The Hit List - Holiday shopping + playing in Milwaukee

It’s that time of year again – the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. What to do, where to go, what to get?

If you’re in my hood, the mighty fine city of Milwaukee, I’ve got suggestions for you! Here are some things to do and stuff to buy:

For the chocolate lover in your life: Indulgence. This is seriously the best damn chocolate, EVER.

For the movie lover in your life: a gift certificate to iPic Theaters. I used to hate going to the movies because the seats always hurt my back. But iPic has big, comfy recliners in the VIP section. Plus booze. And a waiter. Come on now – what’s not to love?

For the foodie in your life: cooking classes at Sur la Table or dinner at Wolf Peach. I’ve been taking classes at Sur La Table for a while now and they are FUN. Hey, it’s how I made that Yule Log pictured below. Cooking classes make a great gift! If your foodie friend prefers to have dinner cooked for ’em, then a gift certificate to my favorite haunt, Wolf Peach, will set them up nicely.

For cool one-of-a-kind gifts: The Wax Wing is the place to go. You’ll find a big assortment of local crafts and handmade swag. The soy candles are so boss!

For the stressed out person in your life: a gift certificate for Neroli Spa will be mucho appreciated. (I highly recommend getting a massage from Jay at the Bayshore location – he’s my guy!)

For the crystal lover in your life: look no further than Free Spirit Crystals. This is the best place for all things crystals. Owner Diane Bloom has a mind like an encyclopedia for crystal healing! I think crystals make great gifts!

For the yoga lover in your life: with three locations and a roster full of top notch teachers, Yoga One is the hottest yoga joint in town. Buy a few classes for that yogi on your list. (Or get in there yourself! Meg and Kimberly are my faves.)

For the tarot lover in your life Tarot Coloring Book or a gift certificate for a tarot reading with yours truly!

Cooking the holiday meal? Get great deals at Metro Market in Shorewood. I’m a wee bit obsessed with Metro Market. It’s huge, the selection is abundant, the butchers are outstanding, and the organic section is cheaper than the other competing stores. Oh and the wine section: great deals and a nice selection. You can’t beat these guys!

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra has some wonderful holiday shows happening all month long. Defo worth checking out! (Proud mama moment: my son sometimes plays with them!)

Check out the holiday schedule for The Domes (aka Mitchell Park Conservatory). They have some fun Christmas shows you might enjoy.

If you’re a Christmas fanatic, be sure to indulge in the various happenings for the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival. We’re not called the city of festivals for nothing!

Break out your speedos on January 1st for the annual Polar Bear Plunge. Not brave enough for it? Bring some hot cocoa and watch others dip in while you kick back and chuckle.

You can’t go wrong with Breakfast with Santa at Maggiano’s (December 10 – 18th).

For the alcoHO-HO-HO-l fan in your life, check out 12 Bars of Christmas. This drinking fest is happening on the 17th!

Christmas Around Milwaukee Bakery Bus Tour? Yes please. Scroll down to find out more – and check out some other snazzy foodie tours of Milwaukee!

And if you are somehow getting out of the neighborhood and into the Hubertus area, be sure to stop by The Nutman for your holiday treats ‘n some cool gifts.

I made this Yule Log in a Sur La Table class! It was uh-may-zing…..OMG. I need another one!

Other stuff:

For Beatles fans: 10 things you didn’t know George Harrison did.

Just in time for the holidays: the pot lover’s gift guide.

Liz Worth wrote an excellent post on intuitive tarot over at The Numinous.

Here’s some badass women you need to know.

Love this: the story behind “Fairytale of New York”, my fave Christmas song, ever.

This sucks: giraffes are now on the endangered list.

Ever get that “Farmers Only” jingle stuck in your head? I do from time to time. URGH. Anyhow, read the story behind the guy who started Farmer’s Only.

This 98 year old yogi is about as hardcore – and cool – as it gets!

After being a victim herself, this attorney is fighting revenge porn.

I love these pics of Old Hollywood stars’ home photos.

For those who like planning with a metaphysical bent – check out Benebell Wen’s crazy-cool Metaphysician’s Day Planner.

Oooh a Feminist Tarot Deck! This is dope AF.

Bout time: how these queer artists are reinventing tarot cards. Beth Maiden is interviewed here! Woo hoo!

Interesting: What might the future hold for storefront tarot card readers and fortune tellers?

Meh. NY is all cleaned up and I miss the sleaze and danger. I still have an original Vault t-shirt!

The editors of GOOP are coming out with a new beauty book: Goop Clean Beauty.

An amazing book from Katie Hess: Flowerevolution – Blooming Into Your Full Potential with the Magic of Flowers.

Astrology and health? Why Not? Check out Your Body and The Stars: The Zodiac Wellness Guide.