Pretty Papers

Since opening last September, Elizabeth Grace Paperie and Gifts (2438 N. Clark St.; 773-477-9830) has quickly become a must destination for brides-to-be and hostesses alike. The quirky gift and stationery shop, located on the first floor of a Lincoln Park graystone, is the outpost of owner, etiquette expert, and stationer Laura Manteuffel, who has been creating stationery for 15 years. Her own Elizabeth Grace line is traditional with a contemporary twist, although she carries other lines as well. “We’ve got a great selection at all price points,” she says. “We can do the crème de la crème or something beautiful for a sensible budget. We have really nice $5 and $6 invitations, and I’ve done some that are $80.” The average per-invitation price is in the $16 to $25 range. In addition to weddings, she can also to rehearsal dinner, save the dates, bar and bat mitzvah invitations, baby announcements, gift bags, and favors. Also find bridesmaid, groomsman, and hostess-appropriate gifts such as Kashwére blankets, retro, colorful French Bull plates, Vosges chocolates, and vintage martini shakers, as well as jewelry (including a great line of cufflinks created from reclaimed wood from Wrigley Field seats for $148.) Another perk? The shop offers free gift wrap. Bring any boxed item into the store, buy the wrapping, and the service is free. Order engraved stationery through the end of July, and receive free engraving plates ($100 value).

Top Sales This Week

The massive denim sample sale The Warehouse Sale returns to Chicago, with jeans for both men and women all priced below wholesale, on July 11th from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and July 12th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McCormick Place (2301 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.). R.S.V.P. for free admission to, or $5 at the door.

Head west for the Hinsdale Merchants Annual Sidewalk Sale on July 11th and 12th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., taking up to 75 percent off merchandise. The sale runs in downtown Hinsdale, bounded by Garfield, Washington, and First streets and Hinsdale Avenue.) Call the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce at 630-323-3952 for more information.  

The Best of the Rest

  • Simone’s Boutique (1060 Gage St., Winnetka; 847-446-9966) has discounted selected spring and summer clothing up to 50 percent off throughout July, from designers such as Alessandro Dell’Acqua. A Ruffian satin black coat with fuchsia piping has been marked down to $1,137 from $1,875; and a Malandrino blouse has been marked down to $510 from $850.
  • Take up to 40 percent off spring and summer clothing and shoes at the end-of-season sale at Robin Richman (2108 N. Damen Ave.; 773-278-6150).
  • Gem (1710 N. Damen Ave.; 773-384-7700) hosts its biggest sale of the summer, offering 10 to 50 percent off regularly priced items.
  • The garden market sale at Griffins & Gargoyles (2140 W. Lawrence Ave.; 773-769-1255) continues through July 31st, with garden furniture such as planters, statues, and tables discounted 30 percent off and furniture such as armoires and sideboards discounted 20 percent off.
  • Zozo for Kids (5137 N. Clark St.; 773-506-6120) holds its biggest sale of the season, with spring and summer clothing for boys, girls, and baby discounted 30 percent off, and selected boy merchandise discounted 40 percent off and selected items marked down 50 percent off.
  • The Left Bank (1155 W. Webster Ave.; 773-929-7422) celebrates Bastille Day with storewide discounts and refreshments on July 14th.
  • The secret sale at Ellie Thompson + Co. (8 S. Michigan Ave., Ste. 2203; 312-263-2264) runs July 14th through 18th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with 10 to 40 percent off in-stock merchandise such as 18k gold, platinum, diamond, gemstone, and sterling silver jewelry. Also receive special savings on custom orders and preview upcoming collections.
  • Lissa on Maxwell (729 W. Maxwell St.; 312-563-9470) is offering 30 to 50 percent off selected spring and summer merchandise, while supplies last.
  • Flip-flops, pool totes, and travel games are discounted at The Stork’s Cradle (210 W. Wesley, Wheaton; 630-752-1584) through July 12th.
  • His Stuff (5314 N. Clark St.; 773-989-9111, 3162 N. Broadway Ave.; 773-281-6111) has discounted selected styles and colors of 2(x)ist and Boss by Hugo Boss underwear up to 50 percent off, as well as bathing suits by 25 percent off, through July 13th.
  • Chef Koren Grieveson, the chef de cuisine at Avec, demonstrates how to use the French skillet from All-Clad to make shellfish cuisine at Bloomingdale’s Home & Furniture Store (600 N. Wabash Ave.; 312-324-7678) at 1 p.m. on July 12th.
  • All area locations of Mario Tricoci Hair Salons offer a refill and save green program. Return Tricoci Match shampoo and conditioner bottles for a product refill, at 15 percent off the original price.
  • Sacred Art (2040 W. Roscoe St.; 773-404-8790) waives the sales tax on purchases on Tuesdays in July.
  • Buy three, get the fourth item for free at Hubba-Hubba (3309 N. Clark St.; 773-477-1414) through July 16th.
  • Phaiz (673 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 312-226-9070) kicks off its latest installation “Alley Art” on July 11th from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The collection from local artist Mathias “Spider” Schergen includes art created from objects found in the alley, with complementary fashion collections such as one-of-a-kind purses from Chroma Designs. Runs through Aug. 6th.
  • Eyeland of St. Johns (1819 St. Johns Ave., Highland Park; 847-266-6400) holds a Prada trunk show on July 11th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (The name of the store changes to Spex on July 31st.)