Eddie Bauer: The Blogger Day Styling Event and My Reunion With The Brand

As long as I can remember Eddie Bauer has been synonymous with quality. In my high school days, if you owned an Eddie Bauer backpack or portfolio (remember those?), you were definitely considered as one of the "cool kids". But there was more to it than status. Yes, they cost more than most bags. But we all knew that purchasing an Eddie Bauer meant you could last all four years with the same bag, no problem. It was one of my first examples of the consumer mantra "you get what you pay for".

However, as time went on, Eddie Bauer fell off my radar. I knew it was the best source for down coats - I even blogged about one of their coats 2 years ago - but hadn't made a purchase in years!

So, when I was invited to to attend Eddie Bauer Blogger Day (#EBBloggerDay) and style models in the 2011 Holiday Collection, I jumped at the chance to reconnect with the brand and see what the store had to offer besides outerwear.

Before arriving to the Mag Mile store (600 N. Michigan Avenue), I had a chance to view some digital images of the collection and knew that the quilted leather Military Jacket (shown below) would be a blogger favorite.

But I was determined to use some of the other great pieces in the collection to style our lovely female model, Jade.

CONTINUE READING...

Guest Blogger: TopShop Chicago Preview!

With me AND Gabriel in New York for Fashion Week during the Chicago TopShop opening, I was determined to find someone to cover the preview event.  Thankfully, Aramide from The Sassy Peach came to the rescue. Check out her recap!

Hey there ChiTown Fashionistas! Aramide here from The Sassy Peach bringing you the scoop on the exclusive VIP preview of Topshop's brand spankin' new Chicago location!

As you may or may not know, Chicago is the second city in the US to get a Topshop location (New York being the first) so we are l-u-c-k-y! Since your editor Nikia was off to NYFW, I stepped in to be her eyes at the new store at 830 N. Michigan. Upon entering, I knew I had just stepped into every fashion girl's dream world. The store is beautifully constructed and laid out. The adorable and enthusiastic personal shopper, Ryan, gave me a personal tour of everything the store had to offer.

After giving me the rundown of the accessories, makeup and women's fashion on the main level, I was taken down to what I like to call fashion heaven: the shoe section! Let me tell you, it is glorious. The most gorgeous shoes live down there and are ready for you to snatch them up.

When the shoe heaven swooning was over, Ryan took me into the Personal Shopping suite. Topshop offers a free personal shopping service that you can use whenever you're there. I definitely think it is the way to go if you want fashion advice and a second opinion while shopping. The suite is swanked out with plush seating, cupcakes, drinks and private fitting rooms. Your personal shopper will help you with whatever you need and you will leave feeling pampered. I highly recommend Ryan if you plan on trying out this service!

On the top level is Topman, the Men's section, and it does not disappoint. It had me wanting to buy just about everything for the special man in my life. Everything for the sporty/casual, suited up, or cool and laid back guy is there. The shoes and boots were my favorites.  Gents, definitely go take a look!

All in all, Topshop/Topman has plenty to offer for everyone.  Definitely go see it for yourself. I'm sure from here on out it will be one of my haunts. Have you been to the new Topshop yet? What did you think?

To see more pictures from the Topshop VIP preview and grand opening, head over to The Sassy Peach FB page! - http://facebook.com/thesassypeach. Also check out my blog The Sassy Peach and follow me on Twitter @thesassypeach!

Paul Stuart Chicago: 'Treasures of the Night' Fashion & Charity Event

Chicago's fashion elite gathered at Paul Stuart Chicago on Tuesday, August 30, for an evening of fashion, charity, culture, music, cuisine and good times. The fashion soiree occurred as a part of the In-Fashion: The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival™ presented by MasterCard ®. The theme, "Treasures of the Night," represented the the charitable spirit in which the event was held. All proceeds from the donations and the silent auction, along with 10% of all sales from the evening, will benefit the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation.

Paul Stuart's "Townhouse" resides in one of Chicago's premier luxury shopping destinations on East Oak Street. The retailer, founded in 1938 by Ralph Ostrove and named after his son, stands as an upscale men's & women's retailer known for its unique take on Anglo-American classics. Since its inception nearly 70 years ago, the store has dressed world leaders, dignitaries, celebrities, titans of business, and anyone who expects the highest quality clothing and superior service.

One of the defining elements about Paul Stuart is the retailer's method of fitting men. Tailors at the store work to mold clothes to each man's body, promising for a perfect fit every time. It's no surprise that the store has helped redefine the American tailored look.

If you are looking for your own signature fit, whether it be for lounging around the house, golf trips, work or formal events, stop by one of the two Paul Stuart locations in Chicago. Make sure you tell them that ChiTown Fashionista sent you.

Until then, check out what I saw, ate and heard during the "Treasures of the Night."

WHAT I SAW

Paul Stuart

WHAT I HEARD
15-year-old Japanese violinist Kelly Talim

Talim is only 15 years old, but the way she carries herself and plays her violin are mature beyond her years. She began playing at the age of 8, right before her family moved from Japan to the United States. The young violinist just moved to Chicago a few years ago and she is currently embarking on her sophomore year at Stevenson High School.

Taiko Group from the Midwest Buddhist Temple

The Midwest Buddhist Temple's Taiko Group started in 1977 with the help of Rev. Mas Kodani and the Kinnara Taiko Group. The members are a self-sustaining group of the Temple and they make most of their own equipment and costumes. Through the years, the musical group has performed across the United States, traveling from Minneapolis to Philadelphia and anywhere in between.

WHAT I ATE
Ai Japanese Restaurant & Lounge

Ai Japanese Restaurant and Lounge (358 W. Ontario Ave), located in the River North area of Chicago, features signature makis from Chef Toyoji Hemmi, one of the only chefs in the Chicagoland area "certified" to prepare blowfish. Ai is the perfect location to stop by for sushi and drinks. When you visit, try their "Firecracker Spicy Tuna," which consists of spicy tuna maki with tempura crunch, topped with wasabi mayo (pictured above). Their signature drink, a Japanese style Sangria, made with juices and calpico, a Japanese yogurt, is a must-have as well. For more information, visit www.aichicago.us.

Sullivan's Steakhouse

Sullivan's Steakhouse (415 North Dearborn St) is an American Steakhouse featuring the finest steaks, seafood, hand-shaken martinis and live music. The restaurant, also located in Chicago's River North area, has 20 other locations throughout the United States. So you can have your favorite steakhouse wherever you go. Make sure you order a Sullivan’s Steakhouse carved beef tenderloin sandwich, which comes on pretzel bread rolls. Order a round of the Knockout Martinis, made with pineapple juice and vodka. For more information, visit www.sullivansteakhouse.com.

Thalia Spice

Thalia Spice (833 W. Chicago Ave) is an Asian fusion bistro and bar where Noy Sengsurichanh is the executive chef. People have mistook the restaurant for a Thai specialty location. However, Thalia Spice offers so much more than a typical Asian cuisine restaurant. It merges tastes and styles from the entire continent into refined, tasty dishes. Try the "Karma Sutra," a sushi dish made with ebi, kawi kama, muscles and masago. For more information, visit www.thaliaspice.com.

To see all the photos from the event, click the following link: Paul Stuart: 'Treasures of the Night' Fashion & Charity Event

To check out more details about Paul Stuart and purchase from the retailer's online boutique, click the following link: www.paulstuart.com

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...

AllSaints brings a bit of London to Chicago

London-based retailer, AllSaints Spitalfields, has arrived in Chicago and taken Michigan Avenue by storm. Situated in an 11,000 square feet space, the brand spankin' new AllSaints store is a sight to behold, from the exposed brick walls to the 800 vintage Singer sewing machines in the window and throughout the store.

With sumptuous leather jackets alongside hand-embellished dresses and tunics, AllSaints consists of high quality clothing paired with a Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome edge.  You won't find a whole bunch of color here. The clothing is purposely muted to create versatility and ensure that collections can be mixed and matched for years to come.

Almost every item had a unique shape and/or texture. My personal favorites were the leather jackets for women AND men, the hand beaded dresses and the calf hair pumps with heels made of gems, nuts and bolts.

The industrial decor had me just as giddy as the clothes. With 42ft ceilings, the design team was determined to cover the entire space from top to bottom.  The store is filled with reclaimed artifacts and cast-iron furniture. Even the light fixtures and dressing room doors are intriguing. iPads are placed throughout the store to help consumers looking to either shop the Archive Collection or order items that are not physically in the store.

AllSaints is certainly not for those who seek fast fashion. You will be forced to drop a nice sum of money on an AllSaints piece. But the quality of the brand and the high level of craftsmanship is more than enough to justify the price tag.

So, the next time you're on the Magnificent Mile, stop by AllSaints Spitalfields and see how they've managed to bring a fresh look to Michigan Avenue.


AllSaints Spitalfields
700 N. Michigan Avenue


Click HERE to see all of the in-store photos.