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June 18, 2010
Whenever we find something new that we love, we can’t get enough of it. Our gotta-have-more weakness comes in all forms—food, music, shopping. Whatever it is, it’s our obsession until the newness wears off. A few weeks ago we discovered the most amazing roasted pear salad and since then, we’ve craved it daily. We’ve not only gone back twice, but we’re constantly trying to copy it with our own homemade version (which is so not the same). We also suffer from new-song syndrome, like the time we heard a mashup of Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance” over Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin.” We had it on repeat in our iPod for months, as if our body couldn’t function on the treadmill without it. But perhaps our most obsessive behavior comes in the form of handbags. We were once infatuated with this yellow Kooba hobo and followed it on Ebay for an entire spring season before purchasing it (at half price!). And everything we wore had to go with it. Too much of a good thing? Nah, our fixations are all in good fun. Why not indulge in the little things? Besides, it won’t be long until something else comes along that we just have to have… |
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Minneapolis Picks: |
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| 1 | Green in the Face While munching on Doritos last night, a dreaded question arose in our mind: Are we really what we eat? (A genetically modified corn chip does not sound like an attractive look for us.) After all, what we put in our bodies does affect our appearance and health. Which makes us wonder, as make-up and face cream junkies, do beauty products also influence us? In a word: Duh! One step into Nature of Beauty (formally Ecotique), home to organic cosmetics, skincare lines and baby products, and you’ll want to ditch your toxic toiletries. Owner, Terri, searches far and wide—from Israel to Australia to Minnesota—for the highest quality and safest personal-care products on the planet, and certain lines, like Couleur Caramel and Buta’i, are found in the U.S. only at Nature. More than just a boutique, Nature offers in-store classes, events and a web-based talk series with beauty experts. Though slightly devastated about the Doritos, we’re cool. We’re happy to replace them with clean cosmetics from Nature, which, unlike a big bag of chips, won’t deplete our energy or ruin our complexion. Nature of Beauty |
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| 2 | Great Beginnings Some languages make our mouth look like it’s full of lemons. Some convey the sense that we’re ready to start a fistfight, no matter what is being said. We’ve always insisted that everything sounds best in Italian, and we just learned a great new word—“Inizio” (pronounced en-EEZ-ee-oh). It means “beginning,” which perfectly describes what’s beginning to be more and more of a Southwest Minneapolis go-to since it opened this spring. With one of the city’s largest collections of unique, often locally made jewelry, plus a wide selection of clothes, accessories and gifts, there is clearly something here for every shopper. Graduation season always brings the quest for something more meaningful than a ho-hum gift card, so we snapped up several pieces from Sayta, yoga-inspired jewelry that uses sacred symbols and healing gemstones. And we couldn’t resist filling our reusable tote with several “French Tulip” Seda candles after asking, “What makes this store smell so great?” Friday, June 25, is “Support Local Designers” evening, with appearances by the geniuses of Relic Jewelry and Urban Junket bags, and wine-sipping on the patio. We're beginning to love this place! Inizio Gifts |
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| 3 | Served Fresh Daily We were once told that our legs looked especially nice when perched on a barstool, and we’ve never been the same since. But parking our gams on the linen-covered barstool at this South Minneapolis floral shop’s Flower Bar was a whole new thrill, especially since we ended up with information that was a) useful and b) true, unlike our usual Happy Hour forays. One of the tidbits we picked up on a recent visit to Spruce Flowers & Home was that everyone really must, must, must have fresh flowers at home, all the time. But that doesn’t have to be a wallet-breaking proposition. Pick some of the well-priced bud vases on hand in the shop, then step into the walk-in flower cooler to creating high-impact, high-value arrangements. Everything stem is clearly priced and labeled, and customers are encouraged to sniff, enjoy and ask questions. There are many choices from Minnesota growers, as well as well-chosen home accessories and candles. Splurging on a fresh stem every week, as Spruce recommends, is starting to seem absolutely mandatory for a well-lived life. Spruce Flowers & Home |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Hair-Do It's 7 am: you’re late for work, room's a wreck, hair's a mess. Finally, a solution. Begin every day without having to dig up your hair dryer and its tangled cord. This hair dryer holster hangs right on your towel rack and the back hook holds the wrapped cord neatly. It will streamline your ’do, and your life, and will work with any standard blow dryer. And that, friends, makes everything better. |
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| 2 | Pretty Pouch We love to organize—especially when it means getting lots of cute things to help everything look neat and tidy. From pouches and pockets to folders, boxes and bags, we can find a use for it all. Our latest pretty finds are the little zipper pouches from Jlife. In fun, bright colors and patterns, we are already planning their uses for makeup essentials in our purse, or coins. Or maybe for our medicine bottles when we travel. The possibilities are endless! |
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| 3 | That’s A Wrap |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Fashion Goodness Who doesn’t love designer apparel, shoes, and accessories without the designer prices? Join the Grand Opening of Second Début2 (Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota), pursue labels like Coach, Nine West and Kate Spade and enter to win a $500 wardrobe makeover and a $100 SpaFinder® gift card! What: Grand Opening of Second Début2 |
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| 2 | Garden Party Summer is all about outdoor concerts. The Walker Art Center presents Rock the Garden 2010 featuring MGMT, OK Go, & Retribution Gospel Choir. Between sets, enjoy selections from the Current’s DJs, stroll through the world-famous sculpture garden, and sample a smorgasbord of food, beer, and other refreshments. What: Rock the Garden 2010 |
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| 3 | À la Mode What could possibly make a day at a salon and spa better? How about music and fashion! Join taj salon and spa for a runway show, demonstration booths with the latest products and trends, and live music by Sexy Delicious. Ticket includes prize drawing, apps and a drink ticket. You can even purchase clothing from the runway show! What: 2nd Annual taj modé 2010 |
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Our desire for all things new and lovely is never-ending, especially when it comes to friends. We can’t have enough of them! Sign up your besties at Minneapolis Picks.com and help them discover our fresh and fun style! |
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