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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Inspire, Accessorize

Erin Gallagher is the perfect place for men struggling to create an original piece for their special someone, gals in the know who want to showcase their personal style with a one-of-a-kind gem, and of course, brides who want to create the perfect look for their bridal party.  With accessories ranging from $50 to $1000, Erin Gallagher accommodates a great look for any check book.  The entire EG Team is so very helpful they are great reminders as to why it is great to shop local and support local artists.

Erin Gallagher is also available for jewelry parties!  Host one at home, at the office, or bring 10 girlfriends to her store after hours to create your own masterpiece from their over 25 styles and hundreds of gems.  Or if you’re active in a charity, host a Robin Hood event where a portion of the proceeds goes towards that charity.

Erin was inspired to create beautiful things at a young age by her mother, an interior designer.  Together they started designing jewelry and within a year had pieces at Bloomingdales and were celebrating a wonderful, dynamic partnership.  Erin then tragically lost her mother to cancer but was motivated to continue designing by the memory of her mother and the values instilled by her.

Just recently Erin moved her first retail location from the West Loop to Lincoln Park where she and her team are anxiously awaiting their grand opening on Webster Street – scheduled for April 1^st!

Celebrate your unique femininity in Erin’s fun, fabulous space that does her family proud.

Erin Gallager

1013 W. Webster

866-582-6709

www.egjewelry.com and http://eringallagher.wordpress.com/

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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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