Last year I purchased the CityTins dining edition. Not familiar with CityTins? Promoting the Buy Local movement, they’re the brainchild of Christin Cilento Ladky and Tara Laatsch. Offered up in handy circular tins are graphically designed paper beer mat coasters, each of which serves as a gift card representing a $10 savings at one of 20 of the city’s terrific independently owned restaurants. Over the course of the year, not only did my $25 investment save me $200, it also served as a fun incentive when determining where to eat when out and about. Bottom line, as spending money smartly resonates with me, I’m an unabashed fan of CityTins.
That’s why I’m glad to chat up the new CityTins Staycation retail/culture edition ($25). Like the restaurant version, each tin comes filled with 20 well-designed coasters. But in this version, shoppers will be redeeming their savings and specials at museum and cultural venues such as Ten Chimneys, Villa Terrace and Discovery 
World, health centers such as Elite Sports Clubs and Exhale Yoga Studios, as well as stores such as Falcon, Laacke & Joys, George Watts, Lela and lots more. Specifically geared toward busy women, the idea behind this batch of CityTins is to “treat yourself to a spa day, a museum experience or some good ol’ retail therapy” every once in awhile. Valid through 2011, you’ll find them at citytins.com, Beans & Barley, Gracie’s Boutique, Lockers, Milwaukee Art Museum Store, Tadpoles, Robin’s Paperie, Welkes House of Roses, Lockers, Thief Wine (both locations) and the Shop at Harley-Davidson Museum,
SAVVY STUFF SEEN
Although I love all the character inherent in the architectural features of my living space, I’m not so crazy for the on- and off-again antics of its ancient steam radiators. As temperatures dip and winds howl, let’s just say it can get pretty drafty, and I find myself, like Oprah, lusting for the luxurious embrace of cashmere loungewear. You too? Well how about we both put soft and cozy on our holiday wish list like PJs, robes or ponchos from a beautiful collection by French designer Laurence Tavernier, found exclusively at Minoan Fine Intimate Apparel? 509 E. Silver Spring Dr., 414-961-7777.
Disposable plastic bags might have seemed like a pretty nifty idea when they were first introduced in the 1960s, but today with 20 million plastic bags ending up in land fills each day, it’s probably a better time for Lunchskins, which can be used and reused hundreds of times. Featuring fresh modern designs on durable, European food-safe fabric, the dishwasher friendly reusable snack and sandwich bags are available at Chartreuse. 1224 E. Brady St., 414-747-8434, hellochartreuse.com.
SAVVY STUFF TO DO
SUPPORT A SISTA’S CAUSE: With compassion and boundless energy, for the last 30 years, Sister Edna of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi has been a tireless and successful advocate of community-based care in the city. Recognized internationally for her advocacy on behalf of children, adults with disabilities and elderly shoppers, you can help her reach out even more during a special sale of her one-of-a-kind jewelry Dec. 18 (1-4 p.m.) at Miss Groove with proceeds to benefit the St. Ann’s Center in St. Francis. 1330 E. Brady St., 414-298-9185, missgroove.com & sisterednascreations.com.
KEEP KIDS READING: Now through Dec. 29, help the Katie Gingrass Gallery ‘Fill the Shelves’ of the Milwaukee Public Library. Simply stop in, pick out a book (or two or three) to purchase, fill out a donation form acknowledging your generosity and bingo, you’ve done a good deed. 241 N. Broadway St., 414-289-0855, gingrassgallery.com.
PLAY WITH A DOG: To the delight of many of us, for years Nora Hackenberg of Artist and Display has created and shared clever artful images of her dog, Erica. But recently her pal’s appeal has gone global as artist Lee Dillon of Fusion Designs, (a Brooklyn card company featured at the store) has created not one but two cards featuring the boxer’s pugnacious personality. Celebrating the pup’s growing popularity, now through Dec. 24, the store is holding an ‘Erica’s Holiday’ Card Contest inviting customers to pick up images of the dog in the store (or download them from the Facebook page) to fashion and create their own holiday versions. Winners will receive Artist and Display gift certificates. 9015 W. Burleigh St., 414-442-9100, artistanddisplay.com.
SAVVY SALES ETC.
Now at Past Basket: Save 25 percent on all 2’ x 3’ accent rugs, receive a complimentary Hanover wine coaster with the purchase of $150 or more of Simon Pearce products, or save $50 when you spend $150 or more on Yves Delorme bed or bath linens now through Dec. 24. Shop online and get free UPS ground shipping. 383 W. Brown Deer Rd., 414- 247-9976, pastbasket.com.
SAVVY STUFF ON THE WEB
Mad for NFL, MLB or NHL sports, Jay-Z or Disney Princesses? Check out Fathead.com to add visual punch with bold colorful and photographic wall décor ($10 – $50) featuring life-size images of pro athletes, music stars, super heroes, animated characters, team logos, iconic paintings, drawings and photographs. Made of high-definition vinyl with a patented adhesive backing, they can be applied and removed without damage to surfaces.
GoodGuide.com directs shoppers to the healthiest green food, personal care, household cleaning, toys and paper products with a super easy rating system of almost 100,000 items. They’ve even got a free iPhone app to scan bar codes and pull up ratings while you shop. For instance, Miessence Organics Mint Toothpaste (available at Olive Fine Organic Living) comes through with an 8.6 rating on a scale from 1-10 while Colgate Total Toothpaste Clean Mint scrapes by with a 4.1.
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Got something going on in retail (great shop, sale, store event or product exclusive) you’d like Colleen to know about? E-mail her at savvystyle@wi.rr.com.
