Flirt Alert

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, green buds are emerging from the trees. Yes, the beautiful and short-lived Minnesota summer is just around the corner. And if there is one thing a woman in the land of 10,000 lakes craves come sunny weather, it’s a little summer lovin’.

It looks like Jessica Gerard opened the doors to her new shop, Flirt, just in the nick of time. This shabby-chic Grand Avenue boutique is stocked with lingerie, bath goods and accessories. The vintage-inspired lingerie line from Lucy B will have you channeling Betty Page faster than you can say, “Crack the whip!” She also carries Hanky Panky—the sexy, no-V.P.L. (visible panty line) lace knickers which sold us on the idea that thongs can be comfy. And with a smattering of stylish handbags, jewelry, scented drawer liners and sachets, one trip to Flirt can lift that Jack Frost frump and get you summer fling-ready.

Insider’s tip: Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 22. Flirt will be hosting a Girls’ Night Out with food, drinks and discounts!

Flirt Boutique
1330 Grand Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105
651.698.3692

Piece by Piece
 
Given the choice, we’d rather spend our hard-earned dollars on unique must-haves handpicked from French flea markets rather than on our admitted addiction to a certain shoe warehouse. In fact, when Northwest airlines started offering direct flights to Paris the thought of jetting across the pond crossed our minds, but given the current state of our finances, we decided to skip the expensive airfare and score Paris-worthy goodies at Rick Rack.

Every nook and cranny of this vintage-y shop is loaded with fab finds, way too numerous to count! We spied cool jewelry, rich textiles, killer handbags, and a ton of gifty-type items like heavenly scented soy candles, fine linens, and chic serve-ware that totally screams cocktail-party glam. We fell hard for the earrings by Boe (a fave among the Hollywood set): delicate, gold and perfect for work or play. And the fun and flirty selection of vintage-inspired aprons are sure to help you cook up countless feasts (or at least look stunning while trying).

The next time you crave an international shopping adventure, hit Rick Rack. No airfare required!!

Rick Rack
3413 W. 44th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55410
612.746.4160
www.rickrackliving.com

The Perfect Pair
 
Mick and Keith, champagne and dancing, chocolate and peanut butter, Lip Smackers and smooching, birds and bees… and now, Nick and Eddie.
 
This newish bistro on Loring Park is our latest haunt, for oh so many reasons. They have affordable, upscale, yet simple offerings (fresh grilled fish, spicy steak, the most perfectly cooked chicken breast we have ever had). Their wine list is abbreviated almost to perfection, with choices that won’t break the bank. Their kick-ass sound system (for serious—check it out) pairs perfectly with the hip location and interior space—try to get a spot upstairs overlooking the crowd for fantastic people-watching. Plus the wait-staff is uber-friendly and cool.  

Basically it’s the place we now go on dates, to hang with friends, take a visiting relative, or sometimes just solo to nurse a drink at the bar, nosh on some fantastic duck-fat fried French fries, and gaze out at the lovely Loring Park. There was Nick and Nora, and Eddie and The Cruisers, but now Minneapolis has Nick and Eddie—the best pair of all!
 
Nick and Eddie
1612 Harmon Place
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612.486.5800
www.nickandeddie.com

Belts: Our New BFFs

We confess: We’re not adventuresome when it comes to belts, and therefore own very few (like two). But after donning the fiercely cool ones by Obi Design, we’ve had a change of heart! 
 
Handcrafted in Portland Oregon, these casually luxe beauties are available in a variety of eye-catching prints and come with two different buckle options. Our pick? The black and white Naguchi with black bamboo resin buckle. It’s crazy-cute and totally rocks our new denim.
 
www.obidesign.com

French-country Chic

We’re die-hards for the local farmers’ market, so we were ecstatic when we got our hands on one of the fabulous French Market Baskets by Jeanne Beatrice.

All the rage in France, these handcrafted baskets are versatile, roomy, and perfect for daily shopping while at the same time oozing Parisian charm! We loaded ours with veggies, fruit, bread, and cheese, and then settled in for a relaxing picnic by the lake. It may not have been the French countryside, but it sure felt like it.

www.jeannebeatrice.com

Rethink Your Drink

The big brouhaha about the safety of plastic water bottles has made us extra cautious, that’s why we’re now happily chugging from the eco-cool bottles by SIGG.
 
Made from a single sheet of seamless aluminum, they’re leak-proof, virtually unbreakable, and lined with a protective coating that guarantees no yucky aftertastes or odors. Plus they’re available in a ton of hip designs, from flowers and skulls to Hello Kitty, making them earth-friendly and ultra-stylish.    
 
www.brightandbold.com

The Grand Opening of Covered Uptown

The heavenly boutique Covered has a swank new locale in Uptown for fashion-forward men and women. Shop May 17–18 to score 15% off everything, plus spend $100 (trust us, not hard) and receive a cool gift! Hit their Grand Opening soiree on Saturday night for delish cocktails, music, and a chance to win a pair of lust-worthy jeans.

What: Grand Opening of Covered Uptown
When: May 17–18; grand opening party
Saturday, May 17, 6–9 pm
Where: 201 Lagoon Ave., Minneapolis
Call: 612.825.1610
Visit: www.shopcovered.com

A Whirlwind of Art

NE Minneapolis is out to prove once again that art is alive and well with the 2008 Art-A-Whirl. More than 500 artists will showcase their mad skills in the warehouses, homes, studios, storefronts and cafés of this vibrant local community. With pottery, paintings, live music and even textiles, there’s something to please every palate.

What: Art-A-Whirl
When: Friday, May 16–Sunday, May 18
Where: Various locations in Northeast Minneapolis
Visit: www.nemaa.org

Eco-friendly Fun

Grab the kiddies and head to the Walker to take in that time-honored classic we all know and love: mini-golf. Artists designed the “green-themed” holes that are geared toward challenging your senses while having fun in the sun. Plus you can score tasty food and drinks from Wolfgang Puck’s Gallery 8 Café. Yum!

What: Walker on the Green: Artist-Designed Mini Golf
When: May 24–September 7
Where: The Walker Campus, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
Visit: www.walkerart.org