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May 29th, 2009
Our recent foray into 90-plus degree weather had us donning flip-flops and tankinis, and throwing caution (and cellulite fears) into the wind, while hitting the beach with the zealous enthusiasm of a shopper at a sample sale. But what started out as some pre-summer sunbathing quickly turned into a nightmare. We’re not sure if it was the sound of the waves lapping the shoreline, the behemoth influx of vitamin D to our system, or the quickly disappearing beers in the mini-cooler, but we lost track of time and common sense and before we knew it we were sun burned—and we’re not talking about a slightly pink healthy glow here people—we’re talkin’ deep red, blister-bound, “our-thighs-better-not-chafe-when-we-walk-or-we’re-going-to-start-cussing-like-sailors” burned. Fun in the sun? Tell it to our burnt butt. Want to keep yourself from becoming the next lobster-girl? Forward this issue to 5 or more friends and cc: picks@minneapolispicks.com and you could win a stylish sun hat from www.coolibar.com! |
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Minneapolis Picks: |
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| 1 | Flower Power The first time we got flowers from a boy it was a major bummer—we were seniors in college, the boy was a sort of out-of-town stalker whom we had zero interest in, and the bouquet was straight from the grocery store. Seriously—it was just sad. Even our roommates cried a little with us (then smirked). The good news? It taught us to buy ourselves some flowers whenever the mood hits, and the place we like to go is Acanthus. This small shop packs a big variety of local items, and not just flowers. Owner Jodi has street cred (official florist of Kitchen) and an easygoing personality—she’ll come up with a truly artistic interpretation from scratch, or let you pick the stems while she works her magic. Plus she supports local artists, from potters and painters to jewelry makers, and her two budgie birds, Puck and Mopsy, just add charm to an already charming shop. So stop by next time you need a floral arrangement for a party, wedding, anniversary, or just because you want to get flowers from someone you like… yourself! Acanthus Floral Art |
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| 2 | Wishful Thinking If you’ve never bought magic wands and kinky sex toys from someone who’s dressed up as a fairy godmother, then girlfriend you are so not living life to the fullest. When we seek a little feel-good fun that’s wacky, silly, and thuddingly sincere, we call upon Fairy Godmother to make our wishes come true. Owner Terre Thomas, who dons old prom dresses and conducts fairy godmother consulting on the side, insists that everything in the store is chosen with intention and purpose, and that purpose includes getting some, with the Restore the Tingle collection of sex toys and women's erotica (you go, Godmother)! Other notables include the classic “women-in-therapy” line-up of candles, coffee mugs, tub accessories and tarot cards, and fret not—the Fairy Godmother’s enthusiasm for the merchandise makes the scent of patchouli go down easy. And speaking of going down… oh never mind! Just visit the Fairy Godmother and enjoy what Thomas calls “gifts, guidance, tokens and treasures—all with a sprinkling of magic and love”! Want to feel even better? Stop in and mention Minneapolis Picks and you’ll score a $5 gift token. Fairy Godmother |
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| 3 | Eat, Drink, and Be Merry When we were young all of our dating knowledge was garnered from Molly Ringwald movies and old black-and-white romances, so imagine our surprise when our first date landed us in the back of Buick fending off an octopus rather than at some swanky restaurant or in Andrew McCarthy’s BMW. Maybe that’s why we encouraged (okay, forced, bribed… blah, blah…) our guy to take us out for a grown-up-style night on the town at W.A. Frost & Company. This St. Paul institution is date night done right, offering up a delectable menu of ever-changing good eats, the majority of which are locally sourced and organic. Indulge in everything from artisanal cheese plates and crispy duck confit to rice wine-miso braised short ribs, all of which will have you licking your lips and asking for more. Don’t like eating things with faces? Dig into their sweet-n-sour glazed tofu steak, so surprisingly delish we swear you’ll forget it’s tofu. Add in the perfectly honed wine list and the ultra-fabulous patio and you can’t go wrong! Reluctant to don your fancy pants? Stop in for lunch and be wowed by their mid-day fare! W.A. Frost & Co. |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Sun-Savvy Style When we moved to Minnesota we felt like a Corgi-legged frump next to all of the uber-tall blond beauties basking on the beaches of our 10,000+ lakes. And to make matters worse, we’re so pale we’re practically transparent, and therefore prone to nasty sunburns. Thankfully we have Collibar’s bevy of hats, swimwear, and apparel to stylishly protect our skin from harsh (and wrinkle-inducing) UV rays. We especially love their selection of hats, perfect for channeling a chic Jackie-O-meets-the-beach vibe! |
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| 2 | Wild, Wild, West After tearing down roughly a dozen different wallpapers depicting everything from heart-toting bunnies to pigs in wheel barrels, we swore we’d never glue anything to our walls, but we soon found ourselves singing a different tune. Hygge and West, a snazzy new local online retailer, has us rethinking our likes and dislikes with their sweet little selection of modern wallpapers emblazoned with natural elements we love in a variety of eye-catching colors. They’re destined to turn your walls into works of art. |
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| 3 | Happy Feet We dream of shoe closets lined with shelves of stilettos, wedges, boots, ballet flats and more. Sadly, we don’t have the money (yet) for a million different pairs of kicks, but we do have Mohop shoes. They’re actually one pair of wooden soles, but have infinite design options created by different ribbons laced multiple ways through elastic loops. Between the grosgrain, metallic, striped and satin ribbons and a million different tie options, it’s the perfect summer sandal. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | There’s Something About Art… There’s something we love about a warm summer morning and a meandering stroll through a top-notch art fair like the one found in Edina. Featuring nearly 400 talented artists, a kids’ zone, fashion shows and live music, this is event is truly a crowd-pleaser. Don’t miss the “green art” section where you’re sure to find something eco-fab! What: The Edina Art Fair |
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| 2 | Charitable Endeavors Join a slew of other do-gooders, beer-lovers, and audiophiles by attending the 2009 Finnegans ShamROCK. Benefitting Heading Home Hennepin, this outdoor beer festival promises to not only donate 100% of its proceeds to charity, but to keep you entertained with live music, beer-pong, and the ever popular Finnegans Lasses. What: 2009 Finnegans ShamROCK |
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| 3 | An Affair to Remember Preparing to embark on wedded bliss? Be sure to check out the “Savoir Affaire” at the Sofitel Minneapolis first! Brides (and grooms) can check out tons of fabulous vendors offering up everything from invites, flowers, and hair how-tos to photography and romantic honeymoon endeavors, all aimed at making your big day a thing of perfection. What: “Savoir Affaire” Bridal Affair |
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We feel like expanding our social circle… how about you tell all of your friends, rellies, and stylish neighbors to sign up for www.MinneapolisPicks.com? |
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