|
Archive for the ‘Gifts & Cool Stuff’ Category
I am not a coffee drinker. Too bitter, too hot. For years, I started my morning with water or a splash of juice. I ordered steamed milk with almond flavor when forced to meet at coffee shops. Then my 30s happened. Kids. Career. Second career. I began to crave 12 ounces of comfort and caffeination to kick start my day.
I like a non-fat vanilla latte. I don’t like the price.
No, I can’t learn to like plain coffee. I’ve tried. I didn’t even replace the coffee maker we got as a wedding gift when I dropped it on the floor a few years ago. What’s the point? I’ve looked at machines that would make me a fancy drink, but they seemed, well, fancy–too expensive and too complicated for my amateur taste. I don’t grind beans.
 Over the holidays, my parents surprised me with a Mr. Coffee latte maker. It’s possible I’m more excited about it than my new iPad. Ground coffee (or espresso — although I still haven’t figured out where to buy ground espresso), water, milk and a splash of vanilla. It brews! It froths! My perfect latte is ready in two minutes. Even my relatives (coffee drinkers, the lot of ‘em) were impressed.
And in a couple of weeks, I’ll be able to justify a new sweater with the money I’ve saved. Cheers.
Mr. Coffee Cafe Latte, $99, Bed, Bath & Beyond
Tags: best gifts, latte maker, Mr. Coffee
Posted in Gifts & Cool Stuff, Home & Garden | 3 Comments »
It’s no surprise that Minnesota inspires well-designed winter accessories. Hats and scarves make great gifts–even better when they come from someone who knows what it’s like to get dressed on a miserable day in January.
All Knitwear is the perfect antidote to a gray season. Designer Annie Larson hand knits each and every one of her bright, bold, patterned hats. They capture the fondest of winter memories–flying down a hill on a toboggan, skating a pristine lake, building snowmen…and returning to a warm house where Mom has extra marshmallows for the hot cocoa. Larson is a University of Minnesota grad who worked for Target before starting her own brand, now based in Brooklyn. Her hats, $52, are sold at Askov Finlayson, 200 N. First St., Mpls., 612-206-3925
St. Paul resident Semera Faroog’s design credits include stints with BCBG and Free People. Starting her own sweater/knit collection led her to Peru where she works with local artisans who hand knit her luxe sweaters and scarves using Alpaca yarns that are dyed with eco friendly colorants. The brand is Made By, and each piece is actually stamped with the name of the artisan who made it. Find the chic hats, headbands and chunky sweaters, socks and scarves–starting at $70–at Allee Metro Chic, 493 Selby Ave., St. Paul, 651-414-0274
Tags: all knitwear, Allee Metro Chic, annie larson, Askov Finlayson, knitwear, made by, semera faroog, winter accessories
Posted in Accessories, Gifts & Cool Stuff, MN fashion designers | No Comments »
I like to think that it’s because I hold myself to a high standard of gift giving that I struggle. Will she love it? Does he already have one similar? Would she want gray or orange? And then, to ease the stress, I step back and think: Well, I know I love it. And I know I don’t have one, and I’d take the orange. And so I do.
Of course this just perpetuates the problem. No one knows what else to buy me because they believe I’ve been so consumed with shopping for myself, and, it can’t be denied, I still don’t have gifts for them.
There is a way to end this shopping drama: Wish Lists. That’s right. There’s nothing distasteful about telling someone what you want. Think of it as a gift, really, to help them gift you well. You’re happy, they’re happy, retailers are happy that we aren’t all returning things. Some boutiques are having a lot of fun with wish lists this season: martinpatrick3 in the North Loop will actually send a card on your behalf to Santa (or Mommy, or anyone with a zip code, really) telling them what you want. StyledLife at Galleria is making wish lists a two day party this week. It’s called Show the Love. From 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, the ladies are invited to shop and fill out a wish list, which StyledLife will present to the men the next evening, 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, when they are invited to shop, drink, and watch a little Sports Center while their perfect gifts are being wrapped. Music, refreshments and more frivolity will ensue both nights.
Whatever boutique you’re shopping, just ask–they are glad to help your wishes get fulfilled. Because telepathy just isn’t all that reliable.
Tags: gift ideas, holiday wish list, martinpatrick3, styledlife
Posted in Gifts & Cool Stuff | No Comments »
There’s no excuse for a generic card or gift wrapped in newspaper (claim eco-consciousness, at least) what with the Twin Cities’ deep pool of design talent. Local Produce is a new collaborative of experienced designers who have worked for major brands including Mara-Mi, Target and Anthropologie. The mission is simple: “create art that delights.” Experience that first hand Saturday at Corazon. Shop Local Produce gift wrap and tags, ribbons and package accents. Then shop the rest of the store (I had a hard time editing down all the great Corzon gifts for our Dec. gift guide in Mpls.St.Paul Magazine), and members of Local Product will wrap your packages in their paper (for a fee). Enjoy cookies and cider while you shop. 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday. 4646 E. Lake St., Mpls., 612-276-0198
Tags: corazon, Local Produce, Minneapolis design
Posted in Events, Gifts & Cool Stuff, Paper, Uncategorized | No Comments »
 It was love at first sight when I discovered Warby Parker, where a complete pair of super stylish eyeglasses is $95–yes, that includes prescription lenses! (Downside: single vision only)-and for every pair purchased, one is donated to a person in need. Specs are not the most obvious holiday gift, but this season, Warby Parker is making it irresistible: Your $95 Warby Parker gift card comes in a customized box with five sample frames of your choosing and a personal note. The recipient can try them on (holiday activity!), pick one to buy with the gift card and send the rest back at no additional charge. Hope my husband didn’t read this.
Tags: gift ideas, stylish glasses, warby parker
Posted in Gifts & Cool Stuff | No Comments »
Pays to check AliShopsBlog on a Saturday: Maria Rivolta has offered to extend her 25 percent off weekend friends & family deal to my readers! Maria Rivolta is the store without walls outside Bloomingdale’s at Mall of America – right near Rainforest Cafe. I’m worried some shoppers are a bit intimidated to go beyond the front display case at this non-traditional store. But really, it’s worth a look: the fashion jewelry has a great, modern look, fun color and is affordable. Even more so, today and tomorrow. MOA, 1802 South Blvd., 952-926-2897
Tags: jewelry deal, Mall of America, maria rivolta
Posted in Gifts & Cool Stuff, Mall of America | No Comments »
 To illustrate the themes for our holiday gift guide (in the December issue of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine now on newstands), we asked Minneapolis letterpress company Lunalux to create special cards like the one above–each a little different in font, pattern and shades of black and gold, but all complementary. The results were even more fabulous that we’d hoped, and prove that it pays to mix and match–and to tap a local expert for inspiration.
This Saturday, Dec. 3, Lunalux is hosting a super-sized version of its “Stationery Saturday.” Choose between three photo cards or backslap notes that can be personalized on the spot. Won’t it feel good to have that out of the way? More details here. 1618 Harmon Place, Mpls., 612-373-0526
Tags: holiday cards, letterpress, lunalux, stationery
Posted in Gifts & Cool Stuff, Paper | No Comments »
 You’ll find five full pages of great gift ideas from Twin Cities stores in the December issue of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. And still, there were more worthy items we couldn’t fit in print. Here’s one I just love: the Minimergency Kit from Ms. & Mrs. The compact patent pouch comes in a fabulous array of bright colors, each adorned with a good luck charm. Inside, find 16 must-haves on the holiday party circuit, including hairspray, clear nail polish, lip balm, earring backs and a deodorant towelette. Makes a perfect hostess gift or stocking stuffer among girlfriends. $15 at Epitome Papers, Galleria
Tags: epitome papers, gift guide, gift ideas, girlfriend gifts, minimergency kit, ms & mrs
Posted in Beauty, Gifts & Cool Stuff | No Comments »
 Minnesota artists have a new mini-store of their own within the Walker Shop. The museum store teamed up with mnartists.org to create mnartists.marketplace, a curated assortment of local art, artistic wares, and art inspired objects. Experts from the Walker and mnartists will select the merchandise, and twice a year, artists will be invited to submit designs for objects that would be produced in limited run and sold exclusively at the Walker Shop. The first collection, opening Thursday, Nov. 17, includes wool felt toys by Fantastic Toys of Minneapolis, concrete jewelry by Raine Design of Moorhead, and Minneapolis-based Sixdot Braille Products (pictured).
Mnartists.org is a Walker Art Center New Media Initiative offering Minnesota-based artists a central gathering place, marketplace and community hub on the web.
Tags: Minnesota artists, Minnesota made, mnartists, Walker Art Center, Walker Shop
Posted in Gifts & Cool Stuff | No Comments »
 Faribault Woolen Mill Co. opens a holiday pop up store today at Mall of America (second floor, west side). The company, established in 1865, has enjoyed a whole lot of attention and encouragement since firing up the mills on the banks of the Canon River again earlier this year. Some leftover stock blankets have shown up around town at a couple of shopping events this fall. But the MOA store is the first chance to experience the reinvigorated brand in a store setting. Shop Faribault’s new line of blankets, throws, and scarves in wool and cashmere/wool blends.
A peek at the MOA retail space, before the shelves were stocked:
Tags: faribault blankets, faribault woolen mills, Mall of America
Posted in Gifts & Cool Stuff, Mall of America, Twin Cities retail | 1 Comment »
|
© 2008 MSP Communications, Inc. All rights reserved