YOU In The City: 1st signs of Spring!

The last couple of days have given me hope that Spring may actually be close!  I enjoyed a gorgeous Sunday late afternoon/early evening on an outdoor patio in Lakeview with friends!!! ...of course as soon as the sun began to set we jetted to an indoor table by the fireplace... but if cocktails on a patio aren't the first Chicago sign of Spring, I don't know what is! :)

With Spring in the air, colors on the street are starting to brighten up and fun printed dresses are making appearances! Wool coats are getting switched up for cropped bombers, and I've even seen some sandals walking the sidewalks (maneuvering around the snow piles)!

As much as I would like to say I found these Spring style trends walking the streets of Chicago, I have to admit these were pulled from Pintrest due to the roller-coaster of weather happening here.  I've had to resort to online style gawking, for now...but as soon as people are finally able to start rocking some of their on trend looks for Spring with out having to cover them all up for warmth I'll be posting my favs staight from the streets!  

Alas, for now, here are a few of my favorite stylish looks to rock out and about this Spring!

Floral prints with a watercolor affect!  Gorg!

Chunkerific gold chains!  Everywhere!

Geometric prints, army jackets and cuffs!  <3

Slouchy pants with heals, black, white & a pop of leopard!   Adore!

Keep the color palate simple, rock pastels, and own a classy maxi!

Get inspired and start rocking your own Spring Style In City!
XOXO,
Shopping Girl,
Lora LaPratt
www.shoppinggirlxoxo.com

Anna Hovet: Designer In The City

Anna Hovet is the designer, maker, and face of her brand, Anne Hovet!  I had the pleasure of visiting her Chicago studio this week where she makes all of her amazing designs and it made me fall even more in love with her brand than I already was!  Anna is a vibrant, unique, fun chic with a laid back attitude that makes you feel comfortable right off the bat!  Her clothing is exactly the same!  A perfect combination of cool, fun, comfortable, and cute!  I'm so excited to be selling this awesomely "Chicago" brand in the Shopping Girl XOXO showroom!

Anna Hovet brand started 5 years ago and is going strong with it's unique approach to woman's wear.  Her creative styles are always pushing boundaries while still being completely wearable in your every day life!   Anna herself describes the brand as a "young progressive womanswear brand that combines designer style and street-wear comfort.  Manufactured in Chicago, the collection specializes in knitwear including reversible jersey dresses, unique sweatshirts, and beautifully draped outerwear."


The Anna Hovet customer is someone who likes to be comfortable while still being super stylish.  Who doesn't, right?  From dresses, sweatshirts, and outerwear you're sure to find that perfect go to piece to make you feel amazing for Spring!  She has pieces that can be dressed up and dressed down to match any lifestyle!

My favorites are Anna's pieces that can be worn more than one way!  I love a good two for one piece!  :)  She has adorable reversible dresses that are a solid black on one side (wear it to work this way) then a cool print and pop of color on the other (just flip it around for the evening!)   These pieces are so great for traveling and packing less too!

Check out this video of Anna in her beautiful studio!

It always makes me happy to support such a fun loving designer with a great concept and brand!  I know you'll love her too!  Find your favorite Anna Hovet pieces and create your won Style In The City!  :)

XOXO,
Shopping Girl,
Lora LaPratt
www.shoppinggirlxoxo.com

ROAM Boutique In The City!

If you have been on the search for a super chic, high end boutique to call your new "go-to" stop for finding amazing pieces, your search is finally over!  ROAM Boutique, which just recently opened in November of 2013 in the beautiful Old Town neighborhood, has an air of coolness about it before you even walk in the door.  Once inside the open two story boutique, you'll be transported to an eclectic combination of ritzy meets outdoorsy decor framed by a beautiful staircase, glass balcony, and gorgeous chandeliers.

I had the pleasure of attending their opening party and instantly fell in love with the style!  The owner, Mallory Ulaszek, clearly knows what she's doing, as this is her third storefront at a young age!  I'm drawn to the overall concept of ROAM because, as Mallory pointed out, "we really focus on the cutting edge of what's happening in fashion.  So think:  lots of up and comers, a lot of forward brands, and a lot of exclusives."  This is evident in the lux feeling of the store!

I love to be able to walk into a boutique and feel that I am getting a special experience, which is exactly what happens when entering ROAM.  Plus, your man has no excuse to not go shopping with you, because half of ROAM is devoted to men's clothing!  "Our vibe here is very laid back and client focused."  Just a few of the awesome designers at ROAM include 10 Crosby by Derek Lam, and ICB by Prabal Gurung.  These two designers have an amazing way of translating such personality into their lines!  "They design for the cool city girl and this is exactly who out clients are at ROAM." says Mallory.  

ROAM definitely highlights awesome local designers as well,  including Jules Jewelry, which I love!  The pieces have such an organic, sophisticated edginess to them! C/FAN, a luxury fur accessories brand, and one of their newest additions, Remi Canarie, a brand that should be added to your favorite local designers list if it isn't already there!

Jules Jewelry

Remi Canarie

 ROAM is an escape from reality that will transport you into a very cool new way of shopping!  :)

Roam's Opening Event

XOXO,   

Shopping Girl,

Lora LaPratt
www.shoppinggirlxoxo.com

Obsessions In The City: Oscars Style

I'm not always a huge fan of watching the Oscars in it's entirety, don't get me wrong, I could watch the red carpet for days...but this year I was captivated!  I have quite a list of obsessions from last nights Oscars starting with...

Jared Leto!

As I tweeted last night, "I could not possibly be more obsessed with Jared Leto!  What a class act!  <3" From his sexy demeanor, little red bow tie, adorable speech about his mother, and then to address his feelings on AIDS so eloquently,

 "As you struggle to make your dreams happen, to live the impossible, we're thinking of you tonight...36 million people who have lost the battle to AIDS,...who ever felt injustice for who you are and who you love.  Tonight I stand in front of the world for you." Check out his speech in it's entirety here!

 He set the bar high for the rest of the winners!  Swoon <3

Pink!

I can't even stand how fierce this chic is!  She totally rocked that ruby red dress singing her heart out to one of everyone in the world's favorite songs, Somewhere Over The Rainbow!  

P.S. am I the only one who didn't know Liza Minnelli is Judy Garland's daughter????

Ellen!  

She killed it, but that's no surprise...

Lupita!

She can do now wrong, I mean for real!  She has made no mistakes in this amazing start of her career!  Another flawless look all the way down to the headband accompanied by a flawless speech!  She literally takes my breath away!

My top three favorite looks of the night!  

Goldie Hawn was golden perfection! 

Emma Watson was modern, edgy, and gorgeous!

Lupita was floating on a light blue cloud!

Bitch Stole My Look!?

Whoopi pulled a Bitch Stole My Look moments!  Check her out wearing the exact same thing as Julia Roberts did just a month earlier (minus the ruby red heals) to the Golden Globes!!!???

I was obsessed with this year's Oscars, and would like to end on one more obsession from the evening, U2's performance of Ordinary Love, paying tribute to Nelson Mandela!

Obsessed!

XOXO,

Shopping Girl,

Lora LaPratt

www.shoppinggirlxoxo.com

YOU IN THE CITY (Fashion Week New York)

As New York Fashion week is arguable one of the most fashionable events of the year world wide I wanted to highlight some of my favorite new trends for 2014 as seen in street style at New York Fashion Week 2014!  Here are some of my favorite looks walking the streets, I feel like these style maven's looks speak for themselves, but let me know what you think!

Sexy Slouchy Pants

It's all about the Coat

Bare Midriffs everywhere

All three of these styles have such an air of effortless chic!  I'm so into the casual elegance they bring for Spring!  Get inspired and create your own Style In The City!

XOXO,

Shopping Girl,

Lora LaPratt

www.shoppinggirlxoxo.com

La Pucara : Designer In The City

I can't tell you how excited I am to highlight La Pucara Jewelry this week!  I have been carrying their designs in the Shopping Girl XOXO showroom since we first opened and they are an amazing seller to my clients!  They are the perfect addition to any outfit to add a pop of color or a statement piece to an otherwise average look!  The pieces come in an array of fabulous colors and sizes, making it easy to find that perfect piece for anyone's style!  

La Pucara's brand focuses on what the jewelry is made out of, where it comes from, and who it supports! Colleen, La Pucara's designer and creator puts it perfectly:

"Our brand is about creating a different jewelry experience for our customers.   Each of our pieces is handcrafted in a way that accentuates the natural markings and character of the materials.  Also, by owning our jewelry, our customers are supporting rainforest preservation and small businesses here in the US and in Ecuador, making the jewelry anything other than ordinary."   

To add to the awesomeness of this brand, all of the La Pucara jewelry is made from seeds!  They go through a long process of choosing the seeds sustainably harvested in the rainforests of Ecuador, shaping them, and dying them to make unique new pieces and colors every season to add to their collection!

The SACHA necklace is a constant best seller!  Depending on the color, it is the perfect statement necklace to pack quite a punch when making an entrance!  The nice thing about La Pucara is that they make similar designs in different sizes for those who like a chunkier look, or those who prefer a more subtle piece!  They also have many pieces that can be worn more than one way (as a necklace and a bracelet) or more than one length (so you can adjust for different necklines etc).

Colleen is a great model of her pieces!  She is always rocking the newest styles and colors, and it just goes to show what a La Pucara customer is all about!  

"Our perfect customers are women who want a designer look, are aspirational and slightly rebellious, and want jewelry that looks luxurious.  These women are also eco-friendly and care about helping other women who are trying to make a change to improve their lives.  For our customers, our jewelry represents more than just a fashion statement, and adds a little something extra to any outfit or day!"

I am proud to continue spreading the La Pucara style to my clients for so many reasons!  It's always nice to not only love the look and fashion of a brand, but to be invested in what they stand for and support as well!  Shopping Girl XOXO's showroom is always full of amazing La Pucara pieces in every color of the rainbow, so make an appointment today to get that perfect gift for someone special or complete your look with the perfect pop of color accessory!

XOXO,
Shopping Girl,
Lora LaPratt
www.shoppinggirlxoxo.com  

 

Comfort Me Boutique In The City!

I'm so in love with this gem of a boutique!  Comfort me Boutique is set just East of Halsted on Armitage in Lincoln Park's shopping district, yet when you walk in the doors you will be transported!  Where you'll be transported to has endless possibilities, because the beautiful decorations in this cozy boutique have a special air about them that leave you questioning where exactly you are!  From the woods with a beautiful full tree and dripping steam, to a comfortable fire place in a cottage, or maybe relaxing on a beach in a hammock?  You'll find new and spectacular decor you hadn't noticed every time you visit, but the best part of Comfort Me Boutique is the unique assortment of clothing and home goods!  

CMB opened just under three years ago and has been doing so well that they recently opened a pop up shop in Hyde Park!  They opened as a team of a mother and two daughters, and the family atmosphere transferees over to the vibe of not only the name, but also the boutique!  "Comfort Me Boutique's vibe is relaxing, homey, and eclectic."  As you shop through the store you'll notice a fresh and modern take on vintage inspired pieces!  You can't help but feel cool in an understated way when searching through the racks of clothing as well as the perfectly unique little nick-knacks and gifts!  Being engaged, one of my first thoughts was, how can I register here?  :)

The abundance of really talented and funky local designers is also one of my favorite things about this place!  There really is a locally designed item (or five) for everyone on your list!

When I asked Alyssa, one of the owners, to tell me a little about Christina Karin, she had this to say, "her apparel is made in Chicago which is amazing.  Also, her collections are beautiful and she has a nice range of price points in order to make her designs more accessible to everyone. We have a Christina Karin faux fur wrap in stock that I had to snatch for myself right away. They make it possible to be practical in this crazy weather without looking like the Michelin man."  LOVE!

Courtney Rhodes' line of scarfs called Rho is such a cool, unique, and most importantly useful take on a scarf!  Not only are they all hand painted silk in drop dead gorgeous colors and patterns made in Chicago, but she has added a metal clip to the scarf called a Rho clip which helps you to wear it tons of different ways!  As a stylist I can't tell you how often people ask me "what are some different ways I can wear my scarf?"  The Rho scarf is a super chic take on an every day scarf that will get you endless compliments, guaranteed! 

Pyar & Co. is the line that had me wanting to register at Comfort Me Boutique!  They are actually designed IN Lincoln Park and the intricate beeding and painting make you want to cuddle up on a beautiful couch somewhere while feeling fancy at the same time!  It doesn't get much better than that, especially in this weather!  :)

Alyssa chillaxin' by the beautiful fireplace!

I've fallen in love with this super cool, unique, chic boutique and can't wait for you to as well!  Check it out and let me know what your favorite purchases were!

XOXO,

Shopping Girl,

Lora LaPratt

www.shoppinggirlxoxo.com