Where to Celebrate New Year's Eve in Chicago

Thanksgiving and Christmas have passed and New Year's Eve is finally here. Do you know where you are celebrating NYE in Chicago? Preciosa Jewelry shares six well-rounded options for New Year's Eve events in Chicago.


  
Redmoon New Year's Eve: Revolution
Watch spectacle unfold with a carnivalesque collection of nearly 40 costumed performers, acrobats and musicians, as well as crazy mechanical creations... marshmallow slingshots and confetti cannons anyone? Redmoon New Year's Eve: Revolution plays on nature's elements — earth, air, water and fire — turning the theater company's massive warehouse space into a sensuous dreamscape. 

Fireworks at Navy Pier
Navy Pier has all the family-friendly entertainment, rides and attractions for a fun night out. At midnight, ring in the new year with fireworks and perfectly synchronized music.

Chicago Scene New Year's Eve Party at The Drake Hotel
The annual Chicago Scene New Year's Eve Party at The Drake Hotel has been voted "Best Chicago New Year's Eve Party" for 15 years. More than 2,500 guests dance to Chicago's hottest DJs in four ballrooms.

NYE Soiree at Hilton Chicago 
The luxurious NYE Soiree at Hilton Chicago is sure to be an elegant affair beneath twinkling chandeliers. Head to this event for hors d'oeuvres, specialty martinis, live casino gaming, celebrity DJs and swirls of confetti at the midnight hour. 

Bub City presents Shawn Lacy
Enjoy a country-themed New Year's Eve when Bub City presents Shawn Lacy for a night filled with live music from the Nashville-based singer/songwriter, along with Southern comfort favorites like mac n' cheese and fried chicken bites on the buffet menu.

Voyager: 2015 at Chop Shop/1st Ward
Enjoy this 2-story, 15,000 sq. ft. venue transformed into an electric blue world of ice, light and water this New Year's Eve. The space-worthy experience Voyager: 2015 at Chop Shop/1st Ward features internationally-acclaimed music performers Tokimonsta, Esta, Flamingosis, DrmbBt and Edamame,

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Ten Things to Do in Chicago this December

We at Preciosa Jewelers are all about things to do in Chicago! There are always fun community events happening-- but even more so around the holiday season! Below we share ten of our favorite things to do throughout December in Chicago.

source: gozamos.com

1.  Caroling at Cloud Gate in Millennium Park
Through December 19 

2. Santa House at Daley Plaza
Through December 24   

source: sheknows.com

3. McCormick Tribune Ice Skating Rink in Millennium Park
Through March 7, 2015   

4. ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Through January 4, 2015 

source: navypier.com

5. Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier
December 5 – January 11, 2015 

6. Do Division Holiday Fest
December 7 - 8  

7. Randolph Street Market Festival
December 12 – 14


8. HoliDose Market
December 14  

9. Kwanzaa Candle Lighting Celebration at the Dusable Museum
December 26 – December 31  

source: navypier.com

10. New Year's Eve Fireworks at Navy Pier
December 31


Did we miss your favorite Chicago event? Share it with us in the comments!

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Three Budget-Friendly Chicago Wedding Venues

Getting married in Chicago is a dream come true for many couples. Since CNN Money puts the average Chicago wedding at $49,810, a Chicago wedding can seem daunting at first. Fret not. We at Preciosa Jewelry love sharing wedding advice. After all, we work with real Chicago couples every day!

Here are our three budget-friendly Chicago wedding venues:

Promontory Point 
Chicago
Promontory Point, or The Point, is a man-made peninsula jutting into Lake Michigan. Located in Burnham Park, the space provides the perfect backdrop for a stunning outdoor Chicago wedding.

Redfield Estate at the Grove
Glenview
The Grove Redfield Estate is an exquisite setting for the most romantic day of your life. Embrace nature’s beauty in this garden-like setting and celebrate your ceremony and/or reception with simple elegance in the charming atmosphere of this historic house and grounds. Enjoy private use of the entire historic home which features a Great Room with fireplace, cathedral ceilings, chandeliers and a breathtaking two-story leaded glass window. A loft area overlooking the room is ideal for musicians to perform.

Seven Bridges Golf Club
Woodridge
Where better to celebrate your new life together than surrounded by nature's beauty in a serene environment? At Seven Bridges, we help you create your vision and then you watch your dreams come true...all while receiving the best value for your hard-earned money. With our spectacular natural setting graced with bridges leading from one plateau to another and our staff of professionals handling all the details, you can relax and enjoy the day's special moments.

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Create Your Perfect Engagement Ring

What does your dream ring look like? With Preciosa Jewelry's state-of-the-art Ring Builder Tool, you can explore different settings, diamonds and price points to ultimately produce a complete ring design.

 Choose your setting: classic, gemstone, halo, side stone, three stone or vintage.


Choose your precious metal.

Select your diamond shape, size and quality.

Explore different views of your ring throughout the process.

Once you complete your perfect ring (or several top contenders), use the tool to drop a hint, request more info, email a friend, print details and schedule a viewing.  Not totally done and have a question regarding your selections? Our specialists are available to assist you.

Create your dream ring or just explore different designs with the Ring Builder Tool!

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All About Pearls

It's no secret that we at Preciosa Jewelers love pearls. They are classic, timeless and beautiful. Pearls can complete your fall outfit, add the finishing touch to your wedding look and serve as a meaningful gift that can be passed down.

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Below we share just a few pieces of pearl jewelry from our collection. Visit us in our Kedzie Ave. or W. Archer Ave. locations in Chicago for our full selection.

Imperial Gold Earrings> http://bit.ly/1oDHTKf

Imperial Gold Ring> http://bit.ly/1mUmZej

Imperial Gold Chocolate Earrings> http://bit.ly/1oDIFH6

Imperial Gold Ring> http://bit.ly/1mUo5qt

Imperial Gold Ring> http://bit.ly/1oDJks9

Imperial Gold Necklace> http://bit.ly/1mUos4u

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5 Fall Events in Chicago

Now is a great time to get out and enjoy the fall weather along with some of Chicago’s greatest events! Mark your calendars to make it out to these five can’t-miss events in Chicago this fall from Preciosa Jewelers:

Chicago Artists Month Through October
The 19th Annual Chicago Artists Month highlights the work of hundreds of artists throughout Chicago with performances, exhibitions, open studios, tours and neighborhood art walks. Chicago Artists Month will invite residents and visitors to meet artists and see their work at venues across Chicago. The 2014 theme, Crossing Borders, showcases 20 featured programs and artists in neighborhoods ranging from Avondale to Andersonville, Lakeview to Little Village, West Town to Wicker Park and Lawndale to the Loop.

Day of the Dead Ends December 15
Each year, the National Museum of Mexican Art hosts the largest Day of the Dead celebration in the country. The exhibition presents artworks in photography, oil on canvas, wood and linoleum cuts, acid etchings, textiles, cartoneria and other media. Altars, installations, popular art, and fine art by more than 60 Mexican artists from communities in Mexico and the United States are part of the exhibition, which includes dozens of works from the Museum’s Permanent Collection.

All The Names: Patricia Through January 4, 2015

 With a twist toward the absurd and theatrical, Patricia Rieger isolates characters and spaces to suggest drama while maintaining ambiguity in All The Names: Patricia Rieger. Rieger creates images in sculpture and paintings with situations of seeming opposition: quiet and movement, private and public, ordinary and extraordinary, spiritual and banal, pleasure and comfort, creating tension and a poetic construction. She is intrigued with the poetics hidden in the mundane and every day.  This exhibit is located in the Michigan Ave. Galleries on 1st Floor South of the Chicago Cultural Center.

Because Everybody Loves Movies Through October
Sponsored by Dark Horse Wines, the Chicago International Film Festival will host a special exhibit, Because Everybody Loves Movies, an expansive display of posters, images and videos from its venerable five-decade history. Upon entering, visitors will be greeted by the iconic "eyes" logo that has been the Festival's logo since 1967. Along one wall, guests will enjoy an assortment of four-foot by four-foot photographs by Victor Skrebneski highlighting the many film icons that have attended the Festival throughout the years, including Sigourney Weaver, François Truffaut, Orson Welles, Kathleen Turner, Robin Williams, Bette Davis, Colleen Moore, Oliver Stone, Dennis Hopper, Liv Ullmann and others.

Carved, Cast, Crumpled Through December 21
The immersive exhibition Carved, Cast, Crumpled investigates the essential qualities of three-dimensional art across historical and cultural contexts, and questions what it means to be in the presence of an object. Comprised of sculptural works and a handful of related drawings by sculptors, it will showcase a foundational component of the Museum's collection, one that can be traced back to the Joel Starrels, Jr. Memorial Collection of modern sculpture that was featured in the Smart's inaugural exhibition in the fall of 1974.  The exhibition will take over the whole Museum, transforming both spaces normally dedicated to temporary exhibitions as well as those that are home to longer-standing installations of the Smart's collection.

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5 Totally Different Ways to Announce Your Engagement

Congratulations, you're engaged! 

Or maybe you're expecting a proposal soon and want to be prepared for how to announce it. 

Just enjoy all things wedding? We won't judge. 

But we will share some of our favorite engagement announcement ideas to share the big news when he pops the question!

source:

kadphotography.com.au

source:

fashiongalfireman.blogspot.com

source:

makeitcountphoto.com

source:

Holly Northup Pierce

source:

Abby Illa

 Want more help or inspiration from planning the proposal to buying the engagement ring to tying the knot? Visit us at Preciosa Jewelry in Chicago for all of your engagement and wedding needs.

Follow our Engagement Announcement Pinterest board here for creative and wonderful ways to announce your engagement!

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Four Things to Do in Chicago Now

Chicago's events are like no other. There's always something going on! Here we highlight four fun events to take part in across Chicago this August, September and October.

Four Things to Do in Chicago Now:

Chicago SummerDance- thru September 14
Come join us this summer as the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park blossoms into an urban dance space. Dance to the sounds of 44 different live bands and get into step with dance lessons beforehand. Glide across the restored 4,900-square-foot, 100 percent recycled, open-air dance floor designed by Chicago artist Dan Peterman. Swing, waltz, cha-cha…or simply enjoy the music- all free!
 
More info: http://bit.ly/VGK6fG

 

Chicago Jazz Festival- August 28 - 31
Known for its artistic creativity, the Chicago Jazz Festival is a favorite Labor Day Weekend tradition. It promotes awareness and appreciation for all forms of jazz through free, quality live musical performance. Since 1979, the festival's mission is to showcase Chicago's vast jazz talent alongside national and international artists to encourage and educate a jazz audience of all ages.

More info: http://bit.ly/VGJV4c

World Music Festival Chicago- September 11-21
The 16th Annual World Music Festival Chicago will take place Thursday, September 11 – Sunday, September 21, 2014 and is presented by the City of Chicago and produced by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. This city-wide, multi-venue, eleven-day festival has attracted over 650,000 concertgoers and has presented more than 650 artists and ensembles from over 80 countries since it began in 1999.

More info: http://bit.ly/1sXxsHC

DCASE Theater and Dance- September 2- October 16
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) presents an ongoing performing arts series that showcases both emerging and established music, theater, dance and multi-disciplinary artists at the Chicago Cultural Center and other venues. Dedicated to capacity building in the arts, DCASE hires the artists and provides performance space as well as technical and marketing support.

More info: http://bit.ly/VGJoPF 

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Five Facts You Didn't Know About Rubies

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Celebrated for July birthdays as well as those celebrating their 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries, the ruby is a popular gemstone. Rubies are associated with devotion, integrity, courage and happiness. Here are five facts about rubies that you (probably) didn't know before: 

1. The most desirable ruby color is known as “pigeon’s blood” and is a deep red with a hint of blue.

2. The world’s largest known ruby is owned by a Chinese jewelry company. It clocks in at 40,920 carats.

3. As durable as they are beautiful, rubies are extremely strong. Only the diamond is stronger!

4. Far back in history, Kublai Khan offered the King of Ceylon a city in exchange for a large ruby.

5. A ruby that is too light or has too much purple or orange isn't actually sold as a ruby at all. Instead, these are called fancy-color sapphires.

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Five Favorite Chicago Photographs

Chicago Harbor Lighthouse- source

Marilyn Monroe Sculpture- source

Cloud Gate/The Bean- source

Navy Pier- source

Lakeshore Drive- source

As your jeweler in Chicago, we hope you enjoyed these five great photos of our city! Want more Chicago love (and jewelry, fashion and holiday pins)? Follow Preciosa Jewelry on Pinterest here.


Tell us in the comments: What is your favorite part of Chicago?

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Summer Pinterest Inspiration

Source

Summer is finally here! To celebrate, we’re sharing bright summer pins from our Summertime board on Pinterest.

Floral Flowing Dresses
Details> http://bit.ly/1hTSAKZ

Chic Summer Hats
Details> http://bit.ly/1hTT2cj

Bright Colored Nails
Details> http://bit.ly/1vaRoVY

Detailed Cut-out Rompers
Details> http://bit.ly/1hTUr2C


Stop by the store for equally fun jewelry to complement your summer look! And don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for more!

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