Imagine, if you will, a stroll down Lyndale Ave. Without warning, it begins to rain. You dash off on to a side street to escape the weather and come to find yourself down a staircase and into a bookstore. You shake the droplets and look around. Each corner of the worn-in lower level comes complete […]
If you are like me, you are longing to patron your favorite places, especially those that feel like a home away from home. That is the Minnesota History Center (and Historical Society) for me. I was lucky enough to head to the basement during graduate school to see all the incredible artifacts for archival research. […]
My bucket list always includes a long lineup of books by Minnesota authors and books about Minnesota itself. Every time I head to the woods, or pack for a road trip, I head to a local bookstore and scour the shelves for the next home-away-from-home favorite. The staff at Zenith Bookstore in Duluth have always […]
My favorite time of year to eat ice cream is in winter. Call me crazy but there is nothing better than matching cold with flavor AND you don’t have to worry about it melting! Enter, Love Creamery. Located off Superior Street in Duluth’s up-and-coming Lincoln Park area, you can find Love next to Corktown Deli […]
The Zenith Bookstore in West Duluth is a worn-in, well-loved bibliophiles paradise. It is located just off the highway in a former liquor store next to Beaner’s Central coffeehouse, now Wussow’s Concert Cafe. You can’t miss it, just look for the vibrant and inviting mural of a collection of books painted by local artist Tom […]
During the winter, social media feeds are filled with two groups of people, those that have mastered skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, and other cold-weather endeavors with the smiles and hordes of gear to prove it, and those that stay inside. There isn’t often a medium. I find myself to be someone who falls in the […]
When it comes to tiny breakfast joints, Al’s Breakfast in Dinkytown takes the cake. Ubiquitous in the list of iconic places in the Twin Cities, the narrow stop is a whopping 9 feet long and 10 feet wide. Al’s serves made-from-scratch breakfast fare, sass, and cramped quarters. Paying homage to their history and neighborhood, you […]
Whenever my mom gives a recommendation, I go out of my way to indulge. She has an eye for finding diamonds. This time, she had me head to the Tipsy Chicken Kitchen and Cocktails and it did not disappoint! Tucked away in a strip mall on the edge of Elk River, Tipsy has an old-farmhouse-meets-retro-rustic […]
GIVEAWAY! This time of year, I am constantly having visions of all the fun things I am planning to do over the summer. Hike the North Shore, lay on the beach, and more than anything, get on the water. I have a feeling some of you might feel the same as I do. Because of […]
When it comes to my favorite places, Kramarczuk’s Sausage Company tops the list. The eastern European restaurant and deli began in the East Bank-Nicollet Island neighborhood and has become one of the most chosen places for freshly baked bread, pastries, smoked sausages, and stewed cabbage. A local institution of the Northeast part of the city […]
The Buttered Tin is a warm and welcoming corner café and bakery in Saint Paul, just up the block from CHS Field and the Union Depot. A Lowertown neighborhood staple since 2013, the place has a line out the door – with good reason. As soon as you walk in, you will be greeted by […]
Another tradition to add to your holiday docket; The European Christmas Market in St. Paul. Located on the East Plaza of Union Depot, it is a traditional, charming, and festive open-air Market that is reminiscent of the Cologne Christmas Market in Germany, the Tuomaan Markkinat in Helsinki, the Viennese Dream Christmas Market and Salzburg Christkindlmarkt in Austria, the Christmas in Tivoli in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the Christkindesmäkir in Strasbourg, […]
Whatever you celebrate. From my family to yours. xo J
If you are a long-time follower, you know that the Union Depot’s annual bake sale is my favorite event of the year and that is not an exaggeration. It is one that I make sure to highlight, no matter what. Located in St Paul’s historic railroad station, the bake sale has been the go-to spot […]
If you are in the Mankato area and in search of a place to escape the cold, look no further than The Coffee Hag in the heart of Old Town on Riverfront Drive. The artistic coffeehouse-meets-hangout has been around for over 20 years. With high tin ceilings, fun, eclectic wall art, open seating that lines […]
If you are looking for a no-frills, open late, neighborhood pizza joint, look no further than Pagliai’s in Mankato. Located in the heart of downtown off Front Street, the place opened in 1969 making it Mankato’s oldest pizzeria. It is a great place to escape the cold, settle into a bucket booth, sink into the […]
Wagon Wheel Café has been around since the 40s and has become the go-to place for breakfast in Mankato. Just off Front Street, inside the walk-in double doors, you’ll find a quintessential small-town diner with an open seating concept complete with bucket booths, Formica counters, vinyl bar stools, a bustling kitchen you can see clear […]
If you are a fan of Neapolitan-style pizza, I have a recommendation. Go out of your way to check out Pompeii Pizzeria in Elk River. A downtown walk-up storefront just above Diamond City Bread, Pompeii is THE neighborhood-style pizza parlor in the area. Celebrating their 9th anniversary, Pompeii offers a whole host of reasons why you […]
The Minnesota Governors Pheasant Hunting Opener is one of my favorite annual events. Held in Austin this year, the #MNGPHO was established in 2011 by Gov. Mark Dayton. The event focuses on Minnesota’s hunting heritage, cultural traditions and the economic impact of the sport. Hunting is a longstanding tradition in Minnesota and these kinds of […]
Fall is the perfect time to go check out the local apple orchards. Fresh Honeycrisp, apple pie, caramel apples, apple cider, hayrides, corn mazes… you name it, I’m for it. To that end, I give you, Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake. Known just as well for their strawberries, Pine Tree Apple Orchard […]
