Can’t tell you how disappointing it was to hear (at the very last minute no less) of the cancellation of the heavily promoted Fashion By The Lake event. Fortunately one of the participants stepped up to the plate by putting a positive spin on the no-show. Barbara Berg of Boutique B’Lou steps up with a three-day Designer Showcase event that will run Friday evening 4 – 9 p.m., Saturday between 3 and 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. High on the agenda are some terrific trunk shows featuring national designers Marisa Bartelli and Emil Rutenberg as well as local designer Nick Warakas and Milwaukee based Your Vibe jewelry. Adding to the fun, are plenty of Ford models doing live poses in store windows and mingling about ‘tearoom style.’ With lots of good food, wine and champagne plus a drawing for a free Francesco Biasia handbag (retail value $350) and gorgeous embroidered and embellished wool scarf ($100 value), I’d call this a really good save.
As we white knuckle it down to the home stretch of electing a new president, Metropawlis offers plenty for politically minded pets – like dog shirts and collars boasting democratic donkeys and republican elephants. Cats get into the act of making the world a better place too as ten percent of all sales of Duckyworld Political Cats catnip toys purchased now through October 31 benefits the Wisconsin Humane Society. 317 N. Broadway, 414-273-7387, metropawlispetboutique.com.
Hopefully a lot of you had the chance to attend the Shanel Regier fashion show celebrating Lela’s fifth anniversary. If not you can still see what’s new and exciting about the designer’s latest creations at a trunk show which the boutique is hosting Sunday 10 am to noon. While you’re there sipping and checking out all the rest of the new fall arrivals make sure to take a look at the jewelry by L. Edgar Duff which was also featured on the runway. 321 N. Broadway, 414-727-4855, lelaboutique.com.
Along with loads of maternity fashion and just about everything else a mom-to-be could want or need, Destination Maternity offers women with blossoming bellies plenty to keep informed, fit and social. Stop in for “I’m pregnant, What’s Next?” (October 2 at 6:30 – 8 pm) and receive an essential maternity wardrobe checklist along with some goodies to take home. Or check out Caring for your Newborn Baby & Choosing the Right Physician (12:30 – 1:30 pm October 9) when local pediatricians will be speaking on topics essential to newborns. And to keep you and the little one in tip top shape sign up for any of the store’s Prenatal Yoga, Prenatal Belly Dancing, Mommy & Me Yoga, Baby Yoga, Strong Mamas and Prenatal PiYo (Pilates/Yoga fusion) classes. They’re all free. Details available at destinationmaternity.com,
Artist and Display has some free and inspiring October art events lined up to help us forget the failing economy. On October 3 at 6:30 pm, Artist Bethany Lowe stops by to share ideas on creating vintage inspired holiday decorations as well as to autograph her creative book, Folk Art Halloween. And since October 4 is National Card Making Day the store will have five artists on hand between noon and 3 pm to instruct you in creative new card making techniques sure to save you money on Christmas cards, plus supply all materials. 9015 W. Burleigh
On Saturday October 1 Moda 3 is holding it’s 5th annual Boardfest. Basically if you’re a fan of snow or skateboarding you won’t want to miss the fun, the demos, the live music or the tons of snow being brought in especially for the event.
