|
 |
November 6th, 2009
Don’t read too much into this, but we’ve decided our livers could use a little R and R because it’s been partying like it’s 1999 lately. Now before you go all detox on us, please note that we’re not normally big imbibers, but in an effort to stretch our meager paychecks we’ve started buying wine in a box. Not the cheap Boones-esque pink stuff underagers like to sneak at weddings, but boxed wine nonetheless. And we have to say, a box of Pinot Grigio is one slippery slope. First it’s one glass, then it’s two. Then it’s goofy giggles, hiccups and drunk-dialing people we really shouldn’t be speaking to sober, let alone when we’re, um, less sober. We blame not being able to see how much is left in that darn box. Yes ma’am…that’s our story and we’re sticking to it. |
||
Minneapolis Picks: |
|||
| 1 | Dress to Thrill If there’s one thing we’re dead serious about, it’s that shopping should be fun. But there’s one shopping occasion in a woman’s life that is often a total mellow-harsher, when girlfriends and giggles are replaced by cold dressing rooms, itchy clothes and salespeople who act like stern grannies. What could it be? Buying a wedding gown, of course. Thankfully, the Loft Bridal & Designs’ trendy space puts the giggles back in a serious way. More like the bedroom of the hippest girl at school than a bridal showroom, there’s plenty of room to lounge, chat, sip champers, and get down with the idea of getting wed. Geared to the bride who didn’t lose her fashionista cred just because she added a fiancé, there are labels and looks here you can’t find anywhere else in town, like Stephanie James Couture and Modern Trousseau, and even vintage dresses for the bride with a penchant for the past. When we saw the high-heeled, lipstick-red shoes proudly displayed by a rack of snow-white gowns, we knew we weren’t in Kansas anymore… just at the coolest wedding hangout in town. The Loft Bridal & Design |
|
|
| 2 | Livin’ la Vida Local We are fiercely proud of our Midwestern roots and all that comes with it. We love our four distinct seasons, the lakes, our not so polite rivalry between the Vikings and the Packers, and our passion for art and culture. So we’ve vowed to support all things local, including Seasons on the St. Croix Gallery. Located in a 1940’s creamery (complete with quarry-tiled floors and ceramic-block walls) Seasons is a hip venue filled with the creative inspirations of 160 local and regional artists. From clay pottery to handcrafted glass vases, funky jewelry and purses, mixed media wall art and standing sculptures, Seasons has dazzling options for home decor and unique gift-giving. Plus, they host three artist studios including Maras Glass, Christensen/Reiling Clay, and Casanova Glass, so you can actually admire how these masterpieces are created. Check out their First Friday celebration (Nov. 6, 5–9 pm) featuring 30 additional seasonal artists, holiday music, and refreshments. Seasons is a true find, so get out and show your love! Seasons on the St. Croix Gallery |
|
|
| 3 | Back to Basics Lately we’ve sampled the crème de la crème of Twin Cities restaurants. Our staple diet has consisted of seared foie gras, roasted poussin, and bouillabaisse. As much as we love delicious delicacy dishes, we’ve found ourselves hankering for a good old-fashioned burger and fries. Enter Barkers Bar and Grill, a bistro of a tavern located in the quaint river town of Hudson, WI. This down-home joint is a haven for local and fresh food that fully satisfies our craving for bar fare. With a cozy, comfortable pub atmosphere filled with hungry and social locals, Barkers is the answer to our much-needed dose of casual. And the menu rocks! From Smokehouse BBQ Wings, Greek Chicken Sandwiches, steaks cut in-house and fresh, daily ground burgers (try the Silver Bison Burger or the Stuffed Bacon Burger), our taste buds were in grease delight! If you’re ready for a micro-brew and a hearty American meal, we can’t say enough about Barkers. It’s the epitome of unpretentious with food… that tastes like a million bucks. Barkers Bar and Grill |
|
|
| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Off the Cuff Our taste in men has run the gamut, with our hearts flitting from the brooding artist one day to the hot musician or the muscle-y athlete the next, but these days we know exactly what we want. Right now our hearts belong to Silver Cocoon. Sleek and chic must-haves include cool wooden earrings, necklaces, and our personal fave: the felted wool HIVE cuffs that exude an artistic edginess while at the same time maintaining an organic feel. We find them simply irresistible. |
 |
|
| 2 | Put it in Writing With all the tweeting and Facebooking, we’ve had a yen to get back to more personal communication. And, for us, that means whipping out a pen and some flirty, feminine paper from Customized with your name or initials, stationery is the perfect way to remind your friends and followers that you can still manage the personal touch. Invites, calling cards or labels, Heidi K. offers a fabulous way to stay connected… even when you’re offline. |
 |
|
| 3 | Good Morning, Gorgeous We are somewhat slug-like in the morning—and by morning we mean before noon. Unfortunately our life dictates an up-and-at ’em attitude, and in an attempt to become morning people (gag) we stumbled across something to help perk us up during our morning shower. (It’s not a shot of ice-cold water.) The Peppermint Conditioner from PRE makes our scalp tingle and invigorates us to get movin’. Plus it makes out hair smooth, shiny, and super-glossy, so it’s an eye-opening win-win. |
 |
|
Hip Happenings: |
|||
| 1 | Going, Going, Gone We almost started crying when we heard that Luna Vinca was closing, but then we found out that they were simply setting up shop downtown in order to focus on their awesome floral design services. And before they shutter their Uptown doors, shoppers can score great discounts on their stylish selection of stationery, jewelry, and home décor! What: Moving Sale at Luna Vinca |
 |
|
| 2 | Savvy Savings at IMS If money were no object we’d buy everything at IMS, but that’s not reality, so we live for their sample sales. Today and tomorrow shoppers can score up to 80 percent off of high-end, top-notch goods, including furniture, fabric, rugs, antiques, and art. Don’t miss your chance to revamp your pad without breaking the bank! What: Great Finds Sample Sale |
 |
|
| 3 | Shop Local We’re always on the hunt for the next great thing, and right now we say it’s the sheer awesomeness of W7 Collective. The second week of each month this St. Paul marketplace offers up a stellar selection of locally crafted goods including fashion, art, and photography for your shopping pleasure, along with tasty food (mmm…cupcakes), drinks, and live music. What: Shop W7’s November Event |
 |
|
So much good stuff, so little time! You better print this puppy out so you don’t miss any of the goodness. And don’t forget to tell everyone that Minneapolis Picks hooked you up with the info! (Sign up a friend at www.MinneapolisPicks.com!) |
|||
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. |
|||
