TAKE A PEEK
Having established shops in Delafield and Waukesha, Bangles & Bags new Third Ward boutique offers city shoppers an affordable selection of trend-forward jewelry and unique handbags. Owners Susan Steiner and Jeanette Dvorak scour the market and hand pick everything from bracelets to special-occasion bags, watches to wallets, scarves to hair accessories and more. Stop in for a look during the May 15 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) grand opening event when the store will be offering up refreshments as well as a drawing for gift certificates. 159 N. Broadway St., 414-273-4534.
Keep spending under par with a stop in at the newest Golf Outlet. The store offers discounted pricing on top-of-the-line equipment, apparel and accessories. Their try-before-you-buy option, expert evaluation and fitting services are just icing on the cake. 18915 W. Capitol Dr., 262-783-0202, golfoutletwi.com.
Men of all tastes get center stage at White Star with a whole slew of men’s casual, dressy, work and club fashions priced under $150 available in sizes up to 3X. Look for lots of belts, watches, men’s jewelry, designer underwear, graphic tees, private label denim and style that flows from comfy classic to ultra hip. Oh, and this week ladies shopping for hubbies or boy toys will get a 15 percent off discount. 524 N. Water St., 414-226-0114, facebook.com/shopwhitestar.
Water Street welcomes yet another new store. This time around it’s Lounge Boutique where it’s all about getting through the day in fashionable comfort. Along with affordable basics, active wear and cool denim, shoppers can expect lots of accessories such as belts, sunglasses, leather handbags and jewelry. Hit the Grand Opening Celebration on May 13 (10 a.m.-10 p.m.) for complimentary mimosas, light refreshments, store specials and lots of giveaways, including a $250 store shopping spree, goodie bags while they last and a VIP card good for 10 percent off a future purchase. 534 N Water St., 414-788-7070.
This weekend Kippee and I found ourselves (cold, damp and freezing) at our first Dog Agility Trail (it was actually fun). Afterward I just had to stop in at Grafton’s Sweet Trio. Open, bright and welcoming, this delightful shop specializes in hand-crafted European, artisan-style chocolates and delicious apples dipped in their own homemade honey caramel before getting drenched in decadent amounts of chocolate, nuts, toffee and more. A must stop if you’re in the vicinity. 1251 Washington Street, Grafton, 262-375-8746, sweettrio.com.
Although I haven’t been there yet, people tell me Brother John’s Art World has an interesting stockpile of original paintings by local, national and international artists in all themes, including landscapes, seascapes, florals, still lifes, contemporary abstracts and recreations of masterpieces. They also do art restoration. And the fact that they offer custom artwork leaves me pondering, should I get a portrait done of Kippee? N70 W6340 Bridge Rd., Cedarburg, 262-376-8012.
Ladies, who gives a whit whether your feet are large or small or in between when you can find fresh new styles of Fidji shoes to fit you perfectly at Vieux et Nouveau Boutique? Fashioned in Portugal of fine Italian leather, these lightweight, flexible shoes are not only ultra comfy and stylish, but they also come in great colors and whole and half sizes 5-13. 1217 E. Brady St., 414-287-9049, boutiquemilwaukee.com.
SAVVY STUFF TO DO
With the help of Melody Narr of Landworks, The Garden Room offers up professional secrets and techniques for bringing gorgeous color, texture and design to outdoor spaces during a “Formulas for Successful Container Gardening” spring workshop May 15 (9-11 a.m.). Fee ($10 in advance, $12 day of) includes tea at the Anaba Tea Room and a 10 percent discount coupon for store purchase. 2107 E Capitol Dr., 414-963-1657, gardenroomonline.com.
May 20 (5-8 p.m.) at Aala Reed: Spring Kick-Off Party promises lots of fashionable fun, the infamous Horny Goat Tailgoat, pizza compliments of Crisp, music from DJ DWood, plus plenty of prizes and giveaways. 1320 E. Brady St., 414-226-2252, aalareed4men.com.
Beauty is as beauty does, and on May 15 (6-11 p.m.) and May 16 (noon-5 p.m.), the salon Beauty helps raise funds to support public stations 88.9 Radio Milwaukee and 91.7 WMSE with a Fashion Festival featuring art, music and offerings from local designers, Lela, Aala Reed, Dragonfly, Vieux et Nouveau Boutique, Lakefront Breweryand Alterra. Tickets $7 in advance, $10 at the door. 1633 N. Farwell Ave., 414-276-5054, beautymilwaukee.com.
Head over to the Shorewood Village Center (lower level of the library) on May 15 (9 a.m.-2 p.m.) to hunt and peck for treasures and trinkets during the sixth-annual Community Flea Market to benefit the Senior Resource Center. P.S. A yummy bake sale will also be going on. 3920 N. Murray Ave. Shorewood, 414-847-2670.
CHECK OUT & SAVE
This week at Luci: Buy one top and get 40 percent off the purchase of a second. Also, dresses are 15 percent off. 532 N. Water St., 414-226-0114, luciboutique.com.
May 14-20 at Faye’s (Brookfield location): Shop a selection of more than 160 pieces of signature knitwear prized for its unique quality, design, fabric and color during the Missoni Trunk show. 18900 W. Bluemound Rd., 262-432-0070, fayes123.com.
May 14-15 at George Watts: Receive a multiple-layered, free Pandora Jewelry Travel Box with purchase of $100 or more of Pandora bracelets, beads or other jewelry. 761 N. Jefferson St., 414-290-5700, georgewatts.com.
Through May 16 (midnight) at shoestringhome.com: Free shipping and a l oz. tube of Lollia Petite Treat Shea Butter Handcreme ($6.50 value) with any order.
Through May 27 at funjet.com: Save on May-November 2010 vacations costing a minimum of $1,000 with at least a three night stay in Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, the continental U.S., Europe or Canada. Entering special promotional codes FUNJETSALE saves you $50, and paying by American Express using the promo code FUNJETAMEX will trim off an additional $50.
Through May at Design Within Reach: Free standard shipping on all outdoor product purchases. Plus, the store’sFloor Sample Sale continues offering pieces marked up to 75 percent off. 167 N. Broadway St., 414-224-5353, dwr.com.
Through May at The Learning Shop: Get a free Who’s Missing Calico Critter card game ($9.99 value) with the purchase of $25 of Calico Critters and enter the kids in a Coloring Contest to win a special Calico Critter prize (phew, I don’t think I’ve said critter that often in my life!). 17435 W. Bluemound Rd., 262-789-6994, learningshop.com.
Through July 3 at Institute of Beauty & Wellness: Free pedicure with any hair service. 342 N. Water St., 414-227-2889, institutebw.com.
