shop local for those you love!

Did you know that when you spend money at a local shop over 60% of it stays in the community, shopping at big retail stores and chains about 40% stays here, and if you shop online virtually NO money stays in your local community? Even if we all bought one gift at a local shop this year it would make a difference!

shop local this holiday season!

Some of our favorite places to shop locally for unique gifts:

• The Buffalo Nickel (Buffalo) – antiques and unique gifts
• The Flower Mill (Norwood) – New and used unique gifts, antiques and furniture
• Hunt and Gather (South Minneapolis)- one of a kind finds!
• I Like You (Northeast Minneapolis)- handmade jewelry and paper good
• Magers and Quinn (Uptown Minneapolis) – Books new and used
• Mama’s Happy (Mound) – Upcycled furniture, art, homegoods and gifts
• Martin Patrick (Downtown Minneapolis) – Men’s gifts of all types and styles
• Miller’s Jewelry (Annandale) – Jewelry and sparkly things!
• Mitrebox (Downtown Minneapolis)- locally made stationary
• Paperista (South Minneapolis) – specialty paper goods and stationary
• Patina (various Twin City locations)- Made in Minneapolis gifts
• Vintage Glam (Hutchinson)- handmade gifts from Etsy gals
• Walker Art Center Shop (Minneapolis)- Made in Minnesota gifts
• Snooty Fox (Annandale) – Goodies and art

support your local community while getting unique gifts!

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21 reasons to love August

August is probably one of my favorite months, it might have a little do with the warm, sunny weather, there are plenty of things to do and see in the city and it’s also my birthday month! Let’s take a look at some of the reasons to love the month of August like I do…

1. Summer Music & Movies in Loring Park. Every Monday in August at Loring Park. Free. 7-11pm
2. Uptown Art Festival. Hennepin/ Lake Street. Free. August 5-7.
3. Roof top and patio Happy Hours. Various hot spots around town.
4. Mini Golf at the Science Museum in St. Paul. Learn about landscapes as you play 9 holes.
5. MN Fringe Festival. August 4-14th. Indulge your inner movie maven!
6. Macy’s Glamorama. Orpheum Theater. August 5th.
7. Victory Neighborhood Annual Garden Tour. August 7th. 1pm – 4pm. Go visit the pretty side of North Minneapolis!
8. Pizza Luce Block Party. Music and fun in the street! August 13th noon-10pm.
9. Farmers Markets. At a location near you! Lots of yummy fruits and veggies are in season this time of year. Go shop local at your farmers market!
10. Martinis and Manicures. The Lounge. August 18th 4:30 – 8:30.
11. Glass Art Appreciation at Foci Glass Arts. Glass blowing demos and more!August 27th 3-9pm.
12. Adele in concert at the Xcel Energy center.
13. Rockin’ for Music Ed Block Party at West End in St. Louis Park. August 20th noon- 10:30.
14. MN State Fair.
15. Walker Art Center.  Get in to the museum for free every Thursday! Bring your sketch book and hone your drawing skills.
16. Loring Park Art Festival. August 6th 10am-6pm.
17. Twins games at Target Center. Various days in August.
18. 46th & Grand Block & Summer Art Party. August 14th.
19. Brit’s outdoor movies. Downtown at Brit’s Pub on Nicollet Mall.
20. Powderhorn Art Fair at Powderhorn Park. August 7th 10am – 5pm.
21. Activities on the Chain of Lakes. Paddle boarding, canoeing, running, or swimming – I love it all in August!

Whew! What a list! What are some of your favorite August activities?

Cheers! 🙂 -amber

Q & A with Amber

Q & A with Amber! 

The CityPages came out with their ‘best of’ list a couple weeks ago, so why can’t we do the same thing?  When Amber was asked, “what’s your favorite…” Here’s what she had to say…

A few of Amber's faves...

1. Artist  Mondrian. I love his use of bold color and black lines to distinguish space.

2. Bar for unique cocktails Bradstreet Crafthouse in the Graves Hotel.

3. Color Red. The color red makes me happy; it adds a snappy pop of color to any outfit!

4. Chair My favorite is an orange mid century modern chair I got from my grandma. I love the shape and the color. My grandma has great taste!

5. Design period Mid Century Modern. I love the clean lines and innovative use of materials.

6. Flower Gerbera daisies and Spider Mums… they remind me of springtime.

7. Gift shop Patina; they have something for everyone. 

8. Guilty pleasure watching Glee… shhh don’t tell anyone! 🙂  

9. Hobby Being crafty; I am in a “Stitch N’ Bitch” club – we get together once a month and create everything from candles to sock monkeys! 

10. Jewelry anything vintage – usually found at Hunt and Gather in Edina or other thrifty places.

11. Museum Milwaukee Art Museum; designed by Eero Saarinen, David Kahler, and Santiago Calatrava. It even has ‘wings’ that open and close during the day!

12. Musical Artist Dessa – she is a lyrical acrobat!

13. Restaurant of the Moment I’ve been really digging Urban Eatery. They took over the old ‘View’ restaurant in Calhoun Beach Club, and it’s run by the Crave guys. They have yummy food, a sexy atmosphere, and a great happy hour!

14. Summer Activity Spending time at the lakes. Depending on your mood, you can bike, play volleyball, have a picnic, or just relax and people watch. I love it.

15. Spot for retro furniture and accessories Spinario Design in Northeast. They have it all!

16. Spot for new and trendy home accessories Roam on Glenwood in Minneapolis. 

17. Winter Activity Seeing the British Advertising Awards presented at the Walker Art Center; they are always so interesting. I’m not much for the cold outdoors!

What are some of your favorites? Stay tuned for Holly’s answers…

local holiday shopping guide

Black Friday, Cyber Monday, 2 Day Sales… crowds… ahh!!  Holiday shopping can get a little hectic.

If you’re looking for fun places to get unique, one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones, look no more! Here are some of our favorite local places…

For that person in your life that loves handmade and green gifts try… The Textile Center on University Ave in Minneaoplis. Last year Holly and I took a screen printing class there and afterwards scoped out their gift shop. They have beautiful, handmade items for sale now through Dec. 30th in honor of their Holiday Sale. Check it out! http://www.textilecentermn.org/shop.asp

For the art lover try… The Walker Art Center gift shop for everything from funky serving pieces to books on Architecture to rings made out crayons. You’re sure not to leave empty handed and with some checks off of your list! You can even shop online… http://shop.walkerart.org/

For the foodie try… Kitchen Window at Calhoun Square. The have everything from spatulas to smokers!  Give a different kind of gift this year with their cooking classes. They are truly an exciting learning experience. www.kitchenwindow.com

For lady of the house try… La Petite Parfumerie in Excelsior.  If you haven’t been here yet, you are missing out! They have the most wonderful selection of perfumes, bath salts, lingerie, and more!  The store was previously open as the Cherie Boutique in Wayzata, so if you haven’t been to the new store in Excelsior, check it out! http://www.lapetiteparfumerie.com/

For the man in your life try… The Art of Shaving Shop at the MOA.  This brand hits the nail on the head when it comes to all things shaving. Ther products are top quality and smell DIVINE!!! One of their starter kits or shaving sets would make the perfect gift.  www.theartofshaving.com

Do you have other suggestions? We’d love to hear them! Share them here…

fall ‘fun-tivities’

Happy First Day of Fall, hauthaus friends! Here are 10 of our favorite fall activites, restaurants, and points of interest:

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Stop in to see the fall colors, visit the Applehouse, and check out the outdoor art installations. Don’t forget to drive the ‘Three Mile Drive” for the ultimate fall experience!  They have something for everyone! http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/default.aspx 

St. Croix Vineyards. They have fun events almost every weekend; including wine tours and tastings in September, a “Halloween Wine-O-ween” in October, and a “Cheese  and Chocolate Weekend” in November. Stop back again and again! I recently visited and gave it two thumbs up! http://www.scvwines.com/scv/Home.html

Apple Jack Orchards.  This is the place for fun for the whole family. Visit the orchard for pony rides, berry and apple picking, and a corn maze adventure! They also offer lunch and bakery specials daily. http://www.applejackorchards.com/

Bistro 11. Visit the new casual dining restaurant in Loretto. Owned by one of Holly’s high school classmates, this is the new hot spot west of the cities! Enjoy the menu, made of fresh and local ingredients. http://www.bistro-11.com/Bistro-11.com/Welcome.html

1.  

 

Art Attack. You can’t miss the ‘Midwest’s premiere open art studio event’! Mark it on your calendars for November 5-7. http://www.northrupkingbuilding.com/artattack

A Maze’n Farmyard. This is a MUST for your kids! They will love every minute they spend at the A Maze’n Farmyard. Kids can pet, feed, and hold the farm animals. There are lots of fun activites out there, so be sure to make a day of it! Holly’s kids love it here! http://amazenfarmyard.com/

Roma di Luna w/ Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps. Two of our favorite bands at one concert!  It’s going to be fantasic; the folk/gospel/bluegrass music will literally be ‘music to your ears’! Roma di Luna is celebrating their CD release October 2nd at First Avenue, while Caroline Smith opens along with Dark, Dark, Dark. Tickets are $10.  http://www.first-avenue.com/event/2010/10/893-current-presents-roma-di-luna-and-dark-dark-dark-dual-cd-release-show

  Restaurant Week. Participating restaurants around town offer specially priced meals that range from $10-$30. Mark your calendars for the week of October 3-8 and plan a date night! Check out MSP Mag’s website for details, menus, and reservations. http://www.mspmag.com/promotions/wherewe’llbe/166300.asp

Fork in the Road. Stop by the Fork in the Road food truck this fall for AMAZING food and a whole new food truck experience. These gals know how to make a mean sandwich… they’re on Twitter if you need to know where they are going to be next, or check out their Facebook page for more info: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Minneapolis-MN/Fork-In-The-Road-Truck/378800518755?v=wall

Alec Soth exhibit at the Walker. The Walker is presenting over 100 photographs from this talented local artist Sept. 12- Jan 2. You CANNOT miss this! His photos capture people and places from all over the US in such a raw a real way.  He is one of our favorites! http://calendar.walkerart.org/canopy.wac?id=4673

We hope you get a chance to enjoy one or all of our suggestions! If you know of something special we missed, we’d love to hear about it and pass it along!

Happy Fall!

not-to-miss winter to-do list

Just as we posted this summer, we have come up with some fun things to do, eat, and see while out and about in the great Twin Cities area during the winter… enjoy!

1. Snow shoe at French Lake Park… Snow shoeing is a fun winter activity that the whole family can enjoy. One of Holly’s favorite places is Clifton E. French Park; it is located on the North shore of Medicine Lake. Here is a link:   http://www.threeriversparks.org/parks/french-park.aspx

2. British Advertising Awards… Holly and I have gone to this event for the past couple years. It’s interesting to see what the Brits come up with. Some are racy, some are touching, and some are histerical! Enjoy the show! It runs until January 2nd. Catch the show at the Walker Art Center at 1750 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis.   http://calendar.walkerart.org/event.wac?id=5347

3. Kitchen Window… I took a  cooking class this fall with my boyfriend at Kitchen Window and loved the experience! The instructors were very knowledgeable and the food that we ate was amazing! These classes work great for a gift, for a date night, or for a day with the gals. Check out all the upcoming classes at the link!    Kitchen Window is located in Uptown, at 3001 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis in Calhoun Square. http://www.kitchenwindow.com/CC_CookingClassHome.asp 

4. The Modern Cafe… If you are in the mood for divine, local food, this is the place!  If you’re there during the day, they offer a happy lunch with 1/2 off wine. You must try their grilled cheese, you’ll love it – I promise!  You’ll find it at 337 13th Avenue Northeast, Minneapolis.  http://moderncafeminneapolis.com/

5. Art Shanty Project on Medine Lake…  Stop out at Medicine Lake  in Plymouth January 16th – February 7th for some fun on the ice. Every year artists built creative shanties on the lake for the public to see. It’s fun to see all of the beautiful and crazy ideas. For more information check out the website:  http://www.artshantyprojects.org/

6. I Like You… This is a really fun store in Minneapolis – it even has a grass turf floor in the front window where you can swing! Everything here is made by local artists, jewelry makers, print artists and more. When you stop by, you are sure to walk out with a new, fun treasure. It’s located at 501 1st Ave NE, Minneapolis.  For hours and directions:  www.ilikeyouonline.com

7. Il Gatto…   The old Figlio space in Calhoun Square in Uptown is now Il Gatto… one peek at their menu and you’ll be dying to drop in for dinner. It’s  perfect date night, or if your the happy hour type, they have specials on drinks and food from 4:30-6:30. You’ll find it at 3000 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis. Check out their menu at:   http://www.ilgattominneapolis.com/

8. Showplace ICON theater …  When you are out shopping at the new Shops at West End in St. Louis Park off of 100 & 394, be sure to take in a movie at the ICON Showplace theater. They have VIP Sofa seating, AND bacon popcorn. Yes – Bacon Popcorn! For showtimes: http://www.kerasotes.com/Showtimes.aspx?OptionTheater=Go&TheaterSearch=8863

9. Shoppe Local… The people behind the quirky gift store, Patina, have opened up a new store at 50th and Lyndale. Everything is locally made with Minnesota goodness. Check it out today! You’ll find it at 813 West 50th Street, Minneapolis.  http://www.patinastores.com/pages/stores.cfm?store=13

10. City of Lakes Loppet/ Snow sculpture… Here is a perfect outing for the whole family. If you haven’t been the City of Lakes Loppet before, I recommend it. There are dog sled races, ski races, snow sculpture contests and more! It’s a fun time and admission is free!   http://www.cityoflakesloppet.com/

cheers, amber