I am IN LOVE with the Mustard Seed. It first caught my attention because it is a fair trade shop…read more Turns out that it is run by volunteers so the money earned goes directly to the artists. The people who make the goods here are from all over -- from Chili to Ghana. When I purchase gifts, they often include brief information about the artist as well as the shop. Friends and family -- including my super cool teenage nieces and my mom -- who have received gifts from this store before are always excited when they see the familiar box. In fact, this Christmas I did the majority of my shopping here. They carry an amazing array of jewelry. From beautiful beaded necklaces to metal cuffs to swingy earrings. They also carry clothing (sweaters were a huge item this winter), colored scarves (I can't get enough!), wooden bowls, purses, blankets, rugs, wall decor, children's items and frames. During the holidays they even carry ornaments. I've posted a pic of a couple of them. The people who volunteer here are extremely nice and dedicated to helping the artists they show -- often women trying to support their families. But when buying here be prepared for a slow process. Because they are volunteers it's not like walking into a well oiled retail shop. But who really cares? It feels great to help out people who are trying to help themselves (hint -- it's the artist) and give gifts that have meaning to me and the recipient. It's been an amazing teaching tool for my nieces while giving them things they love. Hmmm. I think it's time for a new fashion scarf. Can't stay away too long!

This is a great little shop with so many items to choose from, I may go in for a pair of earrings…read moreto give as a gift but then find a pair for myself, a necklace, and 10 other things I want! The items are all fair trade and the employees are volunteers so you know you are shopping for a good cause! Great for gifts and each product has a story!

Very disappointing experience. The seller never mentioned their products are non-refundable, I…read morepolitely asked for an exception since the item was unused and it had only been a few hours since purchase, but they refused without any willingness to help. The owner won't even talk to me help me resolve my problem. Poor customer service and lack of transparency. Plus their prices are way more expensive than in the other stores. Would not recommend.

I bought two chains at that place last Black Friday and was offered to finance it with them through…read moresynchrony. The card never arrived, and I soon had several fraudulent transactions for thousands of dollars from the same store. Fortunately the transactions were disputed by the bank but then the owner called me trying to have me admit that i went there and made purchases myself...what a joke, I will not be back

Knowledgeable, helpful, & courteous staff. Have purchased several pieces over the years for…read morevarious occasions and have always been very pleased with my purchase! Staff is very attentive to your budget and find pieces that fit it.

We got our wedding bands specially made with Mike from Lake Forest Jewelers and couldn't be happier…read morewith how they turned out! We had them shipped to California for our wedding day and they made sure to send them with extra care. I highly recommend Lake Forest Jewelers, their quality is great and they are very timely and professional! Even if you're not local to Illinois, I highly recommend supporting a local family business :)

My favorite place to be. They have their more "upscale" donations at the front entrance and as you…read morecontinue walking around you will see more reasonably priced items. They have almost anything you think you may need and if they don't, they'll have it next week. They have a sale going on right now the entire store is 50% off and you cannot beat that. They also run different sales throughout the year. There's A LOT of items but it's not messy- everything is organized and labeled. In addition to the wide variety of items and prices, the volunteers and employees have been so kind to me. Victor delivered a couch and chair and I'm so grateful for the help! I'm in there almost every week. Be prepared to spend at least an hour in there. You can't beat it!

This store is always fun and its HUGE! The prices here are very fair and there are always new items…read more. Don't miss the free section in the back and in the children's area. Upscale donates their proceeds to charity, so you can feel good about shopping here.

Walked in and barely anyone looked up to offer a mere hello. I wandered around for a good 25…read moreminutes before 1 of the 4 employees reluctantly approached me. Selection is good but unsure if pricing is fair. I'll take my business elsewhere.

I went hunting for some consignment stores and while I didn't find exactly what I was looking for…read moreat Village Treasure House, I was surprised at how clean, well-stocked and varied the merchandise was. There were definitely more than a handful of things that tempted me off the path of my intended errand. Maybe most importantly, the place was well-ventilated and air-conditioned. Definitely worth a check at their physical location or their website if you're looking for something new for your home.

After spending thousands(14K) of dollars here and being a loyal customer , I asked Jackie to fix a…read moregold bracelet of mine. She fixed the busted clasp and charged me $75 for which I was fine with. I picked the bracelet up and the next day the bracelet broke falling off me and I could not find it. I came back to the store and she told me that it was not her fault since the bracelet could had broken in another place. I send fine could you just at least refund the $75 I was not asking her to even replace the bracelet and she said no and got very nasty with me. I will NEVER go back there. I also live in the city and since she would not return my calls I had to drive out there to talk to her. She is a horrible business person and I will never but anything from her again.

I wore my watch with a dead battery for week hoping I would be able to get it fixed when I passed…read moreby a reputable jewelry shopping. Unfortunately, there's not much time for shopping in my life, although I did happen to make a stop at my beloved dollar store* to gather some goodies before hopping on a flight to Florida. And that's where I noticed Jacquelie's of Northbrook. Hooray- a jewelry store! My first instinct was to check the Yelp reviews...duh. When I noticed they didn't have any I was a bit worried about leaving my nicest watch there, but figured it was worth stopping in. As soon as I walked in I received lots of attention even when they realized I was there JUST for a watch battery. I was still a bit worried about leaving my watch there, but decided it was probably OK since a) they mentioned they'd been in business 35 years b) had a lovely selection of jewelry & c) the rent next to sunset foods has to be somewhat high so they must do A-OK selling jewelry They gave me a receipt (complete with a pic of my watch) and told me they'd be in touch in about a week. They did mention there could be a slight delay due to the holidays. When I didn't hear from them for a week I called them myself and got VM. Jacqueline herself returned my call and let me know they were taking vacation for the holidays. As soon as they opened their doors after the holidays I got a call that my watch was ready. I picked it up the very next day and it was ticking away! Hopefully the next time I stop in here is for a bit of jewelry shopping. They have a nice selection at different price points. And I also recommend if you need a new watch battery! * http://www.yelp.com/biz/dollar-tree-northbrook?hrid=mqNRZf8v4YDMXyqw3Kvr6w

I've watched my fair share HGTV shows where the designer goes to some kooky place filled with…read moretrinkets and treasures of times gone by. This place is a bit like that but mixed with the early days of Etsy. "Designers" can rent an 8x8 or bigger "storefront" to showcase their unique designs. Mostly stuff reclaimed from decades gone by and redesigned with some kind of flair. There's generally a theme to the different storefronts: women's vintage clothing, funny and lovey-dovey sayings regarding dogs and cats, plastic and silk flowers, dairy and farm, sarcastic sayings, whiskey barrel designs for the men dragged into this place, etc. My wife and I found a whimsical chip and dip bowl. It was nice and will replace one of the blander versions we have at home. Truthfully, there were quite a bit of items that were perfect housewarming gifts and gifts for people who have specific decor tastes. It's also a decent place to just kill some time browsing through all the stuff people have created to get your own creative juices flowing.

Great place to find antiques and handmade items. I never leave empty-handed. Christmas time is…read moremy favorite time to stop in to find unique gifts. Also, most booths are beautifully decorated for the holiday season. During one visit, they were having a painting class. The room was full, and everyone seemed to be having a good time.

If you're looking for exceptional service, unmatched expertise, and someone you can trust…read morecompletely, I wholeheartedly recommend Irv and Allura Fine Jewelers in Highland Park. After 34 wonderful years of marriage, my wife and I decided it was time to celebrate with a truly extraordinary diamond ring. Irv made the entire experience unforgettable. He patiently guided us through every step of selecting the perfect 3.0-carat radiant-cut diamond, D color, VVS2 clarity, and helped us pair it with a stunning 18-karat gold setting. The finished ring is absolutely breathtaking. What sets Irv apart is not just his deep knowledge of diamonds and fine jewelry, but his integrity, honesty, and genuine passion for helping his customers. There was never any pressure--only thoughtful guidance, exceptional attention to detail, and a sincere desire to make sure we found exactly the right piece. Buying fine jewelry is about more than gemstones; it's about creating lasting memories. Thanks to Irv, this experience became one of those special moments my wife and I will always remember. His professionalism, craftsmanship, and personal service are second to none. If you're considering a significant jewelry purchase, do yourself a favor and visit Irv at Allura Fine Jewelers. You will be treated with respect, honesty, and expertise, and you'll leave with something truly exceptional. He has earned our highest recommendation, and we look forward to returning for many years to come.

I went last minute to fix a prong on my diamond ring. They were personable, trustworthy, and…read moreknowledgable. They were able to fix it while I wait. Highly recommend!