Plush Palate Fashion, Interior Design, Style April, 19 2009 Stylish Storage I've been looking for an old wire basket for awhile now and ever since seeing this one filled with green apples. I love how it's off centered and looks like it's been beaten up by years and years in the garden. It's been harder than I thought to find something similar. But thanks to a few great design blogs, it looks like my search is coming close to an end! Katy Elliott, posted these last week from Shoestring Home.

Lovely Life of Lauren April 17, 2009 View Blog Lovely Life of Lauren blogged, "I thought I would share a few items from a recent website that I found for housewares -- Shoestring Home. They have really cute, not your run-of-the-mill kind of items, and I'm just a big fan of the two items above. There is something that I really like in the basic architecture and lines of the pieces above. Perfect for a new home!"

The Cultivated Home April 17, 2009 View Blog The Cultivated Home called out Shoestring Home as a destination store for home accessories.

Katy Elliott April 13, 2009 View Blog I'm loving this new online shop, Shoestring Home. Simple accessories like the wire baskets and simple lanterns can be a struggle to find online. Even better? All my picks are well under $100. I love the wire wastebasket for a bathroom. Reminds of one I coveted from an old domino shoot. I love the idea of clustering the seashell mirrors in a hallway or a small bathroom. Check out more: shoestringhome.com.

Design*Sponge March 11th, 2009 View Blog Design*Sponge was thrilled to find out about our Lucia soaps. She said, "I've always been a sucker for beautiful packaging, so when it comes with an affordable price tag I find it hard to say "no". Mandi at Shoestring Home sent over these gorgeous Lucia soaps from her shop and I'm already imagining making cute housewarming gifts with them. I'd love to wrap them up with a cute tea towel in a matching color- they'd be a fun way to say "welcome home" or "thanks for having us over". Each bar is $11 right here (you can choose from a single bar or 6 guest soaps for that price." Oh, Hello Friend April 3, 2009 View Blog Oh Hello Friend featured our Lucia Soaps in her Lovely Products category and said, "Lucia Organic Soaps: organic soaps in the loveliest packaging you ever did see, from shoestringhome.com! Great for mothers day!" Paper Crave March 17, 2009 View Blog Paper Crave blogged about our beautiful Lucia soaps saying, "Lucia soaps were all over the design blogs last week, but I had to give them a mention here because I love the combination of the ultra modern labeling with the gorgeous patterned papers." A Lily in Bloom March 18, 2009 View Blog A Lily in Bloom featured our fabulous Lucia Soaps. "Sometimes the right packaging can literally make me go weak at the knees! Sad I know but these are one such example of truly divine packaging."

Remodelista May 28, 2008 View Blog Remodelista featured our Rustic Wood Lantern in their outdoor lantern roundup saying, "Rustic Wood Lantern; made from reclaimed wood and galvanized metal; $60 for small, $80 for large at Shoestring Home."

Cookie Magazine Daily Finds Blog May 30, 2007 View Blog These blogging moms thought our OliGear was a great find saying, "If your little one is bored with plain-'ol-blocks, check out Oligear, a beautiful set of interlocking magnetic gears created by architect and toy-designer Daniel Oakley. The brightly-colored plastic forms can be linked together or be stacked magnet-to-magnet to create vibrant spinning tops. Better yet they can stick securely to your fridge, keeping the kids occupied twisting and turning while you cook. But, perhaps best of all, Oakley's organic design sensibilities will greatly please your grown-up aesthetic."

Apartment Therapy March, 11 2008 Vintage Font Metal Signs: Private, Madame and Monsieur For the bathroom, guest room, or anywhere some old-fashioned typographical style...would be welcome. These metal signs are approximately 14 inches across and 3 inches high, with predrilled holes. Madame and Monsieur are available in pale green, Private comes in red, white, blue or green. Originally $24 each, now on sale at Shoestring Home for $5.95.

My Mom Shops November 15, 2007 My Mom Shops I love funky home accessories boutiques like our new sponsor, Shoestring Home (I first posted about them back in June). Shoestring Home is an online boutique as well as a bricks-and-mortar store in Wisconsin, and it has a superb selection of gifts and accessories including linens, bath products, and children's items. Owner Mandi Gerth chooses unique items that prove that even a comfortable, lived-in home can look sophisticated and stylish.

Milwaukee Magazine October 24, 2007 Shopaholic When Mandi Gerth shut the doors of her Waukesha shop, Shoestring Home, lots of loyal shoppers were bummed. Lucky for them, with the holidays just around the corner, she’s still offering her eclectic cool and retro swank mix of home, fashion and gift accessories online. Check out the new wine accessories, placemats, tee shirts, aprons (yes, aprons), overnight bags, chic laundry care products, recycled wool mittens, organic cotton baby stuff and new Caldrea holiday home fragrances at shoestringhome.com.

My Mom Shops June 5, 2007 Not Your Bag I got a chuckle out of these Clever Luggage Tags available at Shoestringhome.com, an online boutique featuring home accessories, gifts, and kids' items. A great gift idea for anyone who travels, these brightly colored tags have clever phrases which are sure to deter anyone who might take your bag in error (I like the blunt "I'm pretty sure this isn't your bag.") You can write your contact information on the reverse of each tag. $12 at Shoestringhome.com.

Milwaukee Magazine January 17, 2007 It’s official, Waukesha’s Shoestring Home has closed its doors (sigh), but if you’re a fan and want to continue supporting this local entrepreneur on the Web, check out owner Mandi Gerth’s mix of playful, eclectic and affordable home and fashion treats at www.shoestringhome.com.

Milwaukee Magazine December 21, 2006 Shopaholic Even though owner Mandi Gerth will continue to treat shoppers to fun, cool, eclectic products via her Web site (www.shoestringhome.com), shoppers will miss her unique store, Shoestring Home. But on the upside, there’s the closeout sale. Stop in before Saturday, Jan. 13 and save 50% on everything in the store that’s not available on the Web site, plus an extra 10% on everything that’s already marked down. If you see anything else you’re interested in purchasing — furniture, shelving, etc. — Gerth invites you to make an offer. (330 W. Broadway, Waukesha, 262-548-9255)

Waukesha Freeman October, 2005 To date at least 10 home décor and home furnishings stores are located within downtown Waukesha, many of which have popped up in the past two years. "Home furnishings have been increasing substantially both in volume and sales across the country so it makes sense that it is happening there as well," said Ellen Davis, spokeswoman for the National Retail Federation. Some local retailers say they are already seeing a growing number of consumers coming into the downtown to spend the day or afternoon sifting through rows of vases and pillows, lamps and throw rugs in search of a new accessory for their homes. "When I decided to come here it was in part because of the lower rents but also partly because of a vision I had for this area, said Shoestring Home owner Mandi Gerth, who opened her store 1 1/2 years ago. "Over time I know we would attract additional stores like mine and become a destination for the recreational shopper."

Milwaukee Magazine September, 2005 "For the woman, I picked up gift certificates to Miss Groove and Shoestring Home, stores literally stuffed with great stuff!"

Milwaukee Magazine May, 2005 Shoestring Home, in Waukesha's historic downtown, gives owner Mandi Gerth the opportunity to express a design philosophy centered on creating comfortable interiors that resonate with accents culled from the past, yet definitely not at the cost of fresh, up-to-date style. Instead, the store's mix of vintage and contemporary furniture, linens, accessories, gifts and kids' stuff lends itself to unique home décor. Look for statement-makers like sleek acrylic casual furniture; bold, colorful serving bowls; or vintage barware clever enough to start and keep conversations going. Speaking of conversation, the inquisitive shopper will also find a chat with Gerth about market trends enlightening.

Milwaukee Home April, 2005 IRON: It's incredibly strong, yet amazingly malleable. Throughout the ages craftsmen have used these properties to create items both beautiful and functional. These days, iron continues to intrigue with its juxtaposition of delicacy and durableness and its ability to fit in with traditional or contemporary décor. Whether painted or raw, curved or straight, hammered or cast, iron adds a sense of substance. Inclined to try your hand at the hammer? Bighorn Forge in Cedarburg offers forging classes. Or, check out the following sources for great, already-made iron wares. HANDMADE in multiple sizes and colors, these vintage-looking metal star wall hangings from Peddler's Home Design brighten the home. 12", $32; 21", $62; 36", $120. Shoestring Home, 330 W. Broadway, Waukesha.

Waukesha County Magazine 2005 The power of color continues to impact interior spaces and people are abandoning their white walls. Local design experts agree that home décor follows fashion trends and one of the easiest ways to get a new look is with a coat of paint. So, you will soon see paints and accessories in your favorite runway colors. Mandi Gerth, owner of Shoestring Home, comments, "Expect to see bright colors; aqua, fuchsia, orange and pink to name a few." "I try to blend aged pieces with new items," comments Gerth. "You can achieve balance with something from grandma and a new special something from the boutique down the street."

Milwaukee Magazine October, 2004 MAKING THE SCENE Boasting uncomplicated design in crystal-clear acrylic, the Riley chair from Torres & Tagus Design is a smart and inexpensive expression of a growing trend to create modern negative space with glass, light and translucent surfaces. Chrome accented, durable and convenient, it also manages to vault folding chairs smack into the new millennium. We spotted it at Shoestring Home, Waukesha ($125).

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Holiday Magazine November 21, 2004 At Shoestring Home, another newcomer on West Broadway, you'll find new and vintage furniture and accessories-a unique and varied collection of baskets, vases, lamps, furniture and wall art that shares space with beautiful linens and upscale clothing and accessories for babies. Owner Mandi Gerth, formerly a department store buyer and Internet marketer, has combined her skills and experience to create this one-of-kind retail combination. "I like to mix new and vintage pieces," she said. "Used furniture adds character without the high price tag of something new. And it blends beautifully with new, contemporary pieces, too."

Milwaukee Magazine September, 2004 Reminding us that budgets needn't slip out the window as soon as decorating projects get under way, Shoestring Home, a gem of a shop in downtown Waukesha, presents lots of high-octane personality with an eclectic assortment of new and vintage furntirue, whimsical linens and sleek urban accessories. It's all about polish and panache without a big cash outlay.