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August 28th, 2009
We’ve been tightening the proverbial belt around our place lately, so a few of our regular treats have gone by the wayside. We’re buying wine from the half-off bin at Big Top, we’re shopping only the best sales, and we decided to only wax the ol’ brows every six months. We just figured we could wax once and then maintain hair control on our own—every dollar counts right? Um, wrong. We flipped down the mirror in our car the other day and darn near screamed when we saw the forest of stray hairs that were migrating like little soldiers away from our ginormous fuzzy caterpillar brows. Suddenly we were circus freaks, and the worst part was that our so-called friends never said anything! Like walking around with your skirt tucked into your hose, a friend’s face going all wolfman-jack is something to fill them in on. It’s just good girl etiquette. |
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Minneapolis Picks: |
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| 1 | Bloomin’ Gorgeous!
We recently read that surprising your significant other with flowers at least once month increases the romance for a couple by 67%. Whether it’s true or not, we are all about upping the ooh-la-la in our relationship. Better yet, maybe our beau will return the favor. (Psst…we like orchids.) Searching for a floral gift shop in the metro is for the birds when we need perfect petals pronto. Indulge and Bloom touts a trove of traditional bouquets, vibrant tropical buds and one-of-a-kind gift items you’ll go gaga over. Select from a sea of greeting cards, photo albums and scented candles. Haute housewares include white ceramic vases and sculptures by Jonathan Adler, contemporary wall clocks by Umbra and framed prints by local artist Jason Gallus. We opted for an organically shaped basket made of lightweight burl wood and a cute cardholder with belly-to-belly Buddhas, perfect for our hubby’s desk. Whether your looking to add pizzazz to your perennials or luxe to your living space, this shop gives 110% when it comes to ways to say “I love you.” Indulge & Bloom |
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| 2 | When In Greece… We love finding new reasons to wear jewelry, even more so if the reason is combined with alcohol. So we were thrilled to find fabulous cocktail rings in a charming shop. Jewelry to wear while drinking? Sold! The shop’s name, Omorphia, means “beyond beautiful” in Greek, and its jewelry, art and accessories certainly live up to the name. The big draw is the Konstantino fine jewelry—though it’s also sold at Saks and Neimans, you’ll find one-of-a-kind pieces here. And those cocktail rings we want for every finger are by Bora, a Turkish artist who lives in New York. This is his only retail outlet in the Twin Cities, so if you see a style you fancy, snag it quickly or you may see it on the ring finger of a drinking buddy. Quel tragedy! You’ll even find inventive candy-wrapper bags by the original Mexican creator, Nahui Ollin. We’ve seen them sold on the beaches at Cabo, but we never have any money in our bikinis, so this was a perfect—and less sandy—find. Margaritas, anyone? Omorphia |
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| 3 | P Is For Perky Yes, 1980s fashion was truly execrable, but we have to admit a soft spot for a fashion “do” from one of that era’s television shows. No, not Linda Evans’ giant shoulder pads... We refer to the oversized letter “L” that appeared on everything worn by Laverne on “Laverne and Shirley.” Like her, we love the look of our own initial, and have a weakness for anything that features it, which is why we’re completely obsessed with Capers, a noteworthy boutique that features a whole alphabet soup of fun and trendy initial-ware. A commuter mug in bright colors quickly became our new morning must-have. We lingered over charms, notebooks, clutches and more, all in hot colors and with “bling” initials. There are also yummy treats in stock for babies, kiddos and hostesses, beauty products galore and plenty of gift books when you feel like browsing. As for us, we’re enjoying our stash of initialed booty, and we’re dreaming of the day when we can have a letter on our chest that’s just as big and perky as Laverne’s. (Um… as big as the letter… not her chest!) Capers |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Armed and Ready Another brisk Minnesota autumn is right around the corner—okay, not really—but we’re the type of gals who like to plan ahead. So when we saw these stylin’ arm warmers we just had to have them! These cozy cuties are sure to keep your hands from falling off when temps dip down into the single digits, and their bright hue will add a nice punch of color to your cold-weather wardrobe. Keep the winter blahs at bay! |
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| 2 | An Organic Experience Twin Cities moms are all about the “O.” As in “organic,” silly. And we’ve found a new way to satiate your desires with a little French twist—Petite Miette, a darling purveyor of baby blankets, toys and wraps. While the bright pinks, blues and yellows are super saturated, they come from low-impact dyes that skip the heavy metals and toxins. To keep it simple, Petite Miette’s natural fabrics are good for baby, good for planet, and definitely good for you. |
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| 3 | We Feel Pretty Why is jewelry so appealing? Is it the primal instinct to react to shiny things? The appreciation of artistry in such a delicate form? Or is it the need to find something to match that pink blouse? Eh, who cares when the choices are this good! Kevia’s drop-dead gorge collection mixes precious and semi-precious stones in 18k gold, 22k gold vermeil and sterling silver. With prices starting at just $20, there’s something for everyone. Shiny, shiny! Can you stand it?!? |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Good for the Sole Is your closet brimming with a bevy of kicks that you no longer wear? Then bring them into Shu Global Footwear for donation to Soles4Souls, an organization that delivers gently worn shoes to those in need. Your generosity will score you $20 off a pair of regular priced shoes or $10 off sale shoes. It’s a win-win! What: Shu Global Footwear’s Shoe Donation |
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| 2 | Something For Everyone Looking for entertainment but can’t decide between classical music and light bulb eaters? Try a little bit of everything at Sample Night Live. For a mere $20 you can preview twelve outstanding upcoming performances, experiencing everything from puppetry and improv to indie films and poets in one fell swoop. What: Sample Night Live |
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| 3 | Oh What a Sight Get your fashion fix at Envision, Fall 2009. Two fabulous hair and runway shows will feature a slew of local designers and boutiques including Arwyn Birch, Cliche, and Kjurek Couture, with DJ Timmay and Shiek providing tunes, and a live performance by electric violinist Dani-Vi. A portion of the proceeds benefit breast cancer research. What: Envision, Fall 2009, benefitting The Young Survival Coalition |
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Show the Lynx Some Love Looking for family friendly fun that won’t break the bank? Grab your big foam fingers, load up the mini, and hit an upcoming Lynx game! These athletic superstars have serious game, making for edge-of-your-seat entertainment for the whole clan, and thanks to the WNBA and Ticketmaster, Minneapolis Picks readers can score $8 tickets by using the code WNBABLOG. What: The Minnesota Lynx |
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