Fashion Icon Friday: Zooey Deschanel

In celebration of the quirky!

Oh, Zooey!  She can serenade us with her smoky voice and she's hilarious as our favorite room-mate, Jess, on 'New Girl'  but we really love Ms. Deschanel for that which we can all relate to on some level or another: awkward cuteness.  She inspires us to embrace our girly-ness while still being different and embracing the alternative.

Adorable casual.

Vamped up, yet sweetly Zooey.

Oh, and this adorable manicure she sported at the Emmy's!

Whether she's pairing tights with a cute, longer top or basking in the frilly confections of sundresses and couture gowns, Zooey always wows with her eccentric signature style and attitude that will not be watered down or subdued.  Zooey, we salute you!

Read More

Feature Sneak Peek: 826CHI

Have you ever found yourself in need of messenger pigeon feed, a disguise kit, or other gadgets and gizmos related to clandestine spy operations?  If so, head on over to an  inauspicious looking storefront in Wicker Park called The Boring Store-- and support a great local cause in the process.  

On the outside, The Boring Store looks like any one of your run-of-the-mill storefronts... boasting its normal-ness and a "nothing to see here" attitude.  However, those in the know will quickly realize that this storefront is actually the headquarters for one of the most impressive organizations in Chicago: 826CHI.

826CHI is the Chicago branch of a non-profit organization called 826 National that was founded by a group headed by writer Dave Eggers.  The group is dedicated to providing free tutoring services in writing to children of all ages.  One of 826CHI's main goals to inspire children to think creatively and to give them the tools to express that creativity in writing.  Funding for 826CHI is partially covered by profits from The Boring Store.  

A few weeks ago, we had the great honor of catching up with 826CHI's ever-enthusiastic executive director, Barry Benson, for a feature article coming up in our next issue due out on March 17th.  Keep an eye out for our next issue to learn more about 826CHI and be sure to check out 826CHI and The Boring Store at www.826chi.org.  

Read More

Fashion Icon Friday: Audrey Hepburn

"If I'm honest, I have to tell you I still read fairy-tales I like them best of all"

-Audrey Hepburn

It is impossible to not fall in love with Audrey Hepburn.  Whether you have seen her as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's, Princess Ann in Roman Holiday, or as UNICEF's Goodwill ambassador, one thing is true of Ms. Hepburn and her style: she is simply timeless.  

While she is known for the glamour of her little black dress and up-swept hair combo from Breakfast at Tiffany's, Hepburn is an icon of simplistic personal style.  She was the pioneer that made skinny jeans with ballet flats a staple for every woman of style and substance.  She also popularized many accessories along the way such as round frame sunglasses and scarves for the waist and neck.  

We found some simple pieces inspired by Ms. Hepburn from a few local and online stores.  Check out our finds!

       From top left to right: Matchstick jeans in garment-dyed denim from J.Crew, Turtleneck sweater from Mango, Adidas Originals Avignon Round Sunglasses, Scarf (amazon),    Necklace from J.Crew, Perfect Oxford Shirt from the Gap, and Leather Peplum top from Express.

Read More

As You Are: A Decade of You Are Beautiful

On Thursday, February 7th, The Green Exchange opened its doors to a powerfully, uplifting exhibit curated by artist Matthew Hoffman.  As You Are: A Decade of You Are Beautiful is an exhibit showcasing the works of numerous artists who, for the last 10 years, have been spreading one message of hope and happiness:

The concept for As You Are began in 2002 when mid-west based artist Matthew Hoffman felt compelled to make an impact by passing on a message of infinite optimism.  He printed 100 stickers with the message "you are beautiful" and began distributing to his friends and posting pictures of them online.  This simple and honest message speaks to the core of every individual that reads it.  You are unique, complex, thoughtful, intriguing... you are beautiful.  Before long, requests began coming in for packages of these stickers and soon Hoffman's message was being broadcast all over the world.  As it spread, "you are beautiful" grew up from tiny stickers to giant murals and public installation pieces and has been interpreted by artists, students and positive thinkers all over the globe who feel the importance of spreading this incredible message.  Recently, Hoffman took to the fundraising website kickstarter to raise funds to publish a book of the compilation of the YAB projects throughout the world. 

The last ten years of the "you are beautiful" project has culminated in the "As You Are" exhibit being shown throughout the month of February in the raw spaces of The Green Exchange, a sustainable business community.  Curated by Hoffman, the exhibit features some of the pieces bearing the YAB message that have been created by various artists throughout the years.  These pieces include large scale installations as well as small handouts such as book marks and stickers.

Halfstack had the great honor of attending the opening for this event, check out our pictures below:

One of the large-scale installations.

  

In keeping with the theme of the project, the YAB exhibit was incredibly generous in encouraging the audience to interact with pieces and put their own mark on a work of art. Guests were invited to write an uplifting message on one piece (above) and on another to contribute imagery to a collective mural (left).

Artist/curator Matthew Hoffman created individual pieces of art for
patrons who waited in line at a desk set up in one of the galleries.

 

In one alcove, Hoffman featured thousands of requests for stickers in the form of letters and pictures sent to him from all over the world.  Close ups of some of these letters are featured below.

                

 

In addition to encouragement and optimism, guests
were also treated to balloons, cupcakes and libations.

The exhibit will be on display and open to the public all through the month of February!  

Be sure to check it out and feel the love!

Hours:

Monday thru Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm  

Saturday: 8:30am - 1:00pm 

Location: 

The Green Exchange

2545 W. Diversey Ave, 2nd Floor

Chicago IL, 60647

Learn more about YAB, Matthew Hoffman, and the Green Exchange below! 

You Are Beautiful

Hey It's Matthew Hoffman

The Green Exchange

Read More

BHLDN Chicago's 1st Anniversary Party!

Inspired from a Dutch word meaning "to keep," the bridal boutique BHLDN Chicago is certainly playing for keeps as it turns one year old this month.  On Thursday, February 7th, BHLDN Chicago celebrated its first anniversary with a fabulous fete held at their store at Walton and State streets.  In addition to celebrating a very special birthday, BHLDN also unveiled pieces from its Spring 2013 line of one-of-a-kind bridal wear that evokes both the charming and the ethereal.  Halfstack was on hand to celebrate with BHLDN and walking through the store we couldn't help but be completely in awe of the dresses and accessories.  

Check out some of our pictures from the event below!

Guests were greeted upon entering the store by this little touch of whimsy; a table adorned with a gorgeous spray of flowers and stacks of antique teacups.  The party was planned and styled by Chicago-based wedding and event planning firm So Dressed Up.  Flower arrangements, sweet treats, and appetizers were provided by locally based companies: Pistil and Vine, Cream and Flutter, and Truffleberry Market.

BHLDN Chicago's own confections were on display on racks throughout the main floor.  With design roots stemming from Anthropologie, every inch of lace, bustle, drape, fold, and sequin is truly unique and  meant to provide a special, one-of-a-kind experience for brides and members of bridal parties.

Upstairs, guests chatted and sipped on Prosecco while meandering through galleries of mannequins donning BHLDN's timeless gowns.   

Special thanks to BHLDN for sharing their special night with us, a fabulous time was had by all!

Check out BHLDN Chicago!

8 East Walton Street 
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.573.2573

www.bhldn.com

  

Read More

Oscar Nominees Score Locally Sourced Swag!

Chicago based designer Jan Lewis has been tapped for the ultimate goody bag: Oscar swag!  Selections from her 2013 line of  bangles will be featured in this year's "Everybody Wins at the Oscars®" nominee swag bag.

The bracelets designed by Lewis will be a part of an epic cache of goodies handed out to all of the nominees as well as host, Seth MacFarlane, the day after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards ceremony.  This is a tremendous honor for Lewis and her locally based company, Jan Lewis Designs, as it means that some of the most sought after names in Hollywood (Anne Hathaway and Jennifer Lawrence to name a few) might soon be touting her beautiful designs all over the world.    

Lewis, a School of the Art Institute of Chicago grad, formed Jan Lewis Designs in 2011 as a part of a fair trade initiative that employs artisans in impoverished areas of India at a fair wage.  Each of Lewis's unique designs is realized through the hand-craftsmanship of workers in India and Lewis has made sure to look out for the well-being of each of those workers.  In addition to ample compensation, the fair trade commission also makes efforts to provide medical care, education, child and elderly care, and vocational training to workers and involved communities.  

To support fair trade initiative and score your own sweet Oscar swag check out www.janlewisdesigns.com or visit Chiaroscuro at Water Tower Place.

Photo courtesy of Jan Lewis Designs.

Read More

Our First-ever Fashion Friday on February First!

Happy Februrary, Readers!  

Welcome to the unveiling of a new weekly feature on the HSM blog: 

FASHION ICON FRIDAY (yay!)

As always, at Halfstack we are drawing inspiration from all over the blogosphere and each week we hope to share that inspiration to our loyal readers.  

In honor of what is sure to be a kick-ass halftime show on Super Bowl Sunday, we are honoring our girl Beyoncé for her effortlessly chic, sporty style-- something I'm sure we'll all be channeling this weekend as we head out to those Super Bowl parties.  

Sure, she is the grammy-winning, multi-million dollar making, voice-of-an-angel, bootylicious wife of rap powerhouse Jay-Z who gets her pick of the latest Gucci, Chanel, Prada, etc... but she still rocks the super-simple and super-cute t-shirt and jeans, reminding us how adorable this style can really be- and we love her for it.  

B's Brooklyn Nets shirt and other vintage inspired sportswear comes from LA based Junk Food Clothing.  Check them out for next season's gear at www.junkfoodclothing.com.  

Still looking for Niners or Ravens wear for this weekend?  Check out your nearest Forever21 for cute, inexpensive, vintage-inspired sportswear like the sweatshirt below (only $22.80!)

Photos courtesy of Forever21.com, junkfoodclothing.com and hiphopwired.com.

Read More