Solemates to Sir & Madame

Photo courtesy of sirandmadame.com.

Kudos to my people over at the luxurious Sir & Madame for making Racked 38 Essential Chicago Stores.  Sir & Madame has transcended from its days as Solemates...Chicago, the vintage and consignment boutique, to creating their own clothing line amidst the top competitors. Owners and hubby-and-wife duo, Autumn and Brian Merritt, continue to prove that they OWN this needle and thread thing.


938 N. Damen, Chicago, IL
773.489.6600
www.sirandmadame.com


Here is Racked.com's blurb about the dynamic duo:

Sir & Madame has won acclaim for their 1920s functionality-meets-urban dandy sensibility on national blogs and high profile publications. Their refreshing take on street wear is a force to be reckoned with in the transformation of West Town/ Ukrainian Village aesthetic.

Monty Python: The Snakeskin Pedicure

A posh salon in Monterey, California is offering something outrageously, crazy-fabulous, albeit inhumane and, if I may say, slighty grotesque - a Snakeskin Pedicure.  Yes, a Snakeskin Pedicure, meaning, snakeskin as the "polish" and "design" on your toesies.  Firstly, I would like to say that I love the look...the idea is very innovative...but, the PETA inside me says this cannot be right.  Annnnd, its $300.  That's alotta doubloons.  My suggestion?  Come up with a method to replicate the same look, without using actual skin from a snake, and let's make it more afforable.  Mmmkay?

Wrapped Around Your Finger

Its official. 80s Purple has the BEST rings this summer. Their ring game is uber tight, and (mostly) affordable. Perfect little thing to have wrapped around your finger. Owww.
















Left to right: By Boe Women's Double-sided Ring, $55, Purple Label Crystal Shield Two Finger Ring, $38, By Boe Women's Square Shaped Wood Ring, $10, Purple Label Simple Solid Two-Finger Ring, $30.

Jagged Little Pill

So, this is kinda sickening to me. Seriously a "STFU, OMG" situation. This is modern "fashion" at its worst...no, your eyes are not deceiving you...yes, that is a pill masquerading as jewelry. This little dandy piece of nothingness comes vicodin, oxycontin, or percocet pendants. Cast of Vices, the maker of this monstrosity, should be stoned. Whoever buys this, should be stoned.

Air Macaron

This is probably the best combination of my worlds that I have ever seen. First off, its hightops...Nike...two dope colors that I'd actually rock. Pretty sweet. Secondly, its a cookie. Even sweeter. I'm all lusty inside. This is a shoe lover and food lover's dream. Coined the Nike Air Royalty, these delights, unfortunately, will be sold in Paris only (sigh).

Cause It Was Funny...

Bread shoes. Like, for real, for real.

New Crack: I Am...Eau De Parfum

Nothing to do with Sasha Fierce, Bey, or anything of that nature.

This is my new obsession. Found this in a boutique up North and was like, "ooooooooooh". I Am has dope scents that are not too overpowering, or smell too much like typical department store fragrances. Apparently, these have been around for awhile, but I'm just getting hip to them today. The purpose of I Am is to provoke the senses and stimulate a sense of being whatever it is that you aspire to be. Per its creator, "Scent has great power to elevate emotion. Scent can soothe, energize, arouse or inspire...I Am has created perfumes that can help remind you of who you are: use them to focus on your assets, blessings, and gifts." It may sound kinda cheesy, but after sampling ALL of the scents, I agree with its purpose. My personal favorites were I Am Rich, I Am Me, and I Am Good...not sure if that was indicative of anything...he he he.

Label of Graded Goods: Faith 21

So I got my clothes from Forever 21's Faith 21, and...I've decided to give it a thumbs up. Not two snaps in a circle, cause, its not that fierce (had to return a couple things) but I can tell that over time, it will be get better. I got some pretty dresses for summer, and I must admit that these designers in the boardroom actually knew how to cut fabric for a fat girl frame. I was pleased.

Bags Without Borders: Matt & Nat

I've been a Matt & Nat lover for a few years now, but I see that Bluefly is now selling their bags at a discounted rate. Why I love Matt & Nat: eco-friendly, vegan (no cow leather here, baby), and very stylish.

Brace Yourself...

Left to right: Metalcraft Mod Rectangle (Brass): $88/Coach Signature Bangle: Varies/Forever 21 Newsprint Lucite Bangle: $5.80/Forever 21 Pyramid Bracelet Set: $10.80/Chanel Set of 2 Coco Chanel Bracelets: Varies /Banana Republic Wood Fence Bracelet: $29/Metal Polished Thin Wire Circle Bracelet: $8.80/Woven Fabric Covered Bangle (Bronze): $7.99

Solemates...Chicago

I have yet to make it to the actual store (I promise I'm coming, Autumn) but I frequent their site often just to peruse and take in the fabulousness. Solemates...Chicago is owned by Brian and Autumn Merritt - a funky fresh, very stylish, hubby and wife duo that just so happen to be former classmates of mine. Solemates...Chicago is a vintage lover's paradise. You name it, they got it. Or, I will bet my last dollar that they can get it. Check their merch, bio, and other goodies at solemateschicago.com

Visit them in real life at :

2708 N. Halsted, Chicago

Flyy By Faith...

Forever 21 launched a new plus-size line called Faith21 on May 1st. I have always been a fan of Forever 21, so I literally anticipated with baited breath on April 30 until the clock struck midnight to see what Faith21 would offer the kid...from the previews, it was juicy...but when the first few pieces hit the site, it was kinda blah. Still hopeful, I drove 45 minutes north of Chicago to see the pieces in person...still blah.

However, Faith21 has grown by leaps and bounds and I've scoped out some key pieces that could keep me fat.girl.fresh on the ChiCity streets. I will be placing an order soon, and we'll see how that pans out...

Trucks & Pearls

Certified PHLI Girl Diane Ivery is really doing her thing when it comes to fashionable accoutrements.. Another former classmate of mine, I'm really pleased that I'll be able to say "I knew her when..." She write, she designs, and most of all, she's really cool people. Check out her accessory line, Trucks and Pearls here. When it comes to jewelry and scarves, she has passed with flying colors...literally and figuratively. She is dangerously talented. Watch. Her. Work.

Let's Do Lunch: Kim Myles

I absolutely LOVE Kim Myles. Kim is fiercelessly fabulous and chocked full of creativity, grace, and mostly, style...Hence her show, Myles of Style on HGTV. Winner of the second installment of the HGTV hit show, Design Star, Kim Myles is doing the damn thang. Fashionista interiour. Former hairstylist and hopeful actress, Kim has managed to turn HGTV into one of my most favorited channels. She can do your hair and your living room in one fell swoop. I have seen Kim do things with buttons that will turn your life around. Kim has that round-the-way feel, like you've known her your whole life. I'd just about die if I could have a sit-and-chat with Kim over Rooibus tea.

Check out Kim's HGTV mumbo jumbo here and check out Kim's personal site here, which has access to her haute blog.

Louis Vuitton Dona

I've seen alot of LV cakes, but this one is probably the best...cakes by Sugar. With some practice, I could probably do this one. Retail: $3,000

Avri Bijon

My homeboy Av has one of the best blogs out the Chi. Av and I go back like lumberjacks, and probably unbeknownst to him, I frequent his blog regularly. Av's RockBox contains the most up-to-date material on all things upbeat or off-beat. On top of all that, Av is also very talented musical genius, graphic artist, and videographer. Av is sound, light, and color all rolled into one. Peep his craft here.