Five New Finds: A Necklace, 3D Glasses, Spring Dresses And More

Today, to celebrate downtown Madison's Inside Sidewalk Sale, we're kicking off a new feature that talks about new or innovative products or services being offered by Madison merchants. If you hear of any let us know!

Compass Rose Sterling Silver Necklace

Feeling a little lost? The carries a new twist on an old nautical motif with a sterling silver necklace in the shape of a compass. The Compass Rose necklace is based on the compass rose, an icon for sailors for thousands of years. The figure has appeared on charts and maps since the 1300s, and was a way for travelers to find their destination; the necklace represents finding your own destination. Find your own at the Silver Moon for between $70 and $120, depending upon the size.

Designer 3D Glasses

Oakley just released the world’s first optically correct 3D glasses, OAKLEY 3D GASCAN®, which means not only can you get true and sharp images in any movie theater with RealD®, the 3D system used in the lion’s share of cinemas around the world, but you will look fabulously fashionable. 

The New Oakley 3D Gascan® offers superior 3D performance, comfort and clarity. The specs were designed with a proprietary Three-Point Fit which retains the lenses in precise optical alignment. Oakley 3D Gascan's are available in Polished Black and Polished White, and can be found at for $120.

Recycling Your CFLs, Cell Phones & Batteries

How and where to recycle your CFL bulbs, cell phones and batteries (including the rechargeable ones) can be puzzling.  Now, you can simply drop them in the recycling box at .  Owner Charlie Hale says many customers have no idea this new service is available but, once they find out, they say they’ll be back.

The program is actually set up by True Value Hardware stores. Tuxis chose to participate and the recycling service certainly is working well!

Spring Dresses Are In

There are two particularly fun and funky dresses at . One is a wild print dress that “looks like a 50s housecoat,” explains frugal fashionista Carlene Weis. “It’s polyester, it’s big, it’s floral and pink and orange. It’s almost a flashback to the 60s.” The other newbie Weis describes as "a dress for Leave It To Beaver’s mother." She adds, “It’s khaki colored with white and a skinny little white belt right at the actual natural waist so it’s not empire and it’s not long-waisted.”

While both are from designer Maggy London’s London Times line, the two dresses are completely different. The only commonality is brand new for spring! Maggy London, by the way, is an old-fashioned dress maker who does “a lot of really funky things now,” including dresses for the movie Sex and the City.

The “Leave it To Beaver’s Mom” dress is $79, and the black/orange/yellow and pink is $89.

Alcohol Infused Whipped Cream

The hit at holiday parties and as seen on the national news, alcohol spiked (or "infused") whipped cream with names like Whipped Lightning, Whipahol and CREAM hit the shelves in several states.  

CREAM, found at the , comes in six delicious flavors - raspberry, cherry, orange, caramel, chocolate and vanilla. The cans contain 15 percent alcohol by volume (30 proof), so make sure the kids don't top their sundaes with the adult-stuff. Instead, finish YOUR favorite drinks, drinkserts, or imbibe straight from the can.  

Pairs nicely with desserts, hot chocolate, frozen drinks, coffee, and even martinis!

The package purveyors had a few chocolates in stock but said cases of CREAM do sell out fast.  Available for $10.99. 

Inside Sidewalk Sale Friday and Saturday

Hope to see you at the “Inside Sidewalk Sale” today, Friday Jan 21st, and Saturday Jan. 22nd, in Madison’s downtown retail district! Eileen Banisch, the head of the Chamber of Commerce, says stores will be featuring bargains of up to 75 percent off.  Participating stores include Anna Mia’s, Asiye’s Boutique, bellaPerlina, Ciao Bella Moda International, The Country Shop, Elite, Jolie Boutique, Khaki and Black, Macwear, Maggie’s of Madison, The Nosey Goose, Opticare Eye Health Center, Peter Indorf Jewelers, and Walker Loden.