Two years ago Carlos Pascoll and Ellen Sax set out to open Chicago’s largest destination vintage jewelry and accessories. Every square inch of their space is jam-packed with carefully selected brooches, necklaces and bracelets. Beyond the bling you can accessorize new attire with nostalgic bags, belts and scarves.

With years of retail experience under their belts and a passion for vintage seen in their collection of rotary phones and typewriters, Ellen and Carlos have created a huge haven for the accessories enthusiast.  If vintage is your thing or if you’re looking for a unique piece to make an outfit pop you will absolutely find it here. When asked about her favorite item in her closet, Ellen confessed that it was a vintage Japanese silk jacket bought at a show that she initially wanted to display at the shop but decided to display it in her own closet instead.

Everyone who steps down into Vintage Underground is greeted with a sign that exclaims, “Come Down, It’s Fun!” The owners want to ensure that everyone who enters their vintage retreat has a unique and wonderful experience. You can sign up for their email list to receive emails about any of the fun events that have coming up including discounts, or wine and cheese parties. Of course, if you grab a ticket for You Just Shop’s upcoming vintage tour you can experience this firsthand with a 15% discount the day of the tour!

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Posted under Gems of the Month

I’ve always loved clothing. It started with fashion shows for my barbie dolls and continued through college and beyond when I worked retail.

One of my most memorable moments was in high school when I was visiting my grandparents. My grandparents haven’t thrown anything away since 1965 – including frozen food, canned food and probably beer, and of course, clothing. On this specific day my cousin and I were poking around in their basement – home of hidden treasures – and happened to find garbage bags full of clothing that had belonged to my uncle before, during and after his miliary career. In those bags I was able to restock my wardrobe with old school Levi jeans and fantastic ringer tees – which paired perfectly with my oversized flannel shirts and chuck taylor tennis shoes. Arguably not the most flattering look for girls of the ’90s, but stylish nonetheless.

Since that time, I have rocked bright orange bell bottoms worn by my mother and brooches that belonged to my grandmother. I have learned that vintage, when done properly, can be a unique (and sometimes cost effective) way of expressing yourself. Which is why You Just Shop is dedicating the month of June to some of Chicago’s best vintage stores concluding with a tour (including discounts!) showcasing these nostalgic gems. The shops featured carry everything from 80’s neon to suits that Jackie Onassis would have coveted.  Scared to wear vintage clothing?  Then settle for fantastic accessories. We will have a stylist on the tour helping you with the best way to modernize vintage pieces making this tour a perfect for vintage rookies or mavens.

Check back often to read about these shops that specialize in different time periods, and their owner’s vision.  Hope to see you on June 26th!

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Most women I know would rather spend a night out dancing with their girlfriends than hit the gym.  I’d also venture a guess that most women who saw Demi Moore in Striptease wondered, “Can I do that?”  Luckily, for us Chi-town ladies, there is a place where you can learn how to dance like that, spend some much needed time with the ladies dancing, and NOT wake up wishing you had skipped that last martini.  Sheila Kelly S Factor Chicago is the perfect place to combine friends, fun and fitness and feel great about your body afterwards.

Sheila Kelly was inspired to create S Factor after learning sensual dancing for a film she produced and starred in called The Blue Iguana.  She realized that by teaching the art of pole dancing and sensual movement she could help women feel more confident about their bodies and also improve their physical fitness.  Every month this year, S factor will have Level One classes for women to discover their sexy, inner power.  Their most popular class is the 8-week Original Series of dance classes – sign up now and you’ll be ready to hit the dance floor for all of your summer weddings!

Heather Grajdura is the studio manager at the Chicago location in the West Loop.  When not helping the women of Chicago become more sexy and toned she can be found picking out fresh produce at her favorite local, sustainable market Green Grocer, or strutting her stuff in 8-inch black stilettos – hopefully not while wearing the stilettos!

Check out their website today to sign up for an intro class, and check out their weekly “what’s hot” item.  Use the code “justsexy” now through April 31st, 2010 for 50% off your Intro, plus a side-tie g-string embossed with our signature “S”!  S Factor is located at 1400 W. Hubbard or you can check out the schedule at www.sfactor.com or (312)  492-7596.

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I admit that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. One day is all about food, family and football and then the day right after is all about shopping! What better way to get over your food coma and burn off a few of those pumpkin pie calories than a little retail therapy. We have compiled a list of the best Black Friday deals and upcoming shopping events to make your holiday shopping fun and easy! So leave the skinny jeans at home, break out the stretchy leggings and hit the streets this Friday!

• Shopping for the man in your life has probably never been easy, but fortunately, Melissa Nelson (owner of M2 Boutique on Southport) recognized this and opened a new store, M4Men, on Southport to help you out. To celebrate Black Friday, Melissa will be opening M4Men and M2 1 hour early at 10 a.m. and offering a 20%discount on everything black. (M4Men – 3525 N. Southport Ave., 773.698-6407; M2 – 3527 N. Southport Ave., 773.248-9866)
• More of Westside gal? No need to fret, there are many stores in Bucktown and Wicker Park offering fabulous deals too! Start your morning at Pump shoes (1659 W. Division St., opens at 11) where you can save 20% off shoes and boots all weekend….and on Friday only, 40% off your second pair, 50% off your 3rd pair, ok, I think you got it!
• Strut in your new boots down to Le Dress (1741 W. Division St.) where you can save up to 40% starting at 10 a.m.
• Had enough yet? Yeah, didn’t think so. Mosey on up to Beta Boutique (2016 W. Concord St.) where they are celebrating Black Friday by giving you a 20% discount on all black dresses in the store.
• Last but definitely not least, head on down to the West Loop where Bess and Loie is hosting a final sale “Black Friday Flea” where all merchandise will be discounted 50%-90%. The store closes its doors that day at 7 PM.
• Just in case your shopping isn’t taken care of on Friday, there are plenty more shopping events coming up in Chicago. The first of which is Shop IN Chicago hosted by CeCe and Melinda of Raymi Productions. Check out designs and accessories by premier Chicago designers at the legendary Drake Hotel. (Wednesday, December 2nd 5 p.m – 9 p.m., 140 E. Walton Place.)
• December 3-6, The Merchandise Mart hosts the annual One-of-a-Kind show where over 500 designers and artists will set up shop for the weekend to help you find gifts for those people who already have anything.

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