The Perfect Present

Mother’s Day is just around the corner! I don’t know about you, but I’m looking for the perfect gift to show my mother how much I love her. Don’t you worry; I have plenty of ideas that you might like to give your mother too…

There is nothing better then a relaxing day in the spa. Hilldale has multiple spas that offer gift certificates. Whether you get your mom a gift certificate for a massage, manicure, pedicure, or hair treatment she’s bound to love it. Face it ladies, we all love to be pampered! You can even make this special gift a day of beauty for you and your mother to share. She will love to indulge and bond at the same time with her child. Dolma’s rejuvenation, Anaala Salon, and Fancy Nails are a few options you can choose from.

If you want to give your mother a spa feel without spending all the money, Bath & Body Works as well as L'Occitane En Provence both offer multiple pampering packages. Find the perfect fragrance for your mom and treat her to an already made package of shower gel, body lotion, fragrance spray, a candle, and a scrub or be creative and make your own package for her.  Don’t be afraid to ask for some assistance.

Treat your mom to a fabulous meal at any of our great restaurants at Hilldale. The restaurants range from Sushi to sandwiches and everything in between! By then the weather should be nice, so enjoy your meal at one of our restaurants with outdoor seating like Pasquals or Great Dane (which also both serve a Sunday brunch.)

David Bacco is featuring their  "For the mom who has everything..." Mother's Day chocolate special.  Buy your mom a beautiful and tasty chocolate surprise that she will certainly love.

You can never go wrong with a nice card or stationary.  Write a meaningful message and show your mom how much you care.  Sarah B. Fine Stationary and Hallmark are both great places to look. 

If none of these ideas appeal to you or your mom, try a Hilldale gift certificate where your mom can come spend the day and your gift wherever she chooses! 

Congratulations Terese Zache!!

This fashionista along with her fellow Hilldale merchants and managers are proud to acknowledge Terese Zache Designs as a 2009 recipient of the Governor's Trailblazer Award for Women in Business.

*Terese Zache

Terese has been recognized as a woman pioneer in the business community. She has been awarded for bringing her vision, talent and expertise to building Wisconsin's economy and making our community a better place.

Terese opened her retail outlet "Terese Zache Designs" in 1981. Since then she has designed and constructed over 1,500 original designs. Her designs have been worn at the White House, Grammy's and many other prestigious business and social events locally and abroad.

Terese was nominated by Vickie Wenzel, Vice President of Target Interiors and fellow TEMPO member. Terese Zache Designs has remained successful with the continued support of her wonderful customers and professional staff.

Visit Terese Zache Designs online @ http://www.teresezache.com/

Congratulations Terese!!

A perfect face of make-up

Do you know what goes with a perfect outfit? A perfect face of make-up! I went to Macy’s last week to find new mascara and was blown away not only by the new best Estee Lauder mascara, but by all the services they offer there as well. Let’s start with this mascara… Estee Lauder New Turbo Lash Mascara takes mascara to a whole new level. The vibrating wand separates lashes while lengthening, curling, and adding volume! The best part about it; it doesn’t clump! Not even when you put multiple layers on! When I put it on I actually said, “wow!” It is a little pricey, but I definitely think it’s worth the cost. Also, Macy’s is offering free make-up remover when you buy the Turbo Lash (until supplies last - so hurry and get your bang for your buck!)

Now let’s talk about these services they offer…all for free! Estee Lauder offers 6 different services to make all their customers feel beautified. Have bad skin? Don’t you worry! Estee Lauder will give you a skin check-up and give you your specific skin solution. Can’t find the perfect color foundation? Not a problem! Estee Lauder will actually mix and match their foundations to match your skin color and give you a 10-day free sample of the foundation as well. Haven’t found your signature scent? Relax! Estee Lauder will help you discover your perfect fragrance that suits you best. Ran out of the house with no make-up? No problem! Estee Lauder will give you a two-minute touch up with fresh eyes, lips, and cheeks. Have all this make-up and have no idea what to do with it? That's fine! Estee Lauder will help you make any make-up your own and show you how to apply the perfect shade to fit your style. Need some help finding the hottest newest makeup? Estee Lauder will help you find all the newest products and looks for the season personalized just for you!

It's Party Time...

Don't you ever wish you could be five again, have no worries in the world, and play all day? That thought definitely crossed my mind when I picked up a Three Wishes and a Wardrobe pamphlet from the customer service desk at Hilldale. My birthday is just around the corner and if I were five again, I would want to celebrate my party with them! This creative party planner offers three different magical dress-up theme parties. Kids can pick from a Pirate Adventure, Fairy Princess Package, or the La-Tea-Doll Tea Party.

Three Wishes and a Wardrobe provide the essentials for the birthday girl or boy, and all of their guests, to participate in their theme of choice. Mom, this is not only great for your kids, but you will be happy to know that they not only plan the entire party in the comfort of your home, but they deliver and pick up all the party essentials! Your party requires little time and lots of fun!!

Spring Fever

Although it may not feel like spring, spring is finally here! Soon enough the sun will be shinning and we will all be ready to whip out our spring dress wear. As fast as the weather changes, so does fashion! Lucky for you, this fashionista is ready with this seasons new spring trends! Not only will I tell you what's hot, but I will even show you where you can buy my personal spring favs.

Color is certainly the most apparent seasonal change. In every style magazine, they all feature this seasons "It" color. I don't know who decides what color's hot and which is not, but whoever decided yellow for this season is a golden goddess. Yellow is the perfect spring color; Bright and BOLD! All shades of yellow have been featured on the hottest runways; everything from a greenish-yellow hue to a shinny yellow school bus and everything in between. Bright colors are always fun, but when worn with the wrong colors, they could become a disaster. I suggest pairing your brights with something more subtle like denim or white. Although black is a subtle color, brights (especially yellow) should not be worn with black (thats a little too 80's for us ladies!) Keep in mind not to go overboard with your brights. One vivid bright yellow item is enough to pop an entire outfit, there is no need blind everyone with an entire bright yellow ensemble!

*Jessica Simpson @ Macy's

Who said you had to have a boyfriend to wear boyfriend style clothes? Boyfriend blazers, cardigans, ties, and baggy jeans are all the rage for this season. Katie Holmes started this look when she was photographed in multiple fashion magazines wearing hubby Tom Cruise's jeans. The boyfriend look works when paired with tailored feminine classics. This is key! Unless you balance your menswear with something feminine and flirty, you will end up looking like a girl dressed in guys clothes with no style (blah!). A nice pair of high heels looks great with slouchy rolled up jeans. Or even try a tuxedo jacket with an evening gown. This is your time to get creative.

*Joe's Jeans @ Anthropologie

Patterns in general are on the rise in the fashion world, but our daring fashionistas are mixing and matching different patterns. Don't be afraid to wear stripes and polka dots together anymore! As long as your mix remains in the same color family, be adventurous and try this look this season.

*M Missoni @ Woldenbergs

If you're sick and tired of your typical little black dress, have no fear...this season jazz up your LBD with some white. Black and white dresses have officially taken over spring 2009! If you want to spunk up your black and white dress a little bit more, add a bright color heel to your outfit.

* Three Dot, Suzi Chin, and Joseph Ribkoff @ Jan Byce

Relax, Rejuvenate, Rekindle...

That’s exactly what I did at Dolma’s Rejuvenation. This simple, serene spa might be tucked away in the lower level of Hilldale, but that only adds to the tranquil atmosphere created with the soft spa music, relaxing aromas, and personal care and attention Dolma gives to each of her customers.

I only went in for a “quick” eyebrow wax and left not only with the best shaped eyebrows, but and an experience I have never had before...ever! Before Dolma started with any wax, she penciled in my eyebrows and showed me with a mirror exactly what she was taking off and the beautiful shape she was about to give me.  She sprinkled a light powder around my eyebrow area to ease the pain of the wax, then used a special, sensitive wax which, when removed ever so delicately by Dolma,) came right off with such ease that I did not experience that typical hair removal pain! She showed me again in the mirror to make sure I liked the shape (which I did!). Dolma then proceeded to apply oils and cremes to remove the any residual wax.  Although this may be considered typical treatment at most spas, it usually it ends there.  Not at Dolmas! She continued her treatment by placing a luke warm face towel on my forehead, and ever so lightly, massaged my face, which could not have been any more relaxing!  Dolma finished by matching my skin tone to a shade of a cover up make-up and placed it around my eyebrows so my skin wouldn't appear red for the rest of the day (which they normally do.)

 I left feeling as if I had just gotten the best massage of my life, so relaxed and revitalized.  I cannot even imagine what her massages are like!

Dolma offers everything in her spa from facials, to manicures and pedicures, to massages, waxes and threading.  She also sells the products she uses, plus more (and if you receive Hilldale's monthly eblast you could receive 15% off these products)!  She is the only one who works in her spa so making an appointment is necessary.  My next treatment will definitely be Dolma's “10 stage facial” which includes cleaning, skin analysis, toning, massage (face, neck, shoulders, and arms), vibrating massage, exfoliant, extraction, skin vacuum, ozone treatment, and finally masking.  All of this in 1 hour for only $65!

I don't know about you, but I cannot wait to try it....