Romance is in the air at Woodfield

Released: 02/06/03

Media Contact: Bonni Pear, Miller-Pear Public Relations (312) 649-0466; info@millerpear.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ROMANCE IS IN THE AIR AT WOODFIELD

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (February 6, 2003)  Romance is in the air as thousands of Chicago area residents celebrate Valentine's Day on Friday, February 14. While chocolates and flowers are always safe bets, the merchants at Woodfield have gift ideas to help any Cupid delight his or her sweetheart.

While women receive more than half of all the gifts this holiday, men, true to form, are traditionally last-minute shoppers with more than half of all cards and gifts purchased in the six days prior to February 14.

The must-haves for this year's Valentines are any items with a dangling charm such as purses, watches, and cell phone cases. Mixing it up is also a new trend in jewelry design. More pieces feature a mixture of metals, white gold paired with yellow gold, platinum married to yellow gold, or a tri-color combination of white, yellow, and rose gold. Thanks to celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, natural colored diamonds are hot. Easy-to-spot texturing is the popular look in costume jewelry this season. Crystal pendants with multiple facets, anything with filigree, chain link necklaces, velvet chokers, hologram accents, and leather and suede cords are making their way into jewelry boxes for Valentine's Day.

The time to purchase jewelry is now, according to Marc Strich, general manager of Woodfield. "Any time there is economic uncertainty, it is usually when you see the jewelry stores having the best prices. Woodfield has a great assortment of jewelry stores, and there is a tremendous range in both merchandise and price points. Looking back at 2002, our jewelers had a 7% increase in January (over the same month in the previous year). This far outpaced the rest of the mall. While it is still too early to tell, advantageous pricing could also result in gains for 2003."

Woodfield gift ideas provide a variety of price points. But, if in doubt, remember that a Woodfield Gift Certificate is any denomination of $5.00 up to $100.00 is treated the same as cash in all of Woodfield's stores and restaurants. Some suggestions include:

* 3-D or 2-D Crystals -- customize a crystal grade glass block with a 2-demonsional or 3-demonsional image to create a memorable keepsake. The only store of its kind in Illinois, Vitro 3-D Crystal can scan photos or digital images while you wait . (Beginning at $39.00, Vitro 3-D Crystal)
* Tasty Creations -- Breakfast in bed is all the sweeter with hot, heart-shaped Danish waffles. These flower-shaped waffled easily separate into five hearts. This chrome and plastic waffler features precision browning to six settings, ready indicator, silicone non-stick grid, and stay-cool handles. Other cookware includes a Heart Cake Pan, Heart Egg Poacher, Heart Melon Baller, and heart shaped cookie cutters. ($39.95, Crate & Barrel)
* Relaxation Wraps -- Pampering a loved one is a romantic gesture with stress relieving wraps that look like a thin scarf. A removable packet is filled with rice and lavender and can be heated in the microwave for quick muscle ache and tensioin relief. Throw trhe pack in the freezer for cold therapy. ($25.00, Discovery Channel Store)
* Tower of Hearts -- Heart-shaped boxes with heart designs contain Dark Chocolate Moose Munch caramel popcorn, Pecan and Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Royal Cherry Chocolate, beautifully boxed and tied with ribbon. (Beginning at $29.95, Harry & David)
* Beauty Cases -- Fill a heart-accented fabric cosmetics or beauty case with nail polish, lip colors, or skincare products at the aura science store. Individualized gifts can be created at this complete beauty destination store. ( Up to $50.00, aura science)
* Insulated Picnic Backpack -- Whether it is dining in a beautiful natural outdoor setting or picnicking in the living room with the lights low, this picnic kit is ideal for cuddling couples. Service for two includes shatterproof acrylic goblets, plates, wood grain flatware, flat napkins with leather rings, a cork screw/bottle opener, a cheeseboard, and salt and pepper shakers with two roomy storage pocketd for food. ($130.00, Brookstone) * Cartier Pen -- Featured in a bold red casing and complimented with gold accents and a simulated ruby, the Red Diablo de Cartier pen is lightweight and comfortable to use. It comes in a red leather, quilted Cartier box and can be personalized with a message or inituals. ($200.00, Executive Essentials)
* Victorian Valentine's Day Cards -- The tradition of sending Valentine's Day cards can be traced to the mid-1800s. Cards from that era were elaborate works of art. Replicas of these Victorian beauties are available in limited supply. (Starting at $3.95, The Estate)
* Kisses Fur You -- The Kisses Fur You Valentine Teddy bear features super soft white fur and red heart accents. Its paws and nose contain magnets to blow kisses. ($14.00, Build-A-Bear Workshop)
* Jewelry -- Woodfield merchants carry a variety of rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, including:
-- Diamond Heart Solitaire ring featuring 3/4 ct. diamond with a yellow gold band set in a white gold head ($2,099.00, Whitehall Jewelers)
-- Claddagh Rings, Ireland's unique love symbol, displays a heart to denote love, hands to signify friendship, and a crown to indicate loyalty. With its growing popularity, it is recognized as a sign of great friendship and love. (Beginning at $59.95, Blarney Everything Irish)
-- Power of Love crystal Collection features a sterling silver bracelet with a red crystal dangling heart, heart-shaped pierced earrings, a double heart brooch, a heart pendant, and a stunning silver and rystal dozen pink roses. If purchased by February 15, 10% of the purchase price will be donated to the American Heart Association. (Beginning at $45.00, Swarovski)

Easily accessible off key regional arteries, I-90 and the Northwest Tollway, just 30 minutes from downtown Chicago, Woodfield boasts more than 250 of the worlds favorite retailers, including dozens that cant be found anywhere else in the Midwest. Merchants range from the unique  fine art and jewelry dealers, Italian sunglass salons, sports merchandise emporia, and Belgium chocolate purveyors  to renowned department stores Nordstrom, Marshall Fields, Lord & Taylor, JCPenney and Sears. There are chic boutiques, cutting-edge health and beauty concept stores, booksellers and entertainment-based retailers, including the Disney Store and NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway, along with 30 restaurants and food specialty shops.

For information on Woodfields shopping hours, seasonal programs and services, call (847) 330-1537 or visit www.shopwoodfield.com. The Woodfield Web site offers many features to help out-of-towners plan their excursions, down to the detail, before ever leaving home. There are hundreds of on-line gift suggestions, a center map, store directory and merchandise finder, special sales bulletins and downloadable coupons.