CHICAGO SIDEWALK SALE

Photo via Alison Neidt Toonen.

It's time for the annual Fashion Focus Chicago Sidewalk Sale! Stop by Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington St.) Tuesday, July 22nd, and Wednesday, July 23rd, from 9 AM to 3 PM to shop clothing, accessories, and jewelry from Chicago designers and local boutiques. There will also be fashion shows each day at noon - the perfect way to switch up your typical lunch hour! 

The usual Jess & Jill favorites will be there again this year, including Blank Nation Apparel, Anastasia Chatzka, Objets d'Envy, and more. Jess will be working at the Blank Nation Apparel booth on Wednesday, so make sure to stop by and say hi (and do a little shopping too)!

Check out our Chicago Sidewalk Sale visit a couple years ago here.

Jess & Jill

THE PERFECT GIFT GUIDE

The last weekend before Christmas is upon us! You know what that means... Time to finish off that gift list! Having a hard time figuring out what to get? Skip those gift cards and get the perfect gift just for them. Whether they're an Earth-conscious friend, an upcoming bride, a little sis starting college, or a new mom - there is something they need and want.

Apple & Bee Organic Cotton Canvas Tote ($37.00) - Nordstrom, SPROUT Watches Cork Dial Strap Watch ($50.00) - Nordstrom, Vegan Ultrabalm ($13.95) - LUSH, Dogeared 'Mind, Body & Spirit' Om Pendant Necklace ($62.00) - Nordstrom, Pure Balance Water Bottle ($28.00) - Lululemon, Peace On Earth Print Yoga Mat ($21.98) - Gaiam

Butter Bride ($42.00) - butter LONDON, Brushed Silver Wall Frames ($24.95 - $39.95) - Crate & Barrel, Monogrammable Herringbone Stripe Hand Towel ($10.00) - West Elm, Mr. and Mrs. Muse Mug ($24.00) - Jonathan Adler, Philosophy 'Love Sweet Love' Layering Gift Set ($49.50) - Sephora, Nestled Ring Dish ($10.00) - Anthropologie

Packable Backpack ($88.00) - Marc by Marc Jacobs, 'Home Sweet Dorm' Print ($15.00) - Amanda Catherine Designs, Pocket Hard Cover Daily Planner ($16.95) - Moleskin, Red Cable Photo Cord ($6.95) - CB2, Over-The-Door Vanity Station ($59.00 - On Sale!) - Urban Outfitters, iHome Portable Speaker ($39.99 - On Sale!) - Best Buy, Kate Spade New York Composition Notebook iPad Case ($85.00) - Bloomingdale's

I'm A Parent? Guided Journal ($16.00) - Knock Knock, Timi & Leslie 'Charlie' Diaper Bag ($159.99) - Nordstrom, Desert Rose Frame ($28.00) - Anthropologie, Healthy Skin Essential Every Night ($72.00) - Kiehl's, Initial+Birthstone Necklace ($48.00) - Objets d'Envy, Eileen Fisher Wool & Cashmere Knit Poncho Sweater ($142.00 - On Sale!) - Saks Fifth Avenue

Who do you have left on your list?

XO Jess

ONE OF A KIND SHOW AND SALE

Looking for the perfect gift for the holidays? Check out the One of a Kind Show and Sale Chicago at the Merchandise Mart, December 6th to 9th. We love finding those perfect, unique gifts that scream someone's name - and this is where you can shop handmade creations of more than 600 artists! There will even be an Etsy Pavillion featuring some of their emerging artsists. And you know we love anything Etsy.

In anticipation for the show, we've been doing some window shopping online and checking out some of the artists that will be there.

Ashley Buchanan Jewelry - Booth 2078

Emmy Star Brown - Booth 4111

Objets d'Envy - Booth 7101

jules. - Booth 8084

Chomp Textiles - Booth 8062

Need to make money instead of spending it? Work the event!

Staff for a booth for women's hats, gloves and coats is needed! You will be expected to model the accessories - females preferred. You will create buzz in the booth and need to showcase the product to show attendees. Required: enthusiasm, a sense of style, energy, outgoing attitude and willingness to socialize with customers. Retail experience a bonus. $10 cash per hour and free ticket to the show that is good for all four days of the show. Show hours are Thursday - 11 to 8, Friday - 11 to 8, Saturday - 10 to 7 and Sunday - 10 to 5. You can request four to six-hour blocks and you can work with a friend and multiple days! Please apply to kirsten (at) objetsdenvy (dot) com with your related experience, qualities, hours preference and social media profiles if any.

Tickets are $12 and can be purchased here.

XO Jess & Jill

SHOP SMALL

It's Small Business Saturday and we are happy to support our favorite local stores and brands in Chicago!

Shop small at Objets d'Envy and get 30% off with coupon code POST30. Some of our other favorite locals? Love and Pieces (1616 N. Damen Ave.), Eskell (1509 N. Milwaukee Ave.), Lori's Shoes (824 Armitage Ave.) and House of Gemmes.

What is your favorite local shop?

XO Jess & Jill

CHICAGO SIDEWALK SALE

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!

XO Jess