Two Thief Wine clubs introduce you to and take the guesswork out of finding good wine. For about $40 a month, Thief’s Choice Club delivers two bottles of lesser-known varietals from up-and-coming producers at a 10 percent discount (which also applies to selection re-orders) along with tasting notes, food-pairing recipes, 20 percent off store tasting events and a coupon good for a free glass of wine at the wine bar. Or ante up to about $75 a month and join the Collectors Club to receive two bottles of wine from noted producers and rising superstars from around the world, plus save 10 percent on selections as well as retail wine and wine bar purchases, 20 percent off tasting events, a coupon for a free glass at the wine bar and first dibs on purchasing allocated/limited wines. Think I’ll sign up now. 400 N. Water St., 414-277-7707, thiefwine.com.
Whether you’re mad for science or just love to tinker and explore, you won’t want to miss the Science Fair May 12, which celebrates National Lab Day at American Science & Surplus. Helped along by sponsors like the MacArthur Foundation, National Science Teachers Association, Chemistry for Life and the Jack D. Hidary Foundation to bring awareness to the day, the store will pick and choose from its selection of more than 4,000 available products to create interesting, innovative and interactive science projects for aficionados of all ages. 6901 W. Oklahoma Ave., 414-541-7777, sciplus.com.
Throughout the merry month of May, Past Basket has two special treats for shoppers. The first is a free copy of A Way of Living, written by Simon Pearce and his wife, Pia, with the purchase of $125 or more of the designer’s lovely hand-blown glass or handcrafted dinner wear. Filled with lush images of their home, gardens and workshops, it’s a celebration of the art of living surrounded by beautiful yet functional things, including delicious recipes from their popular restaurants. The second treat is 30 percent savings on luxurious Cyclamen and Myriade bed and bath linens from Yves Delorme. 383 W Brown Deer Rd., 414- 247-9976, pastbasket.com.
May is the month to go mad for intriguing, artisan-made Mariposa. Now through May 8, George Watts & Son is displaying inspiring tablescapes featuring the company’s glassware, serving pieces and gift items, while also offering a free “String of Pearls” salad serving set ($47 value) with the purchase of $150 of Mariposa product and the chance to win a “String of Pearls” tiered server ($174 value). Then on May 12 (4-8 p.m.), Magnolia & Co. gets into the act, gathering together the largest selection of Mariposa products in the state for a Launch Party celebrating a Mariposa Trunk Show, which will run through May 29. 761 N. Jefferson St., 414-290-5700, georgewatts.com. 1442 Underwood Ave., 414-256-0885, magnoliaandcompany.com.
Proud that Milwaukee is the first official fair trade city in the country? Show it by taking part in the third-annual Fair Trade Crawl May 8 when more than 30 local shops celebrate socially responsible shopping with savings, tastings and special activities. Shoppers can win a prize for playing Educational Treasure Hunt as they visit stores such as Outpost Natural Foods, Beans & Barley, Chartreuse, Future Green, Olive Fine Organic Living, Authentic Journeys, Fair Trade For All, Four Corners of the World, Third World Handcraft Shoppe, Plowshare Gifts and more that believe in providing fair wages and safe working conditions. The crawl’s Fair Trade My Home theme also introduces ways to incorporate the concept into your life beyond coffee and chocolate. milwfairtrade.org.
If things are ummm, cooling off in the bedroom or you just want to get a few pointers from a professional on adding some spice to your sex life, it probably wouldn’t hurt to register now for the May 12 (8 p.m.) Erotic Play workshop with sexual enrichment coach Amy Cooper, PhD, at The Tool Shed. 2427 N. Murray Ave., 414-906-5304, toolshedtoys.com.
Should you spend at least $150 (combined receipts accepted) taking mom for a spin around East Towne Square during its May 8 (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) Mother’s Day Celebration, she’ll also end up with a free orchid. Even if you cheap out, she’ll get complimentary champagne and cookies. 1505 W. Mequon Rd., easttownesquare.com.
On May 10, Lela attempts to make mom jeans and granny panties a thing of the past with its post-Mother’s Day offering of designer jeans from Seven, True Religion, Marc Jacobs and more, all for under $75, plus lots of ultra-comfy, slim Commando panties and thongs. Complimentary mimosas help make the transition from practical to eye poppin’ a cinch. 321 N. Broadway St., 414-727-4855, lelaboutique.com.
With a title like Fractured Tales of Milwaukee’s East Side: A True Story about the Germans, the Poles, the Irish, the Jews, the Italians and the Greeks, it would seem like the May 15 (2 p.m.) author meet & greet at The Boswell Book Company should appeal to just about everyone, right? Taking readers back to what their neighborhood was like in the 1940s and 1950s, local authors Jim Hanley and Thelma Karmuchey will step up with more than a few tales to tell. 2559 N. Downer Ave., 414-332-1181, boswell.indiebound.com.
Finally, I’msorta keen on monogramming, so it’s making me happy dizzy that there are so many products out there for us to personalize and make our own such as fun Drink Wrap (drinkwrap.com) customized bottle labels, which with the help of your own designs, images or messages, affordably transform plain bottles of water, juice, energy or sports drinks into artful offerings for parties, weddings or other events. Or how about graphically customized stationery, invites, cards, announcements and magnets from poseprints.com cleverly printed with look-a-like caricatures of you or anyone else?
CHECK OUT
Now at Vieux et Nouveau Boutique: Save 70 percent off handbags, clothing and shoes during the store’s Super Clearance Sale. 1217 E. Brady St., 414-287-9049, boutiquemilwaukee.com.
Through March 8 at Mark Pasch, Ltd: Women’s Spring Fling shaves 25 percent off all casual to chic dress-up fashions, including new spring and summer styles. 333W. Brown Deer Rd., 414-351-5634, www.markpaschltd.com.
May 7-10 at Faye’s (Brookfield location): Pick up gorgeous rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings fashioned of sterling silver, gold and semi-precious stones at the store’s popular Kalibre Trunk show. 18900 W. Bluemound Rd., 262-432-0070, fayes123.com.
May 8 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) in Downtown Greendale: Spring into Greendale treats shoppers to a spring fashion show and brunch, strolling live musical performances, silent auction, children’s card-making workshop, pet fashion show, refreshments and in-store specials during a special village-wide Mother’s Day event. 414-423-3080, discovergreendale.com.
May 8 at Boutique Revolution: Save 10 percent on indie fashions from regional designers while munching on locally made Secret Sweets during the store gallery’s reception for artists Jamie Bilgo and Gina Glembin. 5209 W. North Ave., 414-871-0624, thefashionrevolution.com.
Through May 29 at Institute of Beauty and Wellness: Complimentary pedicure with purchase of any hair service.342 N. Water St., 414-227-2889, institutebw.com.
