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