Clueless about which wine to choose? Turn it over to the experts at Grapes & Grains where for just $34.95 a month, you can join the store’s terrific Vin Grin Wine Club. As a member you’ll receive a bottle of both red and white wines delivered to your door each month, minus the delivery charge if you live in the North Shore or the city of Milwaukee. You’ll also receive two cards which introduce you to the handpicked selections and offer a full description of each wine — including origin of grape and background of region – plus a recipe to complement it created by the chefs of Sanford, Bartolotta’s, Roots and many other local restaurants. To join, call 262-240-0206, visit the store at 11301 N. Port Washington Road in Mequon or e-mail them at wineclub@grapesandgrain.com.
While you’re at it, sign up for the store’s Wine 101 class held Monday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. Not only will you learn the vocabulary of wine and basic wine-tasting skills, you’ll also get to sample six international varietals. Class cost is $20.
Web sites offer tips for trend-seekers. Staying on top of the absolute latest trends has some women subscribing to monthly membership Web sites for the opportunity to browse statement-making and (costly) handbags and accessories. If they see something they can’t live without (at least for a while), they then pay an additional “by the week” or “by the month” fee per item to borrow the object of their desire. Don’t believe me? Check out www.bagborroworsteal.com or www.borrowedbling.com. If you don’t have the funds to invest in costly trends or simply can’t bear to be seen wearing the same thing too often or for too long, perhaps it’s worth a shot.
SaleUpdates: At Blush Beauty, buy two bath or body products and get the third half off. 249 N. Water St., 272-1718.
If you haven’t paid a visit to J Bird Boutique lately, you’ll definitely want to stop in for their Winter Clearance Sale. Held Saturday, Jan. 13 and Sunday, Jan. 14 (when prices go down an extra 10%), the sale features 20% off all lingerie, 25% off all denim, 30% off all embroidered T-shirts and tanks, 40% off all sweaters, dresses, skirts, trousers, tops and jackets and 50% off all leather handbags and shoes. And if great prices on great fashions weren’t enough to lure you in, you can also enter to win a private shopping party, gift certificates and lots more. Believe me, this store understands the meaning of SALE! 415 E. Menomonee St., 727-6553.
If you’re ready to say “I do,” don’t miss the 2007 Wedding Planner & Guide Bridal show. Held Jan. 20-21 at the Midwest Airlines Center, tickets are $10 at the door, $7 in advance or online at weddingplannerandguide.com. Loaded with almost 150 vendors hawking everything from cakes to honeymoon hideaways, a bride could get the whole event planned in a single weekend. AND catch up on current trends during the bridal shows held noon and 3:30 p.m. each day. AND sign up for drawings to win gift certificates, round-trip airline tickets, a $1,000 bridal gown, limo, video and DJ packages. AND get advice and tips from renowned wedding coordinator David Caruso at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. AND bid on designer dresses and other cool stuff in a silent auction to benefit the Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation. AND enter to win a $5,000 prize and model bridal fashions.
Excited, stressed or overwhelmed brides will get the most out of the show if they:
*Print out the wedding planning worksheets available on wedplan.com to decide on a budget and get a clear idea ofwhat product and services you want.
*Bring along labels printed with name, wedding date, and address and phone number to make signing up for drawings simple and fast.
*Dress comfortably and bring along a big tote or small rolling carry-on suitcase to hold brochures, etc. plus anyone (mothers, grooms.) who have a say in decisions.
*Devote Saturday to visiting every booth (good time is during the fashion shows when they’re less congested and you can spend some time with vendors) and plan on returning Sunday to finalize choices.
*Take a break now and then – sit down, have a snack – and enjoy the process.
Speaking of Weddings: On such a special day, Vieux et Nouveau understands that a woman wants something uniquely her own. So the store’s featured jewelry designers Suzi Dixon and Joan Stroika offer custom-designed jewelry for the entire bridal party. Utilizing various stones, crystals and pearls chosen to coordinate with any given color scheme, the pieces are sure to earn treasured keepsake status. Located upstairs at 1688 N. Franklin Place, 287-9049.
Colleen Heather Rogan chats about shopping on WKTI 94.5 FM every Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m.
