The Rake Magazine

For the women on your shopping list: You might have luck at these two shopping events. First off, there’s No Coast Craft-O-Rama at Midtown Global Market. I was cruising the list of vendors and was happy to spot all sorts of great local jewelry-, clothing-, and crafts-makers as well as the clothing/ephemera designer with the best-ever name, Too Many Suitors. It’s worth noting, however: I suspect you’ll have better luck at this event if you’re searching for buying for women.

In that vein, clothing designer Joynoelle is teaming up with Penny Larsen and Apiary Design to host an event in which you can design-to-order you own hats, jewelry, stationery, and such. The aesthetic here, I suspect, will be very “ornamental girlie.” So the schedule goes: On Friday (tomorrow), from four to eight p.m., there’ll be free wine and snacks; on Saturday, from ten a.m. to 4 p.m., there’ll be free cider and cookies. (312 W. 42nd St. Minneapolis; 612-209-7822)

All kinds of other shit is going on, but I’m not sure how exciting it is to read about them in this format. Truth be told, I’m just salty about having finished shopping for all the women on my list. Now, all I have left are the no-fun guys. Trolling various motor sports websites for reasonably fashionable Ski-Doo T-shirts (for the kid brother in Brahm, Minnesota)—that is what my life has become. So far, I haven’t had any luck. Surprise, surprise.

Oh, and this other thing: What. the. hell. is with this year’s selection of holiday dresses? The New York Times ran a piece this morning, alleging that the year’s holiday dresses are better tailored than last year’s and, again, that the "baby-doll dress is dead." But everyone I go, I am confronted by ads of ugly, sack-like frocks cut from the decidedly un-friendly to shapelessness fabrics of satin and silk. Every time I pick up the November 22 issue of the New Yorker (cue eye-rolling, please) I am confronted by the back cover Banana Republic ad in which a woman wears a rather tent-like silk halter dress. (This here’s the one.) Of course, none of it much applies in Minnesota, where we’d have to be crazy to venture out-of-doors with exposed shoulders this time of year.

Related to this: I had been a big, big fan of the latest Go International line by Erin Fetherston, what with all its adorable tiered dresses and Peter Pan collars. But that was before I spotted two of the silk ones on the racks at Salvation Army last night. These were wrinkled to beat hell. And I doubt I could prevent similar such messes—what with the madcap lifestyle. However, I wouldn't mind owning this chiffon bunny dress. It's delightful.

Our former editorial assistant, the lovely Ms. Laura Puckett, returned from her Fulbright-funded year in Mongolia recently. Yesterday she stopped by the office to show off these boots, a traditional Mongol variety often worn, she said, to horse races and such. Of course, the soles are made of leather, and so young Laura must have rubber added before she can wear them. (I suggested Fast Eddie’s Shoe Repair, in Dinkytown.) Also, it’s worth noting that the curled toebox reflects a tradition of respecting the earth; it doesn’t leave such an aggressive footprint, in any case.

I’m one of those crazy people who enjoys giving more so than getting. But that’s because I’m a total snob, not that I’m generous of spirit. I mean, I certainly appreciate the professional portrait of my nieces I get from my sister most years. But, geez, couldn’t she have at least tucked them inside some fancy frames? And there’s simply no way my mother can please with her annual assortment of Kohl’s-bought bedclothes. Not that I have anything against Kohl’s. What a great place to buy pots!

So, you see the point: I’m no fun to buy for. But it’s very much fun, I would assert, to find your way onto auntie Christy’s shopping list. Me, I enjoy the thrill of the hunt, the self-satisfaction of knowing I’ll snag one-of-a-kind and/or designer items for all my loved ones, and they’ll never get the faintest whiff of the pittances paid to acquire these goodies. For these reasons, I’m much better at buying for adult women and style-conscious men. What follows is a sampler of the Christmas gifts I purchased over the weekend. (Note: This post is written in good faith that my loved ones don’t read this blog.)

My best friend Andrea is a woman of letters. While perusing Letterbox, I found her this gorgeous (but very affordable) letters kit, replete with address labels and envelope stickers in the themes of birds, flowers, vines, and leaves. This version was designed by Suzanna LaGasa (a somewhat-celebrity graphic designer) for Sukie.

Local Motion currently has an assortment of cutesy leather handbags and carryalls from this Canadian label, ESPE. I went in for this billfold for my brother’s style-conscious, teen-age daughter. It has universal appeal, don’t you think? And besides, it was a steal at just twenty-five dollars. Note: Local Motion hosts “Girls’ Night Out” this Thursday from four to nine p.m. Go for the free snacks and wine, if not for the sales.

For the practical—one might say miserly—mother whose sole extravagance is buying Coach handbags off eBay: A pair of sleek Coach kicks. OK, I didn’t get the best deal on these sneaks. I found a cheaper pair at Off Fifth, but wanted to make sure mom could easily exchange if the size isn’t quite right, so I went to Macy’s.

And while I was at it, I picked up some staples for myself. From the Len Druskin Outlet: I couldn’t pass by these leggings with snap details. Also, just yesterday afternoon, I stumbled upon the newly remade vintage store, Swank. I picked up the ‘70s socks (pictured above) as well as reams of vintage Santa-themed wrapping paper (left in boyfriend’s truck) for only five bucks. In fact, Swank is a great place to find cheap Christmas crap!

I don’t mind shopping malls, really. But I intend to avoid them this Black Friday, not to stave off those bouts of claustrophobia, but to procure a series of gifts that are either high-quality second-hand or awfully, awfully special. Here’s the action plan (a working document):

Roam (811 Glenwood Ave.) It’s the latest store to open on the burgeoning design corridor of Glenwood Avenue; you’ll find it next to Ligne Roset. Featured lines include Minneapolis’s own Blu Dot as well as some fantastic Scandinavian-designed minimalist wares, like those from Alessi.

Fashion Avenue (4936 France Ave. S.) Actually, I was just there last weekend and spotted a half rack of vintage couture, like a gorgeous ‘60s-era emerald-green Yves Saint-Laurent sweater. Of course, I can’t think of anyone on my list who might want such a thing. But I’ll be shopping with my mother; and FA is fertile ground for dropping hints.

Letterbox (2741 Hennepin Ave.) Again, there’s nothing used to be found (unless you count recycled paper). However, this repository of fine stationery—the best in the cities, if you ask me—is conveniently located near my house. I plan to snag a few reams for the smart-ass chicks on my list; those crazy bitches just lurves fancy stationery. And I suppose I’ll pick up wrapping paper while I’m there, too. P.S. Letterbox will be serving free hot cocoa to all customers on Saturday and Sunday.

Local Motion (2813 Hennepin Ave) Again, it’s right in the neighborhood, and I’ll be dropping more hints. Love those elbow-length leather gloves!

ROBOTlove ( 2648 Lyndale Ave. S.) My lucky niece might be getting one of the locally-made plush dolls above. These are by a Minneapolis-based artist named Curster, or Erin Currie.

Minnesota Center for Book Arts (1011 Washington Ave. S.) If they won’t let me buy a gift certificate, redeemable for one of their family-friendly book-making workshops, then I can at least pick up some supplies for the budding, ten-year-old author on my list.