Be it ever so humble...

Life in Chicago has been rather exciting. So far I've successfully navigated an Irish couple to the Sears Tower, caught up on the latest issues of CS, visited a green river and had Guinness poured in my eye on Saint Patrick's Day, not to mention I've eaten WAY too many Fox and Obel cupcakes. All and all it's been a delightful move, if a little harried.

I might still be living out of a suitcase, but that hasn’t stopped me from fantasizing about my yet to be found new apartment. After flipping through the latest issue of Domino, I can’t wait to decorate! I’m curious about grey painted walls (are they everywhere now?) and am ready to embrace pattern and reupholster vintage furniture. So before I go all Kelly Wearstler on you, are there any great Chicago home stores that I need to check out?

I know normally I come here with recommendations, but today I figure I'll shake things up a bit. If you know of anything fabulous and preferably fabu-less (remember I'm a writer) please let me know.

"I Want It NOW!"

In true Veruca fashion, you'll be clamoring for all the wares of this newish Bucktown store. Veruca Salt is a laid back boutique that offers a variety of great fashion choices and does so at a very reasonable price. While combing through the small, but extremely organized racks, I was tempted by a simple understated gold shift dress. The fit was great and the price ($95) was pretty nice as well. Veruca Salt's owner, Amber, was extremely sweet and helpful and I fully appreciated that she never tried to force anything upon me. I left without the dress, but with the intention to visit this store again. I also can't wait to check out the new Veruca Salt Fancy right down the street and the website launching this spring. Veruca Salt 1937 N Damen Ave. Chicago, IL 60686. (773) 276-3888 Veruca Salt Fancy 1921 N Damen Ave. Chicago, IL 60686. (773) 276-9888

On the Radar

Everything I'm loving in January...


Food
I find something so comforting about a tiny restaurant in cold weather. It becomes an escape, a place to shrug off your coat and get down to some serious eating. I can't wait to do just that at Table 52, Art Smith's new Southern infused restaurant. The chef, of Oprah fame, personally welcomes guests into his thirteen table dining room and serves up a mean slice of Hummingbird Cake. Trying to get a seat can be difficult, so it would be best to make reservations weeks ahead of time. If that sounds like too much of a wait, you could always try your luck with one of the first come first serve bar seats or head upstairs to Teaspoon, a tearoom serving tarts and savories with afternoon tea. Table 52. 52 W Elm St Chicago, IL 60610. (312) 573-4000


Drink
Normally "Drink" sections are focused on harder beverages, but with January being National Tea Month it seems appropriate to devote this section to this delightful and relaxing drink. If Chicago happens to by in your backyard, Vong's Thai Kitchen is celebrating through January 31 with Make Your Own Tea Tuesdays (5:30-10pm) and High Tea Saturdays (1-4pm). I can't wait to drop by and make my own blend, perhaps I'll try to concoct a remedy for my boyfriend's never-ending cold and sinus troubles. Vong's Thai Kitchen. 6 W Hubbard Street Chicago, IL 60610. (312) 644-8664



Entertainment
Winner of the Palme d'Or this year at Cannes, 4 months, 3 weeks, and 2 days comes to theaters on January 25th. This Romanian film follows the story of Otilia (Anamaria Marinca) and Găbiţa (Laura Vasiliu), two university roommates who try to arrange an illegal abortion in the last years of the Ceauşescu regime. Needless to say this film is not uplifting, but it's supposed to be artfully filmed and superbly acted.


Fashion
January, I'm sorry to admit it, is one of those months where fashion seems to go into hibernation. The party frocks of December are left behind and the breezy ease of spring fashion is still months off. Call it my security blanket, but a cashmere cardigan just seems so appropriate for the coming months. Cardigans have a certain casual elegance that can elevate even the most basic of ensembles, and if they're done in cashmere, well, even better. That's why I'm ready to purchase Vince's Long Cashmere Cardigan. At $290 it's not the cheapest of purchases, but it's one that will surely last through January and become a lovely staple in any woman's wardrobe.


Books
Call it connecting to my homebody self, but lately I've found myself drawn to cookbooks. Currently I'm working my way through the reprint of Simon Hopkinson's Roast Chicken and Other Stories. Focusing on simple, but delicious recipes, this cookbook is the ideal pairing for the coming lazy winter months.

New Discovery

On my latest trip to Chicago, I stumbled into Barneys and made a great discovery. Claudio Riaz, one of the makeup artists, had recently launched his own line of brushes. While all the brushes were lovely, my favorite was the patented "Instant Smoke" brush. The inverted crescent moon shape does just what it's name suggests; it provides the perfect soft smoky eye. Simply line your eye and then rock the brush back and forth starting at the outer corner. Viola, the easiest smoky eye ever!

Currently the brush line is only available at Barneys in Chicago and New York.

Square cut or pear shaped...

Ever since the Tiffany silver craze, I appreciate unique jewelry. That's not to say I'm all about macaroni necklaces or wearable sculpture; I just enjoy pieces that feel special and individualized. I found just that at GEM, a Bucktown jewelry boutique that creates in-studio pieces and features both local and international artists. Walking into the well-edited store, I can imagine wearing almost every piece there, from one-of-a-kind pink tourmaline and diamond earrings that look like Indian heirlooms to the simple gold and gemstone stacking rings. I’m immediately drawn to a beautiful agate necklace with a delicate beaded chain. It manages to be both elegant and organic, and I can’t help thinking what a distinctive staple piece it would make. Perhaps the best thing about GEM is that the pieces are affordable! That’s not to say that things can’t venture into the thousands, but it is nice to know that a fantastic black diamond stacking ring is only $200 away.

GEM
1710 North Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 384-7700
www.gemjewelryboutique.com

To Market, To Market

I think there’s a distinct difference between hitting the nearest Kroger and going to a market. A grocery store is a place where you can quickly buy Little Debbie snack cakes and gallons of Sunny Delight; a market is an experience where the bright colors come from bundles of radishes and crates of blood oranges as opposed to the packaging of processed foods. A market invites you to be creative, try new things, and relax.

And with this mentality, I have discovered my personal Mecca: Fox and Obel, Chicago’s premiere gourmet market. I can spend an entirely delightful afternoon salivating over the extensive cheese counter that covers everything from an Epoisses (a fragrant cow’s milk cheese washed with marc de Bourgogne) to a Pleasant Ridge Reserve (a semi-hard Wisconsin farmhouse cheese). In the charcuterie department I can find the saucisson I fell in love with in France, and at the Fox and Obel bakery I can enjoy the BEST cupcakes in Chicago! All I’m saying is that the red velvet cupcakes are amazing. The cake is moist and perfectly dense and the buttercream icing is delightfully thick. Any cupcake connoisseur would agree…

Not only does Fox and Obel have an extensive supply of foodstuffs, they also offer catering and food classes. The last time I happened in, they were holding a wine tasting with one of their wine suppliers. It was fun and informal as well as educational; I actually enjoyed learning about the winemaking process and the different qualities the wines possessed. If there is a tasting going on while you’re there, don’t hesitate to join in. At the very least, you get free wine, well that and the chance to arm yourself against the wine snob you will inevitably be seated next to at a corporate function, and that my friends, is priceless.