eBay Mobile Boutique: 10 To-Dos in Chicago This Season

Sure, most big cities are magical places to be during the holidays, but Chicago really shines in the midst of this most merry of seasons. From the magnetic draw of gift shopping on the Magnificent Mile (be sure to pick out something for yourself, too!) to the fairytale wonders of Millennium Park and Navy Pier, the Windy City warms up to holiday visitors like a cup of hot cocoa. Be sure to stop at the eBay Mobile Boutique in the Wrigley Building on November 10th and 11th from 10 am to 7:30 pm, then find your way to at least a few of our top ten things to do in Chicago during the holiday season.

1. Bertha Honore Palmer Exhibition at Chicago History Museum

1601 N. Clark Street, Chicago, 312-642-4600 www.chicagohs.org, through January 4, 2010

Explore the A-list life and wardrobe of Bertha Honore Palmer, a.k.a. the Tinsley Mortimer of her time. Palmer reigned the Chicago social scene at the turn of the 20th century and had the glamorous gowns to prove it, many of which are now on display at the Chicago History Museum’s Costume and Textile Gallery. Gaze at more than a dozen of Palmer’s ensembles, considered to be some of the Victorian era’s most opulent looks, to celebrate the anniversary of the grande dame’s 160^th birthday.

2. The 102^nd Annual Great Tree and Holiday Windows Display at Macy’s on State Street

111 N. State Street, Chicago, 312-781-4884 www.macys.com, through January 4, 2010

A trip to Chicago during the holiday season wouldn’t be complete without a stroll past Macy’s on State Street’s magical window displays. This year’s theme, “Believe,” weaves a warm-hearted tale based on children’s letters to Santa. Make your way up to the legendary Walnut Room, located on the flagship store’s seventh floor, to enjoy lunch (try the delish chicken pot pie!) under the 45-foot Great Tree, which is merrily adorned with 10,000 lights and 1,200 holiday ornaments.

3. Fix Boutique

1101 W. Fulton Market, Chicago, 312-226-4565 shopfixchicago.com

Grab a cab and head toward the edgy Fulton Market district, where slick art galleries and fashion-forward boutiques share the streets with factories and meatpacking plants (yes, it’s Chicago’s answer to NYC’s Meatpacking District). The lofty, urbane Fix Boutique, which opened in August, caters to Chicago’s fashion elite with covetable lines for women and men like Elizabeth and James, Black Halo and Grace Sun. But the real score is the lower-level V.I.P. dressing area and wet bar, in case you need to satisfy more than just your shopping addiction.

4. “The Nature of Diamonds” Exhibit at the Field Museum

1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, 312-922-9410 www.fieldmuseum.org, through March 28, 2010

Make your holiday season a glittering affair at this stunning new exhibition at the Field Museum. Almost 800 sparklers are on display for your oohing and aahing pleasure, including some of the world’s most exquisite (and largest) gemstones. Trace how this tough mineral became every girl’s best friend. Don’t miss “The Vault,” where you can ogle baubles from top designers and pieces owned by everyone from Mae West to Catherine the Great of Russia.

5. The New Barneys New York Store

15 E. Oak Street, Chicago, 312-587-1700 www.barneys.com

Windy City fashionistas were all a-buzz over the unveiling of the brand new Barneys store this summer, which can be found a Louboutin’s toss across from the old emporium. Inside, it’s 90,000 square feet of pure style ecstasy, including a 4,000-square-foot shoe salon, a Barneys Co-Op boutique spread out over two floors and an in-store Frederic Malle display featuring glass columns filled with different swoon-worthy scents. The sleek store also boasts a penthouse-level Fred’s restaurant, complete with gasp-inducing lake views and a toasty stone fireplace.   

6. Green City Market’s Winter Market at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, 773-880-1266 www.greencitymarket.com, Wednesday and Saturday mornings

The city’s beloved farmers’ market doesn’t quit when the temperature dips—it just sets up shop under a big-top tent in the parking lot of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (until December 23, when the operation then moves indoors to the museum’s South Gallery until spring decides to arrive). Drop by any Wednesday or Saturday morning to peruse goods from 46 farmers, such as yummy pumpkin seed brittle from Chicago’s own Floriole Bakery, cheeses from Wisconsin’s Brunkow and fresh pesto from Kinnikinnick Farm in north central Illinois. There’s also an array of chef demos, workshops and events to keep things cooking all season long.

7. Sofia Vintage Clothing & Accessories Pop-Up Shop in Jake

939 N. Rush Street, Chicago, 312-664-5553 www.sofiavintage.com, through November

These two local fashion powerhouses have joined forces for a fun shopping endeavor. Browse an edited assortment of vintage designer clothing, furs, handbags and accessories from the wildly popular Sofia store within the sleek, contemporary confines of Jake, one of the Gold Coast’s most exciting retailers. This inspired combo offers the goods to create your most eclectic holiday party ensemble yet (‘80s-era Bob Mackie paired with Earnest Sewn jeans, anyone?).

8. Elise Bergman Studio at Roslyn

2035 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago, 773-489-1311 www.roslynboutique.com

In an uber-crafty retailing move, established Lakeview emporium Roslyn has opened its doors to Elise Bergman, an emerging Chicago designer with a penchant for making flirty dresses, girly skirts and knits out of vintage fabrics. Bergman has carved out a cozy corner for herself, setting up shop with her entire collection of clothing and accessories nestled amidst antiques (also for sale!) and charming framed prints of birds.

9. “Apostles of Beauty: Arts and Crafts from Britain to Chicago” Exhibition at the Art Institute

111 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 312-443-3600 www.artic.edu, through January 31, 2010

The influential Arts and Crafts movement is meticulously explored in this new exhibit, which is filled with pristine examples of furniture, ceramics, metalwork and more by such acclaimed artists at Frank Lloyd Wright and Gustav Stickley. While you’re at the Art Institute, be sure to also check out the lovingly assembled tribute to the recently departed photographer Irving Penn and the museum’s breathtaking new Modern Wing, which opened to the public this past May.

10. le Dress Boutique

1741 W. Division Street, Chicago, 773-697-9899 www.ledresschicago.com

It’s a girly girl’s dream come true: an entire boutique dedicated to dresses. And in this most festive of seasons, le Dress is a welcome addition to any party girl’s shopping repertoire. Rock a frock from such designers as Susana Monaco, Hype and Laundry, whether you’re dressing for a proper holiday tea or a glam New Year’s Eve blowout. We’ve fallen hard for le Dress’ super-friendly shopgirls and bubblegum pink Barbie-meets-Marie Antoinette interior.