Although Christmas is a time of the year when it is better to give than receive, let’s be honest, receiving is so much more fun! So in the holiday spirit, UR Chicago staffers put together a little Christmas wish list to send to Santa this year. A little self-indulgence never hurt anyone! Oh yea, and feel free to mail any of these gifts to us over at the office; it would be much appreciated. - Terrence


Terrence Chappell - Fashion Editor



Kenneth Cole New York Roma Flap Over Laptop Bag - $325.00


Lately, I’ve been attending a lot of meetings with local designers, business owners, and potential contributors. My old, beat-up Swiss Army duffle bag is just not cutting it anymore. This Kenneth Cole laptop bag has the feel of a young professional, but with a hint of risk with it’s stressed leather and color. Plus, you can never go wrong with a Kenneth Cole bag.

Cole Haan Hayden Penny Shoes - $99.95

Cole Haan is great because it’s a high-end designer, but you don’t have to pay high-end prices for a classic, stylish look. Not to mention, the designers are Chicagoans, so you would be supporting local talent. I love these loafers. I’m thinking that I could wear them with a pair of jeans for casual Fridays or even save them for shorts when the weather gets better. Always thinking ahead!

French Connection Military Melton Coat - $368.00

Ever since high school, I’ve been a huge fan of French Connection. I always find what I want with no fuss. Winter coats should always be a timeless look and never trendy or above the waist. I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to tough it through the winter with style in my FCUK military coat.

Matt DuFour - Publisher & Music Editor


Tart Optical "FDR" stye Vintage Frames - $160.00



Ever since I saw a pair of Tart Optical frames on my main man Jeff Goldblum on Law & Order Criminal Intent last year, I've been a fan of this vintage brand. Tart isn't making frames anymore, but there's two styles and multiple colors of Tart Frames easily available online (either on eBay or tartoptical.com)... Since I scored a pair of Tart's "Arnel" frames earlier this year, I've been eyeballing these tortoise shell FDR-style frames.

Diesel Trouleg Jeans: Black (extremely rare) - $224.00 - $300.00



These are the perfect jeans... for me at least. I got my first pair in a gifting suite at SXSW in 2005 (or so) and have worn them literally hundreds of times. They fit perfectly... tight through the thighs, but slightly boot cut around the shins - great for wearing with cowboy boots... My original pair are sadly approaching the end of their lifespan (holes in both back pockets, crotch, both front pockets, etc). I've managed to keep them alive with patches, but even that isn't going to last much longer... Unfortunately, Diesel no longer makes this style of denim (And haven't for a few years). There are literally ZERO pairs of these jeans in ANY Diesel store (or Diesel outlet) in the entire world... I asked last time I was at the Diesel Store on Rush... So this one is a long shot, but... it's definitely on my wish list.

Corral Cowboy Boots – $399.99



I fell in love with Cowboy Boots while in college outside out Nashville, TN... There was an amazing used boot shop in the West End where I got my first pair of boots - Burgundy Ostrich Skin. Since then, I've expanded my collection quite a bit... I recently saw this pair of black Eelskin Cowboy Boots from Corral while shopping for Halloween at Alcalas Western Wear on Grand. They rule.


Chess Hubbard – Publisher & Creative Director


J- Crew Stadium-cloth Winnie jacket - $245.00



Makes winter almost seem worthwhile when you got a jacket like this! Yeah, so my first job in Chicago was working at J Crew. As preppy as it seems, J Crew has amazing jackets and dresses for all kinds of ladies. The quality is generally very good and their sizes fit me perfectly. Also, I need a yellow jacket.

LED Light Strip (DJdeals.com) - $189.00



I absolutely NEED these LED lights for our live shows. Strobe effect and slave function. Sounds dirty. Also, only weighs 5lbs, so it won't add too much more weight to my already heavy as sin DJ rig. Also, lights instantly make a show go from fun to CRAZY. If you don't believe me, check out Simian Mobile Disco and the Presets live show.

ALLEN & HEATH XONE:2D MIDI CONTROLLER - $624.0


YES. YES. YES. I love A&H. This is their latest, award-winning midi controller. HELLO crazy live show full of effects and magic. Allen & Heath, come on now, you can throw a few gadgets my way. I know I'm no Richie Hawtin, but I do have blonde hair like him now...


Katherine Champagne – Marketing & Intern Coordinator


STUSSY x HELLO KITTY TEES


I am a Hello Kitty addict—not quite as bad as this poor man's wife but still, my stash is pretty out of control. As such, this capsule collection between Hello Kitty and streetwear brand Stussy is right up my alley. I love the cheeky sayings on the tees and the combination of the cutesy Hello Kitty figures with Stussy's trademark edgy handwriting style. Unfortunately, I'll have to content myself with only checking out these products online—the collection will only be released in Japan. (I Googled far and wide, but if you know where to buy this stuff online, email me!)

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN SILVER KNUCKLE DUSTER – $550.00

If I had an extra five or six hundred dollars or so, I'd be sporting this McQueen knuckle duster every time I hit the town. How can you go wrong with this? It's got major sparkle and the ability to make you look untouchable. "You'll get a nice skull shaped imprint on the bridge of your nose if you take my cab, you assholes. Don't mess!"

OPI SUEDE NAIL POLISH - $5.49



Ah, the only item on this "Christmas list" that isn't an indulgent dream. Nail polish trends seem to be on a pendulum, swinging back and forth between a matte nail and a super shiny one. This brand new "Suede" line of polishes from OPI sits squarely in the middle, adding a teensy bit of shimmer to matte versions of popular OPI colors. I can't wait to try out the Suede version of "Lincoln Park After Dark"—the original shade is from OPI's 2005 "Chicago" collection.