Global Impact

We are cultured and well-traveled gals. Okay—maybe we’re not really as worldly as we’d like to think—but we’d sure like to be. And a great place to start is by infusing our closets with a little culture—you know, mixing in some sarongs with our skinny jeans. We’re Western girls yearning for a splash of sophisticated and sexy Eastern style.

So when we found Mehera Shaw, a fair-made American and Indian-style boutique in Uptown, we knew it was the answer to our fashion desires. Mehera Shaw specializes in natural-fiber, eco-friendly clothing for women and girls that’s decidedly feminine, stylish and refined. Much of the merchandise is produced in Jaipur, India, and incorporates local artists and traditional artisan crafts, such as embroidery and hand-looming. We love how Mehera Shaw strikes a perfect balance between Eastern and Western fashions: during the workday we can drape ourselves in a classic soft and silky shawl, and at night, slip into a chic and flirty dress.

Though we haven’t traveled the world, when we open our closets, we feel truly inspired.
 
Mehera Shaw
2004 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55405
612.874.9115
www.meherashaw.com

From Scratch

We’ll admit it, we are creatures of comfort. If there’s a spa in a 100-mile vicinity, we’re there.  When we get home from work, the biz suit is off and PJs are on faster than we can pour a glass of wine. Thanksgiving is our ultimate holiday, and curling up with a good book far surpasses any date we’ve been on recently.

So you won’t be surprised to find our favorite Twin Cities restaurant is none other than the King of Creole comfort food: Brasa Premium Rotisserie.  Favoring traditional American & Caribbean flavors, Brasa uses the freshest ingredients to masterfully create dishes like Braised Beef, Slow Roasted Pork, Yams & Andouille, Creamed Spinach with Jalapenos, Rustic Style Cheese Grits and Sweet Plaintains. And plates made for sharing and sampling, all in a casual, open-air restaurant, makes Brasa dining deliciously easy. 

Complete with veggie and gluten-free options and a finely honed array of sangria, beers, wine and wine coolers, our Brasa banquet is a guaranteed mouthwatering experience.

Brasa Premium Rotisserie
777 Grand Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105
651.224.1302
www.brasa.us

Say Cheese

We’re a turn-that-frown-upside-down kind of woman, no matter what our ex-husband says. So it’s heartening that the flaws we had in the aughts (what, you’ve got a better name for the last ten years?) have become positives in the current decade. Perennial laziness and underemployment is suddenly “a balanced lifestyle.” And now we’re no longer a tragic tightwad—we’re green.

How green was the valley of Nicollet & Diamond Lake when we dropped into this kids’ boutique that puts eco-thinking front-and-center? We found rack after rack of gently used, one-of-a-kind clothes, perfect for every age, stage and gender. But there’s more, with locally designed treasures from hot designers like Hero Jones. Those baby-with-attitude screen prints from Black Sheep Baby, featuring skull-and-bones, rockets and tornadoes, are too cute to only come in kiddie sizes (the stinkbomb design would be just right for a certain ex-husband’s birthday).

Shopping bags bursting, there was still room for the perfect shower gift: Sprouting Soles’ shoes-and-onesie set. It’s never too early to start matching your outfit and shoes, kiddo.

KiddieRoo
5415 Nicollet Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55419
612.823.3623
www.kiddierooclothing.com

Fashionable Feedings

The August heat brought with it a baby boom. Three of our good friends gave birth to baby girls, and though pink blankies are great gifts, we chose a functional gift for mommy.

These Nursing Wrapz (by a local company) are as chic as your favorite top. Made of breathable material, they offer mega privacy while breast-feeding, but allow for full eye contact with little one. Whether or not you bust it out in public, that’s your own choice!

www.etsy.com/shop/nursingbling

Make a Statement

If your kids aren’t into carbon-copy backpacks for hauling their homework around, we totally understand. They want a statement piece that makes their style pop—and also shows their social conscience.

Fashion and earth-friendliness come together in Eco-Chic Handbags by Rebagz, and you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy them. (We totally dig the pink polka dot.) Choose from woven or graphic designs, and express social responsibility in colorful and light-hearted ways!

www.rebagz.com

A Gift to Remember

When we were seven years old, our father went on a business trip to California and brought us back a charm necklace with the words “baby” and “girl” stamped on silver metal coins, next to a bright pink gem. We’ve loved charm jewelry ever since.

So we were stoked when we were clued into the dainty yet sophisticated charms necklaces by Neshelle. With the ability to customize charms online, we created the perfect (and age-appropriate) piece—it has our baby girl’s initials!

www.nashelle.com

Softer Side of Style

Satiate your need for style while giving to those in need of nutrition and illness care during HAUTE, a fall fashion and style preview show that benefits The Aliveness Project & Open Arms of Minnesota. See fashions from OPM, Martin Patrick, Ellsworth and ROX.  Then boogie down to DJ Bryan Gerrard of Celebrity Records—he’ll be spinning all night!

What: HAUTE
When: Saturday, Aug 28, 7:30–11 m
Where: 220 Washington Ave. Minneapolis
Tickets: VIP $100, GA $50
Visit: www.briangrahamsalon.com/haute

One Last Hurrah!

Time for the last girlfriend get-together of the summer: meet on Grand Avenue (between Oxford and Lexington) during Ladies Night Out! Enjoy 15% off storewide at Fringe, Shu Global Footwear, and Nature of Beauty. Bibelot, Creative Kidstuff and the Lexington are also planning specials, and the Magic Bus will sell hot dogs on the street.

What: Ladies Night Out
When: Thursday, Sept. 2, 5–8 pm
Where: Grand and Oxford, St. Paul

Twelve Days of Fun

As if you needed a reminder: the Great Minnesota Get Together has begun! Along with the usual attractions, concerts, animal and art exhibits, and foods on a stick, new things have been introduced. We’re particularly looking forward to EuroBobbles, where guests climb into giant inflatable plastic bubbles and walk in a 40-foot pool of water without getting wet.

What: Minnesota State Fair
When: Now thru Labor Day, Sept. 6
Where: 1265 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul
Tickets: $11 Adult, $8 Kids at the Gate
Visit: www.mnstatefair.org