Love and Paper
 
We keep having the same nightmare. No, not the one where we’re marrying the wrong man (that would be awkward), but
that our wedding invites are ugly (not good), there’s no reception seating chart (much worse), and we forgot to send a thank-you card to our mother-in-law for hosting our bridal shower (unforgiveable).
 
Those are all big no-no’s that would make us sinners in the eyes of our angry in-laws, so we thanked the matrimonial gods for Pulp Fashion, our savior in all things wedding-correspondence related. This heavenly paper boutique customizes tying-the-knot announcements, save-the-date, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, and wedding invites, and even helps you navigate thank-you’s. (Phew!) Bridezillas will relish their super selection of bridal picture frames, seat markers, cards, and gorgeous color-coded WhoMi organizers, sure to keep everyone on schedule.  
 
Not obsessed with the wedding brouhaha? Pulp has a variety
of other goodies including birthday and baby shower invites, funky sheet paper, journals, holiday note cards, and even
local, artisan-crafted jewelry, making it a paper-licious dream come true!
 
Pulp Fashion
102 Main St. N.
Stillwater, MN 55082
651.439.7148
www.pulpfashionmn.com

All Growed-Up
 
As college students, we embraced our chaotic lifestyle. A string of loser boyfriends was experience, hosting a packed house-party (three times a week) was exciting, and our hodgepodge of second-hand furniture was eclectic. But now that we’re grown-ups—or at least attempting to be—our haphazard décor (and behavior) no longer says, “finding ourselves” as much as it screams “losing our minds.”
 
We spotted just the place to fill our need for sanity and sanctuary in everyday life at Décor-Ation. This home-furnishings boutique welcomes you with its limestone walls and earthy yet keenly modern furniture. We were drawn to an intriguing steel and rattan-wrapped love seat with bright orange corduroy fabric. Rich textures and tribal-inspired pieces adorn the store in the form of leather chairs, recycled-wood end tables, and hand-blown glass and carved-wood sculptures.
 
Most of these one-of-kind pieces are acquired from all over
the globe, but local art is part of the mix. We especially liked the paintings from Monster Island Art Collective, created by students at the U of M—something we wish we would have know about in our co-ed years.
 
Décor-Ation
903 Washington Ave. S., Ste. 100
Minneapolis, MN 55415
612.225.6999
www.decor-ation.com

Saké it To Me!
 
The first time we had saké was with a group of 12 barely-of-age drinkers doing saké bombs. It was fun, but the sake wasn’t the highlight—the chugging of the cocktail was the real reason we were drinking. Now that we are older and (hopefully) wiser, how we approach saké is a little more adult and a lot less messy.
 
So we were pleased when moto-i opened in Uptown. One of the first saké breweries outside of Japan, moto-i takes saké drinking to a whole new level. No need to temper a low-quality saké by tossing it into a glass of beer—the three sakés offered up are delicious, mellow, and meant to be sipped. Add in the totally affordable and yummy “Izakaya” small plates and the supreme atmosphere, which can be both low-key and romantic or boisterous and engaging—however you want to approach it—and it is definitely our kind of place.
 
With a very cool interior, cheap eats, and seriously the best saké we have ever had, moto-i is a moto-must in our book.
 
moto-i
2940 Lyndale Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612.821.6262
www.moto-i.com

Feed the World
 
We confess to throwing around the phrase "we're starving!" a bit too nonchalantly, but truth be told, the closest we've ever come to being seriously hungry was during our ramen-noodle days in college. Unfortunately that's not the case for everyone; thankfully there's Mercy Corps.
 
For only $18 you can purchase an Emergency Food Kit, enabling the good folks of Mercy Corps to quickly deliver much-needed nutritious meals to families displaced by conflicts, natural disasters, and other crises. Ahh, do-goodery… it just feels right.
 
www.mercycorps.org

Dang, We Smell Good!
 
Our guy has a supremely sensitive sniffer and allergies up the wahzoo, so when we started dating we made the decision to go scent-free (he’s that kinda cute). But after eight years we miss smelling like, well, anything. Luckily we found Rouge to satisfy our aromatic desires without giving our man a headache.
 
This luxe line of heavenly balms, bath salts, and oils are expertly mixed to perfection by an aromatherapist, and are a true olfactory delight—without overpowering the senses.
 
www.rouge.etsy.com

We’re So Vain
 
We secretly love scoring cool and unusual goodies that leave our friends and houseguests oohing and aahing. We’re just suckers for the extra adoration—a little self-absorbed, we know—so it was no wonder that we swooped up all three of the cool spiky bowls we spied at Tilde.
 
Hand-thrown and textured from white earthenware and glazed with vibrant colors, these eye-catching bowls will add a chic and modern twist to any tabletop they grace.
 
www.tildeshop.com

Pocket-Friendly Shopping at Bibelot

We love sales like men love beer so it's no shocker that Bibelot's 12-day sale has us giddy with delight! Now through December 23, shop online or at any of Bibelot's stylish locations and receive 20% off that day's featured category, including holiday items, jewelry, kitchen goodies and books. With so many pocket-friendly must-haves, you can't afford not to shop!

What: Bibelot's Twelve Days of Christmas Sale
When: Dec. 12-23
Where: Bibelot's four metro locations and online at www.bibelotshops.com
Visit: www.bibelotshops.com

Fashionably Late
 
We firmly believe that really good things are worth waiting for. Don’t buy it? Hit the D4 record release party and you’ll understand. Much to the delight of anxious fans, these local legends are finally premiering their heavily anticipated “Civilwar” album, proving that good punk is alive and kicking.
 
What: Dillinger Four Record Release Party
When: Friday, Dec. 12, doors at 9 pm
Where: Triple Rock Social Club, 629 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis
Visit: www.triplerocksocialclub.com

Simply Irresistible
 
Stop into SooVac and score a bevy of positively irresistible locally made products by awesome artists and designers. Fab finds include gorgeous jewelry, handcrafted bags, and accessories, as well as a slew of other lust-worthy products. Bonus: Patrons can take an additional 10% off at the SooVac gallery shop!
 
What: Irresistible: SooVac Local Arts & Crafts Sale
When: Saturday, Dec. 20, 10 am–4 pm
Where: Soo Visual Arts Center, 2640 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis
Visit: www.soovac.org

Bright Lights, Big City
 
Cats aren’t the only ones that dig sparkly things. Case in point: The hordes of people who swarm Minneapolis each year for the Holidazzle Parade. This Twin Cities winter classic is loaded with fairytale and storybook characters, and elaborately decorated floats that are pure sparkly goodness. Bundle up and take in the fun!
 
What: Holidazzle Parade
When: Thursday–Sunday, ongoing through Dec. 21
Where: Throughout downtown Minneapolis
Visit: www.holidazzle.com