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December 11th, 2009
Pardon us for tooting our own horns, but we are nearly finished with all of our holiday shopping! Kids, rellies, neighbors, boyfriends, girlfriends, the cast of “Friends”—the works! And it’s not even mid-month! And unlike previous years, we didn’t end up brawling with fellow shoppers over sweaters, toasters, and whatever the “It” toy is. You know what this means, don’t you? More time for cookie-eating, party-throwing, and making merry (e.g. Imbibing holiday-themed cocktails and egg nog). And when we tried on our fave party dress it was loose! Loose, people—too big! We could hardly believe it so we stepped on the scale and lo and behold we were seven whole pounds lighter. All in all, this month is shaping up to be pretty darn swell. Know what else is swell? The super stylish pet collars from Cosmo’s Collars. The first reader to forward this issue to 5 or more friends and cc: picks@MinneapolisPicks.com will score one of their cool collars for their beloved pet. |
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Minneapolis Picks: |
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| 1 | It’s Our Prerogative We don’t mind saying it—these days we’ve taken to rebellion and a little “it’s my way or the highway.” We’ve traded our cashmere pullovers for a mix of lace and leather, declined tea parties to attend martini minglers, and said goodbye to mom’s hand-me-down furniture and hello to our version of hip home accents. Our revamp feels (and looks) real good, and we couldn’t have done it without Interior Motive. This new home-accent shop is just like us: fresh, colorful, bold and filled with confidence. From funky picture frames (to document our new mojo) to vibrant table-top ceramics, patterned pillows to funky rugs, creative canvas artwork to faux florals, I.M. has us covered. Their pampering selection of scented Illume candles and Soap & Paper Factory bath & body has even tipped our self-indulgence scale, revealing both our sweet and sultry side. (Who knew?) Interior Motive also has a small but unique sampling of tables, chairs, lamps and other furniture must-haves. It’s a floor-to-ceiling transformation for the home that plays perfectly with our new M.O.! Interior Motive |
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| 2 | Treasure-Hunting With all our bopping around the local shopping scene, we’ve become a little jaded. We’re embarrassed to admit it, but sometimes, it’s just another boutique. That was our mood when we were tipped off about a brand-spanking-new shop that’s set to pack a one-two punch to the scene. Humbly tucked into a small strip mall, Houndstooth shocks your senses with mod lighting, pops of tangerine, and the famous black and white pattern splashed on the wall. Classic meets cool with black leggings and denim from Hudson Jeans, buttery soft leather handbags by local label Heidi’s Comfort, and the comfiest, thinnest boyfriend tees ever by Alternative and Sun of John. We frantically stocked up on gauzy-thin plaid button-ups by Rails and got a jolt of excitement with the John Wind gold bobble-charm necklaces, which are actually cotton balls dipped in pearlescent coating so they’re uber light—totally wearable into the night. Embodying effortless, casual styles for men and women, Houndstooth is a true treasure in a land of big-box stores—a perfect surprise for suburbanites who crave superior style. Who doesn’t love surprises? Houndstooth |
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| 3 | Let It Shine In our book, there is nothing better than mandatory gift-giving (which may be why we freakin’ love the holidays). But this year, instead of gifting the usual suspects: peppermint-scented candles, Harlequin romance novels, and Victoria’s Secret lotion (that’s right—we rock), we’ve opted for a bit of beaded beauty. Enter This Love of Mine, a small jewelry shop nestled (almost hidden) in the caves of historic Stillwater. We instantly felt at ease with the owner and jewelry designer, Cheris Murphy, who has a penchant for beads and all things beautiful (nothing wrong with that!). With mom, aunts, cousins, friends and in-laws on the brain we cooed over her sparkling, bold, and colorful array of necklaces, earrings and bracelets. A mix of precious metals, semi-precious stones, pearls and Swarovski crystals, her designs play with big shapes. (Check out her ladder and broken collar series!) Plus Cheris will customize any piece you can dream up! Best of all, mention Minneapolis Picks and receive 20% off your next purchase. You’re sure to be crowned The Gift Queen by all your loved ones! This Love of Mine |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Posh Pets Our friend swore up, down, and all around that she wouldn’t get one of those wee doggies that starlets like to tote in their thousand-dollar handbags. But in the end, the soulful eyes of a miniature Dachshund won her heart. But rather than chide her about Paco the Wonder Wiener, we decided to gift her with an ultra-stylish collar from Cosmo’s Collars. Handmade locally, these collars come in a bevy of colorful prints and are perfect for parading your pooch in style! |
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| 2 | Knotty Is Nice If we know you, you’ve got at least four scarves at the ready—and a dozen more stashed away that you’ve collected over the years. But we’ve got one more for you—the beautiful Bamboo Pashmina from Naturally Knotty. They’re crazy cozy, they’re probably the softest thing you’ll ever touch, and they come in an array of colors that beg to be matched with your favorite sweaters. Too many scarves? That’s like having too many shoes. It can’t be done! |
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| 3 | On a High Note We recently stumbled upon a box of letters sent by a friend when she was studying abroad in France, and the weathered envelopes emblazoned with foreign stamps and filled with loopy cursive writing (remember handwriting?) gave us a yen for the personal touches of pre-emailing days. So weren’t we delighted to find Apiary Design! This chic, local paper purveyor offers up a stylish assortment of notecards, stationery and calendars that are adorned with punchy eye-pleasing prints and colors. We like! www.apiarydesign.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Twelve Days of Savings at Truly… We’re completely smitten with local haven Truly… so naturally their 12 Days of Christmas Sale has us giddy with delight! Tomorrow–December 23, savvy shoppers will be treated to daily deals on a slew of swoon-worthy handmade goods perfect for gifting others or yourself without breaking the bank. Simply visit Truly… online to see what stylish savings await! What: 12 Days of Christmas Sale at Truly… |
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| 2 | Girl Power Rally your gal-pals and show our local female artists and artisans some love by attending the Women’s Art Festival. This homegrown good time is celebrating its 17th year and features a ton of must-haves, from jewelry, clothing and accessories to photography, glass and sculpture. There’s something for everyone, so don’t miss out! What: Minnesota Women’s Art Festival |
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| 3 | Out With a Bang Gather your friends, don your swankest attire, and ring in the New Year at the Crystal Ball. This ultra-hot year-end fete features an eye-catching runway fashion show, 20+ bars serving up cocktails, and three rooms of tunes that are perfect for dancing the night away. Tickets start at a mere $35, so get ’em while they’re hot! What: The Crystal Ball |
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Give the gift of style: Sign up your friends and family at www.MinneapolisPicks.com. It’s free and it’s the gift that keeps on giving! |
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