Shopaholic

Finally folks in Franklin can shop at Sendik’s Food Market without hitting the freeway. And frankly they’re pretty excited about it. On 9:45 a.m. on October 31, a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony establishes Balistreri’s latest store as an anchor of the new Fountains of Franklin development. Known for its emphasis on customer service and upscale selection, shoppers can expect a broad array of hand-picked seafood, meats, cheeses, gourmet candies, entrees and appetizers, wines & spirits, fresh flowers, gift items and, of course, plenty of fresh produce. Private label wines, olive oil and balsamic vinegar befitting the family’s long retail history will also be on hand. (5200 W. Rawson Ave., 414-817-9525)

It’s easy to understand how Faye’s 1 and faye@play keeps its customers happy. Not only does Faye (yes, there is a Faye) walk her talk by gathering up great fashions, compiling free seasonal trend newsletters, holding a flurry of fabulous trunk shows and offering shopping by appointment, she simply oozes with spunky confidence. Take the October 25 storewide sale celebrating her 58^th birthday. All you have to do is say “I don’t think Faye looks 58,” and she’ll take $25 off every other item you buy through the end of the month – even the stuff on sale! You go girl. (18900 W. Bluemound Rd., 262-432-0070 and 1505 W. Mequon Rd., 262-241-8386, fayes123.com)

Reserve your spot now for the Laura Mercier event at Blush (October 26, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. and October 27, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.) where makeup artists, personally trained by Mercier herself (whose clients include Sarah Jessica Parker and Julia Roberts), will show you how to make the most of your natural good looks. Appointments for the service (normally $75) are free, as are the pink champagne and appetizers. And while there’s no purchase required, should you end up spending $100 or more on product expect to leave with both a fresh face and a free gift. (249 N. Water St., 414-272-1718)

Stylish trendsetters know to hit small boutiques for fabulous fashions and footwear. And the smart ones know to shop events like Ladies Night at Fred and Red Heel, which are held the last Thursday of every month. Trot by this October 25 between 6 - 10 p.m. as both stores ramp it up with great music, a bit of white wine, a few pink martinis, a little girl talk and plenty of treats, like complimentary massages,

makeovers, brow shaping and great giveaways including spa treatments, clothing and beauty products from Exclusiva, Dicarlo, Plum Spa, Spa Roma and Mary Kay Cosmetics. (Red Heel, 522 N. Water St., 414-755-8139; Fred, 524 N. Water St., 414-273-3733)

With a focus on fashions that take any woman anywhere she’s headed morning ‘til night, Next Door recently added cute shoes and boots at great prices. And their Tips to Toes service really sweetens the deal for busy shoppers. Every Thursday between 3 and 6 p.m., nail artist Jamie Randa is on hand to offer a variety of natural manicures as well as polish changes at discounted prices ($10 to $35). First time customer spending $100 or more receive their first manicure for free! (18000 W. Bluemound Rd., 262-879-9746, shopatnextdoor.com)

Since all kids are picture perfect, freckle face picks up the tab for a studio style photo with lifestyle photographer Christine Plamann. Make a reservation for the Portrait Day event (October 27 and 28) and you need only pay for your child’s professional prints. Or opt to spend $75 on any of the shop’s unique children’s clothing or accessories and receive a pack of custom photo note cards absolutely free. (407 E. Buffalo, 298-1488, frecklefaceboutique.com, christineplamann.com)

Once you’re over the age of 12, M&M’s just don’t do it anymore and Grapes & Grains knows it. Stop in for the stores Chocolate & Wine event (7 p.m., October 24, $30 per person) and sample Sean Henniger’s artisanal Atomic Chocolates. Paired with the perfect wine to wash the decadence down, it’s a Halloween treat with an adult twist. Speaking of which, at their Trick or Treat tasting (7 p.m., October 31, $20 per person), there’ll be a sampling of wines that cost $10 (tricks) and wines that cost $30 (treats) a bottle. If you’re the one who best guesses which is which you’ll take home a free ‘treat’ wine (11301 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon, 262-240-0206, grapesandgrain.com)

When Mandi Gerth shut the doors of her Waukesha shop, Shoestring Home, lots of loyal shoppers were bummed. Lucky for them, with the holidays just around the corner, she’s still offering her eclectic cool and retro swank mix of home, fashion and gift accessories online. Check out the new wine accessories, placemats, tee shirts, aprons (yes, aprons), overnight bags, chic laundry care products, recycled wool mittens, organic cotton baby stuff and new Caldrea holiday home fragrances at shoestringhome.com.