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Archive for the ‘Mall of America’ Category
And what have you done so far today? Five crazy couples boarded the Ferris wheel early this morning at Mall of America’s Nickelodeon Universe and simultaneously got hitched in motion. The quintuple wedding was officiated by a pastor from the mall’s Chapel of Love. (He remained grounded and used a microphone.)
The couples noshed on Bruegger’s bagels before the ceremonial ride. There were no reports of motion sick brides or grooms.
To celebrate the nuptials–and what is apparently also National Ferris Wheel Day–Ferris wheel rides are free all day at MOA.
Tags: Chapel of Love, Ferris Wheel day, Mall of America, mall weddings, MOA, MOA weddings, Nickelodeon Universe, Valentine's Day
Posted in Events, Mall of America, Special Occasion | No Comments »
I had the pleasure to meet Argentinian jewelry designer Maria Rivolta at her namesake store at Mall of America today. She’s engaging and chic—in a gray and black, Calvin Klein-inspired, understated way you might not expect from someone whose jewelry is known for color. But Rivolta loves a pop of color or shine. And she likes her jewelry to be fun, fashionable, and delightfully affordable. Meet her at the store (first level, outside Bloomingdale’s) from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, and save on two of her favorite enamel designs.
Tags: argentinian jewelry designer, Mall of America, maria rivolta, MOA
Posted in Accessories, Events, Mall of America | No Comments »
Tonight, I got to preview Diana, A Celebration, the exhibit opening Saturday, Feb. 4 at Mall of America. I was totally impressed. So much of the advance talk has been about Princess Diana’s 1981 royal wedding dress, with its 25-foot train–that I had no idea how much more the exhibit had to offer: a look at Princess Diana’s childhood, her charity work around the world and a collection of 28 dresses she wore through her years in the public eye. Fascinating to see how the fashions changed and her sophistication evolved. Sad to recall how abruptly it all ended.
Mall of America campaigned hard to get the exhibit, which travels to just a couple of cities each year, and always returns to Diana’s family estate, Althorp, in England for a summer display. (William walked Kate through these very artifacts before their own wedding.) Tune in to myTalk107.1 at 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, when exhibit handler Nick Grossmark will talk about Diana’s impact on fashion and share more behind-the-scenes tidbits with me on Shop Girls.
The exhibit is on the fourth floor (across from Hooters). Once inside, you’ll forget where you are, and remember where you were for a couple of the most-watched events in modern history. Tickets start at $23.50 for adults and $13.50 for children. Purchase them at guest service desks throughout the mall and the exhibition box office. Diana: A Celebration will be at MOA through June 10.
Tags: Diana, Diana: A Celebration, Mall of America, MOA, myTalk107.1, Princess Diana exhibit, shop girls
Posted in Events, Mall of America | No Comments »
A Pea in the Pod, Spring 2012
Motherhood Maternity, Spring 2012
Destination Maternity will open its first Twin Cities store at Mall of America on Thursday, Jan. 19. This superstore for mamas-to-be brings dominant maternity brands A Pea in the Pod and Motherhood Maternity under one roof. Find both price-conscious and designer maternity fashion, plus accessories and gifts. Bring the family, and plan to stay a while: the store features a juice bar, a soft-sided toddler play area, and two flat-screen TV viewing areas–one for kids, and one for dads.
On Thursday, the first 50 moms-to-be will receive a free gift card loaded with a mystery value from $10 to $250. The first 50 shoppers to spend $125 will receive a gift bag. And get a free Carter’s bodysuit with purchase, while supplies last.
Destination Maternity, second level, south side (near Macy’s)
Tags: Destination Maternity, Mall of America, maternity shopping
Posted in Mall of America, Maternity | No Comments »
A look ahead at the reinvented Bloomingdale's wing at MOA
At least four “major international fashion-forward retail stores”–three new to town–will replace Bloomingdale’s at Mall of America, vice president of public relations Dan Jasper announced Wednesday. He was not ready to name names today, but Zara and TopShop are among the likely contenders. (Worth noting: another hot new concept in expansion mode, Joe Fresh, is Canadian. That counts as international!) Expect announcements over the next few months as leases are finalized.
Bloomingdale’s was one of the original MOA anchors, and is the first to leave. The Macy’s Inc.-owned retailer announced plans to close three other stores nationwide. The MOA store will close in March. A sale starts this Sunday.
“We are grateful to Bloomingdale’s for 20 years and wish them the best,” Jasper said. “This gives us an opportunity to be a trendsetter.”
MOA plans to break out of the traditional anchor model and will add a sub-level, turning the larger space into a wing for “luxury retailers and a new upscale restaurant.” One of the yet-to-be-named retailers will occupy a 90,000 square foot space on the new sub-level and first floor (hmm…smells like Top Shop). On the third level of the Bloomingdale’s space, Jasper said, “we will continue to add destination value-priced retail.” Owner Triple Five Worldwide will invest $30 to $50 million for the renovations and new construction, which is scheduled to begin in mid-February.
Tags: bloomingdale's, Mall of America, Triple Five
Posted in Mall of America | 15 Comments »
Some retail destinations promote their selection or sales this time of year. At Mall of America, all that’s a given. The issue is getting to it. Thus, the “12 Days of Parking” promotion. MOA is reserving 12 front row parking spots for the 12 days leading up to Christmas. I’m giving them away today-Saturday, Dec. 10–on Shop Girls. A dozen listeners will be guaranteed VIP parking for next Saturday, Dec. 17. Each winner will also receive a $25 mall gift card. (And we all know you could spend that thing four or five times over in the minutes you’ll save searching for a parking spot.) Listen to win, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today on myTalk107.1.
P.S.: You’ll get another chance to win Tuesday in our shopping e-newsletter, Swag.
Tags: Mall of America, MOA, MOA parking, shop girls
Posted in Events, Mall of America | 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 »
Love it when a respected brand brings its A-game to Minnesota. Kiehl’s opens at Mall of America today, and this will be an apothecary store like none of its others nationwide. Highlights include a complimentary photo booth (with pics displayed on a projection screen facing out into the mall), a men’s shave bar for grooming tips and demos, and a recreation of the Statue of Liberty—a nod to Kiehl’s New York roots—commissioned by the artist Shepard Fairey. Of course, the full product line will be available, including the new Midnight Recovery eye treatment (I’m on night two and have high hopes), Rosa Artica, Kiehl’s first foray into serious anti-aging products and a limited edition Creme de Corps with packaging designed by Jeff Koons. Stay tuned for details on a grand opening event in just a couple of weeks. First floor, north side
Tags: kiehl's, Mall of America, MOA
Posted in Beauty, Mall of America, store openings | 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 »
Disaster after fashion disaster on What Not to Wear, co-host Clinton Kelly preaches the importance of tailoring. “It’s unreasonable for people to assume clothes will fit perfectly off the rack,” he says. “That’s not how life is. Clothes are built on a size 4 dress form. That’s like 2 percent of the population.”
After nine TV seasons and thousands of makeovers, Kelly is putting his money where his mouth is. On Saturday, he opened Perfect Fit by Clinton Kelly at Mall of America. There’s a second test location at Orland Square Mall outside of Chicago. More than a tailoring shop, Perfect Fit employs stylists who help customers figure out how to get their clothes to flatter their figure. Tailors and stylists must pass a Kelly-approved skills test, but the true test, which could make or break the concept, will be their ability to mimic Kelly’s quick wit and decisive advice.
“I have bionic eyes,” Kelly boasts, only half joking. “I can scan a body and tell that person exactly how should she should be dressing. It’s like an algebraic equation.”
The most common mistake: Women wearing tops that are too long. “You want to make your torso look smaller than your legs. The longer your legs, the taller you look. I’m constantly hemming tops and it looks like you lost 10 pounds.”
He may have super powers when it comes to styling, but there is one garment beyond tailoring: pajama jeans. “Revolting. For some reason, laziness is something to be celebrated in this country,” Kelly says. “I’ve never met a woman who doesn’t want to look beautiful. They just get overwhelmed.”
Hear my entire conversation with Kelly on Shop Girls (Nov. 5 interview starts halfway through hour 1). Perfect Fit (formerly Stitch It) is on the first level, east side at Mall of America, 952-854-5723.
Tags: clinton kelly, Mall of America, perfect fit, tailoring, what not to wear
Posted in Mall of America, Shopping Tips, Shopping with celebs | No Comments »
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