Where to Watch the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Chicago

Where will you be watching the 2014 FIFA World Cup? We've caught soccer fever in the MDPR office and are spilling our two favorite restaurants in Chicago to catch all the action.

In you're rooting for Spain (or just love Spanish food), come experience the games at Black Bull in Wicker Park. With the addition of new HD TVs throughout the restaurant and patio, and amazing daily food and beverage specials, this authentic Spanish tapas spot is the place to be for FIFA.

Black Bull will be open for every game, seven days a week. This hidden gem is the perfect spot to relax and watch the evening games after work or during your lunch break with a sangria and amazing food.

If you are near the Loop or in River North, Pearl Tavern is the spot for you.

Pearl Tavern will be playing every game with live sound and the kitchen is dishing out a FIFA inspired menu with festive dishes from seven different countries. Whether you're in the mood for Argentinian empanadas, Mexican fish tacos, or Italian calamari, we can guarantee there is a tasty treat for everyone!

Circ-Cell Day at Leah Chavie Skincare

After all of the ups and downs in temperature this past week, our skin is feeling a little out of wack. A facial sounds like just the thing to get our skin glowing again.

If you're in the same boat, you won't want to miss Circ-Cell Day at Leah Chavie Skincare Center and Boutique on May 20th. Leah and her team will be at both locations performing Circ-Cell's Advanced Infusion Therapy facials. Afterwards, you'll get to meet with a Circ-Cell rep to receive skincare tips and product recommendations.

The Advanced Infusion Therapy facial leaves skin hydrated, visibly plump, evenly toned and erases visible signs of aging and sun damage without any painful lasers. During the treatment, tiny surgical-grade microneedles are used to create pathways in the skin, stimulating the body’s own healing responses to improve skin density. These pathways are then infused with Circ-Cell’s Age-
Defying Density Solution for maximum product efficacy.

The treatment lasts 40 minutes and appointments are filling up fast! Call 773-327-7051 or email info@leahchavie.com to reserve your spot!

Casual Friday Pop-Up Shop Now Open

If you can't get a hold of the MDPR team this afternoon, we apologize. We're indulging in some much-needed retail therapy at Casual Friday's new pop-up shop!

You probably recognize the space at 1872 N. Damen in Bucktown as the former home of Von Z. Founder Jenna Zielbauer closed the boutique's doors to focus on growing her wildly popular apparel line Casual Friday.

The line is comprised of a stylish spin on everyday basics available in ten colors. Jenna coined the phrase "comforchic" to describe the shirts and we can attest that these are the comfiest tees we've ever come across!

We also fell in love with the eighty relatable phrases such as, "In Case of Emergency Please Save my Shoes," "Wirkin for a Birkin," and "Caffeine Cupcakes and Chanel." Check out more of their chic shirts on Instagram at @CasualFridayApparel.

The pop-up will be open through July 26. After that, stay tuned because Casual Friday will be holding monthly pop-ups throughout the city. You can also shop online at casualfridayshop.com. 

TeaGschwendner Lakeview Grand Opening

We were in tea heaven last Monday at the grand opening of TeaGschwendner's new Lakeview location at 557 W. Diversey. The store is home to over 250 varieties of organic, loose leaf teas from around the world.

To celebrate, TeaGschwendner held a private tasting event of their best-selling spring teas for twenty tea lovers. The bright and inviting space was perfect to unwind for afternoon tea.

Trays of sweet confections by Sugar Hills Bakery complimented the sweet drinks with flavors like Cream Caramel and Fruit Paradise. Cranberry Mango iced tea was another crowd favorite, although we'll wait until it warms up again to brew that one!

President Agnes Rapacz played tea trivia with the crowd and educated everyone on the art of brewing tea. Guests couldn't get enough of the delicious flavors and left with shopping bags filled to the brim.

One of our favorite things about the new location is their Tea2Go service. Pop in anytime throughout the day and they'll brew your favorite tea for you, or curl up with your favorite book and stay a while in the seating area in the front of the store.

Store hours are Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tea tastings will be held every third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

#BelliesInBloom Brunch

Are you a stylish mommy-to-be? Join us for the first #BelliesInBloom brunch this Saturday co-hosted by Mia Bossi and Monica+Andy!

Find a sitter or drop the kids off with the grandparents because this event is for mommies only. Get to know other chic moms while enjoying a delicious brunch (and mimosas of course!) at Chicago Waffles.

Between courses, get ready to soak up style tips from bump-style specialist Heidi Best of BECLOTHESMINDED and beauty 101 from Chicago’s top esthetician Leah Chavie of Leah Chavie Skincare Boutique.

The best part? One lucky mom will leave with a new Mia Bossi diaper bag!

Space is limited so please RSVP to rsvp@monikadixonpr.com.

A Look Inside Dolce & Gabbana’s New Oak Street Location

Chicago’s Oak Street has been gifted with yet another precious gem—Dolce & Gabbana. The luxurious new store radiates opulence and Italian elegance. We were thrilled to receive an exclusive glimpse of the new boutique!

The second we walked in we felt like we were in sunny Milan, not gloomy Chicago. Every little detail in the store radiates luxury and encompasses the Italian brand’s authenticity. The stones used to lay the boutique’s floor were brought all the way from the glamorous Italian island of Sicily and the opulent burgundy velvet, which is unique to their boutiques, is prevalent throughout the store.

The boutique features the newest runway pieces that are feminine with a unique Dolce & Gabbana twist, as well as “oh –so-gorgeous” jewelry and accessories. We wanted it all! As the saying goes: the best things in life are free, and the second best are very expensive.

Our preview ended with even more exciting news. Have you ever looked at the Dolce & Gabbana campaigns that feature beautiful Italian families and wondered how amazing it would be if you could be in it? Well dreams do come true!

This year Dolce & Gabbana is hosting the #DGFamily project to demonstrate their belief in the values of a strong family. All you have to do is go on their website, submit your family photo, and voila, you are part of the D&G family.

By Eva Zakarauskaite

Citizen Stone Launches New Website and Blog

Get your wallets ready, Citizen Stone’s website is here!

 

With a focus on artisan-crafted goods, natural ingredients and beautiful aesthetics, the site will quickly become your go-to for all things eye-catching and practical. Shoppers can easily browse an eclectic selection of housewares, beauty and lifestyle products.

After filling up your shopping cart, check out Citizen Stone’s new blog Olive & Arrow. Olive & Arrow embodies the Citizen Stone’s team’s passion for all things entertaining, design, beauty, travel and style. Daily posts entice readers with insight on design trends, DIY ideas, travel guides, recipes and much more.

In addition to daily blog posts, customers can look forward to new merchandise added weekly. If you prefer to shop in person, the Citizen Stone showroom will remain open and customers may shop on an appointment only basis.