When I'm invited to a boutique opening, I always assume that there will be some kind of discount, free drinks and/or the occasional gift bag. All of which are great ways to attract a following, especially when you are new on the scene, but tends to become boring(as a blogger)after the first 20 you go to.

At a recent opening I went to, I definitely was not bored. It was because this time, the owners did something a little different. Instead of having their party IN their store, they had it ABOVE, on the the rooftop of the building their new boutique is housed.

The view was amazing and of course, the Champagne and chocolate fondue station were nice, too!

The new boutique I'm talking about is Michelle Levelle. The high-end dress boutique will be selling gorgeous dresses and is by appointment only. Pretty fancy.

It was no surprise, with the caliber of this party, that beautiful Chicagoans abound. In the crowd I spotted a top model and project runway alum.

Did I mention the hot tub? Yea, this was definitely the best boutique opening in a while. Check out Michelle Levelle's designs at www.michellelevelleboutique.com

Maybe you already know (I'm not sure if it's a Chicago-thing or not)...

...though, if you don't, you'll quickly find out that the word 'treated' has taken on a new meaning. According to the urban dictionary, treated is the slang word for 'being put down', 'embarrassed by somebody' or 'dissed' in some way.

For example, if I said something like, "That girls dress looks like a stretched out sweater that was ravaged from the pile of L.A.M.B's Spring 08 discards", you would say, "Oh shit, she just got TREATED!". That is, if you use that kind of speak. Personally, I would just say, "TREAT-EDDD!".

The people that put on the Thursday night party at the Underground in Chicago are obviously familiar enough with the phrase to name their weekly event after it.

The party, which has hosted notable DJ's like Flosstradamus, Skeet Skeet and Mano, is geared toward the Wicker Park set, even though the venue is nestled in the bourgeois Gold Coast area. Because of the location the party tends to attract the neighborhood's socialites, people who know people and people who want to know people.

This party is ALWAYS packed so be prepared to wait in a long line, have no room to dance (once you do get in) and spend at least 50 bux on drinks or should I say, get TREAT-EDDD!

Apparently this guy, DJ Poet, is Will.I.Am's DJ but you know I never know who anyone is when I meet them.

The night I snapped this photo he was DJing for Ashlee Simpson's private event at The Underground. It was so much fun!

I got to stand in line for an hour, in 10 degree weather while the security guards told me that they were at capacity AND that I might not be on the list (they couldn't seem to make up their mind).

In the end, it worked out just fine. They realized (once my right hand was frost bitten from texting) that they made a mistake and I was overlooked....OOPS! So then I got to go down and meet my friends, who were all completely drunk and sit court side to watch Ashlee's 10 minute performance.

One overpriced drink later, I busted the hell out of there caught up to DJ Poet on the street.

I thought his style was totally cute...in a grown up skater kind of way.

At some point in his early thirties (I hope) he'll need to ditch the backpack and chain wallet because that shit doesn't stay cute forever.

I have taken my share of pictures at my friends' space, the WOR Loft, over the last few months. I feel pretty bad shooting style photos at the same place over and over again but I can't help it. It's just that it has been incredibly cold this winter (which has, sadly, hindered the street shots) but also, every time I go, I can't help but find people I think are pretty interesting, it's just that kind of place. I hope you understand...

If you're not from Chicago, you should probably know that everyone from (or around) the city is incredibly proud of being a native. I can probably name 5 people, off the top of my head, with Chicago flag tattoos and I think 3 of them are transplants.
On that note, speaking as a native Chicagoan, I went to the best art show EVER. At 'HELLO My Name Is CHICAGO: The Art Edition' the room was filled with amazing pieces that depicted Chicago culture. The place was packed and this time I don't think it was for the free booze( Grolsch...eek!)
Doesn't She kind of look like Kim Gordon?




One of the few times I will agree with rain boots.


A "killer" Chicago newspaper stand. AHHHH!