Movin' Out: Sofia Vintage/ Fix Boutique

To make way for the new luxury shops at the soon-to-be new and improved Esquire Theater on Oak, Delve favorite Sofia Vintage is temporarily closing. While the store assures shoppers that they will be opening a new location in the Gold Coast in the near future, for now the store is having a 50% off sale. That means that from June 4th-24th, the store's So-Cal, edgy duds will fit even better into your budget. The store will be moving out of its current location until the end of June.

In more permanent news, the West Loop's Fix Boutique will be officially shuttering its doors June 30th. While we are sad to see this local gem go, the store is offering up their contemporary-chic inventory for up to 80% off (you heard right) until doors close. With premium denim selling for $50, you can't afford not to go.

Favorite stores moving out, extreme sales moving in - parting is such sweet sorrow...

Weekend Recos: Memorial Day Edition

For those not hightailing it out of the city for some countryside R&R this holiday weekend, listen up. We’ve got everything you need to make the most of your long weekend. See below for Delve’s top five weekend recos: 

• Randolph Street Market – spend your Saturday and Sunday scouring the market for vintage garbs and antique housewares, all while cocktailing and listening to local bands.
• ROOF Sundays – Celebrate the kickoff of ROOF Sundays season at the The Wit Hotel. We’ve never met a daytime roof party we didn’t like.   

• SUB 51 Summer Kickoff Party – ½ price Belvedere bottles + dancing to the spins of DJ Konsept. All within eye’s distance of Hub’s a-mazing pulled chicken nachos.
• Hit the Beach – this weekend marks the official opening of Chicago beaches so lather up the SPF and join the other faux spring breakers at North Ave beach.
• Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest – Saturday and Sunday filled with cheesy cover bands, draft beers and fried food. #sold

Designer Crush: Mara Hoffman Swim

As far as we're concerned, Memorial Day weekend marks the official start of summer. Whether you are hitting Oak St. Beach or lucky enough to have access to a pool, it's time to start thinking swimwear. While the thought of getting into a bikini after months of hibernation can be somewhat dreadful, the suits we have been scouting from Mara Hoffman make the transition a whole lot better.

From Cheetah to Aztec inspired, we are loving her bold patterns and flattering cuts this summer season. Whether you want a teeny bikini or a more moderate one-piece, Mara's got you covered. Check out below our favorite pics from the designer's most recent collection.

Want more?

Check out all the latest styles from Mara Hoffman here.

Tonight! Jean Therapy at 900 N Michigan

No plans tonight? Stop by the "Jean Therapy: Feel Good in Your Genes" event at DNA 2050 (the fab women's jean store at 900 N Michigan).

Attendees will recieve 20% off all items in the store (perfect time to stock up on this summer's hottest denim trend), a free raffle ticket for your chance to win designer jeans, complimentary cocktails/desserts, goody-bags, makeup touch-ups by Bobbi Brown and more!

Shopping for a good cause? Now that's something we can get behind.

Red Sole Retail: Louboutin comes to the Chi

As if Oak street wasn't already home to enough high-end shopping, the long deserted Esquire Theater is doing a complete revamp to feature three floors of luxury shopping/entertainment. While we have heard some about the dining options that will occupy the space (Del Frisco's - since Chicago obviously needs another steakhouse), the first retail partner has been announced and is none other than Monsieur Louboutin. Come December, Chicagoans will be able to ooh and ahh over the pricey pumps in a 1,000 sq. ft store. The Oak street store marks the brand's first boutique in the Midwest.

While Louboutin's aren't a bad place to start, we can't wait to hear what else will be joining this soon-t0-be retail hostpot.

photo courtesy of Racked Chicago

The Drinkingbird Opens in Lincoln Park

Let's be honest. Sometimes all a gal needs after a sob-worthy rom com is a cocktail to snap her back to her normal self. And while we love a dive bar as much as the next Chicagoan, finding an applaudable cocktail near the Clybourne and Webster theater was next to impossible. Until this week.

Enter The Drinkingbird: a 60’s Vegas-style lounge meets neon-adorned watering hole in the old Flounder’s space.

We know what you’re thinking. It’s impossible to head to that hood without devouring a Pequod’s deep dish, but do yourself a favor and give their neighbor a go. One deviled egg and Pimm’s Cup later, you'll realize you made the right decision.

Cocktail’ing:
Expect a pretty legit lineup of beers, in addition to an a-mazing cocktail lineup. Go for the Pimm’s Cup, The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (Flor de Cana Gold, Lime, Cointreau and Velvet Falernum) or (one of our faves on every menu) the Paloma Punch (Luna Azul Reposado, Agave Syrup, Grapefruit, Lime, Soda and Grapefruit Bitters).

Bites:
Not yet on the menu (but soon to be) are the beer battered scallops, which were borderline the best scallops we’ve had in a while. And of course, never to disappoint, we didn’t get through dinner without an order of the frites. A few of our favorite gals headed in to The Drinking Bird a few days after us and are still talking about the Rillette (with house-baked Challah, beer mustard, bourbon butter and smoked pork belly).

The Drinkingbird opened Tuesday and brought cocktail’ing couture to an intersection that, well, needed it.

Oh. And did we mention they have a fireplace? #sold

Check out Thrillist's behind the scenes footage of The Drinkingbird's Pimm's Cup creation here.

Trending: Colored Collars

Summer is almost upon us which means that we are already thinking of ways to accessorize our go-to wardrobe of white tanks and denim cutoffs. The bauble trend we are most excited about this season? The jeweled, neon necklaces that we see popping up from our favorite jewelry designers. Throw on any of the above to add an unexpected pop of color to your summer staples.

from left to right: Tom Binns, Iosselliani, Dannijo

Mercer 113 Opens its Doors

Back in January, we told you about Hubbard Street's forthcoming addition, Mercer 113 - the brainchild of the owners of Social Twenty-Five and Moe's Cantina. Well, after much anticipation, the restaurant/lounge is opening its doors this weekend. Here's a snapshot of what to expect:

Food: Joining the ranks of restaurants like Hub51 and EPIC, Mercer attempts to deliver on both food and nightlife. The menu boasts some mouthwatering dishes such as Tuna Carpaccio, Bacon Wrapped Scallops, Roasted Beet Salad, Almond Crusted Halibut and Blue Cheese Crusted Filet Medallions. Have we seen these dishes before? Yes. Do they still sound delicious? Yes.

Cocktails: For $12 a pop you can sample some inventive concoctions to start your night off right. Our picks? The refreshing Mercer cocktail (Absolut Citron, Matcha Green Tea, lemongrass simple syrup and a fresh squeezed lemon) and the Blackberry Old Fashioned (Gentleman Jack, agave nectar, muddled blackberries, fresh grapefruit and grapefruit bitters).

Ambiance: The website touts an "earth-inspired" decor featuring natural design elements (i.e. Tree Bark), large sliding glass doors and a fireplace wall. We're curious to see how the space transitions from New-American dining to a bottle-service serving, late-night destination - which is exactly why we will be there this weekend to find out.

merceronethirteen.com; 113 W. Hubbard St.

Last Minute Gifting: Mother's Day

A little behind on snagging a gift to show Mom your love? Rest assured, we've got your back. See below for a few last minute gifts for wow'ing Mom.

Clockwise from left to right: Jonathan Adler paperweight $42; Alexis Bittar bangle $64; Anthropologie recipe bookmarks book $10; Nest votive set $98; Marni printed iPad sleeve $210

Go See: The Quick & Easy Boys

Looking for a way to get through Hump Day? We'll be heading north to Martyr's to rock out with the Quick & Easy Boys on their Chi-town tour stop. Out of Portland, the trio is in the middle of a national tour and is hitting up one of our fave live-band venues with their rock-meets-honky-tonk jams.

Check out their video below, and more deets on the band here.

Fashion's Finest: Met Gala 2012

Our favorite fashion night of the year did not disappoint in 2012. This year's Met Gala was filled with Hollywood's chicest starlets sporting some serious frocks. With so many celebs to choose from, see below for our top picks of last night's fashion frenzy.