Fellow Chicagoites, stroll with me down Michigan Ave. please!

[Ellen]

I''m going to be in Chicago for a wedding in a few weeks, so I made reservations for an extra day to go bling browsing.

I know this will be hard to believe, but I''ve made it my entire life without ever being in a high end jewelry store.

I honestly never had the desire and opportunity at the same time. But now I will, so I want to make the most of it! My hotel is right off of it.

So what/who are the must sees??

 

[KimberlyH]

Ellen,

Can you please go to Graff so I can live vicariously through you? I''ve never stepped foot in a high end jewelry store either (Tiffany''s doesn''t count in my book), but I walk past Graff and drool every time we''re in Chicago.

~K

 

[Ellen]

Sure! Anything in particular you want me to ogle?

And why haven''t you gone in??



ALSO, any antique places, I''d like to see other OMC''s if possible.

 

[KimberlyH]

I think I would ogle most everything. The designs/craftsmanship of their jewelry is just stunning.

I haven''t gone in because I''m a big ...

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/7/2007 11:25:19 AM
Author: KimberlyH
I think I would ogle most everything. The designs/craftsmanship of their jewelry is just stunning.

I haven''t gone in because I''m a big ...

LOL! For heavens sake, what are you scared of? BUYING something??!!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Ellen, when will you be here? I would love to take a stroll down Michigan Ave. with you if you have time!

But back to the important question at had--where to go. Going from South to North:

Cartier - 630 N. Michigan

Van Cleef & Arpels - 606 N. Michigan

Tiffany - 730 N. Michigan

Then, when you get to 1000 North make a left onto Oak street and on the left side is:

Lester Lampert - 57 E. Oak

Graff - 103 E. Oak*

Trabert & Hoeffer - 111 E. Oak

(*I would honestly skip over Graff on your way to Lester Lampert, and then come back to Graff last because it is [IMHO] THE BEST.)

And BTW girlfriend, you haven''t even GONE NEAR jewelers row on Wabsh with this little stroll. Let me know if you want that info too.

 

[Regular Guy]

Hey DJ, I''ll be back visiting Chicago sooner than later (my old home town). What''s going on that''s interesting to see at Jeweler''s Row?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/7/2007 12:00:02 PM
Author: Dee*Jay
Ellen, when will you be here? I would love to take a stroll down Michigan Ave. with you if you have time!

But back to the important question at had--where to go. Going from South to North:

Cartier - 630 N. Michigan

Van Cleef & Arpels - 606 N. Michigan

Tiffany - 730 N. Michigan

Then, when you get to 1000 North make a left onto Oak street and on the left side is:

Lester Lampert - 57 E. Oak

Graff - 103 E. Oak*

Trabert & Hoeffer - 111 E. Oak

(*I would honestly skip over Graff on your way to Lester Lampert, and then come back to Graff last because it is [IMHO] THE BEST.)

And BTW girlfriend, you haven't even GONE NEAR jewelers row on Wabsh with this little stroll. Let me know if you want that info too.

We're getting in sometime on June 7th. I need to call Amtrack today and get tickets. We've been advised to take the 7:15 AM train

by those in the know. So I'll have part of Thursday (I have no idea if the train will run late, plus check in...), and then Friday all day til probably 4ish? I would love to meet up with you if you can swing it! My SIL is coming in the same time from OH, but she's fun and into bling too.

As far as the other info, will we have enough time? I don't want to rush, and I don't know how busy all these places will be....Whatever you think.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 5/7/2007 12:03:34 PM
Author: Regular Guy
Hey DJ, I''ll be back visiting Chicago sooner than later (my old home town). What''s going on that''s interesting to see at Jeweler''s Row?

that was funny.


How exciting Ellen, Chicago is one city I have never been to

Have fun and take lots of pics pretty please

You and DJ are going to have a blast!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/7/2007 12:46:38 PM
Author: Skippy123


that was funny.


How exciting Ellen, Chicago is one city I have never been to

Have fun and take lots of pics pretty please

You and DJ are going to have a blast!

I haven''t been since I was a little girl. My aunt and uncle lived there for years before moving to FL. The last time I visited, I must have been about 9 or 10. I rode the train all by myself (can you imagine?? couldn''t/wouldn''t do that now) and was in awe of the bustling station once I arrived.

I remember thinking how cool the cab seats were, as they were on a short pole, and round. The back folded down onto the seat part. Not sure if I''m explaining that well. I also went to see the Nutcracker Suite ballet. Aw, fond memories...

I promise to take lots of pics. Check out the hotel, I can just imagine the view!

http://www.sheratonchicago.com/

 

[Skippy123]

Wow, very cool Ellen! My mom went to Chicago and loved it!!! I flew into Chicago on a layover; I was so excited to get Chicago deep dish pizza at the airport. Can you believe they did not sell any?!?!?! Someday I will go

Have fun!!!!

 

[Independent Gal]

Ellen! What Dee Jay said, plus Bulgari which I think is 909 N Michigan.

Cartier and Tiffany are usually a little busy / crowded, but Van Cleef, Bulgari, Graff, Traebert & Hoeffer (yummy!) will get you patient, friendly, not-too-snooty service. Be sure to ask the people at Graff to show you some of their exciting pieces. The staff seem to really love diamodns as much as we do, and take pleasure in showing them to people who appreciate them. They''ve never hesitated to pull out the really serious stuff for me, even though I''m sure they know I''m not buying.

OMG, Graff... just thinking about it makes me droooooool. Their slogan should be ''Why settle for 14 karat when you can have 14 carats?''

Chicago is stunning and the thing (other than jewels) that you mustn''t miss is the Architecture Center''s boat tour. It brings the whole city to life and is run by architects. It can be hard to get tickets, so try to book tehm before you go, maybe?

 

[Dee*Jay]

IG, I'm glad you mentioned Bulgari! I always forget about it since it's on the other side of Michigan.

Ellen, the stores don't open 'till 10ish, so we could always grab breakfast and then go wild. I love to take Fridays off, and what better excuse than a bling fest!? We could easily do the Michigan/Avenue/Oak Street adventure, and then hit jeweler's row later on, but let me manage your expectation a little about jeweler's row. It is almost like a high end flea market, but all they're selling is jewelry. There's really nothing *fancy* going on there, so after the Cartiers and Graffs it might be kind of disappointing for you. Totally your call, but I don't want you to be disappointed.

ETA: Ellen, does Mrs. Salvo have your e-mail by any chance?

Ira, there's not a lot really different going on on the row. Just lots of pieces and a few good stones.

In the spirit of sharing something interesting (to me, anyway) though: I just came back from a jewelry store at lunchtime and one of the jewelers showed me an insurance claim piece he's working to replace. It is a bezel set round stone with a pave halo. The owner knocked it off her bathroom vantiy onto the marble floor and the stone just SHATTERED. The only thing holding it together at this point is the bezel. I've never seen anything like it before. What a disaster.

 

[Independent Gal]

That makes me feel better about dropping my danburite. If the bezel set diamond isn''t safe... no gem is!!!

But that poor lady! That would truly stink.

 

[Ellen]

IG, thanks for the info! That was another one of my questions. What would they let us see/try on? I would definitely let them know I''m just looking. Although I still need a plain WG RHR, nothing fancy, just something to wear hackin around. Maybe I''ll find something, affordable. Is that like a joke?!

And about the tour, thanks. That sounds really neat. Since this is really such a fast trip, I think I''ll save that one. We do intend to go back and take some time to see the sites and visit my nephew and soon to be niece. That sounds like a must!


DeeJay, meeting for brekkie sounds great. Let me check with my SIL just to be sure. I doubt she''ll mind all this, but I got to thinking, it might be nice to consult her before I go mapping out our day.

And I doubt I''d be "dissapointed" with the row. It sounds interesting, and really, I''m easily pleased.

And no, nobody has my email addy.


WOW, what a bummer about her diamond!

 

[emilina22]

definetyly hit up jewelers row!!!! i can spend days on wabash just drooling over what they have...!!!!

 

[Ellen]

OK, sounds like we must do the row too!

 

[Dee*Jay]

OK, so it sounds like: breakfast, Michigan/Oak, lunch, jeweler''s row.

Bring your walking shoes!!!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/7/2007 3:31:22 PM
Author: Dee*Jay
OK, so it sounds like: breakfast, Michigan/Oak, lunch, jeweler''s row.

Bring your walking shoes!!!

LOL! I just went to pick the kids up, and the whole time I''m thinking, ok, what shoes have I got that are really comfy AND fashionable....And how dressed up do you get when browsing these places Dee?


Also, are there any must go to resturants around there? There will be a few of us Thurs. night, and a bunch of us Friday night.

 

[mrssalvo]

ellen, dee jay is the best tour guide and you will love it. you''ll go on about the same bling tour she took me on when I was there last fall and it''s just fabulous. Lester Lampart and Graff were definitely my favorites..and don''t worry, dee jay will go in and ask to try on anything

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/7/2007 4:41:49 PM
Author: mrssalvo
ellen, dee jay is the best tour guide and you will love it. you''ll go on about the same bling tour she took me on when I was there last fall and it''s just fabulous. Lester Lampart and Graff were definitely my favorites..and don''t worry, dee jay will go in and ask to try on anything

K!

 

[mrssalvo]

oh and i''m not Dee Jay, but whenever we go to chicago, getting Pizza is a must..I love Gino''s but uno''s is yummy too. also, there is a chicago dog place called portillo''s that is just super yummy too.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Date: 5/7/2007 4:41:19 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 5/7/2007 3:31:22 PM

Author: Dee*Jay

OK, so it sounds like: breakfast, Michigan/Oak, lunch, jeweler''s row.


Bring your walking shoes!!!

LOL! I just went to pick the kids up, and the whole time I''m thinking, ok, what shoes have I got that are really comfy AND fashionable....And how dressed up do you get when browsing these places Dee?



Also, are there any must go to resturants around there? There will be a few of us Thurs. night, and a bunch of us Friday night.

Ellen, I personally am wearing jeans on this little adventure (unles it''s SUPER hot, in which case I''m wearing a bikini. NOT.). Seriously, don''t get dressed up at all. Wear whatever makes you happy. I figure if they can take my money when I''m dressed up they can take my money when I''m not.

As for restaurants, I looked at the location of your hotel and it really couldn''t be better for just about anything you''re in the mood for. Do you have any ideas in mind? I''ll be happy to steer you toward a few places if you know what kind of food you want.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/7/2007 4:43:50 PM
Author: mrssalvo
oh and i''m not Dee Jay, but whenever we go to chicago, getting Pizza is a must..I love Gino''s but uno''s is yummy too. also, there is a chicago dog place called portillo''s that is just super yummy too.

Thanks! Are those places close?

 

[Dee*Jay]

Date: 5/7/2007 4:41:49 PM
Author: mrssalvo
..and don''t worry, dee jay will go in and ask to try on anything

I''m going to take this as the compliment I''m sure you meant it to be!!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/7/2007 4:48:19 PM
Author: Dee*Jay

Date: 5/7/2007 4:41:49 PM
Author: mrssalvo
..and don''t worry, dee jay will go in and ask to try on anything

I''m going to take this as the compliment I''m sure you meant it to be!!

*LAUGHING*

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 5/7/2007 3:31:22 PM
Author: Dee*Jay
OK, so it sounds like: breakfast, Michigan/Oak, lunch, jeweler''s row.

no...Lunch...Billy Goat Tavern.

Pizza for dinner.

just a suggestion...

 

[Dee*Jay]

Date: 5/7/2007 4:47:57 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 5/7/2007 4:43:50 PM

Author: mrssalvo

oh and i''m not Dee Jay, but whenever we go to chicago, getting Pizza is a must..I love Gino''s but uno''s is yummy too. also, there is a chicago dog place called portillo''s that is just super yummy too.

Thanks! Are those places close?

I just looked at the map and Gino''s (the original one) is .7 miles from your hotel and Portillo''s is .9 miles, so definitely "close" by city walking standards. (Or less than a $5 cab ride.)

 

[Dee*Jay]

Date: 5/7/2007 4:52:32 PM
Author: Regular Guy

Date: 5/7/2007 3:31:22 PM

Author: Dee*Jay

OK, so it sounds like: breakfast, Michigan/Oak, lunch, jeweler's row.

no...Lunch...Billy Goat Tavern.


Pizza for dinner.


just a suggestion...

No Pepsi -- COKE!

No fries -- CHEEPS!



LOL Ira!!

(Poor Ellen, she has no idea what she's in for!)

 

[Ellen]

Thanks DeeJay.