A smaller Squishable store, but still a fun stop while you're in the Water Tower Place. There…read moreusually is a buy one get one half off deal when you go into a Squishable brick and mortar store, which is better than buying an item online. A bonus when we went in is that they had a $5 bin which had some retired squishables, beach towels, and Doctor Plague backpacks (this would've been a good buy if my kids were younger)! We ended up buying one of the stuffies from the deal tin this round... usually we end up buying something bigger. The person at the register was very nice and friendly. Store was in order and easy enough to find items that you would see on the website. If you are vertically challenged, bring a tall friend as you will need assistance to get to things on higher shelves.

I really enjoyed Squishable and didn't realize it was just a pop up shop from the online retailers…read more The stuffies were honestly the cutest stuffies I'd ever seen. It was comparable to the kawaii stores you see photos of from Japan. I'd never seen a bacon stuffie or an avocado one either. They had so many different food options, color options and even cute dogs in little outfits that look like other animals. I ended up getting a dog in a froggy costume because I just can't say no to a frog. The only draw back is they are on the pricey side. They are worth it in my opinion but considering just one medium sized squishable was $30, it is easy to rack up a bill if you need multiple items. If you love stuffed toys, check out their website because they have almost anything you can imagine. It's a truly adorable store.

Okay, so I am now on a mission to purchase a little trinket from every city I visit and while…read morevisiting Chicago we dropped by Pop Mart. Our hotel was only a 10 minute walk from Pop Mart so my friends and I knew we had to drop by. This store is a lot larger than ours in San Diego so there was ample space to walk around and I didn't feel super pressured by others. The team here greeted us right away and asked if we needed a shopping bag, I was only getting one and I knew having a shopping bag would definitely cause me to add more. They had so many options for Cry Baby I really want them all but only chose one. Obviously they're blind boxes so I ended up opening it in store and immediately latching it to my purse. Again there were so many options, I even saw the tempura shrimp Labubu ipod case. I would have snagged it by my friend bought it for me for my birthday. If you're in Chicago and shopping I'd definitely drop by here and pick up a little trinket instead. The prices do range depending on what you purchase but I think mine was $32? So worth it for me.

Feeling playful at this fun place to visit, especially now when it is a hot trend. But the store…read morewas super crowded and very warm inside. The store is well lit and laid out so you can shop by collections but be prepared to spend some dough on a pop collectible or a trendy gift. I needed a cool cocktail after the busy store so we headed past Nordstrom to Lao Sze Chuan on MI Ave for a Lycheetini. (And I think my Labubu appreciated the lovely tone of my Lycheetini)!

I started the new year with an intention to replace doomscrolling on screens with reading, and New…read moreBook Joy in Brookfield has been the answer! New Book Joy is a fantastic independent bookstore. Owned and operated by educators, they have a beautifully curated collection of books and gifts for all ages of readers. What I love most is their events - book clubs (silent and talking!), book swaps, small biz book bashes, and more. I've met so many wonderful people who love to read, which has made me want to read even more. New Book Joy is a fantastic addition to Brookfield!

I am so excited to have New Book Joy in town - it is an absolute little gem! The owners are so warm…read moreand welcoming -- you can feel their love for books and community the moment you walk in. I went to one of their Books and Bites events at Happier Now (another great local find!) which featured a four-course tasting menu paired with hand-picked books, and it was incredible -- creative, delicious, and so thoughtfully done. It's not just a little bookstore; they make the most of their amazing community to bring people together and spark a real love of books.

I love this place. So many beautiful, unique gift items. I love the jewelry, the alpaca socks, the…read morecandles. And best of all, everything sold here furthers conscious commerce!

This is a special place! Beautiful! Large pop up shop with food, crafts, gifts, speciality items…read morefrom around the world. Everything is fair trade and/or local social enterprise. The staff were knowledgeable about everything -- even the stories behind the products. Easy consolidated check out. Recommended.

I am a repeat customer of luv that scrub. I love the handmade soaps, salts, body butter, perfumes…read moreetc. it's made with love and care. And all the products are natural and NOT hazardous to the body. I recently requested a specific scent. I was not disappointed. I was overly satisfied and appreciative of the time she took to fill my request. She also sells gift boxes and packages. Perfect for bdays, holidays and just because. Oh and we can't forget our men. She has products just for the men in our lives. And of course for the babies and children as well. My children love getting their own body care kits.

From the owner: Luv That Scrub was found in 2013, out of the need to create an handcrafted All Natural & Organic…read moreskin Care Products that would hydrate and nourish your skin from inside out. We offer a full line of products. You will feel and enjoy the difference from the very first time you use them. We offer customized products and gift sets! Give us a call to see how we can customized your personal hygiene.