Tips for Treating Mom

Sunday, May 11 is Mother’s Day so if you’re looking for tips for how to show your gratitude to the woman who gave you life…Listen up. According to a survey done last year, 30 percent of moms hoped to receive a trip to the spa as a present while only about 22 percent of gift givers planned to give them one. See where I’m going with this? If you’ve been thinking of shopping for a spring sweater, you might want to reconsider and go for pampering, indulgence and relaxation instead.

Speaking of which, both locations of Exclusiva Hair Design make treating mom to something special easy with convenient $65 gift card packages. With their Salon Package, mom receives a style consultation, relaxing scalp massage, haircut and styling, plus a manicure with choice of Deep Conditioning or Shine Therapy nail treatment. With their Spa Package, mom can choose from either an hour long Swedish Massage or a Signature Facial with soothing, softening paraffin hand dip. For the rest of us, the salon extends a special introductory savings throughout the month of May for 30 percent off any massage booked with Kari, their newest team member (not available with Mother’s day Spa Special). 179 N. Broadway, 414-319-7777 and 5300 S. 108 St. 414-425-7474, exclusivahairdesign.com.

Even women who technically aren’t moms get pampered at With Child Maternity and Baby Boutique. The store is dropping the price of Pregnancy Gift Sets from Belli Cosmetics. Normally priced $62, from now through May 11 they’ll be marked down to $42. Moms-to-be will delight in the teratogen free, safe and oh so soothing Pampered Pregnancy Body Wash, Body Lotion, Elasticity Belly Oil, Body Exfoliator and Foot Relief Cream. The Shops at Kohler, 725A Woodlake Rd., Kohler, 920-287-7611, withchildmaternity.com.

No matter what you spend on something she wants or needs, Macy’s has a way to make mom’s world a bit brighter. And with their Magic of Mom Gift Card (available April 30 – May 11), you can brighten up someone else’s life too. Simply purchase the card with a value of $50 or more and the store will donate 5 percent of its value to the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement. Oh you say it’s all about you? No problem, spend $50 or more in the store on yourself and you can still get mom a freshwater pearl necklace and earring gift set for a mere $20. Special Gift Cards will be available for purchase April 30 – May 11, 2008. Macy’s Mayfair, 414-471-3700, macys.com.

Faye’s makes it easy to shop for mom with their Kalibre Trunk Show. Held at the Mequon store May 1 – 3 and the Brookfield store May 4 – 6, company representative John Istwan will be on hand to introduce plenty of the statement making pieces typical of this very cool line. Check out new pieces in satin finished sterling silver, pastel pearls that pair perfectly with summer fashions, and a lovely vintage inspired crystal collection. Sweetening the deal, the store will donate 10 percent of all trunk show sales to either the Jewish Women’s Endowment Fund or the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts. 1505 W. Mequon Rd., 262- 241-8386 & 18900 W. Bluemound Rd., 262- 432-0070, fayes123.com.

And finally, have you got a mom who’s been itching to step out of the box? How about enrolling her in the Art of Erotic Dance for Women, or How to Strip class at A Woman’s Touch? She’ll learn enticingly artful moves, get an idea of how to choose music and props and be advised on how to pull together a routine sure to delight dear old dad. Designed as a comfortable experience for women of all ages, sizes and abilities, it’ll only set you back $40 (double if you decide to go yourself). Registration required. 200 N. Jefferson St., 414-221-0400, a-womans-touch.com.

Still in a tizzy about what to buy the lady who used to stop all your sniffles? Check out giftquizzes.com for a simple quiz to hone in what your mom might really love. Oh, and on a side note, did you know that nearly every mom believes their husband spends more money on her gift than on his own mother’s gift?

Now on to other shopping. Get to Goldi’s May 2 – 4 for the Tom’s Shoes Trunk Show for men, women and kids. Inspired by a traditional ultra light and comfy canvas slip-on shoe worn in Argentina, this company was founded in 2006 by designer Blake Mycoskie, who has but one mission in mind – to make life a little more comfortable. And he does it in a wonderfully simple way. For every pair of Tom’s Shoes sold, he donates a pair to a child in need somewhere around the world. As of last count, over 10,000 kids in Argentina and 50,000 to little ones in South Africa benefited. Talk about “walking your talk.” What’s in it for you? Great cool new styles for spring and fall (take a peek at tomsshoes.com) along with the opportunity tohelp out a child in need. 4114 N. Oakland, 414-431-4832.

Allied Pools is holding a huge sale on all in-stock patio sets and sweetening the deal with additional ‘Hot, Hot, Hot’ deals on selected styles. Choose from aluminum, cast aluminum, wood, wicker, rattan, wrought iron and resin wicker designs from Tropitone, Meadowcraft, South Seas and Jensen Jarrah. Oh, and word to the wise, industry insiders tell me with energy and material costs are already driving prices up, up, up on next year’s outdoor furnishings so if creating a relaxing outdoor environment for family and friends is on your agenda, you best buy now. 1800 S. 108^th St., 414-282-6800, alliedpools.com.

Winestyles of Brookfield has a few events lined up to make you smile while learning a bit about vino. On May 3 between 3:00 and 4:30 p.m. the store hosts a Cinco De Mayo Celebration complete with “wineritas,” live music, appetizers and a wine giveaway every 30 minutes. ($10 per person, $5 for Wine Club members). May 8 is reserved for Divas Night Out where it’s all about wine, women, health and beauty with special guest speakers ($20 per person; $10 for Wine Club members, reservations required). And to celebrate mothers, on May 10 between 3:00 – 4:30 p.m., the store will hold a Here’s To You Mom wine tasting ($10 per; $5 Wine Club members). 17000 W. Bluemound, 262-792-9463, winestyles.net.

Speaking of vino….What’s up that no wine store seems to be able to survive on the corner of Ogden and Van Buren? You wouldn’t think offering an assortment of good affordable wines smack in the middle of a neighborhood overflowing with young professionals would be such a tough gig right? Yet Vintage is the second store in that location to close in less than five years. The bad news is that it’s all over as of May 7. The good news is that until then you’ll get 10 percent off every bottle in the store, 15 percent if you purchase six or more, 10 percent off every “unit” of beer and 15 percent off wine accessories. In this Everything Must Go sale, you can even pick up framed maps of the California wine country for $75 along with wine racks capable of holding up to 20 cases for $200. 632 E. Ogden, 414-220-4263.

Lela is holding a Sunshine Sale Saturday May 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. offering 30 percent off every cool fashion and accessory in the store. Stop in and sip refreshing lemonade while you shop for something cool and new for spring. Time your visit between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. when Exclusiva Spa will be on hand offering complimentary mini-pedicures. All in all, it’s a great way to celebrate the boutique’s new hours. As of May 1 the store will be open Monday thru Friday 10:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 321 N. Broadway, 414-7272-4855, lelaboutique.com.

In the market for a futon? Head to Verlo where you’ll find over 40 frames, (lots of them marked down for clearance), five types of mattresses and hundreds of cover styles. Buy any frame with any mattress and save 20 percent off your futon cover, 201 N. Water St., 414-298-9701, verlo.com.

And for the kids…. At 1:00 p.m. on May 3 at Fasten Co-op Clothing Gallery, Le Petit Forest designer Sabrina Peterson and poet/educator husband Josh step up with a really imaginative children’s event. Using imaginative handmade puppets and creative scenery, they’ll bring to life a story that teaches the importance of listening. Anything but old fashioned, it’s a show that promises to appeal to the child in all of us. Children’s craft project and snacks will follow. 2224 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., 414-747-9229, fastencollective.com.

Sprout holds their first Saturday Book Club for children May 3 at noon. Highlighted books are Victoria and Elizbeth Kann’s Pinkalicious and How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long and David Shannon. There’ll be popcorn and balloons for everyone and little ones who attend wearing a princess or pirate outfit can have their caricature done by artist Charlie Chrisman. Can’t make this one? Mark your calendars for upcoming book club meetings on May 31, June 14 and June 28. Seriously, since reading opens up their world, why not make it as fun as possible? 302 E. Buffalo St., 414-289-0844, sproutkid.com.