HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Whether you're off to a costume party, trick-or-treating, or staying in to watch a scary movie, have a Happy Halloween!

Look Alive ($4.00) - Euclid Street Shop

And don't forget to stay festive with pieces from your closet that are perfect for Halloween!

Jess & Jill

THE LIMITED'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY FASHION SHOW + GIVEAWAY

Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg.

The Limited celebrated it's 50th Anniversary in Chicago with a fashion show of the must-have trends of the season! Since 1 out of 10 purchases at The Limited come from their Water Tower Place store, Chicago was the perfect place to celebrate. We girls know how to shop here in the Windy City!

Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg.

The fashion show was hosted by Elliot Staples, VP of Design, and Corri McFadden, owner of eDrop-Off. They broke down the latest trends of equestrian, military, and leather that models and bloggers donned down the runway.

Hosts Elliot Staples and Corri McFadden!
Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg.

Along with the beautiful models, I was also joined by Christine of The View from 5 ft. 2 and Jessica of Addictions of a Fashion Junkie to show off how us Chicagoan ladies pull off the latest trends from The Limited! We had such a fun time hanging out 'backstage' in hair and makeup!

With Christine of The View from 5 ft. 2, Corri McFadden of eDrop-Off and Jessica of Addictions of a Fashion Junkie!
Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg.

Walking down the runway!
Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg.

Telling everyone why I love my new leather look c/o The Limited!
Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg.

Elliot Staples helped me style my leather look to represent the amazing pieces The Limited had to offer, while keeping my own personal style. I loved every piece, but absolutely became obsessed with these faux leather front leggings and knew my outfit needed to revolve around those! They're extremely comfy and the perfect piece to transition from day to night. (The coat and necklace are tied for a very close second place.) Get ready for some repeat outfit posts, because these leggings are going to be my closet staple this season!

Herringbone Coat ($158.00), Marbled Bib Statement Necklace ($44.95), Colorblock Oversized Clutch ($49.90), OBR Embellished Pocket Layering Shirt ($59.95), and Faux Leather Front Leggings Pants ($69.95) c/o The Limited.

With Jessica of Addictions of a Fashion Junkie and Christine of The View from 5 ft. 2!
Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg.

Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg.

With Jessica of Addictions of a Fashion Junkie, Elliot Staples, and Christine of The View from 5 ft. 2!
Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg.

What's a fashion show without any peeks from behind the scenes?

Chit chatting with Erin!
Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg.

1. Setting up the runway. 2. Happy 50th Anniversary! 3. Makeup, makeup, and more makeup! 4. Having fun with some of the models! 5. Leather twinsies. 6. Silliness with some of the models! 7. Selfie time! 8. The celebration dress winner. 9. With Elliot Staples!

Check out our Instagram for more photos!

And that's not all! The Limited is giving one of our lucky winners a $50 gift card! Make sure to enter our giveaway below by November 11th. All you have to do is like us on Facebook and grab some extra points by following us on Twitter, tweeting about the contest, and following us on Instagram!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A huge thanks to The Limited for inviting us to be a part of the fashion show (we missed you, Jill!) and celebrate their 50th Anniversary!

Jess

Fashion show outfit was courtesy of The Limited. Jess & Jill were compensated for this post, but commentary and opinions are of their own.

POPINSHOP - BITA POURTAVOOSI AT PIPER BOUTIQUE

PopInShop is bringing Bita Pourtavoosi to Piper Boutique (2136 N. Halsted St.) today, October 29th from 4 to 8 PM!

Based out of New York, Bita Pourtavoosi is inspired by Ancient Egyptian jewelry and Middle Eastern motifs. Her designs are different than many other jewelry pieces and puts a refreshing twist on everything from statement necklaces to cocktail rings. Chicago is home to one of three Piper Boutiques and features brands you know and love!

RSVP here to get 10% off your purchase when you shop these beautiful pieces!

Jess & Jill

JESS'S HOWABOUTWE DATE AT RED DOOR IN BUCKTOWN

Being that Jill and I are in long term relationships, it seems that we have exhausted every date night option, especially during the winter months. At least that's what we thought, until HowAboutWe came into the picture.

HowAboutWe for Couples are experiences for two. A subscription gives you access to tons of exclusive deals on unique dates, with up to 75% off. Membership also includes one free monthly date of your choice - we're talking options like gourmet pancakes and bacon from Babycakes, couples scavenger hunt at Uncle Fun, and whiskey flights at Bullhead Cantina, to name a few. Can't make the decision on your own? Members can take advantage of the complimentary concierge service that'll plan the perfect night for you. From t-shirt screenprinting classes to couples fragrances making date, and so much more, you will never have another boring date night again!

The first date of our three-part series is my cocktail and appetizer pairings date at Red Door in Bucktown (2118 N. Damen Ave.) with my boyfriend!

This neighborhood spot has the perfect blend of coziness, tasty drinks, good food, and a great ambiance (and an outdoor beer garden for the warmer months)! We got there a bit early for the bar crowd, but it definitely picked up by the time we left at about 9 PM. The music selection was great and it was loud enough to set the mood, but you could still easily enjoy your conversation with your significant other without losing your voice.

Our mixologist Reed (who was awesome) started us off with the Ballad of Boot Hill (Buffalo Trace Bourbon, house-made cinnamon sarsaparilla) and bacon-wrapped artichokes. This cocktail was definitely our favorite of the night! The sarsaparilla is made with brown and white sugar with a taste of  brewed tea for just the right amount of sweetness!

Ballad of Boot Hill.

Bacon-wrapped artichoke.

Our next round included the Dark, Stormy (Cruzan Blackstrap, Don Q Cristal, house-made ginger beer) and ghost chili chicken wings with honey-buttermilk sauce. This chicken wing packs a punch, but it cooled down with the cocktail that made Reed awesome - he listened to my love for anything ginger!

Dark, Stormy.

Ghost chili chicken wing.

Our last pairing was the First Bite (Bulleit Bourbon, Averna, Crème de Noisette, rhubarab bitters, herb bitters) and chestnut fried calamari with crispy lemons and tarragon aioli (our favorite dish of the night)!

First Bite.

Chestnut fried calamari.

And it wouldn't be a typical date of ours without a dessert! The salted caramel pot de crème was amazing and we might be back just for that!

Salted caramel pot de crème.

My boyfriend and I tend to go to the same ol' places in downtown, so it was such a nice change of pace to try something new and sit down without any other distractions beside good food and drinks. We had such a great evening and our HowAboutWe date was a total success -  we were giggling like two new lovebirds by the end of the night!

Ending the night with a First Bite.

The boyfriend browsing the menu.

Stay tuned for the next date!

Jess

Date was paid for by HowAboutWe only, reviews and commentary are of Jess and Jill.

FAVORITO FRIDAY: DEBORAH LIPPMANN 'BIG BANG' HOLIDAY '13

I love Christmas, and as much as I'm really trying not to do a holiday-themed post just yet, I couldn't help it! If you're like me and already started gift shopping (let's be real, I'm back out the second Christmas is over), then you can cross someone's name off the list or, ahem, keep this one for yourself. 

I mean, how could you not want the Big Bang, this amazing 12-piece nail set from Deborah Lippmann?!

Available at DeborahLippmann.com, Nordstrom, and Sephora ($78, a $144 value!).

Big Bang includes Sweet Life, Bad Moon Rising, Scream & Shout, Girl on Fire, Sunshine Superman, Lara's Theme, Harlem Shake, One More Night, Big Blue Note, Green Eyed Lady, Sparks Fly, and Invincible. 

Have you started holiday shopping yet or am I the only crazy one?

Jess

THE LIMITED'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

The Limited is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a private fashion show tonight, October 24th from 6 to 8 PM at The Limited Water Tower (845 N. Michigan Ave., 4th floor), featuring models and bloggers. And that includes Jess! She will be walking down in an outfit styled by her and Elliot Staples, VP of Design! The fashion show will include their latest trends - military-inspired, equestrian-inluenced and one of our favorites, leather! Check out a sneak peek of Jess's runway look below!

Sneak peek of Jess's runway look!

As a part of the anniversary celebration, The Limited also designed a limited edition clutch and bracelet benefitting Dress for Success, an organization that provides disadvantaged women with professional attire.

Limited edition clutch and bracelet.

What a way to celebrate 50 years!

Jess & Jill

RAD AND REFINED BASICS

One of our favorite shops (and every fashionista's fav) Jacqueline Rezak of Rad and Refined is breaking into the design industry! Launching Spring 2014 in stores around the world such as Fred Segal, DASH, and more, Rad and Refined Basics is the perfect line that balances comfort and style. You can shop the basics here!

Jess's favorite is the Nicole Top (third look below), while Jill is loving the long, black dress with slit (first look below - coming soon). 

Photo via Rad and Refined.
Left to right: Nicole Top ($62.00), Sunday Tee ($62.00), Rad Babe Dress ($65.00), Rad Tee ($55.00)

How would you rock your basic?

Jess & Jill

SHE WRITES CHICAGO

We are extremely honored and so excited to announce that we will be featured amongst some beautiful and talented female writers and bloggers at She Writes Chicago!

Taking place November 14th at American Junkie, the event will be hosted by author Jillian Conley, WCIU’s Aly Bockler, B96's Showbiz Shelly, and KISS FM's Jordan! Sponsored by My Three Sisters Publishing, Hennessy, MyDealTV, COCO5, and Lemonesse, all proceeds will benefit My Three Sisters Literacy Initiative & Charity 4 Life.

Early bird tickets are only $10 right now ($15 event presale, $20 at the door), so make sure to get yours soon! You can also grab a raffle ticket for $5, and both can be purchased here.

Learn more about the women being featured, including us and some of our favorite girls, here. You can also find more information at the event's Facebook page!

We hope to see you there!

Jess & Jill

SAMPLE BIN (DR. DENNIS GROSS, BUMBLE AND BUMBLE., WHISH, AND HOURGLASS)

From free gift with purchases to swag bags, I've accumulated a lot of beauty, makeup, and skincare samples. I showed you my sample bin and now it's time to try out five new products and let you know what I think!

1. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Peel Original Formula ($15.00 - $145.00) - Sephora, 2. Bumble and bumble. Thickening Shampoo ($8.00 - $59.00) - Sephora, 3. Bumble and bumble. Thickening Conditioner ($8.00 - $59.00) - Sephora, 4. Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream ($20.00) - Birchbox, 5. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15 ($18.00 - $52.00) - Sephora.

1. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Peel Original Formula ($15.00 - $145.00) - Sephora: I absolutely loved how my skin felt after this. It's made for sensitive skin and it was perfect enough for mine, which tends to dry out with harsh products. It calmed my redness (huge problem for me) and brightened my complexion. It's also geared toward anti-aging, but without trying it for a bit longer, I can't tell how it will go, but so far, I'm really eager to make this a part of my daily routine.

2. Bumble and bumble. Thickening Shampoo and 3. Conditioner ($8.00 - $59.00) - Sephora: I hate this product, because it works SO well! I already have really thick hair, so I basically tried this for science and it made my hair so much fuller and shinier. Please get this product because you will fall madly, deeply in love!

4. Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream ($20.00) - Birchbox: I have crazy sensitive skin when it comes to shaving and traditional creams are not my friends. Whish doesn't leave my legs covered in red bumps, but it does hydrate and leave it smooth as silk! I'm a fan of Kiehl's shaving cream and Whish does the same exact job, but with a twist. Whish shaving cream comes in different scents! Mine didn't say anything on the sample, so it was a nice surprise when it smelled just like blueberry pancakes (the blue packaging should have been a hint)! It also comes in pomegranate, lemongrass, almond, lavender, and coconut.

5. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15 ($18.00 - $52.00) - Sephora: I normally use Smashbox for my foundation primer, but my forehead ends up oily by the end of the day. The Hourglass primer did help keeping it oil-free, but didn't make it obsolete. It's worth the extra 10 bucks for now, but I'm still on the search for the perfect primer!

Keep an eye out for more sample reviews!

Jess

MICROSOFT SURFACE 2 LAUNCH EVENT

The Microsoft Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 will be launching at midnight this upcoming Monday, October 21st, at their store in Oakbrook Center!

From 10 PM to midnight, check out the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 before anyone else and enjoy food, drinks, DJ, and fun challenges for a chance to win a VIP trip to Orlando to see Pitbull perform live!

Make sure to use #Surface while you're at the launch party!

Jess & Jill

CHEEKY CHICAGO TURNS FIVE

We celebrated with Cheeky Chicago last week at The Underground for their 5th birthday party!

With a LOFT fashion show styled by the talented adoptedSTYLE, makeup touches from Cate McNabb, drinks from Moët & Chandon and Baileys, and of course a photo booth (which got a ton of action from us), we had a fabulous night! But no night would be complete without celebrating with some of our favorite bloggers!

With the ladies of Cheeky Chicago!

Makeup touches from Cate McNabb.

Loving the new bar!

Drinks from Moët & Chandon.

With Erin of Loop Looks, Kit of The Kittchen, and Megan of Stylish & Scatterbrained!

Photo booth time!

Time to head backstage to see behind the scenes of the looks, makeup, and hair of the LOFT fashion show styled by adoptedSTYLE!

  

Let the fashion show begin!

Such a Jill look!

For the celebration, Jess wore Aldo wedges, and a Marciano knit, scarf, and crossbody. Jill wore a Brand & Label vest, H&M shorts, Intermix heels, and a cuff from Nordstrom.

Until next year, Cheeky Chicago!

Jess & Jill