The holiday season is officially here, and while the times are getting better, there are still people that need just a little extra TLC this year.  That’s why, for the second year in a row, Brixton has teamed up with the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago to collect toys as part of the organization’s annual toy drive.  All gift donations delivered to our newest residential space, CA23, will go directly to local Chicago kids, ages six to 18.

In the Chicagoland area, The Boys and Girls club serves more than 13,000 young people during the year, through 32 Clubs and 3 different locations.

So, as you fill your upcoming Saturdays and Sundays with shopping and planning for the holidays, please be sure to stop by our CA23 lobby between 12-3 p.m. to drop off a toy for a special boy or girl. Happy Holidays!

Anybody who lives in the West Loop will tell you how it is truly the place to be.  Now, this burgeoning neighborhood is becoming even more accessible for residents with the CTA’s announcement that it will begin construction on two new stations for the Green and Pink lines in the West Loop between Clinton and Ashland.  Expected to be completed 2011, the additions are sure to bring to the West Loop an increase in restaurants, retail stores and other local businesses.  Stay tuned to see what happens next!

Tomorrow may bring some very exciting news to our city.  Despite varying opinions about whether the Olympics will have a positive impact on Chicago, we are all holding our breath to see if Chicago is selected as the destination to host the 2016 Summer Olympic games.  The impact this global event could have on our economy, the local housing market and small businesses outweighs anything we’ve ever encountered in the Midwest. 

But with our Olympic spotlight, it appears Chicago has finally started to receive the attention it deserves.  Now is an exciting time to live in the “Windy City” and whether or not it is chosen tomorrow, I think it is safe to say that the buzz around Chicago is here to stay.

With summer quickly becoming a fading memory, what better way to celebrate the change in seasons than the end-of-summer West Loop Block Party presented by the Brixton Group?  On Saturday, September 12 from 1-5 pm, all are invited to experience the food and fun! Guests will be able to enjoy complimentary food and drink including traditional street fare like cotton candy and popcorn. 

Bummed about missing out on those impossible to get U2 tickets? Then cap off the day by soaking up the sounds of U2 Tribute band Vertigo USA taking the stage at 3pm.  Local retailers and entities such as CA23, HALO [FOR MEN], Nicholas Joseph Custom Tailors, Koros Boutique, Pivot Boutique, West Loop Athletic Club, POW!, and Studio L’Amour will also be on hand with discount vouchers for partygoers. See you Saturday at 23 N Aberdeen between Washington St. and Madison St., the only thing missing is you!

With September here and autumn nearly in full swing, many Chicagoans are looking for ways to spice up their home décor this season.  This Fall, interior design experts are predicting that hot color trends will focus on deep hues and earth tones.  Shake your space up and add warmth to your home with a deep woodsy green, ice blue combined with a darker blue, brick red, or a mix of pumpkin orange and chocolate.  Any of these colors work well for wall accents or for painting a complete room.

Jessica Margot of Jessica Margot Interior Design Inc., and the designer behind the Brixton Group’s CA23 says, “painting a room is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to create a big difference.”  To pack a punch, Margot recommends selecting colors that not only represent the feeling of the room, but also embody your personality.  Other unique trends that can add warmth include, incorporating natural materials into the space, adding soft curves to finishes and architecture and mixing old with new to give your house an eclectic and homey feel.

CA23 is open every weekend (12pm-3pm) and each Tuesday (11am -1pm), subject to holidays, or call us directly to set up an appointment  to view our  model, purchase a unit and  secure this incredible opportunity.

With the launch of our new website comes a lot of changes for The Brixton Group.  For nearly 13 years, we have been delivering homes to dozens of Chicago-area residents seeking unique living environments that offer both quality and luxury in some of Chicago’s most popular neighborhoods.  With this, we have always made ourselves accessible online, offering information to first time and experienced homebuyers, alike. 

Our new website will continue to offer interested buyers the advice and tools they need to get a home loan, calculate their monthly mortgage payments or figure out how much square feet of space they need to live comfortably.   In addition, we are making efforts to reach our audience in other ways that may be more convenient to them, whether through Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.  

Links to the Brixton-related pages on these social networking sites are located on the bottom of our new home page. We look forward to staying connected!

Taking place on north Aberdeen St. (between Madison St. & Washington St.), there will be complimentary food, non-alcoholic drinks, street fare such as popcorn and cotton candy, and a moon jump for the kids. Bring the family, and browse the local retailers and entities that will be on hand offering discount vouchers and complimentary items to guests. The block party will be from 1-5 p.m., with Vertigo USA performing at 3 p.m.

• Mix old with new: Look for one-of-a-kind items to show an appreciation for the artisan and make your home stand out. Meld different styles, colors and patterns to help show-off your personality.
• Enhance with color: Painting a room is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to create a big difference. To pack a punch, try adding a bright color to a single wall or piece of furniture. This will help provide your space with a classic look that will easily transition along with your taste.
• Embody existing elements: Look for the natural appeal of your home by focusing on the sleek lines, gentle curves and details that are built into the space. If your space is more geometric than curved, adding decorative accents made of silver, chrome, glass, crystal or Lucite can create the illusion of natural curves in an area where there are none.
• Add some green: Plants are a great contribution to any room. Indoor plants also improve indoor air quality.

Below are the details from their website (http://angelswithtails.pawschicago.org):

PAWS Chicago is partnering with THE OPRAH STORE on the first-ever Angels with Tails West Loop adoption event featuring adorable dogs, puppies, cats and kittens available for adoption at multiple stores within the area. Come and experience the blessing these little angels can bring to your life!

If you’re in the area, stop by our sales center one block over at 23 N. Aberdeen. For more information, visit: www.thebrixtongroup.com