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....    

SARAH B. TAKES A HIKE...

...to it's new larger, brighter and decidedly divne new digs! Sometime in the wee small hours of the morning on February 4th, Jan and Rene Corradini put the finishing touches on their new space before opening the doors at their new south corridor location. Snuggled between Fancy Nails and Woldenberg’s, they are now the “new kids on the block”!

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!