I've reported on all types of environmentally friendly, healthy, universal-design (easy-to-use) houses throughout the years, and their attributes have always impressed me. But it has taken awhile to see much in the way of significant action toward these measures in the building industry. That's why Peter Lytle, the executive director at Live Green, Live Smart, decided to renovate a 1948 ranch-style home in Minnetonka.

Through his example (he recycled 90 percent of the old home's materials in the remodeled home, significantly improved the home's energy savings, and dramatically boosted its style), he hopes to encourage others to build and remodel in similar ways. And he has set quite an example, landing the highest possible certifications on local, state, and national levels. Peter pointed out to me, however, that almost everything possible was included here, in this demonstration home. People can take significant steps toward sustainability using even a handful of ideas.

The list to consider is astounding: New thermal-mass walls to hold heat in the winter and hold cool air in the summer; energy-efficient, triple-glaze windows; geothermal heating and cooling. I could go on and on. And although I hate to leave anything out, I can only touch on the highlights in a blog! So, here's a peek at what I saw when I visited the home right before a big open house Thursday afternoon:

The renovation took the site into careful account. Rather than go with a lawn that wastes water, Geoff Boeder, the project's landscape designer, planned low-maintenance, environmentally friendly rain gardens with a 1,800-gallon underground cistern.

He also designed cool beds for fruit and vegetables that are raised to ease planting, picking, etc. There's no need to bend over!

Outdoor furniture is made of recycled bottles.

The flooring in the living room, dining room, and kitchen was all recycled from the old home and other area remodeling projects (like an old gym). Furniture features no-VOC finishes and organic cottons, and bookcases and cabinets are made out of wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The kitchen features an energy-efficient induction cooktop and a recycled glass backsplash. Peter also planned a vent behind the refrigerator to help it work more efficiently.

The baths include automated faucets to save water. The home's system also recycles sink and shower water for use in the toilet.

Solatube lighting is used to bring light into hallways and other interior spaces. Here's an example in a bathroom.

The railing at the home's stair (down to the basement) is recycled steel in a distinctive prairie-grass design.

I'd love to go on, but the list of features is pretty long! So, for more, visit Live Green, Live Smart.

I'm five-feet-two-inches tall, but I wear high heels often enough to fool most people into thinking I'm taller. For the most part, I don't mind being short, but when it comes to buying jeans, I hate it. I've purchased jeans because they fit in length, later to find that they really aren't flattering anywhere else. I've bought a pair because they fit everywhere else, telling myself that with some altering in length, they'll be the perfect pair. But when you chop off six inches, the pant loses its intended shape, and you're left with another pair of unworn denim.

(Side note: Am I the only girl that keeps every pair of jeans she's ever owned? A certain someone recently accused me of having too many pairs in my closet. My defense? I don't wear 90 percent of them, but some day, they might fit . . . if I grow five inches or lose a few pounds.)

Needless to say, when a press release touting petite designer jeans crossed my desk, I was quick to perk up.

This fall, 7 for All Mankind debuts the Lexie A-Pocket, which "fits low on the hips and features a uniquely contoured waistband that caters to a petite silhouette." Sounds good to me. Finally, a pair of designer denim created with short girls in mind.

$185. Available locally (fall 2008) at Len Druskin, Galleria, Edina, 952-927-7923

Considering Twin Cities summers are so fleeting, I've always been amazed with how much time and energy people put into their landscapes. I suppose the overwhelming feeling that the season is so special (if you're like me, you live for Minnesota summers) has a lot to do with it. So, I guess it should come as no surprise that we want to make our decks and patios as beautiful and comfortable as possible.

My most recent gardening endeavors have taken me all around town in search of pottery containers. I love how they instantly add architectural style and height and color to a landscape, and the garden retailers we have in the Twin Cities are so cool and wide-ranging. If you're like me, you venture to small shops such as Tangletown Gardens in South Minneapolis and Bloomsbury Market in Bryn Mawr. (Sadly, Bloomsbury just announced it is closing. I understand it's having quite the sale, so check it out.) But then, I also like to explore the greenhouse biggies, from Tonkadale in Minnetonka to Bachman's on Lyndale in South Minneapolis to Gertens out in Inver Grove Heights. They're all crazy crowded this time of year: On a busy Saturday a couple of weeks ago, I was shocked to see workers with fluorescent orange vests and batons directing traffic at Linder's in St. Paul. It was like parking at Valley Fair! In any case, here are some great container options out there right now.

Tangletown carries great local pottery including these handmade in Forest Lake by Frogtown Pottery. Perfect for indoors, too!

More modern glazed containers, many in square/rectangular shapes, are really popular at Gertens, Corrine du Prez, manager of annuals and perennials, tells me. Here are some of my favorites showing what's called "melted" coloring. Pots like this range in price from $14 to $200. Derek Dehn, who handles marketing at Gertens, tells me they're the latest craze in the pottery world.

Corrine also pointed out these "Pot Feet," which keep the containers off the ground. The ones here cost $11.99 for a set of three, although simpler options are available for less.

Although I'm a big fan of pottery, I also love the handsome cast-iron options out there, too, including these from Linder's.

Garden center general manager, Craig Corby, tells me Linder's has carried them for years but that they have more options now and that they're selling better than ever. Part of the reason, perhaps, is that they fare well through our Minnesota winters. Dare I even mention that word? Enjoy the weekend!

Our twins love to play dress up. Especially Elinor. She’s all about all things princess. When I took her and her sister to Toys R Us to select a toy for reaching their goal of twenty stickers (each) on their potty charts, Elinor about wet her pants when she realized she could have her very own Cinderella dress. (Of course, Mom also sprang for the matching shoes.) She wore that dress nearly every day for months. Though she still tosses it on from time to time (juice stains and all), additional dresses, tutus, skirts, and shawls have been added to the now-overflowing dress-up box.

Make-believe went to another level when they each received a birthday gift of plastic princess crown, clip-on earrings, necklace, and ring from their aunt. You could say it’s the icing on the cake. Now in Elinor’s mind, a princess is not complete without her jewelry. (“Mommy, did you wear a necklace when you got married?”) One day she picked up a New York magazine I had around the house. 

On the cover was New York socialite Brooke Astor circa 1950s, complete with prerequisite gown and diamonds. “Mommy, is this a magazine about princesses?” she asked. “Well, honey, I guess you could say that.”

A few weeks ago, I was running an errand in downtown Hopkins to pick up a vintage water ski (White Bear brand made in White Bear Lake, Minn.) that I had spied earlier at the Hopkins Antique Mall. (That’s a whole other story.) I happened to run into some friends, who are professional stylists, who were working on a project. As I chatted it up with Kevin, Tim was helping the twins look at some vintage costume jewelry. Next thing I know, Elinor has selected and put on a pair of turquoise and gold clip earrings, a long gold necklace with a giant pendant, and two bracelets. Twenty dollars later, the dress-up box had entered a new era—vintage finds.

This morning, as I dressed for work and put on a new short-sleeved BCBG blouse with Suzani detailing (watch for our trend report on Suzani and Ikat in the July issue), I rummaged through my jewelry looking for the perfect ethnic-inspired cuff to play off the embroidery of my blouse—and then I remembered Elinor’s bracelet. It was perfect.

Almost like the good old days of having roommates and additional closets to raid.

I don’t expect any sympathy, but sometimes being a fashion and retail editor in the Twin Cities can really make me feel inadequate. I have access to the most beautiful and luxurious items of clothing, home decoration, and beauty—but just for a photo shoot. After that, a courier whisks them back to the store shelves.

Currently, I am entrenched in fall fashion. I have spent months studying runway photos, foreign fashion magazines, and blogs to get an idea of what will be hot for fall. And I’ve talked at length with nearly two dozen retailers about what fall fashion will look like in the Twin Cities. The long winter and cool spring has only made me hungrier for it all.

But, I don’t want to upset the folks at American Express, so not only have I not purchased anything for fall (on the rack already at a few retailers), I haven’t even thought about my spring and summer wardrobe.

Truth is, I am not the type of person to shop for a season. I am a piecemeal purchaser—constantly accumulating things that I like in hope that they might work with the current contents of my closet.

So yesterday, as I was driving from my office to the dry cleaner, I decided that I could afford to spend $150 on an update (or a few). $150 might not seem like a lot, but if you’re versed in the art of consignment shopping, $150 can go a long way. Since I was also short on time, it made the most sense to pop into Turn Style Consignment (right next to the dry cleaner) to check out what it has. Turn Style is one of these places that, given enough personal creative style and a penchant for the search, you can uncover some pretty great deals. Here’s what came home with me:

I really love prints but can grow tired of them quickly. The nice thing about this geometric mini ($15) from Banana Republic is that the pattern is small and muted.

I am in dire need of some great summer slacks, and this ankle-grazing pair in chartreuse taffeta from J. Crew ($19) will fit the bill. There is a polka dot sweater (also from J. Crew) that will look great with the pants.

You can hardly see it here, but this mini skirt by Tara Jarmon for Target GO International ($13) is comprised of little black rosettes. This piece can easily transition into my fall wardrobe with the addition of a cropped jacket and opaque tights.

Belts are one of my favorite accessories, and I have needed a good brown woven style ($6.50) in my collection for some time.

By far the biggest steal was this LBD ($23) from Banana Republic. The original tags were still attached ($168), and it fit perfectly! 

On my way back home, I stopped at Via’s Vintage, where I drooled over a fur chubbie but picked up this sweet sweater ($36) instead. The color here looks quite florescent, but in real life, there are more pink tones in it.

So, if I’ve done my math right, I only spent $112.50. I’ll stuff the spare change back into my pocket and save it for my next consignment outing.

Oh, and PS, I am wearing the Banana Republic skirt and vintage sweater today along with a pair of zebra print ultra high heels from Saks Off 5th—at 60 percent off the original ticket price of $325, those were also a major steal.

Turn Style Consignment, 4420 Drew Ave. S., Mpls., 612-455-4090

Via's Vintage, 2408 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls., 612-374-3649

Saks Off 5th, Gaviidae Common, Mpls., 612-333-7200

As I posted in a blog a few months ago, longtime St. Paul shop Baby Grand has added a second location in downtown Hopkins. The new 5,000-square-foot space celebrates its official grand opening all day Saturday with treats, demonstrations, and 20 percent off all clothing.

The fabulous giveaways are reason enough to stop in. Lucky customers will walk away with a JJ Cole bedding set, a Peanut Shell nursing cover, Moonlight Slumber and Naturepedic crib mattresses, a BOB stroller, and $100 gift cards.

Saturday, June 21, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Baby Grand, 1010 Mainstreet, Hopkins, 952-912-1010 

More good news for Twin Cities' littlest shoppers: Wonderment also celebrates the opening of its second location this Saturday. The local retailer's new spot on Grand brings east metro families all the well-made toys, crafts, and costumes we've come to know at its successful Linden Hills location. Stop by for refreshments, crafts, bubbles, juggling, music, and more during the grand opening celebration.

Saturday, June 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Wonderment, 989 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-291-5099

Local purveyor of stylish-looking, hard-working, and environmentally gentle cleaning products, Daub & Baublé, is adding a new all-surface cleanser to its lineup of hand wash, hand lotion, and dish detergent. The new surface cleanser will be available in all of D&B’s signature scents—Tarocco Orange and Clove, Mission Fig and Thyme, and Sorrento Lemon and Ginger.

The ready-to-use, kitchen-to-bath spray is formulated to be biodegradable with a naturally derived, plant-based cleaning agent, and it is safe for all nonporous, finished surfaces. We’ll be using it on our tile, sealed granite and marble countertops, and stainless steel.

$9. Garden of Eden, 867 Grand Ave., St Paul, 651-293-1300

Also, check out Abby Van Ness's story about Josh and Rachel Berger, the husband-and-wife team behind Daub & Baublé, in our June issue. On newsstands now!

There’s no getting away from green today. And it’s not just because of all the rain we’ve been getting. Green, organic, and all natural are part of our national lexicon for good reason. Gas prices are through the roof, and we’re on the verge of an energy crisis. Today, more than ever, the concept of green is hitting every corner of the consumer market, including beauty products.

So it isn't surprising that Horst Rechelbacher, the man who arguably started all this with Aveda (the hair-care company that introduced the U.S. to aromatherapy and Ayurvedic philosophies in the seventies), wouldn’t let other industries out-green him. Although he settled into placid farm life in Wisconsin after Aveda was purchased by Estée Lauder, we’ve always heard rumblings that he was, err, cooking something up.

On Wednesday, Rechelbacher finally introduced his anticipated collection to editors in New York City (at a press conference in which they dined on organic fare and were transported back to their offices in green MINI Town Cars). The products include internal, food, lip, hair, and aromatic offerings with body, facial, pet, intimacy, maternal, and baby products expected in the next few months. The items all feature Intellimune Oils, derived from products grown on Rechelbacher’s 600-acre Wisconsin farm. 

Up until now, no beauty or personal-care products have been able to earn a food-grade stamp, but with Intelligent Nutrients, all items are 100 percent certified organic—except for two products that are made for color-treated hair—a score only given to food-grade items. Hair items, including a hair and scalp treatment oil ($45), styling crème ($35), and leave-in conditioner ($39), to name a few, do not come cheap. But for many, you can’t put a price on good health.

Although the line isn’t available quite yet, we can expect a role out high-end salon and spa chains as well as the opening of more freestanding IN stores in Minneapolis, New York, and Toronto.

Intelligent Nutrients, 983 Hennepin Ave., E., Mpls., 612-617-2002

Ever since visiting with architect David Heide about the Kenwood renovation I wrote about in the Spring 2008 issue of Mpls.St.Paul Home (available on newsstands now), I've been particularly interested in the work of noted early twentieth century architect Harry Wild Jones. Right around the time we were wrapping up that magazine, I also learned about a new book on the Minneapolis architect by architectural historian Elizabeth Vandam. A celebration of the book's release will be this weekend at the Hennepin History Museum. The timing is perfect for Father's Day—in case you're looking for a cool last-minute gift.

Here's a shot of the book's cover with Jones in front of the Minnetonka Yacht Club. Vandam tells me a lot of architectural historians picture the sweeping lines of that building when they think of Jones. Unfortunately, this structure burned down in 1943.

Jones served as architect for many big names in the Twin Cities, including philanthropist T. B. Walker and Cream of Wheat Company founder Emery Mapes. His work included wonderful homes around town, such as the Kenwood Victorian we featured this spring, shown here.

Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

Other familiar projects include the gorgeous Lakewood Cemetery Chapel in Minneapolis . . .

. . . and the magnificent Butler Square Building on Sixth St. between First and Second avenues in downtown Minneapolis.

Although it's wonderful that so many of Jones's works survive, sadly some of the most intriguing ones are no longer standing. But the book gives you a good idea of what these buildings were like. Here's a drawing of the second Lake Harriet Pavilion, built in 1891. Its timber-frame design was based on a traditional Chinese pagoda. The pavilion was destroyed by fire in 1903.

Photo courtesy of the Hennepin History Museum

I understand that photos and drawings of dozens of other buildings by Jones round out the book. I'm looking forward to getting my own official copy this weekend! For more information, visit Sponte Valere Books.

Status celebrated the opening of its new Uptown location (previously in Calhoun Square) with an appearance by hip-hop rapper/producer Pharrell Williams, whose clothing line Billionaire Boys Club/Ice Cream is sold at the predominately sneaker-filled shop. Pharrell’s N.E.R.D. band mates were also on hand for autograph signings.

Hundreds of fans waited hours outside for their chance to meet N.E.R.D. while tracks from N.E.R.D.’s new CD, Seeing Sounds, were played by a DJ from 89.9 KMOJ.

The new store features a wall of more than seventy custom-made shoes, and the clothing includes mostly T-shirts and embroidered jeans. These aren’t your mother’s sneakers either—one pair goes for hundreds of dollars with custom designs. 

Mpls.St.Paul staff writer Steve Marsh wrote about the booming sneaker culture and Status owner Sly Peoples last July.

N.E.R.D. (which is made up of Neptunes members Pharrell and Chad Hugo, along with their friend Shay Haley) was in town yesterday to open for the much-anticipated Kanye West show. Although it was rumored that N.E.R.D. might take the stage at Status, adoring fans had to settle with only Pharrell sightings.
 

Billionaire Boys Club multicolored Ts:

More Status apparel:

N.E.R.D. signing autographs:

Status, 1203 Lagoon Ave., Minneapolis, 612-824-3100

As a retail editor in this market, it is not often that I am blown away. But every time I think that I’ve seen it all, some great little store jumps onto my radar.

Although I'm about as far away from "I Do" and "Happily Ever After" as one can get, I’ve been steeped in our local bridal industry lately as I work to pull together the cover shoot for Mpls.St.Paul Weddings (hitting newsstands in September). I’ve been in and out of some of our best bridal boutiques, but it wasn’t until I wandered into Blake Antiques in Hopkins that I developed a new appreciation for the fairy-tale gown.

Andrea’s Vintage Bridal (housed on the bottom floor of Blake) is comprised of owner Andrea Erickson’s collection of antique and vintage bridal gowns—ruffled, ankle-length, war-era dresses; '70s Renaissance-style hippie gowns, and '60s Jackie O. shifts—all in mint or near-mint condition. 

Armed with a talented seamstress and a bit of imagination, a vintage gown can be trimmed and tailored to look new. A high lace collar can give way to a beautiful sweetheart neckline; a sweeping train can be made into a cropped bolero; a colored grosgrain ribbon may give a new look to the nipped waist of a '50s dress—the possibilities for your one-of-a-kind look are endless.

But beyond just being a bridal blast from the past, the collection offers many dresses and accessories that can be worn off the aisle—a white shift can be belted and worn to a cocktail party, a romantic hippie frock can accompany gladiator sandals to a garden gathering, and does one even need an excuse at all for a fur bolero, a great pair of chandelier earrings, or a lace shawl?

So although you may or may not be getting ready to head down the aisle, an afternoon sojourn to Andrea’s Vintage Bridal should definitely be on your list of future shopping trips.

This rack of coats and '60s-style shifts could work for many occasions.

If your destination wedding involves the great outdoors, consider a delicate, bohemian frock from the '70s. This can be updated with more structured tailoring and a great pair of shoes.

I'd love to see what a seamstress could make of this dress. I imagine a removal of the sleeves and collar, and boning can be added to create a corset top.

I have a gown like this that I wore to Diva last year. I think a slinky, floor-length gown in white is always party-appropriate.

This '50s gown was my absolute favorite. I love that it has a hint of princess to it with the full skirt, but the absence of a train and nipped waist are very modern.

Andrea's Vintage Bridal (inside Blake Antiques), 901 Main St., Hopkins, 612-716-8006

Four more days until Father's Day—are you ready? Here are some great last-minute gift ideas that have come across my desk . . .

For the Eco-Conscious, Well-Groomed Dad:
Minneapolis–based Organic Grooming is a refreshing new line of personal care products for men—all made with organic and vegan ingredients. The sleek black and silver packaging is recyclable, and the products inside are made with a luxurious blend of essential oils and food-based ingredients, such as carrot, ginger, cucumber, and black walnut extracts. For me, the best part is the scent—rich and masculine yet quite refreshing. Choose from shave cream, after-shave balm, deodorant, milled soap, or cologne ($4–$30). Available at Whole Foods, Lunds, and Byerly's or online.

For the Traveling Dad:
Shock Doctor—also a locally based company—specializes in sporting equipment but recently introduced an interesting garment bag that not only stores travel clothes but dries and deodorizes them as well ($99.99). Available at sporting goods stores, including Sports Authority.

For the Stylish Dad:
You love him, but he's been wearing the same sandals and summer T's since you were sixteen. Head to Martin + Osa (we're lucky enough to have one of the nation's few locations at MOA), which is chock-full of quality casual wear for guys, including classic leather flip-flips ($58) and striped military polos (on sale for $34). Mall of America, Bloomington, 952-854-4675

Or brighten up his work wardrobe with a textured woven-silk tie by Thomas Pink. The youthful hues and contrasting stripes are entirely modern and perfect for summer ($100 each). Macy's, 700 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-375-5020

For the Party-Throwing Dad:
Find this Margaritaville Tub-N-Tap Party Cooler at 50th & France's Sur La Table. Dad can ice down up to forty bottles or cans while keeping four liters of another favorite beverage on tap. Pretty clever and great for backyard barbecues ($349.95). 3901 W. 50th St., Edina, 952-656-0045

Also, check out the Father's Day sales at new downtown spot Elsworth and menswear retailer Jos. A. Bank. See all sales and events for this week here.

If you’re a loyal reader of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine (I hope you are nodding yes), you may have noticed that we have started covering some of our favorite shopping neighborhoods in a new LifeStyle department called “Destination.” My editor, Jayne, and I came up with this idea as a way to focus on the great little destination shopping places in the Twin Cities. After all, there is not better time to get outside and shop than summer.

I wrote about beautiful Stillwater in our June issue, tiny Excelsior in our July issue (on newsstands June 26), and will be writing about 50th & France in our August “fall fashion” issue.

50th & France has always been a major fashionista’s destination—Grethen House, Bluebird, Monique Lhuillier—, but throughout the past few moths, with new stores such as Priscilla of Boston opening and style haven Bumbershute moving from the shores of Lake Minnetonka to this tony intersection, it is now an undeniable sartorial center.

And if that wasn’t exciting enough, we learned this weekend that Stephanie’s, one of our favorite St. Paul boutiques (to-die-for cocktail dresses), is opening up a second location on this strip. Owner Stephanie Morrissey hopes to be open by August and will bring to her new location all of the best-selling lines in her St. Paul store—Cyrus, Nicole Miller, Nougat London, Yoana Baraschi, and Tracy Reese.

While you wait for the opening of Stephanie’s, you must make it over to the area and check out the new digs of Bumbershute. I stopped in on Friday evening for the grand opening and was pleasantly surprised by how incredibly sophisticated the clothing and the space were. Expansive white walls and high ceilings offer a clean layout, and the exposed beaming and high-gloss floors are more akin to a Soho loft than the traditionally crowded look of many Twin Cities boutiques. Dangling from the racks were cocktail dresses by Alice + Olivia, separates by M Missoni, Just Cavalli, D & G, and GF Ferre as well as great designer sunglasses and handbags.

Here are a few pictures of the new space to whet your palate, and remember to pick up a copy of the August issue for a complete rundown of the Twin Cities' most fashionable intersection. 

Bumbershute, 5014 France Ave. S., Edina, 952-475-2684

The more I travel, the more I realize how lucky we are to have such strong furniture sources in the Twin Cities. It's really satisfying to know you can find so much so close to home, whether it's through the show rooms at International Market Square, the local and national chains, the specialty boutiques, the artisan studios, or the scores of antiques and vintage shops around town. We hardly need to buy through catalogs and websites; we can actually sit in the sofas we're considering or run our fingers over the tops of tables.

To add to the experience, many of our hometown merchants and manufacturers (Room & Board and Gabberts are a couple that quickly come to mind) pull off some pretty remarkable sales. I even have friends from out of town who make sure their visits include early Saturday morning stops at Room & Board's buzzing outlet. But this Saturday, I think we should be making tracks over to Blu Dot's annual warehouse sale in Northeast. (I know I've blogged about Blu Dot a lot lately. But they've had a lot going on, and this sale is too good to pass over!) It's only from 9 a.m. to noon, and the bargains will go quickly.

I ran over to Blu Dot today for a sneak peak. (The warehouse is deep in an industrial area, but follow Google Maps's directions, then the signs, and you'll be OK.) The warehouse was pretty crazy with lots of unpacking and organizing, but director Medora Danz stepped away from the activity for a bit to show me a few of the bargains you can expect. Here are my favorites:

Strut tables, one of my favorite Blu Dot designs. Normally approximately $199–$399, now going for $25.

The $279 Knicker chair with very slight (seriously, you won't mind them) imperfections, $39.

The new Real Good chair, which normally sells for $129, $50 at this sale.

Console tables, usually $1,399–$1,599 retail, now as low as $400.

These fixture tables designed for retailers such as Baby Gap (Blu Dot makes lots of their furniture), as low as $99.

The $99 Jake chair, now $10. Is this for real? Yes!

This is just a sample—there is so much more. The specifics:

Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m.–noon

Blu Dot, 3236 California St. NE., Mpls.

FYI, assistant editor Abby Van Ness shared this sale with recipients of Swag, our shopping and style e-newsletter. If you want to be the first to know about sales and events like what's on this weekend at Blu Dot, click here.

Last night, like every night, I was checking my e-mail before crawling into bed (I admit, not always the best habit—this time it was good!) and in my inbox was a reminder from Maggie of gh2 and Grethen House about the upcoming Grethen House sale. While the Edina store usually closes Thursdays to prepare for big seasonal sales, this time around it offers die-hard shoppers a special opportunity to shop pre-sale—tonight from 4 to 7 p.m. If you can't make it this evening, stop by during regular business hours tomorrow (10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.).

It's worth the trip—all spring and summer merchandise is marked 30 to 50 percent off, including dresses by Morgane Le Fay (GH is the only place in the state that carries the NYC–based designer), Stella McCartney, Jean Paul Gaultier, Comme des Garcons, Chan Lu, Dusica Dusica, and more.

Grethen House, 4930 France Ave. S., Edina, 952-926-8725

I recently moved. In the past twenty-five years, I’ve lived in two different brownstones, an industrial loft space, and three 1915-era homes. Now we are in a Tudor-style home built in 1940 that had major cosmetic work done in the 1960s and late 1980s. Gone is the ornate woodwork, moldings, and other architectural delights that have filled my adult life. I’m actually ready for the change.

During the past few years, I had started to shift our décor style from a 1920s-1940s glamour with a hint of eclectic fun to a more “contemporary” 1940s–1960s with touches of Hollywood Regency style with a dash of European contemporary—just because. The new house allows me to really “go there.” (I’ve been tapping my copy of Kelly Wearstler’s Modern Glamour for added inspiration. I still need to get her second book.) Here’s a few local sources where I have found pieces for our new home:

Spinario Design
Someone (I can’t remember who) told me about this little nugget in Northeast approximately a year ago. I was recently reminded by some local editorial coverage they received (yes, I read other TC magazines). Though we buy new furniture, I truly believe that no matter how much money you have, antiques and vintage are a must for a home with personality. Spinario specializes in a very edited collection of mid-century furniture and select décor. (They sell lots to dealers on both coasts.) We purchased a credenza-style piece from the 1950s that was originally part of a bedroom set. We are retrofitting the drawers that are tucked behind six doors to instead house shelves to hold our electronics. (Spinario told me that these credenza pieces are in high demand as people look for pieces to place below their wall-mounted flat screens.) Then the plan is to have it painted in a lacquer-like ivory finish. I’ll keep you posted on that little project. (This will not be a DIY because we want it to look mint.)

Melrose Antiques
I love the ladies at Melrose. I visit as often as I can for jewelry, vintage bags, and whatever else catches my eye. I had spotted a 1959 Drexel bedroom set that was factory painted with subtle floral detailing and soft gold accents more than a year ago. I fell in love. A long dresser, mirror, bedside table, and a pair of twin beds. (For our twins.) The set was too large for the room they shared at our old house. When I knew we were moving, I ran to Melrose—and it was still there! They have other great pieces that I will visit until the time comes to take them home.

Designer’s Guild
Hear me now: I am putting wallpaper in this house. And as much as I can without going overboard. Here are two for-sure papers:

This one will be in our dining room.

This one in Elinor and Lileia’s room (it’s to die for with the bedroom set).

This one is on a short list for our powder room.

Designer’s Guild is available through the Scherping Westphal showroom at International Market Square (through an interior designer) or at retail through Hirshfield's (I’ve seen the books at both the Wayzata and Edina locations.) Heads up: This stuff ain’t cheap. So hire a pro to hang it.

Room & Board
I finally purchased the Hutton sofa (in Vance Cloud velvet, shown below) I’ve had my eye on for a year-and-a-half. It was too long for the old house, and is right at home in our new house. I think it looks very Old Hollywood. And at ninety-eight inches, it’s a great little conversation pit.

Great Estate
I love Robb Whittlef’s store off Hwy 169 and Minnetonka Blvd. He totally gets the mixing styles, eras, old-and-new thing. I eyed a few weeks ago (and bought a week ago) a kitchen table that had formerly been in Robb’s home. He had found a 1960s-era table base while living in Palm Springs and topped it with an oval Carrara marble top. It’s not pristine (which is perfect for our home with two toddlers), so it was already broken in. I got it for less than $1,000. It works perfectly with Jake Room & Board chairs (shown below) we already have. Tip for moms and dads: The kids can splatter whatever they want on these chairs, and they clean up really well. Plus, there are many color options. It was a tossup for me between black or orange.

Home Goods
I bought a rug for staging our house (8 x 11, for $400) that I truly like a lot. It’s making the move to the new pad until I can one day afford a “big girl” rug. I got the tip to check out the rugs at Home Goods from a design-savvy pal. You have to visit often. I went to three locations before I found the one I bought.

Stay tuned in the coming months as report on more great sources.

Swimsuit shopping ranks right up there with organizing my sock drawer when it comes to "fun" pre-summer activities. The tops are usually too big, the bottoms are too small, and I'm always wishing I had started the get-in-bikini-shape workout regimen a little earlier. But I'm not one for avoiding the lake scene during summer months—we're blessed with only twelve weeks of sun, sand, and warm temps in Minnesota, so why not enjoy it while it lasts?

Nani Nalu (which recently reopened in a stylish space at 50th & France) makes things a little easier by kicking off summer with a big swimwear sale. (Trying on bikinis doesn't seem nearly as daunting if I know I can score a good deal.)

Through June 10, save 40 to 50 percent off designer collections from top names, such as Betsey Johnson, Jantzen, Asha Couture, Gottex, La Tarte, and Aqua Bendita. Look for some great one-piece options, such as this vamp, 1920s-inspired suit by Jantzen (regularly priced $100). I love the updated retro fit and the ruching at the stomach—perfect for women wanting a sexy, glam look with coverage.

Nani Nalu, 3922 W. 50th St., Edina, 952-546-5598

So by now, I am sure you have all seen Sex and the City: The Movie. Despite thinking that I was going to wait a few weeks so that I could really enjoy the experience in an uncrowded movie theater, I saw the film on opening day with a few of my coworkers. I feared that the movie would be ruined by a bunch of people offering play-by-play commentary. But save for a few laughs, tears, and gasps, we were lucky enough to have a mostly completely silent crowd.

I, probably unsurprisingly, adored pretty much every part of the movie. I loved the fashion, I loved the Vogue wedding shoot, and I love the story arcs and the makeover of Carrie’s apartment . . . I could go on for days. However, the one thing that is ruining one of my favorite cinematic experiences of all time is that throughout the past few days, people have been constantly offering up their complaints to me: It is too commercial. (Duh, It’s Hollywood.) The label pushing was blatant. (Hasn’t it always been? And in the movie, they never even say say Mr. Manolo’s last name!) Jennifer Hudson’s character didn’t make sense. (Carrie needed someone to pull her out of her slump—and in a coming of age series, Hudson represents the lost in love, hungry for work  twenty-year-old.) It was too long. (Really? I can’t wait for the deleted scenes that accompany the DVD.) I could go on and on.

Although I do have one slight complaint (not enough of Stanford), the movie as a whole pleased me on so many levels. It brought closure to the story lines that seemed hanging in the wind when the series left off; we got a real look at how current fashions (many of the newer clothes in the movie are presently swinging from racks) can be worn and manipulated to look individual; we learned lessons on forgiveness, friendship, selflessness, and, yes, even the pitfalls of materialism (the Vivienne Westwood dress leads Carrie to desire a big wedding, a grave decision that went against her earlier promises and better judgment).

The take-home message from the movie (when we turn off our inner critics) is that friendships are forever, fashion should be fun, and love is a journey. And although some critics pan, the folks behind SATCTM are getting the last laugh—during the opening weekend, the movie earned $55.7 million—the most ever made by an R-rated comedy.

If, like me, you can’t wait for the movie to come out on DVD (I will pre-order through Amazon), pick up the book, Sex and the City: The Movie by Amy Sohn (page scans above and below). The book is the movie companion to the series’s Kiss and Tell coffee-table book and has 180 pages filled with beautiful photos, anecdotes, and even a breakdown of all the ladies' outfits in each scene. I received a copy of the book last night, and was up until two in the morning finishing it. The insights into the intricacies of the story lines are like an invaluable Cliff Notes on the script, fashion, locations, and more. Now, of course, I can't wait to see the movie again.

The man who changed the way modern women dress, taking us out of the structured suiting of Dior's New Look and into wide-leg pans and tuxedo suits, passed away in his home in Paris yesterday.

Yves Saint Laurent, 71 years of age at the time of his passing, had long been suffering from an undisclosed illness. The soft-spoken, bespectacled designer’s contributions to fashion (the invention of modern ready-to-wear with his 1966 launch of Rive Gauche, the iconic “le smoking” tuxedo suit, beatnik chic, designer denim, and the feminization of male wardrobe staples) and pop culture (glamorous cavorting in '70s Paris with the likes of Bianca Jagger and Catherine Deneuve) are undeniable.

Although Saint Laurent retired from his label in 2002 (YSL was briefly helmed by Tom Ford and is now under the creative diction of Stefano Pilati), he continued to inspire a legion of designers—Vera Wang, Yohji Yamamoto, and Jean Paul Gaultier all cite him a their reason for getting into fashion. And today, the basic principles of dressing he introduced are still relevant.

In the spring of 1958, when Saint Laurent took over the house of Dior from Monsieur Dior himself, The New York Times raved of his first collection, “Paris never looked younger than it did at the recent spring fashion collections. Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior’s successor, stole the show.” But with his enduring influence on the fashion industry and its designers, it can almost be certain that even in death, no one will steal the show from Saint Laurent.

Photos from top: Yves Saint Laurent designed Catherine Deneuve’s wardrobe for the film Belle de Jour; his famous “le smoking” tuxedo was first warn by Lauren Bacall, Betty Catroux, and Loulou de la Falaise; a look from Stefano Pilati’s fall 2008 RTW collection for YSL.