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

Shopping Events

Bad dog frida photo contest
Where: bad dog frida, 2094 Atwood Ave.
Details: Back by popular demand—bring in a pic of your fave furry friend and owners Carmen and Sue will post your photo in the shop’s window! Customers can then vote for their favorite photo. Votes will be counted and winners notified May 10. Turn in photos for consideration by March 31. (Pick up a cute doggie rain jacket like Geordie's sporting from bad dog frida, above!)
More info: 442-6868. baddogfrida.com

Lady Moxie Stiumlus Package II
Where: Lady Moxie, 6706 Odana Rd.
Details: The first three shoppers who spend $100 or more at the store will get a gift certificate for a free facial or waxing from Le Spa. The offer’s valid on March 20, 21 and 24, so stop in!
More info: 826-4268

Maxwell Street Days In March
Where: Fanny Garver Gallery, 230 State St.
Details: A longtime Best of Madison winner, Fanny Garver Gallery has always been known for fantastical blown glass, chic jewelry and gorgeous paintings. Here’s your chance to own some of these items at thirty percent up to fifty percent off. Sale goes through March 30. Also check out the gallery’s revamped website.
More info: 256-6755. fannygarvergallery.com


MMoCA glass sale
Where: Madison Museum of Contemporary Art Store, 227 State St.
Details: Fifteen percent off selected glass items including salt and pepper shakers by Gazelle Glass, vases, bowls and paperweights by The Glass Eye, Alex Brand, John Pomp, Jamie Harris and Pizzichillo & Gordon. Through March 31.
More info: 257-3222. Mmoca.org

Prom Dress Bonanza
Where: HospiceCare Thrift Store, 122 Junction Rd.
Details: OK, I added the “Bonanza” part above—but the Thrift Store has over one hundred prom dresses in stock priced under twenty dollars. Yes, that’s $20 and, yes, that’s a bonanza.
More info: 833-4556

Sales and Events

Bop is holding their "very own Maxwell St. Days Sale." I have a feeling that this sale will be GOOD. In fact, the store was closed all day Thursday to prepare! Check it out.
Hours: Friday 10a–7p, Saturday 10a–6p, Sunday 11a–5p.
bop, 222 W. Gorham St. 255-2570. shopbop.com

Need any gently-used furniture? The HospiceCare Thrift Store is holding a forty percent off furniture sale through Saturday, January 10. Nightstands, coffee tables and more could be yours for a steal! With the current money situation, I think a nicely discounted piece of furniture will do.
HospiceCare Thrift Store, 122 Junction Rd. 833-4556.

Don't let the winter doldrums get you down—get crafty! Here's Anthology's project schedule for the next few weeks:

January 2–13: Mini melted wax collage. Bring in photocopies, text, magazine and catalog scraps and work with melted wax on a mini collage. $5.
January 14–23: Comb bound scrap books. Scraps of paper: maps, book pages, envelopes, and notebook paper, bound into a notebook. $5.
January 24–February 14: Valentine cards. $5 for 3 cards (what a steal!)
Anthology, 218 State St. 204-2644. anthology.typepad.com

Fall Fashion: The Six Items You Need

Sorry for my hiatus last week, things were busy with magazine deadlines! I’m back and ready to talk to you about what to pick up for fall. Now don’t get me wrong: these are simply suggestions for what I’ve been seeing as smart buys locally at shops and nationally in fashion mags and through my own research. These items for the most part are ones I will (probably) be picking up (or already have!). As always, I suggest adapting these items and looks for what suits you—and no one else. Style is all about what you make it to be, and no one can tell you what you like and don’t like!
One of my recent posts addressed recessionistas; namely, a woman who is able to look fashionable in tough economic times by budgeting smart and saving on trendier items. Take note: all of the pieces I outline below can be bought for big bucks or little bucks. Prioritize what you like the most, spend the majority of your money on that one (or few) item and pick up trendier things that are less expensive, like a piece of jewelry or a jewel-tone item.
If you saw our fashion spread in the September 2008 issue many of the items I outline below we used in that shoot.

Dressy Denim
My research has concluded that there’s not only one must-have, to-die-for style of jeans. Which is good, as some looks aren’t great on everyone (skinny jeans, anyone?). What I am seeing is classic and refined looks in dark washes. (Side note: yes, I know Katie Holmes and every other celebrity in the world is wearing those darn slouchy, baggy, pegged boyfriend jeans and we’re not going there. Just don’t. Unless you’re painting the house, or something.)
Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes. The trouser jean is the ticket. More refined than the high-waisted, wide-leg look of the summer I say trouser jeans are the way to go. I’m planning on picking up J. Crew’s High Heel Jean (with a remarkable 36” inseam! Yay! The “regular” inseam length is 33” so these are definitely high heel jeans).
I also want to pick up a skinnier-leg jean that I can tuck into boots. I haven’t decided where I will buy those yet but I’m excited to see what’s out there.
Pick up your jeans at: Atticus (shown in picture), Bop, J. Crew, J LaMore, Twigs.

Juicy Jewels
Summer was all about brights: red, yellow and green. Fall’s refined looks are giving way to more sophisticated shades of fuchsia, emerald, sapphire, teal and rust. These shades are showing up in everything from handbags to sweaters. See page 29 in our September issue for a beautiful example of a fun, pumpkin orange cashmere sweater that would be a perfect complement to any outfit. Or check out the Botkier for Target fuchsia handbag I will be sporting this fall (above). The hobo shape and metallic studs are trend-right for any look this season.
Look at page 26 (shown) or page 27 of our fall fashion spread: a rich teal cocktail dress or silk blouse with a geometric, funky honeycomb pattern in jewel tones (teal, fuchsia, eggplant, et cetera) shows how the look can be evening-ready or work-appropriate.
Buy it: Whether it’s H&M or Bop, the look can be found anywhere.

Rock It
So it might be a bit much to show up for work in a pair of strappy, high heeled gladiator sandals or patent leather ankle booties. That’s why you save those for your nights out ☺! Seriously though I’m loving the “refined rocker” look, as I like to call it: pyramid studs, leather, bomber jackets and more. Eighties rock rears its (hair band) head in bits of animal print, but in a quieter way: perhaps you’ll wear a zebra belt or leopard kitten heels. Nothing overboard—sexy, yet classy. Or you could be ridiculous like me and wear your favorite leopard-print high heels to work anytime you feel like it. I’m just saying.
Check out the photo (below) of the belts I’ll be working into my wardrobe this fall. The yellow number has a luxe snakeskin look (what’s more rocker than snakeskin?!), and the leopard and black stretch belt with pyramid studs will all add bits of stylish rocker chic in my life. In case you’re wondering, the hot yellow and leopard belts are from the HospiceCare Thrift Store! Go there, already!
I also love the tough bomber jackets I’ve seen. Most recently a stop into Express yielded several very cute bomber jackets in solids and prints, in leather and other fabrications. J. LaMore is also boasting quite a collection of leather jackets and vests, the epitome of classic.
Buy it: Dazzle (accessories), Express, HospiceCare Thrift Store, J. LaMore.

Make a Statement
Have I talked about how much I like the HospiceCare Thrift Store yet? I’m kidding, I mention them all of the time. In fact I was just there the other week and picked up a piece of statement jewelry myself: a long chain necklace for pennies. Ninety-nine pennies to be exact, pre-tax. That’s right! Statement jewelry is found everywhere from a consignment store to well, a “real” jewelry store.
Look for bejeweled pendants, layers of pearl necklaces, ribbon accents and chains.
Buy it: Any consignment store, Atticus, Dazzle, Patricia Shoppe, Twigs.

Nail It
So let’s say you don’t want to wear leopard print heels. Instead, kick up your look with an edgy nail color (right). If you hate it, you can always take it off!
Trendy colors this season include navy, burgundy, eggplant, black and metallics: gold, silver and gunmetal. A cheap and chic way to take your look up a notch. Sally Hansen offers an array of trendy colors for only $2.49 a pop at Target.
Buy it: Target.

Ladylike Luxe
Whether it’s a feminine frock, ruffled blouse, satin trench coat or pencil skirt, options are endless in what you can find. If you hate dresses, wear a tie-neck blouse with wide-leg trousers. Want to class up your outerwear? Get thee to Target where they sell a fuchsia satin trench coat for—gasp!—$39.99. I’d buy it myself if I didn’t already own a black satin trench coat that I adore. Want a pencil skirt with edge? J LaMore’s wool leopard print combines both.
Locally, Patricia Shoppe always does a wonderful job of incorporating classic feminine looks in updated fabrications.
Or pick up something at a consignment shop. Lady Moxie has new designers as well as affordable and higher-end consignment pieces. Pink Poodle has twelve thousand square feet chock-full of clothing just waiting for you to get your hands on.
If you want real vintage check out Epoch (below) on State Street for hats, gloves, clutches and prim dresses.
Buy it: Bop, Epoch, J LaMore, Lady Moxie, Patricia Shoppe, Pink Poodle, Target, Twigs.

Bop, 222 W. Gorham St. 255-2570. shopbop.com
Dazzle, 8426 Old Sauk Rd. 826-4455.
Epoch, 214 State St. 255-2385.
HospiceCare Thrift Store, 122 Junction Rd. 833-4556. hospicecareinc.com
J LaMore, 2701 Monroe St. 238-2119. jlamore.com
Lady Moxie, 6706 Odana Rd. 826-4268. ladymoxie.com
Pink Poodle, 5918 Odana Rd. 276-7467. thepinkpoodleonline.net
Twigs, 1925 Monroe St. 255-4363. shoptwigs.com

Store Gossip

Readers, I have a lot of new store news to share with you. I also want to thank you for turning to Madison Magazine for all of the latest in everything Madison and this blog for shopping and store information ☺. These pictures up top are ones I snapped of Anthology, a new store that opened on State Street (keep reading, below!) Keep reading and I promise I’ll keep dishing on the exciting retail news I hear and shops I see every week. On to our news!

New and Nifty
I was reading the Isthmus the other week and noticed an ad looking for a store manager for a Goodwill store slated to open this spring on State Street. This store bills itself “featuring current fashion and hottest clothing trends, opening in early spring.” This is good news, and really fits in with next month’s “green” issue and our Green Expo on May 2–4 at the Alliant Energy Center.
Goodwill stores epitomize a couple of green concepts: reusing perfectly wearable clothing, pretty jewelry and gently-used housewares; and providing help for people with disabilities and other disadvantages in south central Wisconsin who really need it. A socially responsible business and a dose of shopping mixed in? It’s worth checking out. (P.S.: Did you know you can bid on Goodwill items online? See for yourself!

They’ve got one on famous shopping boulevard the Champs-Elysées in Paris and in tourist attraction Times Square in Manhattan and now—West Towne Mall in Madison. Sephora, the mega beauty retailer, is opening a store in summer 2008 at West Towne Mall. That’s right, we can get our beauty fix with a mind-boggling array of makeup, face care, hair care, fragrance and more. Two hundred and fifty brands including Christian Dior, Yves St. Laurent, Benefit, DuWop, Smashbox, Tarte and one of one of my favorites, the Sephora private label, will be there. If you’ve ever been to a Sephora store, the layout is open and spacious, the look sleek and best of all, prices are good (i.e. not overpriced) for these hot brands.
sephora.com

With warmer weather comes outdoor activities. (Okay, well it’s supposed to get warmer soon). Although I usually write about local retail, I thought I’d mention Gander Mountain is opening a new retail location at 6199 Metro Dr. This megastore (90,000 square feet to be exact!) will feature outdoor products, on-site gunsmith, marine services and repair, an archery lane, full service archery shop and more, according to a company press release. gandermountain.com

Greenway Station’s newly opened Bath & Body Works still has that new-store smell. More than likely though, it’s all of the delicious scents they tempt the nose with. One of Bath & Body Works' exciting lines is a skin-care line by dermatologist Patricia Wexler. I always see Wexler cited in beauty magazines like Allure and she’s a dermatologist to the stars among her many other accomplishments. Wexler's line range from $17.50–$150. Look for the new store next to the Sharper Image on Main Street.
bathandbodyworks.com

Aching for another home interior/home accessories shop to open up? Iconi will be opening up on West Washington Ave. next to Indocara. Formerly Jen Holien-Brewster’s vintage/consignment shop Epoch (see photo right; more on that later), owner Coni Marotz will carry Slip custom order lamps, Covet furniture, Envirosax reusable shopping bags, Bliss Living bedding and accessories (“it’s just just yummy,” she notes) and Eastern Accents home goods. Marotz’s lines will be unique to the Madison market.
Plus check out her array of vintage/revamped furniture and accessories like reupholstered furniture, vintage barware/glassware and artwork.
“It’s a real eclectic mix of products. I’m really trying to have a lot of reclaimed goods/things that are redone. It’s vintage furniture mixed in with the new and it really shows people how you can mix products together and reuse them so they’re not thrown out.”
I’m very excited for this shop and look forward to getting in as soon as possible!
Look for Iconi to open next week.
Iconi, 534 W. Washington Ave. 441-0077.

Changes ...
Speaking of Epoch, owner Jen Holien-Brewster (right) moved out of her West Washington Ave. space (see above) and is moving into Little Luxuries’ old space at 214 State St. The store is slated to open May 1.

Little Luxuries moved next door to Fanny Garver Gallery at 230 State St. The airy and open space boasts clear shelving, serene blue and green walls and the same great merchandise the shop has always carried. “Our lease was up and we found out this space was available,” says owner Janice Durand. “I had a store here years ago. Now we have more room and shelf space. We totally remodeled it and we wanted a new look.”



The two hundred block of State Street has yet another change: Anthology will be opening this weekend at 218 State St. in the former Twee & Luliloo space (see photos, above). Owner Sachi Komai tells me: “Anthology will be a paper and craft boutique with art supplies, craft kits, workshops and demonstrations. We will also feature a ‘Made in Madison’ section, picking up many of the crafters that The Glitter Workshop carried.” (See below about The Glitter Workshop).
Anthology’s concept sounds really neat: Komai will host weekly “Craft Lunches,” where customers can drop in from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays and pay $5–$7 to make cards, collages, buttons, et cetera. She’s also looking into hosting kids’ parties and will have workshops on embroidery, decoupage, Polaroid transfer and much more.
Epoch, 214 State St.
Little Luxuries, 230 State St. 255-7372.
Anthology, 218 State St.

Event News
Check out the HospiceCare Thrift Store Fashion Show Luncheon. I went to this event last year and was very impressed with the cute outfits the thrift store employees coordinated. The money goes to a great cause and attendees get to see a fashion show! I mean, that beats my lunch hour every day, agreed?
Learn about the HospiceCare Thrift Store and check out the cool stuff the store gets in.
Thursday, April 10, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Holiday Inn-West, 1109 Fourier Dr. $35/person. HospiceCare Thrift Store, 122 Junction Rd. 833-4556. hospicecareinc.com

“Back to Basics” event at PREP Cosmetics
Pamper yourself and head over to PREP for a professional makeup application by one of Napoleon Perdis’ makeup artists. Napoleon Perdis cosmetics and skin care is regularly featured in top beauty magazines and TV shows. Plus, the winner of Australia’s Next Top model is the face of the makeup line. Who doesn’t love the American version, America’s Next Top Model, with Miss Tyra?!
PREP Cosmetics, 553 State St. 442-3366. prepcosmetics.com

Indocara is having a March Madness sale and some items are up to sixty percent off. Check it out!
Indocara, 540 W. Washington Ave. 251-7711. "http://www.Indocara.com" target="new">indocara.com

Closings
The Glitter Workshop at 920 E. Johnson St.

Pink Panties at 449 State St.

Mary Parker of daffodil parker told me recently that she and business partner Erin Daffodil Hickey are going to focus exclusively on their floral business and close down the retail part of the business. Customers can still get in touch with Hickey and Parker if they’re interested in florals.
daffodil parker, 502 W. Main St. 663-2100. daffodilparker.com

Fashion Show News!

In a little over a month, HospiceCare will host its Butterfly Gala Fashion Show on September 27. This event is a fashion preview for their Ninth Annual Butterfly Gala on November 17. All proceeds from the fashion show will go to a good cause, and attendees will get to preview some of the hottest special-occasion wear from Woldenberg’s. Yours truly will cover the event from the front lines to get the lowdown on what the models— including high-profile Madisonians and HospiceCare employees—are wearing, and why these special people are involved in the show. More details to come!
HospiceCare Butterfly Gala Fashion Show, September 27, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Tickets: $50–$100.
If you’re interested in the event, call Sara Goetz, 327-7139 or register at hospicecareinc.com.

Nifty and Thrifty

I attended the HospiceCare Thrift Store Fashion Show a week ago. I was delighted to see the great outfits the staff at the store (headed by retail manager Judy Purcell) came up with. Chief among my favorite combos were a bright red-and-white flowered, cropped jacket paired with white pants and white leather cutout slides; a tres chic green, three-quarter sleeved flowered jacket with a bronze-trimmed lapel; a St. John knit skirt suit in vibrant lemon-yellow with white trim. The show ended in true “high-fashion,” um, fashion: a model sashayed through the room in a flowy wedding dress with a princess neckline and small tiara. Models were Thrift Store and HospiceCare employees and showcased three to four looks each. After the show, attendees could purchase outfits and accessories. Judging by the packed house, the show looked as if it accomplished its goal: raising awareness of the HospiceCare Thrift Store. hospicecareinc.com

Runway Rundown

I’m attending the HospiceCare Thrift Store’s Fashion Show on June 5th. It promises to be a fun and fashion-filled event—thirty-five different looks will be featured on the runway. Find sporty, weekend, business, date nights, and special occasion with brands like Talbots, Jones New York, St. John and more. “It really covers the gamut,” says Judy Purcell, retail manager of the Thrift Store. It’s mostly women’s gear but some men’s looks will be there, too. Proceeds from the show will go to HospiceCare, and Purcell says the show is meant to raise awareness of the store and encourage people to donate items. Outfits and accessories will be available for purchase at the show. I’ll write about what I saw at the show in next week’s blog.
HospiceCare Thrift Store Fashion Show, June 5th, 6:30–7:15 p.m. Social hour, drinks and hor d’oeuvres from 5:30–6:30 p.m. $25 per person. Tickets: Sara Goetz, 327-7139. hospicecareinc.com