Shopaholic

TAKE A PEEK

OK, I know everyone has a storm deluge story (some more destructive or tragic than others), so here’s mine. Early last Thursday evening, for you dear readers, I made my way to the grand opening of Peabody’s Interiors’ beautiful, new, custom-built showroom adjacent to the creative offices and design studio of Wade Weissmann Architecture in the Deerwood Village Historical District. About a mile from my destination, I found myself smack in the eye of "The Storm" and facing a real dilemma. Should I continue on to what promises to be a great premier retail event or heed the warning of wind, rain, thunder and lightning and head back to the safety of home? Needless to say, I soldiered on.

Arriving in the thunderous downpour, I was ushered under a huge umbrella from car to entryway by one of many young parking valets valiantly battling the elements. Once inside, the sound of howling winds and pelting rain was replaced by the soothing, cool vibe of unique musical offerings pulled together by DJ Mighty Thor as guests (understandably far fewer than expected) were greeted with a tray of fresh grapefruit Bellini’s at the door. Storm? What storm?

After being assured that yes, indeed, the building did have a basement (one that boasted a wealth of beautiful furnishings no less), I relaxed and began my tour of the gorgeous showrooms. While weather might have forced the outside poolside bar service to slip indoors and cancel out some spectacular outdoor lighting effects by Sound by Design, the intense drama of the storm offered brave partygoers an exciting backdrop to the serenity and fine taste woven throughout the inspiring home vignettes created within. Indeed, being able to stimulate customers to visualize how furnishings, accessories and accents as well as custom architectural design elements might look in their homes is one of the star attractions of Peabody’s new location.

As I nibbled on a delicious and stylishly presented array of appetizers circulated by the wait staff of Gracious Events, I wandered into the impressive Design Center room with its soaring ceilings and walls of windows. Here, clients and talented designers are able to spread out and sort through thousands of fabric swatches and hundreds of catalogs in the process of choosing the perfect mix of furniture, lighting, art, flooring, window treatments and accessories with which to fashion personal dream spaces. Although I would have loved to stay longer, due to the raging storm, I thought it best to cut my visit short, if only for Kippee’s sake. So after tucking a generous tip into the hand of one of those brave young men who despite challenges of weather kept their good humor, I began my drive home.

At this point, I’d like to share that this is a drive that normally would take 20 minutes tops. Finding the freeway at a standstill, I tried in vain to make my way south and east along main roads quickly morphing into rivers. I’d never seen anything like it, and yeah, it was scary. Anxiously gripping the steering wheel, I eventually made it to the once-serene streets of Whitefish Bay, and that’s where the fun really began. In an abrupt stop-and-start fashion, I found myself trapped on neighborhood streets in a watery maze that was rising at an alarming rate of speed. As the torrent of rain continued, more and more roads became impassable, and even monster SUVs stalled and disappeared in waist-high water ahead of me, I pulled off

the road onto a somewhat elevated driveway where as the rain came down so fast and furious, it felt as if I were sitting in a drive-through car wash.

Eventually, during a slight lull in the storm, figuring it was now or never, I took a chance and was able to inch my way to Lake Drive and make my way Downtown where an overjoyed Kippee greeted me at my door. Total trip time? Five hours. So yes, for certain, I’m not going to forget Peabody’s grand opening celebration any time soon and not only because of the real style in which it was carried out. Which got me thinking. Was all the anxiety of the trip home worth it? I’ll leave you with this. Should you be interested in one-stop shopping for first-class design and service, look no further. Just make sure your visit coincides with a sunny day, OK? 8655 N. Deerwood Dr., Brown Deer, 414-962-4550, peabodysinteriors.com.

SAVVY STUFF (To have done…)

Kudos to Dragonfly, Aala Reed, Boutique Vieux et Nouveau, Angelina’s Shoe Boutiqueand Chartreuse for the fun fashion show presented this past Saturday during the Brady Street festival. Not only did it include well-styled interpretations of today’s best trends, but it also adhered to the neighborhood’s history of vibrant diversity, offering up for the third year in a row MC Randy Thompson a.k.a. Victoria, a featured drag star of the Aqua Club in Key West, Fla. The talented singer-performer (who was originally convinced to do the festival by Michele and Jeff Green, friends and owners of the restaurant Bosley on Brady) has definitely become one of the festival’s star attractions. Throughout the fashion show with sharp humor and sass, ‘Victoria’ not only kept the enthusiastic crowd engaged, but she also offered up a provocative hint of the fun, flash and talent ready to be presented during the Drag Show immediately following. Sound like fun? It was. Haven’t been yet? There’s always next year. bradystreet.org.

CHECK OUT

Now at Falcon est. 2009: Huge storewide July biannual sale translates to 65 percent off fabulous fashion and accessories. 315 N. Broadway, 414-271-9100, falcon315.com.

Now at Mr. Shoe: Save up to 70 percent on a selection of men’s and women’s trendsetting footwear.1433 N. Farwell Ave., 414-277-0660, mrshoe.net.

July 26-31 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) at Juxt Home & Baby: Super Sizzling Summer Sale on unique new and vintage stuff. Save 40 percent on spring Pediped shoes for babies, 50 percent on contemporary rugs, 20-50 percent on accent pillows, 30 percent on cool PJs for kids and adults and much, much more. Psst, there’s also complimentary raspberry lemonade, sweet treats and a drawing to win a Baby Preview Ultrasound ($150 value). 1504 Underwood Ave., 414-257-1710, juxthomebaby.com.

July 29 at Luci : Martini Night offers up complimentary sushi, cosmos and wine, hair and nail touch-ups by DiCarlo Salon and Gloss Nail Salon and a visit with stylist Danielle Operle (whose on hand with VIP discounts and fashion tips every Thursday). First 50 shoppers can take 30 percent off of the evenings purchases. 532 N. Water St., 414-226-0114, luciboutique.com.

July 30-Aug. 1 at Flaire: To make room for cool new styles, the store shaves 50 percent off all regularly priced clothing, jewelry, accessories and shoes and 10 percent off sale merchandise already marked 50-70 percent off. Shopping online? Use code SMR1OCL at checkout. 407 E. Buffalo, 414-223-5100, shopflaire.com.

Aug. 4 (7 p.m.) at Waterford Wine Company: Bring your nose and palate to a wine tasting that promises to tour the world of Pinot Noir. $25 per person. 1327 E. Brady St., 414-289-9463, waterfordwine.com.

Through Aug. 14 at The Home Market : An End of Summer clearance sale clears the way for new fall items and shaves 30-50 percent off selected furniture and accessories. 222 E. Erie, 414-755-2165, thehomemarket.net.