Places We Love: WFLP

As my husband and I headed to his alma mater a couple of years ago to watch a college basketball game he turned to me and said "we're headed to the promised land” (there was no religious connotation – he was trying to be humorous). I knew he was a little crazy about college basketball, but I wondered how anyone could feel so strongly about such a random place. Since I wasn’t a fan, I felt pretty disconnected. After experiencing the energy in the stadium and witnessing his excitement, I began to understand where he was coming from. Still, I wanted to experience those emotions for a place that was special to me.

This year I found that place. I’m genuinely excited every time I walk in and smell the aroma of fresh organic produce mixed with the earthy scent of coffee and natural sundries. That place is the new Whole Foods in Lincoln Park (or WFLP). I know … Whole Foods? Get out much? However, this is not your average Whole Foods. It’s a monster, three story Whole Foods – closer to the size of an Ikea than a grocery store.

The Lincoln Park Whole Foods popped up earlier this year in a formerly industrial no-man’s land, directly across from a strip-club (whose business may have declined since WF placed its checkout lines directly across from its front door). It’s the third largest Whole Foods in the world behind the Kensington, London and Austin flagship locations. In addition to aisles and aisles of fresh food and an amazing premium body-care section there is a beer garden, wine bar, taqueria, pizzeria, sandwich shop, diner, gelateria, cookie bar, coffee shop, barbeque stand, Asian noodle/sushi bar and bakery.

I'm pretty sure I know what my husband was talking about now.

Chicago's Newest Landmark

Things We Love: Leggings

I have to admit, there are times when I don’t feel like wearing a dress. Even if those times are relatively rare, when I do wear something else I often choose leggings. Leggings are one of the rare articles of clothing that are super comfortable and stylish. You can easily pair them with a tank, chunky sweater or casual Tee – it all looks great.  A personal favorite: pair leggings with knee-high boots (heeled or flat) in the winter.

Leggings offer one of the best ratios of fashion-forwardness to minimal effort in women's clothing. Not to mention, how often is a super-stylish staple so inexpensive? Black leggings are a must-have, but if you’re wearing them frequently, gray and brown are good options. Or, if you're cute enough to pull it off, go all out...

Effortlessly Chic

Overdressing (or Just Dressing for Some)

I don’t need to tell anyone who knows me where I fall within the spectrum of underdressed to overdressed. For instance, I didn’t own a pair of jeans until after I finished college. Before visiting my husband’s family at their home in New Mexico for the first time I purchased a “low key” wardrobe in an attempt to blend in. My husband and I still laugh about the morning he picked me up at the airport and barely recognized me in my faux-shearling jacket and uncomfortable jeans (still wearing high-heeled boots, of course … you can’t give up everything). Simply put, it was not “me.” It was one of the few times in my adult life that I tried to conform to what I thought someone else might like. Fortunately, his wonderful family accepted the overdressed me and it didn’t take long (later the same day) for me to return to my preferred style.

An overdresser from an early age

The fact is, it shouldn’t matter if you’re overdressed or underdressed as long as you are dressing for the person that matters most … YOU!! It’s important to find and stay true to your personal style and be comfortable no matter what the scenario.