Sparkly brooches, lovely lashes, fall makeup, boot bargains and discounted designer furniture

My girlfriend and I spent an entire day last week shopping for brooches. I just can't get enough of these fancy little baubles that add '50s glam to any outfit. Pile them on lapels, pin them on hats or secure your stylish wraps with these gem-encrusted beauties. Another fabulous find of the week was Brett Bizik, who turns less-than-lush lashes into thickly seductive eye-batters in a matter of minutes.

Rhinestone Rosie: Owner Rosie Sayyah has hundreds of antique and vintage brooches to choose from in Rhinestone Rosie, her funky little shop on top of Queen Anne. Spanning the decades from the late 1800s to the early 1970s, the brooches come in a variety of materials including celluloid, plastics, metals and of course, rhinestones. You'll find every color and color combination, with motifs running the gamut from flowers and animals to celestial themes. Most range in price from $35 to $115. Generally, as the quality and size of the brooch increases, so does price.

Rosie is a veritable encyclopedia on antique and vintage jewelry (she's a frequently featured expert on "Antiques Roadshow"), and instantly knows the age of any piece — give or take a few years. Many of her brooches are from the '50s and '60s, and designs reflect the signs of the times. That innocent star-shaped brooch you're wearing? It's really an atom. "There were a lot of snowflake designs and star-shapes then that were modeled after atomic elements," she says. She has an impressive collection of coveted Eisenberg brooches from the 1930s featuring twice as many facets as most rhinestones, which dramatically increases their sparkle factor.

Have a favorite brooch from Grandma that lost a rhinestone? Don't worry, Rosie can fix it. Not only does she have a mother lode of the faux gems to find the perfect match, she's a master of rhinestone repair.

Alana: Antique & Estate Jewelry: Alana Fornoni has handpicked some dazzling brooches for Alana, her vintage, estate and antique jewelry shop located in Northgate Mall. She has a treasure trove of glittery pins and brooches in stunning shades of green and dazzling clear rhinestones. And right now, all costume jewelry is on sale for 25 percent off (originally $35 - $100).

Fini: This adorable accessories boutique in the Market carries some striking contemporary brooches with retro details by Leslie Danzig from New York. Starbursts and floral designs feature icy blue, pink and purple rhinestones. Prices range from $49-$65.

Trendy Wendy: For inexpensive brooches, go to Trendy Wendy on Broadway. Crowns, flowers and starbursts studded with faux pearls and rhinestones are just $8-$15 a pop.

BEAUTY BOOTY: FAKE EYELASHES AT FRENCHY'S

You'll feel so glamorous in feathery, thick eyelashes with staying power. With the practiced eye of an artist and steady hand of a surgeon, Brett Bizik applies false eyelashes that range in density and length from the demure "Undetected" to over-the-top "Completely Unreal." "It's very detailed, custom work," says the personable Bizik, who is obviously a perfectionist — I watched him fuss over an already beautiful girl, getting the lashes to curl just so.

A veteran makeup artist for 11 years, Bizik has been applying these supplemental lashes for the past two years. "People love them," he says, "even if they have full lashes and think they don't need them." By adding more density and length, the extra lashes have the effect of opening and enhancing the eyes. "They look incredible but people don't know what you've done."

Each eyelash cluster comes in black or brown and has five to seven hairs. Bizik uses between six and 20 clusters per eyelid and offers three levels of fullness:

• "Undetected": This is the most popular with six clusters per eyelid. Fifteen minutes to apply, $30.
• "Naturally Full": Ten clusters per eyelid. Thirty minutes to apply, $50
• "Completely Unreal": With 20 clusters of lashes on each eye you'll look like you could take flight with a few rapid bats of your lids. Bizik usually applies these for photo shoots or stage appearances, and doesn't recommend these for long wear. Sixty minutes to apply, $100.

Bizik uses two kinds of glue: "soft" and "strong." Lashes last one to three days with soft glue. Bizik guarantees they'll last one week with the strong glue, but says on the average they last two to three weeks. With soft glue they'll fall out naturally but with strong glue you'll have to soak and steam them with a hot towel and possibly use remover which Bizik provides. "If you use proper removal techniques, they won't tear your eyelashes out," says Bizik. "And don't pull them out," he warns.

People usually choose not to wear mascara or eyeliner. However, if you want to tint them, use cake mascara; Frenchy's sells Longcils, the same kind Marilyn Monroe used.

You can start a punch card at Frenchy's, and after six applications you'll get one free. Bizik also stages home parties. He charges $150 for the first hour and $100 each additional hour. It takes about an hour to apply eyelashes to four or five people.

COMING UP

Makeup Trend Show: Besides purple, what's the hottest fall makeup trend? For just $10 you can reserve a space at Nordstrom's Makeup Trend Show and find out. A video presentation of the latest makeup trends, techniques and tips for fall is followed by a makeover with the cosmetic line of your choice. You can redeem your 10 bucks toward any cosmetic or fragrance purchase that day. You also receive a free makeup travel case to stash all your cosmetic booty. Saturday, Sept. 18 at downtown Nordstrom, 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. For more information, call 206-628-2111.

J. Gilbert Footwear Boot Sale Extravaganza: Save 50 percent and more on new fall boots during this event Sept. 20-25. It's all there, from ankle to knee boots in neutrals, colors, leathers and suedes by Paul Green, Donald Pliner, Taryn Rose and many more. I'm getting there first thing at 10 a.m. to score boots for $99 (originally $325). Who wouldn't?

ASID Annual Sample Sale: Get in line early for the American Society of Interior Designers Annual Sample Sale on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Designer furniture and home accessories that are normally unavailable to the public go fast at these prices: You'll save half off the retail prices of one-of-a-kind sofas, dining room tables, bedroom furniture, rugs and art. $11 admission. To save $1 on admission go to their Web site and print out the coupon. No children under 12, please!

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