Thanks to its cool, compact shopping scene, the historic village of Wauwatosa, which is loaded to the gills with modern fashions for men, women and children, expressive home and personal accessories and gifts galore, is a great pre-holiday stop. Especially as it’s also laced with great places to stop, sip or dine when the buying bug gets the better of you. This week the Underwood Avenue Association combines an anniversary celebration with the grand opening of their newest member of the retail mix, Magnolia & Co.
So what’s in it for you? Lots. Underwood Gallery is offering 10 percent off their unique selection of fine arts and crafts and stepping it up with complimentary Spanish wine and tasty tapas. A stop in at Vino 100 to stock up on all wine for the upcoming party season rewards with sampling sips and yummy appetizers right along with store specials on both days and 10 percent off everything in the store on Friday night. Serving free French wine and hors d’oeuvres, Juxt Home & Baby marks its second anniversary with a free holiday treat with purchases of $20 and introductory skincare kits from Mario Badescu to those spending $50 on the glut of great stuff they carry. Meanwhile, Magnolia & Co. makes its debut passing wine and nibbles while taking 10 percent off the store’s entire inventory of well chosen urban home accents (villageofwauwatosa.com).
Up for saving some money on up-to-the-minute fashion? Now through Nov. 4, if you mention this column you’ll get 30 percent off your entire purchase of $50 or more (plus an additional 10 percent off any sale merchandise that catches your fancy) at Three Graces. Though this exclusive sale doesn’t include bridal, Spanx, Nubra, consignment items or special orders, take my word for it there’s plenty from which to pick, like holiday dresses for as low as $100, great gifts ideas like scarves with matching gloves (gloves…ah my passion) and seasonal shoes and boots between $35 and $48. (207 E. Buffalo St., 414-273-3350, threegracesonline.com.)
If you’re a fan of Italian reds, lucky you. Grapes & Grains is holding a Reserve Room tasting of “Italy’s Super Stars” (Nov. 5, 7 p.m.). Offering phenomenal Barolos, Barbarescos and Super Tuscans from the country’s most legendary producers (including Paolo Scavino of Barolo and Gaja of Barbaresco), these hearty heartthrobs add up to about $500 worth of vino for a mere $50 tasting fee. Sweet! 7:00 p.m., $50. (11301 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon, 262-240-0206, grapesandgrain.com.)
With an eye to inventive, versatile dressing, designer Lara Miller creates fashion pieces of hand-loomed bamboo, soft jerseys and fine flexible wovens that by simply twisting, wrapping or even flipping upside down take on entirely new lives. Check them out at J Bird Boutique on Nov. 3 (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.) when the designer will be on hand showing off her looming skills and taking special orders. Plus take 25 percent off all in-store Lara Miller designs through Nov. 6. Also with this weekend’s BYGO Half-Off Sale, buy any one regular priced item in the store (men’s or women’s) and take half off any other full priced item. (415 E. Menomonee St. 414-727-6553, jbirdboutique.blogspot.com or laramiller.net)
