FUN HOLIDAY ADVERTISING

The Holidays should be about Fun.  Too often they are filled with stress as we hurry from store to store, frantic to buy last minute gifts.  Our televisions, radios, the internet, and all forms of technology bombard us with neon signs to buy this widget or that gadget.  Most of these ads morph into a blur for me that I am able to dismiss, but once in a while there is ad that is so cute, and so fresh I pay attention and sometimes just enjoy it for it's cuteness.  I absolutely LOVE this ad for Brooks Brothers.  It's, fresh, innovative, clever, and just plain fun.  Well done Brooks Brothers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzxkNRvujiw

CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY OUTINGS CONTINUED!

Another of my favorite things to do in Minneapolis during the Holidays is to visit the American Swedish Institute, located in the former Turnblad home.  This beautiful Chateau styled mansion is a landmark in the city and at Christmas it becomes even more spectacular.

Swan J. Turnblad

The home was built by Swan J. Turnblad, an American newspaper publisher.  Turnblad was born in 1860 in Sweden to a farming family, who, after several years of bad harvests, decided to immigrate to America when he was eight years old. They settled in an area of Minnesota where there was already a sizable Swedish community.

The two-story fireplace and grand staircase in the entrance hall

About ten years later Turnblad moved to Minneapolis and began working as a typesetter for several Swedish-language newspapers.  It was in Minneapolis that he met his wife Christina Nilsson, and the couple married in 1883.

Eventually, Turnblad would come to work for Svenska Amerikanska Posten and after ten years became the sole owner of the newspaper.  He was always interested in the latest technology and was the first publisher of a Swedish language newspaper to use a Linotype machine.  Under Turnblad's management circulation increased steadily, and the success of Svenska Amerikanska Posten made Turnblad a wealthy man. His success in publishing together with his other investments eventually made him a millionaire.

In 1903 he decided that he needed a new home that would reflect his wealth and status, and so he commissioned the architects Christopher Boehme and Victor Cordella to design their French Chateauesque mansion.

Local youth entertaining us with Nordic dancing

The Turnblads moved into the home in 1908 and lived there until 1929 when, after Christina’s death, it was donated as a museum.  That same year Turnblad created the American Swedish Institute, which was housed in his former residence, as a place to preserve Swedish customs and culture.

A few of the 11 imported Swedish tile stoves (one of the largest collections in the country)

Each year at the Holidays, the rooms of the mansion are spectacularly decorated as they celebrate “A Nordic Christmas”, which represents how Christmas would be celebrated in the various Scandinavian countries.  This “must see” Holiday event is a truly remarkable and unique experience that highlights the grandeur of this wonderful home.

CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY OUTINGS!

A while back I mentioned the Advent Vespers concert that I attend every year, but that is just the first of several holiday events and outings that have become a tradition for me. A week ago friends and I attended another of the Holiday must see events here in Minneapolis, the Holidazzle Parade!  For some the parade might tend to over commercialize the Christmas Season, or even seem tacky, but I have to admit all of those thoughts disappear when I see the wide-eyed looks of wonder on the faces of the children in the crowd as they watch the lighted floats go by.

A beautiful display of lights!

The circus is in town!

The Nutcracker was sweet!

The Holidazzle Parade began twenty years ago and is a magical way to light up the night in the downtown.  Each year over 300,000 people are treated to wonderful floats representing, nursery rhymes, children’s books, holiday classics, and, of course, Santa himself.  Not only are the floats lit up with hundreds of light, the costumes worn by the riders on the floats, and others walking in the parade are also lighted as well.  The street lights on the downtown mall are turned off, so that the dimmed environment highlights the (Holi)dazzling brilliance of the floats.

Pinocchio was there.

And, of course, the evening ended with a visit from Santa himself!

Is the display too commercial or tacky?  Maybe to some.  But to others, especially the children (of all ages), it is nothing short of magical!  And, really, that’s what this season is truly all about.  I hope this year you too will experience the wide-eyed magic of the Holiday Season.

A magical evening of fun, friends . . .

. . . and of course, food.

WHEN PLANS CHANGE

I was supposed to go to a Holiday political fundraiser tonight but the event was postponed because of the school shooting in Connecticut.  I was disappointed as I had been looking forward to it, and had planned the perfect outfit.  Fortunately the outfit was not wasted.  Since we weren’t able to go to the fundraiser, my friends and I opted to head out to dinner instead.  It turned out to be a delightful evening filled with amazing conversation.  Sometimes when plans change, the most wonderful things happen!

Navy wool blazer, gray flannel pants, cordovan cap toe shoes, red socks from Ralph Lauren Polo, and a vintage cotton Holiday tie from the Amana Colonies in Iowa.

RUDOLPH IS A STYLE SETTER!  WHO KNEW?

I really love this post from Great Lakes Prep!!!  

http://www.greatlakesprep.com/style-inspiration-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/

LET IT SNOW!  LET IT SNOW!  LET IT SNOW!

Well the weather outside is frightful!  Actually, it’s really not all that frightful but it has become a little bit dangerous.  Snow began to fall overnight and we are now well into our first big snowfall of the winter here in Minneapolis.  The city is certainly no stranger to snow, but so far this year we’ve had very little, and none that has stuck around.  That has changed in a big way now.

Last night snow began to lightly fall - the kind that stays steady over long periods of time and adds up.  Around that same time, a 24-hour snow advisory went into effect (it ends at midnight tonight).  The snow that started to fall last night is still falling this evening and shows no sign of stopping.  Rumor has it, that we could end up with around 12 inches of snow in some parts of the metro area when this is done.  A snow emergency has already been called, and winter parking restrictions are now in place.

I had to work this morning, but have been inside at home all afternoon.  Although it makes travel difficult, I have to admit there’s something wonderful, almost magical, about the freshly fallen snow.  The snow covered tress and ground have an almost Courier and Ives beauty to them, and children - young and old - have been busy making snowmen and snow angels.   

I’m fortunate in that I don’t have to go anywhere for the rest of the day, so for tonight, I can sit back, sip hot chocolate, and enjoy the beauty.

ST. NICHOLAS: THE DASHING HABERDASHER!!!

Yesterday was St. Nicholas Day.  Normally this is sort of a “mini-Christmas” in that children (young and old) find gifts from St. Nicholas in their stockings or shoes on this day, but that’s not what I want to talk about here.

Last night I was out for coffee with my friends Cynthia and Steve.  At one point during the conversation, as we were talking about two new stores that had opened in the Uptown area of Minneapolis, the word “haberdashery” jokingly came up.  Since we each had our own idea and interpretation of what that meant, I decided to make it my quest today to find out for certain.  Here goes . . .

According to the sources I found, haberdashers were originally peddlers or sellers who dealt in small merchandise like needles, thread, ribbon, and buttons (the word still refers to people who sell these items today).  Over time though, the word became – at least in American English –another term for a men’s clothing outfitter.  Haberdashers sold men’s hats, scarves, gloves, ties, suits, etc., so of course, I was in my element now!

OK, so I know most of you are wondering what all of this has to do with good ole St. Nick.  Well, we all know his reputation for caring for children and giving out small presents (haberdasheries perhaps?), but lesser known maybe, is the fact that he is the patron saint of almost 100 professions and countries.  Today I learned from that list that he is also the patron saint of haberdashers!  So there you have it.  St. Nicholas is the patron saint of men’s clothing outfitters. 

The fact that my friends and I were discussing haberdashers on St. Nicholas Day is just an added bonus!!!

RICHARD PRESS GIVES A TOUR OF MFIT'S "IVY STYLE" EXHIBIT!

This is VERY cool, and Very informative!


http://kmc.kaltura.com/index.php/kmc/preview/partner_id/483591/uiconf_id/10757202/entry_id/1_ikqyvlbo/delivery/http

HOLIDAY DINNERS ROUND ONE - THE ADVENT VESPERS SOUP DINNER!

Each year on the first weekend of Advent Augsburg College here in Minneapolis holds its annual Advent Vespers Concert.  This amazing event has kicked off the Holidays for over 30 years, and is the beginning of my holiday entertaining.  

The concert takes place at Central Lutheran Church, which is a wonderful neo-Gothic structure that was built in 1928.  The church seats close to 3000 people and the acoustics are fantastic, thus making it the perfect location for this concert.  

Five performances are given over the course of two days with a total attendance of over 10,000 people.  There are more than 300 participants including choirs, instrumentalists, readers, and a full liturgical party, which adds to the grand scale of the event.

As I mentioned earlier, this is the kick off to my Holiday entertaining, and each year, for the past past six or seven years, I have organized a group of friends to attend the concert followed by dinner at my place.

This is usually a soup dinner, and my table is set with what I refer to as my “soup china” (those are the only pieces that make up the set - a large plate, a soup bowl, a dessert plate, and a coffee mug).  I make two soups ahead of time that are left warming in crock pots while we are at the concert, so all that is left to do when we return is to prepare a toss salad, cut up the bread, and set out the dessert.

This is always a wonderful evening of great music, sumptuous food, and amazing conversation.  It’s the perfect way to begin the Holidays and I look forward to it all year long.

CHRISTMAS REDS:  A HOLIDAY OUTFIT PART 1

This year I’m envisioning a great new Holiday outfit and the first pieces have already been purchased.  There’s an almost magical feeling about wearing new clothes for the Holidays, and I’m looking forward to bringing together each acquired piece as I work to complete the ensemble.

  

I love the traditional Christmas colors of red and green and so they will play a major role in what I wear for the day.  Pictured here are the first pieces I’ve picked up.  On the right is a cashmere sweater vest in a great shade of Christmas red.  I love cashmere because it’s not only soft and comfortable, it’s also incredibly warm.  I can’t think of a better way to stay nice and cozy throughout the Yuletide.

To the left of the sweater vest is a wonderful tartan plaid silk tie.  Again, this tie reflects the traditional colors of the season and will add just the right amount of “pop” to my Holiday look.

These two wonderful pieces are the beginnings of what I’m envisioning to be a great Christmas outfit, and I look forward to posting more photos as the remaining pieces are acquired.