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November 20th, 2009
We need a break, a vacay, an escape from reality if you will, because lately things are just a little too real, and right now we don’t want real. We want nonsensical, frivolous fun on a tropical island paradise that specializes in getting us tan and getting us tipsy, preferably at the same time. And we want one of those cool pools equipped with a tiki-themed bar that you can swim up to. Oooh! And a Johnny Depp double to be our waiter—no—our cabana boy! He could help us adjust our coconut bras and grass skirts—meow! But alas, we’re low on dough so our tropical dreams aren’t going to be realized anytime soon. We’ll just have to settle for taking next week off to lounge around home with the heat cranked up, our swimsuit on, and “Pirates of the Caribbean” playing in the background. But fear not! We will return from our exotic staycation the following week with more fab finds and hip tips! Have a happy turkey day! |
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Minneapolis Picks: |
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| 1 | Get Up, Get Down(town) Living downtown definitely has its perks—cheap cab rides, superb sushi within blocks, and best of all, the slick skyway system. No battling rush-hour traffic or winter’s pesky precipitation for us. By walking, we kill three birds with one stone—we stay healthy, live greener (no CO2 emissions!) and save on gas, which means more cash in our Coach. Recently, with a little extra padding in our pocket, we strolled the skyway highway to the much-anticipated 2nd Annual MNfashion Holiday Boutique, a pop-up shop that offers a select amount of stunning goods from local designers. Handbags by Heddy Freddy are simply genius—a large pocket insert transfers to a variety of embellished handbags, making your daily purse swap a snap. Eye-catching accessories included beaded bangles from Designs By K Cayetano, and feather, ribbon, and bow-adorned headbands by Peas & Beans (a great ways to jazz up the LBD this season). Amazing local designs right at our fingertips—just another reason we love this city. Find great holiday gifts at this shop in the bustling Gaviidae Commons—but only for a limited time! MNfashion Holiday Boutique |
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| 2 | Hey Classy Lady December means one thing around our pad: Cocktails and convo for fifty of our nearest and dearest. Too bad our living room looks a little too lived in. Our seating is trashed thanks to our overly zealous kitty-cat, and the stains on our ancient coffee table make our eyes ache. What we need is a furniture upgrade, stat! Enter Danish Teak Classics, a hipper-than-hip home-goods store in Northeast Minneapolis that specializes in high-quality Danish items, vintage and new. Here’s how they run things: The owner goes on a massive shopping trip to Denmark, handpicking the swankest, most swoon-worthy furniture and home accessories imaginable in distinctive modern designs, and them ships them back to Minnesota. We flipped for the sleek and chic style of a cool dining set, perfect for shining up our lackluster dining room, and we love that many pieces are intentionally left unfinished so you can customize with upholstery, making for truly original pieces. Not in the market for a big purchase? No worries! DTC offers up a fab selection of light fixtures, home accessories, and fine art. Danish Teak Classics |
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| 3 | Big Flavor in Dinkytown We confess: When we think of Dinkytown, bars, late-night burritos, and a healthy disrespect for sweatpants and Uggs are what generally pop into our heads. Something that’s never come to mind? Accessible, delicious dining that’s chic enough for a date yet casual enough for a solo lunch. All that changed when we paid a visit to Kafe 421. The menu has a distinct Greek flair, but it’s certainly not limited to one type of cuisine. We started things off right with some refreshing tzatziki and rich, creamy tomato basil soup (an absolute must). The rest of the menu is stacked with sandwiches, pasta (hello, squash ravioli), burgers, and entrees that guarantee everyone—from foodies to no-frills types—will come away satisfied. And thanks to its student-saturated location, Kafe 421 has a dizzying list of special offers for those on a budget. Mondays and Wednesdays feature half-priced bottles of wine. And then there’s the fantastic “date night” special: on Tuesday evenings and all day Sunday, get a three-course meal for two for only 25 bucks! Kafe 421 |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Serving up Style We’re all thumbs so we break things—a lot. Wine glasses, bowls, miscellaneous knick-knackery—it varies from year to year, but you get the drift. Anyhoo, we were down to a shot glass and a melamine kiddie plate for our upcoming holiday fete, so we were thrilled to lay eyes on the pottery at Dishfuls of Doodles. Don’t let the quirky moniker fool you! These chic dishes are high on style and come in colorful, eye-popping patterns that almost make us glad we’re clumsy. |
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| 2 | Pucker Up Our pal hates wrapping paper and won’t use it. He thinks it’s wasteful, not needed, bad for the earth, blah, blah, blah. One year he actually wrapped our b-day gift in his pillowcase (um, gross). But before our next present comes wrapped in a pair of gently used boxers we’re tipping him off to Fish Lips. This little site boasts an eco-friendly selection of 100% recycled gift wraps and note cards that are stylish and easy on the planet. |
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| 3 | One Is Not Enough Some women crave chocolate, some flip for shoes, but we’re addicted to handbags. And not just any old handbag gets to grace our arm either. Each one is carefully chosen after meeting a series of requirements that are more stringent than those we impose on potential suitors. The newest beauty to make the cut? The lovely Meredith bag. Adorned with a cherry blossom print and wooden handles, this handbag is functional enough to tote to work and stylish enough for date night. Perfection! |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Meander Down Grand Infuse your holidays with old-world charm at Grand Meander! A slew of can’t-miss holiday discounts and promotions will be offered by a bevy of Grand Avenue businesses, with an art fair, delish soup-tasting, carolers, tree-lighting, Santa meet-n-greet, and a sneak peek of the St. Paul City Ballet’s upcoming holiday performance rounding out the festive mix! What: Grand Meander |
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| 2 | Holiday Boutique Crawl Stretch your shopping budget by hitting the 2009 Holiday Boutique Crawl. A slew of NE Minneapolis businesses will be featuring fabulous sales, specials, and events, including 20% off at Parc Boutique, wine and spirit sales at Surdyk’s, spa treatments at Aveda, and an ornament show at I Like You. What: 2009 Holiday Boutique Crawl |
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| 3 | Holiday Shopping at the Hamm Keep your dollars local while getting a jump-start on your holiday shopping at The Historic Hamm Building—the Artist Mercantile and Sophist A Gifts are hosting a swank holiday party. Fabulous sales and specials abound, with delish refreshments, hors d’oeuvres, and live jazz by Lynn Frank rounding out your shopping experience. What: Artist Mercantile & Sophist A Gifts Holiday Party |
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Don’t let all this goodness pass you by—get out there and shop, eat, explore! And tell them Minneapolis Picks sent you. |
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