Lisa Nichols at Macy’s on State St.

Itika Oldwine, NBC Chicago Street Team
Back in 2007 a little known phenomenon called “The Secret”

The Secret

seemed to be on everyone’s lips (including Chicago based media queen Lady O). First released as a film, then audio book and finally printed book, “The Secret,” the belief that “,we create our lives with every thought, every minute of every day,” started a trend of self development that took off at warp speed.

Fast forward to 2009 and personal empowerment seems to be everyone’s mantra. From self help spin-offs like “The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything,” to our 44th President’s uber-effective and completely catchy campaign motto “Yes We Can,” it’s become a pretty general belief that each one of us holds the power to create our own destiny.

As a featured teacher in “The Secret,” motivational speaker Lisa Nichols

Lisa Nichols

is one of the much loved crusaders of this movement. She’s here in Chicago Friday June 5 on the sixth stop of her eight city book tour for newly released “No Matter What!: 9 Steps to Living the Life you Love.” With the purchase of one copy of No Matter What! (available for purchase at the door) you gain free entry into the No Matter What Seminar held at Macy’s on State St. in the Narcissus Room. Come out and feel the super-charged energy of Lisa Nichols, what an inspired way to spend a Friday afternoon in the Chi!

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Calling All Fashionistas

Naywri Wright, NBC5 Street Team (Video)

Hey ladies, Fashionista is here again. The annual event will be held Thursday at the State Street Macys.

The night is complete with music, delicious appetizers and a trend show featuring Kensie, French Connection, BCBG Max Azria and more. You can save 20% on an Impulse purchase on the day of the event, and when you spend a $100 you get a free gift bag.

While you’re there, you can receive a complimentary sample of the fragrance Burberry The Beat.

Eos Estate Winery, will be serving their award winning Eos 2006 Chardonnay and Eos 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon at the event, and the gals from Flirty Girl Fitness will be on hand to demonstrate their pole and chair dancing acumen. Don’t miss Sugar Bliss Cupcake Boutique sampling their delicious mini cupcakes. This one’s going to be very fun ladies!

Where: Macy’s on State Street, 3rd floor, Impulse
When: Thursday, September 18, 5-8pm

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Kenneth Cole GQ Event

Naywri Wright, NBC5 Street Team (Video)

Check this out guys! Kenneth Cole New York, Macys, and GQ are hosting an event called “Men’s Style Boost.” It’s a chance to win a trip to New York City to be in your own fashion shoot and in GQ’s December issue.
It’s being held Wednesday at the Macy’s on State Street, and all attendees will receive a free gift provided by Kenneth Cole New York.

In addition, customers will receive a 20% discount on all Kenneth Cole New York men’s merchandise on the day of the event. Guys, be ready to look good. I’m sure the ladies will be checking it out as well.

Macy’s on State Street
2nd floor, Men’s department
Wednesday, September 17, 5:30 – 7:30pm

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The Mystery at Macy’s

Shlomi Rabi NBC5 Street Team

Being a proud OCD, I must say that few things in life give me more pleasure than watching order and cleanliness. I could spend hours watching super clean closets, and the sight of neat shelving units normally brings tears of joy to my eyes.

Which is why I was oh-so-confused when I saw the strange…activity on the display windows on Macy’s on Washington and State. What was UP with that? Stacks and stacks of books that were being taken down and then put back up?

Did an intern get confused? Well, whatever that was, for lack of a better term, it was “interesting.” And by interesting I mean “bizarre”. And by bizarre I mean “bitch please.”

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Looptopia: Seeing What All The Buzz Is About

Marcus Riley, NBC5 Street Team (video)

So my role tonight as Looptopia has been to hang out in the media room and take calls from the various Street Team members and input them onto the blog. I guess you could say I am taking one for the team, but after hearing about all the great stuff going on, I had to participate. So I just left.

I decided to head toward Macys, which of all the blog postings I’ve seen seen so far tonight, it seemed like one of the most interesting spots — especially that 7th floor dance party.

I immediately encountered a mob of people on the sidewalk, but the energy was outstanding. People are generally in a good mood out here. Most of the crowd is young (high school, early 20s), but there is definitely a good mix of age ranges out here.

Spontaneity seems to be the order of the day. Groups of people freestyle rapping on the corner, a guy dressed in a Captain Morgan costume taking pictures with people.

When I finally reached Macys, I could not believe how packed it was. A security nightmare I would think, with all of the merchandise still displayed in plain view. I finally reached my destination — the 7th floor, and was pleasantly surprised by the scene in the Walnut Room. Mmmmm… Heinekin. On the other side, a DJ was pumping some old school house music and the dance floor was packed with gyrating bodies chanting “South Side! South Side!” and I joined in the fun by jumping in and chanting “South Loop! South Loop!” Ya.. Looptopia is good.

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Looptopia Takes Over Macys

 Damaris Woodbury, NBC5 Street Team

Free makovers, fragrance samples, free food, patrons and employees losing all inhibitions and letting loose to the tunes being pumped throughout the entire floor.

The energy is extremely high and people are dancing alone and with each other in the perfume aisles. And this is just the first floor, people. Is this really Macys?

I heading straight for the food and stuff myself at the hot dog stand, and continue to indulge myself in the free popcorn and samples of the new organic Frangos chocolate mint — yummy!
 
I see little kids running around with elaborate face paint and I make my way up to the 5th floor, designated the family floor. There were face painters, balloon twisters, arts & crafts, fake tattoos, kids jumping up and down with musical instruments and singing included in the family entertainment. The parents were just happy to have bean bags to sit in around the FAO Schwartz section, while they let their kids run loose.
I hear sexy, pounding music above me.  The seventh floor of Macys has been converted to a lounge with a dj, free cocktails, intimate seating areas and a dark setting. Going to Macys has never been this much fun. 

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Looptopia: Gwen Stefani at Macy’s? Kinda.

Blagica Bottigliero, NBC5 Street Team (Video)

I was heading home from the early shift of covering tonite’s festivities. The rain was pouring, my pants were soaked and I was almost at the El. That’s when I saw a brightly colored gal on a bike. In front of Macy’s. I stopped, took a glance and learned it was a promotion for Gwen Stefani’s new L.A.M.B fragrance. Genius way to tie in Looptopia with promoting a new line of perfume.

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A Possible New Relationship: Macy’s and Me

Blagica Bottigliero, NBC5 Street Team (Video)

(For more ideas, stories and my POV on life in Chicago, take a look-see here.  You can also follow me on Twitter).

I’ve been proudly wearing my ‘Forever Marshall Fields‘ pin for a few months now.

I haven’t shopped at Macy’s Chicago since the switch.

I’m one of those people that called up Federated in protest.

I still think the merchandise, brands and overall ‘feel’ of shopping has changed.

It was time to bite the bullet and visit Macy’s last weekend. I had a wedding shower to get to and the bride registered with Macy’s. Of course I wanted to get her what she wanted, so off to Macy’s I went.

I was apprehensive. I found the gorgeous Lenox wine glasses my friend requested and started chatting with the Registry staff. Turns out, the women that helped me out were with Marshall Field’s before Macy’s. I wasn’t shy about expressing my feelings about the new store and how many of us feel Macy’s isn’t up to par as Field’s. Carnita rang me up and threw in a 10% off code – that was really sweet. The department manager came over and I learned, she too, was a Field’s person.

The first thought that came to mind? Why don’t these former Field’s people start a blog? I know I’d get a kick out of hearing the stories of these retail veterans and understanding why they work at Macy’s.

As I pondered this thought, I headed over to Gift Wrapping. This is when I fell in love with Annie. Annie’s been wrapping gifts at Macy’s for three years and was with Field’s 12 years before that. Annie was quiet at first, but we started chatting. I could have spent my entire afternoon with her.

Will I shop at Macy’s more often? I’m not sure. What I do know is that I hold a great deal of respect for the team that came from the world of green and entered the world of black.

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