Chicago - March 28, 2005

The 10 Spot

10 Nest Items Under 10 Dollars

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Then again, a penny saved is a penny earned. Two great cliches that go well together.

New Job
The girls on your floor invite you to lunch. Don’t let Suzy go back to the office with broccoli between her bicuspids; loan her your darling $9 mirror (Virtu, 2034 North Damen Avenue; 773-235-3790).

Meeting new peeps means pressing lots of palms. Put your best hand forward with a $7 manicure from Salon Victorya — for first-timers only (Salon Victorya, 2150 North Seminary; 773-296-4523).

Everyone knows real team bonding happens in the loo. Share your lipgloss without sharing germs.

First Date
Go casual cool with $3 plastic bangles (Una Mae’s Freak Boutique, 1422 North Milwaukee; 773-276-7002) and a $5 vintage tee (Ragstock, 1812 West Belmont Avenue; 773-868-9263).

The only first date cuisine trickier than garlicky Italian? Sushi. Impress him with foolproof $4 chopsticks, complete with a clothespin top (Art Effect, 934 West Armitage Avenue; 773-929-3600).

You’ve graduated to dinner at his best friends’ house. Bring them something bubbly but not pretentious.

Parental Units
The ‘rents are going to look you over from head to toe. Luckily they can’t see through your sweet-girl act straight to your $8 Jezzie thongs (G Boutique, 2131 North Damen Avenue; 773-235-1234).

Fresh flowers will always get you invited back. Pick up a bouquet of tulips for $9.50 or a petite nosegay for under $5 (A New Leaf, 1818 North Wells Street; 312-642-8553).

Some advice: Cover your crack. The only thing lower than those jeans is the price of these belts.