Work downtown? Well, f you’re quick like a bunny, you can take part in today’s First Annual Grown-Up Easter Egg Hunt at 12:15 p.m. in Cathedral Square (520 E. Wells). McDonald’s has scattered 1,500 bright, colorful eggs, stuffed with sweet treats from Burke Candy or coupons for an Egg McMuffin® or McCafe® along with 20 eggs bearing $1,200 worth of gift certificates for Beauty, Boutique B’lou, Boutique Larrieux, Brew City, Fred Boutique, George Watts & Son, Laacke & Joys, Miss Ruby, Rohr’s Jewelers, Schwanke Kasten and the WELL Spa & Janice Salon. Worth a hop over don’t you think? milwaukeedowntown.com.
Speaking of bunny time, the Historic Third Ward celebrates its first annual Easter Egg Hunt April 3 (1 p.m.) in Catalano Square Park. While kids have fun ferreting out eggs stuffed with lots of candy, accompanying adults can wait with baited breath to see if any come back with the special “golden eggs” offering up more than $2,000 in gift certificates from shops such as Sprout, Retique, Milwaukee Cupcake Company, Neroli Salon & Spa, Broadway Paper, The Home Market, Digicopy and more. historicthirdward.org.
Artist and Displaykeeps its doors open late April 9 to welcome shoppers to a very special free Pens & Protocol presentation by White House Chief Calligrapher Pat Blair (7-8:30 p.m.). Come hear what this award winning master of script has to say about how those all-important elements of lettering, printing and overall design successfully shape social, business and political correspondence. 9015 W. Burleigh St., 414-442-9100, artistanddisplay.com.
Because they’re bound to go fast, to get first dibs on the sale of hundreds of wedding gowns donated by retailers, designers, manufacturers and generous individuals, brides-to-be better purchase their $20 tickets now for the April 9 (10 a.m.-noon) “Power Hour Preview Shopping Spree” of the Brides Against Breast Cancer Nationwide Tour of Gowns. Not in a rush to find a dream dress even if they are selling at just $99 and up with couture going for 35-75 percent off retail? Well you can always wait to shop the general, free-to-the-public portion of the sale starting later that day (noon-8 p.m.) and continuing through April 10 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.). Benefiting the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, it’s all happening at the War Memorial Center. 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr. For advance tickets and info, visit bridesagainstbreastcancer.org.
Speaking of money-saving bridal bonanzas, throughout the month of April, Lela is offering a bounty of consignment wedding fashions that include everything from gowns to shoes, veils to handbags and hats to jewelry. 321 N. Broadway St., 414-727-4855, lelaboutique.com.
Peabody’s Interiors is busy putting the finishing touches on its new high-end interior design studio space, which was custom created by the store’s late co-owner, Jon Schlagenhaft, in collaboration with architect Wade Weissmann. The move to the Deerwood Village Historical District places the store in convenient proximity to the Wade Weissmann Architecture firm offering clients an even broader range of first-class design skills and services. Dedicated to establishing the Midwest’s most unique and visually inspiring retail environment of its kind, the store is expected to open at the end of April. Meanwhile, shoppers have until May 29 to save on quality home furnishings and accessories during the moving sale at the Whitefish Bay store. 133 E. Silver Spring Dr., Whitefish Bay; 8655 N. Deerwood Drive, 414-962-4550, Brown Deer, peabodysinteriors.com.
During any and all seasons, guys can count on Aala Reed to scour the market for affordable, contemporary urban style. And now during its Good Friday & Super Saturday Sale April 2-3, they’ll save even more. Purchase any item from the store’s new spring collection (including colorful shirts from Thomas Dean, Park Denmark, Cotton Reel and Ike Behar) and save 50 percent off a second item of equal or lesser value. 1320 E. Brady St., 414-226-2252, aalareed4men.com.
Tickets can now be purchased for the Spring Fashion Show & Brunch being held during the village-wide Spring Into Greendale Event May 8 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.). Other treats of the day include a pet fashion show, children’s card-making workshop, colorful balloon art, wandering musicians, a silent auction and lots of store specials. For more info call 414-423-3080 or visit discovergreendale.com.
No one will ever accuse Heidi Calaway, owner of Boutique Vieux et Nouveau, of slacking off. Indeed, the young retailer is constantly figuring out clever ways to keep her fashion-conscious fans financially fit. For instance, now through April 11, she’s holding a Spring VIP Sale that shaves 20 percent off any regular-priced dress or jersey item as well as fashions from lines like 5th Culture, Bandolera, Clara Sun Woo, Cyrus, Griffin and Indochine while taking 10 percent off anything from Cartise or Any Anna Scott. In addition, during the Spring Accessories show April 6-11, shoppers can save 20 percent on Big Buddha and vintage bags, and 10 percent off all shoes and jewelry, both new and vintage. 1217 E. Brady St., 414-287-9049, boutiquemilwaukee.com.
As Goodwill continues to amp up its Third Ward boutique, Retique shoppers will find a growing assortment of vintage hats, furs, evening dresses and sophisticated daywear dating from turn of the century to the 1980s, certain to add a dash of singular style to contemporary wardrobes. 190 N. Broadway St., 414-273-1797, amazinggoodwill.com.
Join celebrated cookbook author, founder of Cooks Illustrated magazine and host of America’s Test Kitchen, Christopher Kimball, (along with some of his cast mates) during his visit to the Demonstration Kitchen at the Shops of Woodlake April 10 (noon-1:30 p.m.) for a public book signing of Test Kitchen books, questions and complimentary Woodbridge wine. Because the American Club will also be hosting an evening reception, which includes a specially prepared dinner and Q & A session with the celebrated chef and his entire cast on April 9, serious foodies just might want to RSVP ($130 per person) and make a flavorful weekend out of it. 800-344-2838, destinationkohler.com.
Meanwhile, Williams-Sonoma does its bit to get America’s busy cooks on the fast track to healthier cooking with a series of how-to classes that cover everything from how to select seafood to trussing a chicken. Learn to create dishes packed with taste and nutrition and how to incorporate innovative kitchen tools plus enjoy delicious samples. Space is limited so sign up now for one or all of the Seafood, Vegetable or Chicken classes the store will offer Fridays at Bayshore and Saturdays at Mayfair, beginning April 10. 2500 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa, 414-771-3755 & 5800 N. Bayshore Dr.,414-967-8879, williams-sonoma.com.
Are you a design professional, student or design enthusiast who’s pulled together an original great space for a home, business, commercial or hospitality project with the help of ultra-modern furnishings and products from Design Within Reach? Well if so, you’ve got until April 30 to enter the store’s 2010 Design Gallery Program Contest to win $10,000 in cool products, get featured in its catalog and on the Web site plus qualify for a fun DWR studio event. For complete rules and regulations, visit dwr.com. 167 N. Broadway St., 414-224-5353.
Sad to say but after being open for just about four months, Shorewood’s Open Book, will bite the bullet and close its doors for good April 31. Although trying to establish a retail foothold while fighting the economic lethargy proved to be a wee bit too tough this time around, I think everyone would agree Keith Schmitz deserves kudos for his efforts to add an interesting texture to the neighborhood’s retail landscape with his cooperative bookstore. In keeping with that original intention, shoppers can expect lots of activity right up till the closing day. 4093 N. Oakland Ave, 414-963-0847, openbookcoop.com.
And finally, maybe it’s because I grew up sharing a bedroom with my sister, but boy do I love to organize my stuff. You know, colorize closets, categorize shoes and stack things by size – that sort of thing. So is it any wonder I’m a fan of coordinating shelf paper and drawer liners to pull it all together? Especially well-designed ones. I suppose that’s why I’m keen on chicshelfpaper.com. Whether you purchase by the roll or custom cut-to-fit for the particular nooks and crannies of your life, you can choose from a broad selection of solids and pattern styles printed on your choice of laminated vinyl, heavy matte paper, fine weave fabric or satin canvas with or without their “repositionable” adhesive option. Undecided? Not to worry. Just request a few free samples and live with them for a while. The site also provides clear measuring instructions, a how-to guide for removing old shelf paper and design suggestions. So if you’re in the mood to transform kitchen cupboards, shelves, nurseries, closets, cabinets, drawers or bookcases, or add a little style to your space, maybe you should take a look, no?
CHECK OUT
Through this week at Luci: Save 25 percent off the purchase of any new dress AND get two free items from the store’s sale rack with each donation of a clean, stylish prom dress to the Cinderella Project to help financially strapped, deserving young girls have their high school dream night. 532 N. Water St., 414-226-0114, luciboutique.com.
Now at Harleys: Shop the new spring selection of men’s outerwear jackets from Wellenstyn, featuring quality European style designed to wear well. 3565 N. Oakland Ave., 414-332-3404, harleys4men.com.
Right now at Soaps & Scents: Crabtree & Evelyn New Heritage Soap Collection, featuring natural botanical ingredients, timeless fragrances, pampering skin care and beautifully illustrated packaging. Available individually or in three-bar gift boxes, the gentle, triple-milled Crabapple & Mulberry, Oatmeal & Wheat germ, Vetiver & Juniper berry soaps and chamomile, lime and black currant glycerin cleansing bars, meet the needs of all skin types. Mayfair Mall. 2500 N Mayfair Rd., 414-771-2228.
Through April 2 at Lela: Buy any one pair of shoes and get half off a second pair. 321 N. Broadway St., 414-727-4855, lelaboutique.com.
