... and now it's time for WINE CORNER

pic via Avec website

Wine corner visits Avec!
By our resident ghost writer "Double D"

Monday night I started the week off in style with a visit to Avec with my good friend Gretchen. Avec can always be depended upon for great food, excellent wine and a long wait. Even on a Monday! The place was packed so Gretchen & I took up residence at the bar. I was feeling
saucy and ordered the Viognier so I could attempt the pronunciation, but I was warned off by our knowledgeable & gracious waiter, who informed me that the Viognier was "just an awful glass of wine." Apparently the wine buyer had an irrational attachment to it and had "romanticized it beyond all reason." Well then, let's get something else! He recommended the Maison L'Aiglon "Grand Reserve," an unoaked Chardonnay that was delightful - fresh, light and appley but not too sweet. Gretchen ordered the Cusomano "Bennara," a Nero D'Avola & Syrah
blend. Girlfriend loves her Syrah!

Anyway, we were starving & ordered 3 cheeses to start. Our waiter (who we were delighted to learn was gay and hooking up with a hot ex) told us he was out of one of our choices, but compensated by giving us ridiculously huge slabs of cheese. I mean have you ever not finished a
cheese plate? Me neither until Monday night. I felt inadequate but I didn't want to only eat cheese for dinner, and you have to draw the line somewhere. Gretchen & I shared the roasted corn bruschetta and the grilled cod, which were both excellent. Tip of the day - if cod is an option GET IT! It's always good.

Things took a downward turn when our waiter disappeared for a long time. Nowhere to be seen. Literally not even in the building. We decided he was having relationship problems so we let it slide. We passed the time gawking at the many celebrities:

1. Casey, runner-up for on this season's Top Chef
2. Hung & Elan, winners of the past 2 Top Chefs, who seemed surprised
to run into Casey and were eating together (p.s. Hung is really short)
3. Gretchen's boyfriend & his dad (ok, technically they're not
celebrities, but it was still surprising.)

Avec - great food, great wines and waiters who have issues. I hope he
works it all out.

-DD

Happy Halloween

Eskell in Wicker Park!

pic via Eskell website

I don't know how we didn't notice this until last week. Eskell has opened a store in WP. Now we've never been to their Lincoln Park store, our happiness only comes from walking into their Milwaukee Ave. one and seeing so many unique tops and amazing dresses that we had a mild anxiety attack. Everything looked kind of like a great find from a thrift store but with very modern detailing and cuts. Their prices are what you'd expect for a boutique carrying the brands they carry- a little high, but, but! If you're saving up for a special dress or feeling like treating yourself you are sure to find something there.

Fondue , the 70's and Cozy evenings

Late October rocks! The weather is perfect for cozy evenings by the fire sipping wine. Perhaps playing a 70's board game. Also, it's perfect for fondue. To steal from Wikipedia; Fondue refers to several Swiss communal dishes shared at the table in an earthenware pot ("caquelon") over a small burner ("rechaud"). The term "fondue" comes from the French "fondre" ("to melt"), referring to the fact that the contents of the pot are kept in a liquid state so that diners can use forks to dip morsels of food (such as bread) into the sauce. DOES ANY ONE HAVE ANY GOOD FONDUE RECIPES? Please share.

Can you guess who these people are supposed to be?

Thursday Video Presents

Alpaca a lunch. Can YOU tell what movie this is?

Look of the Day

London. Looove this guy and his bright blue jacket.

Halloween Do's and Dont's

Let's get real: Halloween brings out the slut in a lot of girls. For too long have the images of honorable folk like firemen and Wonder Woman been soiled by costumes full of boob waterfalls and skirts hiked up to Rocky Mountain peaks. I'd like to suggest a few alternate outfits to the same old Halloween skin party.

by: LH

INSTEAD OF: Sexy nurse
TRY: Well-respected 19th century nurse midwife

INSTEAD OF: Sexy cop
TRY: Canadian Mountie

INSTEAD OF: Sexy baseball player
TRY: 1996 Olympic gymnastics hero Kerri Strug (in Olympic sweats)

INSTEAD OF: Sexy Dorothy
TRY: Winged Monkey, as portrayed by Buster Brodie

INSTEAD OF: Sexy Catholic School Girl
TRY: Catholic School House

INSTEAD OF: Sexy Devil
TRY: Lake of Fire filled with the souls of girls who wore Sexy Devil outfits for
Halloween

INSTEAD OF: Sexy Angel
TRY: Christ on the cross (wearing Olympic sweats)

INSTEAD OF: Sexy Referee
TRY: Ferris State Women's Basketball Manager Sarah Boruta

INSTEAD OF: Sexy Fireman
TRY: Lovably Neutered Fire Station Dalmation

INSTEAD OF: Sexy Pirate
TRY: Rachel Ray

INSTEAD OF: Sexy Wonder Woman
TRY: My Mother, the biggest heroine of all

INSTEAD OF: Sexy Kitty Cat
TRY: Stray cat wearing an eye patch

INSTEADY OF: Sexy French Maid
TRY: Housekeeper at the La Quinta Inn

INSTEAD OF: Sexy Cowgirl
TRY: Caroline Ingalls (mother from TV's Little House on the Prairie)

INSTEAD OF: Sexy Little Bo Peep
TRY: The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, complete with shoe

-LH

... and now it's time for ASK UNCLE RUBEN

He's got a bone to pick with everyone and he's answering your questions here on Bloggystyle.

Anonymous from Rogers Park asks:

Dear Uncle Ruben,
I'm a 22 year old virgin who is seriuosly considering having sex for the first time with my boyfriend of 2 months. I love him and want to show him how much by making him my 1st. There is just one thing.... I've got herpes. How should I break the news to him?

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WITH YOUR MOUTH!?!? Good lord, man!

When I was a kid, the most specialist days were the ones when the prize would fall out of the cereal box and into the bowl. BONUS! I believe your man might have had a similar reaction to your virginity falling into his cereal, but herpes? HERPES?! And you are a virgin?!? No matter how good the cereal looks, no one’s eating today, girl. The milk’s gone foul.

I can appreciate your desire to keep your vagina pure and pristine, but you should have applied a little of that thought process to your mouth…and to your tongue…and to your throat…and to your tonsils.

I would love to feel sorry for you, but my mind begins to fill with image after image of you in dank gritty elevators on your knees, or in the back seat of cigarette littered cars slumped over the lap of dirty dick losers as your mouth becomes a catcher’s mitt for tainted joy juice…and if I’m thinking that, imagine what your man will think when he hears the truth.

Let me put it to you this way. If you were a movie, you’d be The Godfather III. The mere thought makes the mouth water. Expectations begin to push the limits of the imagination. This will be mind blowing, breath taking, earth shattering, but in the end, BOOM…an implosion of everything that coulda woulda shoulda been. Total flop.

I hear there’s pills you can take, but I wouldn’t know. Even when I was sinning, I was doing it the right way. Take heart, though. In the commercials for those pills, the people seem to be doing all right. They hike and ride bikes. I guess you can do a lot of that outdoorsy type stuff when you can’t do most bedroomsy type stuff.

Just go down on him, I guess. You should be good at it. You’ve had the
practice.

New ft (the Shadow Government) video

Local talent (mostly). Rockin' band. Check out the video on YouTube. Go to their myspace page to hear and learn more about them.

The Interiors of Eastern Promises

Eastern Promises is a great movie for many reasons. Turkish bathhouse anyone? Particularly arresting are the interior locations. Great color schemes and art direction.

Shoe of the Day

They're gonna look great with or without tights. The Jeffrey Campbell Ziara in grey. Sensible heel. Great colors. Super soft on the inside. And something tells us they provide a little toe cleavage - demurely sexy! Available through the Lori's Shoes website.

... and now it's time for Lord Jeff

Just in time for Haloween

pic via BBC website

For a very good cause but haunting nonetheless.

Fresh hot sounds: New Young Pony Club

From the UK. Listen to "Ice Cream"
Performing at Subterranean on Wed.

The Village Discount Outlets. Still going strong.

They may not be as great as the Unique chain, but The Village Discount Outlets never disappoint. Many years ago I would come home from their Halsted location, which I think is now closed, with garbage bags full of sweaters, shoes, coats, belts, purses-you name it. Looking for a colorful 90's track suit for this years Halloween costume brought me to the one on Milwaukee. After a couple of unsuccessful trips to Salvation Armys I really needed the Village to pull through. And it did. Within seconds I was lost in a giant sea of granny tracksuits. I had died and gone to a Miami retiree's closet heaven. And then something kind of exciting happened. As I inspected a nice little teal number, I heard the sound of rickety wheels fast approaching and an old but familiar phrase uttered in a foreign accent; "Excuse me, coming through." I looked behind me to see a woman in a white nurse-like uniform and white gloves making her way through the isle with a rack full of thrift store goodies. For a minute my heart welled up nostalgic. I had been in this situation many times before, both here and at their Halsted location. The rush I used to feel from a day of thrifting, discovering those perfect and unbelievably cheap pieces that were sure to make me a standout at the next party, came back to me with a force. I turned around with renewed purpose and made my way through the rest of the pieces on the rack. Two minutes later I was sharing another perfect find with my friend Gretchen, standing triumphant amongst the Hipsters, Mexican families, Polish construction workers, and the Puerto Rican drag queen looking for scarves. You bet I'll be a standout at next Saturday's Halloween party. Thank you Village Discount.

... and now it's time for WINE CORNER

Wine corner visits CRUST!
By our resident ghost writer "Double D"

My friend Gretchen and her boyfriend George joined me at Crust for drinks, dinner and light conversation. The evening got off to a rocky start when we learned that there would be a half hour wait since we were starving. What to do? Drink a lot of course! I ordered a "Strawberry Fields martini" which sounded sweeter than it was (this was a good thing) ingredients: strawberry vodka, cava, and fresh strawberry juice. Very refreshing and delicious-unfortunately it made me even hungrier, so Gretchen had to share her turkey chili with me (which she had ordered at the bar in a moment of desperation).

I think the bartender felt sorry for us since he knew there was no way we were getting seated in a half hour, so he compensated by giving g & g HUGE POURS of their wine. Gretchen ordered the Wolf Trap Syrah ("not on the menu" she told me knowingly) and George had a Chevery Sauvignon Blanc which he found disappointing - the wine list described it as
"white fruit against a mineral backbone" but george said it was sweet and green appley, and not minerally at all. That's right folks - appley & not minerally! this led to the quote of the night - "I don't know if I like french whites" which could apply to several things. George
ordered a Pinot Noir afterwards which was also misrepresented on the menu, but at least it wasn't a french white.

50 years later we were finally seated and dinner was delicious. In a bold move, George & Gretchen chose an anchovy pizza (I hope to someday be as brave) afterwards we ordered vegan chocolate cake and a maple walnut liqueur - the liqueur never arrived and the vegan cake was,
well...vegan. We still ate the whole thing though.

Lessons learned: bartenders are sympathetic, Crust's wine list is unreliable, and vegan cake has serious limitations. also, George doesn't know if he likes french whites.

-DD

Walnut Wallpaper

pic via Walnut Wallpaper site

Everyone is doing it. Even people in the city of Berwyn. The trend in home decorating of using wallpaper isn't stopping anytime soon. And we are glad because wallpaper never really went out of style in our eyes. You may choose to go the only-one-wall route or wallpaper an entire room including the ceiling. Whatever your style, may we suggest a great place to find amazing, cutting edge wallpaper designs? Yes? It's called Walnut Wallpaper.

House Porn Alert

A design blogger's pics of his amaziiiiing house. Via Purple Area. Get lost in these sultry, sexy pics.

Learning To Love You More

pics via Learning To Love You More

Remember that movie "Me, You and Everyone We Know"? Yeah. Great movie. Charming. Real. Surreal. I came away from it feeling nurtured in some weird way. Today I came across this very interesting website that made me feel the same way. It's called Learning To Love You More and it is the work of artists Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher, who although not Chicagoans , are totally worth mentioning. It just so happens that July wrote, directed, and stared in "Me You and Everyone We know". Learning to Love You is "both a web site and series of non-web presentations comprised of work made by the general public in response to assignments given by artists Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher." Check the out the site and see all the entries from hundreds of people who have completed the assignments.

Haloween Night Show

Is it too early to talk about Halloween? No. Not really, because when you think about it it's really right around the corner.








Athough most of us will be celebrating (if you can call it that) Halloween on the Friday/Saturday before October 31st, there is one show you should try to make on that Wednesday. The Abominable Twitch is performing at the Lakeshore Theater with the New Millenium Orchestra. The show will be an "Audio/Visual collaboration with all new music written by Twitch and collaborators alike, featuring innovative electronics, and classical instrumentation". I've heard a bit of the material and, believe me, it's worth more than the $10 charge at the door.

Hey you! Meet this artist.

Bloggystyle proudly introduces a new column, yet to be officially titled, with the intent to feature talented Chicagoans. It is with much excitement that we bring to you our first featured artist. Her name is Eve Weinberg. Not only is Eve a firecracker of an individual, a spunky dancer and spirited kickball player, she is also a talented illustrator/animator/motion graphics designer. Check out her reel below. You can also see a less compressed, prettier version as well as the rest of her work at www.evejweinberg.com.

Shoe of the Day

pic via Niche website

The Zom boot by Chie Mihara is at once sexy and comfortable. The outside: Soft yet very durable leather. The inside: Fully lined in a soft buttery leather. This picture does not do this shoe justice. Yes they are very expensive, but I guarantee they will stay looking effortlessly fashionable for many years. Available in Chicago at Niche in Wicker Park and online at chiemihara.com and pedshoes.com.

Bridgette Bardot Eyes & Hair

Pic by Jeremy Stuart

2007's sexiest mugshot. You know it's a premium quality facility when they let you have a glass of wine before locking you up. The charges? You tell us.

Look of the Day

I like this dude's look. I'll tell you what else I like, I like all the little pops of color and how the silver in the amp matches his jeans and the boombox.

Goose sausage at Avec

pic via Avec website


Oh Avec... why are you so good? Went on Friday. Long wait but well worth it. Go soon and try the goose sausage.

The Perfect Cocktail

Campari Cocktail. Equal parts Campari and Proseco. Garnish with a orange wedge. Ahhhh! Simple and nice. Why is Salma up there? 'Cause her shit is tight just like this cocktail. That's why.

Shoe of the Day

Here is one for the dudes. The Ben Sherman Albion Shoe. Ok I know what you are thinking... so fucking preppy, no way. But this is why they are so good. They may be preppy but they are also classics and classic never goes out of style. Those tassels rock! Wear them with kakis or with some straight (not skinny) legged jeans.

Look of the Day

Kind of a mod-goth-super-hero-pirate. It works.

Nicola Kuperus and others at the BucketRider Gallery

pic via BucketRider Gallery

During my daily visit to the Apartment Therapy website, I came across a mention of the BucketRider Gallery showcasing the standout work of Nicola Kuperus. I've never heard of the BucketRider Gallery but you can bet I'll be going there very soon. Looking through their website, my curiosity and desire to visit the gallery was immediatley peaked. Located at 835 West Washington the gallery exhibits some pretty great looking, varied, interesting and at times offbeat works by some 20 artists. Let us know if you get a chance to visit!

... and now it's time for WINE CORNER

This week on Wine Corner we take a trip to Pops For Champagne, at 601 N. State.

By our resident ghost writer "Double D".


The evening got off to an awkward start when our waiter decided that my friend Gretchen & I sucked for some reason. He seemed annoyed when we asked for water and recommended a "beach wine" to G. (um...it's October. Beach wine? Gretchen wasn't wearing board shorts and sandals) But things improved when our clients arrived and the waiter suddenly got super nice. Maybe he realized the bill had just doubled.

Anyhoo, I ordered a classic Champagne cocktail which was yummy, and G. followed her beach wine with a more season-appropriate Elkhorn pinot. The pinot was very popular at our table - according to the receipt, we ordered 12 glasses. The clients had Bollinger, a couple of martinis and the aforementioned pinot. We also ordered a bottle of L. Mawby Michigan Sparkling Wine, on the recommendation of the waiter (maybe he was still mad at us?) It was actually pretty tasty.

Pros - excellent cheese & charcuterie plate, nice ambience

Cons - frites that were more like steak fries from Blackies (G. pointed out that Hopleaf frites would kick these frites' asses.) They did come with a yummy truffle mayonnaise. Truffle oil - is there anything you can't do? Also, the bar has several large projection screens which were showing some sort of stock-footage soap opera involving a couple that looked like they were in a perfume ad, sipping wine. G. was simultaneously fascinated and super annoyed. I have no idea why Pops thought this was a good idea.

In conclusion - Pops has many delicious wines, cocktails & spirits to choose from, and a nice assortment of small plates. Just avoid the frites and try to stay on the waiter's good side. Also, don't let anyone order you a Hennessey XO at the end of the night because you'll get too drunk to drive home.

-Double D

SHOP CHICAGO

pic via genart.org


Sometimes you just don't hear about things right away so you have to depend on the generosity of others. Brandy informed us today (via IM) of a great event taking place this Saturday. Here is how the informative IM session went:

SHOP CHICAGO on Saturday!

what is that?

put on by GEN ART www.genart.org

it's shopping

it's awesome

it's saturday 1-6pm in millenium park

local designers and boutiques

yeah this is great.. part of Chicago's Fashion Focus Week

gee thanks Brandy.

New Fall Menu for The Violet Hour!

pic via metromix

The Chi-Town Flip: an applejack cocktail with port, the vanilla-scented Spanish Licor 43, cream, nutmeg, Fee Brothers Old Fashion bitters, and a whole egg.

The Nickel Manhattan: rye, punt e mes, Noilly Prat dry vermouth, Peychaud's bitters, and Gilka Kummel caraway liqueur.

The Irish Pirate: Redbreast Irish whiskey, Sailor Jerry spiced rum, and the new rye-flavored autumn bitters, made in-house.

Lady Grey: Tanqueray infused with Twining's Lady Grey tea, lemon,
and an egg white.

They are also opening at 6pm instead of 8.

Not sure when these drinks will be on the menu. Hopefully very soon.

Also, check out Toby Maloney's (The Violet Hour’s Head Intoxologist) eGforum about the VH and his creations.

Shoe of the Day

Looking thorugh the Anthroplogie website I came across these and fell in love. Comfy and stylish. These Corso Como Cattail maryjanes would look great with some wine colored tights and a grey dress. Also available in black through ShoeMall.com

... and now it's time for ASK UNCLE RUBEN

He's got a bone to pick with everyone and he's answering your questions here on Bloggystyle.


Lexie writes to us:

What is the appropriate tip (if any) to leave for housekeeping when staying at a hotel? I've asked many different people this question and have received varying
answers.

Lexie from Chi-Town

Uncle Ruben has this to say:

I haven't the slightest clue, lady. To tell the truth, I really don't care to know, either. I don't know how it happened. I don't know when it happened. I don't know where it happened. For whatever reason, though, this country has gone TIP CRAZY, and I think it's kinda fucked up, if you ask me...and you did ask me...so, sit down and prepare for the earfull (or eyefull). There has been a hazy line drawn in the gratuity sand of this desert we call the American Economy, resulting in added confusion, bewilderment and awkwardness for regular consumer dorks like you and me who are just trying to enjoy some roomservice, a decent pool and a teenie tiny intermission from this horror flick we call "Life". We don't know who to tip anymore. We don't know how much to tip anymore. And it makes me wonder when the hell we became such a TIP NATION. It used to be easy. We knew who to tip. It was instinctual. Barbers, cabbies, bartenders, manicurists, shoe shine boys, waitresses named Betty and Shug, strippers. You know, the usual folk.
Now, were tipping the guy who sells you peanuts at the baseball game, the lady who sells you a $5 coffee at the local corner corporate coffee house, and people who make our beds at hotels.
Just getting to the room on the first day is a financially draining adventure. You tip the cabbie for getting you there. You tip the doorman who opens your door and gets your bag from the trunk. You tip the bellboy who takes the bags to your room. Want a quick bite to eat before you leave the hotel? You're tipping the guy who brings you a sandwich...and the real shity part about the room service experience is they automatically assign the gratuity to your bill, its printed clear as day "18% GRATUITY", but immediately below it is a blank slot labeled "GRATUITY". This is where the awkwardness really rears its head. The guy is looking at you. You're looking at the blank gratuity slot. He's holding the pen. You don't want to look like an ass. You don't want to feel like as ass. The door closes and you just dropped more money on the gratuity than you did on your sandwich...and you still feel like an ass. It gets so bad that I start tipping regular people for anything they might do for me. Press my elevator floor number, here's a buck. Politely hold the door for me, here's a buck. Pick up the knife I drop at dinner, here's my life savings. Just take it! WHEN DOES IT END? I guess the workers of this country just lost their balls and couldn't muster the courage to ask their bosses for a raise, and to offset their chicken shit fear, they decided to guilt you and me into picking up the slack. Like that bum that sits outside bank ATMs with a battered paper cup and a tragic story, they have made us feel bad enough to where we feel it's our moral obligation to help them.

BULLSHIT, MAN!

It's not my fault you pierced your face 7 times and had to become a barrissta. Take your cup and fill it with coffee for someone who cares. It ain't me. Hey, peanut man. It’s obvious to me why you took this job. You wanted to watch the Cubs for free. I get to see them once and I had to pay an arm and a leg for the tickets. So don’t expect me to hand over any more appendages just because you handed me salted nuts.

And finally, it's not my fault you had to pay someone $3,000 for a semi trailer ride across the Mexican-American border just to end up making beds in Vegas for minimum wage. There's a certain give and take in the illegal immigration game. I think you should be allowed to stay in this country and do the jobs no one else wants to do, but don't expect supplemental income from me. If you don't like it, there's Mexico. You don't have to sneak across the border to get back. (I would like to say this argument could also be applied to the Polish, Russian, and numerous Asian illegals in similar situations, but to avoid controversy, I speak only of my own.)

Let’s face it, there are a lot of people we should tip that are way more deserving. We should be taping dollars to all the windows of high rise skyscrapers because I’m sure those guys don’t get paid enough. Think about your garbage man for Christ’s sake. I mean if we don’t go out of our way to tip garbage men, what business do we have tipping anyone who ”claims” they don’t get
paid enough to do what they do.

Here’s my advice. Don’t tip housekeeping. Come on! We can do it. You and me. Let’s start a goddamn revolution. Let’s take this country back. DOWN with the tip nation.

And while we’re at it, let’s take down the “Thank You” and “Christmas” card givers. How much money do we waste each year in stamps! Next, we’ll take down those who feel you have to give goodie bags out after you just dropped $500 on a goddamn 1st birthday party. It’s just a bag of worthless shit, anyway!

REVOLUTION NOW! REVOLUTION FOREVER!

Meet me at the corner of Michigan and Ohio. I’ll bring the guns and machetes.

On Halsted. Cool dude.

We took this photo earlier this year. This guy looks like he's probably done some serious business in his day. Notice the fold on the right arm of his suit. I wonder how that happened.

Fashion around the world

via hel-looks.com

via facehunter.blogspot.com

via thesartorialist.blogspot.com


With help from the internet the world is indeed becoming a much smaller place. It's great how connected we all are. Live in Kissimmee, Fla? Not an issue. You can keep up with anything and everything that is happening around the world with just the click of a button. Not sure what to wear tonight? Get inspiration from the web. If you haven't visited these 3 websites, do it now. The Sartorialist from New York, Face Hunter from London (used to be from Paris), and Hel Looks from Helsinki all offer wonderful inspiring photographs of great street fashion. Beware! These sites are very addicting.

House Porn Alert

These amateur beauties are not short on delivering mind-blowing viewing pleasure. Check out the Domino magazine decorating contest entries. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Get in on the viewing action.