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March 23rd, 2008
In an effort to smooth and slenderize the post-twenties lumps that have mysteriously begun to grace our body, we signed up for a Pilates class. Not fans of sweating, we thought these targeted moves would be just the thing to help nudge our bums back into shape without dripping like sweaty toilets in summer or huffing ourselves into asthmatic attacks. It was going to be soooo perfect. Unfortunately after the first session we realized that Pilates is actually quite difficult, and much to our embarrassment we seemed to be the only ones in the room who couldn’t control our legs. It was as if they were independent of our body, flailing about willy-nilly. We even kicked the guy in front of us. No lie. Thankfully we nailed him in the back, otherwise they might’ve rolled us up in our sticky mat and chucked us out the door! |
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Minneapolis Picks: |
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| 1 | Make a Statement We recently found ourselves walking through Calhoun Square (happy hour-hopping—hey, work was long!) when something outrageous caught our eye: Express? Selling interesting, cute, rock and roll threads? Surely our eyes deceive us! Upon closer investigation we found that we were indeed hallucinating. Express had hightailed it out of there a few months ago making way for Vstate, a spot-on boutique that we can really sink our teeth into (in between drinks at Figlio and apps at the Independent), and it’s quickly become our new go-to for lust-worthy items that set us apart from the masses. Chic tops from Nu Collective, jeans from Taverniti, and ultra-soft T-shirts from Aqua VI that are perfectly worn in easily move to the top of the ranks in our weekend-wear wardrobe. Added bonus: We can bring (drag, coerce) our guy here too because they have a ton of hot man-jeans from XRAY and Pure Venom, cool J.C. Rags hoodies, and vintage-inspired cowboy shirts from Artine. So the next time you’re in Calhoun Square, confidently march into Vstate. We swear you’ll leave in stand-out style! Vstate |
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| 2 | Love in Bloom Once upon a time, we loved fairy tales about Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty being whisked away by their Prince Charmings. Now that we’re a tad older and less prone to delusions of grandeur, we understand (much to our annoyance) that those tales are fiction, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want our own romance to be just as legendary. Enter Camrose Hill Flowers, an uber-quaint 1880s dairy farm that has been masterfully creating whimsical floral arrangements for a variety of life’s celebratory moments and extravaganzas for more than 25 years. They’ve played hostess to a bevy of posh weekend weddings, during which the farm is transformed into a magical and rustic “I do” heaven. We love their nature-inspired visions. Think roses, hydrangeas, peonies, berries, bittersweet, twigs and ribbon. Not only do they manage to convey each couple’s personal style, but they also will leave any attendees entirely enchanted. No knight-in-shining armor? Camrose Hill also has a storefront filled with fauna and flora, so even those who aren’t pre-nuptial can create their own happily ever after. |
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| 3 | We’re Finn-Love! Our Finnish girlfriend always manages to pull off the whole “Gwyneth vibe” without really trying. Weightless blonde hair, the oversized bag that looks loved instead of trashed, and her perfume? Most definitely not from a department store. Don’t get us wrong; We don’t hate her. We just want her hair. Recently (in an admitted effort to one-up her) we took her shopping at FinnStyle. This fabulous Finnish dream-come-true features a slew of Finland’s top exports (excluding our girlfriend) that positively sparkle with Scandinavian charm! A true home-décor haven, FinnStyle is like a really great home accessories cocktail—one part cool kitchenware, one part eye-popping fabrics, and one part decadent gift and accessories boutique. Our favorites? The on-par textiles by Finnish behemoth Marimekko. We love their bolt fabrics, which are perfect for the sofa revamp we have planned (or that hot new bag we’ve been secretly designing in our heads). And the sleek, contemporary cookware by Hackman is not to be missed! Whatever your design palette dictates, FinnStyle is sure to please. Joo-o! FinnStyle |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Masterfully Mixed Work jewelry, weekend jewelry, cocktail jewelry … aargh! We want one show-stopping piece worthy of complimenting all our attire. Luckily we found the fabulously inventive échange Collection by KimMarie Designs. This gorgeous line of come-hither necklaces is made to be mixed for maximum versatility and style. Choose one of four beautiful chains, add a drop, and then add a swag. The result? Totally stunning neckwear that can rock sundresses by day and cocktail dresses by night. www.kimmariedesigns.com |
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| 2 | What’s the Hullabaloo? We love totes, and by “love” we mean “live for” and “lust after.” So when our on-the-cusp neighbor popped over for coffee last week we were instantly smitten with her way-too-cute polka-dot bag. Made from upholstery fabric, this stylish carry-all really can carry all. Not only is it capable of stylishly hiding our ridiculous Mac addiction, but it could also conveniently carry a slew of other necessities—like diapers, snacks, and grocery lists. www.hullabaloo.etsy.com |
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| 3 | Kitschy-kitschy Cool We often wile away the hours skimming our favorite flea market for out-of-the-ordinary finds. We’re just suckers for a little bit of kitsch, and that’s why we love The Curiosity Shoppe. Loaded with crazy finds for occasions you never knew existed, this online retailer is successfully bucking the curve of conventionalism with their spot-on oddities. Cast-iron owl or mermaid bottle opener? Look no further! Curiosity has you covered. www.curiosityshoppeonline.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Art, Suburban Style Hit the suburban trail and check out the 42nd Annual Edina Art Fair. More than 400 local and national artists will be showcasing their creative works including paintings, jewelry, glasswork and more. In addition to the fab art finds, there’ll be a ton of vendors, children’s activities, and live music. What: 42nd Annual Edina Art Fair |
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| 2 | Fun for The Kiddies Looking for family-friendly fun? Check out Family Weekend at the International Children’s Festival in downtown St. Paul. This kid-centric event features art, mimes, music, balloon artists, clowns, a butterfly garden, an interactive parade, and bevy of international cuisines to keep tummies from rumbling Take your kids. You’ll be a hero. What: International Children’s Festival |
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| 3 | A Passion for Fashion Cliché is hosting a fab-u fashion show to celebrate their four year anniversary! Five bucks gets you in to view the hot talents of local designers like Amanda Christine, Anthem Heart, and Laura Fulk (to name a few). DJ OdDio and Real Talk Radio will be providing tunes. Cash bar for your drinking pleasure. What: Cliché’s Fourth Anniversary Runway Show |
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Show us you how much you care! Find the nearest roof-top and proclaim your love! Tell one and all about Minneapolis Picks. |
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