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October 17th, 2008
Is it wrong to love black nail polish… still? We especially love slicking it on when the weather turns nasty. It looks so bold and glamorous on pasty hands and sometimes red won’t cut it—we want drama! And hey, they wear it on The Hills, so we can’t be that far off, right? Though once winter comes, it’s hard to relate to those perpetually tan socialites. In winter we wear parkas—they cover up with one-piece bathing suits. We go ice-fishing and drink whiskey in tents; they head to chic nightclubs and drink Elderflower cocktails with celebrities. Yep, really the black nail polish is the only similarity… well, that and our fabulous sense of style, which we flaunt under those parkas once we are indoors and can take them off. We’re like undercover style mavens—peel off the layers and we’re golden goddesses. ps: Forward this issue to 5 friends and cc: Picks@MinneapolisPicks.com and you might win a chic pair of Shuellas to keep your tootsies dry! |
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Minneapolis Picks: |
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| 1 | Worry-Free Fashion We’ve always been worriers. We worry about our family, we worry about our health, we worry about the economy, acquiring Lyme disease, the fate of the blue whale, retaining water, premature aging, our friend’s second cousin who just got dumped… it’s just who we are. But now thanks to Eco-tique we can cross sweatshops and polluting products off of our list of anxiety inducers. This hip, earth-centric boutique is packed with a precise selection of eco-fashions that are high on style and surprisingly low in price. The Me to We tees are consistent top-sellers, wooing women with their ultra-soft texture and 100% organic goodness, and the coats and dresses by Kate exude a classic vibe a la Vogue that we love! But what really had us drooling was, oh um, everything by ecoSkin! Their gorgeous tops and dresses are positively luxurious, fit and flatter like a dream, and scream contemporary chic. A spot-on selection of accessories, robes, shoes, and home décor items—many of which benefit non-profs throughout the country—stylishly complete this conscience-soothing storefront, making for truly fashionable do-goodery. Eco-tique |
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| 2 | Uncommonly Good We love fall. Not just because the chilly temps signify that bikini season is finally over, but also because fall conjures up images of childhood apple-picking, the smell of sweet-potato pie, and as adults, fabulously cozy fashions. Fall is the perfect time of year to sport our fave gray cashmere dress that pairs so effortlessly with those vintage, low-heeled riding boots we recently scored. More than anything, fall is the perfect season for red wine, earthy cinnamon-spiced sweets and decadent, rich flavors. At Common Roots, our new-favorite Lyndale Avenue haunt, we can indulge our sweet tooth, sip a Fair Trade wine, and be conscious consumers all at once. How’s that for one-stop shopping? This spacious cafe boasts a simple mission: be organic, local and delicious. We recently had a not-so-agreeable blind date but did we ever agree with the Canadian Walleye with roasted potatoes, Minnesota beets, pickled onions, butternut squash and arugula! We recommend partaking in happy hour from 4–6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and enjoying a $3.00 pint of Surly or a $3.50 glass of Fair Trade Syrah. Common Roots |
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| 3 | Fiery Furnaces We were wrecked when our most fashionable, beer-guzzling, effortlessly smokin’ BFF accepted a job transfer to Florence, Italy, last year. Not that we blame her for taking the transfer, it’s just the last thing we were expecting was a 3 a.m. call last week informing us she’s married, designing stilettos, and arriving at MSP in 48 hours. What to do, where to go, where to shop? Lucky for us we remembered urban fashion mainstay, Lava Lounge. Known for their wide array of designer shades and the ability to keep us clad during that ill-advised raver phase, Lava Lounge has been bringing unique, urban style to the Twin Cities for more than ten years. They are the best spot to find Fornarina jeans, Miss Sixty jackets and skirts, and Betty Blush dresses. Plus men can be stylish and winter-ready in Frye Gaucho boots and Merc suits. And is there anything sexier than a hot guy in a well-tailored suit? We know what we’ll be doing this weekend—pairing a Betty Blush dress with a pair of killer heels (designed by our BFF), and taking our favorite import and her sexy Italian out for a night on the town! Lava Lounge |
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| Cocktail of the Week: | |||
Vodka: the elixir of the gods, the giver of warm fuzzies, the maker of great Bloody Marys, especially when made with Three Olives Tomato Vodka. Packed with tomato-y goodness, this specialty vodka is delish and surprisingly versatile. Not only does it make a mean Bloody ’tini, but it perfectly enhances our famous Penne pasta with zesty vodka sauce. Yum!
Bloody Martini 2 oz. Three Olives Tomato Vodka Shake with ice and strain into martini glass with Creole spice rim. Garnish with a speared grape tomato and mozzarella ball. Add chili flakes if you like extra heat. |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Walk This Way Rain boots rock, but let’s face it, they don’t always compliment an outfit, and lugging around a change of shoes is kind of a pain. So we darn near did back-flips when we stumbled upon Shuella. These super durable kicks are made to be worn over any size heel, are available in four fun colors, and are equipped with a slip-resistant sole that will keep you from biffing it on a rainy day, making Shuellas the epitome of stylish innovation! |
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| 2 | Bright Idea We’re obsessed with all things HGTV-related, especially the shows that completely revamp rooms for ridiculously low sums of money. We just love the thought of injecting serious style without breaking the bank, so when we spied these cool (and inexpensive) candle sleeves it was love! Available in a myriad of patterns, from chic houndstooth and plaid to simple solids and skulls, these hip beauties easily transform sconces and chandeliers to fit your fancy. |
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| 3 | One-Stop Shop Half of our gal pals are currently baking baby buns in their ovens, which means we have an abhorrent number of showers looming on the horizon. But rather than sift through a bazillion gift registries, we’ve decided to expedite our gift-giving by stocking up on the babylicious must-haves at Sheppard Girls. Their oh-so-cute bibs, burp cloths and onesies are a playful mix of modern blossoms and vintage prints, and are sure to have our soon-to-be-mamas cooing with delight. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Savvy Shoppers Unite We’ve all heard about sample sales and the madness that surrounds them, but don’t let those images of catfights keep you from scoring rock-bottom deals on designer duds for your big day. Hit the wedding gown sample sale where hundreds of luxe designs will be up for grabs. Arrive early and wear slip-ons. Time is a factor at these free-for-alls! What: Wedding Gown Sample Sale |
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| 2 | Ready to Rumble We wish we were half as fierce as the North Star Rollergirls, but we have a severe aversion to pain. Luckily we can live vicariously through them at their season opener. Besides the roller derby mayhem, there’s a full bar and music by the Radio K DJs, making for a kick-ass good time, literally. What: North Star Rollergirls Season Opener |
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| 3 | Bigger Is Better Don your best costume and back-comb that hair, it’s time for Big Hair Mania. Benefiting the Minnesota AIDS Project, this hip Halloween party features a “big hair” Runway Show, music by Dance Band, and talented stylists that will tease your do to perfection! FYI: Put some thought into your getup. Prizes for best costumes include being pampered at Spalon Montage! What: Big Hair Mania |
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We live to champion our local indie boutiques and small businesses. Please continue to tell everyone about your favorite life and style resource, Minneapolis Picks! |
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