Shopping: A little mimosa sipping, some rock painting ...
Gotta love the change in life’s schedule when school starts. Kids are in the classroom and parents are, well, perhaps breathing a sigh of relief that they got through another summer, or feeling bittersweet about this next stage in a child’s life.
So, moms, if you are ready to gently celebrate the arrival of sending your little loved ones off to become better educated, Peace By Piece in downtown Belleville wants to acknowledge the event on Monday — when most area schools start — with a toast. Drop in for a chance to do some shopping therapy and enjoy a mimosa on the boutique, which opens at 10 a.m. Also, check the Facebook page for any updates of specials that might be going on that day.
Bee Hollow Market in Mascoutah is holding a Sip n Paint event at 6 p.m. Sept. 17. Sign up now because class size is limited. You’ll get to paint a really cool mandala rock in your own style. Fee is $27 and the event benefits cancer research. Call 618-566-8583 or go to beehollowmarket.com. (The word “mandala” is Sanskrit and loosely translates to mean circle. Google mandala rock and see examples of the beautiful dotted designs.)
Plus, there’s wine-tasting at Bee Hollow from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Spend $25 at Wild Birds Unlimited in Swansea and get $5 off your purchase through Sunday. There are some restrictions, such as the deal isn’t good on sales items and only one discount per purchase.
When it a clearance table not a clearance table? When you’re at Macy’s. During my weekly shopping expedition, I popped into the department store at St. Clair Square in Fairview Heights. In the housewares section on the lower level, I spied some cool vintage-style metal coffee and cookie canisters in a creamy white finish with red or green lettering. Regular price: $16.99. Clearance price: $15.99. Huh? That’s not clearance in my book! Still, they were cute.
New store at the mall: Vanity opened about a month ago in the spot where American Eagle Outfitters’ Aero store had been on the lower level outside Macy’s entrance. The chain, Vanity Shop of Grand Forks Inc. is a privately owned, mall-based retailer that offers affordable apparel and accessories targeted to fashion conscious young women. I’d never heard of them before, but there are about 200 locations in 27 states.
What I saw was a lot of the same thing I’ve seen elsewhere at the mall, though I did spot pretty crocheted boot cuffs for $11.95 in natural and mocha shades. It’s BOGO half off on second pair.
On the subject, sort of, of footwear, I got out my flashlight (kidding) and headed into Spencer’s at the mall. Got to be one of the darkest store interiors around, thought Abercrombie & Fitch is pretty dim, too. Anyway, I stopped right at the entrance because I’ve been intrigued lately by the wildly patterned and colored knee-hi’s I’ve seen girls wearing with shorts and skirts this summer. If that’s your style, Spencer’s has them buy one get one half off, with prices at $6.99 to $9.99 before the sale.
During a visit to Kohl’s in Fairview Heights, I was intrigued by two-in-one kids’ sip cups by Snackeez! The junior version I saw ($9.99 on sale) has two purposes: There’s a snap-top lid compartment where you can store snacks and, of course, your drink cup with straw. (You don’t have to remove the straw or undercover the drink to get to the food, which is a good thing for little ones.) You’ll find cups with popular characters, from “Frozen, “Minions” and Ninja Turtles.
Got a stinky backseat, school locker, bedroom, backpack or gym bag? Throw in a 99-cent Shtank Out odor eliminator plush toy from HereToday in Fairview Heights. A little bit bigger than a hockey puck, you’ll find two designs, soccer ball and pink smiley face, at the store.
I gave in to the onslaught of autumn and found a trio of velvety gourds that could artfully grace any mantel as the season changes. Each is $4.99 at neighboring Marshall’s. Need something more practical? Selfie sticks at the front of the store are $9.99.
Head west, young woman, to Chesterfield on Saturday for a Teen Vogue Back-to-School event that runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the St. Louis Premium Outlets, 18521 Outlet Blvd. Expect a full-on fashion party at the mall, showcasing the hottest back-to-school trends with Teen Vogue. Enjoy live entertainment, flash tattoos, freeze modeling, pop-up beauty bars and more.
There are two outlet malls on Interstate 64/40. This mall is the one farther west, on the south side of the highway, right before the Daniel Boone Bridge. From the metro-east, take I-64/40 west to exit 14, turn right over bridge onto Spirit of St. Louis Boulevard, then turn right onto Chesterfield Airport Road.
This story was originally published August 13, 2015 at 10:25 AM with the headline "Shopping: A little mimosa sipping, some rock painting ...."