Good Skinstincts
“Everything in the store is luxuriously soft on the skin,” says Shannon Gregory, co-owner of a new Boystown clothing boutique called Skinstinct (3343 N. Broadway Ave.; 773-857-6900). At the moment, the store specializes in stylish, soft basics for men and women such as tees, hoodies, sweatshirts, and turtlenecks—“clothes you wear when you want to cuddle up and be comfortable,” Gregory says. Prices are affordable; most options are under $100 and nothing costs more than $200. The store’s own line of bamboo and organic cotton apparel ranges from $20 to $69. You’ll also find jeans for women from Fried Denim, Vigoss, and Wax; the men’s jeans brands include 1921 and Agile. (The store’s owners are developing their own line of organic jeans to debut next year. “We’re going to move our focus to incorporate even more eco-friendly fibers in the future, and may introduce dressier options, but for right now people are really responding to the basics,” Gregory says.) Stocked alongside the apparel is a skincare and bath line including SoyBu robes ($100) made from bamboo, soy, and micro-chenille, and early next year the owners will bring in their own line of bamboo bath towels, wash clothes, and hand towels. Also try the store’s line of all-natural bath and body products, with five flavors of body washes and lotions, sugar scrubs, and soy-based aromatherapy candles. Before the holidays, the store will introduce a facial line of 100 percent organic, vegan-certified products.

Top Sales This Week
Take up to 80 percent off designer merchandise at the Billion Dollar Babes sample sale of fall and winter clothing, shoes, and accessories. New to the Chicago sale this year is the Dolce & Gabbana line D&G, as well as the luxury trench coat line Gryphon. Returning favorites include Issa, Charlotte Ronson, T Bags, and Oliver Peoples. (Visit billiondollarbabes.com for a full roster.) Prices range from $20 to $500. The sale includes free drinks, discounted lash services, and free hair styling. The sale is open to the public on Oct. 27th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Skylight Studios (1956 W. Grand Ave.); the sale on Oct. 26th is by invitation only. Admission is free; cash and credit card accepted. RSVP to bdbinvite.com.

The first Beauty Sample Sale offers a combination of cocktails, treats, and complimentary beauty services and samples from hair care, skin care, and cosmetics brands, with products sold at a discount. The sale runs Oct. 24th from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Chicago Illuminating Company (19 E. 21st Street). Buy tickets for $25 at prettycity.com/beautysamplesale; the price includes a goody bag stocked with full and sample size products.

The Best of the Rest

• Roslyn (2035 N. Damen Ave.; 773-489-1311) celebrates its one year anniversary on Oct. 27th and 28th with 15 percent off full price merchandise, including the latest fall offerings from Bensoni, Thread Social, and Jovovich-Hawk.

• Take 40 percent off selected lighting fixtures such as chandeliers, and floor and table lamps, and 75 percent off plant containers, fountains, shrubs, and perennials at Jayson Home & Garden (1885 N. Clybourn Ave.; 773-248-8180) through Oct. 28th.

• Check out the trunk show of GYD (Groundless Youth Designs)—a new Chicago company that makes knitted scarves and arm and leg warmers—at Bess and Loie (1015 W. Lake St.; 312-226-2247) on Oct. 27th from noon to 5 p.m. Preview the collection at groundlessyouth.com.

• Paper Doll (2048 W. Division; 773-227-6950) celebrates its seventh anniversary with a trunk show of stationery and journals from two local designers, La Familia Green and The Great Lakes, on Oct. 27th from noon to 6 p.m.

• The line Mint by Jodi Arnold has become a favorite on the East Coast, and Tangerine (1719 N. Damen Ave.; 773-772-0505) hosts a trunk show for it on Oct. 25th at 5 p.m., with a representative from the line, Champagne, and music. RSVP to info@tangerine.com.

• The shop at the Museum of Contemporary Art (220 E. Chicago Ave.; 312-280-2660) will host its rare designer wares at a trunk show on Oct. 27th from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring scarf designer Ping Wu, stainless-steel handbag designer Wendy Stevens, and jewelry designer Terri Logan, among others.

• The final weekend for the Chicago Antique Market is Oct. 27th and 28th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on West Randolph Street (between Ada and Ogden). Visit Chicagoantiquemarket.com for more information.

• Bloomingdale’s (900 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-440-4581) hosts a Wacoal Fit for the Cure event on Oct. 26th in lingerie on the fourth floor. Receive a complimentary fitting in a Wacoal or DKNY bra and Wacoal will donate $2 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. With each purchase of the products, the brand will make an additional $2 donation.

• White Chicago (222 W. Huron St.; 312-397-1571) hosts Anna Post (niece of Peggy) to promote her new book, “Emily Post’s Wedding Parties” on Oct. 24th from 6 to 8 p.m. Sample desserts, martinis, and check out the book. RSVP to rsvp@bettiebombpr.com.

• Browse engagement rings and loose diamonds while enjoying appetizers, drinks, and a wedding gown fashion show at the new Lincoln Park location of Robbins Bros. (2184 N. Elston Rd.; 773-486-3584) on Oct. 25th. The event starts at 6 p.m., with a fashion show at 7:30 p.m. RSVP at whatwillyousay.com.

• Ciao Bella (3829 N. Southport Ave.; 773-388-2201) hosts a trunk show with Heidi Hess’s sweaters and holiday pieces on Oct. 27th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Oct. 28th from noon to 5 p.m.

• Celebrate Halloween at Preggers (900 N. Michigan Ave., 5th floor; 312-943-moms) on Oct. 27th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring the tots in full costume for a free sitting with a photographer and proof CD, and get 10 percent off any orders placed before Thanksgiving. Doughnuts and apple cider will be served. Also take 20 percent off all children’s clothes in sizes newborn to toddler size 4.

• Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine (53 E. Lake St., 312-658-1250; 2945 N. Broadway, 773-472-4781) has opened its second location in the West Loop, larger and with double the wine selection of the original Lake View store, as well as 150 cheese varieties and indoor seating.

• Pet store Cody and Carl’s Blvd. (756 Northwest Hwy., Barrington; 847-304-7140) hosts “Woof-O-Ween,” a Halloween costume party to benefit the Animal House Shelter. Dogs and kids can drop in between 1 and 3 p.m. and compete for prizes for the best costumes. Dogs will be available for adoption during the event.

• Kreative Soul Boutique (3744 N. Broadway Ave.; 773-975-8199) offers 20 percent off necklaces, rings, and bracelets with the purchase of a pair of earrings from the Ear Kandy Collection through the end of October.