Say “Rush Street” and Saturday night gets all the glory. But leave the hangovers to others. Those who come out to play before the sun goes down have better things to do on Rush as it makes a dash through the Gold Coast, particularly in the vicinity of the Rush/Oak bull’s-eye.
MORNING
There are many public transportation options to get you there. But if I’m planning on shopping, I’m planning on bags, so I park at Bloomingdale’s (900 N. Michigan Ave.). Pull into the lot on Rush north of Delaware; it’s $11 for three hours with a $5 purchase. If you haven’t already coffeed-up, make your first stop Starbucks (932 N. Rush St.). This Starbucks is big enough to dance in, and its location and clientele make it a must people-watching spot. This is where the chichi get their chais. And what, and how, they order, explain why the bariste are often crabby. Put up with it. The stories you pick up are worth the aggravation.
Next, head west, to Europa Books (832 N. State St.), where you can immerse yourself in other worlds without having to remove your shoes and put up with metal detectors. It’s a Baskin-Robbins of Vogue titles, there are papers from around the world, and the music and art and design glossies are amazing. Also stocked, of course, are travel guides, dictionaries and novels in various languages, even Harry Potter in Arabic.
Hopefully, you’ve brought a big sac because now it’s back to Rush, to Chalet (40 E. Delaware Pl.) on the Gold Coast, where you can translate your Europa mood and pair it with wine and cheese
AFTERNOON
OK, the bags are getting heavy, but don’t give up! For the petite chou-chou on your shopping list, you must stop at Children in Paradise (909 N. Rush St.). The cards alone at this bookstore will put you in a good mood.
Next, pop into Barneys New York, using the Rush door. That way you can do a makeup reconnaissance mission, douse yourself with fabulous cologne (l’Artisan Parfumeur blueberry musk? To die for!) and make it out the Oak Street door before anyone tries to help you. Bluff your way out and onto Oak, where Bravco Beauty Centre (43 E. Oak St.) is just doors away. Here, the shelves are jammed with every type of hair product you can imagine, even such edible-sounding concoctions as Pure Hair’s basil mint detangling elixer.
Any time left on your three-hour parking limit? If so, run to the end of Oak, take in that only-above-Oak-Street-Beach-blue sky and scurry around the corner and onto Walton Street. Peek into Pane Caldo (72 E. Walton). Then stop at Mudd Fleur (66 E. Walton). Pick up three long-stemmed roses, $5 each, but well worth it. They smell like roses. This day mine were Granny Smith-apple green tinged with pink. And with a red ribbon, it’s a wrap.