Quentin Coldwater is a little bitch. Like every 20-something these days, he wants to be happy. At the very least, he wants to feel something. And yet he does nothing but complain and moan and feel sorry about the sad state of his life. He fights with his friends, cheats on his girlfriend, gives up on magic.

“Wait, what?” you may ask. That’s right: Quentin Coldwater is a magician. Not the cards-and-coins-sleight-of-hand kind but the I’m-going-to-smoke-your-ass-with-a-fireball variety. He and his friends attend Brakesbills Academy in upstate New York, and like non-magic folk, they pass their time by drinking their livers to oblivion. After graduating, they lavishly languish in Manhattan, whereupon one day they cross into a Narnia-esque world and undergo a quest. And that’s where it all goes to shit.

In Lev Grossman’s book, The Magicians, published last August, readers are introduced to a cast that is reminiscent of Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate. Quentin, the story’s hero, is no Harry Potter (though Grossman certainly winks at J.K Rowling as well as C.S Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien): he’s foolish, selfish and immensely unhappy. Grossman--though taking on a fantasy narrative replete with magic stags, skanky naiads and drunk-talking bears--does not gloss over the humanity of his characters. Frankly, they are all fuck-ups, just like you and me. Quentin and his friends are not playing Quidditch; they are failing upwards and suffering from the deepest post-modern depression to hit quarter-lifers this side of Middle Earth.

And that is where the book strikes on gold. Although Grossman inexcusably overuses the word “viscous,” The Magicians is a quick, fun read, especially if you yourself are in an existential crisis. God/Aslan/Dumbledore knows I am.

The Magicians: A Novel by Lev Grossman, $17.79 on Amazon

Fashion:
1. Randolph Street's "The Valentine Market"
Saturday and Sunday, February 6 & 7 10am-5pm
The Randolph Street Market continues year round with their first festival this year. Shop from a variety of antiques, clothing, beauty products and more.
Inside Plumbers Hall|1340 W. Washington

2. The Ultimate INC Hot List
Saturday, February 6 1-4pm
Shop INC's Spring 2010 collection and receive 20% off when you shop this event. An INC stylist consultant will also be on hand.
Macy’s on State Street|3rd floor INC department

Music:
1. Explode Into Colors
Friday, February 5 9pm
The experimental rock female trio from Portland head into the Midwest.
Subterranean|2011 North Ave.|$10|17+

2. Dawn Landes & The Hounds
Tuesday, February 9 8:30pm
Indie folk pop Brooklyn based group continues to tour with their new album Sweet Heart Rodeo.
Beat Kitchen|2100 W. Belmont|$10|17+

Culture:
1. Climate Cycle Benefit
Friday, February 5 7pm
Climate Cycle is having an auction to raise funds to install solar panels and implement sustainability education in public schools. The auction line up includes a two-day stay at an eco-lodge, farm dinner for 2, bike tune-ups, jewelry and more.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum|2430 N. Cannon Dr.|$50

2. MCA First Fridays
Friday, February 5 6pm
MCA celebrates every first Friday of the month with live entertainment, cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres from Wolfgang Puck.
Museum of Contemporary Art|220 East Chicago Ave.|$16

Known for her off the wall swooping hair and brutally honest fashion critiques, Suzy Menke, fashion editor of the International Herald Tribune, speaks out about the growing influence of fashion blogs in today's world.

Along with Menkes are well-known bloggers Yvan from Facehunter and Jennine from The Coveted who speak about how blogs have shaped todays fashion world. In her interview Menkes goes on to talk about the Twitter phenomenon and states “The world changed when fashion, instead of being a monologue, became a conversation."

In case you haven't heard, American Apparel recently pulled their 18-color nail polish collection from their shelves due to "quality issues with their glassware." Bad news from them, good news for you. If you purchased one of the original bottles, you can return it to the store for two bottles of the new polish or get a gift certificate for $10.

When AA launched the collection at the end of 2009, I begrudgingly rolled my eyes, mostly because that hideous font reminds me LA Looks gel. Although I’m sure it’s some kind of socioeconomic commentary on post-modern America and living in California (or something). Looking passed that, the colors are actually pretty and only $6 a pop.  Office is a lovely update to last season’s popular Chanel Jade and Downtown LA is the perfect red staple. And though there are problems with the old shipments, it's worth noting that 6 new colors will be available come Spring.

SOURCE

Last Thursday night the Old Arizona Theater proved to be a fantastic venue to take in the "Avoid the Grey" fashion show, a presentation of clothing from Minneapolis boutique, Cliché's stable of local designers.

The show’s production was charming - overcast with bejeweled animal masks and frolicking fabled imagery - reminiscent of Erin Fetherston’s fall 2009 RTW collection and accompanying film,  “Birds of a Fether”. However, I was disappointed to notice construction flaws in a handful of the garments walking the runway. Even without glasses I spotted unfinished pieces and collections lacking an overall design cohesiveness.

Among the polished collections was Amanda Christine’s who, season after season, produces sophisticated silhouettes with modern and edgy details. Others to note were a knit blue batwing dress detailed with exposed zippers on the front and back from Nikki English and a 70’s-inspired marigold trench coat from Peloria.  Emily Bryngelson for Tender Cuts also provided another bright spot at the show with her fine design sensibility.

View and purchase garments from Avoid the Grey at Cliche in the coming month or see many of them on the runway again at upcoming fashion shows, In-Sight and Voltage Fashion Amplified.

Fashion:
1. Beta BoutiqueSemi-Annual Stacked Rack Sample Sale
Saturday and Sunday, January 30 and 31 10am-6pm
Designer stock and samples 40-90% off for men and women, all under $150.
233 W. Huron, at the corner of Huron & Franklin

2. Ritzy Couture Vintage Jewelry Trunk Show
Saturday, January 30 2-6pm
Get a 20% discount on all jewelery from Ritzy Couture Vintage and meet designer Ebonie Caldwell. Champagne and snacks will be available. Receive an additional 5% when you shop between 2-3pm.
Galleria 1712|1712 W. North

3. Horrorbles Edgy and Funky Trunk Show
Saturday, January 30 7pm
An exhibit featuring photographer Jim Sorfleet and fashion designer Alana Malia. Designs by Malia include custom made handbags and corsets.
6729 W. Roosevelt Rd.

Music:
1. La Roux
Monday, February 1 8pm
UK artists continues with The Gold Tour with catchy hits "Bulletproof" and "In For The Kill" from her newest album.
Lincoln Hall|2424 N Lincoln Ave|$15 ($18 at the door)|18+

2. Rehab:La Roux After Party
Monday, February 1 10pm-2am
No cover all night and cocktail reception 10-11pm with Facebook RSVP.
Debonair Social Club|1575 N. Milwaukee |21+

Culture:
1. August:Osage County
Tuesday, February 2 7:30pm
Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons stars in the 2008 Pulitzer Prize winning play which also won the Tony Award for Best Play.
Cadillac Palace Theatre|151 West Randolph St.|$25-$80

2. Soup and Bread
Wednesday, February 3 5:30-8pm
Enjoy free soup at the Hideout's dinner series hosted with Soup and Bread blog. This week's chef is still being determined, but last week's featured chefs from the Chicago restaurant Mana.
Hideout|1354 W. Wabansia|Free

See the rest at Viceland.com

Last week I attended the 'Bring Beauty, Class & Glamour Into 2010' event at Sofia Vintage. A private night for media and friends to explore the spacious vintage wonderland located in the Gold Coast.Without having ever been there before I wasn't sure what to expect give the high-ticket locale.

The balanced assortment of  high and low merchandise left me pleasantly surprised and impressed after after a quick peruse. The shop carries something for every budget, from $30 sweatshirts to designer gowns. If it's costume-y garb you're looking for this isn't the place. You wont find a trace of your mom's old pantsuit anywhere in the well-edited collection. 

While sipping on my complimentary and very delicious St. Germaine Cocktail, I fantasized about what I would wear with the $800 Fendi Mongolian Fur shawl and where I would travel to with the $200 Gucci Makeup Case I found(because, of course, I had to love the most expensive items in the room). It's a good thing I left my credit card at home or I'd be writing upcoming posts from my cardboard box.  

If you want to Live Lovely, I highly recommend you visit Sofia Vintage. Even if it's just to take a peek at their fantastic fur collection and gorgeous space, it will be worth your while.

Sofia Vintage | 1165 North Clark Street (Suite 400) | Chicago, IL 60610.
HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday 12pm - 7pm and by appointment(312.640.0878) | LOOKBOOK