Events

MMoCA Father’s Day Sale
When: Through June
Where: Madison Museum of Contemporary Art Store, 227 State St.
Details: Get ten percent off of things for dad—business card holders made from recycled bike chains, desk clocks made from recycled 45 records, cuff links, backgammon sets, arts books, money clips and more!
More info: 257-3222

The Boss is Going Crazy Sale
When: June 19 and 20
Where: Fanny Garver Gallery, 230 State St.
Details: In honor of owner Jack Garver’s nuptials (this Sunday, congrats Jack!) he’s giving twenty percent off of everything in the gallery! Mention the sale to get the deal.
More info: 256-6755. Fannygarvergallery.com

Fair Indigo Bin Buster Sale
When: Now!
Where: fairindigo.com
Details: Score markdowns of forty, sixty and seventy-five percent off on certain items on the website! A chock-full of organic items such as washcloths, baby clothing and apparel are available.
More info: fairindigo.com

Nickel Sale
When: Now!
Where: bop, 222 W. Gorham St.
Details: Buy one pair of shoes at full price, get the second pair for five cents! Since I’m a shoe girl, this sale seemes like an insanely good deal …
More info: 255-2570 (in-store only)

Encore: Madison’s Premiere Fashion Show
When: Friday, June 26, 5:30–10 p.m. (Runway show at 8 p.m.)
Where: The Orpheum, 216 State St.
Details: Check out fashions from three of Madison’s upscale boutiques including J. LaMore, Bill Paul Studio and Terese Zache. Summer trends galore will be shown and DJs Corey Lee and Papi Love will be spinning. General admission is $20 and available at the door.
More info: speckmanninc.com/tickets.html

Events: Sales, Food, Fashion Shows and More!

Local Microbrew, Wine, and Artisan Cheese Tasting PLUS Weekend Sale at Indocara
When: Friday, May 8th, 5–9 p.m.
Where: Indocara, 540 W. Washington Ave.
Details: Ummmmm, who doesn’t like local brews, cheeses and wines? That’s what I thought. Quaff brews from Ale Asylum, Capital Brewery, Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co., New Glarus Brewing Company and sip wines from Wollersheim Winery. Plus taste local artisan cheese from Metcalfe’s Sentry. Other participating businesses include: Mosaic, Ellieflower, Bella Designs, Indus Beads, Jessica Catherine Designs, Renaissance and Cha Cha Tea.
The sale runs through Sunday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Receive up to seventy percent off.
More info: RSVP for party to: events@indocara.com (Please include in email names of attendees for entry list. Space is limited to 200). 251-7711. indocara.com

Atticus One-Year Anniversary Sale
When: Until Saturday, May 9
Where: 18 N. Carroll St.
Details: Atticus is all grown up! Come and celebrate the store’s milestone—spend $125, get $25 off; spend $250 and get $50 off; and spend $500 and get $100 off on your purchase.
More info: 204-9001. atticusshop.com

World Fair Trade Day
When: May 9, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Where: Fair Indigo, 570 N. Midvale Blvd.
Details: Fair trade has long been a buzzword in retail—paying people fair wages and helping promote ecological practices just makes sense. On May 9, Fair Indigo is donating 100 PERCENT of its sales that day in honor of World Fair Trade Day—fifty percent will go to a local school and fifty percent to the Fair Indigo Foundation. The Foundation “is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving educational opportunities in the developing countries where Fair Indigo factories are located,” per a press release. World Fair Trade Day is the second Saturday in May and is organized by the International Fair Trade Association across seventy countries. It focuses on trading fairly with millions of producers.
More info: 661-7662. fairindigo.com

Flux Fashion Show
When: May 9, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Where: Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr.
Details: Every year the School of Human Ecology at UW–Madison sends off promising young design students looking to make their mark in the sartorial world—like a junior Karl Lagerfeld, or perhaps a younger Donna Karan. See their work at this show.
More info: flux2009@mail.sohe.wisc.edu or 262-4897.

HospiceCare Thrift Store Fashion Show
When: Monday, May 18, 5:30–8 p.m.
Where: HospiceCare Thrift Store, 122 Junction Rd.
Details: For those that have attended this event in the past, you know what fabulous outfits are featured—using thrift store fashions! Check out beautiful dresses, accessories, menswear and more. Cost is $15/person.
More info: 833-4556

Wisconsin Fashion Week
Where: Various locations
When: May 19–23
Details: A series of fashionable events including: runway shows, workshops, parties and more for the fashionista (is there a male word for fashionista?? Who knows) in all of us. More on this event in an upcoming blog.
More info: wisconsinfashionweek.com

Events

Fair Indigo Employee Pricing on Best Sellers
When: Now
Where: Fair Indigo, 570 N. Midvale Blvd. and fairindigo.com
Details: Everyone needs wardrobe basics: long-sleeve tees, tanks, cardigans, jeans, V-neck and scoop-neck sweaters and more. Fair Indigo is giving anywhere from forty-five to seventy percent off regular prices on these basics for men and women. I spotted a women’s cashmere cardigan sweater for $60 (marked down from $129) and a men’s pima cotton dress shirt for $20 (marked down from $50).
More info: fairindigo.com

Wine Tastings
When: April 8, 5:30–7 p.m., April 11, 2–5 p.m.
Where: Savoir Faire, 5 N. Pinckney St.
Details: Did you know Savoir Faire moved to a NEW location—and it’s back downtown again? Originally located on King Street, Savoir Faire moved to Greenway Station a few years ago. Now the shop is back to its downtown roots at a slightly different location. I’m guessing owner Kathie Retelle will still have all of her great gifty items, cards and wine for sale.
More info: 819-8066

Hair Affair: The Art of Hair
When: April 16, 7–10 p.m.
Where: Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, 227 State St.
Details: Give me hair! “Extreme hair sculptures designed and executed by premier area salons … displayed by live models” are what you’ll get at this event benefiting the Art League of MMoCA.
More info: 257-0158. mmoca.org
Photos above © Tom McInvaille

Wacoal Fit for the Cure
When: April 22, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: Boston Store, 215 West Towne Mall
Details: Get a complimentary fitting in a Wacoal or b.tempt’d bra by a Wacoal specialist. After all, stats show the majority of women are wearing the wrong bra size! Wacoal will donate $2 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure for every woman that participates. Wacoal will also donate an additional $2 for every Wacoal bra, shapewear piece or b’tempt’d bra purchased at the event.
More info: 833-9799

Atticus Presents Meet the Cool Kids
When: April 23, 6–9 p.m.
Where: Atticus, 18 N. Carroll St.
Details: Do you like smaller, indie designers and one-of-a-kind items? This event is for you—a trunk show featuring apparel and accessories from local designers.
More info: 204-9001. atticusshop.com

Absolutely Art’s Re-Art Swap
When: April 25, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Absolutely Art’s backyard, 2322 Atwood Ave.
Details: Perhaps the feathers your kids used for an art project are floating around. And you don’t need those extra beads for the necklace you made anymore. Bring them to the Re-Swap and swap them for new inspiration or simply donate them to someone else. Also don’t miss the Alley Sale for great deals, too.
More info: 249-9100. absolutelyartllc.com

World Fair Trade Day
When: May 9, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Where: Fair Indigo, 570 N. Midvale Blvd.
Details: Fair trade has long been a buzzword in retail—paying people fair wages and helping promote ecological practices just makes sense. On May 9, Fair Indigo is donating 100 PERCENT of its sales that day in honor of World Fair Trade Day—fifty percent will go to a local school and fifty percent to the Fair Indigo Foundation. The Foundation “is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving educational opportunities in the developing countries where Fair Indigo factories are located,” per a press release. World Fair Trade Day is the second Saturday in May and is organized by the International Fair Trade Association across seventy countries. It focuses on trading fairly with millions of producers.
More info: 661-7662. fairindigo.com

Flux Fashion Show
When: May 9, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Where: Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr.
Details: Every year the School of Human Ecology at UW–Madison sends off promising young design students looking to make their mark in the sartorial world—like a junior Karl Lagerfeld, or perhaps a younger Donna Karan. See their work at this show.
More info: flux2009@mail.sohe.wisc.edu or 262-4897.

What I Look for in Great Stores

Recently one of my friends asked me: “What do you do if you don’t like a store? Do you write a bad review?”

My answer to that: No, I don’t write a bad review (technically, I don’t do “reviews” at all…rather, columns, but that’s beside the point). Madison is a small city, and I’m not interested in putting down any stores that aren’t, well, top-notch. If anything, these stores just need some prodding in the right direction. Or, if they’re really terrible, customers won’t want to go in for some reason or another and the storeowner will eventually “get it.” What I won’t do: endorse a store that I’m not fully OK with sending magazine and blog readers to. If I strongly dislike a store or feel that their customer service isn’t excellent, I won’t write about it.

The good news: I’ve rarely encountered any stores and storeowners that I haven’t liked and that I haven’t felt were worth writing about. Although some people might lament that Madison is small, there are upsides to being small: forging a personal connection with your favorite storeowner and getting first pick on cool items are two shopping advantages. I once had a storeowner tell me that the reason their online store did so well was because online customers from the coasts discovered that the Midwestern stores were the ones to hit up because all of the really popular stores in the big cities sold out the popular denim brands so quickly—whereas stores like Detour in Milwaukee and Context in Madison, for example, had A.P.C. or Nudie Jeans in stock.
On to the topic at hand: stores I love. (Disclaimer: this list is not all-inclusive.)

Monroe Street Shoe Repair and Cecil’s Shoe Repair
As every fashionista knows, your favorite shoes and handbags don’t last forever. At least they won’t without a little—sprucing up—yes? That’s where these folks come in. I have frequented both of these places and they’ve always done a top-notch job. Handbag strap need to be reattached? Stiletto heel tip need to be replaced? These places deliver with fast, inexpensive results. Recently I bought an adorable pair of shoes but a snap on the strap was missing. Enter Cecil’s. I bought the tiny snap from next-door Jo-Ann Fabrics and brought it over to Cecil’s. He squinted at my shoe, scurried away and came back five minutes later with a fresh snap in place, my shoe ready to wear. When I offered to pay him, he waved his hand and said, “Just come back in another time. Don’t worry about it.”
Old-school customer service? You can’t go wrong with that!
Monroe Street Shoe Repair, 2612 Monroe St. 238-3171.
Cecil's, 6717 Odana Rd. 833-5010.

Fair Indigo
Fair Indigo’s execs founded the company with the belief that fair trade clothing can be made affordably and the people that make it can be paid a living wage. In other words, no sweatshops allowed. Although the company started out as a mail-order catalog, their only storefront is here in Madison—cool. If you’ve ever bought something from the store, not only is the staff in-store friendly, but the company follows up with you via email by asking how your store experience was. Plus you can look up in-store or on the website stories about the people who made each item—like their cashmere sweaters or a silver bracelet. It personalizes the shopping experience even more.
Products range from baby clothing and toys to clothing for mom and dad—plus accessories and bath and body items. Many are organic. All are fair trade.
Fair Indigo, 570 N. Midvale Blvd., 661-7662. fairindigo.com

Movin’ Shoes
I am not a triathlete. I do, however, fancy myself as somewhat of a runner—you know, the kind of runner that dabbles in a few miles per week, but nothing major. Nothing Ironman-worthy, certainly. The employees at Movin’ Shoes don’t care about that. They care about getting you fitted for the right shoe. I went there on a warm August day seeking new kicks. You see, my first shoe-buying experience there a few years ago was positive, so I went there once again.
Instantly, a friendly employee approached me and asked what I was looking for. She asked me to walk without shoes on to figure out if I walk inward or outward. Then she brought out quite a few pairs of shoes for me to try on that worked for my walking style. Our search yielded the perfect shoe and I purchased them. I even had a coupon for the place—and the employee (and the owner)—gave it back to me after applying the discount, saying I should come in again. And I was welcome to use the coupon again, too. I sure will!
Movin' Shoes, 528 S. Park St. 251-0125.

Patricia Shoppe
It’s obvious that Patricia Shoppe carries cute things. Their retro-chic décor and overall polished, classy pieces emanate good taste (at good prices!). What I like most, though, about owner Jessica Meyer is that she’s not just a savvy storeowner but a nice person. When I needed to borrow a steamer for a photo shoot, she lent it to me, no questions asked. We needed somewhere to shoot our November Style Sheet page and I thought of her store. Of course we could stage the shoot there, she said. When I needed to borrow some items (mannequins, among them) for a TV segment a few weeks later, Meyer dropped them off here at our building for our use.
Patricia Shoppe, 137 W. Johnson St. 256-1111. patriciashoppe.com

I probably have a nice story or anecdote to share about each interview I’ve had with local storeowners; far too many to share here!
If you’ve noticed a common theme amongst these stores, it’s that they all offer quality goods—with that crucial puzzle piece, friendly and knowledegable customer service. Many of them go above and beyond the call of duty to help their customers find exactly what they’re looking for—whether it’s running shoes, a recycled fleece coat or repairing a zipper.

Going Green Plus My Best Buys

The catchphrase “going green” is all but overused these days. You might even be sick of hearing it. But let’s face it: using fewer resources and reducing the amount of trash that hits the landfill is always a good thing, even if you’re sick of hearing about it!
And retailers are still going at it, selling more green products than ever. Take Fair Indigo’s recycled fleece pullovers, jackets, hats, scarves and mittens. Baby can even get in on the act with the recycled fleece buntings!
According to Fair Indigo’s newsletter, “Our fleece reduces oil consumption, toxic emissions and keeps soda bottles from filling up a landfill because it’s made from 50 percent post-consumer plastic.”
I think it’s so fascinating to know the former lives of some of the green products on the market today—a fleece made from a soda bottle? A cosmetic brush made out of bamboo and recycled aluminum (check out EcoTools at Walgreen’s)? A handbag made out of rice paper (but looks like leather, found at Atticus)?
Since green products are becoming so pervasive these days we might not even notice if a product is green—and that can be a good thing. Items are becoming so fashionably made that a T-shirt out of organic cotton or reusable shopping bags (so much more chic than paper or plastic!) are just, well, everyday things.
Like a fleece that once housed your Coca-Cola. (Above: men's recycled fleece jacket, $59)
Fair Indigo, 702 N. Midvale Blvd. fairindigo.com

With Epoch now closed, Anthology is carrying one of the vintage shop’s best-sellers, items by local artist Rebecca Light. Talk about green: Light makes pins and rings out of vintage buttons as well as embellished sweaters out of vintage fabrics and embellishments. Example: on a visit to Epoch a while back I spied a Banana Republic orange cardigan with cute ribbon sewn down the front. And a pair of men’s polyester pants sewn into a chic pencil skirt. And another pair of seventies-ish plaid pants that were made into a really cute A-line skirt. Who knew “old man” stuff could be turned into a hot outfit?
P.S.: If you didn’t read my November column on Anthology, read it here.
Anthology, 218 State St. 204-2644.

So don’t accuse me of being behind the times: I know Sephora opened in July. And I visited it a while back, only I forgot to include something about it on my blog! The shop at West Towne Mall is quite a bit smaller than other Sephora stores I’ve been in; but that’s OK, because we have a Sephora! Yay! I don’t tend to write about chains much but Sephora is very exciting because it’s a one-stop shop for all of the hot cosmetic and fragrance brands out right now, many of which cannot be found elsewhere in Madison (Sephora brand products, Make Up For Ever, Smashbox and NARS, for example).
I use NARS blush and bronzer so when I spotted a two-for-one blush and bronzer palette for $37 my eyes bugged out. You see, the bronzer alone is $29; the blush, $25. For all of you who can’t imagine spending that much on makeup you might want to skip the rest of this entry ☺
For the rest of you: I’m telling you, these products are worth it. NARS’s Laguna and Casino bronzers are universally flattering. The blush choices are either Sin or Orgasm (Orgasm is their best-selling blush). Each product delivers the right amount of bronzy color and peachy-pinkness, with a bit of shimmer. Pick from either the Laguna/Orgasm palette or the Casino/Sin palette. It’s a sure way to perk up your skin this winter. And for $37 the product lasts quite a while so you get a good value for your money. There, I’ve justified purchasing them now.
Another product worth trying out: face primer. Top makeup artists use primer underneath makeup to make makeup “stick” and last longer, plus, primers cut out shine, which is essential for photo shoots that can last all day. But you don’t need to be a model to use primer, try one out from Sephora. They were courteous enough to let me sample two of their Sephora brand primers: one gave my skin a lumiscent glow, the other cut out shine and gave my face a matte perfection.
Laura Geller is known for her primer, as is Smashbox. If you want to find one that’s less expensive, try Sephora’s “Tricks of the Trade” perfection primers ($17). They too, work very well.
Sephora, 71 West Towne Mall. 827-5958. sephora.com

Another shop I haven’t written about: American Apparel on State Street. This long-anticipated retailer is finally open so you can get your fill of striped tube socks, V-neck tees, leotards, leggings and more. Yes, many of the men’s and women’s items appear a bit … eighties to me, but that’s AA’s aesthetic: funky, updated versions of classics like an off-the-shoulder tunic and a striped rainbow T-shirt dress. Regardless, I own American Apparel gear and I like their stuff a lot. Their basics appeal to me: the long, fitted tanks, workout sweats, T-shirts and polo dresses.
The stuff that I won’t be picking up: the multicolor disco ball-esque shiny bodysuit, their teeny tiny swimsuits and a polyester pullover dress that looks like it was constructed out of hospital scrubs.
One thing to applaud American Apparel for: all of their garments are made in the U.S. under fair working conditions (despite the affordable prices). Employees make fair wages, have subsidized health insurance, free onsite massages and more.
(Above: What I won't be picking up: the "Shiny Bodysuit," priced at $34).
American Apparel, 502 State St. 250-8100. americanapparel.net

Hot Buys

I may not have shared my love of Fontaine, a home furnishings and accessories store, on this blog before. Owner Barry Avery’s eye for smart design and well-edited selection of looks ranging from organic to Hollywood luxe can tempt any shopper.
Avery is carrying a new product line, Lollia, which consists of bubble bath, hand crème, soaps and candles. I’ve seen Lollia products at other stores (not locally) and have admired their beautiful packaging and heavenly scents. Avery’s carrying the “Inspire” scent (also called 1000 Flowers) in shea butter hand cream and bathing salts and the “Wish” scent (Sugared Pastille) in hand cream, fragrance spritz and bubble bath. He’s also carrying the Poppy Nectar candle.
Featured in national mags like Bazaar, InStyle Weddings and Shape, now Madison can indulge in these yummy scents, too. Prices range from $6.95–$59.95.

Fontaine, 811 E. Johnson St. 310-8002. lollialife.com

Looking for a cute baby gift or a holiday gift for a special tyke? Check out the Joobles collection from Fair Indigo. Made of organic cotton and eco-friendly dyes, these one-hundred percent adorable stuffed toys, hats and mittens, and cotton cardigans are sure to be a hit. I love the vibrant colors. And you can’t beat the construction practices behind them; according to Fair Indigo’s website, “The Joobles are made fairly in Lima, Peru, at a family-run facility where dad grows the cotton and mom runs the sewing operation.” Sounds like a family affair! (Top: Jiffy the giraffe hat and mittens, $39; bottom, Icy the penguin, $29).

Fair Indigo, 570 N. Midvale Blvd. 661-7662. fairindigo.com

Our Food and Wine Show is this weekend, but you can continue to celebrate and savor cheeses and other exotic foodstuffs long after we close up shop. Fromagination, the Square’s yummy cheese shop, is hosting events throughout November and December to help customers select cheeses for holiday parties and items for gifts.
November 13, 4–7 p.m.: Let the cheesemongers at Fromagination help you create the perfect cheese plate for Thanksgiving.
December 4, 11, 4–8 p.m.: Get a head start on holiday shopping at the Gift Fair. The shop will have tables set up so customers can walk around and talk and taste while they shop.

Fromagination, 12 S. Carroll St. 255-2430. fromagination.com

Who is the most famous “T” you can think of? Personally, I’d say Mr. T (“I pity the fool!”) or Ice-T. There are others, though, like Ford’s Model T, or maybe a T-bone steak. But I digress. Macha Teahouse has a wall of Famous T’s because…they’re a teahouse! They want customers to guess who their new “Famous T’s” are on the wall (and yes, Mr. T is already up there). Customers will be entered to win a teapot and one pound of their favorite tea.
Customers are also encouraged to tell Macha in one hundred words or less what the teahouse means to them. All customers will be given something for entering and the top three entries will be featured on their website—not to mention awarded prizes!
Both contests are to celebrate the teahouse’s one-year anniversary.

Macha Teahouse, 1934 Monroe St. 442-0500. machateahouse.com

Holiday gift ideas are already landing in my inbox, folks. We in magazine land can quickly get tired of the holidays since we cover them in October and November, and then experience them yet again in December…ha! Not to sound like Scrooge, because shopping for others is fun.
Two places to look for art-inspired gifts: MMoCA’s Museum Store and theartfulhome.com. With gifts in a variety of price ranges, you can get something for anybody, whether she’s a fashionista (jewelry and handbags), a kid (kids’ books and art) or foodie (artful kitchen accessories).
Both retailers have kept price consciousness in mind and are offering gifts for less; Artful Home’s “100 under $100” keeps your wallet in mind and MMoCA’s large variety of inexpensive gifts under $25 can satisfy most anyone on your list.
Artful Home has even gone one step further and categorized gifts into easy sections like: “Customer Favorites and Ornaments” (plus the 100 under $100 section); a “Shop by Personality” section; and “More Ways to Shop,” including by Price, Recipient, Occasion and “In Time for 12/25”—a selection of artist-made items that can ship in time to arrive by December 25.

Terry Boehner, the Museum Store’s marketing assistant provided me this list of gifts under $25 that include:
Cute animal-shaped banks, $18.
Wood bud vases, $13.50. “Really popular,” says Boehner.
Buddha Boards, $11.50. (“A Zen art concept: image appears when you paint water on the board, it disappears when water evaporates,” says Boehner.”)
Don Drumm pewter leaves, $17.
Wind-up salt shaker, $20.50.
Singerman & Post earrings, $22. (Designs of colorful Mylar film transferred to light metal.)
Kids’ books, $6–$8.

MMoCA Museum Store, 227 State St. 257-3222. mmoca.org theartfulhome.com

Madison's Hottest Shopping Websites

We all know the virtues of shopping online—it’s easy, you can do it in your pajamas, et cetera. Shopping locally, here are what I think are the best designed and most navigable sites right now. (Above: Lauren Merkin "Eve" clutch from JC Madison)

Context
Co-owners and denim connoisseurs Sam and Ben Parker and Ryan Huber have gained quite a reputation for the most coveted and exclusive denim selection around—and in the world, in some cases. Huber pointed out a pair to me the last time I was in the shop that is exclusive to Context (the only other store carrying the brand was its flagship store). Also check out the website’s “Eco-Denim” tab featuring Nudie Denim and Apolis Activism tees. contextclothing.com

Fair Indigo
Four former Lands’ End execs are the founders of Fair Indigo: Bill Bass, Elizabeth Ragone, Don Hughes and Rob Behnke. This site is particularly exciting because shoppers can get to know the people behind their purchases, like Gladys from Montevideo, Uruguay who makes the brand’s seasonless sweaters. Or check out the new eco-friendly baby line which features recycled fleece and organic cotton. I also like the close-up feature that lets web browsers hold their clicker over a garment and it shows a close-up of the fabric weave and detail of the item. fairindigo.com

The Guild
The crème de la crème of a beautifully designed art website. Originally started by Toni Sikes as a website to market artists’ work to designers and architects, Sikes decided to open up the business to regular old art lovers via The Artful Home catalog. The artfulhome.com website followed. More than ten thousand items like glasswork, paintings, jewelry and furniture are available from 1,200 different artists. The Guild is the leading retailer of original art and craft in the country. guild.com, theartfulhome.com


JC Madison
Owner Jenny Condon moved her storefront in Greenway Station to a smaller storefront in the Greenway Industrial Park in September. The reason? To focus on the website end of her business. Condon's new space has a smaller showroom, but offers more storage space for packing up web orders and storing inventory. Condon says the web aspect of the company has been doing incredibly well. Some of that could be chalked up to mentions in Lucky, People, Marie Claire and, well, Madison Magazine. jcmadison.com

J LaMore
First of all, I’ve got to commend Jennifer LaMore, owner of J LaMore, for the website’s denim selection. Many pairs retail for—gasp!—under one hundred dollars. With a tight economy and more importantly, tight wallets, that’s good for shoppers. LaMore’s site goes one step further and incorporates a “friends blog” into the website where shoppers can connect and discuss their favorite styles and designers. Women can also “pick a friend” from the friends blog and friends are from all over—Birmingham, Ala., Hartford, Conn., Milwaukee, London, Paris and yes, even Madison. jlamore.com

Lands’ End
I would think the site’s most popular feature is the swim finder. Find mix and match separates, slenderizing suits, plus-size suits … the list goes on. It’s all there. Men will also find expanded swim options this summer with inseam length choices and more patterns and styles of shorts. Plus did you know that most of the swim stuff has UPF 50 sun protection? That’s right, kid’s, women’s and men’s swimwear all have built-in protection to block the sun’s harmful rays. Of course the site’s ever-popular casual and workwear clothing continues to be a hit. landsend.com

Sconnie.com
Admit it: you loved your college years. Now relive them with Sconnie Nation’s printed T-shirts, mugs, knit hats, hoodies and much more. Plus you can custom design your own gear whether it’s for that upcoming college reunion, family reunion or work party. sconnie.com

shopbop.com
This one’s a no-brainer. It’s gotten kudos from national pubs (Lucky, InStyle, etc. etc), plus, a few retailers here and there have mentioned it to me as a site they look to for stellar web design. It doesn’t hurt that this site features the uber-trendiest, of-the-moment looks by Marc Jacobs, McQ–Alexander McQueen, Theory, Loeffler Randall—even Lauren Conrad. Seriously, they’ve got so many brands it’s overwhelming. Check out the lookbook that literally builds outfits for you and lets shoppers buy the entire look (how easy is that??), bolster your wardrobe with “Bop Basics” and view the “Top Sellers” tab to keep up with what’s flying off the site. shopbop.com

shoptwigs.com
Another shop that’s got a stronghold on high fashion and the latest cool brands (Tory Burch, rag & bone, Gryson) in the city. Twigs has refocused a lot of their energies on their website, and it shows. Shoppers can pick an item (I chose Rock & Republic jeans) and check out up-close views of the item as well as a top or another item that’s paired with it. The website’s clean, uncluttered look is another bonus for me. shoptwigs.com

Other intriguing, locally owned stores’ websites:
indocara.com—This modern global furnishings store was started by Lands’ End alum Natasha Vora. Her web savvy is evident with an attractive, easy to navigate website.
freemarketorganics.com—Based out of Evansville, founder Amelia Royko Maurer sends out e-newsletters with “Green Tips of the Week.” Her eco-friendly website’s got kitchen goods, apparel, baby stuff and more.
centuryhouseinc.com—Your Scandinavian furnishings headquarters. Perfect for those who love the iconic and sinuous “Le Klint” hanging pendant lamp or the utilitarian, clean look of Nordic furnishings.

World Fair Trade Day

Saturday, May 10 is World Fair Trade Day and to celebrate, Fair Indigo is donating one hundred percent of their sales to education. Half goes to the local school of one’s choice and the other half goes to Fair Indigo’s Foundation, which supports education globally. (Example: if you spend $20, $10 goes to your school and $10 goes to the Foundation).
Personally, I like this shirt from Fair Indigo that would make a great Father’s Day gift!

Fair Indigo 702 N. Midvale Blvd. 661-7662. fairindigo.com

Shopping for a Good Cause

Yes, shopping can benefit others beside yourself—if Fair Indigo has anything to say about it. In July the store is rolling out their “Summer of Love” charity event. In June, shoppers sent in their nominations for their favorite charities. Fair Indigo staff then randomly selected ten charities from the list of nominations, which will each be assigned a “benefit day” in July. That means that twenty-five (!) percent of the sales generated that day will go to the specified charity.
Fair Indigo’s mission is to pay their garment factory workers fair and meaningful wages, so it makes sense that this socially conscious retailer would adopt this idea. Frankly, it’s a novel concept, and something more retailers should look into.
Fair Indigo, Hilldale Mall, in the outdoor shops on Price Place. 661-7662. fairindigo.com