On March 12 (6:30-9 p.m.), everyone’s invited to the first-ever Diva Night at Melanie Sikma Photography Studio to enjoy lots of live entertainment, wine and desserts along with a raffle for the coveted prize of a $1,000 studio gift certificate. The studio, which specializes in lovingly capturing the heart and soul of mothers-to-be, babies, toddlers, kids, teens and families will also welcome guest vendors such as Jaxie, Le Cakery, Gracie Designs, Boutique B’Lou, Bella, Bradley’s Children’s Boutique, The Pink Shopping Bag, Welke’s House of Roses and more. 13406 Watertown Plank Rd., Elm Grove, 161-785-5400, melaniesphotos.com.
You guys out there need a couple of good reasons to head to Harley’s? How about saving on brands like XMI, Hugo Boss, Mark Lipson and Ermenegildo Zegna during the semi-annual Shirt Event going on through March 31? In-stock or special order, buy three of any dress or formal shirt and save 10 percent, buy six to save 20 percent, and hey, if you go for an even dozen, you’ll save 30 percent and get a free shirt. Interested in custom-made shirts? Buy five and the sixth one is free. The store is also hosting Men in Suits II, a unique project featuring the elegant work of photographer Nicholas Grider. For a $250 fee, which includes a $150 Harleys’ gift certificate and a 12” x 12” color print, men wearing a suit purchased at the store will be photographed during a 15-minute photo shoot in their homes. The images will be hung in the store, there will be a reception for all participants, and a printed catalog of photos will also be available. 3565 N. Oakland Ave., 414-332-3404, harleys4men.com.
Ladies meanwhile would do well to get to Miss Ruby during the huge, sample dress sale going on March 6 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.). What they’ll find are hundreds of dresses ideal for cocktail parties, black-tie events, weddings and other festive occasions, all priced between $15 and $100. There will also be plenty of winter ready-to-wear items, gifts, shoes and accessories marked 50 percent off. 522 N. Water St., 414-755-2900, missrubyboutique.com.
Whether you’re Native American or not, pop into the Winter Pow Wow going on March 6 & 7 at State Fair Park to experience the Indian Summer Festival’s wonderful 18th-annual celebration, featuring tribal dancing, drumming, music, singing and storytelling. Try traditional foods, such as fry bread, and shop an extensive marketplace filled with arts, crafts, herbs, jewelry, books and more. General admission is $7, senior $5 and children under 12 free. Wisconsin Products Pavilion, 640 S. 84th St., West Allis, indiansummer.org.
If you’ve been lusting after any of the cool, lovely, stunning crystal, silver, china, linens, tableware, accessories or gift items presented so beautifully at George Watts & Son, you don’t want to miss its fantastic March Madness sale going on March 8-13. Not when you’ll save 20 percent off everything in the store, including brands that NEVER go on sale. My advice: Make a full list of all holidays, birthdays and other occasions coming up this year and knock all your gift shopping out of the park at once. 761 N. Jefferson St., 414-290-5700, georgewatts.com.
Even though it’s an awfully convenient way for ferrying infants, when it comes to transporting precious cargo, the folks at Half Price Kid Stuff understand that lots of new parents are somewhat intimidated by the hands-free sling. That’s why they’re holding two free instructive sessions of Sling School on March 10 (10 a.m. & 6 p.m.). Using lots of examples of sling styles, including one for men, experts will offer instructional advice so parents can beef up their confidence in how to properly “wear a baby.” All attendees will receive a coupon good for $5 off any sling purchase in March and can enter to win a ModMum Sling. 2675 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Bay View, 414-212-5439, halfpricekidstuff.com.
Allen Edmonds is making it easy to help those less fortunate while saving a little money on quality style. Through March 14, the stores are busy collecting slightly worn men’s, women’s and children’s shoes so that Soles4Souls can pass them along to needy victims of the Haitian earthquake. Bring in a pair to donate and receive $35 off the purchase of any one new pair of Allen Edmond’s shoes. 18900 W. Bluemound Rd. Brookfield, 262-785-6666, 11043 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon, 262-241-4266, allenedmonds.com.
Got too much going on in your closet? Lela is on the hunt for extra-cool, well-maintained consignment fashions (especially fancy dresses, fabulous shoes and designer handbags) to sell in its boutique. It’s also offering consignors a special 20 percent in-store consignment savings on purchases every Monday in March. Hey ladies, beause that’s 10 percent more than normal, isn’t it time to clean out that closet and earn some extra mad money? 321 N. Broadway, 414-727-4855, lelaboutique.com.
Speaking of which, Divine Consign is also offering women ways to recycle wardrobes and pump up pocket books. It’s gathering current, new and gently used, high-quality designer label fashions in excellent condition for two huge sales to be held later this spring at the Elm Grove Women’s Club (April 22-24) and the Whitefish Bay Jewish Community Center (May 14-16). Making money is as simple as tagging your casual, maternity, professional, active, formal wear and accessories and dropping them off. You’ll receive a check for 65 percent of the selling price within two weeks of the sale. To learn more about the process and a list of consignor guidelines visit divineconsignsale.com.
Shoppers of contemporary women’s wear take note that Stephanie Horne has moved (just a bit) to a new Third Ward location. The good news is, given the economy, the store remains vital. The sad news is the store’s bargain back room has gone bye-bye. 324 N. Water St., 414-223-1662 & 2500 North Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa, 414-259-1662.
If you’re getting married and feeling lucky, you’ve got till March 31 to enter the Crate & Barrel Ultimate Wedding Contest. Prizes range from a $500 shopping card all the way to having an entire wedding of impeccable style pulled together by A-list celebrity planner Jo Gartin ($100,000 value). All you have to do is make them fall in love with you as a couple by registering online at crateandbarrel.com, uploading pics of the two of you, sharing your love story, listing your ultimate wedding dream details and describing an everyday dream date. For more info ultimateweddingcontest.com. 2450 N Mayfair Rd., 414- 258-9500, crateandbarrel.com.
In anticipation of this summer’s move to her new retail space in The Cornerstone, owner Pam Browne invites Shorewood moms and grandmothers to offer their input on what they’d like to see at P Sue’s Children’s Boutique during a focus group meeting March 9 (7 p.m.) at Open Book. Coffee, bakery and appetizers will be served. Please RSVP by March 5 to pambrowne56@yahoo.com. 4093 N. Oakland Ave., 414-431-3170, openbookcoop.com.
Shoppers benefit big as Heidi Calaway of Boutique Vieux et Nouveau holds her first annual Customer Free For All March 1-6 (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) to raise money for an upcoming aid mission to Haiti. She’s putting aside an entire room full of marked-down winter and summer new and vintage fashions, footwear, jewelry, coats and scarves, and inviting shoppers to negotiate for even lower pricing. The store is also currently on the lookout for local talents to showcase with a juried Project Heidi competition. Designers have until March 15 to e-mail photos of their best fashions to Heidi@boutiquemilwaukee.com. 1217E. Brady St., 414-287-9049, boutiquemilwaukee.com.
Connect with an invigorating dose of inner harmony while enjoying guest speakers, health workshops, meditation, spa treatments, healthy cooking demos, a candlelight walk, yoga classes and more during the Kohler Women’s Weekend of Wellness March 5-7. Special day and weekend packages available at The American Club and Inn on Woodlake, Kohler, 800-344-2838, destinationkohler.com.
CHECK OUT
March 4 & 6 at Zita: Brides are invited to make an appointment for the Anne Barge La Fleur Bridal trunk show and save 10 percent on purchases of dreamy elegant gowns featuring couture-like details. 211 E. Silver Spring Dr., 414-332-0126, zitabridal.com.
Through March 7 at shoestringhome.com: Save 30 percent on select Caldrea products and see why they’re considered among the best for home and laundry care. Free shipping available on orders of $60 or more.
March 10 at Boswell Book Company: Judy Bridges of Redbird Studio will introduce Milwaukee writer Kirk Faber, reading from his poignant and oddly unique debut novel, Postcards From A Dead Girl. Published by Harper Perennial, the book was a semi-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest. 2559 N. Downer Ave., 414-333-1181, boswell.indiebound.com.
March 7 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.) at The Sheraton Hotel (Brookfield) Bridal Expo: Sample wedding cake, listen to music, look at limos, meet DJs, photographers and wedding planners, gush over gowns in a multimedia bridal show (2 p.m.), sign up for giveaways and learn everything about planning the perfect wedding. Sheraton Hotel, 375 S. Mooreland Rd., Brookfield, 262-786-1100, bridalexpomilwaukee.com.
Through March 17 at Olivu: With every $50 spent on any handmade natural bath and beauty products, shoppers are entered to win $350 worth of health conscious, nourishing lotions and potions in the store’s Entire Bathroom Cabinet Makeover drawing. 511 N. Eighth St., Sheboygan, 920-783-0809, olivu426.com.
Through March at Blush: Get your circulation going with an hour-long Cayenne Pepper Facial that will leave your skin feeling ultra smooth and calm. $75 includes a complimentary a la carte upgrade service ($35 value). 249 N. Water St., 414-272-1718, blushmilwaukee.com.
Through April 15 at Sprout: Spend $150 on purchases and get a free photo session with Adam Miszewski on Gallery Day (April 17). 320 E. Buffalo St., 414-289-0844, sproutmilwaukee.com.
