Call Me Martha
 
We love to dine out—it supports local restaurants and causes no mess at home. But as we collectively learn to tighten our shiny, metallic clutches, we have gotten inspired to whip up some homemade creations, and have found cooking to be fun (or, at least not a total failure).
 
Kitchen Window, the longtime Uptown staple, has everything we need to plan, prepare, chop, sauté, and present a meal that is almost as good as mom made. From colorful bowls and mixers to cookbooks, they have the kitchen-challenged in us inspired. Garlic presses, hand blenders, tiny toothpicks meant for spearing, uh, things. Minnesota-based Appronette aprons made to order, raclettes and French presses. Animal-shaped cookie cutters, locally-made Rogue Chocolate, potholders so cute we may wear them as mittens and every flavor of tea for cold winter nights. It’s a one-stop shop no matter how much kitchen experience you have. 
 
Keep supporting your local restaurants on half-priced bottle of wine nights, and head to Kitchen Window to get started on making your own culinary creations at home!
 
Kitchen Window
Calhoun Square
3001 Hennepin Ave.,
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612.824.4417
www.kitchenwindow.com

Shop Like A Man
 
The smell of aftershave.  A five o’clock shadow. Ordering whiskey on the rocks. Face it:  There’s something incredibly alluring about the classic manly-man. George Clooney, Cary Grant, and any incarnation of James Bond makes our hearts go pitter-patter.
 
But lately it seems men of this caliber are hard to find. Maybe it’s because the necessary tools have been zapped from shelves. However, all hope is not lost. Martinpatrick3 in the Warehouse District has everything the dapper man desires.  This guy-oriented shop is stocked with a bevy of handsome accessories for the man blessed with style and taste, who appreciates a throwback to yesteryear. Concord shaving kits, sexy drinking and smoking accessories—yeah we know, smoky-treats are bad, but we loooved their Japanese lighters from Sarome. And be sure to take a gander at their collection of interesting and moderately priced watches. You’re simply not going to find timepieces from Storm and Android at many—if any—stores in the Twin Cities. (And holiday gifts—hello!)
 
So go ahead: shop like a man. They’ll even give you a complimentary whiskey or ale why you browse. We can almost feel the chest hairs sprouting.
 
Martin Patrick 3
121 N. 1st St.
Minneapolis, MN 55401
612.746.5329
www.martinpatrick3.com

This, That, and a Whole Lotta Wine
 
Ever since we exchanged our Claire’s accessories of the past with our chunky vintage finds of the present we’ve been completely smitten with anything rummage-worthy or off the beaten path.  We’re just suckers for the thrill of the hunt, which is why a wrong turn at the old Grain Belt Brewery left us positively giddy with adventure!
 
Tucked away on the shores of the Mississippi River we stumbled upon The Sample Room, an eye-catching and undeniably swank foodie’s delight. Steeped in the deep undertones of earthy wood paneling, and accented with cool modern textures and a striking tin ceiling, this noteworthy eatery exudes a remote-street-in-Spain vibe that we totally flipped for. Their menu is a tasty, tapas-inspired pleasure that had us happily indulging in warm Camembert with caramelized onions, perfectly prepared pan-fried walleye, and delicious wines, leaving us filled with the comfort of savory foods and yes, just a little bit tipsy.
 
But the best part? Knowing that we could forgo installing that pricey GPS. Once again we have found that the places that keep us returning for seconds are often the ones we stumble upon.    
 
The Sample Room
2124 Marshall St. NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
612.789.0333
www.the-sample-room.com

Heavy Metal Haven
 
We’ve never been the type of gals to lounge around coyly batting our eyelashes while waiting for a man to gift us—it’s just not our thing. If we’re craving a lovely new bauble we darn well buy it ourselves. Our current obsession? The simply chic jewelry by Sarah Michaela Designs.
 
From riveting rings emblazoned with words to sleek sterling silver necklaces, this spot-on local artist’s custom designs perfectly master a timeless and modern cool that we find irresistible.
 
www.sarahmichaeladesigns.com

Cupcakes Make Mouths Happy
 
We’ve had a long and delicious love affair with the cupcake and would do just about anything to score one of these sweet treats. Seriously—we’re talking addiction here, people—and right now the cupcakes by Kenna’s Cupcake Company have left us fiending for more!
 
Not only are they supremely delish, but each little cake is masterfully adorned with everything from bodacious wedding day lilies to baby bottles and butterflies, making these decadent pastries into mini works of art.
 
www.kennascupcakecompany.com

Turkish Delight on a Moonlit Night
 
We can’t see the words “Turkish delight” without busting into “…Istanbul was Constantinople…”, which is annoying because once that ditty invades your mind it takes approximately three days to exit. Luckily we have the casually cool totes at Pistol Stitched to get our minds off of the redundancy.
 
These bags are handcrafted out of a variety of eye-popping fabrics, many vintage, and adorned with sturdy wooden handles, totally meeting our everyday It-Bag needs while exuding a folksy-chic vibe we love.
 
www.pistolstitched.com

DIVAMN Presents the Ultimate Pajama Party
 
Don your PJs and rally your girls, it’s time for DIVAMN’s Ultimate Pajama Party!  Benefitting HIV and AIDS programs for women and children in Minnesota, this girl-centric gala features decadent and delish cocktails and apps, plus fabu Rodeo Drive Shopping, a silent auction, gift bags and raffles, luxe mini spa treatments (some free—ka-ching!), Palm Readers and Psychics, a Chick-Flick Suite, and our personal fave: Tell Your Troubles to a Gay Man. Bring your dancin’ slippers:  Bellediva along with the Hey Sugar Dancers will have you tappin’ your well-pedicured toes.
 
What: DIVAMN’s Ultimate Pajama Party
When: Friday, Nov. 14, VIP only 6–7:30 pm; 7:30–midnight general admission
Where: Graves 601 Hotel, 601 First Ave. N., Minneapolis
Cost: General $45, VIP $75, private lounges for 10: $1,500
Visit: www.divamn.org

Sweet Sale at StormSister Spatique
 
We’re those crazy Betties who are out shopping the day before the holidays, but this year we’re determined to shop in advance, starting with StormSister Spatique’s fabulous gift certificate sale. Now through Nov. 15, patrons of this heavenly boutique can score $100 GCs for $90, making them the perfect gift for our BFFs and ourselves!
 
What: StormSister Spatique’s Gift Certificate Sale
When: Now–November 15
Where: 635 South Smith Avenue, St. Paul
Visit: www.stormsister.biz

Attack of the Killer Art
 
Just when we thought we couldn’t stare at our roomie’s gold-framed Liger for one more second, Art Attack arrived like a beacon, promising an entire weekend of captivating works by hundreds of artists. From ceramics and paintings to fashion and photography, this creative event is sure to put something pretty in your pad.
 
What: Art Attack 2008
When: Friday, Nov. 7, 5–10 pm; Saturday, Nov. 8, noon–8 pm; Sunday, Nov. 9, noon–5 pm
Where: Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson St. NE, Minneapolis
Visit: www.northrupkingbuilding.com

New Girl on the Block
 
Roll out the welcome mat, there’s a new kid in town! Stop into the fashion-forward Belle Reve Boutique this Saturday to catch an eyeful of their chic new storefront and fab fashions. Live music, tasty French Creole food, and cocktails add to the festivities. Plus: 10% of the day’s sales go to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
 
What: Belle Reve Boutique’s Grand Opening Soiree
When: Saturday, Nov. 8, 6–11 pm
Where: Belle Reve Boutique, 320 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
Visit: www.bellereveboutique.com