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February 13th, 2009
We’ll be honest: we don’t heart the V-day. Ever since being harshly snubbed by our entire sixth grade class in the Valentine department, we’ve pretty much been the anti-Cupid, poo-pooing the day of love, scoffing at balloons being delivered to coworkers, and fiercely glaring at every flower-delivery person we see. We don’t need to be plied with chocolate, showered with roses or forced to shop for sexy undies in order to prove our love to our significant O! Heck, we don’t even like chocolate! And the sexy underpinnings infused with flirty undertones? Well, we can think of roughly a bazillion things more sexy than a rear view of us wiggling our butts into a heart-emblazoned thong (trust us). What we’d really like for V-day? … For him to do the dishes! Do presents make your heart skip a beat? Forward this issue to 5 friends and cc: picks@MinneapolisPicks.com! One lucky reader will score a fabulous face wash from Hooked Studios Skincare (see below). |
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Minneapolis Picks: |
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| 1 | Dressed to Thrill We sat down to catch up on reading the other night and got sucked in to a “Real Housewives” marathon. Sometimes you want to be entertained by verbose, captivating literature, and other times you want to watch fake boobs duke it out on Bravo. But weddings, in our book, should always be a great literature moment—filled with class, style, and a certain Jane Austin je ne sais quoi (as opposed to Tuesday nights with takeout). Keeping with the spirit of class over trash, we recently accompanied our aisle-headed BFF to Grace Bridal Boutique on swank Water Street in Excelsior, to aid an opinion on the perfect dress for her big day. Always a couture fan, we were impressed by this discerning store’s amazing collection of chic gowns and delicate vintage accessories. From risk-taking dramatic statements by Ian Stuart to classically elegant designs by White Chocolate and Hollywood glam looks by Badgley Mischka, Grace Bridal Boutique had our girl swirling in some breathtaking gear. Now, if only we could find the perfect mid-winter slimming number to rock at her Vegas bachelorette party... Grace Bridal Boutique |
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| 2 | Home Sweet Home This year we made a special commitment: No resolutions we were doomed to quit or regret. Which meant that our usual standbys (lose weight, work out every day, stop drinking wine) were O-U-T. Instead we vowed to transform our admittedly outdated home interior into a cozy and quaint abode. Nestled in the historic town of Stillwater, Autumn Cottage is the perfect stomping ground for comfy, casual and unique home décor with a cottage twist. AC specializes in made-to-order furniture, including stunning bed frames, colorful dressers and rustic tables. Their vintage-inspired wall signs, hanging clocks, and colorful dinnerware add a bit of character and pizzazz to any room in need of a pick-me-up. Half baby store, AC also sports adorable baby cribs, twin and bunk bed sets, boy & girl bedding and a variety of kiddie books, mobiles, and stuffed animals. Just in case a personal makeover is in order, Autumn Cottage has a small but sweet selection of accessories, including Vera Bradley handbags and Treska jewelry. We have a feeling that 2009 might be our year to shine… both inside and out! Autumn Cottage |
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| 3 | Sharp-Dressed Man It’s well known that Valentine’s Day is our annual pass to act all gushy over our man in public. Secretly it also gives us a reason to dress him up and let him spoil us with chocolates and wine. We may say we love him in jeans (we do), but sometimes we can’t wait to get him into a silk tie. Luckily, we have found just the place to score striking, sexy styles for both a man’s business and pleasure. Skyway newcomer Elsworth stocks sleek, urban yet unfussy attire that worksfor all types of men. Whether he’s a young professional who desires a slender silhouette with slick stitching by Ted Baker, or a class-act gent who prefers the GQ darling of sophisticated menswear, Jack Victor, he’ll find what he needs to look fine, right down to the cufflinks—either straight of the rack or through their exclusive stock service. If your man is looking to infuse some originality into his wardrobe, make sure he checks out local dress shirt designers like Humble and Rarity—interestingly, two qualities that make you so gushy for him! Elsworth |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Olive Your Style First there was Lucy and Ethel, then Wilma and Betty and Rachel and Monica… and now Olive and Myrtle. This earth-friendly online boutique is meticulously stocked with things we love like vibrant bamboo bowls, luxe organic sheets, and mod garden goods. They also carry Kobo candles (a longtime personal obsession) that are divinely aromatic and burn for freakin’ ever (70 hours!). The best part? This eco-chic purveyor is local and ultra-easy on the pocketbook! |
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| 2 | We’re Hooked As a child we were fascinated to learn that our skin was our biggest organ (okay, maybe it kinda grossed us out, too), but ever since we’ve been freakish about our skincare regimen, and seekers of the next big thing. Enter the face wash by Hooked Studios Skincare. Loaded with all-natural ingredients (think garbanzo flour and flax seed), this fabu face wash is made to pamper your precocious skin, easing acne problems while firming and exfoliating for a youthful, clean appearance. |
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| 3 | You ’Da Balm We figured with the inevitable smooch-fest that accompanies tomorrow’s day o’ love, we’d better prime our pouts with some flirty finds at Kiss Fix. This lip-centric online purveyor is packed with a ginormous selection of goodies we love including luxury balms by Le Mer, lip plumpers, and scrubs by Philosophy, as well as a worthy assortment of vegan and organic balms for the earth-conscious Chica. With this shop as your guide, you’ll have the perfect pucker in no time! |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Glamorous Do-Goodery The Academy Awards: the gowns, the glamour, the fashion gaffes of the fabulously elite, and now the Aegis Foundation’s swank awards party benefiting One Heartland and Smile Network. This swoon-worthy event features delish drinks, hors d’oeuvres, tunes by DJ Naughty Boyy, cool prizes, and Swag Bags for the first 150 partygoers. Black tie is optional (but more fun). What: Aegis Foundation’s “Help Elevate Youth” Event, benefiting One Heartland and Smile Network |
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| 2 | Last Chance Shopping This is the last weekend to take advantage of Elodie’s fabulous Jeans for Jobs campaign, benefiting Goodwill-Easter Seals. Simply bring in some gently used clothing and receive drastic discounts on lust-worthy new threads. E.g.: donate an old pair of jeans and score $40 off the purchase of a swank new pair, or $10 off any other clothing item. Woo-hoo! What: Jeans for Jobs |
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| 3 | Easy On the Pocketbook Our love of StyledLife runs deep, so when they have a sale we run like a banshee to their doorstep. Now–February 23 a bevy of their handbags and chic scarves are up to 70% off, or buy a cool new belt at 30% off and score a second belt for free! Who knew saving money could look so good? What: The SaLe |
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Spread some love, local style: encourage all of your Valentine’s to sign up for www.MinneapolisPicks.com. |
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Be sure to visit www.MinneapolisPicks.com and check out past issues in our archives. If you like what you see, forward to a friend and encourage them to check out www.MinneapolisPicks.com and subscribe for free! It's easy--there's a box in the upper left to enter your email address. If you would like to make a suggestion, please email us at contribute@MinneapolisPicks.com. Share your favorite ideas for Picks, tell us about terrific products or services, announce a sale or event, or let us know what you think of Minneapolis Picks! Website and weekly issues maintained by Studio Ridge.com. |
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