Christmas Comes Early: Neiman Marcus and Target Release News of Holiday Collabs

Our affinity for designer items for less is well known. Hence why we were beyond excited to hear about the latest news coming from our favorite retailers Target (pronounced Tarjaaay) and Neiman Marcus. The two mega-retailers have tapped into their lengthy list of designer contacts to announce that come this holiday season, they will be co-creating a collection of more than 50 gifts - from apparel and home décor to pet products - courtesy of CDFA designers. Mark your calendars because these one-of-a-kind items will hit all Target and Neiman Marcus stores (and online hubs too) on December 1.

Ranging in price from under $10 to $500, the collection of gifts boasts an impressive designer roster including: Alice + Olivia, Band of Outsiders, Brian Atwood, Derek Lam, Diane von Furstenberg, Jason Wu, Lela Rose, Marchesa, Marc Jacobs, Prabal Gurung, Proenza Schouler, Rag & Bone, Tory Burch and Tracy Reese, just to name a few!

All designers were given the freedom to create items within the categories they felt strongly about— meaning that some of the above designers will venture into new territory (fingers crossed for home décor from Proenza!). The stores aren't divulging much more at this time, but promise to show us the goods on Oct. 16. Until then, feel free to let your imagination run wild about what these amazing designers are cooking up for our holiday wish lists.

Cocktail'ing for a Cause

Join the Bright Pink team and a bevy of other do-good orgs tomorrow night at The Drinking Bird for “Pink for a Cure” – an event to bring awareness to breast and ovarian cancer. 100% of proceeds from the raffle and 50% of proceeds from the below drink menu with go directly will go directly to Be Bright Pink - so drink up friends.

New Rooftop Coming to UK Village

A new addition is coming soon to one of our favorite Chicago neighborhoods. Set to open mid-July, Homestead will make its home on the rooftop of Root’s Homemade Pizza in the Ukrainian Village, promising a literal interpretation of the ever-popular farm-to-table concept.

Greg Mohr and Scott Weiner, the guys behind Roots and Fifty/50, are opening the new spot along with Chef Formica – previously of Sunda. What we’re loving most? Every ingredient in every dish will make its way to your table straight from the 1,000 square foot organic rooftop farm located next door – boasting over 100 different vegetable, fruit, plant, and herb varietals. While seated on the 85-seat rooftop, diners have full view of the rooftop farm.

What’s on the menu? Chef Formico says he’s featuring around 15 sharable plates and three desserts at a time – with a constantly changing menu. Two sneak peeks include the Two Way Potato (sliced potato stuffed with local goat cheese mashed potatoes, served on top of lightly-dressed greens and topped with shaved summer truffles) and the Lamb Tartare (finely chopped Illinois-raised lamb filets mixed with bulgar, mint, parsley, scallion, tomato, cucumber, and cinnamon). 

Homestead will offer up a full liquor bar and an evolving cocktail menu starting out with eight specialty cocktails. Similar to Roots, the beer list will exclusively feature brew from the Midwest, and wines will all be organic.


Follow Homestead on Facebook for updates on the official opening.

Cover it Up

With swimsuits as cute as these ones and temps soaring into the high 90's, you may feel a bit reluctant to cover up in these summer months. When the time does come for a little public decency, Delve has got you covered. Take a look at our picks for beach/poolside frocks that will keep you both feeling and looking cool. We like some of these so much that we might incorporate them into our weekday wardrobes.

From left to right Mara Hoffman ($330), Free People ($78), Joie ($98) Tory Burch ($177)

Bonjour, Giselle

Last time we stepped foot in the Harris Theater, we left with dropped-jaws from the sexy, scandalous performance of Carmen by the Luna Negra Dance Theater. And now, more stories of love and deceit. Let’s just say we can’t get enough. 

For the first time ever in Chicago (and the first time in the U.S. in 15 years), the world’s oldest and most distinguished ballet is debuting at Harris Theater, starting tomorrow. The Paris Opéra Ballet will open its U.S. tour of Giselle and Epic French Masterpieces right here in the Windy City running through July 1st, before jetting off to the JFK Center for Performing Arts in D.C. and finishing up at the Lincoln Center in NYC.

The tour opens with Giselle, created in 1841 and described as a story of love and forgiveness where Giselle, a peasant girl, is seduced by a great lord. Giselle learns she has been tricked by the lord and dies of a broken heart – but her love is said to extend beyond the grave. A girl still in love with a guy even after he breaks her heart? Looks like some things never change.  

After three nights of Giselle, the stage switches to Epic French Masterpieces, from June 29 to July 1 – this one described as a sexy, contemporary showcase of three ballets including Roland Petit’s L’Arlesienne, Serge Lifar’s Suite en blanc, and Maurice Béjart’s Boléro. 

Not ready to sacrifice even an ounce of this incredible weather? Millennium Park is hosting a live simulcast of Wednesday’s performance of Giselle in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at 7:30 p.m. on June 27. A little French ballet + a little French rosé in the park? Oui, s'il vous plaît.

More info and tickets are available at www.HarrisTheaterChicago.org.

Cusp Coming to a Neiman Marcus Near You

Whether in the 'burbs or downtown's Water Tower, us Chicagoans have been fortunate enough to have Cusp as a go-to store for that perfect party dress. A subsidiary of Neiman Marcus, to-date, Cusp only had six stores nationwide, two within the Windy City.

Love it or hate it, our exclusive access to the store is soon about to change. Starting now (and wrapping up in 2014), NM is re-branding all of their contemporary departments to be essentially a large Cusp shop-in-shop. The re-branded concept will expand the store's contemporary department by 20-25%, stocking more lines you love and a fresher aesthetic for the sometimes stuffy department store.

So how does this affect the already free-standing Cusp stores? So far, it doesn't. Which will eventually mean that Michigan Avenue will soon boast two Cusps within two blocks. More DVF, Joie and Phillip Lim? You don't hear us complaining.

Father's Day Guide

Mid-June means it's that time again: time to celebrate that guy in your life that, no matter what, always has your back. So instead of opting for a new golf glove or six pack, Delve is offering up a few gifts for any type of dad:

• For the outdoorsy dad: Hit the water with dad via kayak at Kayak Chicago ($65)
• For the man of style: Assorted vintage cufflinks from Dannijo ($165)
• For the wine-o: Opt dad in to a monthly wine club via sites like MyWineDeal ($75)
• For the tech geek: Up dad’s grilling skills with the iGrill – an iPhone app that lets you monitor the meat temp from up to 200 feet away. ($80)
• For the over-worked: Send him off to the Four Seasons for a Bourbon Massage (55 minutes $160, 80 minutes $210)

Just looking to spend a little QT with your old man? See below for Delve’s top recos on Father’s Day brunching:

• Hub 51: For just $30 per person from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. enjoy items like short ribs benedict, thick-cut brioche french toast and buttermilk pancakes.
• Paris Club: Feeling a little over-indulgent? Head to Paris Club for offerings including the Alaskan king crab omelette, housemade ham and gruyere omelet, smoked salmon and asparagus benedict, or brioche french toast with Michigan blueberries.
• Old Town Pour House: Two words: bison + beer.
• Zed451: Zed is offering up $3 craft brews including: Goose Island Matilda, Fat Tire, Dark Horse Amber Ale, Left Hand Milk Stout, 5 Rabbit Golden Ale and Three Floyds seasonals. Oh, and $5 burgers. 

Mouth-Watering Openings: Summer/Fall 2012

We’re still playing catch-up on the restaurants already new to the scene in 2012, but Eater Chicago just unveiled a pretty tempting list of the most anticipated openings for this Summer/Fall. We don’t even know where to begin with this list. Kidding. We’re obviously beginning with the fact that Belly Q just announced they will have a karaoke room. Thank you Mr. Kim (pictured).

Take a look at the full line-up here including a few rooftops to add to your scene-ster list, a few wine bars to spice up your date spot regimen and a couple of eateries to be reserved for girls’ night (aka “eat as much as you want” night).

Black Bull Opens on W. Division

Now open in Wicker Park: Black Bull – a tapas bar and tavern on W. Division from the guys behind Hubbard Inn, Barn & Company and English. While we’re already hearing great things about their lineup of traditional Spanish pintxos, we may or may not be most excited about two things: pitchers of sangria (served in gorgeous hand-blown pitchers) + a fab patio.





We’re heading there next week, and already have our list of must-try items lined up:

• albóndigas de cordero en salsa (lamb meatballs, roasted red pepper, tomato sauce)
• pimientos del piquillo rellenos de bacalao (piquillo peppers stuffed with cod)
• huevos rotos con patatas y chorizo (fried eggs, thick cut fries, chorizo)
• montaditos de ensaladilla rusa (potato, tuna, peas, aioli, crostini)

Check out the full menu here.

*Photo via Black Bull

900 N. Michigan Summer Essentials Giveaway

Free Clothes...do we have your attention?

One of our favorite Chicago shopping destinations tipped us off to an amaze giveaway running from now until June 30th. The shops at 900 N. Michigan (home to J. Crew, Space 519, DNA2050 - among many others) recently launched their "Summer Essentials Giveaway." They are giving away four complete looks (perfect for a variety of quintessential Chicago summer activities) styled by four fellow Chicago style experts. From dressing to impress for "a day at the beach" to rocking a "carefree concert goddess" vibe, they are letting you vote on your favorite ensemble (worth over $1000 EACH) for a chance to win the complete look.

Entering is as easy as submitting your name and email via the following link: http://www.shop900.com/summergiveaway/

Let's just say our fingers are crossed for the "night out" look. Good luck!