A Boutique Named Desire

There was a time when we would’ve sooner died than pass the $50 mark for a pair of jeans. Then came the designer denim invasion and we saw the light. Okay, so spending a third of our paycheck on jeans might not be “responsible,” but let’s be honest: if they make our butt look amazing, we’ll happily fork over the dough!

Luckily, we no longer need to hit the Coasts in order to snag the latest booty-enhancing looks; we just head to Stella. With scores of sought-after denim lines to choose from, including Citizens of Humanity, David Kahn, and True Religion, you’re sure to find jeans that fit like a dream. And since we can’t be traipsing around topless (not that there would be complaints), Stella also carries stylish shirts, dresses and coats from premium brands like Free People and Hazel.

While Stella does have a decent sale rack, be prepared to give up the green when you fall in love in with their threads. But hey, sometimes it takes a few bucks to look like a million.

Stella
216 South Main St.
Stillwater, MN 55082
651.439.7935
www.stellastillwater.com

Having a Grand Ole Time

Age, schedules, and kids have made the bar scene the not-so-easy-way for us to catch up with friends, so we’ve decided to start a monthly dinner group. It’s a perfectly adult way to justify good food and lots of wine.

We chose Grande Café to kick things off. The atmosphere is very European bistro: Think cozy two-person booths, communal tables, a tiny bar perfect for sipping wine (we gave it a test run), and crowd-pleasing tunes ranging from Bach to The Ramones. The complimentary private room for larger groups comes complete with vintage theater chairs, exposed brick and two large tables—perfect for our intimate yet lively dinner party. But atmosphere aside, it’s the food that will keep us coming back. From the pretzel bread and warm Leek and Mushroom Gratin to the best Roast Game Hen we’ve ever had, Grand Café knows where its moneymaker is.

So if you’re missing Paris or simply hungry for great fare, try Grand Café—and tell the super friendly staff we sent you!

Grand Café
3804 Grand Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN 55409
612.822.8260
www.grandcafempls.com

Moroccan Masters

Dinner parties are totally our thing, but honestly, we’re not so much about preparing all that yummy food as we are about having a tableful of beautiful plates to serve it on. We just love creating compelling place settings with all kinds of bright colors, in all sorts of ingenious combinations, so you can imagine how stoked we were to find Soleil Brule.

This inspired home-imports boutique is full of unique home goods that can’t be found anywhere else (unless you happen to drop by Morocco on a regular basis). Gorgeous furniture, lanterns and quirky bejeweled trivets make this suburban shop well worth the drive. We especially love their cool colored glassware and glazed tea sets, which are sure to garner compliments from dinner guests for being both elegant and funky.

With summer just around the corner (we know it’s March, but we’re optimists), we’re ready to throw a slew of Moroccan-themed barbecues, and with Soleil Brule as our guide, spicing up our table is trés simple … and it doesn’t break le bank.

Soleil Brule
726 East Lake St.
Wayzata, MN 55391
952.476.9600
www.soleilebrule.com

High-Quality H2O
 
We used to guzzle Vitamin Water until we discovered the calorie count (yikes!)  Luckily, we found Perfect Water, a fabulously tasty low-cal drink on the verge of launching nationally. 

Perfect Water is ultra-purified and filtered, and enhanced with oxygen and electrolytes to promote strength, balance, and flexibility. Seriously, this stuff will have you doing back-bends! Check it out online at TJBiz.biz, our new go-to for health and beauty aids. While you’re there, score some new makeup, or choose from hundreds of must-have products.

www.tjbiz.biz

Treat Yourself

Recently we scored a decadent new lip stain in the most alluring shade of red, and it’s quickly become our new favorite thing!

Thanks to an infusion of shea butter, the Candy Color Mineral Lip Stain by Treat is ultra-moisturizing, and it totally gives your pout a perfectly bitten, come-hither look that will undoubtedly inspire countless kisses. So go ahead and treat yourself (and everyone you know) to this wildly playful new goodie. We know you want to!

www.treatbeauty.com

Homegrown Design

Now that spring is nearly here, we find ourselves craving some fashionable warm-weather staples, so we’ve decided to stock up at Rectangle Designs.

This local online retailer features on-the-cusp tees and tanks adorned with a variety of nature-inspired motifs. Homegrown designer Sarah Nassif expertly incorporates structure and polish, while at the same time infusing her designs with a chic au natural vibe that borders on the artistic. Be still our beating hearts!

www.rectangledesigns.com

Fearless Filmmakers

Love dinner and a movie, but find big-budget flicks make you yawn? If so, hit the Sneak Preview of the new Minnesota movie “Further North,” featuring a plot that promises to thicken, a Q & A with the cast and crew, and a sweet after-party next door at Stub & Herbs. Flash your ticket and food and drinks are free!

What: Sneak Preview & After Party for “Further North”
When: Wednesday, March 26, 6 pm
Where: Oak Street Cinema, 309 Oak St. SE, Minneapolis
Visit: www.fearlessfilmmakers.com

Wine and Women

Girls’ night out just got better! Round up your girlfriends and head to the Target Lounge at the Guthrie Theater for a late-night, girls-only happy hour. This girl-centric event offers up an array of tasty wines and signature cocktails, as well as some rockin’ tunes from the area’s hippest female DJs.

What: Wine and Women Wednesdays
When: Wednesday March 26, 9 pm-11 pm
Where: The Guthrie Theater, 818 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis
Visit: www.guthrietheater.org

Animation at the Science Museum

Embrace your inner child and take in the Animation Exhibit at the Science Museum. Six different themes help you explore all things ’toon-related, culminating with the cool cartoon museum where you can watch popular animation clips. With everything from “The Flintstones” to “The Powerpuff Girls,” this will please both the young and the young at heart.

What: The Animation Exhibit at The Science Museum
When: Daily through April 27, Beginning at 9:30am
Where: 120 W. Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul
Visit: www.smm.org