Girl Crush: Erica Bethe Levin and Jessica Zweig, Founders of Cheeky Chicago
Name: Erica Bethe Levin
Title: CEO & Editor-In-Chief, CheekyChicago.com
Neighborhood: East Lakeview/Boystown
Name: Jessica Zweig
Title: President & Co-Founder of CheekyChicago.com
Neighborhood: River West
1. Favorite Street Style Start:
Erica: My BFF Stephanie Miller who now lives in NYC as the Social Media Director of SELF Magazine, has the best style - street or otherwise - out of anyone I know.
Jessica: Lynne Bredfeldt. I’ve never seen that girl (also one of my best friends) look anything less than absolutely chic. She’s the best dressed person I know.
2. Trend You’re Loving For Spring:
Erica: I bought a pair of 80’s inspired Joe’s jeans that are floral. My boyfriend laughed because he remembers the FIRST time they were in style!
Jessica: Emerald Green as the pantone color for spring. It’s actually my favorite color ever - so I’m really happy 2013 caught on!
3. On Repeat:
Erica: Since it’s still cool out, my leggings with leather patches.
Jessica: “I Love It” by Icona Pop and everything Cut Copy.
4. Bucket List:
Erica: Probably like most people, to travel the world, inside and out. That would be number one.
Jessica: Traveling to Dubai, Bali and Buenos Aires. Taking Cheeky national. Finally doing a handstand in yoga. Being a mom to a puppy.
5. Dinner Party Guest List:
Erica: I recently met with Christie Hefner and I think she’s one of the Cheekiest women I’ve ever met. I’d love to have her over for dinner.
Jessica: My closest friends. There’s nothing more important to me than my friends. I recently threw a house party and invited: James Goeke, Lisa Frame, Megan Taylor, Hedy Dietzen, Lynne Bredfeldt, Kevin Aeh, Erica Levin, PJ Monson and Rodelio Aglibot.
6. What’s On Your Bar Cart:
Erica: The better question is..What’s NOT on my bar cart?
Jessica: Casa Azul Tequila, a bottle of Moet, cans of Sofia, a bottle of something Skinnygirl, a bevy of red and white wines from Trader Joes and my champagne flutes with Cheeky logo engravings.
7. Can’t Live Without:
Erica: My teacup Yorkie, Pippin and my computer.
Jessica: My boyfriend, Brian.
8. What Every Girl Must Have In Their Closet:
Erica: A really spacious shoe rack.
Jessica: Accessories. Stackable bracelets, cocktail rings, statement necklaces, cool clutches and fun shoes. you can wear the same outfit a zillion different ways with the right accessories. Also, I’m a fan of top layers: coats are key. A classic peacoat for winter and a quality trench for spring are must-haves.
9. Top Three Beauty Products:
Erica: Clarins BB Cream, NARS satin all-day lipstick, MAC penultimate eyeliner in black.
Jessica: NARS “glow stick” called Casablanca, Skin Authority Face Wash and BioCare NeoCutis Stem Cell Eye Cream.
10. Date Night:
Erica: Riccardo Trattoria or our couch.
Jessica: Volare. It was my frist date spot with Brian and we go there on a regular basis now. It’s straight out of the Sopranos, but a Chicago style crowd, incredible food and a packed house every night of the week.
11. Words To Live By:
Erica: “There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t support other women.”
Jessica: Girls - Be nice to each other. If we were, we could rule the world.
12. Chicago Boutique:
Erica: Sofia Vintage
Jessica: Edith Hart in Bucktown. Amazing European and Australian Indie designers meet insane pricing with incredibly warm service - basically unheard of but it exists at Edit Hart.
13. Scent:
Erica: Narcisco Rodriguez (the black bottle). I once got on the bus and the bus driver said, “Damn girl, you make my bus smell good.” I knew I had something there.
Jessica: NandaDeBary. You can find it exclusively at Barney’s.
14: Apps:
Erica: Uber, Hailo, Sidecar. Ironic that they’re all transportation apps?
Jessica: Instagram. I’m obsessed and I’m proud of it. Follow my randomness @CheekyJessica.
15. If you could meet any designer, it would be:
Erica: The late, great, Alexander McQueen.
Jessica: I actually already met her: Betsey Johnson at an airport in Mexico and she was quite possibly the coolest, nicest, most down-to-earth woman ever. Eccentric people are my favorite kind of people.
16. Coffee Table Staple:
Erica: People magazine.
Jessica: My Voluspa candles, glass blown coasters from the Old Town Art Fair and a Time Out Chicago Magazine
17. Pinterest Board:
Erica: Food, drinks, desserts and more food.
Jessica: I’m actually more into home decor lately than the clothes in my closet. Hence, my Sanctuary Home Board.
18. Neighborhood:
Erica: I lived in Lincoln Park for almost a decade, and it’s still my favorite, but I LOVE Boystown as well.
Jessica: I live in River West now with my boyfriend but I lived in Old Town for over four years. I will always be an Old Town girl at heart. It’s my favorite neighborhood in Chicago.
19. Chicago Restaurant:
Erica: I cannot choose just one, I simply can’t.
Jessica: Darado in Lincoln Square. It’s the epitome of the hidden gem. A BYOB Mexican/French fusion restaurant in Lincoln Square. It’s been my favorite for all the years I’ve lived in Chicago and always will be.
