For reasons best not disclosed, I find myself scrambling for time this week so please forgive the short list, OK? Also, while I have your ear, the other day Kacie, the young woman who manages my building, stopped to let me know how much she was looking forward to going to one of the special shopping events at Ess Elle Style Studio. Seems she didn’t know the stores held these wonderful once a month special sales, snacks and fun nights until she read about it right here in the column. So of course I filled her in on a few more events she might like, which brings me to this.
If you’re a shop owner (or know one) who’d like to get the word out about a great, upcoming in-store event, terrific sale or introduction of something exclusive to the city that savvy shoppers ought to know about – hey, I’d like to know about it – simply send an email to SavvyStyle@wi.rr.com and it will be added to my Shopaholic file. Just make sure you give me at least a week’s notice (more is encouraged). Seriously, I feel badly when I get word of a fun event too late, or worse, stop into a store to discover it’s the last day of a terrific sale many would have liked to have known about. As the middle child of a large Irish family, yammering on is something that comes easily to me and to do it while also saving someone some money, especially as more and more of us are tightening our budgetary belts, well, that just feels like frosting to me. And now on to the sales.
After months of being bundled up in parkas and swaddled in scarves, I’m ready for spring. Aren’t you? As a natural redhead of the blondish variety (read: absolutely NO ability to tan), I’m particularly drawn to a sale Blush is having. Now through March 30, get 20 percent off any purchase of Mor’s Ibiza Disco or Tahitian Bronze Body Collections and DuWop’s Revolotion’s breakthrough SPF 15 moisturizing sheer body makeup (in light, medium and dark tones). Also, now through the end of March, the shop is accepting donations of any gently used make up products on behalf of the Nia Imani women’s transitional home. 249 N. Water St., 414-272-1718, blushmilwaukee.com.
And if the last (hopefully) snowstorm had your back aching from shoveling walkways or slip sliding along icy walkways, make sure to stop in at Relax the Back during its very first anniversary sale March 25 – 31. Everything except the Tempur-Pedic mattresses and bases is 10-40 percent off . 410 W. Silver Spring Dr., 414-967-2225, relaxtheback.com.
If you’re a foodie hoping to explore sensational and spicy treats, Tuscan delights, homemade pastas, Indian Cuisine, spring dinners, summer desserts, restaurant favorites, Italian picnics, Asian appetizers, patio parties and more during a hands-on or demonstration class, you’re in luck. Book any spring or summer cooking class at The Cooking Store before April 6 and you’ll get half off the cost of either a second class or a second person attending the first class. Located inside V. Richards Market, 17125 W. Bluemound Rd., 262-865-0001, the cookingstore.us.
American contemporary designer John Varvatos, known for injecting both Polo Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein menswear lines into his casual modern style, is also the force behind Converse’s first foray into the world of ready-to-wear clothing for men and women. Comfy and cool, come see what the fuss is all about at Detour. 1300 N. Brady St., 414- 273-5156, shopdetour.com.
I don’t know about you but everything I’ve been reading about storing stuff in plastic has got me thinking, especially after spying a particularly suspicious white powdery substance at the bottom of my last bottle of Poland Springs. Was it by-product breakdown? Who knows. But one thing’s certain, thoughts like this have a lot of moms rethinking baby bottles and what they put their kid’s beverages in. Luckily, Freckle Face is ready for them with the new launch of eco-friendly SIGG water bottles for children. Swiss made for years, they’ve been called the best water bottles on the planet. Besides the safety element, the company donates one percent of all its sales to preserve the environment. Available in 6 different cool designs and both .3L and .4L sizes, hey if I weren’t so thirsty, I’d use one myself. 407 E. Buffalo St., 414-298-1488, frecklefaceboutique.com.
