LORI'S UPDATE: 30% Sale sale.

Attention local Lori's ladies, have we got some news.

So many new shoes have arrived we have to make room for them. And that’s where you come in...

This weekend only, we'll be taking an extra 30 percent off all sale items. Gasp!

Just one catch. The Extra 30% Sale sale is only good in-store at Lori's Lincoln Park, Highland Park and Northfield locations. We will not be able to honor the additional markdown online.

We'll be open Saturday and Sunday this weekend, but we’re off Monday for Labor Day, too. Hurry in for the best selection!

THIS WEEK'S HOT LIST: Dolce Vita Tropez.

Rising through the ranks of this week's Hot List is the Tropez – a gooey-leather, classic Italian riding boot – by Dolce Vita.

We think Lori's ladies are snatching it up because its style is the center piece of one of fall's most timeless and classic looks: a white blouse, a fantastic blazer, your favorite jeans... and a sophisticated pair of riding boots.

The shaft (the leg) on the Tropez is wide enough to fit over jeans. However, its soft leather is also structured enough so the boot stands up against the calf, making it a great choice with skirts and dresses.

Black is the classy choice, but Lori's says try the grey if you’re in searching for a look that's more youthful and trendy.

Putting It Together No. 6: High fashion for less.

This week Lori's continues its new series in the fashion blog: Putting It Together. We'll show you how to marry some of our favorite pieces in perfect harmony.

After all, the style world can get difficult to navigate and fashion matchmaking is fun... and much less risky than the potential horror of setting your best friend up with your co-worker.

Putting It Together No. 6: High fashion for less.
Answer: Because looking like you stepped out of the pages of a high fashion mag doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of cash.

The question: Why take a que from Lori's P.I.T. No. 6?

Your friends will think you've had a session with a stylist, but we know better. It's easy when you pair Jen USA’s super sleek shoulder bag with Enzo Angiolini’s thick-heeled mary jane and a set of A.V. Max gold bangles.

Lori's Update: As Seen in Chicago mag.

We knew it all along.

In its 2007 fall Fashion edition, Chicago magazine (p.26) named our own Lori one of five Fashion Pros in the city, touting Lori's as, "a retail phenomena."

Author Stacy Wallace-Albert inquired after a number of topics related to the business, even hitting on Lori's personal fashion favorites.

"Riding boots;" Lori says, "stylistically they have such sophisticated elegance. Typically they are flat, with a rounded toe and a clean shaft. Pair them with a great jacket, a white blouse, tuck in your pant legs, and throw them on with everything."

When she's right, she's right!

Others mentioned in the feature include the founder and president of Jimmy Choo, Tamara Mellon, and Scott Starbuck of City Soles.

Lori's Update: Lori's Deer Park is open!

Attention Lori's ladies, our newest location is now open.

Hurrah!

From today (August 17th) forward shoe addicts of the Northwest Suburbs will be able to shop Lori's in Deer Park, Ill. at the Deer Park Town Center on Rand Road. Click here for a detailed map.

The opening of Deer Park marks Chicagoland's seventh Lori's location and we couldn't be more excited.

The store has new shoes, boots and accessories; new hours; and new deals. Shop during the last weeks of August and receive a coupon good towards a September purchase.

See you in Deer Park.

STYLE WATCH: European trends

Many of our most anticipated European shoes and accessories have arrived, each bringing their own unique looks.

Despite each piece's dreamy Euro distinction, we've been able to identify a few key trends our friends across the Pond are setting:

1. Mary Janes
Mary Jane pumps play a prominent role in this season's shoe line up. We adore Vic Matie's patent submission.

2. Crinkled leathers
We've fallen head over heels for tumbled, crinkled leather beauties from Janet & Janet and Vic Matie.

3. Western-inspired boots
Western styles, particularly those from the aforementioned Janet & Janet, are also easily identifiable among our European collection; even in ankle booty styles.

Lori's Update: Thirty. Percent. Off.

Hurry, hurry.

Because this weekend only we're holding our final blowout sale of the season, offering an additional 30% off already marked down spring and summer styles.

The sale is happening at all six Lori's locations and lasts this Saturday, August 11th thru Monday, August 13th.

After that, these spring and summer styles will be gone. For good!

The sale is also good on online sale purchases. However final discounts will be taken at the register so you’ll only see your fabulous sale prince on the final invoice.

Lori's Update: Janet & Janet is here.

Hurrah!

Lori's exclusive collections from Europe have arrived. Fall styles, including boots, flats, pumps and handbag are now available from designers such as Janet & Janet. Bella!

Lori's early favorites are J & J's mod suede ankle booty and pleated tote, as well as Fruit/Now's cuffed, crinkled leather knee boot. View those styles plus others from Vic Matie, Enrico Antinori and Dolce Vita here.

Shop early for the best selection because once the European styles are gone, they're gone!

THIS WEEK'S HOT LIST: Jeff Campbell's Aina

Tip-toeing its way up the ranks of Lori's Best Seller list is Jeffrey Campbell's Aina pump. She's a little, multi-colored leather dish with a prominent toe and a definitive retro flavor.

Of course, we love it.

And not just because it has a trendy cap toe; and not just because it features a color-blocked upper. We adore it because of its trendy cap toe; its color-blocked upper and at $80 it's more than affordable.

We're likely to wear ours when jazzing up a pair of wide leg trousers. or a knee-lenght pencil skirt, and white shirt.

The mustard color has been the style of choice thus far. However, keep an eye out for its cooler-hued, blue, tan and beige sister (the slightly more practical yet just as stylish sister).

LORI'S UPDATE: As Seen in InStyle

If you have not yet received your InStyle Fall '07 Trend special edition, you may want to re-check your mailbox.

Why? Because one of Lori's most anticipated accessories is prominently displayed on page 161. Hurrah!

The (soon-to-be) prized possession is an Italian leather clutch by High Fashion. It's rectangular in shape with an oversized, contrasting leather bow right across the front. The stylists at InStyle have paired it with fabulously long, green leather gloves, and a chunky chic sweater dress. Gorgeous!

While we're not expecting the High Fashion clutch to arrive for a couple of weeks, we are accepting names and numbers for a wait list.

Feel free to call 773.281.5655 (during store hours) to add your name, or simply send an email to info@lorisshoes.com with "High Fashion" in the subject, and your name and number in the body.

Putting It Together No. 5: Cap toe prep.

This week Lori's continues its new series in the fashion blog: Putting It Together. We'll show you how to marry some of our favorite pieces in perfect harmony.

After all, the style world can get difficult to navigate and fashion matchmaking is fun... and much less risky than the potential horror of setting your best friend up with your co-worker.

Putting It Together No. 5: Cap toe prep.
Here we're channeling our inner prep, pairing a trendy, herringbone fabric with a black patent peep toe Deer Stags pump with an oversize patent leather doctor bag from Maxx. To play up the All American look, we’ve added a matching, minimalist necklace and earring set from La Vie.
And don’t we look cute?

Lori's Update: Final Markdowns. Highland Park Sidewalk Sale.

In store and online, final markdowns have been taken.

Need we say more?

Many Lori's favorites have reached their 2007 lows, including Sam Edelman Celine flats at 20% off, Italian Corso Como pumps are now half off, while Eric Michael espadrilles are marked down 70%. 70%!

View the full shoe sale collection here.

(But wait, there’s more!)

Lori's Highland Park location wraps up the Sidewalk Sale season this weekend, with its outdoor event this Thursday, July 26th thru Saturday, July 28th. Those lucky Highland Park ladies will get to take an additional 20% off current markdowns.

STYLE WATCH: Cap toes

Watch for capped toes as one of Fall '07's most prominent pump details.

Several designers have been adding covers to their round- or pointed-toe styles, often creating a contrast with the shoe’s patterned or quilted upper. The result is a look that feels retro-prep and screams suavity.

Many cap toes are accompanied by mary jane or slingback straps, which we adore. And most pair flawlessly with wide leg work trousers and pencil skirts.

Jeffrey Campbell (right) uses a muted palette, but be on the lookout also for cap toe designs in herringbone or plaid print (Deer Stags), or patent leather.

Lori's Update: Chicago mag's Best!

We know it. You know it. And now all Chicago magazine readers know it, too!

In the August, 2007 Best of Chicago edition the magazine voted Lori's the best place to save on trendy handbags.

And we're quite proud!

The editors pointed to Lori's selection of patent Adrienne Vittadini totes, leather bucket bags from Tano, as well as several stylish entries from Steve Madden and others under $100.

But don't take our word for it, or even Chicago's. Check our selection for yourself. Some of our post-publication editions include the Esse Dream ($198) bag in cream, black and blue, and a sweet patent doctor bag from Maxx ($132).

THIS WEEK'S HOT LIST: Sales are always in style.

Lori's July best sellers include a wide variety of shoes and accessories with one unifying trend that's always in style... they're on sale!

Hurrah!

From the sporty Bernie Mev Point to the retro-inspired Odessa by MIA and Italian All Black flats, Lori's ladies old and new are raking in great shoe deals.

Sale items too new to make their impact on the hot list, yet primed to make a run include Vaneli's popular Bergin ($64.90) in red, black and beige patent, and the oft sought after Venice ($49.90) by MIA.

Putting It Together No. 4: Fall Fashion Preview

This week Lori's continues its new series in the fashion blog: Putting It Together. We'll show you how to marry some of our favorite pieces in perfect harmony.

After all, the style world can get difficult to navigate and fashion matchmaking is fun... and much less risky than the potential horror of setting your best friend up with your co-worker.

Look No. 4: Fall Fashion Preview
While we still have warm thoughts of fabulous sandals and understand no one likes to trade in summer's strappies for more modest fall styles, we can't help but dream of style seasons to come. That's just what we do.

So Lori's is here to help you make the move from summer to fall as smooth as possible.

This fall is all about 70s inspired trends and a palette of greys, blues, purples and browns. Look number four, Fall Fashion Preview, includes some of our newly arrived favorites that embody these trends.

We've paired a set of wedges from Charles David's Exchange line with Kenneth Cole's gorgeous twin pocket tote, then added a pair of earrings from one of our most popular jewelry lines, Marie Chavez.

IRL No. 1: Kimberly B.'s Raffaella Venturini Boots

We're proud to introduce Lori's In Real Life campaign, where we ask you to send us your pictures of yourself and/or girlfriends looking smashing in Lori's-bought shoes and accessories.

Have vacation pictures of you in your newest sandals? Send 'em along! Did you buy a pair of evening shoes and a handbag for a special occasion? We'd like to see!

Selected pictures will then be posted to Lori's online Fashion Trends blog so others can see you and your goods out and about.

And in return, selected participants will be rewarded with Lori's Preferred Customer status, meaning you'll receive 10% off any online order... for a year!

Kimberly B., Chicago

Our first submission comes to us from hometown girl and Lincoln Park shopper, Kimberly B. She shows us how she paired her incredible Rafaella Venturini boots with tights and a wrap dress on her 30th birthday. And we think you look great!

Keep it up, and enjoy your new online discount.

THIS WEEK'S HOT LIST: Bernie Mev. On Sale!

Sporty styles from Bernie Mev are topping Lori's Hot List this week. They're cute; they're comfortable... and they're on sale. Hurrah!

From the Point in aqua and sand to the crisscrossing Nia, shoppers are slipping on Bernie's athletic styles and saying, "Yes!" to a great deal.

While the Point and Nia are ideal everyday shoes, we can't help but think that one of their best virtues is as dependable vacation wear. Both styles are perfect for spending long hours site seeing, and both are extremely versatile.

And priced around $30, you can buy two.

Need addition for your approaching getaway? Check out our other sale items here.

Putting It Together No. 3: Island Style

This week Lori's continues its new series in the fashion blog: Putting It Together. We'll show you how to marry some of our favorite pieces in perfect harmony.

After all, the style world can get difficult to navigate and fashion matchmaking is fun... and much less risky than the potential horror of setting your best friend up with your co-worker.

Look No. 3: Island Style
Have a summer resort vacation planned or heading to a destination beach wedding? Lori's has got you covered with P.I.T. No. 3: Island style.

We've paired our strappy Coral Blue sandals with one of our newest clutch styles from HOBO. Add a pair of gold earrings from Alexia Crawford and... voila! The perfect mix of island sophistication and dress-it-up, dress-it-down versatility.

STYLE WATCH: Cocktail Rings

The latest wave in this year's statement-making jewelry trend is big, sparkly, detailed rings. From flowers and oversized stones to bauble styles, finger dresser-uppers have been a staple of summer's fashion magazines.

"It's all about the hand this season," says senior Lincoln Park sales associate Kathryn. "With the rise in popularity of clutches, people are accessorizing with rings and bracelets more than necklaces and earrings."

And they're not just for cocktail hour anymore.

We think they're fun to wear with everyday looks like tunics and tights, or even an empire waist summer dress.

What to look for in a cocktail ring is style and detail, whether that be bold colors wrapped in a gold setting or multiple stones set in a tall silver bauble. Our favorites include single stone rings from Betty Carr or canary-colored designs from Lauren G Adams.