Events

3rd Annual Atwood-Winnebago Winter Festival
When: December 5, 5–9 p.m.
Where: Particpating Atwood-area businesses like Absolutely Art, bad dog frida, Bunky’s Café, Café Zoma, Milio’s, Sugar Shack Records, Tex Tubb’s Taco Palace and more.
Details: Explore over twenty businesses in the Winnebago-Atwood neighborhood. Live music, free samples and door prize drawings will also be available!
More information: winnatwood.org

Holiday Jewelry Preview–Recession Beater Prices
When: November 15–26
Where: Fanny Garver Gallery, 230 State St.
Details: Handmade gold and silver jewelry, freshwater pearls and more will be in-store. With prices between $25–$250, prices are just right.
More information: 256-6755. fannygarvergallery.com

Indocara 3rd Anniversary Party
When: November 20–23
Where: Indocara, 540 W. Washington Ave.
Details: Have you been to Indocara? If you still haven’t gone, here’s your chance to check out this modern global furnishings wonderland. New items have just arrived! Celebration events throughout the day on November 20 include Cha Cha tea and cookies from 2–4 p.m., and a cheese and wine reception from 4–8 p.m.
More information: 251-7711. indocara.com

Premiere Couture Prom Sneak Peek Party
When: November 23
Where: Premiere Couture, 1921 Monroe St.
Details: For those attending Prom here’s a chance to check out the hot styles for 2009. Rate each design as “hot” or “not.” Snacks and prizes will be there, and one lucky girl will win a free prom dress. If Mom attends, she’ll receive a free gift, too. Pre-register for the 1 p.m., 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. time slot.
More information: email info@premierecouture.com to pre-register. 255-1921. href="http://www.Premierecouture.blogspot.com" target="new">premierecouture.blogspot.com

Ebony Fashion Fair
When: December 7, 8–10:30 p.m.
Where: Monona Terrace Convention Center, 1 John Nolen Dr.
Details: A fashion show you don’t want to miss: I attended last year and was totally wowed. This New York-style fashion show showcases the hottest designers in fashion today, like Roberto Cavalli, Anna Sui, Missoni, Vivienne Westwood and more. Proceeds from the event benefit The Madison Links Annual Student Recognition and Scholarship Program.
More information: Madison Links: 277-8548. ebonyfashionfair.com

News

Have you heard of Oompa? If you haven’t—you will soon. The child-friendly store opened in Middleton November 1, and it is, simply put, awesome.
Owner Milanie Cleere’s motto: “No batteries. No blinking lights. No cartoon-themed toys. Period.”
The store specializes in European children’s toys and room decor. Check out adorable all-natural wool stuffed animals, beautiful artwork, wooden toys and room décor, all for an uber-fashionable Junior. Heck, I don’t even have a child and I coveted many of the items because they were so beautiful.
Cleere founded Oompa.com in 2004 and she’d been running the business in L.A. After visiting a vendor in the Madison area a few years ago, Cleere and her husband fell in love with the area and moved here a year ago to open Oompa’s first storefront.
More on Oompa soon…
Oompa, 1970 Cayuga St., Middleton. oompa.com

Events

Dane Buy Local Fourth Annual Holiday Kick-Off Event
When: November 18, 8–10 a.m.
Where: Forrestal’s Gallery, 2904 Parmenter St.
Details: Mingle with Buy Local members! Just in time for holiday shopping the kick-off will feature holiday gifts, refreshments from Middleton restaurants and holiday music.
More information: danebuylocal.com

Holiday Earring Show
When: November 18–December 24. Opening: November 29, 5–8 p.m.
Where: HYART Gallery, 133 W. Johnson St.
Details: A show featuring over thirty artists from around the country and the UW School of Art. They’ll feature—you guessed it—earrings.
More information: 442-0562

Sarah’s Hope Jewelry Trunk Show
When: November 20, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Goodman’s Jewelers, 220 State St.
Details: Meet owner and designer Sarah Smith, and see her new fall collection. Sarah’s Hope contributes ten percent of net profits to fund business micro-loans to women business entrepreneurs.
More information: 257-3644

Thursday Disco
When: Thursdays until Christmas
Where: Three Orange Doors, 2789 Fitchrona Rd.
Details: Save 10 percent on your entire purchase from 5:30–7 p.m. Wine will be served and the disco beats will be bumping. Christmas décor and jewelry and gifts will be available.
More information: 848-3336

Ladies’ Night with Champagne and Chocolate
When: November 21, 5–9 p.m.
Where: Chalmers Jewelers, 6202 University Ave.
Details: What isn’t going on? Chocolate and hors d’oeuvres. Chair massages by Haven Spa. A Fashion Show with items from J. LaMore, door prizes and a silent auction! Whew!
More information: 233-4700

MMoCA Holiday Art Fair
When: November 21–23. November 21, noon–6 p.m., November 22, 10 a.m.–5p.m., November 23, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, 227 State St.
Details: Handcrafted, artful gifts from jewelry to décor and everything in between. Enjoy MMoCA’s current exhibtion while browsing!
More information: 257-0158, mmoca.org
(Photo: Renee Roeder Earley, Hats-O-Fancy, courtesy of MMoCA)

Upcoming Events

Atticus Holiday Open House
When: November 6, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Atticus and JTaylor, 18 and 18 ½ N. Carroll St.
Details: Come kick-start the holidays. Atticus will offer 20 percent off of dresses all day plus 20 percent off owner Kristin Wild’s top ten gift ideas. Champagne, cheese from Fromagination and homemade fudge will be on hand. Next door, John Taylor will serve single malt scotch and food.
Contact: Atticus, 204-9001.

Macha Election Night Art Show
When: November 4, 6 p.m.–?
Where: Macha Teahouse+Gallery, 1934 Monroe St.
Details: Check out Craig Grabhorn’s exhibit titled “The Winning Voter.” Attendees can meet the artist and hang out at Macha to wait for election results. Personally, I’d go for the cupcakes: their pastry case features a pumpkin cupcake with cream cheese frosting. Yum!
Contact: 442-0500. machateahouse.com

Madison Holiday Market
When: November 7, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
November 8, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
November 9, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Details: With over 120 merchants in one place, shoppers can browse apparel, crafts, food items, décor and more for holiday giving. Proceeds benefit the Madison Ballet. General admission is $7.
Contact: madisonballet.org

Midnight Madness Event
When: November 28-30
Where: Johnson Creek Premium Outlets, 575 W. Linmar Ln., Johnson Creek
Details: It’s the outlet’s biggest sale of the year. Stores are offering additional savings off their everyday low outlet prices. Stores will have extended hours and savings for early shoppers, like at the Polo Factory Store. Shoppers will save 20% on a purchase of $150 or more from midnight to 10 a.m. on Friday, November 28.
Contact: 920-699-4111. premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=53

Downtown Madison Holiday Open House
When: November 29, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: State Street and the Capitol Square
Details: Free holiday trolley rides, gift bags, caroloers special offers and complimentary refreshments at more than forty shops and restaurants. Kids’ activities include gift wrapping, cookie decorating and holiday photos. The free weekend trolley will continue every Saturday in December.
Contact: 443-1974. visitdowntownmadison.com

Fourth Annual Holiday Craftacular
When: December 6, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Madison Masonic Center, 301 Wisconsin Ave.
Details: Those of you who loved The Glitter Workshop will have the chance to peruse goods from local artists, many of which still sell at local retailers since The Glitter Workshop closed. Find cute gifts and stuff for yourself.
Contact: Naomi@glitterworkshop.com

New Shopping Content!

From our November 2008 issue:

Window Shopping: Put it on Paper
Anthology on State Street is a labor of love for sisters Sachi and Laura Komai. Having worked together at Little Luxuries for years the sisters always knew they'd open up their own shop. What they didn't know is it would be on the same block as their old employer—Little Luxuries.

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