I'll admit, the Summer Olympics have me watching more sports in one season than I do the three previous years combined, but I love cheering on Team USA... even if I'm eating pizza while doing so. Although I'll probably never be a competing gymnast in the games (I've moved on to figure-skating, but I'll talk about that in the appropriate season), I've been divulging in a little first place gold. But why stop there? You can mix your metals and feel like a winner (without getting off the couch) with these jewelry pieces.
As we all know, Lollapalooza is around the corner and this year it's not all about the music, but about the shopping! Do we have your attention now?
From now through August 6th, ticket and non-ticket holders can visit the first ever Lollashop at 323 S. Michigan Ave. Store is open Mondays through Saturdays, 11 AM to 8 PM, Sundays from noon to 7 PM. You can shop official Lolla gear, including a specially made tee by Gap, hats of Goorin Bros., jules, or one of our favorite shops, Rad + Refined. They will also have retail experiences from Sony, Baggu, and Threadless.
And that's not all! GUESS is also celebrating with their annual Lollapalooza event! This Thursday August 2nd, from 6 to 8 PM, you can enjoy cocktails, sweet treats, and an in-store DJ set from our favorite duo, The Knocks! With any GUESS eyewear purchase, you will get a free download of the Shades of Summer playlist! GUESS List Members (it's free to join!) will also receive a premium gift bag with any purchase.
We are so excited to announce the winner of our very first giveaway is Ki Ip! She won her own customized blouse from Yours Not Hers and we can't wait to see what blouse you create! Congratulations and thank you to everyone that entered!
One of the most annoying fashion issues is searching through your closet for the right shirt that matches the hardware on your pants, purse, and jewelry (we're tired just THINKING about it), so that's why we were thrilled to come across Yours Not Hers. The concept is simple, yet genius - pick the color of your blouse and then pick your trim and metal, from exposed zippers to button and lace details!
We were lucky enough to be able to style one of these blouses, and loved the quality of the garment. The color has us in the mood for fall wear, and you can check out the two looks we created below! And because we love to share our luck with our readers, you can enter to win the chance to design your own Yours Not Hers blouse! Here are the must-haves to be entered into the giveaway. This giveaway is now closed.
The winner will be chosen at random, but you can receive extra entries by retweeting the contest and sharing it on Facebook. And as an awesome bonus, you will receive two extra entries for following our blog on Google Friend Connect! Please comment letting us know you went above and beyond and send us links if applicable. The winner will get their very own customized creation! Contest ends on Sunday (07.29), so don't wait!
Jill is wearing the Sheridan blouse (more styles coming soon!) in olive green with an antique button detail, and looks are styled and photographed by Jess!
What are your favorite designs, colors, and features of Yours Not Hers? Don't forget to enter, we'd love to see what you create!
Soma Intimates is making a difference... One bra at a time! Now in its fifth biannual bra donation initiative, Soma Intimates has donated over 265,000 bras since 2010! Bras are the least donated, but the most needed item, so what seems like a small donation will make a big difference to women who struggle on a daily basis!
Soma Intimates says it best - giving is beautiful. Now through August 12th, you can donate new or gently worn bras at all Soma boutiques, including their Water Tower (845 N. Michigan Ave.) location. They will then distribute them to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, representing over 2,000 shelter programs.
For some inspiration, you can read real stories from women supporting women on Soma Intimates' Facebook. For more information about this bra donation, click here.
Remember, every woman is different, so every bra is needed. Please spread the word about this great bra donation! If you cannot make it to a Soma boutique, you can mail in your bra to:
I am OBSESSED with Warby Parker. For those four-eyes like me out there, Warby Parker is your answer to inexpensive and amazing quality of prescription glasses, and Rx and non-Rx sunwear. For $95 (a tad bit more if your prescription is stronger), you can get your hands on a stylish pair of spectacles and sunwear ($150 for prescription sunglasses, but no extra charge for the polarization). All optical lenses are made from polycarbonate (super impact-resistant), offer 100% UV protection, coated twice with anti-reflective coating, and anti-scratch coating is included. As a person that has been wearing glasses since the third grade, those deets make me way too excited.
While Warby Parker is mainly an online shop, they do have showrooms throughout the US, including Chicago (more about that below). Buying glasses... online? But they make it so simple! Just select five pairs you're falling in love with and they'll send it to you in an adorable box for you to choose the one pair you love (or two). Squint in front of a mirror, ask your friends, or get the opinions from other WB-obsessed on their Facebook and five days later, send your samples back and place your order!
I'm a proud owner of three pairs of glasses and my first pair of Rx sunwear. And I don't plan on stopping there. I've always had a new pair of glasses every year, and Warby Parker lets me do more than that! And I can't feel guilty because Warby Parker will donate a pair to someone in need for every pair sold. Get a glimpse of some of the pairs I own!
Warby Parker has amazing customer service down packed! I swear, there's someone handling their Twitter account all 24 hours of the day. They even replied to my tweet with a video!
Fallen in love yet? Now you can get the chance to not only shop Warby Parker in person, but party with them as well! This Saturday, July 21st, from 5:30 to 9 PM at 1537 N. Damen Ave, the Warby Parker Bocce Social will be here! Enjoy elegant picnic fare, bocce & bags, refreshing beverages, a special performance by The Record Low at 7 PM and an exclusive Warby Parker pop-up shop from 5:30 to 7 PM. The event is open to the public, but you do have to be 21 and over.
Can't make it to the Warby Parker event but need to try on some glasses ASAP, head over to Apartment Number 9 (1804 N. Damen Ave.) in Wicker Park. Need some instant gratification? You can purchase non-Rx sunwear on the spot!
Who else gets really excited about glasses? I know I'm not the only one!
After work, I swung by the Chicago Sidewalk Sale at the Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington St.) In its sixth year, the sidewalk sale is an easy way to introduce yourself to over 40 talented jewelry and fashion designers and local boutiques. I saw my favorite, Brooke of Blank Nation Apparel, caught up with Kirsten of Objets d'Envy, and finally met the ladies behind brands that I've been obsessing with online!
The Chicago Sidewalk Sale will be open for one more day, tomorrow from 9 AM to 3 PM, so make your way over during lunch or sneak out for some retail therapy, it will be hump day after all! (Don't mind the snapshots, I stumbled upon this and didn't have my camera with me. Gotta love my iPhone!) Catch a glimpse of some of the designers I got to know!
Objets d'Envy has been one of our favorites since we've moved to Chicago. Kirsten's initial+birthstone necklace was my first local designer piece I bought and became the inspiration for a Chicago-based blog for Jill and I! Follow her on Twitter and 'like' her on Facebook!
Brooke is the owner and designer of Blank Nation Apparel (we introduced you to her in this post) and is part of the Macy's Chicago Fashion Incubator. Love her prints and especially the silhouettes of her dresses, they're perfect for every body type. Expect some great things to come from Brooke this year!
shopjules.com says it best, "jules hand fabricated artisan jewelry line is inspired by organic imperfectiosn nature; deep color variations of gemstones, rich textures of raw minerals and blemishes on hand-hammered metals." Definitely make your way to the Chicago Sidewalk Sale, she's hand graving ID tags on-site! Follow her on Twitter and 'like' her on Facebook!
Jess of Jess LC is an accessories designer who's been making jewelry since she was 15, and is now expanding her brand to include a variety of life goods. Check out her blog, Makeunder My Life, follow her on Twitter, and most importantly, buy everything from her shop! I am loving this flamingo bracelet!
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The ribbons for necklaces and bracelets are interchangeable!
LUCIUS Jewelry is created and owned by Christy, a metalsmith that creates beautiful wearable art. I absolutely love that her shop includes everything from hearts to skulls, a perfect shop for everyone! You can also browse her designs on her Etsy shop and 'like' her on Facebook!
From token necklaces and reconstructed lockets to tie clips and cuff links, Jojo & Sofia features extremely unique reconstructed vintage jewelry for both women and men! They can even create a customized piece with your favorite and treasured pieces into a personalized piece. 'Like' them on Facebook!
Don't forget, there's one more day of the Chicago Sidewalk! Head over to the Daley Plaza tomorrow, 9 AM to 3 PM. Stay cool out there!
Jill gave you the deets for this awesome giveaway in our last post. The winner will get tickets to the Parade of Boats VIP lounge at the Race to Mackinac, along with a picnic basket with some delicious champagne from Veuve Clicquot. Don't worry, it's not getting too competitive at JUNCTURE, Jill can't win because she's interning at CBN, but I sure can! Vote for me on CBN's Facebook! For my nautical look I'm showing off my outfit from Las Vegas, you can check out my post here. I'm sporting a Jason Wu for Target dress, an H&M denim jacket, GUESS wedges and jewelry, Kristin Hassan wrist wrap, a gifted clutch, J.Crew necklace, and a Sequin bracelet from Nordstrom.
You can find out how to enter here, but if you like my nautical look, 'like' it on Facebook, the one with the most 'likes' wins!
