Inside the Apartments of Cool Creative Couples

The Eclectic Soho Loft of Artists John Currin and Rachel Feinstein

The Minimalist Wall Street High-Rise of Designers Robert Geller and Ana Beatriz Lerario

The Bohemian Brooklyn Townhouse of Artists Vik Muniz and Janaina Tschape

Art Fairs vs. Art Festivals

New York has the Armory Show, London has the Frieze Art Fair, Berlin has Art Forum Berlin, Basel has Art Basel, Miami Beach has Art Basel Miami Beach, LA has Art Los Angeles Contemporary and artLA and Chicago has Art Chicago. These may be some of the biggest and most well known art fairs in the World, but there is a more community oriented vehicle pushing the boundaries of contemporary art and design - the advent of the regional art festivals. This weekend Chicago hosted the Bucktown Arts Festival. Here are some of the booths that deserve recognition where one of a kind arts and crafts were on display - some could even serve as some DIY inspiration.

Ken Wilson

Ronda Ruby Ceramics

Denise Riesen

Circa Cermaics Chicago

Carol Ryan

The September Issues

I love September Issues as much as I love September weather. I've been on a hunt to find the perfect vintage bookstores in Chicago, complete with a well curated selection of international and indie magazines and limited editions of art and design books...you know, something similar to St. Mark's Bookshop, Strand or McNally Jackson. Unfortunately, it looks like they don't exist. So, after a few failed attempts of searching, I gave in and headed to Barnes & Noble where the selection of indie and international magazines is limited - most notably missing were Corduroy and the international issues of Bazaar. Now all Chicago needs is an independent bookstore to carry these missing links and some good old fashion New York sample sales!

Fall Fashion Wishlist

My Top Five Fall Fashion Must-Haves!

The Row Shift Dress

Maison Martin Margiela Distressed Ankle Boot

Opening Ceremony Pullover with Pockets

SARCA's Lena Erziak Sean Calf Hair Bag

DANNIJO Bea Necklace

Hotel Intel - South Beach Edition

With Art Basel Miami Beach just a few short months away, I have had a number of inquiries on where to stay and what to do. Well, here it is, my thoughts on the best of Miami Beach...all determined through months of primary research!

Best Spot to Escape the Heat - The Lobby at The Delano

Best Restaurant (Lunch) - Cecconi's at The Soho House

Best Restaurant (Dinner) - Bond St at the Townhouse Hotel

Best Hotel Pool Party - The Rooftop Pool at the Gansevoort

Best Hotel Pool Lounging - The Pool Scene at the W

Best Daytime Drink Spot - The Pool Bar at The Setai (the frozen mojito is the bomb!)

Best Low Key Night Spot - The Martini Bar at The Raleigh Hotel

Best Hotel Library Collection - The Setai Residences

Best Hotel Art Collection - The W

Best Wellbeing Retreat - The Spa at the Standard Hotel

Best Place to Shop - The Webster

Fashion Ads Turned Art Turned Awesome

For any of you who were at my end of Sotheby's / 26th birthday party in NYC, you probably saw the work of Hooper Turner gracing the hotel room. Hooper is one of my favorite New York based emerging artists. His new work touches on the art of fashion ads in a similar way that fashion's great photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin's exhibit at the Andrea Rosen Gallery did last Spring. So he is a copy cat, but at least he does it well...imitation is the best form of flattery!

New work by Hooper Turner

Chic C'est Leurs Vies

Three fashionable friends. Three very different styles. All inspire me. See what inspires them!

Ali Weiner - New York City

Who is your style icon? I don't think that I have a single style icon, but the first was certainly my mother who taught me the importance of cut and quality above all else.

What is your favorite place to shop? Another hard one! If I had to name one store it would probably be Barneys for its wide selection of both emerging and established designers as well as shoes and bags. Oh the shoe floor...just the thought of it makes me quiver!

What is the must-have item in your wardrobe? My must have item is probably a comfortable yet stylish black boot, and no, I won't say how many different pairs I own... I'm very into footwear and I like things that transition well from day to night. I can already tell that my new pair of Alexander Wang Ashley boots are going to be a fall favorite that I can wear with jeans during the day or dresses at night.

What is one word that describes your personal style? eclectic

What inspires your personal style? My personal style is inspired constantly by things I come across either on the streets, in magazines, or online. I also have an extremely fashionable group of friends who keep me on my toes and up on most things! I read a lot of fashion blogs but sometimes I'll simply see a vintage photo, a painting, smell a candle, or admire a piece of fabric my mother has just purchased and be immediately inspired. I feel like I'm always running home to see if I have a version of want I've just imagined or can somehow fashion it out of what I've got until I have time to go hunting for just the right thing out in the world. I'm very willing to try new things, though that does mean I have a lot of fashion horrors in my past. Right now I'm obsessed with all things coral! Coral lipstick, coral pants, coral polka dots...

Inside Ali's Closet (photo 1- mostly vintage, photo 2- YSL vintage black shorts, Alexander Wang Ashley boots, Chloe jacket, Proenza Scouler PS1 bag, Vanessa Bruno pants (coral), Phillip Lim pants (tan), Rodatrte for Opening Ceremony Dress, Vintage green dress, Chanel bag, Acne pants (black), Phillip Lim shoes.)

Alexis Cozzini - Chicago

Who is your style icon? In terms of an actual person, I pretty much wish I were Olivia Palermo. Oh and Pippa Middleton.

What is your favorite place to shop? SARCA of course! And then Luxury Garage Sale. I'm obsessed with some of the vintage and designer pieces I have purchased from them. Other than that, I absolutely LOVE to shop at various boutiques in London and Rome.

What is the must-have item in your wardrobe? I have two pieces that I know I will never get rid of- one is a Matthew Williamson silk blouse that is insanely heavily beaded and embellished with crystals. It's from his Spring 2006 collection. And one is a custom dress from Doucette Duvall called the Zsa Zsa. It's made with vintage brocade, has a poufy, ruffled skirt, and the top features a plunging V neckline.

What is one word that describes your personal style? Over the past year my style has matured a little. I'd like to call it "Urban Polished" and I know that's not one word :)

What inspires your personal style? That's a hard question because there are a lot of people, or sources that I draw inspiration from. Harper's Bazaar and Elle Decor definitely influence my style. Right now I really like drawing fashion inspiration from art and interior design.

Alexis Cozzini (I like to think of Alexis' looks as glam and uber trendy)

Her style icons - Olivia Palermo and Pippa Middleton

Erin - Chicago

Who is your style icon? Rachel Bilson and Blake Lively. Call me unoriginal, but they are my style icons.

What is your favorite place to shop? I would say Anthropologie, but I try not to overdo it there since it's so popular. I like to take a piece from anthro and mix it with other gems that I find elsewhere to create a look of my own.

What is the must-have item in your wardrobe? A strapless nude bra. I love showing shoulders.

What is one word that describes your personal style? In two words, modern vintage. It sounds weird, but I like to think it's a vintage look, but new age. If I had to add in a third descriptor, it would be "preppy modern vintage". I sound confused, but really, I'm not.

What inspires your personal style? Finding great pieces that are durable and lasting, but also on sale. I rarely buy a piece that's full-priced. Also, being able to take an artical of clothing and dressing it up, dressing it down, or taking it somewhere in the middle so that I get as much use out of it as I can, without killing a look... or a budget.

Erin (I like to think of Erin's looks as Bohemian Chic and Preppy)

Her style icons - Blake Lively and Rachel Bilson

New Work by Purgid

Pete is living in Shanghai now and being an artist there indefinitely. Through the new Asian influence on his work, he is now referring to himself as Purgid. Here is a sneak peak into some of his new work which includes silk screened tees and a swan lake. You be the judge...

West Loop Story

Yesterday I spent all day in the West Loop checking out the gallery district there and venturing over to Leslie Hindman Auctioneers to see just what the only live auction house in Chicago is all about. I think the pictures say it all. Good-bye glamour and glitz of the Upper East Side and Rockefeller Center, hello meat markets of Chicago. So the area is a little more raw than I anticipated, but it has its perks. For one, the Rhona Hoffman gallery is a great space and represents some very talented and established artists. Another, Leslie Hindman has some must-see auctions coming up, most notably the Sept. 20th Vintage Couture and Accessories Sale. I have posted the fall sale schedule below.

Leslie Hindman Headquarters

The hood

Fall Sale Schedule