At Home in Boystown

Shopping local in Lake View just got a little easier, with the opening of the cheekily named Homeboy (3327 N. Broadway; 773-472-0548), featuring a host of Chicago crafters and artists that the owner, Ripley Worthy, came to know in his past eight years in the design industry. Cute home accents include screen-printed, whimsical wallpaper adorned with green birds (sold by the yard, or in a 2½-yard panel as an art piece) by Soda; or the adorable cups, perfect for drinking or for crayons, adorned with a robot ($12 to $22). Prints by Stephen Fowler, a graphic designer who creates art by collaging vintage type and graphics—Cubs fans will love “Hey Batter,” a mash-up of a batter, Wrigley Field, and the Cubs logo ($70). Also find great tableware from Circa Ceramics ($18 for a small cup printed with a typewriter, up to $70 for larger items), frames made from reclaimed barn wood ($60), pottery, pillows, and Snow & Graham stationery. Worthy also salvages furniture and reupholsters it using remnants from the Mart, saving them from the landfill.

Top Sales This Week

Madison and Friends and The Denim Lounge (43 E. Oak St.; 312-642-6403) celebrate their 12th anniversary with a sale on August 2nd, offering 20 percent off purchases all day. From 4:30 to 6 p.m., the Cubs players Derrek Lee, Mark DeRosa, Ryan Dempster, Bobby Howry, and Ryan Theriot will be signing autographs for people who donate $80 to Project 3000, a charity founded by Derrek Lee in honor of his daughter, who suffers from Leber Congenital Amaurosis, inherited blindness. Customers who spend $300 or more in the stores prior to the event receive special VIP passes to get in line first.

The outlet at Jayson Home and Garden (1885 N. Clybourn St.; 773-755-8358) will close July 31st. Take 75 percent off furniture, accsesories, lighting, and frames before it closes to make room for an expansion in the fall.

The Best of the Rest

  • Le Sportsac (1727 N. Damen Ave.; 773-227-1080), the first in the Chicago area, holds a grand opening event on July 31st from 7 to 9 p.m., with complimentary mini-makeovers from Sephora. The boutique carries the brand’s classic collection of lightweight nylon carryalls for both men and women, and Stella McCartney for Le Sportsac.
  • Want to be on top? Try a Tyra-free modeling competition. Mario Tricoci is looking for models to walk the runway for Fashion Focus Chicago in October. The “Mario, Make Me a Model” event holds casting calls for men and women on July 29th at 10 a.m. at the 900 N. Michigan Ave. location, July 30th at 10 a.m. at the 305 Hawthorn Center location in Vernon Hills, and July 30th at 5 p.m. at the Pheasant Run Resort location in St. Charles. No prior experience required; visit mariomakemeamodel.com for rules and prizes.
  • The Southport Sidewalk Showcase runs along Southport from Belmont to Byron, from August 1st through 3rd. Participating shops include Tula (3738 N. Southport Ave.; 773-549-2876), which marks down spring and summer clothes and accessories by 50 to 60 percent off, with select jewelry marked down 50 percent off.
  • The James Hotel (55 E. Ontario St.; 312-337-1000) hosts a bridal event on July 31st from 6 to 8 p.m., highlighting food from David Burke’s Primehouse, sweets from The Cake Girls, rooms styled with vignettes, and Debi Lilly from A Perfect Event giving a presentation about wedding trends. RSVP to sjain@jameshotels.com.
  • Couture resale store The Daisy Shop (67 E. Oak St., 6th fl.; 312-943-8880, daisyshop.com) offers 40 percent off party apparel throughout August, including cocktail dresses, full-length gowns, and little black dresses from designers such as Badgley Mischka, Ungaro, and Liancarlo.
  • Lancôme launches its first vibrating mascara. The first, limited supply will be available only on July 31st at Macy’s (111 N. State St.) and Bon-Ton (Yorktown Mall, Lombard) for $34, before its release in the fall.
  • Elizabeth Grace (2438 N. Clark St.; 773-477-9830) offers free engraving plates ($90 to $100 savings) on stationery through July 31st.
  • Southport boutique Krista K (3458 N. Southport Ave.; 773-248-1967) is now online, and offers free shipping at kristak.com through the end of July.
  • Neiman Marcus (737 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-642-5900 x2050) holds a Stella McCartney Fall Trunk Show on July 30th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring the fall collection and an informal modeling from noon to 3 p.m.
  • Utopia (26 S. Lagrange Rd., La Grange; 708-588-1558) holds a sale with 20 percent off sweaters and fall outerwear throughout August.
  • Macy’s (111 N. State St.; 312-781-1000) celebrates its Glamorama ‘80s theme and kicks off with the Glam Pass on July 23rd through August 23rd. The $5 Glam Pass entitles the customer to a 15-to-20 percent savings coupon for one day, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Art Institute of Chicago. Visit macys.com/glamorama for more information.
  • The table of the month, designed by interior designer Suzanne Lovell, continues throughout August at Material Possessions (704 N. Wabash Ave., 312-280-4885; 954 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka, 847-446-8840).
  • White Chicago (222 W. Huron St.; 312-397-1571) and Lake City Cleaners hold a “Dirtiest Dress in the U.S.” contest throughout August. Brides who have not had their wedding dresses cleaned can submit their story and up to three photos of themselves wearing their dirty dress to info@whitechicago.com. The winners receive a free cleaning at Lake City Cleaners. Those who don’t want to enter the contest can take advantage of the Lake City Cleaners special price of $200 for a gown cleaning through white Chicago, until August 31st.
  • The Anti-Cruelty Society (169 W. Grand Ave.; 312-644-8338) holds a Doggie Wash & Day Spa on August 2nd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where volunteers will wash, dry, and brush dogs. Prices range $10 to $25, depending on the dog’s size. No appointment necessary. All proceeds benefit the Anti-Cruelty Society.
  • Exhale Spa (945 N. State St.; 312-753-6500) holds a “downward dog days of summer” promotion through September 1st. First-time mind-body class guests (or those who haven’t taken a class in six months) can take one month of unlimited mind-body classes. Pay $75 for 30 days of unlimited yoga; $150 for 30 days of unlimited yoga, core energy flow (a combination of yoga, core training, Qi Gong and stretching) and core fusion (a Pilates fitness class.)
  • Spex (522 Dempster St., Evanston; 847-864-5200) holds a ProDesign trunk show on August 2nd from noon to 4 p.m., introducing 22-karat gold frames with laser-cut jewels.