With Father’s Day (June 20) just around the corner, it’s mostly about the big guy this week, but girls rest assured, I tossed in a couple treats for you as well. Here then are a few suggestions for those running a wee bit short of ideas (or cash).
BUY DADDY A NEW PAIR OF SHOES: On June 17-27, Allen Edmonds is hosting its 27th-annual tent sale. Save up to 50 percent on shoes and accessories at the Brookfield outlet store (18900 W. Bluemound Rd.) or drive up to the Port Washington store (201 E. 7 Hills Rd.) for the same savings as well special recrafting demos, free shoe shines, custom engraving of shoe trees and lots of fun activities for the kids. You can also shop the Mequon retail store (11043 N. Port Washington Rd.) now through Father’s Day and save 30 percent on a second pair of regularly priced shoes with every pair you purchase. Same deal online at allenedmonds.com.
TREAT HIM TO SOME SOPHISTICATED STYLE: Stop in at Simon Oliver for discriminating menswear, tailored sportswear, fine formalwear, custom apparel and exclusives like Angelo Nardelli fashions, suits handmade in Tuscany by Marbro, the Italian clothing line Corneliani (who makes Ralph Lauren’s Blue Label), Gimos Leathers, Breuer neckwear and hand-stitched shoes by Paraboot of France. 318 E. Silver Spring Dr., 414-906-8825, shopsimonoliver.com.
LET POP PICK HIS OWN PRESENT: Get him to the Urban Garage Sale June 19 (10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) at Turner Hall Ballroom. The terrific shopping event, which features stores from around the city and live music from WMSE DJs, is loaded with stuff for the whole family and all of it is on sale. Participating stores include Boswell Book Company, Chartreuse, Design Within Reach, Fair Trade For All, Flaire, Fred, Hot Pop, Lela, Moderne Aire, Mr. Shoe, Olive Organic, SHOP, Sparrow Collective, Sprout, Stephanie Horne and many more. $3 entry fee (just $2 if you download the flyer and bring it with you). 1034 N. Fourth St., urbangaragesale.com.
GIVE HIM A DOSE OF DECADENT CHOCOLATE: June 19 marks the opening of the East Side’s Green Market. Every Saturday (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) through October, in the parking lot of Beans & Barley, you’ll find bars, truffles and other creations from local treasure, Indulgence Chocolatiers, along with produce, fashion, arts and crafts. Can’t make it? Shop online or find out where else they’re sold at indulgencechocolatiers.com. For more info, visit theeastside.org.
BUY HIM SOMETHIN’ NAUGHTY: Shop erotic goodies discounted 25-75 percent at the sidewalk sale at The Tool Shed during the 10th-annual Summer Solstice music festival June 19 on North Avenue. 2427 N. Murray Ave., 414-906-5304, toolshedtoys.com.
SHOP WITH SOME SIZZLE: Bring him to the Sizzlin’ Saturdays Outdoor Market set up along Historic Commission Row (300 block of N. Broadway) on June 19 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.). Not only will more than 40 merchants be selling antiques, art, clothing, jewelry, collectibles, fresh produce, flowers and lots more, but dear old dad can also enjoy live jazz, a fashion show by Third Ward boutiques, lessons from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, cheese carving, face painting and delish food such as fresh breakfast, wood-fired pizza, chicken on a spit and free ice cream. For more info, visit historicthirdward.org.
WOW HIM WITH WATTS: What do a handsome Reed and Barton Williamsburg Hob Nob ‘toast for two’ Flask Set, a tasteful crystal Waterford sailboat, a fun Mariposa fish-shaped bottle opener and a smartly designed boxed set of BBQ tools have in common? They all call George Watts & Son, the city’s oldest and finest gift store, home and are just a sampling of what you can buy and later hand over gift-wrapped or packed up in the store’s signature Gold Box. 761 N. Jefferson St., 414-290-5700, georgewatts.com.
GO FOR THE GOLD: Make your couch potato’s dreams come true with a recliner from Thomasville. Taking advantage of the in-store rebates going on during the Summer Sale through June 28, you instantly save on purchases of $500 or more. All available styles plus fabric and leather upholstery options can be viewed online, including ( be still his heart) motorized versions. Free financing and white glove delivery service available. 14755 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, 262-790-1111, thomasville.com.
UP HIS GAME: Hit Harley’s for a fabulous selection of J. Lindebergh golf wear known in discriminating circles for featuring the finest fusion of high-tech material, innovative detailing and fine fashion. Best of all, it looks just as good off the course as it does on. 3565 N. Oakland Ave., 414-332-3404, harleys4men.com.
TAKE THE DUDE OUT OF TOWN: Did you know that now through Aug. 22, the PGA Championship History Exhibit – A History of the Season’s Final Major – is on display at The Shops at Woodlake in Kohler? If dad’s gung ho on golf, don’t you think he’d love to see some of the rarest artifacts and memorabilia of past champions like Jim Barnes’ driver, legendary Walter Hagen’s walking stick, Gene Sarazen’s niblick, Jack Nicklaus’ wedge, Y.E. Yang’s 3-hybrid and lots more? For a real hole in one, take him to lunch at one of Kohler’s great restaurants and present him with tickets to the 92nd PGA Championship going on at Whistling Straits Aug. 9-15. Added bonus alert: For the first time ever, up to four kids aged 17 or younger get in for free with each ticket. Yup, free. Tickets available at pga2010.com and 800-PGA-GOLF. For more info, visit destinationkohler.com.
BUY THE GUY A PORCHE: No need to panic, it’s just an itsy bitsy one – a Motormouse by Avant Garde Gifts to be exact. The sleek 2.4 GHz computer mouse inpired by the Porsche 9-11 fits comfortably in hand, comes in red, silver or black, features a trunk that opens to store its batteries and even comes gift-wrapped. Available at motormouse.us.com.
EXPAND DADDY-O’S ARTISTIC HORIZONS: Take a spin around the 48th-annual Milwaukee Art Museum’s Lakefront Festival Of The Arts going on June 18-20. Treat him to some of the finest arts and crafts created by more than 180 artists from around the country all gathered together for sale under a state-of–the-art tent set up at Lake Michigan’s edge. Also on the agenda is lots of music and live entertainment, a great silent auction, a sculpure garden, yummy food offerings by Café Calatrava, a Fiber Art Fashion Show hosted by yours truly and plenty of vino being served up in the Milwaukee Magazine Wine Garden. For more info visit lfoa.mam.org.
HELP OUT A DAD IN NEED: Aala Reed steps up to aid the Milwaukee Rescue Mission find clothes to properly attire men re-entering the workforce. Stop in to donate your gently worn men’s clothing or shoes and purchase a full priced item, and the store will reward your act of kindness by snipping a full 50 percent off the cost of a second item of equal or lesser value. Who says you can’t give and get? 1320 E. Brady St., 414-226-2252, aalareed4men.com.
Listen up, girls! After all that generosity, don’t you deserve a little something special, too?
How about an extraordinary Warehouse Sale at Goldi? Find great deals on up-to-the-minute trends in fashion, shoes and accessories June 17-20. Shop June 19 or 20 and you’ll also be treated to a FitFlop Trunk Show offering a great selection of comfy stylish flip-flops that tone legs and your backside while you walk. 4114 N. Oakland Ave., 414-431-4832, goldishoes.com.
Or check out the fabulous Lafayette 138 New York Fall 2010 Trunk Show at Faye’s Mequon store June 16-20. Always highly anticipated by women who know their fashion inside out, it promises a peek at a collection inspired by a blend of Italian High Renaissance and ’70s chic, which features rich vivid colors playing off of dark neutrals, sizeable belts, dramatic full-fluffed and tucked sweaters, eye-popping, colored sweaters and lots of feminine flourishes such as rosettes, bows and ruffles. 1505 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon, 262-241-8386, fayes123.com.
