Relax, Spa Week is Back

50 Min Deluxe Sweet Milk Lavender Organic Facial, 60 minute unwrinkle facial, 55 minute Aromatherapy Therapeutic Massage, 60 minute deep tissue facial, 60 Min Eminence Organic Facial - it's even relaxing to say these words. Now, treat yourself or someone to the real thing for $50 at one of these participating salons during Spa Week!

Hop To It!

Some Radar local finds for your Easter baskets:

Vosges Chocolate Bunnies at Whole Foods and Kitchen Window


Local Chocolate Celeste has their Easter-on with these sweet treats:


It's a perfect time for Foat arm warmers:



Along a 9 block stretch in So Mpls, here's are some one-stop options:


Vintage finds at Hunt and Gather:


How about an Easter Bonnet!






Turtle Bread:


Order pies, cakes from your local bakery, they'll love you for it:


Rick Rack:




Victory, also find inspiration on store owner, Kerry's blog:






Brown & Greene:



I love the idea of bringing a lettuce plant to a party, it transforms into a yummy salad, very eco:


Or go to Storm Sisters Spatique Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday!
Stop by from 10-2 and pick one egg out of the Storm Sisters Spatique garden. Inside each egg is a discount ranging from 20-50% off of your entire purchase. You may use it immediately or bring it in at a later date. You may use your certificate on regular, sale or clearance priced items as well. Bring in a friend and they may share in your spoils or grab an egg for themselves.
Whether you have time to shop or not, pop in for some yummies too.

And for my own quick ideas to Easter-up your home:

Spray-paint a lonely tree branch that made it through the winter:


Or wrap it in pretty yarn:

Spray paint something you would never think of buying (let's say, some figure at Pier One):



I got lucky last time I made chocolate chip cookies and found a deformed chip that looks like a bird (he sits by me all day):


So get out a look around and find something small for the bunnies in your life!

Full Friday!

Tomorrow's one of those Fridays I wish I had the super-power to be in more than one place at one time. So here's my recommendation to you as to where you should be:

Sloppy Chops Pickin Party, Terminal Bar, 9:30
This is the second installment of the Pickin Party - which is made up of featured players that mix and match their musical talents - adding up to sweet sloppiness. $5 cover

This month's featured players: Jamie Parker and Craig Phillips (Makeready), Dale Dahlquist, Ian Davies (Robotboy), Steve Yernberg (the Ashtray Hearts), Thom Middlebrook, Madge Duffey, Kristi Rendahl, Eric King (Astroboy), and maybe more!

You can find more info by searching on Facebook for Sloppy Chops Pickin Party.
Ear Cracklins 4, King & I Thai, 9:30
Another group of fine players: Join DJs Dean Vaccaro (Tambuca, Club Velvet, First Avenue, Rogue) and Joseph Pettini (Tambuca, Pepe's Pool Party) for a cornucopia of auditory delights. Excellent cocktails, food and valet parking. No cover.

And again, you can find more info by searching on Facebook for Ear Cracklins 4.

I will be at a private party later at the Jon Oulman Salon , I'm curious how this salon-by-day space will transform into a full-fledged 40th b-day party hot spot. I admire a retailer who can make the most of their hip space.



For those supporting gay marriage, A Very Happy Hour:
From local, travel expert Charlie Rounds: "It’s time to sit back and be with friends to capture the moment. In the last seven days we have won the right to marry – and all of the privileges that come with it in Iowa and Vermont. To help savor this we invite you to a Very Happy Hour this Friday. There will be no speeches and no fundraising - just a chance to be together and savor the moment."

When: Friday April 10 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Where: Jetset – 115 North First Street in Minneapolis
Who: Anyone that wants to celebrate Vermont and Iowa marriage equality and looks forward to when it will happen here. Bring your friends and families – we could not have done it with out them.
What: Old fashion Happy Hour with Drink Specials and Iowa Ham and Vermont Cheddar to nibble on.

Lili's Burlesque! FRIDAY at The Ritz


Equilibrium at the Weisman Art Museum
The Weisman hosts nationally renowned performing artists in this special rendition of the Loft Literary Center's Equilibrium series. The event features Vietnamese-American female artists, including two of the nation's most talented spoken word performers, Jennii Le and Sahra Nguyen. Brooklyn hip-hop duo Magnetic North, featuring Theresa Vu and Derek Kan, headlines the show. Linda Nguyen is the emcee.

Spoken word and hip-hop showcase
cosponsored with the Loft Literary Center
Friday, April 10, 8:00 p.m.; galleries open at 7:00 p.m.
$5/$3 students, WAM and Loft members; tickets available at the door

So, where ya gonna be? Do tell.

Hey Dog Lovers, see this?

Order via Radar E-tail to jen@radar-msp.com, $100

a kid + food = adventure

So I met this local food blogger-professional food taster-adventurer-bon vivant-Gnarls Barkley-loving guy, Westcott, who in my mind, does not need a last name. West (which he goes by) is six-years old and the youngest blogger to-date to pass through my life.

I met West at the Junior Gourmet Club, appropriate yes, but, the kid knows his taste buds and they're hardly junior. In my short time with West (I somewhat pounced on the incredibly dressed, with cool Mom, kid), I found out about his blog, You Said A Mouthful, and his favorite spots to eat and blog - Gardens of Salonica - the NE Greek great, Meritage - St Paul's French Brasserie, and India Palace - Roseville and Woodbury's secret spot.

West's definitely has local roots here in Mpls, which only add to my appreciation of this family - his Mom, Dena Alspach, is a local magazine publisher with Tiger Oak Publications (Metro, MN Bride) and his Dad, John Alspach, is a local artist.

One fine foodie...

And he's serious, West's business card...


I better get going and check in with West, I'm sure his blog has news about his weekend food adventures.

Everything's Super!

Karin Jacobson is a local super hero jeweler close to my heart, she made our wedding rings. But I'm not here to talk about my nuptials, but about a super sale...

Sample Sale 2009 - Recession Style! It's going to be the biggest and best sample sale yet. Karin is well stocked with discontinued items, samples, slightly irregular items and lots more. As always, everything on sale is at a super discount - most items are 50% off.


Also part of the super sale action, will be handbag designer, Adrienne Grahn who will have lots of bags on sale, and Sean Tubridy will be selling out of all of his current merchandise at 30 - 50% off, just down the hall in Studio #272 . A bit of trivia - Sean designed Karin's website and comic book catalog! See, she is a super hero!


So when? And where's her fortress of solitude?

Sunday, April 5th, Noon - 4 PM
Northrup King Building, Studio 288

Just a little fun FYI

Quintessentially.com, the top 24-hour global concierge and private members club, gave the insider scoop on America’s latest lifestyle trends:

1.

THE STRANGEST REQUEST?
Delivering a camel to Colorado

2.

YOUR MOST POPULAR REQUEST?
Restaurants and event access

3.

THE CURRENT GLOBAL DESTINATION OF CHOICE FOR YOUR CLIENTS?
The Caribbean and Africa

4.

IF MONEY WERE NO PROBLEM - WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST AS A TRAVEL IDEA?
A safari in Africa or a yacht in the Galapagos Islands

5.

HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY TRAVEL TRENDS?
Fishing

6.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE SPA OF THE MOMENT?
Cornelia Day Spa or the spa at the Mandarin Oriental

7.

THE MOST REQUESTED RESTAURANT?
La Esquina, Babbo, Waverly Inn

8.

HAVE YOU SPOTTED A NEW FOOD TREND?
Market driven menus

9.

HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY TRENDS FOR BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES?
Celebrity chefs cooking for our clients at home

10.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD PARTY?
Good friends, good food, and alcohol!