Wax Poetic at Bath & Bodyworks

Walk through the north atrium of Hilldale and you’re bound to catch a whiff of something spectacular emanating from our own Bath & Body Works shop. With all our homes locked up tight against the frightful February cold, a breath of fresh air might just what you had in mind to take the chill off. I believe a scented Henri Bendel candle might just do the trick! Sitting inside a simple, frosted glass, these vegetable-based wax candles have an impressive 60-hour burn time and cost $26 Developed by the husband and wife team of Harry and Laura Slatkin (as are all the candles at Bath and Body Works) these candles are considered one of the premier home fragrance candles on the market. The New York Times ranked Slatkin & Co. candles the #1 burning candle in today's marketplace. There are 10 fragrances are available, my favorite is the Fig...just fabulous!

Enter to WIN a Pendleton Blanket!

Here's the scoop and the link (www.pendleton-usa.com) or you can pick up an entry form at our Pendleton store here at Hilldale!

Winter Wonderland of Savings Sidewalk Sale!

Happy New Year! The weather outside may be frightful but the bargains to be had here at Hilldale are absolutely delightful! Come join us at our Winter Wonderland of Savings Sidewalk Sale! Friday, January 16, 2009 - Monday, January 19, 2009. SHOP TILL YOU DROP! Enjoy 4 days of incredible buys with incredible savings on great winter fashions& accessories, homewares and more!

Cheena Chandra JewelryTrunk Show at Woldenberg's

Cheena Chandra Trunk Show at Woldenberg's to benefit the Combat Blindness Foundation. You've seen many of Cheena's alluring, hand-wrought earrings and necklaces at Studio Jewelers. Meet Cheena in person and see the entire collection at Woldenberg's on December 13th and 14th, at a Trunk Show to benefit the Combat Blindness Foundation. Trunk Show hours are 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
The Combat Blindness Foundation (CBF) is a non-profit organization based in Madison, WI dedicated to eliminating preventable blindness in developing countries. CBF was founded in 1984 by Suresh Chandra, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. CBF has sponsored over 650,000 patient screenings and supported over 120,000 free cataract surgeries in developing countries. The Combat Blindness Foundation also helps fund the monthly UW Health Free Community Eye Care Clinic at the University Hospital which provides services to uninsured and disadvantaged residents in south central Wisconsin.

Brighton Heart Filled Promotion at Cornblooms!

Brighton Heart Filled Promotion at Cornblooms!

December 1st thru December 15th, 2008
Receive this FREE Brighton Heart Chime when you make a single Brighton purchase of $100 or more. Memories made during the Holidays are joyful ones to be remembered and shared. Your love for Brighton will not only be seen, it will be heard with this exclusive heart shaped chime engraved with the word JOY. (Limit one per customer, while supplies last)

Change is good, but what will I wear to the ball?

Well, I suppose one of the things that‘s been most on your mind is what to wear to President Obama’s (I just love saying that!) Inaugural Ball on January 20th. This very thing has had me tossing and turning for at least two nights. I mean this is a party I really want to go to, with folks I really want to party with! But then I remembered that I’ve been seeing some of the most dazzling party frocks and easy on the pocketbook bling during my jaunts through Hilldale. I think our merchants were probably thinking of posh holiday affairs when they were making their buys last spring, but no matter…whether you’re going to DC to mix with the "Beltway" crowd or staying here to mix it up with the "Beltline" crowd, you’ll look like you stepped right off the runway!

How you possibly go wrong in one of these spectacular lovelies from Alex Tieh especially when your neck and hands are graced in some of the most spectacular “dazzle” since Zsa Zsa Gabor’s mothers Madison Avenue store went dark? If Tiffany is not an option, R. J. Graziano makes some of the most amazing faux adornments for fashionistas on a budget (prices start at $75). Alex Tieh & R. J. Graziano are available at Woldenberg’s.

This party’s just getting started....I’ll have more dressy treasures to share with you in the days to come….

Get Your Green On At Fair Indigo!

Check out these clever Reusable Shopping Bags They’re lightweight polyester, portable, waterproof and weigh just 1.4 oz. With reinforced seams, each surprisingly large bag can hold the equivalent of two supermarket plastic bags. The pouch is small enough to fit into a handbag or the glove compartment of a car, and an individual bag fits in your pocket. Now you’ll never forget to bring them and do your part to help the planet! What’s even better is that these cool totes are just $38 for a set of 5 (to share with friends & family) and are made fairly in San Diego, CA.

Also, Fair Indigo is currently having their Anniversary Sale (today through Sunday, November 2nd) and everything in the store is 20% off!

"RED" she said!

Thru Saturday, October 25, 2008
YOU’RE INVITED……to MAC Cosmetics to experience the infamous holiday sets and new mineral products. With a $50 minimum purchase, a MAC artist will show you the perfect look for your eyes, cheeks, and lips—and it will only take 30 minutes! Don’t miss out on the brush, lip and eye sets. Be the first to touch, feel, and fall in love with this stunning collection. “Red” She Said Party at the MAC Counter in Macy’s October 23rd-25th. Call 608-232-2509 to book your appointment today!

Playthings New Digs!

Next time you’re cruising the hallowed halls of Hilldale be sure to stop and check out Playthings new digs. Yes, Virginia not only is there a Santa Claus, but there are currently two Playthings locations here at Hilldale. The newest kid on the block is next door to University Book Store at the south end of the atrium. This beautiful new space hosts a myriad of delights designed to tickle the fancy of both the young and the young at heart. Nancy Nigl and her crew have added even more depth and breadth to what was already Madison’s best toy store.

The store now boasts an incredible selection of fashionable infant wear, and the chicest selection of “diaper” bags I’ve ever seen…they’d be great for holding a laptop, or as an uber-sized handbag! The store also carries some really cool accessories by Paul Frank that sport that face of that cute monkey Julius! Check out the new assortment of fun stuff at the new Playthings!

Anthropologie Is Having a SALE!

Looking for something to spice up your crib, unleash your inner decorator at the Anthropologie Home Sale!

Clinique Bonus - THE WOW FACTOR

NEW! FREE Clinique gift with your Clinique purchase of $21.50 or more!
Your gift, a $50.00 value, is FREE with any Clinique purchase of $21.50 or more.

The Bag: An elegant modern silver metallic cosmetic bag with accents in a green geometric print. Perfect for all your fall essentials.

AVAILABLE AT MACY'S THRU OCTOBER 26TH!

Tie One On...

What can I say? I’m a sucker for a well-dressed guy and I am prone to become especially weak in the knees for a man wearing a real bow tie.
HELLO…James Bond!

I just happened to be in Woldenberg’s earlier today when BAM! I ran straight into a case filled with an outstanding assortment the most fabulous silk bow ties this side of the Mississippi. Spectacular specimens of sartorial splendor from a company called Carrot and Gibbs. Carrot & Gibbs was founded in Boulder, Colorado, in 1987 by Neil Borin. Their bow ties are created from specially selected imported 100% silk fabrics, predominately woven and printed. Each tie is individually cut, sewn and pressed by hand here in the United States. And rather than a metal clasp at the back, you will find mother-of-pearl buttons, which can be used for both adjustment and attachment if required.

Actually, my most favorite thing about bow ties is tying them.There’s just something swell about reaching around a mans neck(heads close, captivating cologne) manuvering the silk looped between my fingers and voila, with the lightest of tugs it becomes a bow…

shaken, not stirred and with just a hint of intrigue!

Finally Fall...

Even though the calendar said that fall began over a week ago, it really feels like the season switched on us in the last 48 hours. I’ve come to the conclusion that there will not be another day this year that will require the use of my air conditioner. I am also facing the fact that this is the weekend of the great summer-fall wardrobe “change out”. You know, when you pack up all of your cute summer t’s, shorts and sandals in your under bed storage containers and move your summer frocks to the guest room closet and your winter clothes back into your bedroom closet. The good news is you always discover some really cool outfit you forgot you had, but…. in order to actually wear it out in public new accessories must be had. That’s of course where our good friends at Cornblooms come in. A pair of new shoes always adds some perky “flava” to what was last season’s fashion sensation. Lately I’ve become quite enamored of a line of shoes they carry from Remix of Los Angeles. This company makes authentic vintage reproduction shoes and they really are quite the thing and positively sexy! It’s been said that everything old is new again and a pair of these shoes on your feet will definitely update your autumnal look!

Hilldale Fashion Week

Spot the Red Dress at Hilldale Fashion Week!

Handing Over the Fashion Reigns...

Two things always signify fall to me, classes beginning again and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC. Well I can successfully report that I survived my first day of classes and sit giddy with anticipation over fashion week, meaning that Fall really has arrived. Unfortunately, it's arrival means the end of my time interning at Hilldale. That's right, I am officially handing over the blog reigns to another fashion savvy blogger.

However, I couldn't do so without first leaving you with a few helpful hints to keep in mind when piecing together your new fall wardrobe.

1. Argyle is the print of the season. Love it. Own it. Rock it. Preferably on a sweater.

2. Tasteful lace. Buy a shirt with flirty lace the reveals just a touch of shoulder or a little bit of back. This will also be a great
piece for layering as our weather gets colder.

3. This Fall it is all about the waist. Accentuate it with a tailored pencil skirt, cinched trench coat or leather belt.

My final piece of advice...no matter what pieces you invest in for Fall, make sure they compliment your personal style and make you feel like a million bucks. If you love them and feel great in them, then you will wear them with confidence and a smile and that is the best look of all!

Ciao Bella!