Things aren’t always what they appear to be — especially when April Fool’s Day is around the corner. Keep people guessing with these offbeat picks.
Ella, ella, ella
Don’t let April showers get you down — these happy little umbrella girls will brighten the day. $30. fredflare.com
Temporary tats
Make a mark with these tattoo band-aids. $4.95. funkybathroom.com
Snakes on a chain
Made from actual snake vertebrae, this Erica Weiner necklace is definitely a conversation piece. $45. ericaweiner.com
About vase
This playful CB2 vase is a great and unexpectedly cool centerpiece for your kitchen table. $6.95. cb2.com
Heel deal
These Marc Jacobs shoes are the most coveted — and weirdest — thing you can put on your feet for spring. $595. For more info, call 212-343-1490.
Ring tone
It’s a phone! It’s a bag! It’s a phone! No, it’s a bag. Betseyville by Betsey Johnson PVC Phone Bag, $68. betseyjohnson.com
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CHECK OUT
This weekend’s best bargains and events
Swap-O-Rama-Rama
AV-aerie, 2000 W. Fulton St.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, bring at least one bag of clothes or linens to swap, and be ready to dive into the pile to find your own. Take ’em for free, and then attend a DIY workshop or the sewing stations to make them your own. Tickets range from $9 to $19 at swaporamarama.org.
Hubba Hubba
3309 N. Clark St.; 773-477-1414
The boutique holds a March Madness sale through Monday, where customers shoot hoops for discounts. Each customer gets five attempts: Make one basket to take 15 percent off the entire purchase or up to five baskets, which earns 50 percent off one item.
Click Shoes
3729 N. Southport Ave.; 773-244-9141
From 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, get 15 percent off spring shoes as well as free appetizers and drinks.
Left Bank Jewelry
1155 W. Webster Ave.; 773-929-7422
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, check out the in-store jewelry event called “Veils andCocktails” with Toronto-based wedding accessory designer Laura Jayne Patterson, who creates jewelry and veils. Appointments are suggested.
– CHICAGO MAGAZINE
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WHAT’S IN STORE
Madison and Friends Outlet; 1963 N. Halsted St.; 312-943-0436
Outlet alert!
The owners of Madison and Friends (43 E. Oak St., 312-642-6403) and The Denim Lounge (2004 W. Roscoe St., 773-935-2820; 43 E. Oak St., 312-642-6403) have replaced the stand-alone Tween store in Lincoln Park with a new Madison and Friends Outlet.
The outlet carries sale merchandise, sample sizes and limited edition items leftover from manufacturers for both The Denim Lounge and Madison and Friends.
“It’s the same brands,” co-owner David Shelist says. “It’s a good mixture of current season, end of season, and consignment [from manufacturers]. It’s not picked over, and it’s all of our name brands, not items we bring in just for an outlet store.”
Find children’s lines such as Flowers by Zoe, Joe’s Jeans and True Religion and adult clothes from Serfontaine, Hudson, and Ed Hardy.
New pieces will arrive every 10 days and are marked 30 percent to 90 percent off original prices.
– CHICAGO MAGAZINE
