Très Chic

Is your kitchen lacking a certain je ne sais quoi? Newly opened Genevieve Lethu (900 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-423-9948) can help. The luxury housewares store is the first U.S. outpost for the French tabletop-and-textile company. Located in the 900 Shops mall, the store is full of bright, fun tabletop items such as tablecloths, napkins, and plates and flatware sold by the piece or by the set. The company releases four to six tabletop collections a year that coordinate with previous collections, “treating housewares like fashion,” says Michaelene Nichols, the company’s manager for U.S. operations. For instance, the dinner-plate pattern called L’Amour ($25 a plate) matches a set of dessert plates ($66 for six) whose pattern depicts a scene from the main design. You’ll also find cheese plates ($81 for a set of 6), flutes, tumblers, and Le Creuset cookware. Our favorites? The striped market trolley ($93) for trips to the store, an apron adorned with a pin-up girl ($34), and the silver-coated porcelain espresso set ($53 for 6.)

Top Sales This Week
Two Chicago boutiques are closing their bricks-and-mortar shops to go completely virtual. Language (1537 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-772-5744), in Wicker Park, is liquidating its inventory, marking down items 40 to 85 percent through Jan. 30th, before shifting to an online store at shoplanguage.com. Active Endeavors, which originally opened in 1985, has closed its Lincoln Park and Glencoe locations and plans to keep its Evanston outlet open through February, with up to 70 percent off merchandise before it also goes strictly online at activeendeavors.com.

The stores along the 1900 block of North Damen Avenue host an indoor sidewalk sale from Jan. 18th through 20th with 50 to 70 percent off and gift raffles at participating stores including: Crosell & Co. (1922 N. Damen Ave.; 773-252-9010), Grace (1917 N. Damen Ave.; 773-384-7223), Raizy (1944 N. Damen Ave.; 773-227-2221), Veruca Salt Fun (1937 N. Damen Ave.; 773-276-3888), Veruca Salt Fancy (1921 N. Damen Ave.; 773-276-9888), Wow & Zen (1912 N. Damen Ave.; 773-269-2600), Paper and Print (1940 N. Damen Ave.; 384-1600), and Spa Forever (1917 N. Damen Ave.; 773-394-0000). 

The Best of the Rest

  • Brides, nab couture at a discount at Caroline DeVillo Couture Bridal (1616 N. Damen Ave.; 773-342-0096) with bridal gown samples at up to 70 percent off. DeVillo, the brand’s designer, is opening her Bucktown studio from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 19th for the sale.
  • Roslyn (2035 N. Damen Ave.; 773-489-1311) has marked down the entire store from 30 to 60 percent off, including such items as a Thread Social cowl-neck sweater dress, originally $550, now $248; and a Rebecca Minkoff clutch, marked down from $258 to $165. Sale lasts while supplies last.
  • The Last Call sale at Neiman Marcus (737 Michigan Ave., 312-642-5900; Oakbrook Center, 630-572-1500; Northbrook Court, 847-564-0300) starts early this year, running from Jan. 16th through 22nd. Take 65 percent off original prices in apparel, shoes, handbags, and gifts; and 35 to 65 percent off fur.
  • Macy’s (111 N. State St.; 312-781-1000) is concluding its flea market—offering goods from Paris, London’s Portobello Road, Amsterdam, and Barcelona—with a clearance event from Jan. 17th through 19th. The merchandise includes vintage furniture, home décor, and jewelry, marked down 35 to 75 percent off. All sales are final.
  • Take 50 to 70 percent off designer T-shirts, housewares, and accessories at the indoor sidewalk sale at Art Effect (934 W. Armitage Ave.; 773-929-3600) from Jan. 17th through 20th.
  • Montauk Sofa (401 N. Wells St.; 312-951-5688) hosts its annual sample sale through Jan. 19th. A popular tan chenille lounge sofa is $9,600, down from $12,600; or a distressed leather sofa is $6,000, from $9,460.
  • Fall and winter merchandise at children’s store Lollie (1312 Chicago Ave., Evanston; 847-328-7303) is marked down 30 to 50 percent off original prices on designers such as Judith Lacroix, Wonderboy, and EyeSpy.
  • Lumen (839 W. Fulton Mkt.; 312-733-2222) hosts a “Twenty Looks” fashion show of 20 spring looks from Scoop NYC on Jan. 17th from 8 to 10 p.m. One winner will receive a spring outfit from Scoop NYC, including a tube dress, scarf, clutch, and bangle. Cover is $10; RSVP to info@lumen-chicago.com to reserve a table.
  • Only She (710 N. State St.; 312-335-1353) holds a final winter clearance sale with an additional 25 percent off already marked down items.
  • Designer kids’ store Honeycomb, formerly a Glencoe boutique and now an online shop at shophoneycomb.com, holds an after-holiday sale offering 30 to 50 percent off.
  • Mark Shale (900 N. Michigan Ave., 312-440-0720; Oakbrook Center, 630-571-9440; Northbrook Court, 847.272.3860) holds its GoodBuy Winter sale with fall and winter merchandise marked down as much as 60 percent.
  • Stock up on Dermalogica skin and body care products at Continuum Studio (5671 N. Clark St.; 773-728-7883) from Jan. 15th through 31st. Save 10 percent on purchases of $75 or more and 15 percent on purchases of $100 or more.
  • The Silk Trading Co. (900 Shops, 900 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-664-7600) offers 15 percent off custom drapery and 25 to 75 percent off selected items through Jan. 31.
  • Gray (1361 N. Wells St., 312-573-0750; 821 Chestnut Ct., Winnetka, 847-446-5650) is now showcasing Chicago-based designers at the Old Town location for two-month periods. The current designer is Susan Elizabeth, a metal smith and jewelry maker.
  • Book a redness-reducing facial at Silken Tent (2300 Chestnut Ave., Glenview; 847-510-1240) through the end of February and receive two product samples from B. Kamins; the 75-minute treatment is $140.
  • Kimberly Turner, an image consultant and the owner of boutique Flaunt (75 E. 16th St.; 312-360-1000), has launched an online video program at fashioncents.tv, with money-saving style advice and profiles of satisfied clients.