Sweet Stuff

Milk Handmade (5137 N. Clark St.; 847-833-6309, milkhandmade.com), a new boutique in Andersonville, is giving us warm fuzzies. The shop’s owner Hallie Borden, a Chicago native, serves up free milk and cookies until 7 p.m. today, Tuesday, May 1, to celebrate the debut of the store, which is stocked with indie goodness. “All of my brands are by independent designers who make small batches of clothing,” says Borden. “My inventory is 100 percent handmade.” The featured lines include Three Little Ducks, Thimble and Acorn, and Simone's Rose, plus local designers such as CHC Handbags and GlamRocks Jewelry. Sweets are a treat, but if sparkling wine is more your style, mark your calendar for Milk Handmade’s grand opening party at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 10.

 

Top Sales This Week

Get your local fashion fix this Friday, May 4: FashionChicago brings together 30 Chicago designers at the Museum of Broadcast Communications (360 N. State St.) from 5 to 10 p.m. Shop styles by Calvin Tran, Lara Miller, and Barbara Bates, among others. The event, hosted by StyleChicago, also includes cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and an after-party at Board Room. Purchase tickets ($25) online or by calling 800-838-3006.

Seek handbag heaven at Henri Bendel (4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie; 847-763-1869, henribendel.com), which throws a store opening party from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 4 at Old Orchard mall. This is the second Chicagoland location for the New York-based accessories retailer, which is recognized for its signature brown and white striped shopping bags and merch. Shoppers who spend $150 or more this Friday walk away with a limited-edition Henri Bendel tote—stripes included.

 

The Best of the Rest

  • Cerato Boutique (3451 N. Southport Ave.; 773-248-8604, ceratoboutique.com) discounts a long list of Chicago designers—including Eskell, C/Fan, and Anna Hovet—by 20 percent Friday, May 4 during its second-anniversary party. Help the store celebrate from 6 to 9 p.m., when wine and appetizers are on the house.
  • Sarah Wood, the wife of the Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood, hosts the Art of Fashion breakfast and fashion show at Neiman Marcus Northbrook (5000 Northbrook Ct.; 847-564-0300, neimanmarcus.com) on Thursday, May 3 at 9 a.m. Jewelry-designer-to-the-stars Lana Bramlette is a guest of honor at the charity event, which showcases looks from Oscar de la Renta, Dolce & Gabbana, and more. Visit woodfamilyfoundation.org for tickets ($75).
  • When we heard about a trunk show at Virtu (2034 N. Damen Ave., 773-235-3790, virtuchicago.com) from Friday, May 4 to Sunday, May 6, the words “experimental” and “jewelry” caught our attention. From 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, the designer Anne Sportun showcases her unique diamond bands, one-of-a-kind colored gemstone baubles, and anything-but-cookie-cutter engagement rings. She calls the line “Experimetal Jewellery” (and in doing so also takes a nonconformist approach to spelling).
  • Hey, new moms and moms-to-be: the Neighborhood Parents Network sponsors Summer in the City Fashion Show, which features a collection of maternity and nursing pieces—not to mention mocktails and hors d'oeuvres—at Topics Lounge (2122 N. Halsted St.) from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 3. Migrate next door to Kickin’ (2120 N. Halsted St.; 773-525-2120, kickinmaternity.com) for 15 percent off all purchases. Tickets ($15) are required; call 773-525-2120 or visit npnparents.org/events.
  • Meet eco-conscious fashion designers at The Green Goddess Boutique (52 S. Washington St., Hinsdale; 630-655-9050, thegreengoddessboutique.com) from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, May 4 and Saturday, May 5. Both days, the store clears space for trunk shows by the lines Brightly Twisted, Bittersweet, and Ella E.

 

Openings and Closings

Langford Market (851 W. Armitage Ave.; 773-327-9815, langfordmarket.com), a women’s boutique with Texas roots, set up shop in Lincoln Park two weeks ago. The store has a rep around Houston and Austin for stocking feminine frocks and cute, casual pieces at affordable prices.

Krista K Maternity + Baby (3530 N. Southport Ave.; 773-248-4477, kristak.com) walks away from its Lakeview lease at the end of June after six years in the space. The owner, Krista Meyers, says she is focusing on raising her three young children as well as running her women’s boutique Krista K (3458 N. Southport Ave.), which remains open. Maternity and baby items are 20 percent off in the store and online at kristak.com through June.