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Love is in the Air at Guild

Monday, February 14th, 2011

Love was in the air this past weekend at Guild for their ‘Second Saturday Event’ and trunk show. I could feel the love as I walked around this charming shop full of timeless antiques and new treasures. Guild is full of sweet gifts that are the perfect treat to any of your friends- or yourself!
It is no secret in the cities how amazing Guild Collective is! This past year Guild was voted “Best of the Best Curated Shop 2010” by Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine and a “Best of the Twin Cities’ shop by Minnesota Monthly.  With a collection of local artists, designers, stylists, photographers and retailers, this Saint Louis Park store is really a one stop shop for all of your gifts.

The Collective is divided out between different vendors and artists, but the open floor plan allows to you to seamlessly browse between them. As I made my way around Guild with storeowner Pam Mondale, I could see the time and passion that not only went into choosing which items will be featured, but by the local collectors and artists as well.

Nothing beats a gift with a great story! What I loved about Guild is that the vendors all carried a unique story of how their product or collection came to be. Whether it is MaverickJune pillows that are made from 100% post consumer felt or custom shirts made by retired NFL quarterback Alial Fital, Guild has a gift for each of your Valentines. A gift from Guild is stylish, unique and heartfelt; which is what any friend would love!
Guild Collective is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11AM-6PM. For more information on their collective talent or find out about upcoming events check out Guild’s website.

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CRAVE Women Chosen as the Best!

Sunday, September 26th, 2010

Minnesota Monthly

In 2010′s September issue of Minnesota Monthly, many of our CRAVE businesses are featured as the “Best of the Cities”. We were so excited to see all of our fabulous women and their businesses in this magazine. Both CRAVE and our readers know that these ladies rock, and now the rest of the Cities have caught onto our favorite shops around town. Pick up a copy of the Minnesota Monthly to see the full “Best of the Cities” article and see all of these fabulous businesses:

Sweets Bakeshop

The magazine lists Ly lo and Krista Steinbach’s bakery as the go-to place for the “Best Macaroons” in all of the Cities!

2042 Marshall Ave., St. Paul, 651-340-7138, sweetsbakeshop.com

Salty Tart

Referred to as the “Savory Pastry”, Michelle Gayer’s shop is recognized for its array of treats, including those that are unconventional but delicious.

920 E. Lake St., Mpls., 612-874-9206 saltytart.com

Joynoëlle

Known for her beautiful and thoughtful designs, Joy Teiken is praised as the “Dress Designer”.

312 W. 42nd St., Mpls., 612-209-7822, Joynoelle.com

StormSister Spatique

Hailed as the “Beauty Crusader”, Becky Strum knows her stuff when it comes to the best eco-friendly and effective beauty products on the market!

635 S Smith Ave., St. Paul, 612-716-5480, stormsister.biz

I Like You

The magazine guarantees you will find something you like in Sara Sweet and Angela Scandin’s shop, or be inspired to make something in their classes!

501 First Ave. NE, Mpls., 612-208-0249, ilikeyouonline.com

Picky Girl

Titled the “Women’s Boutique” in the Cities, Elisabeth Varshese is thanked for her great boutique and fabulous taste in fashion.

949 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-698-4107, pickygirlmn.com

L’atelier Boutique

Amanda Kautt’s shop is titled the “Bridal Boutique” of the cities and is recommended as the ultimate bridal experience.

493 Selby Ave., St. Paul, 651-602-9492, lateliercouturebridal.com

La Petite Parfumerie

Diana, Jennifer and Sally own this shop chosen as choice “Perfume Shop”. But don’t let the name fool you! This shop carries beauty products, accessories and handbags as well.

287 Water St., Ste 100, Excelsior, 952-475-2212, lapetitparfumerie.com

Guild

Winning the award as best “New Shop” this year is Pam Mondale’s boutique. Guild offers a great selection of vintage and new home furnishings, clothing and jewelry.

4414 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, 952-378-1815, guildcollective.wordpress.com

Mpls St. Paul Magazine Shops

Our CRAVE shops were also chosen by Mpls St. Paul magazine to be featured in Shops magazine. Mpls St. Paul magazine produced Shops as a guide to the best places in the cities, and as to no surprise this guide was FILLED with CRAVE ladies! This is an exclusive magazine that can not be bought on newsstands, only subscribers received it. Congratulations to all 36 of the CRAVE businesses that are featured in this issue!

Arafina, Collaborations Boutique, Covered, Ditchotomy, Joynoëlle, Karma, Martin’s, OPM Boutique, Picky Girl, L’atelier Couture Bridal Boutique, Posh Bridal Couture, Melly, Stella, The Bungalow, Max’s, Blooma, Sigh Yoga and Boutique, Art of Optiks, Jaide: A Salon & Boutique, La Petite Parfumerie, StormSister Spatique, Bananas For Kids, Red Rover Kids, Bibelot, Inizo, Patina, Coca and Fig, Just Truffles, Local D’Lish, Russel + Hazel, Casa Verde, Euronest, Interior Motive, Maison Galleria, Victory, and Petunia’s.

Minnesota Monthly: http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/

Mpls St. Paul Magazine: mspmag.com

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Hello, Summer!

Monday, June 21st, 2010

How many times a year do we utter the words, “If only there were more hours in the day…”? Well, on the summer solstice, you will get your wish since today, the sun shines longer than any other day of the year. Today of course also marks the official start of summer, and with it, we celebrate all the best things about this much-anticipated season! To welcome the return of flip-flops, barbecue’s, vacations and more, we’ve compiled a list of activities to do in order to take advantage of those extra minutes of sunlight. Grab your friends and family and head out – you won’t want to miss a second of your summer solstice celebration!

A picnic is a simple no-brainer for a summer occasion, but you might decide to get a little creative for the special occasion by coordinating a late-night sunset picnic in your city’s most scenic setting. Bring a playlist of songs with the word “sun” in them to set the right mood.

If you’re an avid outdoors-woman, you’ll want to really maximize your extra minutes of rays! Head out for an evening hike, run, or bike ride and extend it a little longer than usual. You’ll get an extra boost knowing that this is the only night you’ll be able to savor the sunlight during your routine workout.

Spending your solstice doing water activities is an excellent idea if you live near a body of water. Boating, surfing, kayaking, or even just lounging beachside will give you that summer glow you’ve been missing all winter. Plus, watching the sun lower over sparkling waves is a sight that can hardly be beat, and one you’ll want to store in your memory for the next winter.

Say Mother Nature decides to throw you a curveball and sends rain instead of shine, well don’t let that stop you from enjoying the spirit of the day. Curling up with a book and hot tea can be relaxing during a summer rainfall or storm especially if enjoyed from a patio or porch. If the day is more gray gloom than thrilling boom, head to your local arboretum or greenhouse to get your tropical nature fix.


(more…)

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Hats Off, Celebrations On!

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Each spring, we celebrate the return of backyard barbeque’s, the blossoming of hydrangea’s, and the accomplishments of the thousands upon thousands of spankin-new grads. We all know it’s not exactly smooth sailing out there for our latest diploma holders; but we want to do all we can to ensure the departure from school and foray into the working world is at least a little bit brighter (a little sparkle goes a long way). We’ve surveyed the land in search of all the elements that make up a great grad gift: utility, novelty, and FUN! Here are the unique shops and services we found, sure to be the second best thing your grad receives – next to that hard-earned diploma. And of course, all the shops feature one great gift for the future entreprenesses of the Twin Cities – the CRAVE Guidebook!

Cooks of Crocus Hill
Now that your graduate has exited university life, she won’t be able to rely on the quick, easy option of her student cafeteria for food. Why not celebrate her new freedom and independence with a crash course in culinary creations? This has an added bonus if your graduate happens to be moving back in with you, because you’ll have someone to cook you four-star meals!
cooksofcrocushill.com

The Life Styled
Every new college grad encounters the same dilemma upon entering the professional workforce: how to make the transition from sweatpants and sneakers to tailored suits and pumps. There is no better way to get your graduate off on the right well-heeled foot than with an image consulting session from the fashion-forward expert Catherine Sheppard. Oh, the places she’ll go in that perfect interview ensemble!
thelifestyled.com

RedStamp.com
Once the commencement speeches have ended, and the caps have been tossed, a graduate will need a way to stay in touch with her wide circle of friends and professors. Sure, she’s got Facebook but a handwritten note can say a lot more these days and can be especially noticeable to professional contacts and potential employers. Personalized stationery might be the ideal gift for your technologically-overworked grad, and you’ll find it in droves at RedStamp.com along with business cards, address stamps, and other modern correspondence tools.
redstamp.com

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Bloggers To Watch Out For

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

These days, blogs are a dime a dozen. Any two-bit hack with a dial-up connection can spout nonsense into the infinite Inter-void — and they do. But here in the Twin Cities, a few talented lady-bloggers rise above the rabble. Add a trio of quality content to your blogroll with Yes & Yes, Twelve22 and The Daily Whip.

Sarah Von Bargen of Yes & Yes
yesandyes.org

Sarah Von Bargen — or “Sarah Von,” as she’s known in the blogosphere — is one sassy dame. With plucky wit, a smidge of snark and a healthy respect for girly baubles, she offers insightful tips on dirt-cheap travel, break-up survival and non-traditional career trajectories. Her “True Stories” series — first-person perspectives from people with extraordinary life experiences — is not to be missed. She’s also one of the most prolific bloggers in the Twin Cities, with new posts every single morning, a spin-off clothing and accessory shop and a gorgeous line of calendars and “karma cards.”

Anna Torborg of Twelve22
twelve22.org

Visiting Twelve22 is like sinking into your favorite auntie’s rocking chair with a mug of chamomile tea. Anna Torborg takes readers on a gentle amble through her daily activities: thrift-store shopping, sewing, baking and tending to her feline companions, Beany and Birdie. Her photographs are crisp, airy and 100% original — she never uses stock photography. Loyal readers rejoice in her gardening and running tips, as well as her craft tutorials and downloadable DIY paper house models. Skip the Xanax and settle into one of Ms. Torborg’s blissful recaps of domestic life in fair Minneapolis.

Erika Lyremark of The Daily Whip
dailywhip.com

Feisty, ferocious and unapologetic, exotic dancer-turned-career coach Erika Lyremark cracks and sizzles with daily whips of wisdom. Part traditional blog and part Twitter-esque stream of consciousness, Erika’s daily questions, quotations and commands are designed to spark rapid-fire action. Primarily a platform for her one-on-one coaching business, Erika’s blog is a destination for entrepreneurial spirits who want the straight dope — minus the hippie-dippie fluff.

ALEXANDRA FRANZEN is a freelance copywriter specializing in resume design, public broadcasting and corporate branding — with a kick. You can find her blogging up a storm at Unicorns for Socialism and tweeting away @alex_franzen.

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5 Myths About Stillwater We Simply Must Crack!

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

Come on over to Stillwater and visit some of the most fashion-forward, innovative and savvy businesses in all of the Twin Cities. There are so many fabulous women owned businesses in downtown Stillwater you can make a full day or weekend out of your visit. It’s a perfect getaway for Mother’s Day, Memorial Day weekend, or just a sunny spring Saturday!

I am here to debunk any and all myths about Stillwater AND give you the hottest tips on where to go when you visit! (I will write more about the shops in my next Stillwater blog—this is to just get you there!)

1. “It’s all antiques”
From one end of Main Street to the other, Stillwater boasts shops filled with the latest fashion (Collaborations 129 1/2 Main St S, and Stella), fitness/yoga (Studio Cates), a trend-setting salon (Monde), gourmet restaurants (Savories), sophisticated home decor (Alfresco, Interior Motive, and Maison Galleria), an adorable yarn shop (Darn Knit Anyway) a charming kids store (Red Rover Kids), not to mention the perfect stop for coffee and a scone (Supreme Bean Expresso Cafe – 402 Main St N).  And that’s just Main Street!

2. “There’s no parking”
Rubbish! I have been to Stillwater three times just since December, and every time I find plenty of on-street parking! If you are planning a visit, call any of the local shop owners and they will happily suggest the closest FREE parking lot!

3. “Traffic problems”
I zoomed right into Stillwater without incident nor traffic every time. But here is an inside scoop: Follow signs on Hwy 36 and Take Cty Rd. 15/Manning to Cty Rd 12/Myrtle and zip on down—lickety split!

4. “It’s full of tourists!”
Are you a tourist if you live in Excelsior and shop on Grand? No! It’s metro shoppers who know Stillwater is THE place to shop for fabulous finds! My good friend and fashion maven (and her husband!) drive into Stillwater from Minneapolis once every 6 weeks just to get their hair cut! They make an event of it by grabbing a bite to eat and doing a bit of shopping too. Would they do that for the past 8 years if it wasn’t a fun way to spend an evening?

5. “It’s expensive!”
NO WAY! I bought a fantastic designer dress at Collaborations that was under $50! Fashion forward design, fabulous fit, wool/cashmere, no tailoring necessary. Simply perfect. Looks like I bought it in the Oval Room but I supported a local designer AND shop owner! Many of these shop owners travel around the country to buy lines that big box stores do not carry. As you shop the marvelous stores in Stillwater, remember that your purchases send money back into the community. 76 cents for every dollar spent goes back into the community when you shop local versus 46 cents when you shop big department stores and ZERO when you shop online!

Don’t forget to meander around Stillwater and find more great shops tucked away: Camrose Hill Flowers is a must stop, simply to check out their incredibly charming space—it feels like you’re in a 100-year-old English mansion! Bring home fresh flowers grown on a local farm, too.

Down the road a bit is THE BEST stop for all your summer picnic goodies. Heather at Bread Art makes everything herself from artisan breads to cookies, pies to pastries. They look and taste so yummy that you’ll want to throw a backyard party! Scratch baking never tasted so good!

If that is not enough incentive, right next door is La Cocinita Restaurante where Angelina boasts award winning salsa and scrumptious homemade Mexican dishes that must be accompanied by her delicious margaritas! We came for lunch and were tempted to just stay through dinner because the hospitality and the food was so warm and welcoming.

So come visit Stillwater in the next few weeks. You will be so happy you did! We promise!

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Twin Cities’ Awesome Spring Blossoms

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Now that spring is in full bloom, luckily for us, so are the flowers! And following another seemingly endless Minnesota winter, we couldn’t be more thankful to see these lovely bursts of color popping up around town. To help draw out the season’s dramatic arrival are some of the most CRAVE-worthy flower shops in the area. We’ve asked our trusted CRAVE readers to share their go-to spots for the most perfect petals in the city. From beautiful bouquets for Mom to big-day blossoms for the bride, these ladies have got it all covered.

In the middle of historic downtown Stillwater sits Camrose Hill Flowers, a shop that resembles a magical garden oasis more than any modern-day flower boutique. Inspired by the fresh elegance found in nature, owner Cindie Sinclair created a home for her shop on top of a hill overlooking rolling farm fields and old barns, which she has since converted into decadent gardens and workshops. Her floral designs are without a doubt driven by her proximity to nature but lend themselves to occasions and venues both intimate and grand. The picturesque setting provides a romantic backdrop for weddings, and Cindie has created space for every moment of the big day; including a cottage for dressing, a gazebo for the ceremony, and a pavilion well-suited for a rustic, cozy reception. But even if your floral needs are no more extravagant than a simple, fresh-from-the-garden bouquet, it’s definitely worth the trip!

The studio of Summer Harsh specializes in floral arrangements that aren’t simply arrangements but “botanical artistry”. To see what that means, you’ll need to witness her work firsthand. With extensive design experience and rows of professional accolades under her belt, Summer is known for providing high-end creations to a wide range of clients and price ranges. While she mostly handles weddings and other special events; she has recently begun bringing her exquisitely detailed designs into private homes working personally with the host/hostess to artfully incorporate a theme into the house’s present decor and accessories. With that kind of service and aesthetic precision, we are already thinking of when to have our next party at home – perhaps an unforgettable Mother’s Day Brunch?

Jackie Just of Just Bloomed knows the key to producing the perfect bridal bouquet lies in the personal touches that can be seamlessly, yet geniously incorporated: a piece of their mother’s wedding gown on the handle, their great-grandmother’s broach nestled between some calla lillies, even initials or a special inscription sewn into the ribbon of a bridesmaid’s bouquet. Since deciding to turn her life-long obsession with flowers into a career in 2004, Jackie has kept herself attuned to the latest trends in floral designs while simultaneously infusing her easy elegance into each arrangement. With a unique approach to identifying her client’s vision and personalizing the details for all types of occasions, it’s no wonder she has quickly become an established presence on the Twin Cities floral scene.

Camrose Hill Flowers
233 South 2nd Street
Stillwater, MN 55082

Summer Harsh Botanicals

http://summerharshbotanicalartistry.com

Just Bloomed
5255 Chicago Ave. S
Minneapolis, MN 55417

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