This season, we asked customers to “fall in love” with Briarcliff– to rediscover our unique boutiques and top-tier restaurants, and spend time relaxing in our Tuscan Village. As a bonus, we gave away over $7500 worth of free merchandise for six consecutive weeks.

Of course, this got people excited. But as it turns out, the best comments we heard had nothing to do with our giveaway. People love Briarcliff Village because it’s a destination. Where else can you go shopping and get a hot stone massage afterwards? Or take your girlfriends to see fashion trends, followed by martinis around a fire pit? Or make your own jewelry to take home?

We learned a lot about why our customers keep coming back. And we’d like to thank them, just as we did with our customer appreciation giveaway. Following is a complete list of winners. Congratulations, and thanks for making us your shopping and dining destination.

Kim Holsted – Week 1 Back To School Family Pack, $575
Pat Harvey – Week 2 Pamper Package, $1405
Mary Ryan – Week 3 Date Night Package, $1450
Barbara Hermocillo – Week 4 Mind, Body, Sole Package $520
Mina Kelly – Week 5 Renew Your Home Package $900

Tom Bates, Amanda Gates, Tammy Milbourn, Susan Sanderson, Marilyn Hoke – Week 6 Briarcliff Village Gift Cards, $500 each
Debbie Kilp – Facebook Fan drawing – $200 Briarcliff Gift Card

Remember in grade school when your mom baked cupcakes for your birthday? So do we. That’s why we love the latest promotion at Sugar Mamma’s Bakery. Owners Earl and Debbie Wetzel, whose stated mission is “a cupcake for every person in Kansas City,” are starting by giving one free cupcake to every customer on their birthday. Just add Sugar Mamma’s as a “friend” on Facebook to be entered into their calendar. (Make sure you have your birthday listed on your profile.) Then, walk in on your b-day and claim your sugary sweet, frosting-topped prize.

Invite your friends for a cupcake party, just like in the old days. Or, take some quiet time to relax and enjoy a cup of Roasterie coffee and free wi-fi. In fact, the next time you’re at Sugar Mamma’s, you can pull out your laptop and “friend” them right there. On your next birthday, you’ll be the kid with the cool cupcakes again. Just don’t light any candles in the store.

Fashion blogs call them “the trend that won’t go away.” Clearly, the makers of UGG boots must be doing something right. Inspired by sheepskin styles from Australia and New Zealand, UGGs became a worldwide fashion obsession in the early 2000s. Today, the designer boots remain as sought-after as ever, selling out in places like Bloomingdale’s New York. But if you’re on a quest for the season’s latest UGG styles, here’s one place you may not have looked: Smart Feet in Briarcliff Village.

When it comes to UGGs, the rule for Kansas City shoppers is simple: Go North. Because of the massive chain stores in Johnson County, young people in particular flock to that area for trendy goods. But for the savvy shopper, local boutiques like Smart Feet in Briarcliff offer greater selection, better service and the exact same price points. In fact, Smart Feet is just one of two UGG distributors in Northland. So if you do live North of the River, it’s a pretty obvious choice.

In addition to all the usual models, Smart Feet carries the ridiculously hard-to-find Sparkle UGGs and Over the Knee UGGs (the current footwear fetish of the fashion world). Incidentally, a look at the UGGs website will reveal most of these styles sold out.

People tend to love UGGs or hate them. If you fall into the latter category, you might not want to look at people’s feet this winter. But if you’re of the former mindset, we’ll probably see you at Briarcliff Village very soon. Happy shopping.

Rise and shine. The Cafe at Briarcliff is greasing its frying pans for a whole new crowd of early birds. Breakfast, long a favorite weekend tradition at the Cafe, is now served hot off the grill seven days a week. Start your day with a power combo of Country Fried Steak and Eggs, or a trim and healthy bowl of low-fat yogurt, layered with fruits and granola. From Belgian Waffles to Bacon Quesadillas, there’s something for all tastes between 8 and 11 a.m. (Sunday brunch served til 1 p.m.)

And that’s not the only hot news from the Cafe. A smoking new BBQ section recently appeared on the menu. In homage to our hometown culinary roots, the Cafe now proudly serves locally-made, award-winning Three Little Pigs BBQ sauce. (For those in the know: it’s won the American Royal cook-off three times.) All meats are slow-cooked on a special smoker made in Kansas, for a truly authentic and delicious meal.