Shoppin' and Stylin' at Mr. and Mrs. Digz

A few weeks ago, I was invited to Mr. and Mrs. Digz to check out the store and style looks from their wide variety of merchandise.

With a 4-part store concept (designer vintage, consignment, new and handmade)*, I had a feeling that I would be overwhelmed with choices from which to style our lovely model, Rochelle. And I was indeed correct!

*For more information on the store, click HERE to view my post on Chicago Like A Local

Since this was my first time visiting Mr. and Mrs. Digz, I took a few moments to browse the store and get myself acquainted with the well-edited collection of clothing, jewelry and accessories. I was particularly impressed with the range of sizes that were offered AND the presence of a men's section. It truly is a one-stop shop.

Here are just a few things I discovered during my walkthrough:

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Save on Last Minute Gift Ideas from ASOS! (My Top 10 Picks)

ASOS has knocked down the prices (up to 40% discount) on what they've deemed as last-minute gifting items.

Here are my top picks from the array of choices.

1. Made Brass Flower Cuff Bracelet
2. Made Macho Moja Ring
3. Leather Elbow Patch Gloves
4. Adidas Originals Cambridge Watch
5. Leather Contrast Snake Skin Shopper
6. Metallic Oversized Bowler
7. Calourette Pin Confetti Brooch
8. House of Harlow 5 Stack Rings
9. Harris Satchel
10. Faux Fur Long Cuffs


Now, get to shopping!!

*Save an additional 20% with code: XMASSHIPUS (offer ends Friday, December 16th at 4pm PST)

Panera to fuel downtown shoppers THIS Saturday. Find out how to get in on the goods!

I just received word that Panera's brand new location on 2 North Michigan Ave will be delivering snacks to shoppers in the Loop on Saturday!!  If you find yourself downtown, finishing up your holiday shopping between 9am and 1pm, you just may have a chance to get some good ol' Panera delivered to you.

All you need to do is tweet your location and include the hashtag #panerasnackbreak. If you are selected, you will receive a tweet that the delivery is on its way! Who doesn't need a little snack break amidst all of that hardcore shopping?

Not sure what is considered "the Loop"? Well, I've created a nifty map to give you an idea. 

The delivery area is between Monroe and Lake from Lasalle to Michigan. Got it?

And just in case you need a few suggestions of where to shop on Saturday, here's a list of some of the best shopping destinations in the Loop.

Macy's
111 N. State Street

Block37 (Zara, Anthropologie, AKIRA and more)
108 N. State Street

Nordstrom Rack
24 N. State Street

H&M
22 N. State Street

TJ Maxx
11 N. State Street

Urban Outfitters
20 S. State Street

Forever21
26 S. State Street

Ann Taylor Loft
51 E. Randolph Street
111 W. Monroe Street
33 N. Lasalle Street

Jeweler's Center (190+ jewelers)
5 S. Wabash Avenue

Nine West
35 E. Washington Street
111 W. Monroe Street

The Museum Shop in the Art Institute
111 S. Michigan Avenue


Enjoy your weekend shopping adventures and let me know if you score some Panera snacks! Good luck!

Holiday Gift Ideas from the Chicago Blogger Network

If you're still on the hunt for the perfect gift or looking to add more to your own wish list, check out the Chicago Blogger Network Holiday Gift Guide!

Over 30 local bloggers recommended their "favorite things" this holiday season and it resulted in one of the most impressive gift guides I've seen. It is filled with a variety of unique items, some of which are made by local designers and/or sold in local boutiques.

Yours truly also participated. Can you find my item above?   
hint: My love for this brand started over a year ago.

Click HERE to view the entire gift guide, along with the links to each item and the respective blogger.

Then tell me, which item(s) did you like the most? Which one of your "favorite things" would you add to the list?

Send Virtual Christmas Carolers to the "Home" of Your Loved Ones

The holiday season is upon us! And the brilliant crew at TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Homegoods have partnered with Google to provide us with an alternative to the traditional e-card. Now, we can virtually send Christmas carolers to our family and friends.  

Not only can you select the song and optional effects (of course I chose snow), you can also enter the recipient's address to create a background using Google's street view of their home!

Pretty. Friggin'. Awesome.

Don't know the exact address? No worries. Choose one of the landmark options including Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, Times Square and more. Unfortunately, The Bean is not included. Maybe next year, TJ Maxx?!

Besides sending Christmas carols, you can purchase gift cards and peruse gift ideas recommended by the designer discount trifecta.

So, visit ShareACarol.com to send carolers to your loved ones. It promises to be one of the most unique holiday emails they've ever received!

Linking UP: Stylish Work Wear; The Perfect Winter Outfit; The New Age Diary; Sound Advice from a Top Fashionpreneur

Refinery29 challenges us to spruce up our work wear. And we're certainly up for it! (Click HERE for a wardrobe boost)

Le Blog de Big Beauty has me dreaming of velvet dresses, ladylike handbags and mirrored brooches. (Click HERE to find out why)

Swa-Rai has discovered the coolest diary on the market! (Click HERE to reignite your childhood journal-keeping days)

Fashionista.com receives great business advice from Rent the Runway's Jenn Hyman. (Click HERE to see why business plans are practically unnecessary)

True Blessyn: Trunk Show Details, Insider Scoop & Behind-The-Scenes Photos

Everyone knows that I love to support emerging designers, especially when they produce quality goods.  Shani Brown, of True Blessyn, is one such designer. After years in the making, True Blessyn is ready to officially launch and will be celebrating with its first trunk show this Saturday!

Before you attend, here are some interesting facts and a bit of insider scoop...

A few months ago, Shani let me bear witness to her Spring 2012 lookbook photo shoot. It was then that I was able to check out the clothing up close, snap behind-the-scenes photos and chat with her about the collection.

Shani has dedicated the collection, entitled Dream Chaser, to women "doing what they have to do to make their dreams a reality". Being from Jamaica has influenced Shani's love for color. And it is certainly a prevalent characteristic throughout her collection.
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Lori's Shoes Launches an Impressive Capsule Collection

When I received an invite for the Lori's Shoes Capsule Collection Launch, my first thought was "it's about time". Lori's Shoes is by far one of the best locally owned places to shop for footwear. Spend a few minutes in the store or viewing the e-commerce site and you'll see that Lori knows her shoes.

Lori's is known for having some of the best prices (just do a little online comparison shopping to validate that fact) and exclusive designs (Lori frequently travels to Europe to strike deals with some of the best footwear designers).

Now that Lori's has conquered the shoe retail game, they are diving into shoe design business. My fellow shoe lovers can rejoice because the collection is quite impressive...and affordable! Every style was on-trend and incorporated one or more of the following: mary jane straps, platforms, color-blocking, and snakeskin.

Check it out:

Kimber

Knockout (in green)

Knockout (in black)

Bamma (in grey)

Bamma (in camel)

After chatting with Lori about the collection, I was introduced to Italian shoe designer Maurizio Celin.

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