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February 12th, 2010
Ah Valentine’s Day—the queen bee of all the pseudo-holidays. No other day can melt your very being into a puddle of sheer happiness one year and then send searing, mind-numbing jolts of pain through your heart and soul the next. We used to dread the ol’ V-day because it always jettisoned us back to our junior-high selves, all turtle-necked-up, sportin’ the frosted jean, and permed within an inch of poodle-dom, hoping and praying that some cute boy with a side spike and fewer zits than us would declare his love. But then we decided that we weren’t going to let a bunch of card-company yahoos determine our happiness. We say love whatever or whomever you darn well want. Boyfriends, girlfriends, dogs, cats, board games, beer, cheese pizza, shoes, old reruns of “90210” —whatevs—it’s your day of love, do with it what you will! |
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Minneapolis Picks: |
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| 1 | Feel the Rush Since procrastination is our middle name, we require a sense of urgency to get anything completed. From writing this review to losing weight for spring break, the only way to light a match under our arse is if the offer comes down to now or never. As shopaholics, the adrenaline rush proved particularly effective when perusing the racks at Indulge Boutique. While it’s only open one week a month, the genius of this suburban shop lies in the fact that 200–300 new and exclusive items await you every four weeks—like a whole new shopping experience each time you visit! Stylish merch includes figure flattering tops, eye-popping scarves, and sparkly baubles and accessories (including a heavenly gem-dropping necklace that we lurved) that work for all ages and are perfect for accenting any wardrobe. We jumped at the chance to own the white button-up overcoat with printed patchwork, and since it is one of only three, we’re sure to avoid awkward bump-ins while hitting the town. This alluring little boutique's hours may be sporadic, but their style isn’t, making it a must-visit for any fashion junkie. Indulge Boutique |
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| 2 | Men, Men, Manly Men While we think its hooey, our hubby insists Valentine’s Day is a women’s holiday. So this year we decided to call a truce by justifying the Super bowl as a men’s holiday. In exchange for all their shouting, slurping, and spilling, we deserve a night of chocolate, flowers and fine dining. To maintain our stance on an equal-opportunity love day, we decided to take the typical gift up a notch at Hammer Made, a new men’s store that delivers a shot of mojo with each meticulously designed dress shirt, tie and cuff link. The brains behind this label and boutique is local fashion designer Jason Hammerberg, whose aesthetic unites what guys would generally love with a little extra oomph—think blue oxford with paisley print on the inside of the cuff. All shirts are made of 100% Egyptian cotton and boast a slightly more fitted cut for maximum flattery. On top of that, he is continually introducing new pieces, each with limited production, so your man can stand out in the boardroom. Will a one-of-a-kind Italian-silk tie change his mind about V-day? Probably not, but it sure helps prove your love for him is one of a kind! |
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| 3 | Take a Trip We’ve wiled the hours, daydreaming about winning the lottery, paying off those pesky school loans, and jetting around the world on the arm of Christian Bale—hey, we said we were dreaming… don’t harsh our vibe. But since money remains an object, we decided to settle for a jaunt to the burbs for some international fare at Beirut Restaurant. This hidden gem of an eatery boasts a delectable array of authentic Lebanese dishes, including delish lamb and chicken kabobs, Shwarmas, perfectly seasoned falafel, tabouli salads, and our new favorite nosh: the Garlic and Bread appetizer, a positively mouthwatering collaboration of home-baked goodness served with the absolute best garlic sauce we’ve ever tasted. For real, people—it’s the stuff dreams are made of, bad breath be damned! Feel like sharing? Indulge in their popular Mezza, a traditionally shared meal loaded with a selection of delish apps like Hummus and Baba Ghanouj, served alongside kabobs—yum! And just when you think your mid-eastern experience couldn’t possibly get any more genuine, out came the belly dancers. The best part? No passport required! Beirut Restaurant |
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| 1 | Gourmet Goodies Our skin has morphed from dewy and supple to sandpaper thanks to the awesome ultra-dry winter air we’re experiencing. For real—you could grate cheese on our elbows right now—ew. Lucky for us, we discovered the sweet treats of Morgan Street Patisserie. This bath and body purveyor boasts a bevy of decadently delish musts including fluffy, whipped body butters, heavenly scented soaps and scrubs, and pucker-perfect lip balms that will soothe you from head to toe! |
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| 2 | Decisions, Decisions, Decisions We’ve been mulling over paint swatches for two years. Despite making snap decisions about men, apartments, tattoos, and having just one more cocktail, we can’t seem to commit when it comes to our living-room walls. Which is where these wall decals from Dezign with a Z come in. Choose the color of the decal, then use a nifty tool that finds your wall color. You can see exactly how everything will look! If we can’t make up our minds after that… well… |
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| 3 | Into the Woods Lately we’ve been hot on the au naturel bandwagon, and we’ve been craving organic, nature-infused elements in pretty much everything from what we slather on our face to the pillows we toss on our sofa. So big surprise that we’re smitten with a set of pretty tree glasses. These tempting tumblers are emblazoned with an oak, fir, blossom, or forest prints, and perfectly embody a woodsy-chic vibe we love. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Spring Has Not Sprung No matter what that darn groundhog may say, we Minnesotans still have plenty of winter left to um, “enjoy,” so why not inject your cold-weather wardrobe with some deeply discounted fall and winter wear from OPM? A ton of great items are 50–80% off, so grab your besties and partake in the style-fest! What: Winter Sale at OPM |
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| 2 | Get Ready to Rumble Fashionistas: don your freshest frocks and get thee to Fashion Fight Night 4! Six teams of talented photographers and models will be competing in this hot fashion photography shootout, with a swank fashion show highlighting lust-worthy local threads in between sets. It’s like ANTM on style steroids, plus a portion of ticket sales benefit the LEAD Project. What: Fashion Fight Night 4 |
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| 3 | From Across the Pond If you think Ikea and swarthy blondes are Sweden’s only contributions to the world, then prepare to be pleasantly surprised at the 17 Swedish Designers exhibit. It features the crème de le crème of Swedish design by seventeen contemporary female designers. Showcased items include beautiful glass pieces, textiles, ceramics, and furniture—a can’t-miss! What: 17 Swedish Designers |
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