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April 2nd, 2010
We’ve been known to have some pretty crazy, out-there dreams. Like our parents are aliens or we’re being chased by bad guys a la Jason Bourne, or that one where we’re besties with Miley Cyrus but she keeps making us brush her hair (randomness). On any given night we could wake up sweating, panting, or humming the theme song to Hawaii Five-0. Everyone from our mother to our mailman has tried to diagnose our overactive subconscious. Spicy food? We cut the curry. Stress? We took up yoga. Caffeine? We ditched Diet Coke (tear). Yet… nothing. Our nappin’ noggin is still busier than the cast of Twilight on a middle-school media tour. We figure if Paul McCartney can wake up with “Yesterday” in his head and Jack Nicklaus can find a new golf swing in his sleep, perhaps we’ll conjure up something equally worthwhile one night, like comfortable high heels or a cure for carb cravings during PMS. Hey, a girl can dream! |
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Minneapolis Picks: |
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| 1 | Brolly Folly We've always been unable to hold onto an umbrella for more than the length of one rainy afternoon. Stuck under bus seats, abandoned in old boyfriends’ apartments, forgotten in the desk drawers of jobs we quit long ago—they’re all still waiting to be rescued, while we’re damp and crabby from the latest spring shower. Perhaps, we wondered, it’s the umbrellas’ fault. Maybe we just need something so big, bold and fashion-forward that it becomes, literally, unforgettable. FinnStyle, recently relocated to a bright space by the Minneapolis Farmers’ Market, is just the store to visit. The ceiling is an upside-down Marimekko-fest, with eye-catching designs in vibrant colors. We also spotted a display of classic Aalto vases that will be perfect for the upcoming wedding-shower-is-tomorrow-and-I-have-no-gift season. And the fabrics section had us dreaming of hauling out Mom’s Singer for throw pillows to jazz up the living room. As we left with a shopping bag and more than a few attention-grabbing umbrellas on our arm, we felt utterly prepared for whatever spring sends our way. FinnStyle |
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| 2 | It’s Not Easy Being Green Sure, we love the earth, but we’ve been noticing lately that environmentalism seems to require an awful lot of accessories. Exhibit A: The tote bag. We suddenly require a whole herd of them, for visits to farmers’ markets, health-conscious gym excursions and jaunts about town that might conclude with a purchase or two. Fleurish is the sort of store that not only sells swell stuff, but the tote bags to haul said stuff away. Their Envirosax are big sellers for spring, they tell us, and we certainly see why. Folded up, each one is a fetching little burrito, but unfurled, it becomes a capacious tote. Once the bags are purchased, there are lots of choices for filling them, including locally crafted photo blocks, yummy gourmet treats, and very grown-upish note cards. We bought several Jennifleur soy candles in recycled wine bottles, congratulating ourselves on finding a way to support the concept of soy without actually eating it. One more oilcloth tote bag for the road, from the locally based (and dreamily named) Naptime Treasures, and we were ready to carry on. Fleurish |
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| 3 | Whatever You Like Recently, we read our niece a book about a picky eater named Frances who’d only eat bread and jam. “Jam on biscuits, jam on toast, jam is the thing I like the most…” she’d sing. Refusing any other food, her mother began feeding her fussy daughter bread and jam for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Eventually Frances sickens of bread and jam and realizes variety is the spice of life. Oh, how we can relate. But we know how to bust up monotonous mealtimes—and on a budget: all-you-can-eat sushi. Kyoto, Eagan’s sushi and hibachi hotspot, offers all-you-can-eat sushi dinner for less than $25 every day—even weekends. We kept the #9, Spicy Tuna, and Dynamite Rolls rolling out. Full-spectrum flavor and texture make esta maki es muy buena! Of course, our eyes are larger than our stomach. The hard part wasn’t deciding between the sea of sushi, sashimi and hand rolls, it was eating everything in front of us. Too much of a good thing? Never! Sushi when we’re happy, sushi when we’re stressed, sushi is the thing we like the best! Kyoto Sushi and Hibachi |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Charming Personality Print our name on just about any object and we’re bound to think it’s the best gift ever. Well, almost. We once we came across custom-printed toilet paper and thought that was just weird. We prefer something more demure, like these delicate, custom charms that are individually handcrafted and stamped one letter at time on sterling silver, gold, copper or brass. We can’t decide between our Astrological sign, sweetie’s initials, or favorite mantra, but since they’re uber affordable, why choose one? |
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| 2 | Parlez-vous Rachel Zoe? Rachel Zoe kills it. We covet her talent, closet, connections, catchphrases, and most of all, style. She could pull off an animal-print poncho with metallic leggings without looking like a cast member of Jersey Shore—it’s bananas. Now, a popular store is giving wannabe stylists the opportunity to work alongside her. (We die.) Enter the contest by using the virtual styling tool at Polyvore.com and you could you literally end up styling a celebrity! |
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| 3 | A Little Laundry Love Ironing is so not our favorite chore, but nothing makes us looks so sad and sloppy than crinkled clothing. Hm, that may explain why we never did get into that grunge look… but we digress. To lift our mood while we press our button-downs, we’re dressing up our ironing board with some fabulous fabric covers made by a mom and daughter team who combine style and sensibility across an array of shabby-chic accessories. www.etsy.com/people/CityChicCountryMouse |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | A Vision of Live Overwhelm your senses at ENVISION, a fusion of live art, fashion, music and hairstyling. See a two-part runway show with collections from a load of local designers and boutiques, witness an interactive hair show featuring stylists from Rocco Altobelli, hear Dajae rock the turntables, sample wine and small bites from popular TC eateries, and feel the energy! What: ENVISION: Artopia Spring 2010 |
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| 2 | We Say Good Buy We hate to see a good boutique go, but we love to shop sale racks. Stephanie's is splitting with their 50th & France location, so for eight crazy days, save 70% on all luxe lines and score designer jeans for $50. After that, we’ll see you on the flip side of the river at their Highland Park locale! What: Stephanie’s Boutique Blowout Sale |
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| 3 | The Domino Effect We don’t mask our desire for designer jeans. Our closet looks like a veritable boutique of the babies. From bootleg to boyfriend, denim is our drug of choice. So we are itching to get to Ivy during their Domino Jeans trunk show, which will showcase exclusive spring styles. Enjoy swag bags, refreshments, and an after-party at Honey. What: Domino Jeans Trunk Show |
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