Category — Chicago Is (my kind of town)

From moi Chicago condo we have gorgeous views over Lincoln Park and onto Lake Michigan…on a clear day you can see… nothing but water! Along with the beauty of Chicago’s spectacular free public park, known for its lakeside location; sandy beaches; walking, biking and running trails; golf course; marinas and boat docks; outdoor art; museums; and the beloved Lincoln Park Zoo.

The downside? Mignette is not welcome in Lincoln Park Zoo: no dogs allowed. I understand why, but it would be so lovely to stroll through the zoo instead of always around it on our morning 4 mile walks. But over the last 2 years, the Zoo has been a construction site and we are excited that our morning walks now include:

The Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo has completed a $12 million renovation of the South Pond, turning a once neglected and ignored corner of the park into a easily navigated wildlife preserve with breathtaking views of nature and the Chicago landscape. The Boardwalk is designed to be a classroom venue with:

• daily wildlife tours
• hands-on children’s activities
• yoga classes
• family camping programs
• educational signage and displays

Best of all, Mignette and all her doggie pals are welcomed on the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo!

One of my deepest impressions from my 3 weeks in India last year is color: vibrant blues, hot pinks, shimmering golds, electrifying greens. The colors, the smells, the sounds, the tastes: it’s impossible to use words to share the welcome but overwhelming assault on my senses. Just look at the gorgeous saris we saw worn by local women as we toured:

How can you sample the colors and patterns of India? Just in time to start your holiday shopping:

Indagare Souk will be at the Chicago Peninsula Hotel Tuesday, October 26th through Thursday, October 28th:

The Indagare Souk is a special trunk show featuring an edited selection of products from designers and artisans who we have discovered in our travels in such countries as Cambodia, Colombia, Argentina, Kenya, India, and Italy. The well-curated selection includes fashion, accessories, jewelry, objects and housewares, many of them hand-crafted. Most of the vendors also support local communities in their home countries.

You too can experience the stimulation and excitement of the exotic colors and style of the fashions of the world:

• jewelry from India and Venice
• accessories from Africa, Asia and Peru
• cashmere from the Himalayas
• clothing from the Philippines, Lebanon and
• and sooo much more!

See you at the Souk!

Indagare is a sophisticated travel site that not only shares insider’s information on travel, but provides a format for members to share tips and experiences and recommendations for turning your dream vacation into the journey of a lifetime. And now, through the Indagare Souk, the travel can come to you!

the details:

• Tuesday October 26 – Thursday October 28
• The Grand Suite at The Peninsula Hotel Chicago, 108 East Superior Street
• 10am – 6pm
• for more about Indagare travel and shopping insider tips sign-up for Indagare’s newletter

Moi Tip: there will be a special talk at 6pm on October 27 by Melissa Biggs Bradley, founder of Indagare: The Best Trip You’ll Ever Take: Planning and Executing Life-Changing Travel.

I’ve seen a lot of publicity on the recently opened Chicago French Market, but hadn’t visited yet.  Friday I was in the neighborhood so I entered the name into my iPhone, got directions, and voila! a short 10 minute walk later I was standing in the concourse of the Metra train station. Why hadn’t all the PR simply said the Chicago French Market is in the Metra North station: instead of advertising MetraMarket, Randolph and Clinton, and other location descriptions. No matter: I found it.

Live in Chicago? Work in Chicago? Just visiting? Go to the French Market: The French Market is an indoor fresh produce, prepared foods and specialties market comprised of independent vendors selling

• breads and pastries
• cheese
• meats
• fruits and vegetables
• pasta
• gelatos, smoothies and juices
• coffee and teas
• soaps
• nuts and candies
• flowers
• complete meals to eat there or take home [Read more →]

Whether you’re in NYC or Chicago, this weekend is hosting two fabulous international antiques shows. I was originally planning on attending the NYC show, but looks like now I’m lucky to be in Chicago:

The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair Fall show is Friday thru Monday, October 1 – 4. With over 100 dealers, this show is a favorite of mine, offering everything from furnishings to art to textiles to jewelry: a couple years ago I scored a gorgeous platinum neckchain studded with diamonds that I still wear at least once a week (see how great it looks below, even waiting at the busstop!). This year I’m very excited with the show’s new offering: Emporium. Emporium showcases vintage and modern pieces, including clothing and posters and architectural artifacts. [Read more →]

C’est ma vie:

No sooner had I publically rejoiced the completion of my curtains than we are packing up again. I’m pretty confident that TBG takes pleasure in changing jobs whenever I finally make curtain choices. I outsmarted him in Paris and didn’t hang curtains until our 7th year, but Copenhagen, Hoboken, and St Louis barely celebrated their year anniversary. NYC lasted 2 1/2 years until I jinxed it.

So we’re bidding au revoir to our penthouse apartment with it’s 2 terraces, and planning our Fall in Chicago and Winter months in SoFlo. And then: TBD by TBG. The movers arrive tomorrow, and I’m frantically purging closets; sorting and labeling furniture, trash and give-a-ways; and cleaning out the fridge and pantry. (Where’s TBG you ask? He has very important meetings at Starbucks. Every day.)

[Read more →]

I can’t make it to the Paris brocantes, flea markets or the Chatou Foire National à la Brocante et aux Jambons (the famous Chatou antiques and ham fair held outside Paris twice yearly) this month but you will find Moi at Jayson Home and Gardens Flea Market in Chicago Sept 24-26.

I’m a huge fan of Jayson Home and Garden, with a tantalizing blend of antique, vintage, and new furniture, lighting and accessories for the home and garden. I’ve found books and Christmas gifts, and drooled over beds and chandeliers. It’s like a European shopping trip all in one convenient location, with delivery!

Moi tip: If you can’t be in Chicago Sept 24-26, flea market surplus will be available online starting October 1.

the details:

Dinner at my brother’s required a fun, unique and inexpensive gift for Moi 2 year old nephew C. I struck-out at Borders, World Market and Walgreens, and then walking Mignette I wandered into a funky new shop around the corner, Inkling, and discovered Chimp Sticks.

These sturdy, reusable rubber chopsticks are perfect for a child’s little fingers, and aren’t just for sushi: imagine the fun of spaghetti and meatballs eaten with Chimp Sticks! Their mottos:

• Monkey around with your meals
• Kids go ape over them

$7 and a fun time for all.

the details:

Inkling

2917 1/2 N. Broadway

Chicago, IL 60657

773.791.8438

M-F: 12-7pm

Sat: 11am-7pm

Sun: 11am-6pm

I’ve been reading sparkling reviews on newly-opened Chic Antique in Chicago’s Lake View East

• refurbished/refinished vintage furniture shop … proving once again that grandma’s oldies can look new and fabulous again with some artistic vision and fresh coat of paint: Chicago  Magazine
• everything from art deco bureaus to antique credenzas…revamped with her modern look: Daily Candy
• awesome pieces at an affordable price: Guidespot [Read more →]

Grease is the word! In fact, all the words to all the songs in Grease will be sung out loud all over the US in a major Grease sing-a-along. Girls Night Out, Date Night, or your High School Reunion: do it!

Yes, get your calendars out and find a theatre near you! Starting July 8 theaters across the country will be playing the original 1978 Grease with the words dancing across the bottom of the screen, begging you to sing-a-long with Sandy and Danny and all the gang from Rydell High.

Grease: You’re The One That I Want! ooo ooo ooo, honey!

Where Grease is playing in some of Moi favorite cities:

• NEW YORK
  AMC VILLAGE
  66 3rd Ave
  New York, NY 10003-5506
  (888) 262-4386

• CHICAGO
  AMC RIVER EAST
  322 East Illinois St
  Chicago, IL 60611
  (888) 262-4386

• MIAMI/FT LAUDERDALE
  SUNRISE GATEWAY
  1820 East Sunrise Blvd
  Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304-3040
  (954) 763-7994

If you’ve been reading along you know I often mention things that make Moi happy: Starbucks tall skim chai, extra water, extra hot svp? Mignette? It’s the little things that just for one moment or all day long, make me happy. And occasionally I’m going to share some of them with you, and hope they make you happy too.

The temp in NYC is 94 again today and tres humide: perfect for a sweating glass of iced tea. TBG likes a touch of sweetness to his tea, normally he adds a squirt of honey. Newsflash: honey does not dissolve in a glass of ice cold tea.

To the rescue: simple syrup! I just opened a package from POSH Chicago with my new vintage French mineral water bottle: mine is from Aix-les-Bains. I don’t need a lot of decorative stuff cluttering up my tiny NYC apt, so I immediately put the bottle to good use by making this batch of simple syrup, which sweetens up TBGs tea, coffee, fruit salad, or even a cocktail.

Simple Syrup

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

Boil sugar and water together in a heavy saucepan about 3 minutes, until sugar is completely dissolved. Allow to cool, then decant into a bottle for serving. Stores refrigerated for up to 3 months. I leave it on the counter: its gone in 2 weeks.

Moi tip: Infuse herbs or flavors into your simple syrup by adding mint, basil, lavender, rosemary, lemon or other flavors when boiling. Then strain before bottling. Try the basil syrup with vodka over ice: so refreshing!

Santé!