Randolph Street Market: Things I Saw

This past Saturday, I had the wonderful opportunity to accompany Nikia Jefferson, the mind behind ChiTown Fashionista, her husband and her friend to the Chicago’s World Famous Randolph Street Market for my first official outing as a ChiTown Fashionista contributor. It was also my first encounter with America’s biggest urban market.

I would be lying to you and myself if I didn’t admit that I had a few reservations about attending the event. All I heard was “street” and “market” in the same sentence, which was enough to turn me off, and if that wasn’t enough, Mother Nature turned the temperature up to a scorching 1,000 degrees!

As I arose from the blissfulness of my bed to travel towards the “street market,” I thought to myself, “This is crazy! Turn around.” However, I guess I’m not always right. There’s indeed a first time for everything.

The Randolph Street Market was both refreshing and adventurous. Over 200 indoor and outdoor vendors and boutiques were packed like sardines to showcase their eclectic finds. You could spot everything, from vintage treasures and collector’s items to indie fashion designs and decorative home furnishings. The event also offered many food and drink options.

I see why the “market” is being compared to New York City’s SoHo - but honestly, I’ve been to SoHo and it has nothing on this! Sally Schwartz, the Founder and Executive Producer of the Randolph Street Market, is both fashion forward and kind. If you ever find yourself at the event, make sure you find her.

I’ll definitely be returning until I can’t return anymore. Maybe you can join me and the entire ChiTown Fashionista crew next time.

Check out the price details, location and event dates below:

Admission

(Children 12 and under are always free)

Online - $8.00 for general public, $3.00 for students and seniors with ID

At Door - $10.00 for general public, $5.00 for students and seniors with ID

Location
1350 West Randolph Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607

Dates
(Remaining in 2011)
(Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Sundays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.)

September 24 - 25
October 22 - 23 (indoor fashion only)
November 19 - 20 (indoor only)

Things I Saw at Randolph Street Market

Black Lady, Vintage Painting circa 1960s/1970s, By Charles

Chocolate Boy, The Picaninny Caricatures, Antique Propaganda

Pin-Up Girls, Vintage Propaganda circa 1950s

Army Memorabilia, Vintage Army Gear and Findings

Meet ChiTown Fashionista's Newest Family Member: Gabriel Charles Tyler

As ChiTown Fashionista continues to grow, it became inevitable that I would have to bring a contributor on board.  My quest to find a new writer was a fairly short one. As I was preparing to post a request for a contributor, it dawned on me that ChiTown Fashionista's newest family member was already one of my Twitter buddies.

Gabriel Charles Tyler is a journalism student (check) that truly appreciates fashion (double check) and art in general. This Chicago native, has an amazing sense of style and will lend to ChiTown Fashionista his unique perspective and approach to the world of fashion and culture.

Please join me as I welcome Gabriel to this space! You'll be hearing a WHOLE lot from him.




To learn more about Gabriel Charles Tyler, read his bio on the ABOUT CHITOWN FASHIONISTA page.

Feel free to also check out Gabriel's Tumblr and follow him on Twitter.

In-Fashion: The Magnificent Mile's Shopping Festival Starts This Week!

The Magnificent Mile will be hosting the nation's first ever Shopping Festival and it begins tomorrow!

Entitled In-Fashion, this 2-week fest is going to be filled with celebrity and designer appearances, shopping deals, culinary events and hotel discounts.

Click HERE to get all of the details and see why I'll be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning to help kick off this spectacular event.

The things we do for fashion...

The Awesomeness of Labrabbit Optics [VIDEO]

Everyone that knows me understands that Coyote DeGroot of Labrabbit Optics is my eyewear "pusherman". In the year that I've known him, I've purchased two pairs of frames and one pair of vintage sunglasses. I consistently receive an insane amount of compliments and inquiries on where to find them...so much so, that I carry Labrabbit Optics business cards in my handbag.

To fully grasp the awesomeness that is Labrabbit Optics, check out this video!


*video credit: Studio272

And while you're on a Labrabbit Optics high, check out my recent post on Chicago Like A Local to see what frames I spotted on my most recent visit.

Stay tuned for details about Labrabbit's upcoming 1-year anniversary celebration. I'm sure it's going to be epic.

Labrabbit Optics

1104 N. Ashland Ave

CBS Chicago's Most Valuable Blogger Award: Vote for ChiTown Fashionista

I'm excited to announce that, unbeknownst to me, I was nominated for the CBS Chicago's Most Valuable Blogger Award in the 'Everything Else' Category!!

I've been campaigning for the past week on Twitter and Facebook. But, of course, I had to write an official post to inform all of my readers. Because without my invaluable readership, I wouldn't have received this nomination in the first place!

Please vote for ChiTown Fashionista once a day, every day, until September 9th (click the image below to visit the site).

Oh, and spread the word to your friends, family and social networks.  I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks in advance for your continuous support!  xo

BabyDolls Boutique 4yr Anniversary Event - THIS WEEKEND

Here, at ChiTown Fashionista, I don't normally cover children's fashion. However, I recently received word about a boutique in Southport that offers fashion choices for children AND their moms. Smart move, don't you think?

BabyDolls Boutique (3727 N. Southport Ave.) offers the most adorable and unique items for the little ones as well as great jewelry and accessories for women.

Ladies, if you've never checked out this boutique, this weekend is the perfect time to do so! In celebration of their 4yr anniversary, BabyDolls Boutique is hosting back to back events. One that caters to children and another that has grownup fashionistas in mind.

So hop over there this Saturday with your mini-me and enjoy a day filled with fun and our favorite pastime, shopping! Could the weekend get any better?

ANNOUNCEMENT: Shopping Correspondent for "Chicago Like A Local"

Hello, my lovely readers!

For months, I have been wanting to share some exciting news with you. However, time was needed to hash out and solidify the final details.

Now, I can officially unzip my lip to let you know that I will be the official shopping correspondent for the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau's newly launched blog Chicago Like A Local!

The CCTB has gathered together a group of local experts to provide visitors with all they need to know about Chicago Shopping, Dining, Sports, Entertainment and Family Fun...but from the perspective of a local. All of the contributing bloggers will present to visitors places and activities that are not necessarily mentioned in Chicago tour guides.

Being a part of CCTB's new endeavor is indeed an honor! There's nothing that gives me more joy than exposing the masses to the great shopping options in Chicago.

Due to the fact that ChiTown Fashionista was created as a platform for local designers and boutiques, I'm still working out how to avoid overlapping topics on both websites. I'm sure it will all come together in due time. At ChiTown Fashionista, I will continue to feature local designers, fashion and shopping event coverage as well as fashion trends. Over at Chicago Like A Local, it's all about shopping; where to find the best of the best in clothing, jewelry, accessories and vintage. I'll also discuss the best places for menswear, home decor and furniture.

I'm currently building a list of places I want to showcase. This means I will be hitting the pavement even more to explore this great city and discover local treasures. Shop owners, beware. I'll be heading to your neighborhood with my camera and notebook in tow.

Visit (and bookmark) ChicagoLikeALocal.com and let me know what you think. Once you're there, simply click on 'Shopping' to see what is now my second home in the blogosphere!


P.S. I would love to hear from you about which shops you think visitors and tourists need to be aware of. So, feel free to leave a comment below listing your favorites.

Crushin' on Peep Toe Flats

Yes. We all know heels are so much more flattering than flats. However, in a city filled with festivals, street fairs and markets, there are many days when heels just don't cut it.

If you must wear flats in the summer, save the flip flops for the beach and try a pair of peep toe flats! Peep toe flats are the epitome of femininity and they allow you to show off that brightly colored pedicure you've been sportin' all season. Sure, you can show off that pedicure in sandals. But unlike full fledged sandals, peep toe flats are more refined and tend to be more appropriate for the workplace.

Here are some of the peep toe flats I've been crushing on lately!

Virginia Woven Peep Toe by Topshop (unfortunately sold out) | Peep Toe Flat by Camper

Ollie by kate spade | Britt by Bourne

Podo by daniblack | Peep Toe Flat by Luiza Barcelos

Samantha by Alfani | Peep Toe Ballet Flat by JANET & JANET

What's your take on the peep toe flat? Yea or Nay?