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Eco Candle
Posted by Pam Seidl on 12/18/07 |
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 Downtown Neenah has a wonderful holiday pace and one of my new favorite stores: The Eco-Candle company. Head on in for some great soy-based candles in a variety of wonderful scents. Plus, lotions and homemade soap. Great gifts for teachers, moms, girlfriends and others on your list. |
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Building for Kids
Posted by Lynn Peters on 12/10/07 |
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 I was in Madison recently and found myself chatting over lunch with the mother of two young children. It's my job to sell the Fox Cities but she beat me to the punch by telling everyone at our table about the Building for Kids, the children's museum in downtown Appleton. "It's the best I've ever been in," she said. You've gotta love an endorsement like that!
So if you're entertaining out-of-town guests with young kids over the holidays, don't hesitate to suggest the Building for Kids. Their current exhibit features sculptures made from Legos is supposed to be very cool. You'll also find a calendar of holiday activities on their website, www.kidmuseum.org.
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Cleo's
Posted by Pam Seidl on 12/5/07 |
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Cleo's is one of those local-legend places that visitors love and many locals tend to frequent only when they have people in from out of town. I admit, I send visitors there all the time, but hadn't been inside in a while.
Last Friday my husband and I enjoyed a wonderful (as usual) dinner at Apollon and then were looking for a place to sit and chat, child-free. It was cold and the beauty of Downtown Appleton is that many places are a short walk. We headed to Cleo's just because we hadn't been there in a while.
The room was warm and festively deocrated... well, see, that's Cleo's, it's ALWAYS festively decorated. Many call it the "Christmas Bar" because even on the 4th of July, Cleo's decks the halls with all matter of holiday splendor. That's every holiday. Halloween skeletons sit next to Valentines hearts wrapped in Christmas garland. Couple this atmosphere with some of the best (and largest) mixed drinks in town, and Cleo's is a great place to spend an evening. |
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Family Friendly Restaurant
Posted by Lynn Peters on 12/4/07 |
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I'm not normally a big fan of "family restaurants," but Mary's Place is the exception that proves the rule. There are two of them, both in Appleton. The first is on N. Richmond Street and the other on S. Oneida Street.
A totally non-smoking restaurant since long before Appleton's smoking ban went into place, Mary's is famous for its chicken dumpling soup. I'm also a fan of their Friday clam chowder, patty melt, cole slaw, french fries, pecan waffles and pie. Are you getting the drift here? Don't expect delicately sauced entrees, edible flowers or oddly colored vegetables. Do expect generous portions, large soft drink glasses, speedy service, fair prices and a pleasant staff.
Looking for good plain food? You won't be disappointed at Mary's Place. |
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'Tis The Season
Posted by Kim Tisler on 11/12/07 |
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 If you're having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit, a trip to The Wreath Factory in Menasha will have you decorating and singing Christmas carols in no time! My sister and I were heading back to town last Saturday, after spending an overnight at a friends' cottage, where we reminisced by a warm fire, exchanging memories of past times. Neither of us were ready to head home, so I suggested a trip to the store, remembering that it was the weekend of The Wreath Factory open house. The moment you enter the outside courtyard, you are surrounded by some of the most beautiful fresh evergreen arrangements that I have ever seen. The aroma of the fresh boughs, along with hot cider and cookies, was wonderful! The staff were busy arranging new pieces for display and for purchase. Step inside the store and every conceivable decoration, in hundreds of different colors and styles is waiting for you, beautifully displayed, and sure to have even the biggest scrooge smiling. There are countless gift ideas for even the most hard to buy for someone on your list. In no time at all, we were transported to that timeless place where all of the joys, excitement and traditions of the season surround you and have you looking forward to the weeks ahead. If you are in need of little boost getting into the holiday mood, The Wreath Factory is just the place. |
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Wild Girls on the Town
Posted by Lynn Peters on 11/5/07 |
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I live here, but when my husband won a free one-night hotel stay I decided to invite my two younger sisters for a getaway weekend in the Fox Cities. Here's what we did:
1. Met at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at Kimberly Point Park in Neenah for a picnic lunch, walked around the point oohing and aahing at the mansions and Lake Winnebago, and saw the latest exhbit at the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum.
2. Went to downtown Appleton where we shopped at several fun locally owned places including The Bead Garden, Sparkadoodles and Windows of Light. There happened to be a pottery show at Houdini Plaza, so we strolled around there as well. Bought a bunch of fun small things.
3. Checked into our hotel and changed out of sweatshirts into something a tad nicer, then headed out to dinner at Apollon, a Greek Restaurant in downtown Appleton. We enjoyed a gyro platter, pretty setting and excellent service. Loved, loved, loved the flaming saganaki cheese and absolutely recommend it. Opa! (I think that's that's Greek for "Wait'll you see this" or "Wow" or "Celebrate!")
4. It was still early so we went to Fratello's on the water for a potent martini. The view was nice, but we settled for one martini so I could drive us back to the hotel.
5. We whirled in the hotel whirlpool and generally did the slumber party thing. Imagine 3 grown women giggling like middle schoolers. The martinis may have helped.
6. On Sunday we checked out of the hotel and went straight to the Fox River Mall for some serious shopping. We did about 15 of 180 stores before we pooped out.
I was surprised how much fun a girls' weekend in my own hometown could be. I seriously recommend it! |
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November 9th's the Day to Start Your Shopping
Posted by Lynn Peters on 10/29/07 |
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I've been a volunteer in the gift shop at the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum in Neenah for more than ten years. Their slogan describes the merchandise to a T, "clearly gorgeous glass gifts."
I was there on Saturday I snuck into the store room and checked out the Christmas goodies. Wow! There are tons of wonderful things in the $25 and under price range. I saw several funky fused glass plates and some lovely glass angels, as well as dozens of ornaments for $5 or less. You'll find gifts for your kid's teacher, the babysitter and your mom. And if you normally spend more, $50 or more, you'll find some amazing one-of-a-kind things.
The Bergstrom-Mahler doesn't put it's merchandise out as early as most retail stores - your first opportunity to see it will be Friday, November 9th. For shop hours or directions call 920-751-4675. |
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The Learning Shop
Posted by Pam Seidl on 10/26/07 |
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When you live in Wisconsin's Shopping Place, it's sometimes hard to realize how good you have it. Sometimes you need to see the area through an outsider's eyes to appreciate it.
I had a chance to do that when my mom visited the other week. She was looking to wrap up her Christmas shopping (I missed that gene, as I haven't even started). Anyway, we stopped at The Learning Shop to pick up something for my kids.
This store is a gold mine of great, dare I say, educational toys for kids. From arts & crafts, to dolls, to Legos, to books, this place is THE source for unique, classic gifts that will be played with for years to come. My mom kept saying 'I could never find this at home.'
And (get this) they GIFT WRAP FOR FREE. How often does that happen anymore?
The Fox Cities are full of unique and special shops like this. I'll be highlighting many of them at our Power Shop University on November 3rd. Check out our website for registration information. Hope you can make it. |
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HOG Heaven
Posted by Lynn Peters on 10/22/07 |
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| You may not think of the Fox Cities as a likely destination for black leather garbed bikers, but it's time to think again. In June of 2009, 5,000 Harley riders will descend upon the Fox Cities for their annual H.O.G. Rally! (To the uninitiated, H.O.G. stands for "Harley Owners Group.") In addition to contests, classes and concerts, they'll impress us all with Harley parade through the city streets. |
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Unique Floral Shop - Branching Out
Posted by Tami Hoff on 10/15/07 |
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 I recently had to order a wrist corsage and boutineer for my daughter's high school Homecoming Dance. Someone suggested I try Branching Out in downtown Appleton. I called and was fortunate to talk with Barb the owner of the shop. I explained how my daughter's dress was a beautiful blue, but I wasn't sure what shade to call it. She asked me to bring the dress into her store and I did. She said it was definitely "peacock blue".
She had such enthusiasm about what she would create to complement the dress! She even thought she'd try to add peacock feathers to the arrangements! I wasn't too sure about this idea, but decided to let her go wild.
When I picked up the flowers, I was amazed. Barb had used a combination of beautiful fall colors I would never have thought of! She added special little touches to make them extra special. In addition, she did find small peacock feathers and put 2 in the wrist corsage and one in the boutineer. They truly were works of art!
My daughter and her date received rave reviews for their beautiful arrangements!
I've also used Branching Out for unique cut floral arrangements. They don't use the typical flowers we see every day. They truly add "European flare" to everything they do. I'll definitely be back!
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