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January 22nd, 2010
We’ve spent the last two weekends shopping for a bridesmaid dress, and while trying on flirty frocks could be fun, we actually found it to be about as enjoyable as a trip to the dentist—and we all know how darn awesome a good tooth-cleaning is. Most of our disdain stems from the realization that our bods just aren’t what they used to be. Gravity has started to take its toll and things that were once perky now closely resemble a couple of baseballs swingin’ in a pair of tube socks. And of course the whole sitch was made worse because we were surrounded by a giggling gaggle of Prom-bound teens who whined incessantly about the size of their derrieres (ahem, size 2—maybe). Yep—it pretty much sucked, and we’ve decided that hell is standing next to a 16-year-old who needs clamps to keep her gown on while we can’t even zip up the sample size. |
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Minneapolis Picks: |
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| 1 | Foolproof Fashion Truth be told, we sometimes strike out when mixing and matching separates. This is evident not only in our grade school pictures—red turtleneck with red overalls, what? —but also snapshots from college, where we wore baggy tees tucked into mom-shorts with socks and flats. Anyhoo. The point is, sometimes we want to be able to just buy an entire outfit without thinking about it. Luckily we found our go-to for exactly that: Il Vostro. This Edina boutique has mannequins that are always dressed to kill, with just the right amount of trendy accessories and cool mix-and-match—no one will know the work was already done for you! Specializing in small lots of on-trend clothes and a whole lot of very cool jewelry (including special pieces from local designer Helen Wang, who will customize your pieces for you!), this place has the bags, baubles, dresses and more to keep you looking fantastic, with little to no effort on your part. Yay! Their stock turns over regularly, so stop in see what they have in store for this spring. And tell owner Stacy you read about them in Minneapolis Picks! Il Vostro |
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| 2 | Happy Little Surprises We love life’s little surprises—a crumpled $5 bill in a coat pocket, coming home to a clean apartment, or all green lights on the way to work. Recently, we set out for our typical morning cup of Caribou and suddenly noticed a closet-size shop had sprung up next door. When did it happen? What lies behind the whimsical window displays? Upon entering Oh-La-La, you feel as if you’ve stepped into a different world. Its epically eclectic style is a reflection of its owner’s culture, and time spent in Europe. The inside of this tiny shop is brimming with an overwhelming selection of affordable goods from dazzling jewelry and embellished handbags to scarves, sexy lingerie and party tops. But the spirited goods don’t stop there—wigs in every color line the perimeter, and belly-dancing attire drapes entire racks. We spotted wine glasses decorated with sparkling beads, and jewels designed by the owner herself—perfect for our bff’s upcoming birthday dinner party! If you enjoy combing for treasure in an unlikely location, this bombshell of a boutique with shock your senses with its unique flair. Oh-La-La |
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| 3 | Here Comes the Bride… When it comes to our wedding, we want things to be unique, memorable and beautiful. And by things we really mean: ourselves. (A friend recently pointed out on her own wedding day: “Hey! Today is all about me!” And it’s true.) So when looking for a dress, accessories, and the rest of the bridal necessities, we plan on checking out Andrea’s Vintage and Bridal in Uptown. The selection is stunning: immaculate frocks in all shapes, sizes and styles, from 1930’s columns to 1950’s full-skirted numbers to simple, beaded short shifts. Add the wonderful selection of shoes and headwear, bags and cover-ups, clothing for the honeymoon (including a nice selection of lingerie), and a serious amount of vintage jewelry, and Andrea’s has all you need for the big day. Owner Andrea is hands-on yet not at all pushy, and can suggest ways to alter your one-of-a-kind piece to make it suit your exact taste. Stop by and say hi—whether you’re in the market for bridal attire or just want to browse their non-wedding clothes and jewelry—and tell them you heard about them here! Andrea’s Vintage and Bridal |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Bird Is the Word We kinda sorta adore it when visitors admire something extra-swank that we’ve acquired. We know it’s a little dorky on our part, but it is what it is. Lately we’ve been garnering kudos right and left over our kitschy new coat hangers from Beyond The Valley. Made from painted wood and shaped like a bird, these hangers are both cool and functional. Plus this online purveyor boasts a ton of totally unique must-haves that include hot heels, jewelry, and crazy wallpaper. |
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| 2 | The Center of Style Our man prides himself on being able to wear things out in an astoundingly short amount of time, which is totally annoying. Most recently he popped the seams on our fourth set of throw pillows, but we didn’t complain because we were poised and ready to pounce on the cool pillows we spied at Wabi Sabi. Available in a tightly honed selection of modern and pretty eco-friendly fabrics, these style-centric accents are perfect for amping up anyone’s décor. |
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| 3 | Time for Change We’re pretty tidy when it comes to our homes, but our handbags are a delicate exercise in chaos. Mounds of receipts intermingle with diapers, pretzel crumbs, and gum wrappers, and more than one tube of lipstick has permanently gone MIA. But the loose change! That was the real killer until we scored a super sweet coin purse from Tago Design. This punchy little number is as eye-pleasing as it is practical, and perfect for whipping our bags into shape. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Kids Rock Just because you have kids doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to the cootie-ridden ball-pit at McD’s for good times. Just grab your tots and check out Rock the Cradle at The Children's Theatre Company. This kid-centric day is full of fun and includes stories, art, snacks, disco, yoga, live music, a petting zoo, and our personal fave: puppets! What: Rock the Cradle 2010 |
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| 2 | Save Big at Parc If you’re like us, then you got more than one holiday gift that was less than stellar. How about returning said scary items and then visiting Parc Boutique? This NE clothier boasts a great selection of items perfect for livening up your wardrobe, and shoppers can score up to 80% off select winter goods until items are gone! What: Winter Clearance at Parc Boutique |
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| 3 | Food + Wine = Heaven Give us a little nosh, a little sip and we’re golden, so The Food & Wine Experience is naturally our version of heaven on earth. This can’t-miss offers up a prime selection of fine wines, specialty beers, delish gourmet cuisine, and the latest and greatest in kitchen gadgetry, along with chef demos, making for a true foodie’s delight. What: The Food & Wine Experience |
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Don’t keep this goodness all to yourself! Sign up your nearest and dearest at www.MinneapolisPicks.com. |
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