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Tara Swords [Photo: Jennifer Avello]
I'd start with brunch at GT Fish & Oyster [531 North Wells Street]. The oyster po’boy sliders and the blueberry lemonade are divine! There are at least five other things on the menu that always call my name, though. It’s the
Merz Apothecary [4716 North Lincoln Avenue] has so many things to smell! Merz has beautiful high-end perfumes like Diptyque alongside these delightful, obscure, inexpensive brands that you’d be har
Sofia [100 East Walton Street] is really well edited—the clothes, the leather goods, the awesome-smelling Lafco candles, the jewelry, and even some niche perfumes like Lady Vengeance from Jul
I love paper and I’m a big fan of beautiful presentation, so Greer [1657 North Wells Street] is a must for gorgeous stationery and little treasures that make ordinary tasks, like jotting notes, seem extra special. [Photo
And then I’d have to go to Paper Source [919 West Armitage Avenue] to stock up on supplies to make my own stationery, too. I get a little geeky about paper projects. Both stores are also great places for unforgettable gi
Last stop: Embeya [564 West Randolph Street] for a cold drink and some matcha cream puffs. Embeya has lots of excellent choices on the menu, but the matcha cream puffs are unbelievably good and unique. They’re the perfect l
Tara Swords is the founder of Olfactif, a perfume-subscription service that delivers three niche perfumes from international artists at the beginning of each month. We asked the Chicago-based entrepreneur how she would spend the perfect Saturday in our city. From cream puffs to fragrant candles, here's what she'd get her nose into.