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November 2nd, 2007
We were looking at all the latest mags with our girlfriends this past weekend, and were reminded of the only thing we can’t stand about fall: those slogans that everyone seems to use, like “Mad about Plaid!” or “Fall into Fashion!” Give us a break—we see these recycled titles every year, and really is anyone truly mad about plaid??? Anyhoo, after perusing the pages, we came to the conclusion that we are just going with our own gut instinct on clothes this season. We know what looks good on us (um, not plaid) and what doesn’t (shoe booties) and that’s cool. We can idolize Kate Moss’ style yet feel totally confident in that our outfit works on us and for us. Plus we add cool accessories from all the local stores to keep our look updated, or create our own when we have the crafty bent in us. Warm, stylish and independent is our mantra. So stay warm readers, and use the exclusive discounts from the different stores below—stop in and discover new ways to make staying warm look cool this fall and winter. And make sure you forward this issue to five of your friends and cc: picks@minneapolispicks.com — and use the “Send to a Friend” button at the top of the page. As always we have some great gift certificates from our featured stores to give away! |
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Minneapolis Picks: |
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| 1 | We Really, Really Like You! We like I Like You. This bright yellow boutique is as cheerful inside as it is out, with enough unique, interesting and local items to keep even the most jaded shopper on her toes, credit card at the ready. Adorable knit baby hats and vintage-inspired onsies share space with hand-drawn magnets depicting Twin City spots; shadow boxes with cool urban themes like bird silhouettes share wall space with silk-screened prints of the Grain Belt Beer sign and other local attractions. Handmade necklaces, earrings and bracelets in all colors are trendy and affordable, as are the knit rugs with skulls, and the hand-printed greeting cards. But the best part? All the items are consignments from local artists, run by the sweetest local gals you’ll ever meet, Sarah and Angela. So this year skip the big box stores for your holiday shopping and buy something unique and sure to please—head to the South Minneapolis charmer I Like You. And don’t miss their Holiday Ornament Show Saturday Nov. 24 from 4-7 pm—free wine and snacks will accompany good conversations! I Like You |
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| 2 | Nothing Wrong with Being Picky Planning for New Year’s Eve makes us anxious. What to wear, where to go, how to hail a cab at 2 am in the freezing cold after a few too many… So it was a relief to be able to check off “what to wear” when we found tons of cute dresses at Picky Girl. Owner Elizabeth evidently named the store after herself because the selection is picky—in a good way. Nothing is too tight, too shiny or cougar-y, just trendy, flirty and a little modest—the sexiest kind of dressing, in our opinion. Picky Girl represents local designers like House of Henry and KK Designs, and carries totally adorable, cool lines like Kenzie and Kenzie Girl. The accessories are killer, too - we loved the Goorin hats. And there are so many cute and affordable holiday dress options that we had a tough time choosing between a pale gray short wool shift and a chic spaghetti strap, both perfect with a pair of thigh-high tights. To make sure you look your best, stop by Picky Girl this November, mention Minneapolis Picks and get 25% off one regular priced item! Picky Girl |
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| 3 | Organization Salvation Growing up we wanted sparkly red wallpaper, but mom painted our room cream instead. It was more “sensible.” And it was, but not necessarily “fun.” Finally we found a way to combine our spirit with mom’s sensibility: russell+hazel. The selection of modern, stylish products makes being organized fun—truly! The creative environment of the store and the array of items can make your kitchen, dorm room, work space, etc., what they should be. Streamlined, organized and fashionable folders, notebooks, rubber bands, notepads, filing systems and more come packaged in patterns with seasonal, trendy prints. We fell for the Kitchen Binder Set—a great gift idea—which organizes recipe pages and cards, menu planning sheets and more. Fun and sensible! And the entire Audrey line is refined, polished and proper-party-ready. To get the gift-giving going, stop by in November and mention Minneapolis Picks for 10% off your entire purchase! Also be sure to ask about their private shopping nights—you and your friends can privately sip wine, eat snacks, and save 20% off anything in the store! Call manager Kate for more info. russell+hazel |
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| 4 | Affordable Fashions Some of us have three weddings to attend next year, so when it comes to a budget, we’re the poster gals. When looking at hip fall clothing, we’re also secretly looking for a cheap price tag. Luckily Cliché delivers both! This Uptown store has a large, constantly changing selection of quality yet affordable sweaters, coats and other fall necessities. We snapped up a pea-green ski-inspired sweater dress that works with jeans, leggings or tights for under $50—and have worn it a gazillion times since. And we’re still pining for the slightly feminine puffy vests with ruffle-edged zipper, and the bright red cropped coat by Billabong that hits all the season’s trends perfectly. Plus Cliché carries local designers including Kjurek Couture and Tea Tree Designs jewelry—meaning the chances of you showing up at a holiday party wearing the same thing as another person is slim. Like the local art for sale on the wall, the stock is constantly changing, so stop by before Dec. 7, 2007, mention Minneapolis Picks, and take 10% off your purchase (not good with other discounts or offers)! Cliché |
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| 5 | Late Night Dining Our friends in the restaurant industry had sworn 112 Eatery was where they all went after they got off work, because the food is that good, the prices that right, and they serve a full menu until 1 am. Of course we had to see for ourselves, and we are very happy to report they were correct on all counts. Romantic, intimate and lively, this small downtown restaurant was everything we had hoped (and were told) it would be: delicious, well-mannered, and—yes!—affordable! The pressed-tin ceilings and tiny, well stocked bar make for a casual, cozy European setting, perfect for a glass of wine and some frites, or a bottle and a full meal. We swooned over the tempura-battered prawns and scrambled eggs with lobster. And the fan favorite, the 112 Burger, is served on an English muffin with a thick slab of melting brie and lives up to its reputation. With a place as good as 112 Eatery right here in the Twin Cities, who cares if the Euro is not in our favor—you don’t need it! Make a reservation today and mention Minneapolis Picks! 112 Eatery |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | This New-Old Thing?! We like a little vintage in our wardrobe, in part because no one else at the party will have on the same thing. Twin Cities’ artist Erika does us right with her jewelry line: Not only is it vintage-inspired—she uses repurposed semi-precious gemstones and metals to create “new” antiques—but it’s environmentally-friendly too! Check out this fresh take on new-vintage that’s hip, local, and one-of-a-kind; perfect for savvy gals and the guys who love them. |
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| 2 | Tikoli Your Fancy As much as we like to accessorize our kitchen, we’re at a loss when it comes to dishtowels. They’re always too “country kitsch”—dotted with apples or chickens—or too plain to fit our retro modern style. So imagine our delight when we came across textile designs from Tikoli, a perfect way to add a punch of fresh color! From the bulls-eye design of “Fractil” to the more organic “Mummy,” these towels are the perfect way to add personality to your favorite room. |
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| 3 | Get Your Goth On When it comes to jewelry we’re the kind of gals who prefer the ugly and unique to the cutesy and common. (This probably stems back to how we looked in grades four through eight...) Therefore it’s no wonder we have been longtime fans of Bittersweets NY. Their unique jewelry appeals to your macabre side—tiny replicas of gold-plated teeth, monkey paw cufflinks, dagger and earthworm charms—but done in classic sterling silver or 14K gold. A perfect marriage of quality, kitsch and ick! |
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| 4 | Beyond the Brady Bunch We’re redoing our bathroom and, tired of plain walls, wanted to make it a little groovy. So we decided on wallpaper—the cool kind that is retro, modern, and stylish. Something that reminds us of our childhood, but fits our adult aesthetics. We discovered just the place to find it—and yes, we were born way back then. The prints are part Brady Bunch, part your neighbor’s cool rec room, and exactly what your guests will be gushing over at your next dinner party. |
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| 5 | Sack it To Me We love being green—after all, we’re from the Twin Cities. That’s why we're so excited about our new favorite shopping-enhancement products: Envirosacks. Envirosacks are durable, reusable bags that come in stylish patterns, in designs from floral to mod. They're lightweight, waterproof and affordable (buy them individually or in a set of 5 for gift-giving). We were the belle of the grocery store when we pulled out the Amazonia print—not to mention all the discounts and raffles we got to enter for bringing our own bag! |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Shopping for a Cause Don’t miss the fun and charitable shopping event of the season. Peruse goods and services from leading women-owned businesses, while helping support and raise awareness for WomenVenture, a nonprofit that helps women change and manage careers. Get to this free event early—the first 200 attendees get free gift bags! What: Maiden Minnesota 2007 at Chambers Hotel/Burnet Gallery |
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| 2 | Who Needs Chocolate? Um, Us Hence you will see us at the chocolate event of the year, sampling local chocolates, coffees and wines. And perhaps a martini or three. Join us—you can buy gifts, catch a fashion show, and enter in a raffle that donates all proceeds to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Minnesota. What: Twin Cities Chocolate Extravaganza |
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| 3 | We Heart Pets For some (ok, all) of us, our pets are our babies. We want them near us at all times, because they are sweet, hardly complain, and feel good in our laps. If you are considering a new pet, why not give a homeless little guy or a gal a new lease on life—and a life of love. What: Carver-Scott Humane Society Adoption Day |
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| 4 | Green Gifts Kick-off this holiday season sustainably at the Twin Cities’ 2nd Annual Green & Fair Trade Gifts Fair. With more than 30 local, green, organic, recycled and fair trade businesses and artists, you can promote the environment and check names off your holiday gift list! What: Green & Fair Trade Gifts Fair |
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| 5 | She’s Crafty With almost 100 crafty vendors showing everything from pillows and hand-pressed cards to mosaics and toys, plus live music, this two-day event is a don’t miss. We’re going to get one-of-a-kind gifts for family, friends, and, um, ourselves. Who doesn’t deserve something cute and crafty? |
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| 6 | Here Comes Santa Sedaris Anyone who knows us knows we lurv, worship and would marry David Sedaris if he were single. And straight. If you missed his sold-out show last month, don’t miss the local renditions of his hi-larious book, “Santaland Diaries.” You will never look at a mall Santa the same way again… What: Santaland Diaries at Bryant Lake Bowl |
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| 7 | Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’ Live out your inner fantasy of kicking some girl’s rear just because (and without breaking a nail!) by attending the next Roller Girl Derby. Oh yeah, it’s fun for boys and girls, young and old, and trust us, you’ll leave feeling ready to stand your ground! What: North Star Roller Girls Roller Derby |
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| 8 | Books and Boxes Create some gifts of your own this holiday season with three new workshops at PaperGami. Learn to make a blankbook journal for your secrets, a sectional box with lid to store your tiniest things, and a folding box to hold treasured objects. Fun and functional! What: Workshops at PaperGami |
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With so many great events this month, you’re sure to see us all over, but drop us a line if you know of other happenings or stores you think we should cover. Email kara@minneapolispicks.com. We l-o-v-e hearing from you guys! |
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