­West Elm is always one of designers' favorite go-to places for stylish but affordable pieces. I love the company's rugs and bedding, which are contemporary but never too cute or too country. There are 38 West Elm stores across the country, and the company has just opened its first Chicago outpost in Lincoln Park, close to sister property Pottery Barn and PB Kids/Teen. West Elm, 1000 W. North Avenue, Chicago. Phone: (312)867-1770.

­If you love the classic look of Pottery Barn and have children, you’ve probably discovered PBteen. The line has all the classic PB hallmarks – it is fresh, zippy and a bit preppy. Although some of it can be too sugary for adults, teens love it (especially the bedding sets which are great for dorms). The newest PBteen store just opened in Chicago, joining existing stores in Atlanta and New York (everyone else has to shop via the catalogue or website). A huge range of bedding, desks, and accessories like lamps and rugs are carried in the store. But when it comes to negotiating what to buy with your teen amidst lots of eye rolling, parents are on their own.

My better half and I always say we would move to Chicago in a heartbeat. We love the relaxed mood of the city, its proximity to the lakeshore, the grand buildings, all of the unique neighbourhoods, each with their own list of ­must-visit restaurants and shops.  Of course, there are the Windy City winters—something we experienced first-hand, during the second weekend of spring. The cold wind, rain, and snow didn’t seem so unbearable once we arrived at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, a Four Seasons Hotel on the 11th through 30th floors of Water Tower Place, located just off of bustling Michigan Avenue. It had all that we needed to enjoy our beloved city while staying dry, warm, and incredibly comfortable.

Chicago-based designers and home savvy shoppers know that one of the best places to shop in the Windy City for elegant homewares is Jayson Home & Garden. Located inside a vintage building, this shop sells a huge range of furniture including sofas, beds, rugs, accessories and oh, just about everything else. Jayson also sells garden accessories and curiosities including petrified wood and quirky prints. I love this Decatur chair ($1,250) but the whole range of upholstered chairs and sofas is gorgeous. And mark your calendars, because from April 17-19 Jayson will host a Flea Market selling goods sourced from the US, Argentina, Belgium and France.

Next time you’re in Chicago, check out Elements. This three-story emporium is a one stop shop for creative design. Elements has plenty of groovy things for the home, covering the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen as well as accessories like luggage from the always stylish brand Mandarina Duck (one of my favourites, although very pricey, brands). If you can’t make it to the store, just shop online. We like this set of four coral napkin rings ($70) which is so very Palm Beach, as well as Moroccan-inspired melamine dishes for $10. At the top of the price range is a Ted Muehling porcelain white branch candlestick ($1,630) and an Iraj Moini Necklace made with strands of citrine, emerald, and lapis necklace for $3,400.

It's a fact of life that no woman can own enough shoes- and if you're feeling blue or just need to perk up an old outfit, there's nothing better than a new pair of heels to do the trick.  In Chicago, local fashionistas are raving about the new boutique Perchance, which opened last month in Lake View. Perchance has an elegant boudoir look and stocks shoes by Stuart Weitzman, Cole Haan and Donald J. Pliner as well as up and coming designers like Anyi Lu. The shop is the brainchild of recent Kellogg MBA grad Mary Liz Lehman, whose inspiration for the store's name came from the Shakespeare's Hamlet (“To sleep, to sleep, perchance to dream”). In addition to the sexy shoe selection, Perchance also sells a collection of women's clothing and accessories. Perchance, 3512 N Southport Ave at Cornelia Ave, Chicago, Phone: (773) 244-1300.

We love Nanette Lepore for her girly boho designs, and the blonde Ohio-born designer has just gone back to her roots by opening her first Midwestern store. Ok it's not in Cleveland but it is in Chicago. Her Buckstown boutique is ultra feminine, and is done up with chandeliers and Lucite shelving. Chicago fashionistas might remember the location when it was the former Jolie Joli, and Lepore's boutique is stocked with sequin shift dresses, cocktail dressed, and stylish trench coats. And in case you can't make it to the store, shop directly from her website. Nanette Lepore, 1623 North Damen Avenue, Chicago Phone: (773) 489-4500.

If you're in search of a pair of long, glamorous earrings and a matching necklace (or two) check out Erin Gallagher's boutique. This Chicago-based jewellery designer has finally opened her own eponymous store (although her lovely jewellery is sold all over Illinois). Her look is feminine and sexy, with both chunky and delicate pieces. We like the look of Salma (left, for $62.50) and Maureen, her hammered gold stackable rings, and the delicate Isabella-Green bracelet, with gold circles and a green amethyst, for $135. With prices like these, you can stock up without feeling too guilty. Erin Gallagher, 1017 West Lake Street, between Morgan and Carpenter Streets, Chicago (312) 492-7548.

Since every designer seems to be pushing the whole minimalist, sleek, pared down look, its nice to see someone who does not believe that ”˜less is more,' and has gone completely over the top. The new La Pomme Rouge in Chicago is anything but minimalist. The theme of the restaurant is loosely based around decadence and temptation, and the look is sensuous and luxurious, with lots of velvet and antiques. Cocktails are a reasonable $10- I was intrigued by the claret lemonade. On the menu you'll find lots of caviar, charcuterie and traditional roasted meats. Desserts include an Asian pear tarte tartin, with ginger tapioca and a lime tequila sorbet. So go ahead, let yourself be tempted. Pomme Rouge, 108 W. Kinzie Street, Chicago, Phone: (312) 245-9555.

Expectant mums in Chicago have a new place to buy all their stylish maternity clothes. Preggers is the brainchild of Ann Zipser, who founded the store in Michigan with her two, twenty-something daughters. Their thinking was that if women were fashionable pre-pregnancy, why would they want to compromise on their maternity clothes? (Amen to that) Preggers stocks maternity clothes from Citizens of Humanity and Japanese Weekend, as well as a range of diaper bags and children's clothes. They also sell furniture, bedding and décor to kit out nurseries. Preggers, 900 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, Phone: (312) 943-MAMA.