The Purple Goose Trunk Show Series

Join us on Saturday, December 18^th for our final trunk show!

Who: Local Artists & Designers
                  This week we will be featuring jewelry by Amy Louise Strohfeldt and accessories by Tonya Tuomi.  Perfect if you’re looking for one-of-a-kind or local gifts this holiday season!

What: Our 7^th and last trunk show of the Purple Goose trunk show series

Where: The Purple Goose in Madison (117 S. Pinckney Street)

When: December 18, 2010 from 9:00am – 3:00pm

Why: Because we can’t wait to share the fabulous gifts and jewelry created by featured local artists as well as our new inventory with you!

Style File Friday: A Wonderful Life

Every year when we were kids we had to watch my Mom's favorite Christmas movie, A Wonderful Life.  As most things go when you are young I didn't fully understand it but loved it anyway.  Now I (think) I get it.  Often when life feels like it's whizzing by or I just can't get my barrings straight, which happens more around the holidays, I think of the sentiment found in A Wonderful Life.
What's better than watching the movie?  Seeing the play!  A Wonderful Life is being put on by the Children's Theater of Madison and opens tonight.  Don't worry if you have plans tonight, you have until December 23rd to see it.  For more info and to buy tickets go here.
Take a deep breath and enjoy the holidays while they are here.  After all your children will only be this old once, friends move away and well... life is short.

A Wonderful Life Outfit:

Don't Sweat It Sweater: $72
Blue Cords: $76
Beaded Necklace/Earring Set: $24
Knit Cap: $24

Can't get enough of Style File Fridays?  Check out more here!

This outfit is available at the Verona store or at the Madison store by request.

{Know of an event I should feature on Style File Friday?  E-mail me lauren(at)shopthepurplegoose(dot)com}

Style File Fridays: Verona Hometown Holidays

Yes, this is a first for us... featuring a children's outfit for Style File Fridays.  There couldn't be a more perfect time to debut a new children's line for us, Bobinette!  Beautiful fleece jackets for the little ones, plaid shirts of the holidays, cord bubble skirts....  All made in the USA.
It's Hometown Holidays is this weekend in Verona.  Come out to enjoy the hometown holiday experience!  Discounts and free samples across 19 area businesses.  Stop in the Purple Goose for 10% off all purchases Saturday and Sunday.

Style File Friday Outfit:

Fleece Hoodini Jacket: $56

Silver Button-up: $40

Bubble Cord Skirt: $32

Can't get enough of Style File Fridays?  Check out more here!

This outfit is available at the Verona store or at the Madison store by request.

{Know of an event I should feature on Style File Friday?  E-mail me lauren(at)shopthepurplegoose(dot)com}

Style File Friday: Downtown Holiday Open House

We're thinking local more than ever before this holiday season.  Hence the Think Local initiative were proud to be rolling out with Dane Buy Local.  You can enter to win great prizes at either Purple Goose location and at 60 other local businesses (find the list here).  I'm not going to get on my soap box about all of the great reasons to buy local because chances are you already know and this is a Style File Friday post. ;)  Let's get to the event and style!
This weekend is the Downtown Holiday Open House.  There is sure to be fun games and activities throughout the day.  For more info visit their website here.  If you haven't yet, this is the perfect excuse to stop in our Madison location.

The Downtown Holiday Open House Outfit:

Embroidered Tunic: $55

Orange Tee: $28

Owl Necklace: $18

Can't get enough of Style File Fridays?  Check out more here!

This outfit is available at the Verona store or at the Madison store by request.

{Know of an event I should feature on Style File Friday?  E-mail me lauren(at)shopthepurplegoose(dot)com}

Style File Friday: Holiday Fantasy in Lights

It seems the holidays are coming earlier and earlier as the years fly by but for the children they can never come soon enough.  So whether we want it or not, the holidays are upon us.  Why not celebrate it!  The lights will be up through January 2nd but I say beat the crowds and go for a little Saturday drive.  While you're out stop by the Madison Purple Goose for a mini cupcake and  see the latest and greatest by our local artists!

Holiday Fantasy in Lights Outfit:

Open Work Tee: $54

Cords: $76

Mother of Pearl Necklace (locally made): $32

Can't get enough of Style File Fridays?  Check out more here!

This outfit is available at the Verona store or at the Madison store by request.

{Know of an event I should feature on Style File Friday?  E-mail me lauren(at)shopthepurplegoose(dot)com}

Style File Friday: 360 by Kanopy Dance Company

I am terrible at singing.  And I mean Terrible.  For starters I can't  find or keep a tune.  Don't even get me started on making up words to songs.  But dancing, dancing I love and if I could keep a beat I would be fantastic at it.  In dance performances  growing up I was always that little girl in the group two or three steps behind the others and looking around trying to get back into step.  FYI you can see some of the videos I make while dancing around the store on our facebook page.

This weekend Kanopy Dance Company is performing 360.  It looks like an exciting exploration of themes.  Oh and the performers are professionals, not me.

360 Outfit:

Ruffle Dress: $54

Oceanic Coral Necklace: $28

Can't get enough of Style File Fridays?  Check out more here!

This outfit is available at the Verona store or at the Madison store by request.

{Know of an event I should feature on Style File Friday?  E-mail me lauren(at)shopthepurplegoose(dot)com}

The Purple Goose Trunk Show Series

Join us on Saturday, November 20^th for our next trunk show!


 

Who: Local Artists & Designers
                  This week we will be featuring products by Michelle Veeneman.  See pictures below for a sneak peek!

What: Our 5^th trunk show of the Purple Goose trunk show series

Where: The Purple Goose in Madison (117 S. Pinckney Street)

When: November 20, 2010 from 9:00am – 3:00pm
Why: Because we can’t wait to share the fabulous gifts and jewelry created by featured local artists as well as our new inventory with you!

       
Mittens made from recycled wool sweaters. Lined with fuzzy fleece for extra warmth and softness. Perfect for a cold Wisconsin day!

          



Bags, wallets, and coin purses made from recycled plastic bags. How neat!
Haven't heard about our new trunk shows series? Read on...
The Purple Goose trunk shows are a new twist on The Goose on the Go home trunk shows. You loved our home shows so much that we've made them bigger and better by bringing them to our downtown Madison location! The trunk shows feature gifts and jewelry from several local artists AND tons of new store inventory! Join us on the 1st Tuesday and 3rd Saturday of every month to see what it's all about!

Style File Friday: Wisconsin Cheese Festival

When I lived in NYC I realized a lot of things about my Wisconsin born and raised self.  Try as I might to avoid it I have a Wisco accent,  I love Friday fish fry and I think pan fried cheese curds make a tasty snack.  Just to name a few.   Sure you can get cheese most anywhere but in Wisconsin you truly do find the best and biggest variety.   That is why I am so excited about this weekend's event, The Wisconsin Cheese Festival.  Check out their extensive list of tours, seminars and events and learn while you sample the best in cheese.

The Wisconsin Cheese Festival Outfit

Ruffle Sweatshirt: $58

District Nine Denim: $54

J Jive Necklace: $32

Knit hat: $22

Can't get enough of Style File Fridays?  Check out more here!

This outfit is available at the Verona store or at the Madison store by request.

{Know of an event I should feature on Style File Friday?  E-mail me lauren(at)shopthepurplegoose(dot)com}

The Purple Goose Trunk Show Series

Get excited because the next Purple Goose trunk show is only a few days away!
Who: Local Artists & Designers
This week we will be featuring products from 2 local artists! Check out stationary and cards from Jack & Ella Paper Press by Jessica Bates as well as jewelry from J. Jive Designs created by Jahna Cook.

What: Our 4^th trunk show of the Purple Goose trunk show series

Where: The Purple Goose in Madison (117 S. Pinckney Street)

When: November 2, 2010 from 10:00am – 7:00pm

Why: Because we can’t wait to share the fabulous gifts and jewelry created by featured local artists as well as our new inventory with you!

Haven't heard about our new trunk shows series? Read on...
The Purple Goose trunk shows are a new twist on The Goose on the Go home trunk shows. You loved our home shows so much that we've made them bigger and better by bringing them to our downtown Madison location! The trunk shows feature gifts and jewelry from several local artists AND tons of new store inventory! Join us on the 1st Tuesday and 3rd Saturday of every month to see what it's all about!

Style File Friday: Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde

A timeless hit that can't be seen enough.  Well, if you are into the slightly freakiness of it all, like I am.  I took a college course on monsters so that might explain a lot.  If the idea of heading downtown while all the Freak Festers are out you are in luck this show runs at the Bartell Theatre through Nov. 20.  Who doesn't want to prolong the scary things that go bump in the night past Halloween?  I know I do.
P.S. There is a costume contest too!
Find out more and how to get your tickets right here.

The Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde Outfit:

That is if you aren't up for going in costume.  This is a cozy sweater dress that will get you through the chilliest of chilly days.  Pair it with boots, tights leggings, skinnies or nada.  You'll look fantastic!

Sweater Dress: $68

Key Necklace: $40

This outfit is available at the Verona store or at the Madison store by request.

{Know of an event I should feature on Style File Friday?  E-mail me lauren(at)shopthepurplegoose(dot)com}

Style File Friday: Haunted Weekend

I'm a big fan of beating the crowds.  No, not actually beating them but avoiding them.  Next weekend the crowds will be swarming the corn mazes, haunted forests and beyond.  Why not get your fright on early?
So this week's Style File Friday features  an array of local frights.  Enjoy the one closest to you or go to them all if you dare.  I'd love to hear which one you think is the scariest, best for kids/families, etc.
Enjoy the frights!
Madison Ghost Walks
Lodi Corn Maze @ Treinen Farm
Halloween at the Zoo
Haunted Woods Trail
Horror in the Dark and Olin Park
Halloween Happenings

Haunted Weekend Outfit:

Boyfriend Sweater: $78

Orange Tee: $28

District 9 Denim: $54

#3 Necklace: $39.99

This outfit is available at the Verona store or at the Madison store by request.

{Know of an event I should feature on Style File Friday?  E-mail me lauren(at)shopthepurplegoose(dot)com}

Chairs, chairs chairs!

A rainbow of locally found and refurbished chairs have found space in The Purple Goose.  They are looking for loving homes.
Sheila finds them sad and alone on roadsides, at estate sales and in antique shops.  She gives them a new lease on life with the love of a coat of paint and often a modern fabric cushion.
We can't stop day dreaming of a dining room table surrounded with these beauts, friends sitting in each one, everyone having a fabulous time.

Style File Friday: Andy Warhol Photographic Studies

By now you know I am constantly taking photos of all the items that come through the shop, much of it ends up here, on the web.  Others are fleeting, moving out  too fast for a snap shot.  Andy Warhol captured the moments in his life with snap shots.  It's great for remembering where you were and what you were doing and with who.  We often look back at our fashion snap shots and comment, "That was so great! I forgot all about it."  Such is life when you remember the moments.
Most of us are unlikely to have a life like that of Andy Warhol but our moments will be just as precious, even if not filled with celebrities (if you shop at PG you'll look like one).
Get out, enjoy the weather and gather a few snapshots of your own.
Find more info on the Andy Warhol exhibit see the Chazen's website.

The Andy Warhol Photographic Studies Outfit:

Sweater dress (removeable scarf): $58

Owl Necklace: $18

1531 Necklace: $40

This outfit is available at the Verona store or at the Madison store by request.

{Know of an event I should feature on Style File Friday?  E-mail me lauren(at)shopthepurplegoose(dot)com}

Style File Friday: Giant Pumpkin Regatta

You did read that right.  The UW horticulture society will be racing giant pumpkins at noon this Saturday at the Memorial Union lakefront.  The students grow the pumpkins, clean out the insides (No, I don't know if they make pies or roast the seeds) and then race through a course out on the lake.  This is sure to be an entertaining event for the whole community.  Find out more info on the Isthmus Daily Page.

The Giant Pumpkin Regatta Outfit:

Dress: $52

Key and Chain Necklace (locally made): $35

Poet Hat: $28

This outfit is available at the Verona store or at the Madison store by request.

{Know of an event I should feature on Style File Friday?  E-mail me lauren(at)shopthepurplegoose(dot)com}

Making of a Window: Flower Garland

Garland can amp up any event.  Perhaps your home is in need of a little whimsy or a little one has a birthday coming up.  The possibilities are endless.  You asked for it so below I'll describe how you can make the flower garland we used in our Birthday window.

Supplies: -Sewing machine
-Paper or fabric for the flowers
-fabric for the string:  A basic light-medium weight woven.  Not stretchy or knit.

How to:
1. Cut out your shapes.  Get the little ones to help with this.  We cut out flowers but you could do anything really.  Circles could be equally interesting and easy for everyone to do.

2. cut/rip strips of fabric.  I cut a small 1"ish snip into the selvege of the fabric and then rip it into strips.  Don't worry here the fabric will rip into a neat strips.  Just rip away! Snip.  Rip away and repeat.




3. fold the two edges of the strip towards the center and then in half (see photo above).  This should look like bias tape.



4. Insert the flowers at intervals.  No measuring here (unless your personality dictates it).  Sew a little and add in a flower.  Make certain you are stitching through the flower and fabric string at the same time.



5. Join a new fabric strip as the first strip runs out by inserting it as with the flowers above.

6. Continue adding new flowers and strips as you go.  When you run out of flowers or fabric you're done! :)

7.  Hang and pin!  Enjoy your garland!

Style File Friday: Wicked

Wicked lucky enough to have tickets to Wicked?  No, me either.  But I can imagine right?  Luckily this week's outfit looks great dressed up for a show, wedding, night out..... or dressed down for a casual evening, girl's night out...  You name it, it looks great!

Enjoy the show if you do have tickets.  I'd love to hear all about it!

The Wicked Outfit:

Tartan Bowfront Dress: $60
Locally Made Necklace: $32

 This outfit is available at the Verona store or at the Madison store by request.

{Know of an event I should feature on Style File Friday?  E-mail me lauren(at)shopthepurplegoose(dot)com}

Sneak Peek: Fall 2010 Photoshoot

This past Monday we had another fantastic photoshoot with Jennifer Hassrick, model Katie and a little helper (Maxwell seen in last picture).  The professional photos showcasing some of this falls greatest styles will be rolling in soon.  We are jumping up and down in anticipation...but for now enjoy this sneak peek:

Back at it again!

More Birthday shirts!  We sewed these lovelies up this afternoon.  What better way to celebrate a new number!

Style File Friday: The Purple Goose Trunk Show

Okay, this is a little heavy on self promotion, I know but I prefer to think of it as sharing the knowledge.  So get excited because Purple Goose trunk shows are a new twist on The Goose on the Go, something we have been doing successfully for just over a year.  First it was home parties and you all loved those so much we've made them even bigger and better!  Now.... a trunk show featuring many of the local artist and designers you see at our shops.  A TON more inventory to choose from and you get to play the buyer!  The catch?  There aren't any but it only happens on the 1st Tuesday and 3rd Saturday of every month at the Madison location.  I'm excited I'm rambling, my apologies.

The overview:
WHO: Local artists, designers and indie clothing that you love
WHAT: The traveling and ever changing Purple Goose bazaar
WHERE: The Purple Goose in Madison
WHEN: 1st Tuesday and 3rd Saturday of every month

The Trunk Show Outfit:



Top: $56
Denim: $64
Necklace: So new it isn't priced yet...

This outfit is available at the Verona store or at the Madison store by request.

{Know of an event I should feature on Style File Friday?  E-mail me lauren(at)shopthepurplegoose(dot)com}

Use What You Have: Marvelous tp rolls!

Yes, they are marvelous and soon we'll show you why.  Hint it has something to do with an upcoming birthday.  Oh, who could be turning 5 years old?  Chew on that question while I wait for glue to dry...

Scrapbook is here!

Yippie a new clothing line!  I'll let the images speak for themselves...but first a few adjectives to think about while viewing; lacey, fall colors, prints, stripes, patterns, fresh florals...