MAXI DRESS by CLARA

Clara is such a gorgeous and stylish girl! She looks just amazing in this Zara maxi dress inspired on 70's Peasant Prairie Style. The Dotty Hippie Boho pattern is sweet and romantic, and the hairsyle and bag are just perfect for the look. Thank you for being so natural, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

LOVE YOUR KIMONO? KEEP ON WEARING IT THIS FALL

    

     Untraditional kimono tops are becoming a hot item for fall 2011. Kimonos might be just what you need for a transitional fall piece. If you want to recycle your summer must into a hot fall look I suggest you this outfits built up on your closet basics: Black cocktail dress + ballerinas + kimono or Black tank top + leggings + kimono.

What about black riding boots with the leggings? SO CHIC!

SO CHIC PICKS: SKIRT AND BAG



Do you feel like being inspired? Looking for something Chic for Cheap? Then this section is for you!

Skirt 10.95 Euro at ChollosChic.

Bag 15 Euro at Needles and Pins.

Te apetece inspirarte? Buscas algo Chic a buen precio?

Esta es tu sección! Falda 10.95 E y Bolso 15 E. Los encontrarás en los enlaces de más arriba.

BOHO STYLE by ALBA

Alba has the key to achieving a super-chic boho style. Bohemian fashion style is influenced by every corners of the world, so adding a little bit of exotic flair is a must. With the right mix, she achieved a chic bohemian style and look stunning without evoking any signs of sloppy hippie vibe.

Look at the accessories (hat, jewelry, shoes etc.) she’s wearing and pick the ones that you would like to infuse into your own style. I totally adore the safari style bag. The sandals are from Marypaz and she made her own necklace. The earing is from H&M and the hat is from Stradivarius.

THE GREEN MILL; TURN YOUR CLOSET GREEN!

The Green Mill is a historic and a vintage site in Chicago with its own unique look. This night club holds a warm, sophisticated, and glowing atmosphere. The Mill is filled with deep smoky jazz sounds, played bylegendary figures, such as Sheila Jordan, who I had the privilege to enjoy a few nights ago.

El "Green Mill" es un lugar histórico, y decididamente Vintage, en Chicago con un ambiente único. Este club tiene una atmósfera sofisticada y vibrante. El "Mill" se llena de densos sonidos Jazz, tocados por figuras legendarias como Sheila Jordan, a quien tuve el placer de ver en directo hace unos días.

Here you will find shades of Al Capone's heyday on the walls as you enter and in the famous booth where he and his henchmen could keep a cautious eye on both doors.  Every night in the far corner stands Stella, the image of Ceres, Goddess of Harvest. This sculpture was found in the basement of The Green Mill, dusted off, and returned to compliment the authenticity of the early 20th century décor in the light fixtures and lavishly framed artworks. The ambience is stylish and decadent but uniquely comfortable to all audiences as far as they commingle in their mutual respect for the music, and the taste of the best drinks in Chicago!     The Mill is a club with such a style achieved breathing new life into old stuff. It seems natural to me have met Patrick there, a fiction writer that is remarkable for creating his own style rather than subscribing to fad trends. He gave me a lesson on how to enjoy fashion in a more creative and sustainable way. He’s wearing a white tank top under a Vichy shirt that is his own design (He customized a bigger garment). The pants were his grandfather’s and the belt is his father’s. His glasses are Ray-Ban and he found the shoes in an alley! In these days of the awareness of re-using and recycling it is incredible what some people just throw away. Our constant craving for something new is choking the earth, and creating style schizophrenics. Wearing Vintage is one way you can be a part of a global effort to produce less. Patrick is a great example of how a little love for your clothes would make all the difference to your look, your pocket and your planet.

Aquí se encuentran rastros de la época dorada de Al Capone, tanto en el muro de la entrada como en el reservado donde él y su banda se sentaban vigilando las dos puertas del local. En el rincón del fondo está Stella, la estatua de Ceres, diosa de la cosecha, que fue encontrada en el sótano, limpiada y devuelta a la sala, para completar la decoración de principios de siglo XX que se respira también en las lámparas y los espectaculares marcos de los cuadros en las paredes. El ambiente es estiloso y decadente pero cómodo para todos los públicos, en la medida en que comulgan en su mutuo respeto por la música y las mejores copas de Chicago! El magnífico estilo del “Mill” se ha creado insuflando nueva vida a los objetos viejos. Me parece lógico haber conocido a Patrick en este club, un escritor de ficción que me destaca por haber creado su propia imagen, en lugar de seguir los dictados de lo que se lleva. Él me dio una lección de cómo disfrutar de la moda de una forma creativa y sostenible. Patrick lleva un tank top blanco debajo de una camis de cuadros Vichy que se hizo él mismo customizando una pieza que le quedaba grande (doy fe de que se la había cosido a mano). Los pantalones eran de su abuelo (atención a las vueltas en el bajo) y el cinturón de su padre. Las gafas son Ray-Ban y los zapatos los encontró al lado de un contenedor! En estos días, en que la  preocupación por reutilizar y reciclar va en aumento, es increíble lo que algunos tiran a la basura. Nuestra constante búsqueda de lo nuevo está dañado la tierra y generando un consumo de la moda compulsivo. Llevar Vintage es un modo de contribuir al esfuerzo global por producir menos. Partick es un gran ejemplo de cómo un poco de cariño hacia tu ropa puede marcar la diferencia en tu look, tu bolsillo y tu

                                                                                                                                                                                     planeta.

H&M CHICAGO

It is not that I want the Fall to come... but in the August edition of ELLE I found this irresistible outfit ...

And I thought... well I have the only single thing she's missing.... 

This hat is from H&M (men) from four winters ago. I'm still loving it and  I still don't skip the men's section whenever I drop into an H&M. 

Right now in their stores you can find a beautiful jacket like the one the model is wearing for $30. It cannot be any more chic for so cheap!

Tonight walking Michigan Avenue, the advertisement below stood out. It is in the window of Salvatore Ferragamo store. This look is built combining the same kind of patterns and with the gorgeous bag.  Here we have the safe bet for the

                                                                 new season. Will I find an inexpensive version?

No es que yo quiera que llegue el otoño… pero en el n’umero de agosto de Elle encontr’e este irresistible estilismo y pens’e, bueno, yo tengo lo ‘unico que a ella le falta. El sombrero es de H&M (men), de hace cuatro inviernos. Todav’ia me encanta y a’un sigo visitando la secci’on de chicos cada vez que voy a un H&M. Esta temporada podeis encontrar en sus tiendas una chaqueta preciosa, del estilo de la que lleva la modelo por $30. No puede ser m’as chic por menos dinero! Esta noche, paseando por Michigan Avenue, el anuncio de debajo me ha llamado la atenci’on. Est’a en el escaparate de Salvatore Ferragamo. El look de la imagen combina los mismos estampados y el bolso es precioso. As’i que es una apuesta segura para la nueva temporada. Encontrar’e una versi’on econ’omica?

MY NEW ARTWORKS

A TRIBUTE TO JESUS DEL POZO

                                                                                                                                                 This post is a tribute to Jesus del Pozo, Spanish fashion designer who died yesterday at age 65. Spain's Fashion Creators Association president and fashion designer Modesto Lomba, said although Del Pozo had looked weak in recent months he had worked with commitment and energy to the end. "We have to recognize he was one of the instigators of Spain's current fashion era", said Lomba, "He made possible the reality the rest of us live in today."  Jesus del Pozo's collections were based on the sensuality and romanticism of women. A touch of sophistication was always added to his creations by the details: trims, sculptural elements, handmade finishes, and metalized embroidery, illuminating the Jesus del Pozo woman. His work is a tribute to the feminine spirit which is the main part of his legacy.

ORIENTAL THEATER CHICAGO

                                                           

Last night I went to the play the West Side Story at the Oriental Theater.  I loved the atmosphere of this  old fashioned and stunning location! I brought my camera, but I was so amazed with the space that I only shot the architecture. The play was fantastic and being able to enjoy it with white wine and popcorn was a welcome touch. The atmosphere was much more relaxed than is common in Europe during similar events, so my fears about not being dressed up enough vanished in five minutes. The theater was crowded with an enthusiastic audience that clapped at the end of every single song. This killed the climax somehow, but it was fun and I was caught up in the enjoyable ambiance quickly. It was a great night. I was wearing black jumpsuit from Blanco (20 Euros), blazer from DKNY (bought in Selections for $15), shoes from Zara ($30 on sales) and the snake leather clutch I bougth in Second Time Around ($30). The wooden bracelet is from Sfera in Spain (around 2 Euros).

Anoche estuve en el teatro Oriental viendo West Side Story. Me encant’o la atmosfera de este edificio antiguo y deslumbrante. Me  llev’e la c’amara, pero impresionada como estaba con el espacio, no hice fotos m’as que de la arquitectura. La representaci’on fue fant’astica y  se pod’ia entrar a la sala con los aperitivos del bar, as’i que agradec’i el vino blanco con palomotas mientras la ve’ia. La atm’osfera era mucho m’as relajada de lo que es habitual en Europa en los teatros, as’ que la preocupaci’on por no haberme arreglado bastante se me pas’o a los cinco minutos. El teatro estaba llen’isimo con un p’ublico entusiasta que aplaud’ia al final de cada n’umero. La verdad es que al principio me pareci’o que estropeaban el climax de la funci’on, pero al poco tiempo estaba tan animada que me contagi’e del ambiente. Fue una noche genial. Llevaba un mono de Blanco (20 E), la Americana es de DKNY (comprada en Selections por 15 $), los zapatos son de las rebajas de Zara (20 E) y el clutch de segunda mano en Second Time Around (30 $). La pulsera de madera lacada es de Sfera (2 E).

AREN'T THE ART MUSEUMS SO INSPIRING?

            Intimate Ballet, 2010 Martin Soto Climent (Mexican b. 1977)
Each Tuesday of the summer, the MCA Chicago is the place to be. Start off your Tuesday with the City of Chicago Farmer’s Market on the plaza. From 11 am to 2 pm, the all-ages drop-in Summer Studios invite you to draw inspiration from artwork in their exhibitions. Join people from all corners in the world in this remarkable building . The exhibition Pandora’s Box features artwork by American artist Joseph Cornell alongside works by other contemporary artists. By displaying these artworks together the exhibit invites you to find visual, material, and thematic connections among them.

I recommend relaxing on the audio/video installation “Sip My Ocean” from Pipilotti Rist. In the evening, the live Jazz concert series Tuesdays on the Terrace brings some of the most fashionable people together from all over the city. There I met Catalina and Daniel from Texas, both wearing H&M Total Look. You guys cannot be any cuter! 
Thanks to both of you.

It is tuesday and the MCA in Chicago is for free. I'm going there for the third time this summer! The Mark Bradford exhibit is amazing, and there's a street market on the front sidewalk with delicious food and gorgeous flowers. I'm wearing denim Babydoll found in Second Time Around ($5), Pequena Turulata earrings (20 Euros) and a Gingko leaf pin ($28) from Robie House Museum Shop (Frank Lloyd Wright's Home + Studio at Oak Park)

Let's see what I learn today!

PLATO'S CLOSET

Yesterday I went to Plato's Closet. It is a retail store with a huge selection of fashionable used clothing and accessories in current style for very cheap. Plato's Closet offers cool stuff from all seasons and a huge variety of brands at great prices. It has been great to discover a location where a good bargain hunter can spot a chic and very affordable outfit. They buy and sell clothes, shoes, sunglasses, purses, watches, and more, so you are guaranteed to walk out with something that you love. A plus: take the chance to clean out your closet, being eco-friendly, and get paid for it!

TOP forever 21 $10, SKIRT Heritage $8, blue stone NECKLACE $4, PEEP TOES Carlotte Russe $5.

SWEATER Hollister $17, PURSE Bueno $6, BALLERINAS All Black $6.

MY FIRST TIME IN FOREVER 21

I have never heard of this brand!

I arrived to Chicago from Spain just three weeks ago. The first week I was too

jet-lagged and barely saw around much but the stunning city with its huge

sky-scrapers and busy downtown.

The second week I started studying at SAIC.  Even though I was under the stress of starting my classes, I started noticing the people here have a look that is very different than mine.  I felt a little out of place.  On the third week, I created this blog to give something back to the city that is giving me so much. And, at the end of the week Chicago gave me Forever 21!

I’m very used to Zara in Spain and I can tell Forever 21 is its American counterpart. However, Zara stores here are not quite the same bargain as they are in Spain.

I found some interesting pieces in Forever 21 that I will share very soon. For now here is Elisabeth Rodriguez, a gorgeous and helpful employee dressed on this brand clothes. She is a very good example of a talent for making the simple look chic.

Thanks Elisabeth, for your time and for your charming smile.

DINNER

Dinning out is always a chance to try your latest outfits. I chose this for dinner: H&M skirt ($29.90) and a Zara classic T-shirt you can find anywhere (If you don't have one in your closet you'd better hurry up!).  You do know the peep-toes, and the black leather bag is vintage (Bought for 3 Euros in Rastrell Valencia, Spain). The bracelets are from H&M last season, but there is something similar n Forever XXI. I had dinner at Fox & Obel. Don't miss the Pear salad! It was delicious.

LOU KRAMER

How to be so CHIC for CHEAP? Dig through your mother's closet! Lou is my first queen of style. Simple and gorgeous in her outfit, she’s wearing a well-balanced look. Blouse + shorts + flat sandals + bandolier bag are always a winning combination, a contemporary classic. If we pay attention to the details we'll find the clues for this style. Lou is wearing a vintage blouse from her mother's wardrobe (good job) with a beautiful floral pattern, black short Levi's (everyone's basic jeans), ankle sandals (she found them for very cheap at Gabriel Brothers), and a gorgeous leather bandolier from Target. The horn-rimmed glasses are cute and give her grace and personality. Thank you Lou for being so cool, and tell your mom we love her!

LOVE IT!

I'm going out with my camera hunting for your own stylish outfits!  I'm wearing H&M Tank Top ($7.95) and Capri pants from Anthropologie (108 N. State Street Chicago) on sale now for $29.95, in the narrow room upstairs. I really loved the feel of the pants (55% silk 45% cotton). They cannot be any more comfortable! I decided to buy big ones to turn them into "baggies".  The brown leather bag is vintage and the shoes give a hint of cuteness to the look, making it more feminine. You can find something similar at www.prettyballerinas.com
A clue: try different sizes in the fitting room, you may discover a plus of style in not wearing just the "right" one.

I hope you like the look and to be inspired by you out there!

To be my first post I wanted something significant enough of the spirit of the blog, and this is one of my favourite finds in Chicago. I bought this snake leather handbag in Second Time Around, 108 West Armitage Avenue, for $50, what is just awesome. I hope you'll enjoy there finding your own hidden treasures.

www.secondtimearound.net