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July 25th, 2008
We’ve been city dwellers for years now, but our youth was actually spent in a variety of small, upper-Midwestern towns. And though we consider ourselves to be complete urbanites, deep down inside of us there still lingers a small-town girl who each summer beckons us home. There’s just something fun and carefree about taking in a celebration of wood ducks or raspberries, and a traveling carnival complete with tattooed carnies and corn dogs takes us back to our wonder years. This year we rounded up our friends and hit up a lakeside street-dance to revisit our youth. Nothing more than a beer slammin’, fun-lovin’, dance-fest set against the backdrop of main-street America, this summer classic had us busting moves we didn’t know we had. And the cover band? By the end of the night they had us striking our lighters in the air while hugging our BFF from high school and pinky-swearing that we’ll stay in better touch. Aaaah, the (beer-induced) memories… |
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Minneapolis Picks: |
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| 1 | Love It? Wear It! When we were in high school we had a friend who always managed to look effortlessly pulled together, exuding a comfortable and laid-back cool that left the rest of us second-guessing our wardrobe choices and wondering just how she did it. Quince |
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| 2 | Say Cheese While most of us Minnesotans think that state to the east is full Packer-loving, beer-drinking fools, there are two things Wisconsin has on us: open liquor stores on Sunday and cheese. However, now that we’ve discovered the Cheese Shop at France 44, the drive over the river is next to obsolete. This impressive fromagerie is stocked with cheeses that are sure to delight even the finickiest of palates. Their cheesemonger (fabulous job title, BTW) hand-selects the best in fresh gouda, aged cheddar, and fabulous cheese-and-fruit preserve dips so you’re not overwhelmed with wheels upon wheels of the decadent stinky stuff. Our favorite? The Farmstead Roquefort: a pungent and delish blue cheese made by a 94-year-old man in France. Simply ask for the “Old Man Cheese.” They’ll know what you’re talking about, and you’ll be in bleu heaven. The shop also boasts fresh baguettes, custard, teas, and gourmet kitchen utensils, and with the on-par France 44 Wines and Spirits next door, we can pop in to score the perfect wine to complement our cheese—that is unless it’s a Sunday. The Cheese Shop at France 44 |
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| 3 | It’s Easy Being Green It seems we can’t go a day without hearing crushing news about some frequently used product that’s destroying our bodies, damaging the environment, or wrecking havoc in some distant land. It’s enough to make our heads spin! Linden Hills Natural Home |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Embrace Your Urban Yogi Who says workout wear has to consist of baggy tees and sweatpants? Not us and definitely not the sisterly design team that is Foat Design. These local handmaidens are catapulting yoga wear into a whole new realm with their fresh spin on revamped clothing. Each item—from the cute and comfy knickers and harem shorts to the shirred tops and boot-cut leg-warmers—are made from scratch, making for a supremely made product with a seriously chic flair. |
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| 2 | An Organic Experience For our fifth birthday our Mom took us to get our ears pierced. We so badly wanted to bedeck our little lobes with sparkly goodness, that we fought the tears and emerged with what would be the first of many piercings (sorry Mom), and so began the obsession with jewelry. Our current pick for standout style that will have heads turning? The dead-gorgeous organic-chic of the Amethyst Cluster Cuff Bracelet found at Marie Cristine Jewelry. |
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| 3 | Love, Thy Name Is Handbag |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Fun at the Fringe We’re lucky to play host to one of the top Fringe Festivals in the Midwest, if not the country, and this year’s lineup promises to not disappoint! This highly anticipated performing arts festival features a packed schedule of top-notch performances that are completely uncensored and entertaining. We dare you to not have fun. What: The Fringe Festival |
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| 2 | Chicks Rock We dig a chick that rocks to beat all hell, and no one does it like Melissa Etheridge. Seriously... that Janis Joplin rendition? The stuff of legends. Her throaty soulfulness has churned out hit after hit, and this concert is sure to bring the house down! A can’t miss for music lovers. What: Melissa Etheridge: The Revival Tour 2008 |
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| 3 | Family Date Night We have fond memories of being loaded into the family wagon for a night at the drive-in theater, so when we found we had one right down the road, we flipped! Vali-Hi offers tasty snacks and an arcade, and a mere $7.50 will get adults in for three movies. Got kids? Twelve and under are free! What: The Vali-Hi Drive-In Theater |
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We love sussing out the fab finds our fair metro has to offer. Do you know of any hidden hot spots? If so drop us an email—we love new places! |
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