With harbors iced in and boats bundled in plastic, reluctant landlubbers will find plenty of solace at the Milwaukee Boat Show Jan. 15-24. Shop or just drool over new yachts, runabouts, pontoons, cruisers and fishing rigs as well as all the marine accessories needed to keep your water lifestyle afloat. Admission $8 (free under 12 years old, $2 weekday discount coupon available online). Wisconsin Exposition Center, State Fair Park, 616-447-2860, milwaukeeboatshow.com.
Speaking of summer’s glowing appeal, why look winter pale and pasty when Blush has entered the ring with a fantastic new Air Brush Tanning service? It offers the only custom-blended application of completely organic, hydrating and anti-aging formulas in town. Created from a blend of light, medium or dark bases tweaked by botanical oils, you’ll sport the most natural tan possible. Full body, half body or slim contouring available. Packages, including a full body prep and exfoliation, translate to even longer lasting glows. 249 N. Water St., 414-272-1718, blushmilwaukee.com.
Quick, before holiday excesses settle in, enlist in the Milwaukee Adventure Boot Camp! Offered in Milwaukee, Bay View and Brookfield, women will find it a real jump start to fitness and wellness programs with a four-week blast of indoor/outdoor fitness instruction, nutritional counseling and motivation with a certified fitness trainer. Sound interesting? Sign up now for the free Big Boot Recruit Camp held Jan. 30 (10-11 a.m.) at St. Thomas Aquinas Academy. And being that healthy is as healthy does, they’re also asking that you bring along used boots in any size (in good condition, of course) to donate to the Salvation Army. Don’t feel like breaking a sweat but still want to help? Drop boots off at SHOP in Shorewood (1918 E. Capitol Drive, Shorewood, 414-962-4030, shop53211.com). 341 E. Norwich Ave., 414-881-5348, milwaukeebootcamp.com.
If you’re really serious about getting healthy after engaging in holiday havoc, Good Harvest Market helps out with classes, workshops and health consultations ($5 for 15 minutes) with natural health care professionals. Learn about organic and holistic products, nutrition, get tips on staying fit, managing your blood sugars, avoiding winter depression, children’s health and much more. Pre-registration required. 1850 Meadow Lane, Pewaukee, 262-544-9380 & 346 N. Broadway, 414-727-3560, goodharvestmarket.com.
It’s out with the old and in with the new as Vieux et Nouveau Boutiquesets aside Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays to concentrate on providing one-on-one fashion consultation appointments. Here’s the deal. You bring in five to 10 pieces from your closet, and they’ll treat you to snacks and refreshments while helping coordinate with new items for fresh options and outfits. Service is $100 per hour or free with purchase of $500 or more. New regular store hours are Wednesday-Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 1217 E. Brady St., 414-287-9049, boutiquemilwaukee.com.
Jan. 16 marks the beginning of the much-anticipated Past Basket Annual White Sale. In addition to saving 40 percent on beautiful, discontinued French linens by Yves Delorme, pick up the line’s basic sheeting and towels (along with all in-stock bedding and towels) at a 20 percent discount. 383 W Brown Deer Rd., 414-247-9976, pastbasket.com.
If you’re looking for something fun, interesting and perhaps even inspiring to do, why not make the rounds at Gallery Night & Day Jan. 15-16? It’s the perfect excuse to enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner or drinks while catching up on what’s up at more than 61 shops and art galleries in and about downtown, East Town, Walkers Point and the Historic Third Ward. Lela (321 N. Broadway, 414-727-4855, lelaboutique.com), for instance, will feature one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art, live lingerie models showing off the J. Rath Boudoir Line and artful offerings from Lulu’s Petals. On Jan. 15, A Woman’s Touch (200 N. Jefferson St., 414-221-0400, awomanstouchonline.com) will unveil its Uplifting Art: Bras for a Cause show to benefit After Breast Cancer Diagnosis. For a full list of shows and activities visit historicthirdward.org.
Purchase any option of the cool Stokke Sleepi (a bassinet/crib/junior bed system that grows with your child) Jan. 15-28 at freckle face and receive a $100 American Express Gift Card. Shoppers adding on a Stokke Care Changing Table or Stokke Keep Storage System will receive a $200 American Express Gift Card. 244 N. Broadway, 414-298-1488, frecklefaceboutique.com.
Now that renowned wine maker Greg LaFollette’s offerings are sporting the new LaFollette label, shoppers are treated to unbelievable pricing on bottles bearing his former Tandem Winery label thanks to a savvy buy by Thief Wine shop. With quality chardonnays and pinot noirs normally priced $45-60 going for about $20-25, needless to say, you better act fast. 400 N. Water St., 414-277-7707, thiefwine.com.
If, like me, you love to know how we’ve gotten to where we are via the history of people and places, perhaps I’ll see you at Boswell Books Jan. 13 (7 p.m.) where author John Gurda speak about his book, One People, Many Paths: A History of Jewish Milwaukee. The Milwaukee author and historian explores the culture and contributions of a small community that’s had a real impact on the city. 2559 N. Downer Ave., 414-333-1181, 4093 N. Oakland Ave., 414-963-3111, boswell.indiebound.com.
CHECK OUT:
Until it’s gone at Luscious & Fred Boutique: A 50 percent markdown on all holiday and winter fashions helps make room for the plaids, lace, florals, military and nautical trends of spring. 522 N. Water St., 414-755-8139 & 4407 N. Oakland Ave., 414-755-8139, shopluscious.com & 524 N. Water St., 414-273-3733 & 4407 N. Oakland Ave., 414-967-7760, fredboutique.com.
For a limited time at Knick Salon & Spa: Get a haircut, highlights and style for only $100, basic manicure and pedicure for just $50 and a free brow design with any haircut. 1028 E. Juneau Ave., 414-312-7947, knicksalonandspa.com.
While it lasts at SHOP: New fall and winter markdowns during the boutique’s fashionable clearance sale. 1918 E. Capitol Drive, Shorewood, 414-962-4030, shop53211.com.
Right now at Aala Reed: Markdowns of 50 percent and more on select men’s winter clothing and accessories, 20 percent off all cool neckwear and half off Ted Baker colognes for men and women. While shopping, take a gander at new denim from Agave Denimsmith, William Rast and Smash. 1320 E. Brady St., 414-226-2252, aalareed4men.com.
Jan. 14- 16 at Gigi’s Rack: A 50 percent off sale on already drastically reduced designer fashions is sure to have fashionistas fluttering and flocking to the store. 1552 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon, 262-241-7315.
Jan. 16 at (shoo): Just about all of its super shoes and stuff is 50 percent off. Can’t make it to the store? Shop online and use code shoo50 at checkout. 241 N. Broadway, 414-765-2355, shoostore.com.
Jan. 19 (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) at Blush: National makeup artist Connie Griswald will offer complimentary makeup lessons to shoppers spending $50 or more on Laura Mercier products including her chic, new Polished collection of matte shades accented with subtle pearl accents.Also, save $20 all month on the popular Half & Half beauty service, which offers up an hour of relaxing back massage and facial treatment for just $75. 249 N. Water St., 414-272-1718, blushmilwaukee.com.
Through Jan. 20 at Flaire: Winter clearance sale saves shoppers up to 60 percent on brands such as Kooba, Modern Amusement, Life After Denim and 2 b. rych. Items bearing bonus “Snowflakes of Savings” tags are an additional 10 percent off. 407 E. Buffalo St., 414-223-5100, shopflaire.com.
Through January at Valentina: Smart and style conscious shoppers can save 50 percent on tremendous fall and winter fashions from Andy and Debb, Doo-Ri, Grown Beans, Koi Suwannagate, Peter Som and more. 1505 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon, 262-241-4122, evalentina.com.
Through January at Falcon: Save 50 percent on cool, urban fall and winter fashions from designers such as Akiko Ogawa, Gary Graham, See by Chloe and Vivienne Tam among others. 315 N. Broadway, 414-271-9100, falcon315.com.
Through January at Luci: WOW fab winter sale shaves up to 70 percent off everything in the store, plus shoppers are treated to a free sale rack item with every purchase and will also receive a free $10 gift card toward featured regularly priced spring purchases. 532 N. Water St., 414-226-0114; 5724 Center Parkway, Bayshore, 414-967-7933, luciboutique.com.
Through Feb. 2 at Design Within Reach: Semi-Annual Upholstery & Rug Sales peels 15 percent off modern, well-designed sectionals, sleepers, ottomans and chairs in a broad variety of fabrics and leathers. Rugs and runners also included. 167 N. Broadway, 414-224-5353, dwr.com.
