Traveling Circus

Real Quick: Designer's Circus rolled into town on Saturday, bringing with it a warehouse full of women's clothing, hats, handbags, scarves and jewelry. The traveling "clothing experience" is at 58 Fore Street through Saturday for its February Blues sale, offering wholesale prices from selected designers. The merchandise ranges in price from $15 to $200 or more, and sizes range from 2 to 22. While the merch skews a bit older in age (silk embroidered jackets, knit sweaters and floaty dresses and tops) there is some young, contemporary items to be had as well (bold printed tunics, flirty dresses and even some selected denim). Designers include Niche, Dick & Jayne, San Francisco City Lights activewear and MMC. Handbags by DAS are handcrafted bright silks, and there are some sporty totes by Bloom Bags, all for under $30, a fraction of the retail price. Jewelry includes glass bead earrings, carved cinnabar and coral necklaces and other bold stone pieces. Hats (starting at $49) and scarves ($12) are also available.

Open noon to 7 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, the sale is worth a stop -- and you can spend your lunch hour without breaking the bank.

Get glowing

Winter in Maine is tough. Even if you've embraced the snow, at some point you succumb to its doldrums. For me, that was yesterday morning. Friday was beautiful and I actually got to the beach for a bit -- in my parka and Wellies, but nonetheless my feet were in the ocean. And that helped. But now it's grey and cold with a super wind-chill, and to compound it all I woke up realizing I'm the same color as my bathroom. Ivory. Which, in this era of a premature-aging pandemonium, I should embrace, but there's a fine line between healthy, happy fair skin and mid-winter pasty. I'm flirting with that line -- and I think I'm losing. Thankfully, there's a remedy -- and, while I'm not one to tip my hand on beauty secrets, this is just too easy and accessible not to share:

Smashbox Cosmetics's O-Glow. Yes, that O. If you're feeling puritan, pretend it stands for Outside. Either way, its effect is one of blushing your cheeks to just the right degree. It's secret? A "micro-ciculating cheek color with Goji-berry complex," which is actually a clear gel that turns pink when it hits your skin -- adjusting its rosy-ness to your natural flush. I've been using O-Glow since the fall, and as I'm generally of the natural-beauty school of makeup, this fits right in: it doesn't clog pores and really just improves what's already there. Add a little bronzer if you're so inclined and voilå. For more full-fledged makeup routines, you can use O-Glow either under or over foundation, it just blends right in. And, while I previously used it on my lips too, Smashbox recently came out with O-Glow Gloss - the same color power with a little more shine and moisture for the lips. Both can be purchased at Making Faces (425 Fore St., Portland; 879-4242), the cheek color is $26 and the lip gloss $22.

And while you're in Making Faces they've got some other products that will help you think Spring, even if it's not quite yet on the horizon. My favorite: Sugar Lychee Eau de Parfum (and lotion) blends citrus notes with lychee, sandalwood and amber for a crisp, fresh scent. Also check out: The Green Room Collection, again by Smashbox. All packaging is biodegradable, and the cosmetics are enviro-friendly too, so you can save the earth one compact at a time. The eye shadow quad in Bamboo is my pick -- with two bronze, a bone and a metallic olive, the shadows are earthy, but have enough shimmer so they don't look heavy.

And, with just one more month until the official start of Spring, this should help get you through. If not, bundle up and hit the beach!

Presidential Detour

So, Retail Therapy was on hiatus this weekend (Per my resolutions, I’m embracing winter and trading some shopping time for sport), but here’s some fun news you can use. And in the absence of a proper society page, I’d thought I’d temporarily fill in. I hope you’ll allow what is perhaps a one-time deviation – and a nearly presidential one at that.

The PPH reports on Chelsea’s stops/stumps at local colleges, and mentions her stop at Local 188 – the purpose of which was to connect with some Portland young professionals (PYPs, if you will). But, ever the detail girl, I need more. And, readers, you know you do too. I see you grabbing People in the checkout line. So, grab a latte, here’s your Monday morning celeb(ish) fix:

An impromptu trip all-around for Chelsea, (according to staffers, the evening before in Omaha they were trying to decide between Milwaukee, Maine and Louisiana. How we trumped Mardi Gras I’m still not sure, but…) she arrived to a group of local PR folk, state legislative staffers, activists and other ladies and gents about town – some ardent supporters of her mother, and some undecided – all of whom she chatted (and sipped cocktails, see below) with about her mom, her role in her campaign and general election talk. Some thought she looked a bit overwhelmed – and admittedly, the restaurant was crowded, but she powered through with that apple-doesn’t-fall-far Clintonian iron smile, posing for photos and mingling throughout the bar. (See below, friends H. and K. with Chelsea)

So what does she have to say about her life on the CT (that’s campaign trail)? “I have a theoretical job, a theoretical apartment and a theoretical boyfriend.” C., showing a sense of humor, I like it. The PYPs in attendance found her down to earth, and while I’m not sure she swayed any undecideds (tough crowd, this one), her visit was appreciated.

Patrons of the restaurant had a more mixed reaction to her arrival. A table of women erupted in applause and espoused love for the whole Clinton family (and then, perhaps unbeknownst to C., left with their Obama ’08 buttons still very much in tact and prominently displayed on their coats). Others were a bit more bizarre – one mentioned to her that “she looks so much better in person,” – ouch. Pay the passive-aggressive haters no mind, Chelsea, you looked good.

In a gray blazer and dark, cigarette jeans, C. easily slipped into the crowd at 188. Granted, when you’re on the road you don’t have much in the way of wardrobe change, so we’d had a preview of what she might be in the day before in Omaha, but I can at least appreciate the versatility of her outfit – if you’ve only got one to go with, this is a good choice. Chic, yet accessible, and while she wasn’t there to talk about Donatella’s influence, I for one noticed and approved.

In addition to her formal appearances Sat., Chelsea' made another meticulously-planned, but still spontaneous (possible?) stop at one of our waterfronts more celebrated chowder houses. Fill me in readers, any sightings of her, or for those further north, the real politicos?

Nouveau Rogues

Tucked into the cobblestones of the Old Port, Rogues Gallery opened its flagship store today at No. 41 Wharf Street, providing a home for Alex Carleton’s clothing brand that incorporates antique, outdoors and nautical images into his menswear and tees.

And while the store is packed with this signature menswear, also debuting is a line for the ladies. The store will exclusively stock this jersey-based line that includes britches, shirts and dresses. And while it’s been delayed due to shipping, it all should be in store early next week.

But, if you’re like me and can’t possibly wait, there’s plenty of fun to be had – gray jeans from Cheap Monday, printed scarves (starting at $50), totes (starting at $25), hats (starting at $25), and of course, the signature tees (starting at $58). The second customer of the day, I snagged a bright blue reworked vintage tee with an eagle and “Vigilant” crest, and plan to spend the weekend lounging in its worn-in comfort.

Now, for those of you who depend solely the yearly RG Sample Sale, don’t be deterred by the full-price merch – one look at the designs and the prices are easily – too easily – justifiable. But, for the unwaveringly budget-conscious there’s a bargain bin in the back that will be stocked weekly with various marked-down prototypes, samples and returns. So, really, something for everyone, no matter your price point.

In addition to the Rogues Gallery label, the store also features small housewares from John Derian (think wall plates and paperweights), as well as blankets from Swans Island, a Northport-based company that weaves cozy wool blankets (starting at $375). Going forward you'll also be able to find exclusive labels such as S.N.S. sweaters.

Also look for the store to host various events, art openings and workshops – anything that fosters the "eclectic creativity" that Rogues prides itself on, and, no doubt, what will make them such a great neighbor. So, RG, from the bottom of my vintage-loving heart, welcome home.

(Check out the rows and rows of tees below, plus oil cloth totes with rope handles, some even in patent leather:)