TAKE A PEEK
Sure, stores that sell household cleaning equipment may not be as sexy as some others, but I still love Brookfield Vacuum Cleaners. Why? Because in a world where stores open and close like well-
oiled zippers, and sales staff can often seem woefully inept, this family owned and operated store has been going strong for three generations. They’re experts in everything from carpet care products to the sales and repair of all sorts of vacuums, central vacuum systems, air purifiers and infrared heaters for home and business customers. I was introduced to the store when after years of being crammed into a Manhattan apartment with barely enough spare space to store a feather duster, I found myself on the hunt for a high-quality vacuum at the best possible price to keep my larger Midwestern space in order. With years of experience and knowledge of manufacturers, models and features, a knowledgeable staff quickly pointed me to exactly what I needed – a powerful Simplicity upright. And though years later it was still going strong, last week I got it into my head to switch to a convenient canister model. Obviously I knew exactly where to go and who to take with me. Due to the significant role she plays in my vacuuming world, Kippee, of course.
You see when my little rescue was a puppy she was so cute people constantly asked what kind of dog she was. When I’d answer, I didn’t know, everyone seemed eager to enlighten me. “Oh, she’s part Cairn for sure,” they’d say, or “Yup, definitely, she’s got some border terrier in her.” Finally, (not because it mattered, but because I’d become so curious), I had the vet do a DNA blood test. Two weeks later, when the results arrived, holding my breath and opening the envelope, I learned just
two breeds showed up in my little bowl of dog soup. No Cairn. No Border terrier. Just Miniature Schnauzer and … get ready … Alaskan Malamute. Yeah, that huge sled dog breed. Gazing down at my small dog, I was sort of shocked, and all I could say was, “Well, I’m not one to argue with facts, but I think I’m about to.” The vet, in turn, vouching for the accuracy of the test, proceeded to point out the length of Kippee’s legs, the plume of her tail and most significant to our chat today, the type of coat she sported. All of which apparently underscored the Malamute findings. Unfortunately for me, when it came to Kippee’s division of DNA, the non-shedding Schnauzer gene was bypassed in favor of possibly the most shedding breed of all, the Malamute (you see where I’m going, right?). Seriously, I love her, but if I don’t keep on top of vacuuming, I’d be knee-deep in dog hair within days. Plus, Kippee finds the sound of a vacuum quite distressing. So I needed not only a powerful vacuum but a quiet one as well.
Which brings me back to why I am such a fan of Brookfield Vacuum Cleaners. No problem, no amount of fur is too big or small for them to handle. After listening to my tale of woe I was introduced to a sleek stylish, lightweight, quiet and powerful canister vacuum from Miele’s contemporary design, award-winning S4 series. Given my trade-in and the current sale on all Miele vacuums going on through the end of August, not only did I get a sweet deal, I also left feeling confident we’ve got this whole half-Malamute issue covered. 17000 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, 262-783-4454, brookfieldvacuum.com.
SAVVY STUFF TO DO
On Aug. 4 (5-9 p.m.), gather up your favorite fellow fashionistas and
head to the Village of Wauwatosa for a special Diva Night of shopping, saving, sipping and munching. Start by picking up the evening’s event card. Have it stamped at eight of the participating shops (Gracie’s Boutique, Urban Laundry, Magpie, Blue Lapin, Little Read Book, Magnolia & Co, Underwood Gallery, JUXT, Authentic Journeys, Tuesday’s Child, The Flower Lady, Salamander and Oro di Olivo), then drop it off at Vino 100 by 9:10 p.m. to enter a free drawing for goodies. Document the excursion with a stop by the Shutterbox located in the parking lot between Magnolia and Underwood Gallery for a complimentary photo strip capturing you and up to nine of your nearest and dearest. villageofwauwatosa.com.
Stroll the historic downtown district during the Waukesha Art Crawl Augu. 7 
(4-10 p.m.) to get some idea why Money magazine rated Waukesha No. 50 in their list of best small cities in the country to live in. The evening features decorative and functional art by more than 100 artists presented by more than 20 studios, galleries and businesses supporting the arts, plus fun events like the Holiday Decorating Ideas show and reception featuring the work of more than 60 artists at Rivers End Gallery. Add to that live music, street parties, great gift shopping, a
chance to win an ‘Art of Summer Gift Basket’ and delish food like Mia’s ‘Great Italian Red Hot Art BBQ,’ and you’ve got a terrific way to spend a summer’s eve. Don’t feel like walking? Not to worry, you can always hitch a ride on the Red Hot Art Shuttle, just look for the red signs. 380 W. Main St., Waukesha, 262-896-8875, riversendgallery.com, redhotartspot.com.
Speaking of art, local artist Wendy Lee Cooper invites readers to shop 
her unique, one-of-a-kind purses fashioned out of vintage and contemporary kimono silk, beads, buttons and handcrafted sterling silver embellishments she creates herself. The bags offer an intriguing twist, simply unclip the strap and presto, you’ve got yourself a clutch with coordinating short necklace. Sound interesting? Take a peek at her work, including the wraps and scarves she creates in the Japanese technique of Shibori (a process of producing organic patterns on silk with natural dyes), at wendyleecooper.etsy.com.
For creative crafters looking for an excuse to check out the explosion of color and texture at River Boutique and Yarn, August offers up a trio of reasons why they should. How about saving 20 percent throughout the month on specialty yarns like Kashmir Aran, a lush blend of merino wool, microfiber and cashmere, cuddly hand-dyed Pima Fresca from the Queensland Collection and incredibly soft Alpaca from Frog Tree whose beautiful variegated colors are created by a hand painting process? Or getting a 25 percent discount on a selection of artful summer ready to wear? This uber-friendly, truly unique store also supports knitters seeking technique and inspiration with classes like a four session French Quarter Cardigan class beginning Aug. 10 (6-7:30
p.m., $65 per person) where expert instruction will be given on how to read and adjust patterns, gauge swatches, create lace, and professionally finish off projects. 18900 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield, 262-641-7427, taffnie.com/riverboutique.
The blog sixitemsorless.com has been getting a lot of press lately, and I have to admit, given our consumerist society, I find the idea of shedding excess and moving through life with a limited number of wardrobe options rather compelling. Could I do it I wonder? Could you? Maybe. Especially if we were wise enough to pick some of the six items from stores like SHOP, where a well-honed selection of fashion-forward pieces blend classic silhouettes with solid, trend-forward style like
comfortable, light, soft tops, cardigans, tees and leggings from Pure & Simple, a line whose fashions work as well layered as they do on their own. So flattering and easy to wear, whether your closet is pared down spare or filled to the gills, you’re bound to wear them over and over. 1918 E. Capitol Dr., Shorewood, 414-962-4030, shop53211.com.
Teens and 20-somethings wishing to sell their own gently used but still cool and trendful brand name fashions, accessories, jewelry and shoes for a spot of cash or to shop for more at discounted pricing need look no further than Plato’s Closet. What they’ll find is lots of current fashion brands like American Eagle, Forever 21, Express, Roxy, Lucky and more sold at a fraction of what they cost new at the mall. Plus thanks to KISS FM, now through Aug. 8, in celebration of the store’s Grand Opening, shoppers can enter to win two tickets to the Sept. 2 Lady Gaga Monster Ball concert (a $350 value) at the Bradley Center merely by stopping in and taking a look around. No purchase necessary, one entry per person per visit. 7820 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield, 414-727-1215, platosclosetgreenfield.com.
And finally, while I’m a fan of wild curly hair (the bigger the better), I quite understand that some people are just as enamored by smooth glossy straight hair. So in the interest of bi-partisanship, I pass along this: Capricio Salon & Spa is Brazilian Blowout Certified. What does that mean? Apparently plenty, as it’s the only professional ‘smoothing’ treatment that is said to actually improve the health of your hair as it smoothes and eliminates frizz without the use of harsh chemicals. The 90-minute process promises to deliver a head of radiantly shiny hair that will stay that way for up to 12 weeks. 3041 N. Oakland Ave., 414-967-0100, capriciosalon.com.
