When it comes to contemporary fashion, the buyers at HERS boutique attend all major shows keeping a constant and razor sharp eye on emerging trends and they aren’t shy about sharing them with their customers. With the launch of their new Web site, they offer a heads up on what’s up in the market, give an introduction to how the store’s Personal Shopper and Wardrobe Renovation programs work AND treat shoppers to a coupon good for trimming 25 percent off any one item in the store. HERS, 309 N. Water St., 414-273-HERS. hersfashion.com.
Reasons to love Miss Groove and Miss Groove Intimate: They’re fun shops chockfull of trendy apparel, accessories and lingerie, are staffed by people who know their stuff. And owner Pam Flasch’s adorable pooch often stops in for a visit. Plus on the economically practical side, the store’s emails come through with exclusive sales opportunities. For instance, this month subscribers were treated to the Miss Groove Stimulus Package – a series of coupons worth up to $140 off the purchase of new spring merchandise. Not on the list? Not to worry. Simply email pam@missgroove.comto have your name added and you’ll get the coupons too. But better do it quick, the coupons are only good until May 4th. Miss Groove, 1225 E. Brady St., 414- 298-1694. Miss Groove Intimate, 1224 E. Brady St., 414-298-1694, missgroove.com.
For the novice, interior design can often seem overwhelming and as I’ve created and styled rooms to be photographed for magazines, friends and family often come to me for advice. While happy to share what I’ve learned about developing interiors that reflect the style and personality of their inhabitants, lately I’ve been steering them to designer Lorrie Browne’s mydesignsecrets.com. Concise and easy to navigate, this do-it-yourself Web site offers plenty of professional and practical interior design advice, quick links for researching and purchasing home furnishing products online plus a list of the designer’s favorite “secret” resources. Seriously, for helping bring a sense of direction to designing home environments, it’s well worth a look – you’re bound to feel a bit more confident.
In celebration of Earth Week, the folks at Faye’s are confident recycling will “look good on you.” Simply stop in at either store location now through Saturday April 26 with a pair of gently used jeans to be donated to the Joy House, (a shelter for mothers and children fleeing domestic violence, fire, loss of job or addiction) and receive 20 percent off the price of anything in the store, even sale items (limit one discount per person). Like they say “Do good, feel good.” Faye’s 1, 1505 W. Mequon Rd., 262- 241-8386 and Faye@play, 18900 W. Bluemound Rd., 262-432-0070, fayes123.com.
Since 2005, Paper Boat has supported over 200 independent artists and designers with its store and gallery. Co-owner Faythe Levine has also been busy producing her documentary Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY Art, Craft & Design (her book of the same title will be released this fall by Princeton Architectural Press). In making the film, Levine visited art collectives, studios, fairs, shops and galleries in15 cities, interviewing artists, crafters, and curators. To raise money to finish the project, now in post-production, the store is offering a series of monthly raffles. With April tickets ($2 each or six for $10) still available at indiecraftdocumentary.blogspot.com, those so inclined to help have a chance to win a copy of Knit Knit by Sabrina Gschwandtner, Bead Simple by Susan Beal, a tiger Mask Print by Matty 8080, a CE Mix Pack by Zeizen Press and a Pin Pack by Catia Chen all gathered up in bright red silk screened Handmade Nation tote (total value $85). Check the blog as prize package treats change month to month. Paper Boat Gallery, 2375 S. Howell Ave., 414-483-8462, paperboatboutique.com.
Speaking of the creative spirit, drop in at the Fernwood Montessori School’s Fine Craft Art Fair April 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and check out the work of 30 local artists. There will also be a silent auction, lots of art activities for the kids, a bake sale and greenhouse plant sale. Should all that activity whet your appetite, you can purchase refreshments from Tenuta’s, Outpost Natural Foods and Anodyne. 3239 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Bay View.
Fashionable young girls from 4 – 14 are invited to Spring/Summer Fashion Show scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday April 27 at Ragazza. Held on the store’s own runway, the show is just one of many this specialty party and boutique store puts on annually to introduce fun to fancy seasonal fashions. Given that the shows feature the store’s own young customers modeling the clothing, they offer a unique opportunity for young girls to gain confidence, poise and self-esteem as well as experience since it’s some of these same girls who go on to model in the bigger charitable fashions shows Ragazza takes part in each year. So stop in to see what’s new. Who knows, maybe your little one will get bitten by the bug and be back this summer modeling in the boutique’s fashion show. 19115 W. Capitol Dr., Sendik’s Towne Centre, Brookfield, 262-781-8186, ragazzaltd.com.
Baby Boomers with fond memories of playing rousing games of cowboy and Indians, campers looking to stand out from the “same old tent crowd,” and parents bound and determined to give their kids the coolest clubhouse on the block would do well to check out canvas designer Dave Ellis’s Teepee. Available through the Design Within Reach Studio, this quality mildew resistant and water repellent shelter is made of tightly woven pre-shrunk cotton duck with a breathable mesh floor designed to protect the land it sits upon. About15 ft. high and 12 ft. in diameter at its widest, it carries a price tag of $2,200. But boy, what a statement it makes. 167 N. Broadway, 414-224-5353, dwr.com.
CONTINUING ON…
Just a reminder, J. Bird Boutique ends its three and half year sojourn in Milwaukee on Saturday April 26 at 6 p.m. Shoppers only have a few days to purchase cool fashions at hot savings. Take 40 percent off all regularly priced clothing and 15 percent off all accessories. And don’t forget, there’s still a few store fixtures left for sale as well. J-Bird Boutique, 415 E. Menomonee, 414-727-6553.
Mark your calendar for a visit to Cedar Chic, the unique, laid back, temporary shopping experience/event that twice a year transforms a historic Cedarburg barn into a festive boutique offering a wide variety of fashion, home goods and gifts. Open April 24 through May 18 (with Saturday May 10 set aside to benefit the Deanna Favre HOPE Foundation), this time around merchandising maven’s Kris Rick and Laura Harridan present it all under the umbrella of a Tropical Paradise theme complete with Chiki Tiki Bar. Open Thursday through Sunday at N50 W5050 Portland Road, Cedarburg, cedarchic.com.
Catering to all levels of gardeners, Shady Lane Greenhouse kicks off a series of seminars presented by area professionals on April 26 at 10:30 a.m. with Kind Cuts, their popular hands-on pruning workshop (free with donation of 5 non-perishable food items). Later at 1:30, they present a Garden in Pots class where attendees choose from a full selection of planters and plants to design a flower or herb garden that the greenhouse will take care of during its first delicate weeks of growth ($35 per person). Registration is required. W173 N7388 Shady Lane, Menomonee Falls, 262-259-1660, shadylanegreenhouse.com.
Westside Artwalk takes place April 25 (5 p.m. – 9 p.m.) and Saturday April 26 (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.). This annual celebration of the vibrant and diverse shopping neighborhoods of Wauwatosa, Washington Heights and Martin Luther Drive offers a fun and creative exploration of the arts as shops and streets transform themselves into temporary galleries offering musical entertainment, artistic demos, refreshments and shopping specials. Print an event brochure by visiting geocities.com/westsideartwalk or villageofwauwatosa.com.
Milwaukee Magazine readers have just a few more days to take advantage of Oli di Oliva Grand Opening Special. Stop in and choose from all the incredibly flavorful olive oils and vinegars they’ve gathered up from around the world, mention you read about the shop here or in the magazine’s April Savvy Shop feature and you’ll receive a whopping 50 percent off any one bottle of oil or vinegar – including their awesome 18-year-old balsamic. Having trouble deciding which to buy? Not to worry, their six bottle gift selection is a great solution. Open Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday noon – 5 p.m. 7606 Harwood Ave., 414-256-8066, orodioliva.com.
