chicago | monthly guide.

so what if turkey day is coming up? skip being a couch potato and see some palmer trees. try to be like mike with this list of picks.



01. like mike.
catherine zeta-jones, debra messing and michelle obama are all fans of his classically chic clothing and now with the opening of michael kors collection in chicago, you can get in on the stylish action too. expect to find plenty of the project runway judge's sleek spring collection in the 2,200-square-foot store, including shift dresses and power suits in silver crinkle lame and crushed taffeta. now open. 900 north michigan avenue. at east delaware. 312.587.3600. www.michaelkors.com

02. peter the piper.
some things get better with age: wine, cheese and peter gallagher. the new york native may be best known for his role on the o.c. but long before he was hanging in southern cali he was appearing in movies like sex, lies and videotape and american beauty. get the inside scoop on how it all happened in this one-man musical from the hunk himself. november 22nd to december 14th. drury lane water tower. 175 east chestnut street. at north michigan. 312.642.2000. www.petergallagher.com

03. couch potato.
contemporary design and fine art make lovely bedfellows at the 16th annual international exposition of sculpture objects & functional art fair (yep, that's SOFA). the three-day event at navy pier features pieces from 68 international galleries and dealers from 10 countries, along with lectures and special exhibits (live glass blowing, anyone?). you can mingle with artists and have wine and hors d'oeuvres at thursday's preview party (7-9pm; $50). beret not required. november 6th to 8th. 600 east grand avenue. near north lake shore. 800.563.7632. www.sofaexpo.com

04. palmer trees.
no, not coconuts in the caribbean. this is all about christmas trees in chicago. the palmer house hilton hotel is having special holiday themed events every saturday in november and december. that means a christmas carol tea with goodman theater (the 7th and 14th), a nutcracker tea and tree lighting festivities on the 21st, and special chef-made chocolate creations in the blommer chocolate lounge. can you say yum? and how about happy early holidays. saturdays. at the palmer house. 17 east monrow street. near wabash. 312.726.7500. www.lockwoodrestaurant.com