you haven’t finished all of your shopping we’ve found fabulous gifts that are sure to please even the pickiest person on your list. And don’t worry about breaking the bank, all of these chic options are $250 or under!

A girl can never have too many pairs of sunglasses. These Elizabeth and James Taylor Plastic Cateye Sunnies, $185, are the perfect pick for any retro loving female on your list. Their geometric shape is sure to turn heads.

It’s impossible to never be too organized. That’s why this Louis Vuitton cardholder, $185, is the perfect gift. It’s practical without being boring. The classic Louis Vuitton print covers the sleek holder that will fit perfectly into a pocket or a purse.

Every fashionista and fashion blogger has been spotted wearing Yves Saint Laurent’s Arty Ovale Ring, $250. This ring comes in a rainbow of colors, but no matter what shade you choose the ring recipient is sure to have the coolest bling on the block!

For the art lover or the perfume aficionado Andy Warhol by Bond No. 9 is the perfect gift. The scent combines sandalwood, vanilla bean and a variety of other ingredients, and the bottle features a photo of the iconic artist himself. $180 for 50 ml.

Since the weather outside is frightful give your loved one a leopard scarf to fight the freezing temperatures. This Diane von Furstenberg Kenley scarf is made out of super soft cashmere, and not to mention is totally on trend.

Time is ticking! But now that you know exactly what to buy, you can hit the shops with confidence that your gifts will be adored.

Stocking Gifts that Glitter and Shine

You’ve found just the right gift for everyone on your list, but what about the tiny treats for their stockings? Don’t fret because we’ve picked our favorite perfectly petite gifts for every fashionable female.

No cosmetic collection is complete without red lipstick. Make-up artists near and far favor Nars Jungle Red lipstick, $24. This festive color is sure to turn heads.

Kate Spade’s Sparkler Gia coin purse is tiny enough to fit in your handbag but large enough for all of your necessities. Plus, the glitter is so perfect for this time of year, $95.

Even the most fabulous women sometimes have to wear band-aids. Upgrade from the typical beige to colorful designs by Cynthia Rowley. These are so cute they’re begging to be seen. $5 for a pack of 20.

Chanel nail color is the best of the best, and it just happens to be the perfect size for a stocking. The fall 2011 shades are each completely unique—why not spoil someone with all three? $25 each.

Every girl deserves to be adorned, and these Kendra Scott Hutton earrings are perfect for every occasion. The contrasting black and gold makes a subtle statement, $65.

Now that the stockings will be full of goodies, relax and enjoy the holiday season!

Perfect Holiday Gifts via eDrop-Off

One of the biggest challenges of the holiday season is finding the perfect gifts for all the special people in your life. Why go with the predictable when you can go for the one-of-a-kind? Luxury consignment boutique eDrop-Off sells only the finest authentic designer items, many of which are much sought after collectors’ pieces. You can even drop by their Lincoln Park flagship to see the gifts in person before bidding! Check out these amazing items below:

David Yurman Pavé Diamond Earrings: These diamond-encrusted David Yurman earrings are stunning and perfect for your mother, girlfriend or wife.

Hermés Silk Scarf: This extremely rare Hermés scarf is a collector’s piece sought after by luxury aficionados the world over, both male and female.

Chanel Vintage Chain Purse: Every girl needs a Chanel purse. What else can I say – end of story!

For more details on these pieces and other fabulous finds visit: ShopEDropOff or call: 773-525-7467.