Happy Holidays!
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Last Minute Shopping
Several shops are open this weekend for a last minute treasure for someone on your gift list. Please see This Month’s Sales for Dec. 20 – 22. Or contact your local, favorite store to see if they’re open.
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
All the occasional shops are filled with beautiful pieces: glass, silver, jewelry, and candles. There are sweet vintage ornaments, cards, books, and toys. Fun holiday sweaters, mittens of repurposed wool, scarves, holiday wreaths, and so many decorations add to the magic of shopping in December. Here are a few photos from some south Minneapolis shops which are open this weekend. Flamingoes Divine Finds and the newly expanded Junket: Tossed and Found are also open this weekend. Please check “This Month’s Sales” for days, hours, and addresses. Happy Saling!
- Urban Cottage
Your Lucky Day 
Your Lucky Day 
Amour Sophie
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
French Flea of Anoka is a Treat
The French Flea of Anoka has been inspiring shoppers for five years with their glitzy, rustic decor. The “warm” weather and dry highways made for an easy drive today. And I was in for a treat – or several: fudge, cookies, and a special coffee blend to sample as I shopped. There was a nice assortment of china, mercury glass, and silver along with burlap and birchbark. You’ll find jewelry, pillows, tables, lamps, mirrors, and cleverly repurposed items for your home or for gifts. The French Flea is at 211 East Main Street in downtown Anoka. Hours are Fri-Sat 10 – 5 and Sun 12 – 4. Phone 763-427-1837.
Anoka also has antique and gift shops, cafes, coffee shops, and the wonderful Madhatter Tearoom.
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
More shopping on December 1st
A clear, crisp day is perfect for a drive. If Chaska is your destination, you can visit Shop 501 on Chestnut Street right as you come into town. This shop is a vintage and creative collaboration of several favorite vendors and is open every Thursday 10 – 7, Friday-Sat. 10-5, OPEN 12 – 3 TODAY.
[Please note for the future, 2 more Chaska shops which are NOT open today. Across Chestnut Street you’ll find Annie Minette which features lots of tasteful holiday decor plus some vintage wares ONLY open Wed-Sat. Linda’s Cellar on E. 2nd St which feels like an antique shop, but is closed today.]
On the north side of the metro area, Two Birds Antique Emporium in Brooklyn Park and Past Perfect in East Bethel ARE OPEN on Sunday, Dec. 1. Two Birds, at 8509 Wyoming Ave N, just east of Hwy 169 off 85th St, offers vintage and repurposed wares from 11-5 on Sundays. Past Perfect offers shabby chic furnishings with a French flair at 18429 Hwy 65 NE and is open from 10-4 today.
And back in Minneapolis, the shops on Minnehaha Avenue South are open today: E’s Emporium and Junket for sure! These plus all those listed in this month’s sales for Nov. 29 – Dec. 1 are open for your shopping pleasure.
P.S. The full month’s listing for December will be up soon.
Posted in Uncategorized
2 Comments
Small, Local, Vintage – Let’s Go!
42nd & Grand Ave. S.
Call it a refrain (or say it like a cheer) for the holiday shopping season. No need to circle endlessly in your car looking for a parking space or stand in long lines waiting for a cashier. Owners of the many local occasional stores are waiting to serve you. These small shops have handpicked a bounty of lovely, practical, and frivolous finds to make shopping a real pleasure.
Most of the shops across south Minneapolis are open one or more days this weekend as are several in the suburbs. Best advice is to check their website or Facebook page before making a special trip to a particular store. However, I can testify to the fact that Your Lucky Day is open for business already and will be open 10 – 6 all weekend. And the store is brimming with holiday – and everyday – treasures!
Happy shopping!
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Shop Local, Shop Small, Shop Vintage
Need I say more?
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Let the Holiday Shopping Begin
How to recycle Oriental rugs? These Christmas stockings and the handbags I saw at Spicy & Sweet Boutique in St. Louis Park seemed a clever idea. I liked the glitzy vintage jewelry too, but I can’t share a photo for fear of ruining the surprise for the gift’s recipient. For hostess gifts, there’s always a big “bar” of gourmet chocolate or a locally designed Christmas-themed or 2014 calendar tea towel. Spicy & Sweet Boutique is open Sat 10-6, Sun 10-4 at 6532 W. Lake St., 55426.
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
It’s Beginning to Look (and Feel) Like Christmas
With Amour Sophie open today, I was able to start the weekend’s shopping early. Besides these warm mittens, I loved the jewelry and beautifully re-worked tables. The shop has a wonderful, elegant feel which hits the right note.
Then south on Bloomington Avenue to 52nd Street where I stopped at the Urban Cottage which was decorated (modestly, I’d say) for Christmas. There were many vintage ornaments, golden trees, and such a cleverly plaid blanket clad toboggan serving snacks. Here are a couple photos, but lots more in person.
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
East or West – Which is Best?
New shops are opening all over. This weekend you can choose to go east or west to visit a new occasional shop. In addition to some of your old favorites, of course.
On the east side is Thistle in the St. Anthony Park area of St. Paul. Hours are Thur 12-8, Fri 12-5, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4. Repurposed and vintage; check it out on Facebook or 2228 Como Ave.
Or go west to Hopkins where Garden Party Gallery is located at 1213 Main St. Hours are Thu-Sat 9-6, Sun 12-5. I was able to preview last Saturday and here’s a sample of the re-styled and re-imagined home and garden furniture and decor.
Posted in Uncategorized
1 Comment