Less is More, She Says

Three months after moving from New York to Chicago last November, Texas native Jana Zacek opened her first-ever boutique in Wicker Park. Featuring mostly black, white, and gray dresses and tops with pops of color, Mulberry & Me (2019 W. Division St.; 773-952-7551) has items for work and play. “Being stylish isn’t about having a closet full of clothes. It’s about being able to use the same items in different ways,” Zacek says. Whether you need something for work or a night out, the boutique carries sleek silk tops by Parker in a variety of styles—think racer backs, button downs, and sleeveless—and colors ($129 to $139). For a more casual feel, look for eco-friendly black or gray bamboo and organic cotton pants ($149 each) or a floor-length, black, gray, and white cotton-silk dress with hints of blues and pinks ($229). In addition to her new boutique, which opened in late February, Zacek collaborated with her friend Kelly Goble to create Boho Metal jewelry. The line, currently exclusive to Mulberry & Me, includes a leather brown cord with turquoise and pearls that can be worn as a bracelet, necklace, or belt ($99) along with dozens of other styles.

Top Sales This Week

House of Sole (1237 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-834-0909, houseofsole.net) celebrates its two-year anniversary with a range of discounts and events April 30th through May 3rd. Throughout the four-day weekend, shoppers who spend $50, $100, and $150 will receive $10, $20, and $30 off their purchases, respectively. All purchases come with a complimentary gift and are shoppers will be entered to win a pair of Mohop sandals, a facial, or other prizes. In addition to the sale, the shoe boutique hosts a Shoes, Sugar, and Chardonnay party with mini cupcakes, wine, music, and shoes that match the snacks, April 30th from 6 to 9 p.m. Attendees who select a cupcake with a “golden ticket” get additional discounts. House of Sole holds a Mohop trunk show May 2nd from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In collaboration with SeeMore Shopping (seemoreshopping.com), Northbrook Court (1515 Lake Cook Rd., Northbrook; 847-498-8161, northbrookcourt.com) hosts The Chicago Indie Collection May 2nd from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and May 3rd from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Located on the lower level near Lord & Taylor, the event features hats, clothes, accessories, and more from 16 local independent designers, including Chic Gems (chicgemsetc.com), Juliet Jewelry (julietjewelry.com), Objets d’Envy (objetsdenvy.com), and Tangee Inc. (tangeeinc.net).

Artropolis (artropolischicago.com), an annual citywide art, antiques, and culture fair, showcases 285 galleries, dealers, and artists from around the world, May 1st through 4th at The Merchandise Mart (222 Merchandise Mart Plaza; 312-527-3701). The event encompasses Art Chicago, Next, and The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair. Tickets $20 for one-day, $25 for multi-day pass. To commemorate Mother’s Day, the connected boutiques Bett’s (672 Central Ave., Highland Park; 847-432-0338, bettsboutique.com) and B2 (678 Central Ave., Highland Park; 847-432-0338) host a three-generation trunk show with designs from Elaine Fisher, her daughters Marla Gilbert and Randi Heichman of Susan Rose Designs, and her granddaughter Madelyn Gilbert of MadaM Creations, April 30th through May 2nd. Shoppers who spend $50, $100, and $200 on items from Susan Rose Design get a Bett’s and B2 gift card worth $10, $25, and $50, respectively. A portion of sales from Bett’s and all proceeds from MadaM Creations will be donated to non-profit organizations helping autistic children. Call 847-432-0338 to RSVP.

The Best of the Rest

  • Blo Salon and Spa (826 W. Armitage Ave.; 773-477-2256, blochicago.com) offer a variety of spring specials, such as $25 off to new clients who book a joint cut and color services, and $25 men’s cuts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, through May 31st.
  • Zola Jones (1944 W. Montrose Ave.; 773-275-1845, zolajonesdesigns.com) holds its three-year anniversary sale during which shoppers receive 30 percent off new bags or get a free clutch with each bag purchase May 1st through 9th.
  • AliKat Boutique (499 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Glen Ellyn; 630-469-5760) hosts a Trunk Show Extravaganza with 10 percent off jewelry by Patricia Locke, scarves and headbands by Raj, and Ellu bags from the Chicago designer Leslie Pozen, May 1st from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event also includes random giveaways and refreshments.
  • Big Swap Bonanza (bigswapbonanza.com) offers thousands of used items—from bikes to collectibles—for cheap at Soldier Field (1410 S. Museum Campus; 312-666-1200) on May 2nd. The $3 admission includes music and entertainment. Shopping begins at 7 a.m. Cash only.
  • Design Shoppe (2009 N. Fremont St.; 773-883-6004, designshoppechicago.com) offers 20 percent off fabric by the yard through May 31st.
  • Simone’s Boutique (1060 Gage St., Winnetka; 847-446-9966, simonesboutique.com) hosts a Lulu Frost vintage jewelry trunk show with complimentary Champagne and hors d’oeuvres May 1st and 2nd from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • In honor of Earth Day and its two-year anniversary, Bess & Loie (1015 W. Lake St.; 312-226-2247, bessandloie.com) takes 15 percent off any item with green in it and offers complimentary sparkling wine through April 30th.
  • Gamma Player (2035 W. Division St.; 773-235-0755, gammaplayer.com) launches its new T-shirt line, Niteroi, in collaboration with Rozalia Scartissue, a Japanese men’s brand, April 30th from 7 to 9 p.m. The event also showcases spring and summer collections, and artwork by Brett Whitacre. RSVP to info@gammaplayer.com
  • Chris Guillen Photography (7451 Madison St., Forest Park; 708-488-1824, chrisguillen.com) holds a Mother’s and Father’s Day special. Customers who buy an 11-by-14 inch print or smaller, get one free when booking appointments through June 21st.
  • In honor of International Worker’s Day, Greenheart Shop (746 N. LaSalle Dr.; 312-264-1625, greenheartshop.org) offers up to 60 percent off selected items, May 1st and 2nd. The event also features presentation about the history of May Day from Emily Rosenberg of DePaul’s Labor Education Program and complimentary fair trade wine, May 2nd at 4 p.m.
  • Table Compliments (482 Central Ave., Highland Park; 857-579-4878, tablecompliments.com) holds a Julia Knight spring giveaway and showcases China cupboard mosaics from Mara Boo May 2nd from 1 to 5 p.m. Guests who spend $200 on Julia Knight serving pieces get a free Julia Knight leaf bowl.
  • Neapolitan (715 Elm St.; 847-441-7784, neapolitanonline.com) and Neapolitan Men (725 Elm St.; 847-441-7784) hold a combined Pringle trunk show, featuring men’s and women’s fall 2009 styles, through May 5th. Refreshments will be offered.
  • In addition to its spring upholstery sale (20 percent off in-store or custom-ordered upholstered furniture), Jayson Home & Garden (1885 N. Clybourn Ave.; 773-248-8180, jaysonhomeandgarden.com) gives 20 percent off all garden pots, planters, containers, urns, and window boxes, May 1st through 10th.
  • Richard Bennett Custom Tailors & Shirtmakers (175 W. Jackson Blvd.; 312-913-1100, rbtailors.com) host a women’s custom clothing spring trunk show and charitable event, April 29th from noon to 7 p.m. Guests receive 10 percent off their purchases, and 10 percent of all sales go toward A Silver Lining Foundation.
  • Bellini (1800 N. Clybourn; 312-981-6301, bellini.com) holds a Nido Threads (nidothreads.com) trunk show where guests receive 15 percent off the clothing line, April 30th from 1 to 7 p.m.
  • Purchase a pair of hot pink shoe covers from Shuella (312-543-0561; shuella.com) for $49.95 through May 31st, and $5 from the sale will go toward the Breast Cancer Network of Strength.
  • Spertus Shop at the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies in Chicago (610 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-322-1740, spertusshop.org) holds a jewelry trunk show featuring designs from Dori Csengeri, Jana Sobelmann, Marla Patinkin, and Ali Pesche, May 3rd from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Spex (2000 Central St., Evanston; 847-864-0300, spexchicago.com) holds an opening reception for its latest ART+VISION event, featuring mixed-media work from Evanston’s Open Studio Project instructors as well as a ProDesign eyewear trunk show, April 30th from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The instructors’ works will be on view through June 11th.
  • Hubba-Hubba (3309 N. Clark St.; 773-477-1414, hubbahubbachicago.com) holds a spring-cleaning event with professional organizer Erin J. Kelly April 30th from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The first 25 guests receive complimentary goody bags, and all attendees get 20 percent off their purchases, plus wine, snacks, organization tips, and the opportunity to win raffle prizes. The shop also hosts a meet-the-artist trunk show featuring jewelry from the local designer Kim Sherwood, May 2nd from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • For Mother’s Day, The Salon at ULTA (114 S. State St.; 312-279-5081, ulta.com) offers a family special, May 3rd through May 10th. Mothers and daughters who visit ULTA together receive 25 percent off any spa and salon service. To get the discount, bring in a photograph with mother and daughter together.
  • Bloomingdale’s (900 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-440-4460, bloomingdales.com) holds a book reading and signing with actress Julianne Moore to introduce her new children’s book, Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully, May 3rd from 3 to 5 p.m. In addition to snacks and face painting, attendees who spend more than $75 on Ralph Lauren children’s wear get a free copy of the book; ten percent of clothing sales go toward the Save the Children Organization. RSVP at ralphlauren@cookiemag.com.
  • Mario Tricoci (800-874-2624; tricoci.com for locations) offers bonus rewards to those who purchase gift certificates through May 10th. Guests receive $15, $30, and $45 bonus certificates with the purchase of $100, $200, and $300 gift certificates, respectfully. Also, in honor of the musical Legally Blonde, the Mario Tricoci salon at 900 North Michigan Avenue offers complimentary pink manicures to guests who say “blonde,” May 1st from 1 to 3 p.m.Macy’s (835 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-335-7700, macys.com) holds a BCBGeneration Spring Fashion Event with informal modeling, snacks, music, a photo booth, and personal shoppers, May 2nd at 2 p.m., on the third floor. Attendees receive a coupon earning them $10 off any BCBGeneration purchase of at least $50. Those who spend $150 on BCBGeneration items get a special gift.

Closings and Relocations

  • Before closing May 31st, the Australian art gallery Aboriginal Art Collection (226 W. Superior St., 3rd floor; 312-475-9766, aboriginalartcollection.com) offers up to 50 percent off all paintings and sculptures.
  • Gray (1361 N. Wells St.; 312-573-0750, grayboutique.com) has closed its Old Town location. Its suburban location at 821 Chestnut Court in Winnetka is still open.
  • Three other well-known shops in Old Town—One Yellow Shoe (1543 N. Wells St.; 312-337-1800, oneyellowshoe.com), Trend for Men (1551 N. Wells St.; 312-867-7700, trendformen.com), and Uri (1445 N. Wells St.; 312-475-9002, uriboutique.com)—have closed.