Owner: The Chicago Girl URL:thechicagogirl.blogspot.com Join Date: Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:46:33 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: The Chicago Girl is a place where Chicago girls can find their piece of the city. Site statistics:Click here
In The Trenches 2008-02-28 09:36:11 J. Crew's ruffled trench coat is adorable and if you have $250 to spend on your Spring wardrobe, it's certainly a staple item. I'm going to look for a trench coat for for less money, but I still want one that makes a bold statement on its own.Keep accessories minimal and pair it with skinny pants, heels, and a big pair of glasses. You'll feel like a chick right out of a 1940s Film Noir.Subscribe to The Chicago Girl Read more:Trenches
Defining Her Art 2008-02-28 09:14:02 Artist: Laura Prentice The Student The largest defining factor of my overall work is that I am currently an art student. I hope that I will always be a student, learning in one sense of another, but right now, I have classes that me to make tons of art. Sometimes I'm making so much art that I just make a lot of bad art or a lot of mediocre art that doesn't mean anything. I guess at this point I'm still learning and "finding my song" as I like to call it so anything out is good. Her Passion I would not really consider myself any "ist" titles. I was born with passion and ability to make art, and I seriously consider art my voice in the world. I have a huge burden for under-served children, ignorant people, the city, and bad Christians. How it started I was born making art. My da
Routine Comforts 2008-02-27 16:40:19 Inertia kept me in bed for those few extra minutes after the alarm sounded this morning. It's during that time that we just want to cocoon ourselves in blankets and call in sick to work. We want to escape routine. We need a break.But this morning, I was struck by the ordinary. It could be the most ordinary part of a day--flossing, getting dressed, taking the train to work, but you really don't notice the ordinary until it's out of place.While walking to work this morning, someone caught my attention. She's there every day handing out newspapers in the Pedway. "Good morning everyone, Happy Wednesday." Tomorrow she'll be there handing out newspapers saying, "Good morning everyone, Happy Thursday."The funny thing is, I have never really taken much notice of her before. I would really Read more:Routine
Apple Of My Eye 2008-02-14 14:53:43 Call it a a day to celebrate your love, a Hallmark holiday, Singles Awareness Day, or just plain old Valentine's Day. However you slice it, there's no avoiding red, white, and pink today. But for me, there may be some avoiding of pink. Today I opened my email to receive a message from my boyfriend: Roses Are Red Violets Are BlueI Have Pink EyeNo More Dinner For TwoOK, so that didn't happen. It was more like this: Ring, ring ring. "Hey!""Heeey, Happy Valentine's Day.""You too.""Yeah, so I have pink eye.""Seriously, wow that sucks.""We could still go to dinner.""I don't know, isn't pink eye really contagious?""Yeah, maaaaan. OK, I'll talk to you after you get your special package in the mail."Here's how I SEE it. We shouldn't be pressured to make Valentine's Day incredible or rush to Read more:Apple
New Photographer, New Exposure 2008-02-06 22:20:17 A year ago, Melissa Findlay went to the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska to take pictures. "It was then that I knew this what I wanted to do, no matter the cost." After moving to Chicago, she began shooting more and more frequently...Shots of the cityAnd of people...She was walking with her camera one day and this guy just asked to have his picture taken.Subscribe to The Chicago Girl Read more:Photographer
, Exposure
Hello Dolly 2008-01-28 16:05:17 Tatyana Merenyuk’s designs are, as the name of her line reddoll suggests, reminiscent of the miniature petticoats and frilly doll dresses of her girlhood. But while she wants to,”make all ladies look like beautiful dolls,” her first concern is making clothes that are flattering, wearable, and comfortable. Tatyana’s fascination with fashion began as was a child in Kiev, Ukraine. Her mother was a seamstress and fashion icon. Growing up, she made all Tatyana and her sisters’ clothes. Tatyana’s clothing line blends elements of her childhood with the artistry of movies, costumes, culture, and history. Now living in Chicago, she draws inspiration from people with personal she sees on the street. “I love Chicago. It’s truly an amazing city with super nice peo Read more:Hello
, Dolly
V-Day Overload? 2008-01-25 14:08:31 I know, it's another V-Day item, but I could not resist this bag by MABel. As Chi-Town designer Jessica Miller-Webster says, she "designs all her bags with personality. Who needs clothes?"Subscribe to The Chicago Girl
She Wears Her Heart On Her Sleeve 2008-01-25 09:58:12 He's got the candle-lit dinner and night full of surprises planned. You've got, well, nothing to wear. Bless Cupid's little heart for Chicago's own Spiderlily Clothing line just in time for Valentine's Day. Spiderlily proposes wearing your heart on your sleeve or neckline for your V-Day soiree. I adore the purple heart shirt. It's just so dainty.Subscribe to The Chicago Girl Read more:Heart
, Sleeve
In The Barren Deli Chicagoland, I Miss Steve's 2008-01-24 13:05:17 Steve's Deli When I first moved from Detroit to Chicago, one of my first questions was: “Where are the good delis?” My question was promptly followed by the answer: “There are none.” “Really? There must be a few. There are a lot of Jews in Chicago.” “Nope, no good delis.” I tried Eppy’s— horrible. The Bagel in Lakeview was decent, but a deli calls for more than decent. It calls for, well, the kind of reaction Meg Ryan had at Katz’s in When Harry Met Sally. Seriously, I’m asking for a damn good corned beef sandwich. But I’m not expecting a Second Avenue Deli or a Katz’s, I’m asking for well, Steve’s. Steve’s is easily the best deli in Detroit and soon-to-be the best in Chicago. When my younger sister heard that Steve’s was opening up Read more:Barren
, Chicagoland
, Steve
Five Ways To Feign Being Cultured 2008-01-23 12:11:29 1) Talk about that incredible Ethiopian restaurant you ate at last night. The wat was to die for.2) Recount your last trip to Italy (even if you've never been.) Find out the best places to stay on Fodors.com and talk about your stay at The d'Inghilterra. Throw in a few Italian sayings now and then. "Niente di nuovo sotto il sole!" Then follow up with: "That means, there's nothing new under the sun. The Italians in the little villa I stayed in love that saying."3) Say you play squash, but if anyone asks you for a game say you injured yourself in the British Open. Still, you don't regret that day because you made it to the semi-finals.4) Your prep school was so prestigious, you're sure they haven't heard of it.5) Subscribe to a few contemporary art blogs and tell everyone about up-and-coming Read more:Five Ways
Cuckoo For Coq Au Vin 2008-01-23 12:10:43 Chicago's first French specialty store, Coq Au Vin is opening today.Satiate that craving for saucisson (so zis saison) and cheer up your palate with a free wine and cheese tasting. Coq Au Vin means rooster in wine in French and The Chicago Girl is hoping this hen-picked event will be somewhere where you can feather your nest.Coq Au Vin Grand OpeningTime: 7:00 pmLocation: 2256 N Elston Ave Chicago 60614 (see map)Dress code: CasualSubscribe to The Chicago Girl Read more:Cuckoo
Q & A With Chicago Artist Katie Cooper 2008-01-23 12:09:54 View KatieCooper
's artworkThe Chicago
Girl: I was looking at the painting "ceci c'est pas la realite." Is Magritte your favorite artist and why? From where do you draw your inspiration?Katie Cooper: I do adore Magritte. He is not necessarily my favorite artist, but is one who had made a huge impact on me. It was through getting to know Magritte that I fully realized that art can, and should be so much more, than "something to look nice, above a couch." Artwork is supposed to have purpose. It is supposed to raise questions. Magritte helped to make this clear to me. TCG: How would you describe your style? KC: My personal style could be described as a mishmash of humor, realism, surrealism, and consumerism. TCG: Do you think about the meaning behind what you want to paint? KC: I Read more:Artist
Nature vs. Industry: A Rising Artist's Canvas 2008-01-23 12:06:58 Chicago Painter: Amanda SearsTCG: Your pieces are all very different, but still have a certain cohesiveness. Is that on purpose? AS: The building blocks of my work; lace-like patterns, typography, texture are always encouraging me to explore ideas in different ways, but I never really think about the "cohesiveness" of my work. I just paint whatever is currently inspiring me. I suppose I go through phases using certain patterns, colors, or techniques, but I rarely intentionally create them as a series. TCG: Why are you drawn to the contrast between nature and industry? AS: I love the raw, edgy feel of industrial design. It's slick and gritty, but there is something that inherently warns you to keep your distance. It can feel dangerous. N Read more:Artist
, Rising
, Canvas
The Boy Short Of It 2008-01-22 22:46:50 Chi-Town artist Sharon Parmet designed this illustration for TCG blog. And boy oh boy, it doesn't come short. Subscribe to The Chicago Girl Read more:Short
Art In The Everyday 2008-01-22 22:31:59 Artist: Mike DewarOn Deviant ArtNumber 13 more or less grew out of a scrap heap of photos. While going through pictures to find intriguing things to mix, I kept finding small moments within them that seemed worth saving. When I went back through the pile, I found there was a sort of story already formed - a story about those little lost moments spent waiting for the L to take you home, or work, or into the arms of loved ones.Red Line: One day I went down to the subway to get on the Red Line. The train came, I got on, and sat down. Lost in thought or a song or looking at something interesting, the train started moving. I felt a breeze and thought, "Wow,someone left the window open in the winter! That's a dick move." It took a second or two to realize that the subway's windows don't go d
Thank You Artists 2008-01-22 13:26:18 Thanks for reading.I'm happy to announce 1) my move to a .com 2) a substantial increase in readership and 3) that I've been getting an incredible response from artists eager to share their work on The Chicago Girl blog. I'm trying to interview and post as many artists as I can so stayed tuned and keep submitting your work. If you're a Chicago artist, designer, performer, what have you, contact me and let's get you noticed!Best,Melissaa.k.a. The Chicago GirlGawker Artist PageSubscribe to The Chicago Girl Read more:Thank
, Artists
Hip Hip Beret 2008-01-20 16:23:59 Get RSS ButtonsZannoah Chodosh creates custom-made knit-wear. She says she can custom make just about anything. I wonder how she'd respond to my request for a full-body knit suit. It's cold out there! But hey, if not, I'll take one of her berets. Find her clothing at The Silver Room in Wicker Park or contact her though Myspace. Subscribe to The Chicago Girl
Set To Swing 2008-01-18 12:44:41 Click For Chicago CultureGoldstar is an online email service that posts events at half price.I found this 4-session swing class for $30. They even give user ratings so you can decide whether to spend half price or not at all. That's not too shabby. I'm paying $50 for a 4-session salsa class right now.Subscribe to The Chicago Girl
Painting In Reverse 2008-01-18 12:42:42 Artist: Meg SheaThis Chicago artist paints in reverse.\siht ogacihc tsitra stniap ni esreveR Here's how it works. She starts sketching what she wants to paint, keeping in mind that the viewer will see a mirror image. She hones in on the details like the reflection in the pupil of the eye. Then she paints the colors in layers as they dry and overlays the white of the eye. It's a time consuming process, but it makes the colors pop.Subscribe to The Chicago Girl Read more:Painting
, Reverse
Five, Six, Pick Up Sticks 2008-01-17 10:59:53 I love local artist, Gisela Insuaste's installations. This one reminds me of a giant game of pick-up sticks.Subscribe to The Chicago Girl
Chicago Mosaic Art: Piecing Together The Parts 2008-01-17 09:28:51 SubscribeI interviewed Chicago
mosaic artist Valerie Fuqua to find out about how she puts the pieces together.Why mosaics? Mosaic
s allow me to take something broken and form a new whole. It's an incredibly therapeutic art form. I love combining the old with the new, creating a marriage of sorts and giving items a second life. Glass can range from chunky and fierce to delicate and wispy. I never tire of the rich textures and reflective qualities of my tesserae. What do you like about doing commissions?Commissions help me grow as an artist. Whether it's incorporating a broken piece of heirloom china into a mosaic or matching colors in upholstery, it's always an exciting challenge. Some of my commissions have involved building a mosaic around a treasured fa Read more:Parts
Sundance: Warm Up To Short Films At Home In Chicago 2008-01-16 12:47:55 From the movie ScaredycatYou have to appreciate the ingenuity of Sundance
films and now you can appreciate them free and from home. So cut that trip to Utah short and watch this year's short flicks in the Windy City: Sundance movies.The Chicago
Girl wants to know--what's your favorite Sundance film?Subscribe to The Chicago Girl Read more:Short
, Films
Wood Carving = Good Or OK? 2008-01-16 11:18:35 Would you go crazy if you had to make 1,000,000 wood carvings? I would not want to make all that wood. Would you? One Chicago artist thinks it would be “OK.” Take a look at Cool Hunting’s profile of the artist. You can also buy an “It’s OK” carving here. Subscribe to The Chicago Girl
Cute Softies Oolala 2008-01-15 20:10:12 Mr. Taxidriver & Miss Tangerine Subscribe to The Chicago Girl
This Chicago Girl 2008-03-17 16:39:44 This Chicago
Girl Went To Market: I have been on the hunt for a grocery tote bag that's trendy and functional. This is it. TT CollectionsThis Chicago Girl Stayed Home: I need new bedding, desperately. This set from Overstock.com just might make the cut.This Chicago Girl Went To: Nordstrom Rack gets a new shipment in on tomorrow. It's too early for any decent Spring sales, but now is a good time to scope out what you want to buy.Got a Beef with TCG? Let's settle it on Mr. Beef Blvd.Subscribe to The Chicago Girl
Clean And Simple Charactures 2008-03-21 15:04:23 The subjects of her art are dreamlike caricatures drawn with clean lines, sprinkled with a touch whimsy and a Japanese anime flair.Chicago artist Laura George attaches simple themes to each of her drawings. The result is an image that conveys a singular thought and expresses that thought in a clever and upfront manner.Subscribe to The Chicago Girl Read more:Clean
, Simple
Rebirth: A New Life In Perth? 2008-03-21 11:38:11 Is it curiosity, a question of identity or an innate existential desire to wonder what it would be like to be someone else? What if you gave up your job, friends, hobbies, and home to a stranger and left town with only your wallet and a sense of wanderlust? One man in Perth
is doing just that. After divorcing his wife a year ago, his home that was meant for two started to feel like an itchy wool that had to come off. He’s aching to throw it aside and start new so he’s selling his life on EBay, seriously. The winner is expected to bid roughly $500,000 for everything from his skydiving equipment, car, big screen TV to his job and introduction to his friends.Bidding takes place on June 22. Check out his website: A Life For Sale.Subscribe to The Chicago Girl Read more:Rebirth
, New Life
Lady Inside The Red Diary 2008-03-20 14:29:49 Read The Red:The Red Leather Diary
Release Date: April 8Born and raised in Chicago, 26-year-old writer, Lily Koppel began her career doing celebrity reporting, going on to cover the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and eventually creating her own beat covering the hidden characters of old New York. But it was the story that Koppel found in an old diary in the dumpster outside her apartment building that bridged the gap between her reporting and personal life. The diary follows the life of a young woman through 1929 to 1934 whose candid accounts range from sexual curiosity, a love of Baudelaire to horseback riding in Central park. Koppel immediately identifies with the author in her self-consciousness, love of the arts, and free-spirited nature so much so that she hires a private detect
Raise A Glass To The Winos With Class 2008-03-19 16:56:20 I See Wine In Your Future & Lots Of ItWine enthusiast heavenWhether a snob or wine gringo, you can find a Pinot Grigio or learn some vino lingo at The Toast Of The Town at The Field Museum.Bring your buds (taste buds & your posse) to the May 1 event. Over 500 wines and spirits will be paired (what cute couples) with food from some of the city's hottest restaurants. Tickets are pricey at $95 a pop, but you can save $10/ticket if you're bringing a crowd of over 6.C'mon, I'm giving you enough notice to start saving. Besides, you really don't need these. They look ridiculous on you.Please email your events to melissa.a.talon@gmail.comSubscribe to The Chicago Girl Read more:Glass
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