high tea

The superbowl, NBA playoffs, NCAA championship game, baseball fantasy draft day etc and so forth equivalent for women all around the world is in 2 days! Lucky for us Chicago-ans there are plenty of classy ways to celebrate this highly publicized event (that don't involve waking up at 5am and watching it at home with our grumbling BFs/husbands).

Crumpets & Couture At The Four Seasons Hotel

High fashion meets high tea at 3:00 pm with the London fashions of Karen Millen and L.K.Bennett! The reservation-only event will offer guests tea, a Laurent-Perrier champagne toast to Prince William and Kate Middleton, and an English-inspired tea menu specially prepared by Executive Chef Kevin Hickey. The event will also feature flat-screen TVs, a British-inspired swag bag, as well as an opportunity to win a Royal Fashion Retreat –an overnight stay at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, a $500 shopping spree to the 900 North Michigan Shops, or a complimentary style consultation from juliewatsonstyle. The event is $55 per person and reservations can be made at (312)649-2349.

[photo: fourseasons.com]

London's Calling~ The Royal Wedding Tea Party at The Drake Hotel

Afternoon tea services will be offered in the Palm Court at The Drake Hotel. The room will be prepped for this momentous and historical occasion so that guests will feel as though they’re part of the wedding itself. Highlights include a screening of the wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, a fashion show by Chicago’s top Milliners and traditional Afternoon Tea Service featuring tea, scones, finger sandwiches and pastries. Tickets for this event are $35 each and reservations are required (312)932-4619.

[invitation: thedrakehotel.com]

design

The BF and I just signed a lease for a new apartment and I am more than excited to decorate my new home. I can hear my dearest and most talented friend, who owns Etherian Home in San Diego, asking me "what aesthetic defines you?" and "what inspires you?". Well Liz, right now I'm thinking Mid-Century modern meets Modern-Luxury, mixed art work, random vintage objects with rustic touches, not too feminine, but not too bachelor pad all housed in an exposed brick, modern loft. Is that clear at all? Probably not. Because we spend so much time inside, here in Chicago, it has never been so imperative for me to create a cozy, but luxurious space to call home!

Here are the places that I have window-shopped at (operative word: window) and am currently inspired by.

Jonathan Adler, 676 North Wabash Avenue

Jayson Home & Garden, 1885 North Clybourn Avenue

Post 27, One-of-a-kind refurbished pieces. 1819 West Grand Avenue

Salvage One, an amazing collection of, just what it sounds like, salvaged pieces. 1840 West Hubbard Street

DVF Home @ Bloomingdales, 600 North Wabash Avenue

Kara Mann, 119 W Hubbard

Holly Hunt, in the Merchandise Mart

And last, but not least, the Merchandise Mart, heaven on earth for all professional designers. The 25 story, 4.2 million gross square feet epicenter for everything design.

modern vintage

Last weekend a girlfriend and I attended the Modern Vintage Chicago Spring Fashion and Jewels show. Let me just say, had we come prepared with the maximum cash with drawl, times one million, we might have had enough cash to purchase everything we wanted! I was on aesthetic pleasure overload. My eyes were sparkling with the images of vintage Chanel, hundreds of vintage LV trunks, vintage Hermes, costume jewelry, fashion prints, indie designer booths and so much more. And there were THREE full floors of this gloriousness. How does Chicago house so many gems you ask? We don't. Vintage dealers from NYC, Atlanta, Philly and Texas graced us with their bank-emptying fashions. Yeah it's still 2 degrees outside, but at least we have goodies like this to keep us lovin' Chicago.

national beer day

...was apparently April 7th....which means I'm late posting this. On April 7th, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act into law, ending the 13 year long prohibition of alcohol in the United States. This is definitely news to me. Anyhoo, I recently visited Goose Island for a tour. For $10, a Cicerone (a beer sommelier) will give groups an extremely thorough explanation of the beer brewing process, the history of Goose Island and, the best part, a beer tasting. Bottoms up!

roof top:

Spring is finally here and roof tops around the city are open for viewing pleasure. I love you Chicago!

renga tei:

As I continue to search for my favorite Japanese spots in the city, I can say, with confidence that I have found one to add to the (very short) list. Renga Tei, in Lincolnwood, is nestled into a random corner of a strip mall. Don't let the looks of the establishment fool you! Everything about this quaint, traditional restaurant was just what I needed to fulfill my craving for Japanese food. No frills, no ambient electro music and certainly no wait!

maude's:

Randolph St. French. American. Casual. BONE marrow. Oysters. Salmon tartare. Chicken Liver. Stirred Drinks. VERY. HAPPY. GIRL.