Weekend in the Chizzle

You know you've chosen the right friends when though you haven't seen them for a year, it you feels like you grabbed coffee just yesterday.  I hit up Chicago two weekends ago to begin a week-long work trip with a few days hanging with my college bestie and Austin soul sister, Shani Silver.  She also happens to be the Chicago editor of Refinery 29, so that means she not only knows the best things to do, but I also get to relieve her of a cornucopia of beauty products, clothing, and footwear---thank you for the boots, they saved my life when it started snowing on Thursday and the oxfords didn't cut it.  Here are the highlights of my little adventure.

Hooray!  It's the weekend!  Shani's lovely Wicker Park apartment complete with well-stocked bar.  Shani made an amazing dinner of goat cheese mushroom crostini, spinach parmesean pasta, and bespoke cocktails.  People cook in Chicago!

On Saturday morning I took the bus downtown where I stopped in at Nordstrom Rack to stock up on fun argyle and striped socks (been on my to-do list forever).  Then I walked along Michigan Ave. to Millennium Park and the new contemporary wing of the Art Institute of Chicago.  Here are a few of my favorite works.

 

My favorite color: Yves Klein Blue

I'm usually not into German art, but this Max Beckman self portrait was very striking.

Love Alex Katz.

Are we in Austin or Chicago?  Noshing guac, tacos, and margs at Big Star.  Of course, this was followed by a disco nap.

Check out the tiki mugs at Sable Kitchen + Bar.  You can't not laugh when drinking booze from a shrunken head.

Bacon jam.  Jesus.

Spend Sunday in the burbs doing some outlet shopping.  I have to take advantage of a person with a car.

How kind of them to name their line of wine glasses after me!  I never met a grape I didn't like.

      

Nordstrom Rack Makes Me Yearn for NM Last Call

I won't lie.  I set the bar incredibly high regarding my expectations for the new Nordstrom Rack which opened in Union Square this month.  A veteran outlet shopper, I was beyond spoiled while in college with Neiman Marcus Last Call basically in my backyard.  As a co-ed exposed to deeply discounted designer I was worse than a kid in a candy store....I was more like a junkie on the hunt for his next fix.  Coupled with my semi-yearly shopping spree at the Barneys Warehouse Sale, Nordstrom Rack had mighty big shoes to fill.  

Here is the wrap up:

Size of Store - I was surprised by how small it was...not sure why, but I was.  Maybe because most Nordstrom stores are three floors and I thought one basement level to be pretty scrawny.

Crowd - Not bad, but I did go on a weeknight.  I don't think I would have the strength to challenge the crowds on the weekends.  I leave all that energy for the Warehouse Sale.

Women's Clothing - Pretty lame fare if I do say, but I did like the James Perse t-shirts.  I rifled through a few racks of garish print dresses and separates even though I have little patience to peruse racks and racks of garbage to find a true gem.  I did see some Kate Spade which was the highest level of 'designer' I found in the clothing department.  And, they had quite a few pairs of Rock and Republic and Seven jeans, so some finds could be hiding there.

Fitting Rooms - I found a few items I liked but decided to forget it when I saw the line for a fitting room was over 10 people long.  I can't imagine what this queue is like on the weekends.

Men's Clothing - From what I read in New York Magazine, the dress shirts were the true find here.  Confirmed.  Stick with the Barneys Warehouse Sale or Century 21 for designer suits.

Shoes - I was beyond disappointed as I walked through rows and rows of Steve Madden 6" tramp pumps, but a light at the end of the tunnel appeared when I found the designer shoe section.  Small, but full of little finds, the only true bummer was that I could only find two mirrors (one wall and one on those stools you find in shoe stores) which lead me to believe the entire store was designed by a man.  I did leave with two very cute pairs of heels for 50% off.

Intimates - Once again, I can't bear to sort through racks of randomly sized bras that could probably fit my head inside one of the cups when reasonable places like Victoria's Secret and American Apparel exist.  

Accessories - Belts maybe....bags don't bother. 

Cosmetics/toiletries - I was excited to see this section....too bad it's hidden under the escalator.  I found goodies from Philosophy, Stila, and Smashbox, and was surprised to see a huge selection of Neutrogena products.  Whatevs.

Overall-- If you are in a pinch and need a great pair of heels for a party this weekend or looking for standard issue designer denim and t-shirts this is a great place.  For most of the categories in between the pickings are slim, and your time would be better spent hitting up J. Crew, Club Monaco, Uniqlo, etc.  I know it is all about what fell off the back of the truck the day you stop in, but it makes me yearn for Neiman Marcus Last Call, and the tip-of-the-top Barneys Warehouse Sale. 

Nordstrom Rack Union Square

60 E. 14th Street

Hours: M-Sat: 9am-10pm, Sun: 11am-7pm