4 favorite Chicago places you absolutely must visit during BlogHer

Am I the only one getting a little anxious over all there is to do BlogHer weekend? How in the world are we ever supposed to pay attention to the conference schedule? Especially when there are so many fabulous places in Chicago to eat, toast each other, and devise wicked plans with our favorite lady-friends to take over the interwebs?

Since BlogHer is back in my city (thank you, very much), allow me to be of service to you in your time of scheduling mayhem and big city panic. Here are 4 places I personally think you must go to, if not frequent, while you are in town.

Mind you, these are not just good places. These are some of my very favorite spots in the city. And kittens, you know I would not steer you in the wrong direction in my very own town. Gather your grrrls and put these four places on your itinerary. Now. Seriously. I insist.

1. Violet Hour - This speakeasy-inspired lounge, I've been told, is the perfect place to take your mistress. Perhaps that is because of the high-backed chairs snuggled into dimly-lit pairs. Or perhaps because the louder bar area and the hallway where you will inevitably wait impatiently are partitioned off my smoky-colored velvet curtains. Whomever you choose to accompany you to this, one of my very favorite spots in the city, choose someone who will enjoy the Wicker Park people watching while you stand in line, will ooh and ahh over the gorgeous design and stunning marble bar and will sip one too many ginger syrup and rosehips cocktails with you once you get inside.

2. Anthropologie - If you have only ordered from the catalog or don't have one in your city and you want to shop Chicago style, skip the Magnificent Mile and hop a cap to Anthropologie (there is one on State Street and one on Southport in the Lakeview neighborhood). Trust me, you want to be inside this store. Flipping the pages of the catalog will be mere foreplay for you once you've been to one. The clothes are divine and the sale room is a corner of heaven. Whether you need a sassy little skirt, a pair of good ass jeans, a swingy evening cardigan or a shabby chic something or other to place on your desk when you get home, you will not regret investing in an Anthropolgie souvenir for yourself.

3. Moon Palace in Chinatown - Shhh, don't tell anyone but...one time I was eating with my parents at this family favorite restaurant and we saw Alpana Singh, the glowingly gorgeous, clever host (who has a killer blog) of Chicago's prideful "Check, Please!" show on PBS. When my mother said she has always wanted to write in to nominate Moon Palace to be highlighted on "Check, Please!", Alpana begged her not to. She said it would get too busy and she would be so upset if she couldn't get a table there (now don't the four of you go nominating Moon Palace and making me look bad in front of Alpana after I pinky swore her I'd keep silent). Normally, that would be enough said for a Chicagoan, but I must tell you to be sure to order the sesame chicken and Szchuan green beans. After dinner, wander in and out of the shops and be sure to get a giant bag of fortune cookies to take back to the hotel for after- afterparty noshing.

4. Isabella Lingerie - Of course, of course. You have plenty of Targets bra shops where you live. As much as I am sure you think the 20-jobbers you've been wearing thin are doing a fine job for you, you need to visit the Boobologist. And the Boobologist (or one of her many wonderful staffers) is only at Isabella Lingerie. Trust me and my grrrls (Danielle and Jeanne), this woman will do wonders for your girls. You will spend a lot of money. And when you see your boobs in BlogHer pics all over the the damn place, honey, you will know it was worth every penny.  Take a cab to Isabella in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, where there is very little parking and too many ex-sorors and guys jacked up on Armani cologne and their own biceps who live there to stay way too long. When everything's hoisted, head down the street to Lori's Shoes and try on some fabulous footwear. Also expensive, also hoisting, also fucking fabulous.

Comments

[Melissa]

I bought a gorgeous, Italian handmade silk floor-length nightgown at Isabella's, intended for my wedding night. Too bad I was sicker than sick on the big day and by the time we skipped out on the reception and onto the hotel, all I could manage to say to The Hubs was, "See that silk gown in my bag? Under it is a pair of sweatpants and an old t-shirt. Givethosetomenow." I think it's time to get back there and make happier memories...

[selfmademom]

Ha- this is great! Good news about Lori's is that they often have sales. And don't forget Lori's bags. The BAGS there are fab too! I was sad when Isabella's moved from my 'hood, but what a great store.

[Amy Sue Nathan]

Anyone over 40 at Violet Hour besides the men with their mistresses? ;)

These all sound grr8 to me!!!

[magpie]

Oh thanks. I've never been to Chicago before, and I don't really know where to begin! I just know I need to get out of the hotel at some point.