A New Obsession: Gem Jewelry Boutique

I am always looking to support and raise awareness for local Chicago boutiques.  There are some good ones, as well as some duds, but there isn't any other one like Gem.

Gem is located in the fantastic shopping area of Bucktown, Damen Ave.  (1710 N. Damen, to be exact).  They specialize in antique and vintage jewels and baubles, and many pieces are one of a kind or only available in limited quantities.  Definitely something I appreciate-I love having things that no one else does!  

Every time I walk through the doors into this tiny little boutique (just a few doors down from Marc Jacobs!), I want to buy nearly everything in sight!  All the pieces are so interesting and eye-catching.  

My most recent buy was their Pica Bronze Vintage Letters.  The letters range in sizes and prices (small letters are $65, medium are $70, and large are $75).  You can also buy various different chains, a bangle bracelet, or a keychain to string your letters along.  I bought a large J and a small G for my initials, but there's no limit on what you can buy-spell out names, words, put your initial alongside your man's, whatever you'd like to do!  That's what's so cool about this piece-even if others buy the letters, odds are good no two necklaces or bracelets will be the same!

I would definitely suggest you check these out.  It makes a great gift for anyone, but new moms will love them with their kid's initials, or a recently married friend may enjoy one encompassing her new and old initials.  And of course, it makes a great romantic gift as well.

Other things I'm loving?  The Brass Ball Locket ($88) is really cool and the price isn't too bad.  The Hand Forged Brass Bangle ($35) is a great find as well.  The price is ideal, and these bangles make a classy edition to either cocktail dresses or jeans.  As for a find I just see gracing the slender hand of super-stylist Rachel Zoe, I'm sure she would just DIE for Vintage Sterling Silver Snake Ring ($200).

Of course, when it comes to antiques and vintage, things can't always be inexpensive and Gem reflects both ends of the price spectrum.  I adore the Art Deco style, so the 18k Gold and Platinum Diamond Ring jumped out at me.  Sadly, at $850 it's a bit farther out of reach.

Of course, this is just a small sampling of what you'll find in store.  While you can shop online (www.gemjewelryboutique.com), I highly recommend stopping in to view the baubles in person and see what else they have in store.  It's truly a shopping experience!

Icon Status: Suri Cruise

It's not a secret that I love Suri Cruise. The mini fashion icon consistently looks great. Her haircut started a trend for Christ's sake! Little Suri may only be 3, but she is a fashion icon in the making.

 


Suri's style is simple: she sticks with clean shapes with a pop. Her a-line and shift dresses, full skirts, and long coats are classic and fashionable staples. But she isn't afraid of color, which is what sets her apart. Suri often looks ravishing in red, but also wears blue, pink, and purple with abandon.  She has even been seen in metallic gold-a twist for a toddler.

Suri also knows the importance of prints.  Whether hot air balloons dotting a full skirt, or florals, Suri pulls off prints with style to spare.

Her look is feminine and fun through and thorough.  Not a fan of pants, she is always in skirts and dresses, with the occasional legging or tights on underneath if the weather calls for it.

And of course, she always has the perfect accessory.  While other kids her age are often seen toting nothing more than a baby blanket, Suri one-ups then with her color coordinated purses and shoes (even high heels!).  She has also been seen wearing tiny rings and bracelets-a bold look for anyone, but especially a tot.

In fact, her look is so sartorially on point that she regularly shows up mom Katie Holmes!

                                          Want to emulate Suri's style your own (grown-up) way?  Try classic, Jackie O-inspired shapes, don't be afraid of prints, and never under-estimate the placement of a killer accessory!

Were Suri a bit older, I think she would favor this J Crew Tricolor Fantine Dress ($198) for its full skirt and floral applique on top.  I could also see Suri loving this Gold Coin Skirt ($150), also from J Crew.  She loves some sparkle and shine and this party perfect skirt would fit in seamlessly with her wardrobe.  Another dress I could envision Suri in is this Ann Taylor Loft Plaid Ruffle Chiffon Dress ($79.50).  It combines her love for girlish accents with a fun print.  Ballerina Suri would also look adorable in La Rok's Punk Party Tulle Skirt ($218) which she would rock in hot pink.

Another favorite for the toddler is the Mary Jane shoe.  Channel Suri in adult versions of the classic shape.  Suri loves red and Bettye Muller Ceremony Velvet Mary Jane ($355) certainly fits the bill, but is updated with a high heel.  And you know once Suri is old enough she'll be rocking Christian Louboutin with their killer red soles.  This Alta Iowa ($855) pair from Barney's is a good pick.  And while they may not be Mary Janes, these Missoni Baby Bow Flats ($400), available at piperlime.com would definitely feed into Suri's love of color, bold prints, and bows.

Long live Style Queen Suri!  

                                                      

(Images of Suri from gettyimages.com and perezhilton.com)

Look of the Week-Rachel Bilson

The always adorable Rachel Bilson is one of my style icons.  She manages to look both cute and fashionable, not an easy task.  She just sort of has an it factor when it comes to clothes-what works on her petite frame, what colors, what proportions.  Case in point: her outfit from a Madewell and Lucky magazine event at the Bar Marmount in LA earlier this week.

The combination of the high waisted skirt and loose fit tank is fresh, but really gets me is the mix of prints.  I don't think I'd be brave enough to pair polka dots with graphic stripes, but Rachel does and does it well.

The mix of prints work for two reasons: one, the polka dots are small and not so out there.  Two, the prints are in the same color family, so neither one overwhelms the other.

To complete the look, Rachel threw on a simple black cardigan, opaque black tights, and a slouchy leather tote bag.

For your own version, start with this Karen Zambos Ruffle Top, $225 available at couturecandy.com  The print is dark so the dots aren't quite so cutesy.  Another great pick is the Tory Burch Tanya Blouse, $195 from Nordstrom.  I'm also a fan of this See by Chloe Dots Printed Tank ($120) from shopbop.com  The contrasting black and white print is very unusual and fun.

For the skirt, check out this one from Max Studio, on sale for $58.  While the stripes are technically sequins on this Banana Republic Skirt ($79.50), the print still works.

While Rachel picked these two prints, any ones will work as long as they are within the same color family and of similar sizes.  Oversized dots or super wide stripes would not work in this case, for example.

Now just add the accessories (surely you have tights and a black cardi in your closet!) and some fashion confidence and you're good to go!

(Image of Rachel from gettyimages.com)

Trend Alert: Boyfriend Blazer

While perusing a favorite web site recently, style.com, I kept noticing time and again that many celebs had chosen to pair their fancy cocktail and party frocks not with boring black cardigans but with oversized boyfriend blazers.

It's a cooler, hipper alternative to the cardigan, or shrug, or even the pashmina or wrap.  At a party in LA celebrating the opening of the new Chloe store, Chloe Sevigny paired a crisp white blazer with a shorts suit.

See how she scrunches up the sleeves?  That's a cool way to wear your blazer-slightly rumpled.  For a similarly cool look, try Free People's Drapey Knit Blazer ($128) at freepeople.com.  It hangs in an interesting way.  Or try Talbot's Textured Jacket.  On sale for just $62.99, it manages to be loose while still crisp.  And don't be afraid to wear white after Labor Day!

Also at the same Chloe party, two lovely ladies paired their looks with simple black blazers; the always lovely Jamie Lynn-Sigler and Mateo's baby mama Camila Alves.

Both girls have worn the same blazer in different ways.  Jamie wore simple skinny jeans and a basic white tee.  The whole thing is pretty simple, but it's chic and it works.

As for Camila, her bohemian full skirt is toned with the blazer and neutral accessories.  Her nude clutch and heels are easy breezy.

Neither girl looks like she tried too hard, but both look cool and fashion-forward.

Want a similar blazer?  Try these on for size!  The Zoa Boyfriend Blazer ($194) from nationaljeancompnay.com looks super similar to the ones above.  I also dig this ABS Luxury Collection Boyfriend Blazer ($305) available at Nordstrom.  And for a under $100 option, I love Aqua's Double-Breasted Boyfriend Blazer ($88) at Bloomingdale's.

The key is to make sure your blazer is loose and laid-back without being baggy and making you look misshapen or heavy.  Roll or scrunch the sleeves for an especially cool look, and make sure it hits around hip level-if it's shorter it may come across too office.

Blaze away!

Tights Are Right

With fall comes winter, and with winter comes cooler temperatures-okay, freezing temperatures.  However, one of my favorite parts of winter is tights!  Besides the obvious fact that they keep your feet warm, tights are a great way to update a boring dress or skirt.  They can also be the perfect thing to tone down an overly short dress or frock that could otherwise be deemed over the top.

And there are also lots of fun tights to choose from this year as well!  No longer relegated to black or opaque, colors and patterns are making a seriously fun and exciting comeback.  Here is just a sampling of my favorites.

For embellished tights, look no further than Cynthia Rowley Embellished Tights ($250).

Fresh off the runway, they are basic black tights with a kick-embellishments and beading all along the front.  Elaborate and so different from anything else in your hosiery drawer.  For another option try these Free People Rhinestone Lace Tights ($24) available at freepeople.com  Lace with a kick of rhinestones trailing down the back.

The latest and greatest way to wear tights is with serious patterns-seriously fun ones!  I am currently coveting these Blank Dinosaur Tights ($72), available at pixiemarket.com  Yes, those are tiny dinos printed on them!  Adore!

For other fun patterns, try Blank Soldier Tights ($72) also from Pixie Market's site, with, you guessed it, tiny toy soldiers printed all over them.  I am also obsessing over the Henry Holland Alphabet Tights ($17) available at figleaves.com.  These sheer tights are updated with the letters of the alphabet printed randomly all over.  Cute-and educational!  Also from figleaves.com the Jonathan Aston Animal Print Tights ($12) are great.  Purple leopard print?  Love!  And for those who need some sparkle (yours truly included!) look no further than TopShop's Glitter Dot Tights ($24) which you can snap at up topshop.com.  Black with tiny silver polka dots.

And of course, you can't go wrong with basic black.  They are a classic for a reason!  I've found that the very best out there are by Wolford.  Their Chicago shop, on Oak St., gets regular stops from me, and every winter I pick up two new pairs of their Satin de Luxe Tights ($65) available at most major department stores-I've seen them at Barney's, Saks, Bloomingdale's, and Neiman Marcus.  At first glance you may think-"$65 for tights?!" but let me convert you.  They are the softest, most flattering tights you'll ever wear.  Exceptionally soft, leg-lengthening, and as a bonus, a seam running up the back of each leg.  Sexy!  I look forward to the cool fall day when I slip into a silky pair for the first time.

This is just a (very) small sampling of the amazing hosiery that is available this season.  May your winter-and your legs!-be warm!

Lustworthy-What I Want Now!

Christian Louboutin is the master.  He can make a flat look as beautiful and delicate and feminine as a high heel-not always an easy feat.  Well, he has really outdone himself with the Fred Flat Glitter ($595), available at Barney's New York or net-a-porter.com

These babies are somehow the perfect combination of menswear and The Wizard of Oz, with a dash of fashionista cool tossed in.  The real question is, can I pull them off??

They are for sure bold.  And they are more than likely the closest I'll ever come to wearing gym shoes out in public (they do have laces after all!).  Obvi they exceed my price range, but maybe if I get lucky they'll go on sale.

After all, we all deserve some pure magical fun on our feet!

Look of the Week: Rhianna!

It's Fashion Week in Paris, which means there is so shortage of great looks as celebrities, socialites, and models descend on the city to sit front row for famed French houses like Louis Vuitton and John Galliano.

But the look of the week comes from the Frenchiest of French labels, Chanel and Rhianna.

Rhianna of course wore head to toe Chanel, but she jazzed up her simple blue tweed skirt and white bustier with gobs of pearls and a killer logo-ed muff.  Her bold berry lips are pretty fierce too.

While obvi the look is far from the budget of the average fashionista, it is possible to get it for less.

For starters, try the Kimchi Blue Zipper Dress ($58) at Urban Outfitters.  The tweed bottom and basic white tank shape on top are on par with the trend.

Another skirt to try is the  Nanette Lepore Herringbone Skirt ($295), available at Nordstrom.  It has a great flirty ruffle near the waist, which can help to hide some pooch.  Pair this skirt with the Jezebel Caress Bustier ($45) at barenecessities.com

Of course, Rhianna's outfit is completed with her mass of pearl necklaces.  Mix all different lengths pearl sizes to get a similar mismatched, but still chic, look.  I adore the  J Crew Ribbon Tiered Pearl Cluster Necklace ($195).  The ribbon tie is a great bonus.  I also love the bow on this Charlotte Russe Necklace ($15.50) as well as the mix of pearls and chains on this Joomi NYC Multi Pearl and Chain Necklace ($195) from maxandchloe.com  Whether real or faux, pile on the pearls to complete this look.

Last but not least, a bold lip is the perfect complement to this ladylike but edgy outfit.  Try Lipstick Queen in Berry Sinner ($18), available at Barney's.

Gotta love Fashion Week!

What's New-Kate Spade Clothes!

Kate Spade has been known forever as the go-to spot for cheerful and colorful flats, girly heels, and those ubiquitous nylon totes (c'mon, you know you had one in high school!).  Well, Kate Spade herself sold the brand several years ago, and it has since been reinvented.  


First there was the awesomely adorable and stylish costume jewelry line.  Now, though, there are clothes.  In the past they have introduced a few key pieces each season, but Fall 09 is the first whole line, from  outerwear to skirts to blouses.


While a lot of the pieces are great, there are a few key standouts.  Like this Madeline Sequin Cardigan. 

It may be hard to tell via photo, but this cardigan practically moves, shakes, and shimmies.  Plus, the waist-cinching tie is super flattering, emphasizing your natural curves.  It was love at first sight for me, but sadly the price, at $425, is a bit intense.

Another hit is the Courtney cashmere cardigan ($295).  

My favorite color is purple, so this immediately jumped out at me.  Upon closer look though, the bow shaped pockets are an adorable extra touch.  This is a great peice to take you from day to night, or for running errands on a Sunday morning.

And, oh this blouse!  The Madeline blouse ($245).

At first glance, this blouse has a lot going on.  Ruffles, polka dots, it's definitely not for wallflowers.  But I love it!  This look is very office-centric, but it can work just as well with jeans for a night out.

Kate Spade's clothing line is available at Kate Spade boutiques and the Kate Spade website (www.katespade.com), Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom.  And there's much more cute and fun clothes where these 3 looks came from!

What I'm Reading......

If you've been to my home, it's no secret that I love coffee table books. I have them on subjects as varied as the Rolling Stones and swimming pools. But most tend to lean towards the fashion world. While I regularly swap out my books, from season to season, one that always has a place of honor is Influence by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

The book is a very interesting concept.  It's split in half-Ashley's half and MK's half.  Each twin has chosen a handful of people, from fashion designers to photographers, that influence and inspire them.  In turn, each influencer agreed to sit down for an interview with the twins to talk about what inspires them!  They even got some greats to agree, like Karl Lagerfeld and Diane vonFurstenburg and Christian Louboutin. The interviews are fascinating and eye-opening, and the photos are great, whether professional glossy pics or grainy Polaroid's snapped by the girls themselves.

Far and away, though, my favorite chapters are the ones about each twin.  They interview each other and share photo collages of their favorite things.  If you're an Olsen fan like myself, this book is a must have.  But even if you aren't, the photography and content is well worth a spot on your bookshelf.  It's a rare chance to get inside the brains of some fashion geniuses.  

Here's a shot of  one of MK's photo collages-some of her amazing sunglasses.

And here are two gorgeous shots of Ashley from her chapter in the book:

So GO BUY IT!  Available at amazon.com, starting at $27.

Sequins!

This fall, I CAN'T STOP buying and obsessing over sequins!  There are the perfect way to add a bit of glamour and flash to your life.  They just scream party and fun and dancing all night.  So far I have gone a bit sequin crazy with the Aqua line at Bloomingdale's (FYI-amazing line, everything is so on point and affordable).

This blazer ($198) has built in shoulder pads, which also works with the 80's trend all over the place.  But the sequins are dark, so this piece is less flashy.  From a distance you can't even really tell that it is sequins, but up close it's pretty bananas. It's really cool and reminds me of Mick Jagger.

Another fun piece is this sequined skirt ($88), also an Aqua piece from Bloomie's.  It comes in metallic gold, but my favorite is the silver version.  It looks like a shimmery disco ball.  But with a skirt this flashy, everything else has to be basic.  Black tights or leggings are ideal to tone it down.  A basic white tee is the perfect topper, and chunky and loud silver jewelry is an ideal complement.  Flash and dash!

TopShop is also chockfull of sequined pieces.  Currently I am obsessing over this sequined polka dot tee ($135).

Perfect for a casual date night at the movies, I envision this with skinny jeans and a clutch.  It doesn't need much else-the fact that it's sequins AND polka dots means it doesn't need jewelry, while I would definitely pair it with a single bangle since I can't leave the house without some kind of jewelry.  If you need accessories, keep them to your hands and wrists-a necklace would be too much.

Another sequined tee I can't get enough of is this little doozy by 3.1 Phillip Lim.  While I love and covert everything by Lim, my soulmate, this tee is one of my faves for fall/winter.  Sadly the price ($525) is out of my range but I envision myself as a bon vivant, running carefree, pairing this tee with J Brand's legging jeans in black (available at chickdowntown.com).

And now, get ready to D.I.E.  Marchesa, master of beautiful dresses that make me weep, has this utter confection of a frock, available at Neiman Marcus.  I have nowhere to wear it and obvi will never be able to afford it, but it makes me die and gasp for air.  Check it:

And if you're not someone who likes being in the spotlight (because sequins DO make you stand out), try a subtle scarf.  TopShop's is a great update for jeans and a tee.  It takes the place of a statement necklace.

Hopefully this post has encouraged you to try sequins, even if it's just a little dash here or there.  I love them and you'll feel so fabulous and fun wearing them!  Just tone everything else down to avoid overkill.

Hip hip hooray for sequins!!!!!!

WELCOME!

Hello and welcome to Hot Child in the City!  I hope to put the "chic" in Chicago each and every day and am so glad you've stopped by to check out my love for fashion and style.

Keep checking back to see the latest trends and how I would wear them and make them work, as well as my favorite celebrity looks, what I am coveting right this minute, and more!

First post coming up-soon!