A Little NYC Flair Comes to Madison

New York City is my favorite place in the world. If you don't believe me, you can just take a peek at the Big Apple tattoo decreatly tucked behind my right ear. So you might imagine my delight, when I discovered two NYC designers would be hosting a trunk show this Thursday and Friday at Woldenberg's. Lauren Wimmer and Rebecka Fröberg, both jewelery designers, will show a dazzling selection of their stunning work, which will be available for purchase.

Wimmer handmakes all her pieces, which consist of semi precious stones, sterling silver, gold filled wire, gold filled chain and antique brass. Her pieces explore the concepts of "light and weight". I am expecially a fan of this interlooped bracelet, the Des Cuff, with it's intriguing texture and coloring.

Fröberg's work has a spiritual feel, her work inspired by the myth and folklore of her native country, Sweden. A Fashion Institute of Technology graduate, Fröberg founded her jewelery studio in 2006 and creates delicate jewelery made of precious metals, either in solid 18 or 14 karat gold or sterling silver. This necklace, entitled "Snowflake in Cloudberries," would make any woman feel like a queen.

To see more of Wimmer and Fröberg's designs and to meet these two young, up and coming designers, stop by their Trunk Show at Woldenberg's, this Thursday and Friday, the 27th and 28th from 10am until 5pm. See you there!

A Ciao Bella! Facelift

Drum roll please....

Welcome to the new and improved Ciao Bella! Hilldale. Amber Urick, a senior fashion student at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, created this adorable, iconic shopper just for the site...and I couldn't be any more ecstatic! Amber will be graduating in May with a B.S. in Apparel Design and Development, with great strength in hand sketching. If you would like to know more or are interested in Amber's designs, email her at uricka@uwstout.edu.

I Would Camp Out for Camper

Born on the island of Majorca, with locations all over the world, Camper is known for their quirky shoes and geocentric approach to design. Currently crowned one of London's hottest lines, Camper believes, "luxury is in simplicity." Cornblooms carries this exclusive brand; a wide array of designs available in many different colors and styles. Personally, I can't wait to scoop up a pair of these jewel-tone, ankle strap pumps, whose mosaic print and cut-out heel make them a definite standout for Spring.

Sheer Luck

Marc Jacobs and Luca Luca filled their Spring 2008 runway shows with layers upon layers of floating transparent fabrics, everything from tops to skirts to pants made their debut, deeming sheer looks as one of this seasons hottest trends. Silk organza, tulle, chiffon and liquid jersey are just few of the fabrics being incorporated this spring. The almost-risque trend is best worn discreetly (under a blazer or jacket) or layered (over a slip or cami), as I did with this chic top by Carlos Miele, found at Woldenberg's. If you are still not confident about the concept of transparent clothing, incorporate a piece into your look subtly by purchasing a top with sheer sleeves or ruffles.

Globe Trotting

I would love to say I have ridden a gondola in Venice, scaled the Great Wall of China or had tea with the Queen in England, but in reality, I have yet to leave the United States. Luckily, one of spring's hottest trends is global inspired prints and silhouettes. Now, with a little exotically inspired styling, I can look like I've traveled the world after just one afternoon of shopping! This kimono-inspired shift with bell sleeves and cinched waist may look like it came from Japan...but it's actually found right here at Jan Byce! Indulge your inner jet setter this spring and scoop on a few items with international flavor, but make sure to maintain a balance in your outfits and pair the items with more neutral pieces.

Singing in the Rain

Puddle hopping and umbrella toting will become common place in the next few weeks as melting snow and rain showers make everything extra wet. With all the precipitation, there is no better transition jacket from winter to spring than the trench coat. This coveted classic gets a revamp this spring, with detailing that adds femininity and charm. Those who already own a trench should consider adding a brightly-colored number that will add some pop and pizazz to their wardrobe. You will certainly turn heads if you indulge in this red stunner by Burberry, that I found while perusing Woldenberg's new spring arrivals. However, if you do not already own one of these fashion staples, invest in a classic tan, black, or cream colored trench that will transition from year to year. Find one that falls at mid-calf level, with a crisp, tailored fit. I love this classic black trench with bow front closure by Cole Haan, available at Terese Zache.

Not Just Your Average Joe's Button-down

Another fashion must this spring season; the shirt dress. Shirt dresses mimic men's wear styles, while maintaining a subtle femininity. Many incorporate collars, button fronts and cuffed sleeves and define the waist with a belt or tie. The perfect addition to your spring wardrobe, this is a silhouette that can easily be taken from the office to happy hour with a quick change of shoes and accessories. This polka dot shirt dress by Anni Kuan features a tied waist and delicate button front detail. It is one of the many chic spring frocks arriving at Terese Zache on an almost daily basis.

Doing the Bunny Hop. Hop. Hop.

Easter is right around the corner and that brings to mind a few of my favorite things...easter egg hunts, colorful candies nestled in bunny shaped baskets and crisp, white cotton Sunday dresses! Everyone has their favorite Easter memories and I am sure many new ones will be made this year. Looking to find those perfect easter basket accessories or a place to take adorable pictures of your children in their favorite new Easter outfits? Fear not! I searched out the best Hilldale has to offer this season.


Tristan and Hopper are making quite the splash at Photo Express. These live rabbits are cute as buttons and available for pictures all week long. Getting your kids to smile in their Easter photos will be no challenge once you add these furry little friends to the equation.


Still haven't picked up Easter baskets? My favorite are these from Kirklin's Hallmark. In fabulous pastel shades with quirky phrases and an adorable baby chick, they are the perfect container for all your favorite candies and trinkets. While there don't forget to scoop up cards, available in a wide array of Easter themes!


Cute baskets and nothing to put in them? Head to Play Things, whose selection of toys, books and gadgets is astounding, leaving you with never ending possibilities. If you can stand the music, these play instruments are a must! They are the perfect toy to transition from indoor to outdoor play this spring. I happen to be crazy about board games, so imagine my delight when I found the largest selection of games I have ever seen. You are sure to find one to please the whole family!

Whatever fills you Easter basket this season, I hope the day brings lots of smiles and new memories for everyone involved. Happy Easter from Hilldale!

Bold and Beautiful

Every spring, as dark cumbersome winter ensembles are shed, bright and cheerful wardrobes once again begin to emerge! This season bright, vibrant colors are the hot ticket. To pull off such a strong statement, pair one colorful piece with neutrals to balance the look. Wearing more than one bold item at a time brings the outfit from fierce to fearful. One of my favorite ways to incorporate brilliant color into a wardrobe is by adding a scarf, such as these I found while perusing the fresh arrivals at Rupert Cornelius. Scarves add an effortless chic to any ensemble and allow you to incorporate a new spring fashion trend without dramatically updating your whole collection of clothing.

Springing Forward

Spring will have officially sprung March 20th and that means it is time to start evaluating the new warm weather fashion trends. So what are the hottest looks for spring? Floral fashions with punchy, bright colors will be seen everywhere in the coming months. For more fashion dos for spring, check out my posts for the next two weeks. Each one will be dedicated to a spring fashion trend and will feature pieces found right here at Hilldale.

In the meantime, give your closet a spring cleaning, using tips from InStyle magazine found at: www.instyle.com/instyle/trends/hotfinds/0,,1175636_1,00.html. Cleaning out your closet clutter makes shopping for new spring looks even more enticing! I recommend sorting all your clothing into three piles: one to keep, one to mend, and one to give away. Keep all items that fit correctly and that you wear on a regular basis. Items that need to be hemmed or mended should go in a pile to be tailored as clothing that fits well, no matter the style, is ten times more wearable and flattering. The last pile should consist of items you have not worn in the last nine months, do not fit correctly or are out of date. Donate these items to Goodwill, your sister or a friend. Giving your closet a good spring cleaning will make you will feel better about yourself and your wardrobe moving into the spring months!

Justified Jewelery

Fair Indigo is a clothing store that embraces the concept of fair trade, paying meaningful wages to the people who produce their clothing and accessories. This week they received jewelery from Angeles Anonimos (Anonymous Angels), an organization in Peru founded to create jobs for people with disabilities. The organization taught its "angels" to be jewelers and the results are stunning. My favorite is this beautiful turquoise necklace, just one of many items that also feature matching earrings. In multiple colors and materials, you are sure to find a piece you will not only love to wear, but will feel good about purchasing as well! If you want to know more about these products, "fair trade" or Fair Indigo, visit www.fairindigo.com. While there, hear individual stories from the "angels" in Peru.

Taking Some Time to Unwind...

Everyone has "those mornings". The ones that make you wish you had shut off your alarm clock and pulled the comforter back over your head. It is at the end of those days, the really long and stressful ones, that we all just have to take a deep breath and relax, knowing that tomorrow is going to be a better day. Everyone has their own unique way of unwinding. For some, it means time spent playing with their kids while others prefer curling up with a good book. I personally like to take a long, hot bath to unwind.

This is why I am so excited that Stone Fence is now carrying Crabtree & Evelyn products. Crabtree & Evelyn is an American line of luxury soaps and toiletries, that mimic those of an old English apothecary. The products are available in scents ranging from Freesia to Almond, but my personal favorite is Lavender. I love that the fragrances are not overwhelming, but instead leave your skin feeling soft and smooth with a slight lingering scent. In their charming vintage packaging, items in both the men's and women's lines are hard to resist. I recommend a visit to Stone Fence to test the products and find your signature scent.

Wedding Bells are Ringing

Along with melting snow and slightly warmer weather, comes another indication of spring: wedding invitations. It's almost that time of the year, when invitations to summer weddings begin to arrive in your mailbox. Need to send out invitations of your own? Look no further than Sarah B. Fine Stationery, whose impressive selection of invitations and announcements cover everything from bachelorette parties to thank you notes. The adorable cards are cute and original, however, I was most surprised and impressed to find out that the store offers custom printing, making it the perfect one-stop-shop for all your event planning needs. Although not planning a wedding of my own anytime soon, I'll surely be sending out invitations purchased from this trendy shop the next time I have friends over for cocktails.


Still haven't gotten your fill of wedding fever? Then come check out the latest bridal looks and learn how to build the gift registry of your dreams at this weekends Bridal Fair and Fashion Show. The event, hosted by Macy's, is this Sunday, March 9th from 1 to 4 pm in Hilldale's Main Atrium. I can't say no to a fashion show and will be excited to see what the newest trends are in bridal styling!