Posts from travel (35)

The latest issue of METROPOLIS Magazine arrived at our house last week, and I knew I was in for a treat when Jw said ::

The next time we go to New York, we should stay here...

I think the first words out of my mouth were something like, "hubba, hubba"... but not only is the new Crosby Street Hotel filled with amazing & eclectic interior design (c/o owners + designers, Tim and Kit Kemp), it's also a study in environmental sensitivity & neighborhood cooperation.

The Crosby will be LEED-certified and includes other eco-friendly perks like a rooftop garden that supplies produce to the kitchen. The Kemps also paid special attention to the needs of the surrounding community by regulating the placement and open hours of the outdoor spaces in the hotel, so as to not bother their SoHo neighbors.

All in all, it sounds (and looks) like an amazing place to stay... and I especially love this quote from Kit at the end of the article ::

If you’re traveling and you get homesick, or feel a bit lonely or down, you want an atmosphere that makes you feel happier. Often color and texture can do that.

I totally agree.

all images by Simon Brown; except for 1st image, by Sarah Palmer.

If you're in the Chicago area tonight, you should definitely come by Matilda's (3101 N Sheffield Ave, just 2 blocks south of the Belmont El stop!)...

OrangeBeautiful is co-hosting Meet Ups: Journeys and Journals with Sidedown and Blindsided Books to celebrate the launch of Jared Cohee's travelogue, Calm of the Niger: A Peaceful River Winding Through the Storm of Africa.

Meet the author & pick up a copy of Calm of the Niger for yourself! +Plus, we'll also have independent music, Sidedown's zine, HEY! Quarterly, as well as a limited edition batch of travel journals (made by yours truly!), all available for purchase. (Oh, and Monday night at Matilda's is $5 all-you-can-top burgers!)

And if all of that still isn't enough for you, I'm sharing with SCOOP readers only, that there will be a pre-sale of OrangeBeautiful's NEW CALENDARS at tonight's event! This will be the first time that they're available for sale (the official launch for online sales isn't until Thursday!), so if you've been itching to have one, and you're in town, drop by and get one before anyone else! (and no shipping costs!!!) -

For more information, and to see who's coming, VIEW THE INVITE.

If you can't make it, the book is available for PRE-ORDER here.
Sidedown Audio releases are available here.
and
OB's new calendars will be available this Thursday! (Sign up for a reminder)

images c/o Sidedown and Jared Cohee.

The past weekend I spent in NYC with three of my four best friends from high school. Though it wasn't a shop-till-you-drop type weekend (we had too much catching up to do for that), we did visit some boutiques that I'd wanted to see in person. One such was Pasanella & Son, a wine shop and enoteca located near the Seaport. (Check out its fabulous business card - printed on cork, backed with a magnet - perched atop a gorgeous little notebook I picked up at John Derian.)

For me, touring Pasanella & Son represented slightly more than browsing for luxury consummables, because the store is owned by designer Marco Pasanella and his wife, Rebecca Robertson Pasanella - who happens to be Deputy Decorating Editor at Martha Stewart Living (and former Senior Home Editor at Blueprint).

Among the gorgous array of wines (more on that below) were fixtures that seemed rather familiar. On second glance, my friend Lindsay helpfully pointed out that the emerald-and-yellow wingchair (above) appeared in a recent issue of Living. And I realized the amazing bench beneath a grid of displayed bottles was the same bench from my favorite oft-referenced Blueprint cover.

Be sure to check out They'll Drink to That, a guide to throwing a wine-tasting dinner that was shot in the space (and appeared in Blueprint Fall 2006), as well as Lofty Ambition, a tour of the Pasanella's renovated living space above the shop.

My adorable friends, leaving the store with our purchases, excited to...drink them.

On the shop's website is a fun-to-browse section called "As Good As They Look", devoted to beautiful bottles. Here are my picks based on display-worthiness, clockwise from top left: Blume Marillen Apricot Eau-de-Vie; Vinos de Terrunos Siete 7 2008 (I bought this); Descendientes de Jose Palacios Petalos 2006; Bols Genever Holland Gin; Corzo Tequila Reposado; Merieau Bulles Cremant de Loire 2006; St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur (this is delicious - highly recommend).

Images taken by me, except for the bottle images from Pasanella & Son.

Let the Chicago favorites keep comin'!... Pick list #10 is from Jess, the lead singer of the band Absinthe & The Dirty Floors. Jess has a great list, half of which are huge favorites of mine (hello, Violet Hour!), the other half are friendly reminders of places I definitely need to check out (Sweet Cakes' patio!) ...see if any of these peak your interest ::

1. FAVORITE SHOP/BOUTIQUE? (gift, clothing, design, etc.)

Reckless Records :: (3) locations | click here for details
Call me unoriginal, but there's nothing better than rifling through stacks of records next to cute hipster boys who thrive on the coolest band you've never heard of. A new record = happiness.

2. FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP/CAFÉ?

Mercury Café :: 1505 W. Chicago Avenue, Noble Square

3. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Rose Angelis :: 1314 W. Wrightwood Avenue, DePaul/Lincoln Park
It's simply the best Italian food I've ever had. Located in the first floor of a house, you can wait in one of two bars across the street and they'll call you when your table is ready. Romantic, affordable, and the food is simply amazing.

4. FAVORITE BAKERY, SWEET SHOP or ICE CREAM PARLOR?

Sweet Cakes Bakery :: 935 N. Damen Avenue, Ukranian Village
(two words:) The patio.

5. FAVORITE "TOURIST-Y" DESTINATION? (that non-tourists love)

Chicago River Architecture Tour :: Chicago's First Lady Cruises
It never seems to get old.

ADDITIONAL FAVORITES YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

The Violet Hour :: 1520 N. Damen Avenue, Wicker Park
They won't let you stand, you can't use your phone, they play Portishead's Third and you could have a mafia meeting with the Mayor and none would be the wiser...

Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind :: 5153 N. Ashland Avenue, Uptown
30 plays in one hour, the price of a roll of the dice, and everyone gets pizza... and with the crew constantly writing new plays, it's a new show every time. Fantastic!

Thanks so much to Jess from Absinthe & The Dirty Floors for her picks... and if you love good music, definitely go here to listen to Absinthe's entire debut album, the Damen Stop.

top & bottom images c/o A&TDF
all other images are from the respective company's website or yelp* Chicago.

Unfortunately, last week was so terribly busy for me that the Chicago Picks series got a bit delayed... but no worries, I have several more lined up for this week! (Oh, and Jane from simple + pretty had the great suggestion to do some pick lists from fellow bloggers in other cities - so, that may be in the works next!)

Our next list maker is Hemmant Jha of thinkmore, inc. (and previously of think/thing - you remember this awesome car seat, don't you?)

Hemmant, an industrial designer and architect, is well-travelled, design-savvy and just nice (he brought paper back from India for me!) We've actually only had one in-person conversation (which, by the way, was almost entirely about "the death of GOCCO"), but I get the sense that he'd be a fan of some places around the city that I'll need to visit ::

1. FAVORITE SHOP/BOUTIQUE? (gift, clothing, design, etc.)

Patagonia :: 1800 N. Clybourn Avenue, DePaul/Lincoln Park
Lots of organic cotton and recycled material clothing - great staff, lifetime warranty on everything.

2. FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP/CAFÉ?

Peet's Coffee & Tea :: 1000 W. North Avenue, Near North Side
Great espresso - and teas (lots of good tea)!

3. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Saint's Alp Teahouse :: 2131 S. Archer Avenue, Chinatown
Nice selection of bubble teas - and Hong Kong style platters of food... free wifi.

4. FAVORITE BAKERY, SWEET SHOP or ICE CREAM PARLOR?

Swirlz Cupcakes :: 705 W. Belden Avenue, Lincoln Park

5. FAVORITE "TOURIST-Y" DESTINATION? (that non-tourists love)

The Modern Wing at The Art Institute of Chicago :: 111 N. Michigan Avenue, Downtown
Best new modern building in Chicago in ages... (and) Intelligentsia Coffee.

ADDITIONAL FAVORITES YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

Urban Belly :: 3053 N. California Avenue, Avondale
Excellent modern Korean food - good vibe.

Thanks so much to Hemmant for his pick list... and yes, I'm thinking about making a trip to Saint's Alp Teahouse just because it's so awesomely orange!...

Check out more about thinkmore, inc. here and check out Hemmant's blog here.

top & bottom images are by Hemmant Jha.
Modern Wing @ ArtIC pics are by Jw
and all other images are from the respective company's website or yelp* Chicago.

screen-printed mini journals, from Girl Metro, Inc.

I have so many more Chicago Picks lists to share with you!... I think I'll just keep posting 'em until someone tells me there sick of hearing about the great things in this amazing city!

There's been a lot of duplicate picks in the surveys (for example, Richelle's favorite sweet shop is Margie's Candies, a pick she shares with Sidedown Audio, and her favorite "tourist-y" destination is Millenium Park, which was also included in a.favorite's list) - below are Richelle's picks for Favorite Shop, Favorite Restaurant & an additional pick, our 'hood, Lincoln Square!

Enjoy!

FAVORITE SHOP/BOUTIQUE? (gift, clothing, design, etc.)

praha :: 3849 N. Lincoln Avenue, North Center

The two owners have an incredible eye for beautiful old things and new ones. The shop is chock full of furniture pieces they've collected on buying trips to Eastern Europe and here in the States, bits of miscellany that are perfect for your space and for gifts, and a thousand little treasures that you'll never find anywhere else. In addition, praha is on a block with several other little antique, vintage, and music shops and restaurants (as well as CB2!). So making the trip up to this part of North Center will make for a good couple of hours of shopping.*

FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Hot Doug's :: 3324 N. California Avenue, Avondale

If you're a meat-eater in Chicago, chances are that you've at least heard of Hot Doug's... it's legendary. Doug's is really not about atmosphere, fine dining or your typical restaurant experience, but I'd choose to go there, hands down, over any place else in the city. I recommend ordering one of the special sausages. And "special" is the right word - my all-time favorites include a duck sausage foie gras, truffle aioli and sel gris (and) lamb & mint sausage with fresh feta and kalamata olives .... There's always a wait to order, sometimes up to 2 hours on a weekend. And the location isn't terribly convenient, but it is always worth the effort. If you happen to go on a Friday or Saturday, get the duck fat fries. Your diet might not thank you, but your tastebuds will.

ADDITIONAL FAVORITES YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

Lincoln Square :: roughly 4400-5200 block of Lincoln Avenue, and the surrounding area...

I *heart* my neighborhood. The stretch of Lincoln Avenue, south of Lawrence & north of Montrose, has not only some fantastic restaurants (Café Selmarie and Bistro Campagne, for example), but fantastic little shops (ENJOY, the Dressing Room, Hanger18, TRAIPSE, etc.), bars (Huettenbar), and more!

inkless letterpress notesets, from Girl Metro, Inc.

Thanks so much to Richelle for her picks! I'm going to have to get myself to Hot Doug's ASAP! (even with that line! ;)

* In addition to what Richelle said about that 3600-4000 block of Lincoln Avenue... if you're in that area, definitely make a point to have lunch/dinner at either sola (3868 N. Lincoln) or Mrs. Murphy & Son's Irish Bistro (3905 N. Lincoln) - trust me, you'll be glad you did!

top & bottom images c/o girl metro.
all other images are from the respective company's website or yelp* Chicago.

There were so many responses to my Chicago Picks survey that I'm continuing the series for another week. This town is pretty awesome, and there's really no end to the amazing places to visit & things to do!

Who better to start of week 2 than our very own L? For those of you who know her really well, these picks are so "Laura"... It made me smile just to see what she included on her list & made me miss her being here in Chicago with me!

Maybe they'll make you smile, too ::

1. FAVORITE SHOP/BOUTIQUE? (gift, clothing, design, etc.)

GREER Chicago :: 1657 N. Wells Street, Lincoln Park
A beautifully edited selection of hard-to-find stationery and designers.

(note :: don't miss the Chicago Picks of GREER's owner, Chandra, here!)

2. FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP/CAFÉ?

Argo Tea :: (14) Chicago area locations
Click on "Cafés" on the site to find the tea shop nearest you.
Earl Grey Vanilla Créme!

3. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Southport Grocery :: 3552 N. Southport Avenue, Lakeview
Breakfast is my favorite meal, and Southport Grocery's bread pudding pancakes are out-of-this-world amazing.

4. FAVORITE BAKERY, SWEET SHOP or ICE CREAM PARLOR?

Vosges :: (3) Chicago locations - click here for a list of other locations.
I haven't tried this yet, but next time I'm in town I am going to attend a wine and chocolate "experiential tasting" event at the Lincoln Park boutique.

5. FAVORITE "TOURIST-Y" DESTINATION? (that non-tourists love)

Signature Room at the 95th :: 875 N. Michigan Avenue, Downtown
Atop the Hancock Center, you can take in incredible views of the city and lakefront - and have drinks! (Much better than the Sears Tower*.)

*more on that later ;)

ADDITIONAL FAVORITES YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

Jayson Home & Garden :: 1885 N. Clybourn Avenue, Lincoln Park/DePaul
A simply beautiful shop and place to go for home decor ideas.

Great picks, L! She and I definitely share a love of Earl Grey Vanilla Crémes from Argo ...and just the mention of Vosges makes me think of when Laura used to live here.

That last image is just a little sneak peek of something L's been working on... I'll let her explain further when the time is right! ;)

bottom image c/o Neapolitan.
all other images are from the respective company's website or yelp* Chicago.

Our next list of favs comes from one of OrangeBeautiful's favorite vendors, Green Paper Company... If you're an invitations designer or a retail boutique and you need some lovely paper stock & envelopes, you must get in touch with GPC (do that here). They've seriously redefined what it means to be green in the stationery industry...

Here are just some of their local favorites ::

1. FAVORITE SHOP/BOUTIQUE? (gift, clothing, design, etc.)

A New Leaf :: (3) Locations
1645 N. Wells (shop) & 1818 N. Wells (event space), Lincoln Park and
312 S. Dearborn, South Loop

Primarily a florist and event space - most people don't know about the fabulosity that exists as you ramble through this space. I mostly go there for inspiration or to clear my head. The flowers are spread throughout the main level with all sorts of antiquities, vintage furniture and little finds. Go downstairs and find a treasure trove of ribbon, candles, buttons all organized by color hue. The more you walk around this place, the more you find. Don't miss the courtyard and the back coach house.

2. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Lula Café :: 2537 N. Kedzie Boulevard, Logan Square

Hands down my favorite restaurant in the city - and Chicago is a great food town. Truly a hidden gem in Logan Square, although it seems the word is out now... that hasn't changed the quality of food or how unpretentious and attentive the fabulous staff is. The menu focuses on seasonal and local foods. The owners have relationships with farmers and the green city market alike. For the kind of meal that you will get at Lula, it's really a steal. We prefer dinner, but they also serve brunch, breakfast, and lunch...

3. FAVORITE BAKERY, SWEET SHOP or ICE CREAM PARLOR?

Sweet Mandy B's :: 1208 W. Webster, Lincoln Park/DePaul

Those old timey treats and huge cookies get us every time!

4. FAVORITE "TOURIST-Y" DESTINATION? (that non-tourists love)

Wendella Sightseeing Boats :: 400 N. Michigan Avenue

(This is) an activity enjoyed best in the summer. I just adore it, and jump at the chance when anyone comes in from out of town and says, "I heard that river architectural tour is great."
I particularly like the lake and river combo because it takes you out on the lake to see the stunning views of the north and south shores. You get a bit of history, but it's not overwhelming as the guide takes some breaks and just lets you enjoy the view. It's really the best of both worlds, and with a cold beverage from the lower deck's snack bar. You are in marine heaven for a lovely 90 minutes.

ADDITIONAL FAVORITES YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

MERZ Apothecary :: 4716 N. Lincoln Avenue, Lincoln Square &
inside Macy's, 111 N. State Street, First Floor, Downtown

Another Lincoln Square fave, and another spot that I can't leave without a little something. A collection of hard to find imported, local, organic, and homeopathic health and body products. In business for over 130 years. You can really get lost in here.

Thanks SO much to the awesome folks over at Green Paper Co. for taking the time to send us their picks!

Be sure to check out GPC's eco-delicious goods online at On Paper and browse all of their available products (and more info on their environmental M.O.) on the GPC blog!

There've been so many responses to our Chicago Picks survey, that'll be extending this series into next week!!! Stay tuned!

top & bottom images c/o green paper company.
all other images are from the respective company's website or yelp* Chicago.

I'm super-excited about this next "picker" - it's Chandra Greer, the owner of GREER (a long-time favorite around here!)... simply based on the fabulous things that Chandra stocks in her shop, you just know she'll have great Chicago picks. Enjoy! ::

1. FAVORITE SHOP/BOUTIQUE? (gift, clothing, design, etc.)

P.O.S.H. Chicago :: 613 N. State Street, Near North Side
They have the most extensive, well-curated, and tasteful selection of vintage home accessories I've seen in any city.

2. FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP/CAFÉ?

Metropolis Coffee :: 1039 W. Granville Avenue, Edgewater
Incredible coffee and "real" atmosphere. Excellent service, comfortable environment.

3. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Sixteen at Trump International Hotel & Tower ::
401 N Wabash Ave, 16th Fl. the Loop, Downtown
Fabulous room, incredible food, and the best outdoor terrace in Chicago.

4. FAVORITE BAKERY, SWEET SHOP or ICE CREAM PARLOR?

Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Café :: 1114 W. Belmont Avenue, Lakeview
Great attention to detail and quality, wonderful little lunches... and they'll make just about any custom cake you desire.

5. FAVORITE "TOURIST-Y" DESTINATION? (that non-tourists love)

Kayak Chicago :: 1501 N Magnolia Avenue, Noble Square
A very atypical way to see Chicago with exposure to sites, views and neighborhoods few tourists get to see.

ADDITIONAL FAVORITES YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

Whole Foods | Lincoln Park :: 1550 N. Kingsbury Street, Lincoln Park
The new store is an out-of-town foodies' delight and a complete spectacle. I can't imagine there's a grocery store like this anywhere else in the world.

Thanks so much to Chandra for her great picks! And, because GREER always has the most awesome stuff, it only seems appropriate to finish up this post with some Chicago-style picks from Chandra's shop!

clockwise from top left :: City Walks Chicago Deck, $14.95; Eat.Shop.Chicago 2nd Ed., $14.95 (GREER is featured on pg. 117!); My Kind Of Town letterpress card, $6.00 by a.favorite; and Wrigley Field card, $4.25 by Scarlet Bloom. All available at GREER Chicago!

top image by Rob Howard for O Magazine.
bottom image c/o GREER Chicago
all other images are from the respective company's website or yelp* Chicago.

After trying to put this post together, I've come to the realization that there are really just too many awesome places to shop, eat, visit in Chicago for anyone to really have a favorite anything. I have tried to narrow my picks down, but it wasn't easy ::

1. FAVORITE SHOP/BOUTIQUE? (gift, clothing, design, etc.)

Traipse Shoes :: 4341 N. Lincoln Avenue, North Center
As a connoisseur of shoes, this place is like my crack... I've somehow managed to only have three pairs of amazing shoes from here (2 pairs of CYDWOQs and a pair of CAMPER boots), but, trust me, if I had more cash, I'd be buying up shoes from here in bulk...

2. FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP/CAFÉ?

Chicago Bagel Authority (aka CBA) :: 953 W. Armitage Avenue, Lincoln Park/DePaul

I'm gonna put this place under the "coffee shop/café" category, mostly, because - if made to choose - I'd take one of these steamed bagel sandwiches every day over my normal daily cup of Joe. Vegetarians have much to choose from here... I'd go for the La Dolce. And those of you who believe bacon should be an ingredient in pretty much everything, you're gonna want a Five-O...
this is must-visit for tourists and non-tourists alike!

3. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Café 28 :: 1800 W. Irving Park Road, North Center
This is my absolute #1 favorite restaurant in the entire city...
and I have just three words for you :: Honey. Jalapeno. Porkchops.

4. FAVORITE "TOURIST-Y" DESTINATION? (that non-tourists love)

The Magnificent Mile :: Michigan Avenue, from the Chicago River to Oak Street
Okay, so as much as I hate pushing through all the bewildered tourists in their khaki shorts and horrible visors, I kinda can't get enough of walking up and down the Mag Mile... not for the shopping, but for the feeling of being immersed in a city. The buildings are amazing, the river is lovely, and there's just so much to look at. It just never gets old for me.

ADDITIONAL FAVORITES YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

1154 Lill Studio :: 904 W. Armitage Avenue, Lincoln Park/DePaul
Having a handbag made to your specifications? What could be better?... Lill is one of my absolute favorites 1) because it's just an amazing business model, 2) it's the perfect collaboration between customer & company and 3) the bags are so damn cute! If you're just visiting the city, don't feel like this isn't something you can get in on - they'll ship your finished bag to you when it's complete!

Whew! I'm exhausted from editing down my favorites! Don't fear - there's much more to come... including L 's list, which includes some of my favorites that I left out here!

all photo images are from the respective company's website or yelp* Chicago.