Perfect Parties, November 3, 2012 at The Woman's Club of Minneapolis | Contests + Promotions | The Best of the Twin Cities

Allure

These warm, inviting boutiques offer a highly personalized lingerie experience, including bra fittings, custom alterations, and bridal consultations.

Big Bowl

National Pan-Asian chain offers dim sum-sized appetizers, seafood, a build-your-own stir-fry bar, and fresh, house-made ginger ale.

Find a staggering array of home furnishings and decor, both trend driven and timeless, at the Twin Cities' first and only Arhaus store. The Ohio-based retailer collaborates with artisans on many of its exclusive, globally inspired collections, which are complemented by upholstered pieces. Arhaus is known for using green materials, and anything with a "reclaimed relics" tag is a one-of-a-kind antique.

The Westin Edina Galleria

Located in the heart of Edina, the Westin Edina Galleria hotel will create a visionary celebration you’ll never want to leave. The contemporary hotel offers two ballrooms, customized catering services, and one-hour premium bar service.

Brighton Collectibles

Though the Galleria store is corporately run and the MOA store is locally owned, the fashions are all Brighton. The look is rich leathers with signature silver detailing. Find handbags, jewelry, day planners, shoes, and more.

Chico's

When it opened on Sanibel Island, Florida, in 1983, Chico's was a family-owned retailer featuring Mexican folk art and sweaters. Today, it is a top retailer for women's clothing and accessories. The exclusively designed, private-label items, especially the wrinkle-free Traveler's Collection, focus on comfort and ease of wear.

CRAVE

The stylish and well-heeled love Crave for its vibe and broad menu. It serves everything, from wood-oven pizzas to roasted meats to sushi to pastas. It's all smartly plated and served in a warm, buzzy space with lots of stone and water and fire.

Pittsburgh Blue

This Parasole venture is Manny's-lite, featuring traditional steak house fare, plus whimsical apps such as house-made pigs-in-a-blanket and a more casual tavern menu.

Eileen Fisher

The brand's first in the upper Midwest, this minimal yet warm boutique is full of timeless pieces. Come here to stock up on well-constructed basics and elegantly draped cardigans and tanks.

Indulge & Bloom

Indulge & Bloom has been a staple in the Minnesota floral world for more than 10 years. The tradition continues as Indulge & Boom strives to bring elegance and beauty to each floral design.

L'Occitane en Provence

The colors and fragrances of Provence are the lure of these French–inspired products for face, body, and home, but the superior quality of the products keeps customers coming back.

Gabberts

Talk about retail longevity—for more than 65 years, Gabberts has been a major player in town. The enormous two-level store and design studio, which anchors Edina’s Galleria shopping center, furthers the company’s niche as a high-end destination retailer for those who take pride in creating distinctive home environments. Gabberts boasts exclusive vendor relationships and signature product categories. Plus, check out the Odds & Ends outlet for designer furnishings at up to 70 percent off.

dugo

The name stands for Dress Up, Go Out. You’ll find clothes that are on-trend yet classic, whether you want something for lunch with the ladies, dinner with your sweetie, or a wedding with the family. Designer labels include Marisa Baratelli, Lafayette 148, and Zelda, with accessories to complete the look.

The Good Earth

The Jogger and The Surfer were smoothie benchmarks 20 years ago, but The Good Earth is still making freshly baked goods, salads, sandwiches, and stir-fry dishes from all-natural ingredients.

Polarn O Pyret

Sweden’s largest children’s apparel retailer is right at home in the Twin Cities. The brand—pronounced POH-lahrn oh PEE-rhet, which is Swedish for “Buddy and the Little Guy”—is all about quality basics, performance outerwear, and bright colors, with sizes for infants through 12. The practical but modern vibe is our vibe. There’s a play area to keep the kids busy while you shop.

StyledLife

Prior to opening downtown’s new accessory haven, owner Kevin Quinn spent nearly twenty years in the fashion industry.

Williams-Sonoma

With something for everyone and every occasion, this kitchen/cooking/tableware shop stocks books, linens, gadgets, cookware, serving pieces, and small appliances—and does a great job with seasonal wares. The Galleria location is one of the largest in the country.

Three Rooms

It's easy to write a lengthy wish list after visiting this boutique/gallery. Owner Patricia Burrets fills her store with unusual lighting, fine art, home accessories, tableware, jewelry, decorative accessories, and gifts—most crafted by American artists. The store is a Twin Cities original.

Crate & Barrel

Long a bastion of kitchen and tabletop basics, this two-floor C&B is also packed with the company's sleek line of furniture, home accessories, handy gadgets, fabulous barware, and fun, colorful dishes and serving pieces that change seasonally. It's also popular with brides-to-be, thanks to its user-friendly wedding registry.

Fawbush's

Buyer and former owner Ginny Fawbush has attracted fans from around the country with her eye for rich colors and patterns. For average and larger sizes (up to size 20-plus) in comfortable designs with a flair, you'll love Fawbush's casual-to-dressy separates, some with appliqué or hand-painted detailing. Also find jewelry and shoes.

Epitome Papers

This award-wining stationery store in Edina offers extensive collections of custom stationery lines. The selection includes invitations, announcements, boxed cards, leather goods, pens, and gifts. Standout lines include Filofax, Vera Wang, Crane, Kate Spade Collection, Lallie, Smock, Elum, Bella Figula, Lettered Olive, and many other letterpress and engraving companies. The store offers in-house printing as well as custom-designed stationery and invitations.

Whymsy

Whymsy at the Galleria offers a unique assortment of fun and colorful women's apparel, gifts, jewelry and handbags at a variety of price points. The boutique specializes in nontraditional mother of the bride and special occasion dresses and jackets. The selection changes frequently so check back often. Special orders are available.

Tumi

If you're a hard worker or frequent traveler, Tumi can supply you with the tools of the trade—the trade of stylish, luxury-priced luggage and bags, that is. One of its many signature lines is Alpha, an all-black leather collection of today's hottest trends in backpacks, laptop bags, and suitcases.

Pappagallo

Family-run since 1971, this boutique carries fun, colorful clothing, plus bright purses, comfy shoes, and jewelry to complete the look. Its interior is a bright and lively showcase for about 50 lines of clothing, mostly from Canada and the US, accessories by Vera Bradley, and shoes by Caressa, Spring Step, Easy Street, Footskins, and Børn.

Lili Salon

William Anderson’s Lili Salon Spa of Minnetonka has opened a second location at the Galleria, replacing Rocco Altobelli. Lili offers cuts, color, nail, and waxing services and skin care. The salon itself—known for outdoor services in the summer—will have a “classic Hollywood glam” vibe.

Origins

There's something no-nonsense here. Origins isn't too chichi, and the stuff does what it promises. The company boasts that nothing in its complete line of cosmetics and hair-care, skin-care, and bath products is tested on animals.

Scheherazade

Owner Scott Rudd has gained a reputation for his mix of both traditional and contemporary, as well as handpicked imports. Designer names include Temple St. Clair, Simon G, Robert Lee Morris, and Honora for jewelry and Oris and Fredrique Constant for watches. Also find a selection of estate jewelry.

Hammer Made

The guy’s got a niche: Local designer Jason Hammerberg’s shop is a treasure trove of cool classic men’s dress shirts in a variety of shades and prints. Great fit, fun details, and very little sticker shock: All shirts are priced at less than $130. Also in stock: accessories to round out your new look, including ties, cufflinks, pocket squares, and socks. The store also offers custom suits and will outfit grooms and groomsmen.

Fifth Ave Optical

Find prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses by Lafont, Tag Heuer, and Alain Mikli, as well as contact lenses. This retailer also offers eye exams. Ask for options for specialty lenses, including lenses for your favorite vintage frames.

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