New Press from Chicago 3 Media at Chic Gems Couture Trunk Show

NEW! Chic Gems Couture

by Sarah Radford

Thank you to everyone who joined us for my first Chic Gems Couture Trunk Show!

The event took place this past Saturday at Claudia Kleiner's Malabar Collection in Chicago.

Our shoppers enjoyed purusing the newest designs from Chic Gems.

Chicago 3 Media stopped by to visit with us

click here to watch the Chicago 3 Media coverage

Visit our newly revamped Chic Gems website-click here to shop.

All the very best,

Sarah Radford

Designer

Chic Gems, etc.

Designer Jewelry for Professional Women

Chicago Indie Collection at Northbrook Court Mall, featuring Chic Gems Jewelry

Chicago Indie Collection at Northbrook Court Mall

Northbrook Court Mall

2171 Northbrook Court

Northbrook, IL 60062

Saturday May 2 10am-9pm

Sunday May 12pm-6pm

SeeMore Shopping invites you to join us at Northbrook Court Mall

for a Special Event with Chicago's Top Designers!

Chic Gems, Brynn Capella Handbags, Lara Miller, and more will be featured.

Meet the designers. Sarah will take orders for custom jewelry designs.

Sarah from Chic Gems will be showing her newest jewelry designs for summer that are not found online or in other stores.

Shop early for best selection. Bring your favorite fashionistas and find some one of a kind pieces, that will turn heads, at the "Chicago Indie Collection" Boutique located in Northbrook Court Mall.

The "Chicago Indie Collection" Boutique is located on the first floor near Lord & Taylor.

All the very best,

Sarah Radford

Designer

Chic Gems, etc.

Designer Jewelry for Professional Women

Meet Allyson from Bess and Loie, Being an Entrepreneur is her Bag. Review by Sarah Radford, Chic Gems, etc.

(A view of the beatuiful Bess & Loie Boutique)

I had the chance to meet Allyson Holleb, a charming Entrepreneur, over one year ago.

Since then I stop by to see the latest bags anytime I am in the area.

You will find my line, Chic Gems, etc. sold there at certain special occasions.

What could be better than handbags and jewelry?

You can count on a relaxing experience at Bess & Loie. Ally is the absolute best hostess. She has all sorts of snacks and cushy chairs to watch tv. You almost forget that you're in a store.

It is simply a nice experience to shop at Bess & Loie. No high pressured sales people here-it's delightful and anyone visting Chicago should come see for themselves.

The store is named after Allyson's grandmothers, Bess and Loie.

A little bit about this Entrepreneur-

Allyson grew up in Chicago, went to Paris for her junior year of college (at UW Madison), and moved to NYC (She needed a City!) after college.

So what did she do in NYC?

Allyson worked as an event planner and then changed her focus, where she became a part of the retail buying team at Eileen Fisher, buying for the Eileen Fisher retail stores.

"I was there for four years, learned a ton about the industry, as I worked with all aspects of the business.... design, merchandising, warehouse, factory, etc. And then I decided to come back home to Chicago and open the shop."

What inspired you to start a business of owning a handbag boutique?

"While living in New York, I spent most of my shopping time searching for bags that were different, not your typical "labels", and that didn't cost me a complete arm and a leg. When I decided to move back to Chicago, it was to open a store focusing on these amazing, independent designers, whose work, I felt, was not being showcased yet in Chicago.

What challenges have you faced?

"Being an entrepreneur means that you're having to take care of every single aspect of your business, from cleaning the windows and floors to determining the product assortment to marketing the business to making sure that there's enough toilet paper in the bathroom. It's really been a learning experience. Also, just getting the business' name out and driving traffic into my boutique, which is definitely in a location that's a destination.

How are you overcoming those challenges?

" Just keep on working, and not letting the enormity of everything get me down. And taking the little victories and really enjoying them- helping a customer find the exact right handbag or piece of jewelry, and seeing how happy that it can make someone- it means that I've done my job. And all of the amazing people who I've met along the way."

A final note from Allyson
Bess & Loie is packed with beautiful bags, and I’ve tried to make it an inviting place where customers feel welcome and relaxed. On any given day, you’re likely to find people hanging out on the comfy chairs, kicking back with a glass of wine, some chocolate and licorice, watching a Bears game or an old episode of Beverly Hills, 90210.

So that's her bag. Shop in the store or online.

All the very best!

Sarah Radford

Designer

Chic Gems, etc.

Designer Jewelry for Professional Women

Meet Amy of Ciao Bella Chicago, a True Entrepreneur. Review by Sarah Radford, Chic Gems, etc.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Amy Lechelt Basta for almost 2 years. She has an upbeat and charming personality. She has been an entrepreneur all her life, so I thought it would be fun and inspiring to hear her story and her perspective on owning a business, dealing with challenges at work

and in life, etc.!

So why did you start your business, Ciao Bella Chicago?

I started my biz, cuz I could! Ha-ha! Actually, Jerry, my husband and I, had always thought that I should own a boutique because I was very enthusiastic when leaving my other boutique sales jobs, telling stories every day for hours (really!). And, not only did I have 25 years of experience in retail, but I also became very good at "styling"! Who knew? Finally, I have been an entrepreneur all my life! I took all of my background and joined it together into one location! Event Stylist/coordinator, model/actress/singer/performer, artist, sales manager/sales/bookeeper, flight attendant! I love the challenge of business!

What are the challenges you're facing?

The economy! It couldn't be a worse time to open a biz than when we did! However, the fact that we are still here shows we're doing something right! But, it inihibits "taking it to the next level". And, secondly, to my surprise- employees. Everyone told me this, but I didn't believe it. Even if you have the best employees possible, you still need to deal with all employees "issues", whether work related or personal- on a daily basis.

How are you overcoming those challenges?

Remember to keep a positive attitude, even if it means you need to "adjust it" from time to time. "Everything happens as it should...." It's a business, not your health or life! And, if you run a good, honest life/business, you will have always know you did the best you could- by all!

What brands will shoppers find at Ciao Bella Chicago?

For Women:
Gant, b. chyll, Body, Lucky Brand, Tommy Bahama, Billy Blues,

Majestic Bernadette Conte, Panda Snack, City Lights, Spanx,

JWLA , Johnny Was, Be present, Adea, Bailey 44, Victorinox Swiss Army,

Daftbird, Vintage Glam, Iodice, Sarah Pacini, Lauren Vidal
Hard Tail, R jean, Pursuit of Harmony, Cino, Oramomi
Uncle Frank, Level 99, Tag Jeans, and more.

For Men:

James Perse, Rosasen, Splendid Mills, Victorinox Swiss Army
Lucky Brand, Indigo Palms, Jet Lag, Gant
Generra, Modern Amusement, Bugatchi, J Brand, and more.

Accessories:

Hobo, Matt & Nat, John Wind, Baggallini
Love Quotes, Karen Weiss Belts, eye bobs, Seril
Nundies, Sassy nips, Chic Gems, etc., and more.
Pure Style Girlfriends-Stay Put, Gather the Girls, Haute Stuff, Smooth 'em

Press:

Women's Wear Daily, Daily Candy, Time Out Chicago,

Chicago Mag.com, and Chicago Scene.

Thanks Amy for your insight!

Ciao!

Check out Ciao Bella Chicago online!

Be sure to stop by the store if you're in Chicago.

They are located at 3829 N Southport, one of Chicago's hottest shopping blocks.

The store is steps away from the historic Music Box Theatre!

All the very best,

Sarah Radford

Designer

Chic Gems, etc.

Designer Jewelry for Professional Women