November 20, 2009

Leather Jackets for Less

While my trench coat has been getting a lot of use lately, thanks to the return of fall temps, my eyes keep wandering to the buttery-soft leather jackets that are so huge this season. I'm seeing them everywhere, including on my friend Phoebe, who's chocolate brown blazer-style topper strikes the perfect balance between tough and flirty. My real obsession, however, started back in September, when we shot this GORGEOUS smoky blue jacket from OPM. In Rachel Zoe's words: I die. I understand that not everyone can spend such a pretty penny on even the most precious piece, so I've scouted out a few more affordable... Read more »

Posted on Friday, November 20, 2009 in Style File | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 18, 2009

Date Night at the Ivy

Truth be told, I'm not a big fan of "Date Night." Oh I like alone time with my husband, out of house and away from other responsibilities. It's the phrase "Date Night" that makes my skin crawl a little bit because it's become so cliché. That, and I never want to get to a place where I have to schedule quality time with my man. HOWEVER. I am going to make an exception for the Ivy Spa Club, which has started hosting monthly date nights. Here's how it goes: You book two luxurious 50-minute massages and the spa kicks in a lovely spread of champagne, cheese, and chocolate-covered strawberries, and complimentary valet parking.... Read more »

Posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 in Style File | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 16, 2009

Let the Holiday Shopping Games Begin

Just as the holiday decorations seemed to appear overnight (why so early? why?), so have the holiday shopping extravaganzas. Here's a sampling to add to your social calendar:

HYGGE & WEST HOLIDAY EVENT
What: My go-to Web source for designer wallpaper and quirky-cool home accessories is teaming up with local tableware artist Regina Perry to host a 50 percent off sale. Champagne sipping included!
When: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Where: Urban Bean Coffee, 3255 Bryant Ave. S., Mpls.

Read more »

Posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 in Style File | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 13, 2009

I'm Crazy About this Super-Secret Hand Cream

From time to time, people send things in the mail, in the hopes that I will write about it. Before you go thinking that I have a pile of designer handbags on my desk, let me give you some examples: breath spray, baby booties, moldy chocolate, a singing bear, and jewelry that I had to return after "experiencing" it for the day. Not exactly MNMO material. But sometimes, I receive a product that reminds me why this job is so great: I get to share it with all of you.

And so I give you Fusion Lifespa's Cranberry Hand & Body Cream. This fat pink jar arrived all nestled in a brown box, just begging to be opened (pls ignore amateur photo, below). Although I frequent Fusion (AMAZING day spa in Deephaven), I was not... Read more »

Posted on Friday, November 13, 2009 in Style File | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 11, 2009

Guild is Quite Possibly My Favorite New Shop

It's that time of year, when pop-up shops appear in vacant buildings and temporary spaces, hoping to make the most of the gift-giving season. I haven't popped in to them all yet, but can say with absolute certainty that Guild is going to take the fruitcake. Holidays aside, this market-style boutique is a dream. (And no, it's not festooned with wooden ornaments and doused in red and green.) About a dozen incredibly talented local designers/enteprenuers/storekeepers found each other by word-of-mouth and craigslist.com, rented out a big, rustic space on Excelsior Blvd. near Trader Joe's, and schlepped their wares there last week. The shop is gorgeously arranged into little groupings of home decor, accessories, clothing, etc., that, though different, completely work as a whole. The... Read more »

Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 in Style File | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 9, 2009

Hot Mama: Now Bigger, Better

If you aren't already a fan of Hot Mama, the newly remodeled store at 50th & France will convert you. I stopped by on Friday and was just so thrilled by what I found. The store took both its women's and maternity collections and moved them a few doors down where Acorn used to be (a decidedly better use of space), effectively doubling in size. Hot Mama worked with FAME, a Minneapolis agency renowned for re-envisioning retail brands, and it shows: More then ever, the interior emphasizes moms, with a bigger play area, inspirational wall quotes, and loads of huge, gorgeous photos of moms and kids— including one of Jackie O and Jack Jr. It's still cozy and welcoming... Read more »

Posted on Monday, November 9, 2009 in Style File | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 5, 2009

A Little Gift from Me to You

Psst: I'm giving you an early holiday present. It's something that you can't buy, and won't want to return.
Give up? It's my friends + family discount at Redstamp.com!

 From now until November 15, everything on the site is 20 percent off, courtesy of moi. Simply enter the code FRIEND at checkout to receive your generous savings. Also: Shipping is FREE on all orders over $70, and you get FREE stationery with every order {click here to take a look at the free stationery designs - they are so, so pretty}.  I never need nudging to buy... Read more »

Posted on Thursday, November 5, 2009 in Style File | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 4, 2009

My Favorite Shopping Day of the Year

Tomorrow is one of my favorite shopping days of the year. No, not Black Friday. I'm talking about Maiden Minnesota. For the third year running, the women behind the local boutiques and labels that make this community a hotbed of retail creativity are teaming up to host this cocktail party + sale. It’s not only a celebration of what these entepreneurs have accomplished, it's a seriously inspiring night for anyone who's been dreaming about starting her own business. I've been thrilled to watch the event grow from a small affair to 36 vendors and an anticipated 1,300 attendees this year. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the fantastic finds you’ll be able to scoop up for yourself, or the lucky people on your holiday gift list. For tickets and information, visit Read more »

Posted on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 in Style File | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 2, 2009

Scouring H&M at Southdale

Although I can count on one hand the number of times I've been to H&M, I was really looking forward to it opening at Southdale last week. It's close to my house and there's really nothing else at the mall that carries trendy accessories for cheap—the kind you need for a theme party or to experiment with a fleeting trend like, say, studded leather bracelets or fingerless gloves. I have never, however, purchased a stitch of clothing at H&M. Oh, I've tried on plenty of things and admired them on other people, but nothing has ever fit quite right or been made well enough to justify even the crazy-low price tags. Case in point: Yesterday I hit the store with my friend Suzette. I brought 13 items into the dressing room,... Read more »

Posted on Monday, November 2, 2009 in Style File | Permalink | Comments (3)

October 30, 2009

Are You Wearing Orange Today?

I'm not. Because, despite my good intention to get into the Halloween spirit, I have nothing orange in my closet and probably never will (there is a pumpkin orange prom dress from Bergdorf's in my past, and it's gonna stay there). So in addition to eating other people's candy, I'm doing my part today by sharing the latest makeup craze with you: Coral. It's an unlikely favorite for fall, but it's exactly what we need to brighten up sallow skin this time of year. Plus, just think of what a burst of juicy, orangey color on a chilly autumn day can do for your mood! Now, not all corals are created equal. Some of the garish shades out there are safer on the runway. But the following... Read more »

Posted on Friday, October 30, 2009 in Style File | Permalink | Comments (0)