Mpls.St.Paul Magazine - Shop + Style - Shopping

Spring-Inspired Gifts

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:46:35 GMT

We're Lovin': The Homer Blanky

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:24:30 GMT

Homer Blanky

No self-respecting Minnesota Twins fan with a memory of the Metrodome would dare complain (too loudly) about outdoor baseball. And yet it gets chilly out there at Target Field some evenings. A group of eight childhood pals and lifelong fans, including MyBurger chain owners Paul and John Abdo, are keeping warm and recalling the team’s glory days with their new Homer Blanky. The blanket’s logo features a baseball diamond over the state of Minnesota. It sells for $19.99 at homerblanky.com and should come in handy as temperatures dip toward playoff time. A fan can dream. -Allison Kaplan

Shop + Style Events

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:59:10 GMT

Spring Pillow Sale at VICTORY

April 5-13, 2013

Switching out decorative pillows is a great way to transition your home from winter to spring. Stop by VICTORY now through April 13 for pillows at 20 to 50 percent off, including custom orders by Madeline Weinrib. 3505 W. 44th St., Mpls., 612-929-8200, shopvictory.com

Scratch-Off Sale at Grethen House

April 8-13; M-F 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sa 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

For one week only, Grethen House hosts its annual Bunny Days sale. Customers have been mailed a coupon card to be scratched off at the counter to reveal 10 to 50 percent off their entire purchase. The sale includes all merchandise, but as veteran shoppers know, once you have scratched off your savings, you cannot add more items to your cart! Extra coupons will be in the store for those who did not receive one in the mail. 4930 France Ave. S., Edina, 952-926-8725, grethenhouse.com

Construction Sale at maha! Boutique

April 8-13; M-Th 10 a.m.-7 p.m., F 9 a.m -7 p.m., Sa 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

What better way to stay positive during a week of road construction than to stop by one of your favorite boutiques? The more you spend, the more you save at maha! Boutique, including apparel, jewelry, home accessories, handbags, and more. Stock up on spring fashion now through Saturday.

Spend $100, save 15 percent

Spend $250, save 20 percent

Spend $500, save 25 percent

Spend $750, save 30 percent

Spend $1,000, save 35 percent

maha! Boutique, 631 E Lake St., Wayzata, 952-873-7001, mahaboutique.com

Wine & Design with CRAVE and Crate & Barrel

April 10, 2013, 6-8 p.m.

Join CRAVE and Crate & Barrel for Wine & Design at the Galleria. Find out what’s new in patio furniture trends, participate in a Q&A on outdoor entertaining by the professionals, and more. Proceeds benefit Bridging, a non-profit that provides furniture and household goods to families in need. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Call 952-925-4321 for tickets.

ENVISION: Artopia Pre-Party Video Premiere Event

April 11, 2013, 5:30 p.m.

ENVISION: Artopia kicks off with a pre-party at martinpatrick3 with a video premiere of “A martinpatrick3 Lifestyle,” created by Minneapolis photographer and director Jonathan Chapman. The film debuts Chapman’s latest work for the award-winning men’s retailer by portraying the modern intersection of film and fashion. Local designers will be in attendance, and complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served throughout the night. The video premieres at dusk. 212 3rd Ave. N., Ste. 106, Mpls., 612-746-5329, martinpatrick3.com

Monique Lhuillier Fall 2013 Ready to Wear Trunk Show

April 11-13, 2013

Browse the entire Monique Lhuillier Fall 2013 Ready to Wear collection at the Edina salon Thursday through Saturday. Appointments are recommended. 3928 W. 50th St., Edina, 612-929-0747, moniquelhuillier.com

Beth Novak Jewelry Trunk Show at The Grand Hand Gallery

April 11, 2013, 1-6 p.m. and April 12-13, 2013, 1-5 p.m.

Beth Novak’s modern, organic designs will be on display at The Grand Hand Gallery for one weekend only. Stop by the trunk show to meet the artist and browse her one-of-a kind sterling silver and bright enamel jewelry. 611 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-312-1122, thegrandhand.com

Apps With Ali

April 12, 2013, 5:30-8 p.m.

Kick off your weekend with Apps with Ali at Mall of America. Enjoy complimentary drinks and appetizers from the new FireLake Grill at Radisson Blu MOA, hairstyling by Blast Blow Dry Bar, beauty treatments by Aveda, and a chance to win a $500 shopping spree. Mall of America, Southeast court. RSVP at Alishops.com/party

Pretty Party Two Day Event at Nordstrom MOA

April 12-13, 2013, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Nordstrom beauty experts will share the latest tips and tricks while pampering your face with the newest skin-care and makeup products during the Pretty Party. Those who arrive early enough will receive exclusive samples and a gift with purchase. Free.

On Saturday, roll out of bed a little early for the Wake Up Pretty Party (8:30 a.m., $20) and meet with industry experts about the latest makeup trends. You’ll receive a beauty consultation and a gift just for coming. Nordstrom, Mall of America, 952-883-2121, nordstrom.com

ENVISION: Artopia Spring 2013

April 13, 2013, VIP entry 8 p.m., general admission 9 p.m.

ENVISION: Artopia Spring 2013 honors the best in local art, fashion, and music, with an event that features two fashion shows including 12 local designers and boutiques. Set to hit the runway are designs by Kjurek and Lindsey DeWitt, among others, as well as clothes from local boutiques such as martinpatrick3 and Roe Wolfe, and accessories from SBG Designs and Via Patina. $25–$75. Proceeds benefit Free Arts Minnesota.

Runway show part 1 begins at 10 p.m. and part two begins at 11 p.m. The official after party will be held at Union and is free to Envision attendees. Graves 601 Hotel, 601 1st Ave. N. Mpls., 612-677-1100, envisionmpls.com

11th Annual Grill Expo at Warners' Stellian

April 13, 2013, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and April 14, 2013, 12-4 p.m.

Warners’ Stellian offers discounts on all grills, plus free assembly and delivery on grills priced at $499 and up. The Grill Expo is being held at seven Warners’ Stellian locations, including St. Paul, Edina, Maple Grove, Coon Rapids, Apple Valley, Woodbury, and Rochester. Several metro locations, including 550 Atwater Circle, St. Paul, 651-222-0011, warnersstellian.com

Spring Pop Up Sale at Thymes

April 18-19, 2013 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and April 20, 2013, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Take 50 to 70 percent off body washes, fragrances, lotions, and more during the Thymes spring pop-up sale. With wedding season, graduation, and Mother's Day approaching, it’s the perfect time to stock up on gifts, or treat yourself to a favorite scent. Thymes Headquarters, 629 SE 9th St., Mpls., thymes.com

NEON GLAM: ARENA BIKINI’s Swimwear Fashion Show

April 26, 2013, 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

The ARENA BIKINI swimwear fashion show benefit, in its sixth year, hits the Calhoun Beach Club where models will strut their stuff in bikinis from local designers, complete with the latest swimwear accessories from local boutiques, martinpartrick3, Nani Nalu, and Rainbow Road. You’ll be sure to party well into the night with the featured choreography from ARENA DANCES, one of the premier dance companies in the Twin Cities. No event would be complete without appetizers, signature drinks, and a silent auction. Calhoun Beach Club, 2900 Thomas Ave. S., Mpls., 612-284-2917

Regional Jewelry Artist Mart at the Walker

May 4, 2013, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

More than 20 regional artists will exhibit their jewelry at the Walker Shop's Regional Jewelry Artist Mart. Museum members are invited to sip mimosas while enjoying a sneak preview of the jewelry mart and a 10 percent discount at 10 a.m. Walker Art Center, Skyline Room, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-375-7600, walkerart.org

11th Annual Galleria Brunch And Fashion Show

May 5, 2013, 9:30 a.m.

Mothers, daughters, sisters, and girlfriends are invited to attend the annual Galleria Brunch and Fashion Show, to celebrate breast cancer survivors. Our own Allison Kaplan emcees the fashion show, which will feature spring styles from the shops at Galleria. Show up at 9:30 a.m. for registration and brunch cocktails. Brunch and the fashion show begin at 10 a.m. Tickets are $75-$1,000 and ticket sales benefit the Hope Chest. Galleria, Big Bowl Courtyard, 952-925-4321, hopechest.us

Poppy Togs and Clogs

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 08:43:16 GMT

To understand what Poppy Togs and Clogs is, it helps to know what it isn’t. It isn’t located near other boutiques. It isn’t fancy. Frankly, it isn’t the type of shop that tends to get a lot of magazine coverage. The clothes aren’t beholden to trends; the space—around the corner from the St. Clair Broiler on a four-lane stretch of Snelling Avenue—is a bit scrappy.

But then, that scrappiness has become a point of pride for owner Jill Henderson and part of the appeal for her customers, who tend to be busy moms and working women from the surrounding neighborhoods of Mac-Groveland and Highland. They love the ease and convenience of both the store itself and the merchandise.

“We’re come as you are, and people appreciate that level of comfort,” Henderson says. “If I’m wearing lipstick, it’s a good day.”

Henderson opened Poppy Togs and Clogs a year and a half ago with the goal of grounding her career near her St. Paul home and young twin boys. Travel had been a near-constant reality of her career in retail buying and product development.

At first she tried selling a little of this, a little of that—gifts, clothing, and clogs. Since Poppy took over the space that had been home to Peapods Natural Toys and Baby Care (which moved to Como), Henderson hedged her bets, filling nearly half the store with baby gifts, gear, and apparel—even some secondhand onesies. But she quickly noticed that her customers were bypassing cute baby things to get to the women’s dress racks.

“The dress can be the most forgiving piece of clothing,” Henderson says. Add shoes and accessories and you’re good to go.

The more Henderson brought in what she likes to wear—colorful, patterned, casual dresses and bohemian-inspired tops from funky brands such as Desigual—the better it sold.

“I’m surprised and thrilled that women’s apparel ended up being the fastest horse in the race,” Henderson says. She is adamant not only about unique styling and flattering fit, but price point. Most Poppy dresses sell for $88 or less. Her current favorite is $58. She made an exception for local designer Laura Hlavac, whose dresses range from $90 to $120, but only because of the quality fabric and easy, modern flair. Henderson plans to bring in more local lines.

For St. Paul shoppers, Poppy has become the antidote to slick mall stores and upscale boutiques. What it lacks in the way of polish and premium denim only seems to make this shop more compelling. 251 Snelling Ave. S., St. Paul, 612-236-3660, poppytogsandclogs.com

R & R Surplus

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:10:04 GMT

Before lululemon athletica, before Juicy Couture (you thought you were so cool in that velour tracksuit), there was FITIGUES—fitness inspired casual apparel. The popular brand was sold to Chico’s in 2006, and its stores closed soon after, including the one at Galleria. Now that their non-compete has expired, FITIGUES founders Steve and Andi Rosenstein are picking up where they left off, under the new label R&R Surplus, which already has been embraced by Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and upscale Twin Cities boutiques looking to fill the gap between workout clothes and dress. Designer Andi Rosenstein describes R&R as athletic inspired, but not athletic wear. The line includes leggings, slouchy tanks, and waffle-weave thermals that any FITIGUES fan will instantly recognize on the racks—only this time around, the shirts are made of a higher-end, garment-dyed cotton/spandex and priced around $100. Available at Arafina, Galleria, 952-925-1565, arafina.com; Maha!, 631 E. Lake St., Wayzata, 952-873-7001, mahaactivewear.com; and select Life Time Fitness locations

It’s Easy Being Green

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:25:35 GMT

MidModMen+friends

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:18:23 GMT

It’s become so easy to test a retail concept before committing. Buoyed by their success selling midcentury furnishings online, four friends and longtime collectors decided last fall to try a pop-up store in St. Anthony Park. MidModMen+friends did so well its first three months that the owners have decided to stick around and be part of what they’re hoping will be a reawakening of University Avenue along the new Central Corridor light rail.

A neighborhood in need of revitalization is fitting for a shop that restores and refinishes midcentury furnishings. Open weekends and by appointment, MidModMen is small but neat and driven by an appreciation for good, clean design rather than strict adherence to a period. So you’ll find the expected Scandinavian pieces alongside the occasional early American chair or pop of Hollywood Regency. 2401 University Ave., St. Paul, 612-234-1201, facebook.com/midmodmen

Forage Modern Workshop

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 08:34:17 GMT

Owl Optical

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:51:14 GMT

In a tight-knit neighborhood with its own butcher, baker, bookstore, and co-op, it seemed odd to Julie Hansen that Linden Hills didn’t have its own optical shop. True, there’s no shortage of places to buy eyeglasses in the Twin Cities, but one of the reasons why so many independent optical boutiques thrive, even when glasses are sold for less at the mall or a big-box discounter, is service. Specs are an intimate, see-and-be-seen purchase, and as a shopper, you want to know that the frames truly fit your face and that if you happen to accidentally sit on them on a Sunday, someone competent will be available for repairs.

That’s why Hansen’s cell phone number is on her business cards. She lives just minutes away from her new shop, Owl Optical, at 43rd and Upton, and has every intention of opening the store during off- hours when customers are in need.

Owl Optical already feels like it’s been part of Linden Hills for years. Hansen runs the store with her husband, Chris, an art director. Mishka, their Siberian husky, is the greeter. This feels like destiny for the couple—they met at the Spectacle Shoppe, where Hansen worked during college. She sold him a pair of black plastic Lafonts, and they never looked back.

Hansen has worked for both eyewear boutiques and chains over the course of 20 years, but it was the ordeal of buying glasses for her 4-year-old son that convinced her to open a shop of her own. “I had to spend over $500 to get him really great optics,” she says. Owl Optical has an extensive kids section and packages that start at $99 with top-of-the-line lenses. “I’ve worked hard to make sure our prices match even the big chains,” Hansen says.

What Owl has that no competitor in town—or anywhere else in the Midwest—can claim is Moscot, an exclusive brand favored by four-eyed movie stars including Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt. Owl also features frames by fashion designers Jason Wu and Derek Lam as well as a line designed specifically for petite faces. “Glasses are like jeans,” Hansen says. “Anything is in as long as it fits you.” Same goes for the shop, which fits the neighborhood like the perfect frame. 4318 Upton Ave. S., Mpls., 612-367-4106, www.owloptical.com —A. K.

Language of Love: 13 Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 09:52:33 GMT