Mara-Mi is the new, bright, sunny Stillwater flagship studio/store/café that houses Gartner Studios, which also owns Russell + Hazel. It’s safe to say they know paper and gifts, and thus, it’s the mother ship for holiday shopping. You’ll find ways to stay organized during the jingle-bell onslaught, plan for and decorate chic parties you’ll inevitably throw or attend, and check every giftee off your list. (1) Overnight tote by Atelier LXC for Danica Studios, $50 (2) Antler water bottle by Earthlust, $16 (3) Creative Candles taper gift set in pistachio, $25 (4) Matching game by Binth, $25 (5) Pouch by Thomas Paul, $24 (6) Thank-you notes by George Stanley for Mara-Mi, $10 (7) Pillow by Thomas Paul, $100 (8) Honey, fig, and shea-butter hand cream by Keep It Simple with Katie Brown, $17 (9) Wax seals, $11 each, and sealing wax, $3 each (10) Copper-top wood pedestal, $36, and guava-wood pedestal, $20. Mara-Mi, 201 S. Main St., Stillwater, 651-689-1730
TREATMENT
Pure Luxe
Photo by Todd Buchanan
I get anxious when fall rolls around because I know what comes next: major skin freak-outs from the combination of indoor heat, cold wind, and dry, dry air.
But—BUT!—I just experienced the Pure Luxe facial at Blink Beauty, an exquisite 80-minute treatment, administered by Brook DuBois, and it made me rethink my seasonal dread. Sure, any facial has the requisite darkened room, soothing sitar music, relaxing massage—a surefire strategy to restore your glow. But there are two stellar extras that propel this treatment into the stratosphere.
I swear I could feel my skin drinking in the shea oil and vitamin E from the new line developed by local ecofriendly skin-care gurus Galen Labs. The hot basalt and cold rose quartz and marble stones rolled across my skin left me feeling completely relaxed and refreshed. According to Dubois, they also helped my skin absorb moisture and rid itself of impurities.
Skin clear, glowing, and supremely moisturized, I emerged from the spa with the kind of inner peace and focus previously reserved for Tibetan monks. Namaste!
$125. Blink for Beauty, 700 Washington Ave. N., Ste. 215, Mpls., 612-207-1951
