Le Pain Quotidien Comes to Chicago

This post is not for the gluten free friends of mine... sorry. Today's post honors one of my favorite foods... bread and a Belgium bakery that just arrived in Chicago.

Le Pain Quotidien has officially opened two stores in the Chicago area. One at Randolph and Clinton and the other at 1000 West Armitage, with another opening at 10 East Delaware soon. I highly recommend stopping in for breakfast, lunch or dinner as their seasonal and fresh menu always has something you'll want on it.

About a month ago (side note, can't believe that much time has passed) I had the privelage of attending a class at the store. We made coconut chia pudding shortcakes and pea hummus tartines. Yes, those sound so fancy... but trust me, even a novice chef could do this at home! Plus, the staff were so nice and willing to help when thing's didn't look quite right. I had an awesome time and I plan to go back later this summer for a Artisan Pizza Making class. The only thing I might like more than bread is pizza.

LPQ wants you to come in for a class too! They're offering the first three readers (that's 3 of you) a $10 discount when you register for a class this summer. The code to use is LPQ103. A schedule of the classes available in Chicago this summer at the West Loop Bakery can be found here: www.lepainquotidien.com/west-loop-bakery and the three courses they're starting with are designed to cover the fundamentals of baking for everyone... from beginner to expert!

Bread Baking Basics
This three-hour class will cover the 10 steps of bread baking in-depth and students will participate in each one, from selecting ingredients, to kneading dough by hand, to shaping, scoring and baking (and tasting, of course!).  Students will be led by LPQ baking instructors who will help them to create hearth-style loaves in their own ovens.

Biscuits & Scones
This 90 minute class is perfect for anyone that loves breakfast and short doughs and wants to learn the techniques behind having a good ‘biscuit hand.’ Students will learn to make a biscuits and scones with both a classic and seasonal approach as well as complimentary homemade spreads. At the end of class, the warm biscuits and scones will be enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea at our communal table.

Artisan Pizza Making
While Chicago is known for its deep dish pizza, LPQ bakers will be showing students how quick and simple it is to create thin-crust, artisan pizzas. From the kneading of the dough to topping selection to baking, this class will cover it all and after you have worked up an appetite, you'll will enjoy the fruits of your labor with a glass of wine at the communal table.

So, which class, or classes, are you signing up for?

images via Le Pain Quotidien

Freshen Your Spring and Summer Socials with Sosh

Dare we say it? Has spring really sprung? I'm going to go out on a barely budding limb and say that it has and I couldn't be happier!

Spring and summer always bring a busier social calendar. Between the showers and weddings and holiday brunches and bbqs it is difficult to imagine spending a free night anywhere but your sofa. But after the winter we've had I am making a pledge to go out and enjoy everything Chicago has to offer!

Thankfully Sosh has just launched here in Chicago and the app takes all the stress out of planning any sort of outing. 

To start, you'll create a profile, telling Sosh a bit about your interests and the neighborhoods you frequent. The more you use the app (bookmarking funtivities you want to do or marking off the things you've already tried), the more personalized your recommendations will become. Not only is everything on Sosh curated by their team of local city experts, but they then use cool technology to give every user a unique experience based on what they like to do and other real-world signals like the weather or the time of day. It's like having a personal concierge for your social life!

Even if you and I have wildly different tastes we can keep tabs on what the other is up to by following other users. You might just be inspired to try something outside of your comfort zone (like a night out at The Mid or Story Slam). You can find out what is trending all through Chicago with the "What's Hot" list or get instant gratification by checking the "Here and Now" list!

I use Sosh on my iPhone and I think my favorite part is that it sends me reminders of events I've bookmarked. It is so fun to browse through the app and plan adventures around Chicago. I cannot wait to try more outings and new-to-me dining spaces this spring and summer. 

Sosh launched in Chicago last week and you should hurry and sign-up online or do what I do and download the iPhone app! Be sure to follow me... I wanna know what my readers are up to! 

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This post was sponsored by Sosh, but the opinions expressed are my own.

Windy City Blogger Collective

photo credit // Andrea Plecko

Yesterday we officially launched the Windy City Blogger Collective!  Who did what?  Well, the 5 of us, Blair, Christine, me, Kit, and Lauren have been working our tails off for the last two months to put together a community for Chicago area bloggers to learn, connect, and promote one another. 

We wanted to make sure there was a lot of content and valuable information already on the site when we launched so we've all been writing and interviewing and cropping and we managed to get together this weekend for a photoshoot!

photo credit // Andrea Plecko

YAY!!!!!!!

Thank you to Public Hotels for sharing your space for our shoot.  Thank you Andrea for not publishing all of our outtakes.  And thank you for all your support!

Head on over to www.WindyCityBloggers.com to learn more.  And, Bloggers, come celebrate our launch with a Happy Hour at Trellis on Wednesday!

Color Me Styled - Picnic Like an Urbaness

Well now the weather has turned chilly but there's always hope of another weekend with 50 degree temps, right?  Even if it doesn't, we can pretend you came along with me on a picnic in Millennium Park with The Urbaness.

Color Me Crafty - Back-to-School DIY Night in Chicago



TGIF!

Hopefully you've got a whole long weekend of funtivities planned for yourself this weekend!  And, hopefully you're ready to rock your summer whites one last time.  While Labor Day might mean the end of summer, it also means that it is Back-To-School time!

There is a promise that comes with September; new classes, old friends, and a lot of supplies to help usher in the new academic year. 

To celebrate the new school year, Fall, and, most importantly, because crafting is fun I'd like to invite you to a DIY night at Langford Market Boutique in Chicago.

I'll be on-hand from 5 until 8 with a school themed DIY and you'll be able to preview Fall fashions perfect for everything from the office, to the dance floor.  We'll also have a jewelry giveaway, snacks, and sips!

Please RSVP on Facebook by Monday (it isn't necessary, I just want to make sure I have enough supplies). Color Me Styled Back-to-School DIY Night

Enjoy your weekend and hopefully I'll see you on Wednesday!

Color Me Styled - Frame it up!

Natalie and I at Hotel Lincoln (image credit LensCrafters/Flint Chaney)

A few weeks ago I had the chance to meet Natalie Coughlin as she visited Chicago with LensCrafter's A must Go See Campaign.

Color Me Trendy - Because It's The Cup

Madison Street after the Blackhawks Stanley Cup Win on June 24th, 2013

The Chicago Blackhawks brought the cup home last night and I had another post scheduled but am making a quick late-night editorial update. Hashtag, BecauseIt'sTheCup.

Hockey is an incredibly exciting sport and if you think it isn't fun because it is low scoring come and watch a game with me. You'll be a changed fan. It is a quick and dynamic game that requires an incredible amount of talent (these boys are on ice skates in case you forgot). 

If you ask me Corey Crawford should have won the MVP award but I am glad it was awarded to Kane. And if you base this on stats alone the Bruins should have walked away with it a few games ago but my Blackhawks didn't quit and gave me a heart attack but pulled through.

I had all but given up on a game 6 victory but once again my boys stuck to it and skated like crazy in the last period. When the game finished our neighborhood erupted and within 30 minutes we were on the streets with them! And the parties didn't slow down until well after Midnight. 

There will be more on the Cup Celebrations over the next few weeks. Get excited, it is the most difficult championship in sports. 

Color Me Bonita - Daniela's Facial Studio Open House

Just some of the products available at Daniela's Facial Studio

Color Me Styled's own skin care expert, Daniela, is having a Studio Open House! This Tuesday she is opening her doors so we can sample products, get in-person skin care advice and shop make-up and jewelry!

There never seems to be enough time between appointments to check out the jewelry in the studio or to pick out custom, skin-safe mineral makeup. On Tuesday, May 21st from 4pm-8pm, feel free to take all the time you need to do just that!

Come by to try on my mineral makeup products, blushes, bronzers, lip pencils, and more! You'll receive 15% off any jewelry, makeup products and accessories. If you're buying skin care products, you'll also receive 15% those items with the required purchase of jewelry or makeup.

We'll have refreshments and giving away door prizes, so make sure to bring your friends! 

You can RSVP for the event on Facebook.

Directions to the studio can be found here: http://www.daniela.com/Location.html

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Hope to see you there!

Color Me Styled - Monograms for Mom

Everyone loves monograms. With Mother's Day a few weeks away now is the time to order a monogrammed piece for Mom.

Large necklaces or totes are fun for newlyweds but Mom will love a script monogram scarf pin. Etsy offers several options but my monogram go-to is Jane Basch. Pictured above is her scarf pin which is the perfect piece for Mom this year.

I was introduced to her line by Leslie of James & Sons Jewelers. For my birthday last year Danny had a mini rose gold monogram made for me and I wear it every day.

Jane Basch's designs are all hand crafted and run from classic to more trendy pieces. Her namesake name plate is a favorite of celebrity mom Christina Applegate.

The orders take a couple of weeks to fulfill so I recommend reaching out to Leslie today! Her email address is <leslie@jamesandsons.com> and she's looking forward to helping you get something real nice for Mom this year.

  

Color Me Styled - Rainy Days



Image via Second Story Creative on Facebook



Well it is just wet here in Chicago today. A lot of flooding, a lot of delays and grey skies as far as the eye can see. If you are lucky enough to be able to stay home today in the Chicago area do so, it is treacherous out there.

Even if you do have to come into the office today (just like me) take a few minutes around your lunch break or towards the end of the day or now, I mean, whenever you want really, to check out the blogs on my blogroll to the left. (keep scrolling)

I've divided it into two sections. First we have the Chicago Gals where I've got 17 of my favorites featured. I've at the very least met all of these ladies and have become pretty close with some of them! In the next couple of months I've got some exciting things planned for guest posts and other funtivities.

Then I've got the list of "Elsewhere" blogs. These are pretty big hitters and are on a lot of blogrolls out there but they are the blogs that inspire me and brighten my inbox, bloglovin' feed, facebook newsfeed and twitter homepage every day. I highly recommend visiting them.

Then at the top of the page right under the Color Me Styled header you'll notice a couple of tabs. First, "The Blog" which should be self explainatory but it is basically an easy way to get back to the homepage and most recent posts.

Next up is the "About Color Me Styled & The Team" here you'll be introduced to the mission of the blog and the Color Me Styled girl. Plus there are quick bios of our editors (a list which I will have a couple of additions soon).

Finally we have "The Shop" which is a place for you to brouse and buy some of the items I've been eyeing (and buying) lately. It changes at least once a week so continue to check back, pin and tweet your favorites and treat yo self!

Stay dry! Stay safe! And happy Thursday!

   

Color Me Trendy - Merit Clothiers

Organic, made in the USA (Chicago, IL to be exact), small business, feel-goodery and lady entrepreneurs... What's not trendy here?!

Two college friends of mine (Brittany and Brittany) have started a clothing line called Merit Clothiers and they've got a kickstarter campaign to get it off the ground.

Inspired by childhood scouting days The Brittanys have created badges to be sewn onto their army jacket and messenger bag to commemorate the awesome achievements of 20-somethings. For example I could round up the Having a Savings Account, Traveling Abroad and Taking Public Transit badge. 

Merit Clothiers guiding principles are: 

1. People should be proud of the great things they accomplish everyday

2. Inspiring others to do good deeds makes for a better world

3. We all deserve clothing that is beneficial to the economy and the environment

Check out Merit Clothiers and support their kickstarter campaign to get them off the ground. They're only $1,095 from their goal to produce the first run of the line. You can contribute with a standard pledge or you can pre-order badges, jackets and bags. 

Color Me Styled - Nellcote & CBN Oscar Party

Pearls were the crowd favorite for last night's outfit!

I have a confession to make. I am a bad blogger!

Let me explain.

Last night I attended my first ever Oscar party at Nellcote with the Chicago Blogger Network. I had intended to tweet and post and have a lot of pictures taken and didn't do much of that at all. So last night when I went to create my posts about the party I realized I didn't have any pictures of me in my final outfit! And that I hadn't posted much while at the event either.

But, my redemption lies in the fact that I wasn't tweeting and status updating because I was actually speaking with other bloggers! It was a lovely evening of getting to know these darling girls. There should be a few candid shots floating around and I'll post them to Facebook when I come across them.

Also, in defense of me not tweeting about the red carpet, did everyone notice E!'s lack of full body shots? We all kept trying to see what the stars were wearing and had to settle with panned shots to try and get the whole picture.

I stayed later at the party than I planned to so I didn't get to round up all my red carpet picks. I'm working on it now and will have the post up tomorrow but let me just say that I am more in love with Jennifer Lawrence than ever.

Color Me Styled - Slip Sliding Away

Slip Sliding Away by ebdaily

Just because Christmas has come and gone doesn't mean all of the winter fun is over! There are plenty of cold weather months ahead. Side note: I've found that it is best just to accept that the cold is here in Chicago instead of wasting valuable energy on complaining.

Chicago has several outdoor ice skating rinks that are open all winter long. A few of them are free and skate rental prices are reasonable. It is a fun activity for a wintery weekend afternoon.

While you might be inclined to wear a snow suit I highly recommend wearing a, wait for it, skater style dress! As you whirl around the rink the skirt will flap in the wind and you'll be twirling like Kristi Yamaguchi in no time. Be sure to pair your dress with leggings, a pea coat, warm socks and mittens. Just in case you need to hold onto the side for a while.

And make sure to smile and make eye contact with the judges as you pass!

Shop this post! Go ahead, get it all and then get out there!

Color Me Styled - Chicago Happenings - Hat Party

I try not to brag too often about living in the greatest city on earth... but today I have to take the opportunity to share an event happening tonight. 

I have always loved wearing hats. Early on in my style career they were ski hats that I wore all the time in high school. When I got to college, I evolved and got myself a fedora or two. And in the years past college I have added to my collection with floppy straw beach hats and wool cloches.

Tonight at Goorin Bros. in Lakeview the Chicago Blogger Network is hosting a holiday cocktail and shopping party! I am so excited to try on some hats and add to my collection.

I'll be updating my personal blog Daily E and posting to twitter throughout the night but if you're in Chicago you should come out and join me!