Shopaholic

Summer parties usually mean serving lots of wine, so you’ll probably find yourself with more than a few bottles left unfinished right? Not to worry, at Magnolia & Co. I spied a wide selection of Knobstoppers® designed to cap off bottles decoratively. Handcrafted from vintage doorknobs, antique pool balls, iron gate finials and those charming hot and cold porcelain water faucet handles. The wine stoppers also feature a hardwood-reinforced cork insuring airtight protection of your precious vino. Priced between $25 - $3, they’re definitely worth checking out even if only as a conversation piece. 1442 Underwood Ave., 414-256-0885, magnoliaandcompany.com.

Wonder why over 100,000 people are heading out to the Cedarburg Strawberry Festival this weekend? Here’s a hint - family fun, quarts of juicy strawberries along with plenty of strawberry pies, crepes, slushes, Schaum Tortes, ice cream and Cedar Creek Winery’s Strawberry Blush Wine by the glass. Oh, and did I mention a traditional and yummy Sunday Morning Pancake Breakfast? And there’ll be three, count ‘em, three Art Fairs going on along with two Plein Air Painting Competitions AND an Art Auction. Plus lots of live music during the day and concerts in the evening. And kids aren’t left out either. They’ll enjoy a host of entertainment and activities, including pony rides and a charming Pet Talent Show. Looking for more active pursuits? Check out the Berry Big 5K Run/Walk. For more detailed info about all the stuff to do, visit cedarburgfestivals.org.

Despite the current mystery surrounding the disappearing bee population, fortunately you can still find plenty of products from Burt’s Bees in stores across the city. But the coolest way to see and sample this clever companies natural hair, body, lip and baby care products is at the interactive Burt’s Bee Bee-Utify Your World Mobil Tour making its stop at Summerfest June 28 and 29. Visit one of a kind multi-tiered ‘HIVE’ to see, touch and learn why the renewable natural ingredients the company uses (everything from Royal Jelly to Pomegranate) are so much better for you than their chemical or synthetically based counterparts. Find out first hand why natural is better with an interactive exhibit offering fun tests, prizes, complimentary hand massages and samples of over 100 products. Burtsbees.com.

Hey Fredboutique.com the new shopping/lifestyle magazine website hosted by Fred is finally up and running. Aimed at women of all ages and sizes, of course you’ll find a constantly updated selection of clothing and shoes, but in addition, there’s also lots of coverage of all aspects of the modern lifestyle and fun stuff like Fred TV. Offered in a kind of reality show format, you’ll be treated to virtual visits to the store, (featuring Julian Summerfield, who’s ‘on air’ sunny enthusiasm rivals Rachel Ray) along with plenty of inside and upfront and personal looks at the drama of life behind the scenes at Fred. Including Fred Fitness diet and exercise tips and discreet advice offered up from a certified sex therapist. The site promises to deliver tons of new styles so lightning quick, “you can be wearing the trends as soon as magazines start to write about them.” and web exclusives like trendy Harveys shoulder bags created from seat belts and cool shoes for women, including (finally) flattering styles sizes 9 – 15 from Katherine Kerrigan. 524 N. Water St., 414-273-3733, 4405 N. Oakland Ave., 414-967-5664, fredboutique.com

To make room for the big fashion push of Fall 2008, just about everyone is having some sort of summer sale. Among them, Hers is holding it’s Deals to Smile About Summerfest Sale June 26 through July 6 during insuring shoppers stopping in at this contemporary loft style store cool contemporary summer fashions loaded with big city style. 309 N. Water St., (414) 273-HERS, hersfashion.com

Then there’s Valentina’s exciting much anticipated Summer Sale which begins July 1 and runs through July 31. What can women of discriminating tastes expect? Just the most

trendful summer fashions offered up by designers such as Peter Som, Vivienne Tam, Doo-Ri and Akiko Ogawas, all at significant savings, that’s all. 18900 W. Bluemound Rd. (262)-789-7759 & 1505 W. Mequon Rd., (262) 241-4122, evalentina.com

Miss Ruby, the city’s newest boutique for contemporary bridesmaids fashions holds another Girls Night Out June 26, 6 and 10 pm. Stop in to enjoy free wine and chocolate, while taking a stab at putting together a purse design that’s truly your own with Pursenal Xpressions (attention brides - bridesmaids bond while designing handbags to match their dresses). Or come up with some custom jewelry designs of your own with help from Stacy of JoBead, (brides this is yet another opportunity to make some wedding memories with the girls). 522 N. Water St., 414-755-2900, missrubyboutique.com.

See why Miss Groove was voted best store in the city to shop for handbags during their Summer Handbag Sale running through July 6. Expect to find savings of 30 percent on chic macramé bags by David & Scotti, tailored Italian leather bags from Plinio Visona, fun straw bags by Emma Rose and lots of truly contemporary vegan (leather free) handbags, travel bags and wallets from Matt & Nat. 1225 E Brady St., 414-298-1694), missgroove.com.

Bay shore Town Center Square is all about summer fun. Enjoy music? Check out the contemporary swing of Mr. Lucky Swing Syndicate delivered with lots of horns, style, zoot suits and shtick June 26 noon – 1:30 and again between 6 – 8:30 pm. Or visit on July 3 when City favorite Warren Wiegratz and Streetlife, will send forth their renditions of contemporary jazz with R & B vocal influences noon – 1:30pm and between 6 and 8:30 pm when. Enjoy Movies? Stop by July 2 at 8:30 pm watch the film On Golden Pond under the stars thanks to Movies in the Square. 5800 N. Bayshore Dr., 414-332-8136, bayshoretowncenter.com

Meanwhile over at Brookfield Square Mall in the Boston Store wing of the Mall during the Home Based Business Show June 27 – 20, you can shop everything companies like Tupperware, Tastefully Simple and Wild Tree have to offer without any pressure. At this unique event, you only have to buy if you want to, not because your sister/mother/friend is throwing the party and expects you to. Also, attention all ladies currently decked out in an army, marine or navy uniforms, stock up on comfy casual affordable fashions to wear after your tour of duty is over during Christopher & Banks Military Discount Kick-Off Party June 23 – July 6. Simply go to the ‘Sales & Events’ tab at shopbrookfieldsquaremall.com to print out a discount card good for 20 percent off any purchase made accompanied by flashing your military ID. Enlist a friend to come along and you’ll save an extra 10 percent. And whether you shop or not, stay safe OK? 95 N. Moorland Rd. Brookfield, shopbrookfieldsquaremall.com.

Again with a store closing! As Milwaukee Futon/Yoga East succumbs to the imbalance of our economy, shop its Goodbye Sale Event July 28 through July 4. Everything in the store – shoji screens, shelving, chairs, futon covers, meditation mats etc. will be marked $50 or less so you can expect some really great deals. But please remember that its sister company, LivnLite.com IS DEFINITELY NOT going out of business. The online store will continue to offer the city a broad selection of futons and hardwood platform beds at the lowest prices they can. 316 N. Milwaukee St., 414-727-5483, livnlite.com.

Oh and by the by, if you’re into purifying body & soul with a daily yoga routine it just makes sense your mat should be just as fresh and healthy. If yours is getting a bit sweaty, check out the organic Happy Yoga Mat Wash at kathys-family.com. Made from certified organic castile soap, extracts and botanicals it’s intended to keep you humming Ommmmm.