Treat

Target...on Michigan Avenue?

Yep! You read it right! In an attempt to create marketing buzz (which it is—obviously), Target will be on Michigan Avenue. For those of you who don't know much about Michigan Avenue, a.k.a. the Magnificent Mile, this avenue of luxury retailers and plush hotels is located in downtown Chicago, and well, Chicago isn't too kind to big retailers downtown. Keep those in the burbs! Luckily, it will be a temporary pop-up store for three days, May 7–9. The temporary store will be called Bullseye Bazaar and will be located next to the Tribune Tower at 455 Michigan Avenue (in the space where the Freedom Museum used to be).

My Design Youth Forum Update

Just wanted to let you know that the Design Youth Forum that took place on Friday, March 27th at UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) was a success. The students took a class in Graphic Design, Fashion, Industrial, Multi-Media, Interior Design, or Architecture with the theme being Sustainability. The students had so much fun, and I did too. It's amazing to hear the thoughts of young kids. They see ideas that older adults take for granted. So, it was refreshing to hear they're thoughts and see their brightened eyes and smiles when we exchanged ideas. So, if you ever have the time, it would be great to meet some of my Treat readers at one of the Project Osmosis events. I'll be continuing to post events in the future, so be on the look out!

Chicago students design Kobe Bryant's basketball shoe

If you saw the Bulls/Lakers game this past Saturday, then you probably saw Kobe Bryant's new sneaks which were designed by eighth graders at Claremont Academy and Parkside Elementary Community Academy in Chicago. Four teams of six students were part of Nike's After-School All-Stars program, where they selected materials, colors, and design using Nike's interactive site, NikeiD. Oh, and don't think these students didn't design without a concept. The winning design included snakeskin at the tip and heel because of Bryant's nickname, ''The Black Mamba.''

Read more about this story by clicking here.

photo credit: Jean Lachat/Sun-Times

Trust Me on TNT

I've been waiting for a contemporary show about what it's like working at a design firm, but advertising seems to be as close as I'm going to get for now. So, I thought I'd check out Trust Me, a new show on TNT that showcases the swanky professional and personal lives of a Copywriter and an Art Director (turned Creative Director) set right here in Chicago.

You know, it's interesting that Advertising has been getting more TV press lately. It will be interesting to see the effects of increasing interest in a field that is already very competitive.

Out Da Trunk Show 3

If you're in Chicago and you're looking for fashion by indie designers and artists, check out the Out Da Trunk Show 3 Friday, November 21 7:00 PM – 12 AM and Saturday, November 22 noon – until.

 

Vendor Spaces are still open for more info and details visit www.outdatrunkshow.com or email your questions to event@outdatrunkshow.com

FOR MORE INFO VISIT www.outdatrunkshow.com

Project Osmosis All High School Design Competition

Calling all Chicago area High School students! Show your creative talent at the annual Project Osmosis All High School Design Competition. To participate, you must be a high school student. No submissions will be accepted after December 5, 2008. Winners will be notified by mail no later than January 5, 2009. For more information, entry forms, and contest rules, visit projectosmosis.org.

Out Da Trunk Show 2

A couple of months ago, I introduced Treat readers to Che Woo Designs', Out Da Trunk Show. The show was a fun-filled day of fashion + art + music + street culture at it finest—with R&B, Hip-Hop and Breakdancing performances by emerging Chicago talent. The show also joined Designers, Artists, EA Jeans Co, Change 4 A Dolla, custom knit designs by Zandustry, event host Che Woo Design as well as other Designers. Shoppers also enjoyed a mini fashion, free gift bags— with gifts from all show participants—and a cool t-shirt from Long Beach clothing line Alien Artifact.

Don't worry if you missed it, because it's coming again! Check it>> Out Da Trunk 2: Slumber Party, Saturday July 26th. You'll find gear that you won't find everywhere else, so this is sure to be a shopping experience unlike any other! Find great accessories and women's wear for the hip and trendy by Z2 Jean Company and Girls of Topaz. Zandustry is returning with new knitwear creations you may want to sweep up before Fall/Winter. Plus, check out the exclusive designs by host Che Woo Design as well as designs by other funky, hip, cute and quirky designs by talented Designers and Artists. There will also be a make-up station where the super talented MUA Dee, will get you glammed up before you hit the town. Additional relaxing treatments will be offered while you shop. Sip Sangria and enjoy the Live Mannequin Style Fashion Show.

For additional information and to view a complete list of Designers that will be presenting at the show, visit www.chewoodesign.com/outdatrunk. 

That's it for the week. Have a great Thursday and Friday as well as a wonderful weekend!

Project Osmosis Carnival

As you may know, I have mentioned and supported the great work that Project Osmosis does to "further design education for underserved minority youth". For those in the Chicago area, here's an event that you should check out—Carnival. Meet other creatives, eat a little, mingle, and be a part of the auction, right here in Chicago. The event will be held at the Little Black Pearl Art & Design Center on August 30, 2008 from 7 p.m.–10:00. Admission is $35 donation at the door. You can purchase tickets in advance for $30 at www.projectosmosis.com. Guests must be 21 years or older.

That's it for posts this week. I will be taking off all of next week. I will return Monday, July 21 with some really inspiring posts (I may sneak in a post before then). I hope that you have a wonderful weekend and week.

Click flyer to view larger.

A bit of Paris at Marie Parie

J'adore Paris! Although I've never really been, I can experience a bit of Parisian life at a little boutique in Evanston, IL called Marie Parie. It has ultra cute tops and dresses, handbags, jewelry, and other french nick-nacks that any girl would love to have. I bought my sister some items from there for Christmas and she loved them so much! I loved them so much too—which made it a little hard to part with the gifts! =)  Whenever I get a chance, I check out the dresses, tops, and handbags which are unique and are priced right. Although Marie Parie doesn't have an online shop, Chicagoans can find it in the charming Chicago suburb of Evanston on the East side of Main Street, close to the lake. Of course, if you're ever in Chicago, I think Marie Parie is a great place to visit for one-of-a-kind gifts. C'est magnifique!

Carol Ann Wachter

I celebrated Mother's Day with my Mom this past weekend. I traveled over 600 miles and totally surprised her. It's a moment I'll never forget. As I spent time with my Mom, I thought about the little things I did with her that made me feel really special—those little moments of enchantment. One of those things she used to do was buy or make me dresses that I could twirl in (like the one below in the top left photo). Tuesday, I discovered a Designer on Daily Candy—Carol Ann Wachter, a Designer who graduated from the School of the Art Institute. She makes the most "enchanting" clothes that remind me of those moments.

Photography by Erica Shires.

Wachter's paintings are much more textured and energetic.

Museum of Modern Ice

I had to let you know about this one thing before the weekend. Millenium Park, in downtown Chicago, is featuring the work of Gordon Halloran's work, Paintings Below Zero. This colorful ice installation is 95 feet long and about 12 feet high. Friday, February 29, is the last day the ice paintings will be available to view.

(pictures from Museum of Modern Ice website)

Oprah forms OWN, Oprah Winfrey Network

Oprah is such an inspiration to me. From her humble beginnings to one of the most recognized personalities in the world.  I love her philanthropic spirit—from giving away cars to audience members of her show to creating a leadership academy for girls in South Africa.
     Oprah has recently announced last month that she will be joining Discovery Communications to form OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network. The network will debut in 2009 on what is now the Discovery Health Channel, and will focus on creating a venue to inform, entertain, and inspire people to "live their best lives." As Chairman of OWN, Oprah will be responsible for all aspects of the creative vision. It's something that she's wanted to do for the past 16 years! Oprah states on E! News "I said from the beginning that this was an opportunity for me to step out of the box and make the kind of shows that make my heart sing." She wants to create "mindful, not mindless, television." Oprah is a woman with a vision. Way to go Oprah! (photo credit: George Burns)

New 2016 Chicago Olympic logo

I'm a little late finding out about this, but Chicago has unveiled the new 2016 Chicago Olympic logo! Originally, I wrote a post about the first Chicago Olympic logo . The new one works so much better, and it follows the IOC standards. VSA Partners was smart to use many of the same elements from the previous logo. By maintaining the color and image of the city, it retains its initial brand recognition, although there were slight, yet meaningful changes. To learn more about the symbolism of the logo, check out the YouTube video below. Haven't been to Chicago? Check out these photos about the city on the Chicago 2016 site.

Here's how the logo looks downtown. It sure looks good!

The Chicago Spire

Chicago is known for its architecture, and the Chicago Spire will be no exception. This building which has already started construction, is slated to be complete in early 2011 and will make it North America's tallest freestanding building, and the world's tallest residential building.

Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, the Chicago Spire was inspired by nature. Calatrava says the shape represents "fluidity, growth, beauty, and perfection" and the principles that were followed were based on repetition, similar to nature.  To see interior and more exterior images of the Chicago Spire, go to www.thechicagospire.com.

images from www.thechicagospire.com

My visit to Greer Chicago

Opening the mailbox should be like opening a present for the holidays. It should be something special. Create that special moment for a close friend or relative by writing them a letter on some very pretty stationery. A bright colored envelope in the mailbox among a group of bills can surely put a smile on the face of a loved one. I found plenty of pretty papers, envelopes, stationery sets, and more at Greer Chicago.

This past weekend, I visited this amazing stationery boutique, owned by the lovely Chandra Greer (check her out in the September issue of O magazine). The shop is located in the historic Old Town neighborhood where brownstones, cute little boutiques, and beautifully aged trees line the streets. As I walked to the shop on a rainy day, the moment I walked in the door, I smiled. I fell in love with stationery all over again. You'd love it too.

The next time you say "thank you," make it extraordinary with a civilette, a mini thank you note that you can give to that person who goes the extra mile. The civilettes are tenderly tucked into a brown matchbook sized envelope imprinted in silver foil and can be carried in a pocket or purse (see the top left photo below). Thanks for showing me around the shop ladies!