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I caught up with prestigious makeup artist Napoleon Perdis (whose clients include Debra Messing, Hilary Duff, and Evangeline Lily, to name a few) while he was in town recently meeting with Target reps. The Australian-born beauty buff just launched NP Set, an affordable line of cosmetics for the girl on the go, available only at Target stores.

Perdis met me in the Chambers Hotel lobby sporting all black (including black sunglasses), just enough bling, perfectly manicured brows, and a Hollywood-esque tan. He's a bubbly guy, and his passion for his products was contagious. Before I knew it, I was sitting on one of the chic Chambers sofas letting Perdis test products on my eyelids, lips, and cheeks. We were both ooo-ing and ahh-ing over the effects they had on my face.

My favorite? The Show Loose Dust Duo, a pair of vivid eye shadows applied with a cool powder pen (show upper left, $26). So easy and quick!

Read my Q & A, and check out some of the other products I loved . . .

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I’ve been a fan of Celerie Kemble and her work since seeing her in the premiere issue of Domino. She embodies the preppy WASP style that I oh so dig, and although she has absolutely impeccable taste, she punctuates her interiors with a healthy dose of irreverence—making them livable and fun. I was actually lucky enough to meet and interview her two years ago when she was in Minneapolis at an event for her collection of faux skins for Valtex.

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I know that I have said it before, but Wayzata's beauty and apothecary mecca, Cherie Boutique, is one of my happy places. I love it not only because of the beauty and quality of the products but because whenever I stop in, I get a crash course on the newest and latest in beauty and apothecary. I circle around the store (usually a couple of times) with the owner, Diane, inquiring about top notes and base notes of perfume and the burn time and inspiration behind a new line of candles. I ask her about the coverage on a concealer, the lightness of a moisturizer, the effectiveness of facemask. I touch and smell nearly everything, and if I had unlimited credit, I would leave there a couple thousand lighter.

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Ever since Bjorling & Grant moved from 50th and Bryant to St. Louis Park more than a year ago, I've anxiously awaited news of what type of business would fill the old storefront (I live close by, and as many of you know, the neighborhood already has a few cool design shops and cafes). Several months ago, "coming soon" signs for >Casa Verde showed up in the windows--and a few days ago, the store officially opened its doors. It's really more than a store: Casa Verde bills itself as the Twin Cities' first eco-luxe design show room. Designer Rosemary Merrill and business partners Susan Brunn and Susan Jacobs hope to show that sustainability in furnishings and kitchen/bath design doesn't need to come at the expense of beauty.

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I have never been much of an online shopper. I am a very visual and tactile person and believe that I need to see, touch, and try on anything and everything I buy. And since I am fortunate enough to have a job that requires frequent forays into our local stores, I've never needed to resort to the Web.

But, since the holidays are very quickly approaching, and with no one yet checked off my gift list, the idea of saving some time, energy, and mileage (not to mention sanity) by going online is ever more appealing. The one holdup I have is that I know it is my job to support local retailers, artisans, and crafts people. I need to practice what I preach every month in the magazine.

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