AliShopsBlog.com - The Twin Cities Shopping Blog

I got my five minutes -- pushed it to 6 and 23 seconds, actually -- with Sarah Jessica Parker. And I must say, she was Lovely. First question: Who are you wearing? Her reply: "Who are you wearing? You look nice!" Triumph! I didn't take the time to tell her, but I'll tell you: A Zachary's Smile purple jersey dress cinched at the waist with silk in a green, white and purple print from Barney's Co-op in Chicago and my perfectly matched purple and green Faryl Robin stacked heels that are worth every blister they've caused. But enough about me. SJP struck me as really genuine - or an amazing actress (is there a difference?). She's quick -- played right along when I hit her with a word association game (read what she had to say about Elmo, Sanjaya, botox and more in the Pioneer Press). She's in love with her little boy -- said the toughest part of her job is being away from him. She's humble -- still seems amazed that 2,500 -- yes, 2,500 -- would crowd into Macy's to see her. Can you imagine? My question is: would any of them have bought her fragrance, Lovely, if not for the opportunity to meet her? I'll address that in my column on Friday. But just to recap, SJP liked my dress!!!!

It hit me last week during a fashion show for top customers at Anthropologie (thanks, Mom, for making me your plus one) that I am in dire need of transitional shoes. Somehow, this seems to happen every spring -- I've got my boots; I've got my sandals. But what to wear when it's 50-60ish? I needed ballet flats, peep toes, something! I hit the jackpot at my new favorite Mall of America shoe store One Thousand Steps. Along with the usual Steve Madden platforms and Puma sneakers are brands you don't see elsewhere in town. I immediately zeroed in on the most adorable pair of round toe yellow wedges by Vagabond for $70. Before I made it to the checkout counter, I noticed a light blue suede peep toe with a big button by Nana. At just $55, how could I resist? Blue can be a neutral. It can! Nordstrom is no longer the only place to shop for shoes at MOA.  Besides One Thousand Shoes, Aldo has two new shoe stores at the mall: First, blending style and comfort, and Spring, for younger trendsetters. Staccato, the Hong Kong based fashion footwear chain, is also worth a stop, and how convenient, it's located right between Nordstrom and DSW!

She's coming! She's coming! Nearly two years after the launch of her hugely successful fragrance, Lovely, Ms. Sarah Jessica Parker is gracing the Twin Cities with a visit. She'll sign autographs for those who make a $125 purchase at Macy's Minneapolis from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, April 27.

Hate to brag about the VIP status that goes along with a job at the Pioneer Press, but I get a one-on-one with SJP...for a whopping five minutes. I refuse to ask about a "Sex and the City" reunion. So I started thinking, what do I want to know about the actress worshiped by so many? I already know that her son James Wilke refused to wear anything but PJs for a year. I know that she admires Narciso Rodriguez and loves New York. I know that she still frets about money, which is why she is such a tireless promoter of her products. It's enough to make me feel like I need to get a life.

Alas, I'll be there for my precious five. And I'll love every moment of it. What do you want to know about SJP? Send your questions to or post them here. I'll try to slip them in. Try not to be wordy -- can't waste a second.

My goodness, but how women love beauty tips! New York makeup artist BJ Gillian was inundated with questions when he came on The Shopping Show on FM 107 last Saturday. And since then, I've been inundated with requests for his list of favorite products (applause for not taking notes while you were driving, ladies.). So here it is, straight from BJ:

FOUNDATION: SKII AIRTOUCH
CONCEALER: COVERGIRL FRESH COMPLEXION CONCEALER; KRYOLAN DERMACOLOR CREME AND POWDER ( FOR MAJOR COVERAGE)
BLUSH: NARS MULTISTICK
MASCARA: MAX FACTOR LASH PERFECTION MASCARA
LINER: STILA SMUDGE POT; COVERGIRL OUTLAST SMOOTHWEAR LINER
LID COLOR: LAURA MERCIER METALLIC CREME EYE COLOR
LIPS: COVERGIRL TRUSHINE LIPCOLOR