With the Holidays fast approaching – we decided to get a head start on sharing our holiday spirit!

With all the joy Sophie brings to us at Flaire- we decided to share our joy with those animals still waiting for a home.
Shop instore at Flaire between November 30th and December 13th and 10% of our sales will be donated to the Wisconsin Humane Society.
Pet Goodies Bags will be given out with purchase.
So Shop for Him, Shop for Her and Benefit our Friends with Fur!

Compliments of Real Simple Magazine

Year after year, the Holidays always appear to get here quicker and quicker. This year, especially for me. Thanksgiving is already here, which means Christmas is right around the corner and I couldn’t be more behind. Not only in my Christmas shopping, but decorating, planning and don’t even get me started on what I am going to wear!

What makes me happy about this Holiday season is that I have so much to choose from in terms of solving my last dilemma. I could not be more excited about all the sequins and studs, the metallics, the ruffles – all of it makes me smile. Holiday dressing is always such fun, and today, no matter what event you have or party you are attending you have an obscene amount of choices to make you look Holiday Haute.

Being Holiday Haute at the party can only be ruined by one thing and that is a clothing catastrophe – a spilled glass of wine, a dropped plate, any of these accidents can splatter your Holiday Hauteness with Holiday horror. I am the type of person that can not get over having a stain on an item of clothing I am wearing. I just can’t stand it. I travel everywhere, and I mean everywhere with a Tide-to-go pen. I can’t leave home without it, especially if I am wearing light colored clothing. I still haven’t figured out why it bothers me to the point of appearing obsessive, but it does. Anyways, with that being said, I think this is the reason for my appreciation of this month’s Real Simple Magazine. Their December issue features an article on how to care for these delicate, extra-special pieces.

With the Holidays fast-approaching and since I was in “What am I going to wear?” mode, I thought perhaps I am not the only one with a stain-phobia.

My Holiday wardrobe is always full of delicate pieces – mostly anything that sparkles and if you are one of those individuals, much like myself, that loves anything that sparkles, you can probably relate to the distress I feel when I get something on my beloved garment. This season embellishments can be found on anything from dresses to tops and tees and even your shoes so check out Real Simple’s website and their Caring for Clothes tips on Embellishments, Ruffles, Poufs and Pleats.

Click on their logo below to visit Real Simple’s website:

And for those of you like me, the obsessed about stains individual, Tide-to-go has saved many of my favorite pieces, dab it with water, use your pen, more water and a quick dry (bathroom hand dryers are for more than saving the environment) and usually you are good to go. Just remember if it’s a piece you really love – find a really good dry cleaner, you will end up loving them too!

After you stuff your tummies with Turkey make sure to get some cardio shopping in Friday.     
Stop by the store for our Hour-by Hour Sale.

Shop Early and Save.
9am – 10am – 50% Off
10am – 11am – 40% Off
11am – 12pm – 30% Off
12pm – 7pm – 25%Off*

(*Some Exclusions Apply. Discount Applied to Original Price.)

“Retail is a lonely career.” That’s what everyone seemed to be telling me when I was working to get Flaire open.             “It’s just you and your store.”
How could that be? I mean really – you are dealing with customers and vendors and anyone soliciting anything – how could you really be lonely?? I could not figure out exactly what they were speaking of – until we actually opened. If you really think about it – how often do you shop – and after that question, how often at the same store? And today with all of the online options, actually going to a store – that takes effort. So I began to understand these statements a little better in that they don’t mean you are physically alone, but that the people that come through the door everyday are not going to be the same.
Retail for me is about the relationships you form with your customers. It’s about finding common ground in a piece you both love or a trend you are both interested in trying. I have made many connections with people over a great fitting pair of jeans, a delicately constructed gemstone necklace, a great pair of nude pumps, or a gorgeous leather handbag. The best part is understanding your customers and what you have in common. Especially in boutique shopping, you don’t get that in the department stores – locally-owned boutique owners  want to get to know you as shoppers. They want to hear your stories about what you’re looking for, why you need it and how you are going to wear it. That’s the exciting part of our jobs. It keeps my retail life from being “lonely.” Now this post is not to validate these “lonely career” claims, but rather to point out that there are ways around the so-called “lonely” day-after-day operations in retail.

Making connections with your customers is one of the ways, but another one – that also pleased my customers, was when Sophie, my shop dog, entered the scene. A wonderful golden birthday present, Sophie has made a great addition to Flaire. She is always at the door to greet you, is really excited you are here and LOVES attention. My vision for Flaire was never to be an overly-professional, this-goes-here, that-goes-there kind of store. Clothing is fun – the stores should be too. Sophie helps add an element of fun to Flaire and as far as the lonely part goes – I don’t know how you could be when you have a shop dog – someone is there for you.

Being the trendsetter that she is, sometimes she even dresses up for work – usually only for special occassions though.

                                    The Verdict is in.
   Congratulations Jill Gueller – You are the jury’s pick!

Due to a Case Dismissal – Our FINALISTS are:

Nong Chang – Innocent

Tameka Johnson – Innocent

Megan Jones – Innocent

Congratulations Ladies!

 
Jill Gueller – Case Withdrawn
Due to a work commitment Jill will not be continuing in the competition. We are sad to see her go – but thank her for participating in Milwaukee’s First Style Trial. Best of Luck, Jill! 

Our 3 finalists have been determined.

Join us at the InterContinental Hotel on Saturday, October 17th for the Style Trial Finale.

Doors open at 7pm. Show starts at 9:30pm.

The Looks for Week Three are ready for your vote. This week’s theme was Hampton Holiday. Check out each contestants’ looks below. Vote for your favorite!
Voting Poll opens at 4:00PM Thursday, Oct. 8th and closes Saturday Oct. 10th at 4:00PM.

Photographer: Dan Zaitz Photography

  Hair and Makeup: The Institute of Beauty and Wellness

  Photo Shoot Location: Inside & Outside of Rubin’s Furniture

Nong Chang
The Belgan Family – Jillian, her son, Niall and her sister, Reva.

Jillian:
Olive Organic – www.oliveorganic.org
Linda Loudermilk Lace Top

Flaire – www.shopflaire.com
HeartLoom Cotton Pencil Skirt
Lauren Merkin Lotte Clutch
Kendra Scott Otylia Ring

Fred Boutique – www.fredboutique.com
Silver Rhinestone Bracelets
Silver Cuff

Miss Groove – www.missgroove.com
Amethyst Ring 

 Nilles:
Sprout – www.sproutmilwaukee.com 
Bamboo Baby Jeans
Bamboo Baby White Oxford

Reva:
Olive Organic – www.oliveorganic.org
Linda Loudermilk Lace Top

SHOP – www.shop53211.com 
Mink Pink Pleated Shorts
Silver Bangles
Gold Bangles 

Freckle Face – www.freckleface.com
Skip Shop Baby Bag

Flaire – www.shopflaire.com
Lauren Merkin Ava Clutch

Miss Groove – www.missgroove.com
Gemstone Ring

Fred Boutique – www.fredboutique.com
Jewel Headband 

Jill Gueller
The Xiong Family – Sandy, her son, Cameron and her sister, Serena

Sandy:
Fred Boutique – www.fredboutique.com 
Leggings
Belt

 SHOP – www.shop53211.com
Cozy Sweater

Miss Groove – www.missgroove.com
Print Dress

Luci Boutique – www.luciboutique.com
White Long Sleeve Top
Earrings

Luscious – www.shopluscious.com
Bracelets

Cameron:
Sprout – www.sproutmilwaukee.com
Striped Cardigan
Jeans

Freckle Face – www.freckleface.com
Shoes

Serena:
Sprout – www.sproutmilwaukee.com
Plaid Swing Dress
Leggings

Freckle Face – www.freckleface.com
Cardigan Sweater
Shoes

Tameka Johnson
The Weber Family – Kevin, Michelle and their son, Austin

Kevin:
Flaire – www.shopflaire.com
Modern Amusement Captain’s Shirt
Modern Amusement Fishing Line Sweater

Harley’s – www.harleys4men.com
XMI Platinum Tie 
Jhane Barnes Pant

Michelle:
Luci Boutique – www.luciboutique.com
Daisy Halter Dress

Fred Boutique – www.fredboutique.com
Metallic Clutch

Austin:
Sprout – www.sproutmilwaukee.com
Knuckleheads Plaid Jacket
Bamboo Baby Pant

Freckle Face – www.freckleface.com
Tea Boy’s Tee

Megan Jones
The Peters Family – Mike, Nadia and their children, Madison and Cohen

Mike:
Harleys – www.harleys4men.com
Ermenegildo Zegna Button Shirt
Ballin Classic Pant

Moda 3 – www.moda3.com
New Era Cap
The Mayor Watch

Urban Laundry – www.urban-laundry.com
Collection Eighteen Scarf

Nadia:
Urban Laundry – www.urban-laundry.com
Young Essence Jacket

Luci Boutique – www.luciboutique.com
Audrey Top

Miss Groove – www.missgroove.com
Foot Traffic Leggings
Leather Gloves

Shoo – www.shoostore.com
United Nude Shoes

Madison:
Sprout – www.sproutmilwaukee.com
Young Colors Leggings
Bamboo Baby Jacket

Cohen:
Sprout – www.sproutmilwaukee.com
Knuckleheads Hat
Knuckleheads Sweater
Knuckleheads Pant

You’ve seen their work-now vote for your favorite!

What's your verdict?

• Nong Chang
• Jill Gueller
• Tameka Johnson
• Megan Jones

Total Voters: 277

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Due to a withdrawal, we will NOT have a trial this Saturday, Oct. 10th. We will reconvene for our finale during Milwaukee Style Weekend.

Join us at the InterContinental Hotel (139 E. Kilbourn Ave.) on October 17th at 7pm. Our final trial will begin at 9:30pm. Only one can be innocent in the end!

We would like to thank MOCT for hosting our Style Trials for the past few weeks!

After all of your votes were tallied – Jill Gueller’s look was worthy of an “I Die.”
                                 Congratulations Jill!

The Judges decisions for Round Two:

Nong Chang – Innocent

Jill Gueller – Innocent

Tameka Johnson – Innocent

Megan Jones – Innocent

Dawn Zellner – Guilty

One more is out and Four remain as we begin Round Three of Milwaukee’s Style Trial.

Join us at Moct on Saturday Oct 10th at 5:30pm for the Third and Final Style Trial before the Milwaukee Style Weekend Finale – October 17th!