Dealios; Plus, Deep Thoughts on Gift-Buying

More exciting news for all you patriots intent on fulfilling
your duties as Americans this holiday shopping season:

Ensemble (

2812
W. 43^rd St., Minneapolis

).
A modest boutique inspiring immodest desires. Ensemble hosts its annual holiday
shopping party on Thursday from God-knows-when till about, oh, about 8 p.m. That’s
when you’ll get fifteen-percent off. Promised goods include new laptop bags by
the Minneapolis-based Urban Junket (see below). You know, I’ve been meaning to tell you:
These bags are pretty fabs. I only wish I had enough coin to replace the ole Timbuktu.

Textile
Center (3000 University Ave. SE, Suite 100, Minneapolis). If whimsy is what
you’re after—but not necessarily of the red-hat ladies sort—then go to the
Textile Center, where they’re having a holiday show and sale through December
29, for heaven’s sake, people.

 

Ruby3.Whenever and wherever there’s an event celebrating our local
fashion mindustry, there’s one character
certain to be in attendance: Ms. Anna Lee. As producer of the momentous annual
Voltage Fashion Amplified show and founder of the fledgling mnFashion service
organization, Lee is a reliable source of support for local designers. Not
everyone knows it, but she’s a designer, too—of hats! Those familiar
with her millinery know her by the flamboyant, showgirl-style headdresses. But now
she’s unveiling an assortment of wearable winter hats, too. Get yo’ sneaks on Saturday,
December 8 between 5 and 10 p.m. at the studio of my favorite local fashion
photographer, Nic Marshall (

2303
Kennedy St. NE

, Studio 402, Minneapolis). I’ll be there with the Elph to
snap up the snaz, ya digs?

 

Now, here’s a thought: Does anyone else know
the sort of person who loves shopping so much she actually tries to do yours,
too? My mom called me this week to let me know she’d found two things my kid
brother might like: A coat rack in the form of deer antlers and a checkered barstool—“perfect
for the garage,” she said. Now, did I, she wondered, want her to purchase these
items on my behalf? She’d already gone over her spending limit. “No,” I
responded huffily. I’d already picked out the perfect gift—a reasonably
fashionable Ski-Do racing jersey—and I’d done so on my own accord, with sentiment and personal knowledge of my brother’s likes and dislikes. “Mom,” I said,
summoning the Valley Girl within. And then I clicked my tongue as hard as I could.
“That’s not what Christmas is all about.”