Switch Up Your Workouts and Wardrobe for the Winter

This Week’s Top Story

Pardon us for asking, but how’s that New Year’s resolution going? If you’re already getting overcrowded-gym fatigue (look, it’s just what happens in January), you’ll be glad to know that Pilates ProWorks—a 3,100-square-foot fitness studio—opens a new Chicago outpost on February 2.

At 765 West Adams Street, the spot serves up Pilates classes with a twist. The schedule includes MatBox—which blends yoga, mat Pilates, __and kickboxing—with barre classes __and TRX. And if you get hooked, you can keep up on the road: the company has 15 studios, with locations in San Francisco, Miami, Minneapolis, and more.

Top Sales This Week

Rag & Bone (25 E. Delaware Pl., rag-bone.com), the New York brand that’s best known for its classically tailored basics, is offering select styles for up to 50 percent off. For women, there’s a peppy red varsity jacket (reduced from $895 to $625) and a long, military-inspired vest (reduced from $650 to $325). Men’s offerings include a classic pocket tee (reduced from $95 to $50) and a slim overcoat (reduced from $895 to $625).

For steals on more contemporary gear, hit Intermix (40 E. Delaware Pl., intermixonline.com). The trendy shop has discounts on a blouse with a built-in choker (recued from $265 to $219) and party-ready, metal fringe earrings (reduced from $298 to $269).

The sales continue on Michigan Avenue. At Ermenegildo Zenga (645 N. Michigan Ave., zegna.com) pieces from the winter collection are up to 40 percent off. Men can pick up leather blousons (reduced from $4,795 to $2,877), tweed jackets (reduced from $1,995 to $1,197), and suede Chelsea boots (reduced from $395 to $237).

Brooks Brothers (brooksbrothers.com) is offering up to 60 percent off select menswear pieces and women’s accessories. Preppy styles include Saxxon Wool crewneck sweaters (reduced from $148 to $59) and a hinged, tiger-eye cuff (reduced from $348 to $139).

If you’re brunching in Wicker Park on Saturday, stick around for the winter blowout sale at Jax and Debb (1849 W. North Ave., jaxanddebb.com). Running from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the event will offer discounts of up to 60 percent on the boutique’s casual, contemporary styles for men and women. There will also be drinks, snacks, and (literal) blowouts from Kelly Cardenas Salon.

Pop-Up

TheWit Hotel (201 N. State St.) will host the Model Atelier (shopmodelatelier.com) pop-up through the end of February. Catering to women who are 5-foot-9 or taller, the store stocks clothing that flatters tall frames. Fun fact: The brand was founded by Robin Harris, a six-foot-tall designer who’s also a former model.

Health and Beauty

Is Civello (civello.com) trying to say something about our messy gym ponytail? Tonight, the local salon will host a pop-up at Pure Barre’s Lincoln Park location (2058 N. Halsted St., purebarre.com). From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., stylists will offer “workout-ready hairstyles”—think buns or elaborate braids—to guests coming and going from barre class. We suggest getting styled on the way out, then hitting up happy hour.

Closings

Diesel (shop.diesel.com) has closed its store at 923 North Rush Street. A sign in the window encourages brand fans to shop online, where—p.s.—a sale is currently offering 50 percent off select pieces.

On the Mag Mile, Cole Haan—formerly at 673 North Michigan Avenue—has closed. But, you can still find discounts on its footwear at its outlet store at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago (5220 Fashion Outlets Way, stores.colehaan.com).

 

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Samsonite New Opening's

Located in Clérigos, Porto and Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon, two of the most chic shopping areas in Portugal, Samsonite has opened two new stores with the aim to provide to their customers a sophisticated shopping experience offering unique products and a truly personalised service.

The new stores have been designed in collaboration with RAAD architects with the aim of combining the unique historical features of the buildings with innovative design and modern touches that are reflective of the Samsonite brand. Quality manufacturing is part of the Samsonite heritage and this is evident through the look and feel of their new store locations.

Visit one of these special shopping locations on your next trip Portugal to purchase your new season luggage and travel accessories.

 

Celebrate Chinese New Year with Jurlique

Renew, Rejuvenate, Celebrate

Happy Chinese New Year! This year, Jurlique invite you to celebrate the spirit of renewal by sharing the gift of their NEW Iconic Rose Collection with the ones you love.

As fans of the bestselling Rosewater Balancing Mist and Rose Hand Cream know, these luxurious products indulge your senses as you hydrate your skin, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and renewed.

To recognise this importany time of year they have created a NEW Iconic Rose Collection to celebrate the spirit of renewal that lies at the heart of this very special time of year.

Featuring the signature Rosewater Balancing Mist and Rose Hand Cream, this gorgeous gift set makes the perfect New Year gift for family and friends. Available for a limited time at the Flagship Store on Oxford Street and online at jurlique.co.uk.

Our NEW Iconic Rose Collection includes:

Rosewater Balancing Mist 50ml: The worldwide #1 bestseller! This beautifully scented facial mist is infused with precious Rose extracts to leave your skin feeling refreshed, hydrated and renewed.
Rose Hand Cream 40ml: Rich in hydrating Rose extracts and our unique blend of pure, concentrated botanicals, this rich cream deeply hydrates to leave your hands feeling soft and smooth.

Iconic Rose Collection RRP £38 | Value £51

Available in their flagship store in Oxford Street, London only.

London City Guide

By Stella Pelissari

London is a magical city and arguably the most cosmopolitan capital in Europe.

And as the writer Samuel Johnson said in 1777: " …When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”.

The food! The people! The energy! The architecture! The fashion! The stores!  Everything is so exciting… You have so many things to choose from including museums, parks, shops, bookstores, monuments, pubs, restaurants ... so how about some tips?

WHAT TO BUY

If you want to purchase souvenirs, look no further than Lock & Co., the famous hat store in Mayfair, or cosmetics, creams and even vitamins from Boots, a traditional English breakfast tea from Fortnum & Mason, great value quality clothing & cashmere from Marks & Spencer, a tie from Dunhill or a typical English rose soap from Santa Maria Novella…

WHERE TO EAT

Make your way to the bohemian Soho district of London. It’s a great place to discover, always very lively, full of energy and with a thousand gourmet options for all tastes and budgets... We would recommend these authentic eateries;

Hoppers

With a fantastic range of Sri Lankan dishes in the heart of Soho, you will love Hoppers from the first tasty mouthful. They don't take reservations, so get here early – and enjoy this experience.

Address: ‪49 Frith Street | Soho, London W1D 4SG

Barrafina

A bustling, Barcelona-style tapas restaurant serving delicious food on the original small-plates.  Make sure you try the runny-centred tortilla and the carabineros (large bright red prawns).

Address: 26-27 Dean Street | Soho, London W1D 3LL

Cafe de Paris

Fantastic cabaret and dining experience, and at the same time for a very reasonable price. The place is really gorgeous inside and you could almost imagine being in Paris.

Address: ‪ 3-4 Coventry Street, London W1D 6BL

Bob Bob Ricard

Bob Bob Ricard, the iconic Soho restaurant, serves a luxury English and Russian menu to its eclectic clientele in London's most glamorous all-booth dining room…

Address: 1 Upper James St, Soho, London W1F 9DF

WHAT TO SEE

Museums… London is well known for its rich culture and most museums are free. But two are really impermissible: The Victoria & Albert Museum and the British Museum.

After your visit, do not hesitate to visit the boutiques of each museum. You will be overwhelmed by the fantastic selection of products. Most of their gift selections are exclusively made and inspired by pieces you have seen in the museums, and they make great presents to bring back home.

Victoria & Albert Museum - ‪Cromwell Road | South Kensington, London SW7 2RL

British Museum - Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG

Bucktown Is Getting This Hip Brand’s Second-Ever Boutique

This Week’s Top Story

Hip denim brand Current/Elliott is bringing its second boutique to Bucktown (1723 N. Damen Ave., currentelliott.com). Slated to open by February 1, the airy shop will have an earthy feel—think exposed beams, refurbished wood floors, __and benches carved from tree trunks. It will stock the brand’s vintage-inspired denim, along with its full menswear collection __and one-off pieces from the “Loved and Found” collection. (That could include anything from vintage sports tees to a necklace featuring the patron saint of travel.) The only other existing Current/ Elliott store is in Venice Beach, California; a San Francisco location will follow the Chicago opening. Hear that, SF? We came first.

Top Sales This Week

Escada (51 E. Oak St., us.escada.com) is offering select winter styles for up to 60 percent off. Spruce up your work attire with a striking, floral-print blazer (reduced from $1,995 to $798) or be the chicest guest at a cocktail party in a ruffled red jumpsuit (reduced from $1,650 to $660).

Versace (933 N. Rush St., versace.com) has reduced prices on some of its color-drenched winter styles. Find a wool-cashmere coat in bubblegum pink (reduced from $3,995 to $1,997) and a sheer, silk-georgette top decked with a rainbow of sequins (reduced from $4,775 to $2,387).

Marc Jacobs (11 E. Walton St., marcjacobs.com) is offering some of its coveted styles at 70 percent off. Stash a floral, V-neck cotton dress (reduced from $695 to $208.50) for spring, and jazz up your weekend wardrobe in an embellished, short-sleeve raglan sweatshirt (reduced from $475 to $142.50).

’Tis the season for boots, and The Frye Company (1007 N. Rush St., thefryecompany.com) has taken up to 50 percent off on select styles. Stomp through slush in antiqued-leather riding boots (reduced from $459 to $299) and pair jeans with bohemian-style, fringed booties (reduced from $378 to $279).

Wolford (54 E. Oak St., wolfordshop.com) is hosting its Best of Sale, which knocks the prices down on some of its most popular styles. Add some whimsy to your outfit with the polka-dotted Nola Tights (reduced from $67 to $33.50) and up the luxury of your lingerie collection with a panty made from French woven lace (reduced from $110 to $55).

Health & Beauty

Mario Tricoci (305 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills, tricoci.com) has totally renovated its Vernon Hills salon and spa. Along with refreshed style, color, and makeup stations, the beauty emporium has a new area with bars devoted to eyebrow waxes, enzyme peels, and more.

 

Sales and Shopping News

Tax Free Shopping at Forum des Halles in Paris

Experience the new and enhanced Tax Free shopping service at Forum des Halles on your next trip to Paris.

Located in the heart of Paris, the 150 store shopping centre, Forum des Halles, will now allow you to claim your VAT refund without reaching the minimum purchase amount of  175.01€. The process is simple: collect your purchase receipts from 

participating stores throughout the shopping centre and group these together to reach the €175.01 minimum spend needed for your VAT refund.

Once you have all your receipts visit the reception desk located on level 3 at Place Carrée and present your purchases, receipts and Passport to the staff here who will be able to issue you with your Premier Tax Free form. After this point you should follow these the normal process for Tax Free shopping in France. Visit our 'How to Shop' section of the website for full details.

About Forum des Halles

This new Tax Free shopping service is part of the Forum des Halles upgrade following its reopening in 2016, creating a world class shopping destination right in the centre of Paris featuring both French and international stores, multiple restaurant options and the most frequented cinema in Europe.

Jaime Bravo's Tax Free Shopping Guide

By Jaime Bravo 

Shopping in London is heaven. There is something about the style that you just can't get at shops here in Phoenix. And even better, because we are Non-Residents, we get to shop Tax Free, thankfully because of Premier Tax Free. A company that enables us to claim our tax back at the airport. And the tax in the UK isn't 8% like in Phoenix. It is 20%! So to get 20% back before you go back home is a huge bonus! (And major incentive to spend our money over there hehe). 

To start, my husband LOVES All Saints Jeans. They fit great, amazing quality and they last forever. We snagged 3 pairs of the Cigarette Jeans for him. And can I just say how thankful I am? He had been wearing the SAME pair of jeans for 2 years! (gawk!). The Hubs also scored some amazing work shoes from Top Shop! 

Then, we always hit up Zara for the whole family. But this mama needed some shoes...And because of my short legs, I have the hardest time finding Booties. But we spent one of our last days shopping in London and we went in to Office on Carnaby Street and my eyes lit UP! The amount of options was slightly overwhelming in the best way possible. And I walked out with not just one pair but TWO pairs of booties that I LOVED!

 Check out the steps below to find out where to shop and how to get your tax back! 

1. Check out "Where To Shop Tax Free" and you can search by country and then Brand or Shop name! All the shops I named above are supported by Premier Tax Free. 

2. Shop your brains out. (And always pack an extra suitcase when traveling to the UK because you will find more then you think you will at the shops)

3. When you check out at the shops, you just ask for your VAT receipt and they print out a separate receipt from Premier Tax Free and put both receipts in an envelope for you to take with you to the airport to claim your tax back. 

HELPFUL HINT: Once you are finished shopping, fill out all your receipts before you get to the airport. There are spots on each VAT receipt asking for your info such as Name, Address, Credit Card info (for your refund) and trip details. Having these completely filled out before the airport will speed up your wait time at the airport. 

4. Once you get to the airport you will see an area that says VAT Refunds. Get in line (which is normally pretty short) and turn all your receipts in and decide how you want your refund. There are many options on ways to receive the money. Check them out here.  

Louis Vuitton Release New Campaign

Louis Vuitton takes the opportunity to celebrate its heritage in its new Series 6 collection by rendering homage to Paris and in particular to the historic neighbourhood of the Saint Louis Island, a small island on the river Seine, in the very centre of Paris. It’s a magical place, steeped in history, that has hardly changed in over 400 years. Louis Vuitton unveils the sixth collection created since the arrival of Nicolas Ghesquière as artistic director of the house.

"Paris is the soul of this collection. With this border Right Bank / Left Bank, which nourishes the imagination. A Paris that feeds on all artistic influences. It is to this Parisian cultured, intellectual, original and free, that I wanted to pay tribute, "says Nicolas Ghesquière.

As part of this campaign Spring-Summer 2017 "Series 6" depicts the beloved heroines of Nicolas Ghesquière including actresses Michelle Williams, Jennifer Connely, Adele Exarchopoulos and Sasha Lane, or models as Mica Arganaraz, Rianne Van Rompaey and Alexandra Micu, strolling in some of the most emblematic and artistic places of Paris immortalised by the legendary photographer Bruce Weber.

Winter Gala Gear and Coats on Sale Long Before Chicago Winter Ends

This Week’s Top Story

Rent the Runway (renttherunway.com) is holding a massive clearance sale on its website __and mobile app. Designer apparel __and accessories are available for up to 75 percent off, and all items are in like-new condition. For upcoming special events, consider a sparkling green gown by Badgley Mischka ($358 to buy) or a one-shoulder red gown by Carmen Marc Valvo ($224 to buy). Need a little frosting? Accessories include a white cabochon cluster bracelet by Kenneth Jay Lane ($80 to buy) and Tahitian Flower earrings by Lizzie Fortunato ($78 to buy).

Top Sales This Week

Barneys (15 E. Oak St., barneys.com) designer sale has discounts of up to 75 percent on clothing, shoes, and accessories for men and women. Also available online, sale items include a python-stamped hobo bag (reduced from $1,185 to $469) and silver, lace-up skinny pants (reduced from $2,160 to $1,079). The sale is also offering an additional 20 percent off winter coats right now, which may come in handy this January.

Krista K (3458 N. Southport Ave., kristak.com), which is currently undergoing a renovation, is hosting a Makeover Sale. Before the store reopens on Friday, everything on the Krista K website has been marked down by 30 percent. Look for high-rise skinny jeans by Rag & Bone (reduced from $210 to $147) and a black lace blouse by Alice + Olivia (reduced from $295 to $236). Enter the code MAKEOVER30 while checking out online to apply the extra discount.

Need to stock up on a few casual basics? Art Effect (934 W. Armitage Ave., shoparteffect.com) is holding its Winter Sale. Items include a French terry off-the-shoulder dress (reduced from $148 to $74) and a fun “Unicorn Rainbow Tour” graphic t-shirt (reduced from $72 to $22).

Trunk Show

Neapolitan Collection (560 Chestnut St., Winnetka, neapolitanonline.com) hosts a trunk show for shoe designer Marion Parke tonight. Running from 4 to 7 p.m., the show will spotlight styles from Parke’s resort and spring 2017 collections. Fun fact: Parke is a podiatric surgeon as well as a luxury footwear designer.

 

Sales and Shopping News

Your Vacation Wardrobe, According to Maria Pinto

This Week’s Top Story

Dreaming of warmer weather, __and a wardrobe to go with it? Maria Pinto (mariapinto.com) has you covered. The local designer just launched her latest resort collection for M2057 by Maria Pinto. Made entirely of Italian stretch materials, the pieces are wrinkle-resistant, machine washable, __and thus travel-friendly. Look for a V-neck slip dress with an asymmetric hem (from $385), a sleeveless mini-dress with a high, funnel collar ($355), and a sleeveless top with a trapeze shape ($295). Shop the styles online, or stop by the M2057 Style Studio at 833 West Washington Boulevard.

Top Sales This Week

Marc Jacobs (11 E. Walton St., marcjacobs.com) is offering up to 60 percent off select styles. Nab a zebra-print mini backpack (reduced from $200 to $100), a black messenger bag (reduced from $225 to $112.50), or—to really make a style statement in 2017—go for the marigold-hued, python shoulder bag with embroidered patches (reduced from $5,500 to $2,750).

Tory Burch (45 E. Oak St., toryburch.com) is hosting its semi-annual sale, which takes an additional 30 percent off sale items. Goods include an equestrian-inspired shoulder bag (reduced from $595 to $416.50), a classic Tory logo belt (reduced from $195 to $136.50), and the Seventies-inspired Maude jacket (reduced from $1,795 to $1,077), which mixes black mink with woven leather.

Max Mara (900 N. Michigan Ave., maxmara.com) is offering discounts on select pieces in store and online. The sale features golden, high-heeled Oxford shoes (reduced from $605 to $302), a wool and cashmere cape (reduced from $1,095 to $766), and select leather and fur jackets.

Barneys (15 E. Oak St., barneys.com) has knocked prices down by up to 75 percent on select pieces. Featuring styles for women, men, and kids, the sale features items such as Lanvin’s faux-fur sash (reduced from $4,585 to $1,829) and Nina Ricci’s ruffled bucket bag (reduced from $1,790 to $1,069).

The Frye Company (1007 N. Rush St., thefryecompany.com) is hosting its seasonal sale in store and online. Look for practical styles like knee-high leather boots (reduced from $358 to $249) or vacation-ready kicks like the Ruth Gladiator sandal (reduced from $228 to $159). The sale also slashes prices on bags and men’s shoes.

Madewell (932 N. Rush St., madewell.com) is offering 30 percent off of sale items, in store and online, through January 12. Look for cozy basics like the Arrowhead Lodge funnel-neck sweatshirt (reduced from $75 to $49), an oversized flannel shirt (reduced from $85 to $49), and Chelsea boots lined in shearling (reduced from $210 to $139).

Market

Eskell (1509 N. Milwaukee Ave., eskell.com), Wicker Park’s beloved independent boutique, will reopen at a new location in February. Before the store moves to its new location at 2029 North Western Avenue, a flea market will take over its current space. The market will sell discounted clothing from all seasons, as well as crafty goods from Eskell’s design studio. (Think buttons, fixtures, fabric, and trim.) To stay abreast of the market and the reopening, follow the shop on Instagram at @eskellchicago.

 

Sales and Shopping News