45 Tips to Gear Up for Summer

If you get our weekly newsletter, Trocadero Tidbits, then you know that we're counting down the days to the "unofficial first day of summer" on Memorial Day, which falls on May 25th this year. We've been revealing 5 tips a week, trying to make the slow progress more bearable. If you've missed tips  45-26 look no further. 

Spring Break Fever 

45. Incorporate Bright Colors Start with a light scarf, colorful nails or a bright bag or skirt with your tights and cardigan...before you know it, it will be Arnold Palmer and summer dress season

44. Change up Your Fragrance We think that heavier muskier scents like Bond no. 9's Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue works better in the winter, while lighter floral or citrus fragrances are favored for spring. Time to break out Bond no. 9's Coney Island which has hints of margarita mix and guava. 

43. Get a Pedicure Get your toes ready for exposure with a soak and professional paint job. Our favorite pedicure spot is Nail-Tek on 78th street between Dodge and Cass. The technicians are quick and thorough and offer some of the lowest prices in the city. 

42. Buy Fresh Flowers It's probably too early to start planting your summer garden, so compromise and purchase some fresh flowers next time you're at the grocery store. The smell and colors will improve your home and your mood immediately. 

41. Take Your Lunch Outside Take a 20 minute mini-retreat at lunch. Eat your sandwich or salad outside on your front porch or on the grassy hill outside of work while soaking in the sun. Breathe in some fresh air before it's back inside to cleaning or the computer. 

Out and About

40. Exercise Sparky Take that cooped up pooch on walk or to the park for a brisk jog. SIngle? Better yet! Dog owners are really friendly people, and you already have one thing in common...man's best friend. Just don't forget a plastic bag!

39. Protect your look One of the worst things about spring is that you never know when rain will ruin your hair or shoes, and your umbrella is always in the car or hall closet. Thanks to this website, you can enter your location and the website will text or e-mail you if you'll need your umbrella that day. Tut tut, looks like rain. 

38. 'I' is for Ice Cream Once it gets warm enough to open the door at Trocadero, we can't help but crave ice cream. Nothing says carefree, like a double scoop waffle cone. Our favorite ice cream is from Ted and Wally's, on the corner of 12th and Jackson, which features wacky, homemade flavors daily. Try the lemon ginger; we swear it doesn't taste like body wash. 
37. Channel your Inner Child You don't have to be a kid to paint a picture, make a collage...or see a puppet show. Tony-award winning musical Avenue Q is in town at the Orpheum Theater through Sunday. Just don't bring the little ones to this one...it's for mature audiences only. 
36. Visit the Zoo You've seen the jungle, aquarium and even the desert dome a thousand times, but have you visited the Insect and Butterfly Pavillion at the Henry Doorly Zoo? It opened last May, but hummingbirds were just added last month.

Spring Cleaning 

35. Eat Asparagus This yummy, green vegetable is now in season! Asparagus is a great source of antioxidants and a great detoxifier, but did you know that the stalky vegetable is a diuretic and a good source of folic acid...perfect for those looking to conceive! Intern Christine recommends asparagus with a simple penne, fresh ground black pepper, red pepper flakes and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Our stomachs are already grumbling!
34. Donate Old Clothes It's that time of year when half your closet holds wool sweaters and long pants while the other half is filled with sun dresses and lighter cardigans.Take an hour to go through that mess and set aside anything that you haven't worn in a year...like those gaucho pants. Donate your old duds to the Salvation Army or Goodwill, and if the clothing is business appropriate send it to the YWCA Career Clothing Closet, one ofTrocadero's favorite charities. 
33. Clean Makeup Brushes Cleaning your makeup brushes is often times a forgotten beauty task, but now that winter's over stop dusting dead skin cells over your face. At least once a month, wash your makeup brushes with a gentle shampoo and lay out to dry overnight. If that's too much work, try Clinique's new Quick Blush Brush that's finished with anti-bacterial technology.   
32. Wear Patent Leather Don't ruin your new leather bag in April showers (or ugh, snows). Instead opt for patent leather which is virtually waterproof, and nice and shiny as an added bonus. Don't have any patent leather? Trocadero has two black patent Botkier convertible hobos (favored by Angelina Jolie and Rihanna) and one hunter green patent Anya Hindmarch duffle on sale, plus a nice selection of red patent Rafe bags and patent-trimmed Anya Hindmarch totes and clutches new for spring! Shoes more your thing? Pick from Marc by Marc Jacobs' Miss Marc ballet or Giuseppe Zanotti's lust-worthy rocker heels in blush and black patent.
31. Prevent Allergies 
Finally a no needle, drug free way to combat allergies. Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT) is a digital, non-invasive treatment with roots in acupuncture. Learn more about ATT from Dr. Thomas Triba at Triba Chiropractic Clinic (2720 S. 114th Street), one of only 58 centers in the country to offer this technique.

So Fresh and So Clean 

30. Come Fly With Me While flights are still relatively cheap, take advantage and book your summer destinations now...before gas prices become unfriendly. Travelocity is our favorite travel planning site but also check out the special $49 one-way flights on Southwest.
29. Strike a Pose We know you say you're not flexible but we'd like to try to bend you the other way...by getting onto the yoga bandwagon. It will not only limber you up but will also strengthen your back and alleviate a natural-stress area. Try the Omaha Yoga School's Hyp-Yoga class or if you're a little more experienced sweat it out with a Bikram class at One Tree Yoga. Namaste.
28. Lose pounds with a new 'Do
There's nothing like feeling ten pounds lighter when you chop your locks. Especially if you've got 8 inches or more to cut off like Alice did a couple years ago. She donated her locks to Pantene's "Beautiful Lengths" program that provides wigs for cancer survivors. If your hair (or you) are not ready for a chop, why not experiment with some color with a Today Show regular Louis Licari-trained local colorist, Christi Clark over at Hair Tech in Rockbrook Village. We love Christi for her perfect L.A.-blonde highlights but at Omaha prices.

27. Lick your Lips Easter is right around the corner and it's hard to resist eating all sorts of candy such as intern Sabrina's favorite Cadbury mini eggs and Christine's fave Peeps. Click here to see what our other staff favorites are and let us know what candy you want in your Easter basket. But if you're like some of us and either gave up sugar for Lent or are on a spring diet, we've found the Easter Bunny cure for you: Peeps lip balm. 

26. Recycle the Unthinkable Intern Drew can't help but recycle glass, even if Omaha makes it rather inconvenient and Sarah regularly recycles her Diet Coke cans at work. You might recycle your milk cartons, cardboard boxes, and don't even think about ever taking a plastic bag...but what about your makeup containers? Thankfully, Origins cosmetics is now accepting empty cosmetic containers, tubes and jars at their makeup counters, regardless of brand, for recycling and energy recovery. Which brings us to our next point: what is your eco-ritual? Check out our blog to see more of our eco-tips as we celebrate Earth Day this month and let us know what you do to keep our environment green and ecologically safe. We'll post some of our favorite customer tips in an upcoming Trocadero Tidbits.

Stop and Smell the Flowers

25. Experiment with an Elixir The fermented Chinese tonic, kombucha, promises to rejuvenate, restore, revitalize, replenish and regenerate, so expect high energy and clear thinking. But beware...kombucha is not for the faint of heart. If raw strands of culture in your tea freaks you out, then this is not the drink for you. But it might change your life...and is now available at Cubby's in the Old Market in addition to Whole Foods out west.  

24. Support a Fashion Indie Help bring a fashion legend to town...on the big screen. Valentino: The Last Emperor is a behind-the-scenes look at the world of fashion from the legendary designer himself. The movie is now playing in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco but expands its release starting April 17th. The film that Time calls "flawless" and The New York Post calls "pure movie magic" isn't on its way to Omaha yet...but it could be. Click here to see where it's playing now and in wider release as well as to find out how to get it to your town. Sounds like a perfect movie to screen at Omaha's Dundee Theater or Film Streams...

23. Ban Rays Invest in a pair of dark, high quality shades. They'll last you years, we swear.  We are grooving on these styles from Marc Jacobs (left) Selima Optique (center) and Marni (right) and like the selection at local sunglass shop Robert Max in Countryside Village. But we like to mix it up sometimes and suggest amping up your sunglass wardrobe with a pair of Blublockers, a fun pair of tinted aviators, or a crazy pair of unique vintage frames.  

22. Rice, Rice Baby  With Earth Day a week away, why not support the environment with a quirky, new take on recycled goods? BC Footwear's "I used to be a rice bag" flip flops and iPhone/Blackberry holder are made of recycled rice bags and available now in limited quantities at Trocadero. These cheeky but comfy sandals ($35) and durable phone covers ($18) make great gifts for both your carnivore and vegan friends! Check out our blog post on them here. Speaking of rice, we're always on the lookout for great Asian eats in Omaha.  We have recently been tipped off from Amanda at Jackson Street Booksellers (the best used book store in America according to Omaha native, best selling author and NPR host Kurt Andersen) that India Garden at 125th and Center has an amazing lunch buffet. Alice went for dinner and said that both the Chicken Makhani and the Aloo Gobi were 'so flavorful and spicy.' And don't miss Mother India on 35th and Leavenworth for takeout Vindaloo. Hmmm do those rice bag shoes come with a free meal?

21. Embrace the Greek Life With Greek Orthdox Easter on Sunday, our minds can't help but wander to the blue skies and waters of Santorini. Thank God for the just newly arrived Miroslav Sasek illustrated book: This is Greeceto sweep us away...visually. Or feel like a goddess and slip on a pair of Matt Bernson's "Talaria" gladiators. "Talaria" actually means winged sandal, and is the footwear of choice for Hermes, the Greek messenger god. See how we style the shoe by checking out our post at Troc Talk.

Back to Basics

20. Hit the Pavement Spring is the perfect time to start thinking about getting healthy, and the Omaha Health, Wellness and Fitness Expocomes just in time for seasonal detox. This year's event, slated for April 24-25th at the Civic Auditorium, will feature more than 250 exhibitors showing their wares! Click here for more information on the walk and bike ride to benefit the American Lung Association and officially kick off the season to exercise outdoors. Best part: admission is free! 

19. Make the Old New Again If you've purchased Frugalista, Rescue Beauty Lounge's sparkly nail polish from Trocadero, and still haven't embraced the lifestyle...then it's time to try the Recessionista Project. Lindsey Baker, the City Weekly's style editor and the sister of our own Sarah Baker, started the movement on her blog: Only Style Remains the Same. The only requirement is that "new" items must be vintage or thrifted, and the rest of your look must come from shopping your own closet.Check out our blog, Troc Talk, for outfit photos and to find out how to submit your own Recessionista looks. But if you must shop for new wares, check out Loomstate, Target's newest GO International line featuring 100% certified organic cotton.

18. Wrap it Up Our love of scarves is no secret and we're thrilled that our newest shipment from TDM Designs are perfect for Earth Day festivities.Not only are they tie-dyed (so granola-chic!) but they are made of 100 percent bamboo and create sustainable income for Nepalese women to combat poverty and to support themselves and others. Our other Trocaderoeco-picks are Alex and Ani expandable bracelets made from recycled metals and Red Flower's line of organic products including candles, body care and perfumes. (Alex and Ani photo courtesy of Alex and Ani) 

17. Let Loose This weekend's earth day festivities at Elmwood Park should be on your to-do list for Saturday. Events and booths will run from noon-6 p.m. and nosh on food from yummy restaurants like McFosters and the Pizza Shoppe starting at noon. Even if you don't want to do Tai Chi or recycle your used electronics, stop by and listen to some live music and chill out in the beer garden.       

16. Buy Paper, Not Plastic The Benson stationery store and art gallery,Pulp, has picked up its roots and re-planted them in the Old Market passageway. The new location is celebrating with Sprout, a show featuring a crop of emerging artists that continues through May 11th. 

High Rollers and Good Eats

15. Win the Clean Plate Award Finally a reason to get out of bed on Saturday morning: the Omaha Farmer's Market! Get your hands on the freshest produce and local goods on Saturdays in the Old Market from 8 am. to 12:30 p.m. or at Village Pointe from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Both markets run through October 3rd.    

14. Smell Sweet and Sour Our newest Bond no. 9 fragrances for spring and summer are Little Italy with top notes of grapefruit and mandarin and Astor Place with top notes of violet, freesia and poppy. If you prefer something more woodsy, be sure to check out Brooklyn...it has hints of juniper (read: gin & tonic) and leather. Lately we've been experimenting to find out which Bond fragrances complement each other. Visit our blog to check out our favorite combinations. 

13. Eat Your Art Out The Bemis Center's latest exhibit, which opens this Friday, gives viewers a legitimate chance to play with food. Paul Renner's exhibit, The Omaha Diner, is a presentation where food is the sculpture, and environment and experience are the backdrop. For more information or to make reservations for one of the two artist-orchestrated meals, in collaboration with the Boiler Room's executive chef Paul Kulik, click here. 

12. Be a Fruit Does your moisturizer have sunscreen? If not, we've got you covered with Korres pomegranate balancing moisturizer with spf 6 or Korres watermelon face cream with spf 30.Not into food on your face? Try Malin + Goetz's sunscreen with spf 30. 

11. I Scream You Scream I don't know about you, but we never turn down free ice cream. If you're a Berkshire shareholder make sure to stop by the Dairy Queen on 114th and Dodge Friday, May 1st for a free ice cream cone. Cold-inducing headaches will be served from 8:30-10 p.m.

Do What Your Mama Taught Ya

10. Savor the Day  If the thought of breakfast (and crumbs) in bed gives you a headache,take the time to indulge in a lazy Sunday brunch with mom. Think beyond the typical country club buffet and try The French Cafe for elegant French-inspired dining or Granite City for a classy twist on the buffet, featuring several exclusive Mother's Day entrees. Make sure to make reservations wherever you go.     
9. Scrub Between Your Toes As a kid, your mother always insisted on cleaning those inconspicuous places like your bellybutton and behind your ears. Reward her nit-pickings and treat her to an Ashiatsu massage, a technique that uses the practitioner's feet, from Lisa Christensen at the Omaha Healing Arts Center. 
8. Pick and Choose Didn't find the right bauble at Borsheim's during BRK weekend? Check out this online jewelry concierge service that does all the work for you. If you need to see your jewelry in person, stop by Trocadero to see our selections from Candace Ang, Pade by Pade Vavra (earrings shown), Alex and Ani, Ileana Makri (necklace shown), Alexis Bittar, Kara by Kara Ross (bracelet shown), Patch NYC, Lee Angel, Ginette NY and Helen Ficalora.

7. Hit the Drive Thru Flowers are an obvious Mother's Day staple and thankfully down in the Old Market we have some wonderful choices such as Garden Flowers and Habitat. Or pick up a fresh bouquet from the Farmer's Market on Saturday, head over to Trocadero and pick out a Normann Copenhagen grass bud vase, an Anne Black ceramic one or a modern glass vase from Roost and there's a perfect two-in-one gift for her to enjoy both now and later. Out west? Try Stemsin Countryside Village or Bloom's over at Rockbrook...but if you're in a rush, hit up Piccolo's drive-thru floral shop, just south of Dodge on 72nd, for a single rose or a mixed bouquet.
6. Rectify those Wicked Years  Were you a teenage witch? Make up for the wrinkles you caused by taking your mother to see the Grammy and Tony award-winning Broadway show, Wicked, at the Orpheum through May 31st, about the friendship that formed between the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda, the Good Witch...long before Dorothy stumbled down the yellow brick road.

Stay tuned...