Before we get to holiday sales, let me give a shout out to Michael McKinley, Kerry Shannon and Kenneth Ludwig who recently opened the Milwaukee Design Collection. The retail showroom offers city designers and their clients a well-edited, fresh and inspiring mix of contemporary and eclectic home furnishings, accessories, lighting, linens, textiles and art. Pure and simple, they’ve got some intriguing stuff you won’t find anywhere else. 5205 W. North Ave., 414-551-6910, milwaukeedesigncollection.com.
Beauty Salon (both locations) gives back to Shopaholic readers with an exclusive 12 Days of Beauty special. Mention this column when you book an appointment for services Dec. 1-12, and depending on the day, you’ll receive treats like a free Kerastase treatment with haircut or color, complimentary eyebrow arch with any service, 20 percent off product purchase, $20 blow out special and lots more. Pretty generous, no? 514 N. Water St., 414-224-1422 & 1633 N. Farwell Ave., 414-276-5054, beautymilwaukee.com.
The whole family can work off Thanksgiving splurges during the Shops at Woodlake Set the Season Aglow event Nov. 27 (9 a.m.-7 p.m.). Holiday fun includes live reindeer, complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides, a tree lighting ceremony, donations to Toys for Tots, complimentary gift wrapping and the grand opening of Movers & Shakers, a new and truly unique toyshop where Santa will be on hand for photos (12:30-5:30 p.m.). The store will hand out free gifts to the first 100 customers and also hold a drawing for a wagon filled with Christmas goodies. Hungry? Enjoy a holiday breakfast at Cucina; sample wine, cheese and holiday food at Woodlake Market; or take in a Great Gingerbread festival and decorate Christmas cookies with Mrs. Santa. 920-459-1713, destinationkohler.com.
The Historic Third Ward invites shoppers to opt out of mall madness this Black Friday with the Ward’s annual Holiday Shopping Spree. It all takes place Nov. 27 with in-store specials, complimentary snacks and beverages, extended shop hours and a fabulous free drawing to win more than $2,000 worth of gift certificates donated by Third Ward merchants and restaurants, such as Blush, which chipped in an incredible $1,000 Ultimate Beauty Package. Details at historicthirdward.org.
Looking for something new to place under the tree? Don’t miss the Nov. 28 Art Vs. Craft show at the Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center (10 a.m.-7 p.m.). This extremely popular, juried, DIY, indie market offers shoppers the opportunity to purchase handmade items directly from the artists and crafters who create them. Go early, as the first 200 shoppers receive swag bags stuffed with goodies from the show’s sponsors and vendors. 790 N. Van Buren St., artvscraftmke.com.
Talk about taking it easy while holiday shopping. From midnight to 8 a.m. on Nov. 27, shoppers in sleepwear save up to 65 percent at Prime Outlets Pleasant Prairie and also have the chance to win giveaways, including a $500 shopping spree during the Midnight Madness Pajama Jam. Be one of the first 500 shoppers in PJs to visit guest services and receive a free goodie bag. 11211 120th Ave., Pleasant Prairie, 262-857-2701, primeoutlets.com.
Meanwhile, at Johnson Creek Premium Outlet, midnight Nov. 27 marks the After Thanksgiving Weekend Midnight Madness Sale, which offers mega savings. Incredible discounts kick off the official start of the holiday shopping season. Sign up online for the mall’s VIP shopper club and receive insider news, a coupon book, shopping tips and more. 574 W. Linmar Lane, Johnson Creek, 920-699-4111, premiumoutlets.com.
CHECK OUT:
Through Nov. 27 at Tadpole Kids and freckle face: Spend $75 dollars on colorful graphic Tea Collection playwear and receive a $25 gift card toward your next purchase of this adorable line. 708 Genesee St., Delafield, 262-646-5556, tadpolekids.com & 244N. Broadway, 414-298-1488, frecklefaceboutique.com.
Nov. 27 at Open Book: Enjoy literature and a cup of Anodyne coffee or Rishi tea while listening to holiday favorites performed by the Shorewood High String Ensemble. 4093 N. Oakland Ave., 414-431-3109, openbookcoop.com.
Nov. 27 at Sprout!: On Black Friday, take advantage of great deals on holiday gifts, a free gift wrapping station as well as apple cider and snacks. Movies, popcorn and coloring books will keep the kids occupied. 320 E. Buffalo St., 414-289-0844, sproutmilwaukee.com.
Nov. 27 (noon-7 p.m.) at Sydney b.: Save 25 percent off quality fashions, toys and accessories for kids. 1350 W Mequon Rd., Mequon, 262-240-9970, sydneybboutique.com.
Nov. 27 at The Tool Shed: Almost every black item in the store (toys, leather goods, etc.), X-rated or not, will be marked at least 50 percent off. 2427 N. Murray Ave., 414-906-5304, toolshedtoys.com.
Nov. 27 at Valentina: Stay out of the red this holiday season with the store’s Release Your Recession Aggression sale. Save 50 percent on all things black and 27 percent off just about everything else. 1505 W. Mequon Rd., 262-241-4122, evalentina.com.
Nov. 27-28 (noon-7 p.m.) at Fashion Ninja: Shop great fashion and support local designers at the ever-popular Indie Fashion Market. 315 N. Plankinton Ave., 414-481-3865, fashionninja.com.
Nov. 29, Dec. 6 & 23 at Sprecher Brewery: Third-annual Soda with Santa. Tour the brewery, take a photo with the big guy, have it plastered on a bottle of root beer and offer it to your adoring fans as a unique holiday gift. 701 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, 414-964-SUDS, sprecherbrewery.com.
Now through Nov. 29 at Cholive Company: Support the city’s chocolate olive industry as it donates 10 percent of its Internet sales to Big Brothers Big Sister of Metro Milwaukee. Orders placed before Nov. 27 include a free bag of raspberry twists. Orders placed Nov. 27 – 30 receive free shipping. Call 877-204-0106 or visit thecholive.com.
Through Nov. 30 at Metropawlis: Spend $75 on new pet toys, winter wear, holiday items and other fun stuff and get a $25 gift card good toward your next visit or to pass along as a holiday gift. Sign up for the VIP (Very Important Pet) program in store or at Petlover@metropawlis.com for money-saving perks. 317 N. Broadway, 414- 273-7387, metropawlispetboutique.com.
Dec. 1 at Thief Wine (5, 6 and 7 p.m.): Sample sparkling wines from around the world at the Holiday Sparklers Part 1: Beyond Champagne tasting. $15. RSVP required. 400 N. Water, 414-277-7707, thiefwine.com.
