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  life + style in the Twin Cities
April 3rd , 2009

Lately we’ve been pretty pleased with the way we’re aging. Not too many fine lines, not too jiggly, no grays… all in all a pretty tight package. But with our fifteen-year reunion looming like a beacon of death on the horizon, we’ve been feeling just a titch insecure.

For some reason the mere thought of stepping foot in our hometown throws us back to the overly awkward moments of our wonder years. We had braces, a really bad perm, and a downright disturbing penchant for shoulderless bodysuits and high-waisted jeans. Had we rocked a side-pony we could have passed for a Napoleon Dynamite character. Yikes! Luckily, we have a slew of fabu boutiques just waiting to help us look our best, and should we chicken out and not actually attend the big hoedown (a distinct possibility) at least we’ll be left with some stellar new threads.

       
 

Minneapolis Picks:

 
  1

Green with Envy

Aunt Lucy lives in Paris. Whenever she visits we can’t help but admire her European flair for fashion. Her style is chic, striking, sophisticated, and seemingly effortless. Lucy makes our Seven jeans look like a dumpster find.

In an effort to amp up our couture style and simmer our rampant jealousy, we jetted to Dugo. A galleria gem, this upscale women’s boutique specializes in hot lines from European and American designers. We admired their Creenstone jackets, offered in variety of neutral colors and perfect for MN spring weather. For those with bright and bold taste, Dugo has a selection of Michael Kors and Hilary Radley spring wear that is sure to make a fashion statement. We swooned over the Catherine Andre knitwear that embodies sophistication and class, and our to-die-for favorite was the breathtaking silk taffeta cocktail dress in show-stopping fuchsia.

Dugo is the perfect hotspot for social occasion finds that will make you feel like a high-fashion goddess. They’ll even special order outfits. So the next time you’re out on the town, all eyes will be on you!
 
Dugo
3601 Galleria
Edina, MN 55435
952.746.4440
www.dressupgoout.com

       
  2

A Little Slice of Heaven

We were on the verge of smacking our guy silly when he suggested yet another Friday night of pizza and beer, but when we stepped into Punch Pizza we rethought our violent tendencies.

With its exposed brick walls, assortment of tchotchkes, and wood-fire ovens accentuated by modern décor, this chicly low-key pizzeria masters the art of blending old-world charm with modern sensibilities and style, all while offering up the most mouth-wateringly authentic Neapolitan pizzas that we’ve ever been blessed with tasting. We darn near melted with ecstasy when we sunk our chops into a pie lovingly loaded with fresh basil, eggplant, goat cheese, and sundried tomatoes, so divinely delish we barely said a word to our dinner date as we scarfed that sucker down. If pizza’s not your thing (for shame!) then indulge in one of their top-notch calzones or an uber-tasty Pulcinella, a large focaccia split and stuffed with a salad—yum!

Pair anything on the menu with a glass of wine or an ice-cold brewskie and you’re left with date night (girl’s night, any night...) perfection!

Punch Pizza
704 Cleveland Ave. S.
St. Paul, MN 55116
651.696.1066
www.punchpizza.com

       
  3

Indulge Your Shoe Fetish

We recently went to a nightclub where the standard fare was a la mode. Towering Amazon beauties hovered over our heads and we so wished that we had opted for a killer pair of heels instead of comfy flats. We vowed then and there that models would never again make us feel like dwarfs escaping the circus.

Enter Pumpz and Co., a Galleria hotspot with sizzling shoes and Fashion Week-worthy accessories. We felt better just admiring the Bettye Muller pumps in basic black and loved her new brushed-cotton floral in cabbage, rose and peony. We drooled over the Cynthia Vincent wedge gladiators (which are as fierce as a shoe can be) and for more mellow days (when we’re not out clubbing) their sassy array of sandals adds a hop to any step. On the handbag front, Be & D studded leather shoulder bags send the “I’m edgy and hot” vibe, or pick up spring-ready, colorful Rafe leather handbags.

Though we may not be gracing the cover of Glamour, with Pumpz we are sure to look runway-worthy. And, hey, at least we can eat.
 
Pumpz and Co.
3335 Galleria
Edina, MN 55435
952.926.2252
www.pumpzco.com

     
  Chick Picks:  
  1

Word Up

If your idea of good poetry begins with “There once was a girl from Nantucket,” then it’s time to broaden your horizons with Haiku By Two!

The brainchild of two BFFs who haiku each other daily, this pithy poetry blog puts an uber-fresh spin on the ancient art of haiku. They inject their verses with hi-larious observations on husbands, housecleaning and everything in between while maintaining an insightful poignancy that is nothing short of poetic magic.

www.haikubytwo.com

       
  2

Heavy Metal Chicks

We’ve never been the June Clever-vacuuming-in-heels-pearl-necklace kinda gals, so it’s no wonder that we like our jewelry like we like our men: a little bit edgy, mixed with a whole lotta cool. Perhaps that’s why we’re smitten with the erratic beauty of the scribble necklace we spied on Etsy.

This hammered metal masterpiece is perfectly organic (which we love) while at the same time totally random in its loveliness, making it trés chic for work or play.

www.erosasjewelry.etsy.com

       
  3

Good Golly Miss Molly

We have been cursed with pasty white chicken legs (thanks, Mom), so when it comes to warm-weather apparel we tend to shy away from the shorts and minis, opting instead for long sundresses.

Our current obsession? The vintage 70’s maxi dress at Lullie Vintage. Available in an eye-popping red and adorned with cool rhinestones, this uber-chic boho beauty will keep our lower half concealed in style and is sure to turn heads wherever we wear it!

www.lullieclothing.com
       
 

Hip Happenings:

 
  1

Happy Birthday, Baby

Ivy Spa Club is turning one, and to celebrate they’re hosting a variety of fabulous events throughout the weekend, focused on loving the skin you’re in! Guests from B. Kamins Chemist will be on hand to assess skin problems, True Cosmetics will be doing makeup applications, and on Sunday, experts will help teens tackle their skin dilemmas.

What: Ivy Spa Club’s First Anniversary Celebration
When: Friday, April 3–Sunday, April 5
Where: 201 Eleventh St. S., Minneapolis
Call: 612.343.3131
Visit: www.ivyspaclub.com

       
  2

Get ’em While They’re Hot

We confess: we’re stunners in the right pair of jeans (modesty? What’s modesty??), therefore we’re always ready for a sale on our most favorite wardrobe staple. If designer denim makes your heart flip then don’t miss out on the final two days of Parc Boutiques women’s denim sale—savvy shoppers will score $50 off their denim purchase!

What: Designer Denim Sale at Parc Boutique
When: Today–Saturday April 4
Where: 328 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
Call: 612.353.4966
Visit: www.parcboutique.com

       
  3

Breathtaking Style

Prepare to be awestruck as three-time Voltage participant Laura Fulk debuts her artistically luxe spring collection in her first solo runway show. Her forward-thinking designs feature meticulously tailored contemporary creations accentuated with digital prints by painter Melissa Breitenfeldt and tattooist Jay Langer—truly a must-see! P.S. Don’t dilly-dally on the ticket front—this fashion experience will sell out fast.

What: Suffocate, the Spring 2009 Collection by Laura Fulk
When: Tuesday, April 21, Opening Reception: 6:30 pm,
Runway Show: 8 pm
Where: The Lab, 700 First St. N., Minneapolis
Cost: $15
Visit: www.laurafulk.com

       
 

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