Life + Culture

Life Minded

Magic Beans Article by Jen Fortner In 1912, my grandma started elementary school in the Prospect Park neighborhood of Minneapolis. As the sixth of seven children, her older siblings were charged with bringing her to school and were given one very specific instruction. When school asks what beverage she drinks at home, they were to answer — milk.  It seems school registration was a wee bit simpler back then. No dozens of forms and dozens of fees. Her siblings dropped her off, told the...

Food + Beverage

More Than a Tavern

Red Cow evolves with new brunch and catering menus Article by Sarah Knieff Red Cow, the family-owned local favorite that’s been redefining the modern tavern experience in the Twin Cities since 2013, is ushering in a new era with the launch of an all-new brunch menu and expanded catering. Both menus are now aligned with Red Cow’s recently refreshed main menu – bringing together bold flavor, thoughtful presentation, and community-focused hospitality under one cohesive vision. “We’ve always...

Food + Beverage

Let's Get Saucy

How Chico’s Gourmet Sauces and Red Eye Hot Sauce are elevating everyday meals Article by Hannah Harms Some sauces add flavor. Others add history, passion, and a little bit of magic. For two Midwestern makers, Chico’s Gourmet Sauces and Red Eye Hot Sauce, a jar of sauce is more than a condiment. It’s the story of where they came from, the values they carry, and how food has a way of connecting us all. From a Family Recipe to Hundreds of Stores For Chico’s Gourmet founder, Mark Monson, the...

Home + Design

Creating Connections in the Kitchen

How Highmark Builders creates spaces where meals, milestones, and memories come to life Article by Kendra Johnson When you look back on the cherished memories you’ve made in your home, how many of them can be traced back to your kitchen? From cooking Sunday dinner and preparing game-day snacks, to hanging your kid’s artwork on the fridge and helping them with homework, the kitchen is undoubtedly a place of connection. And no one knows that better than the team at Highmark Builders. As a...

Food + Beverage

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Where Every Bundt Is a Home Run Article by David Scheller The beverages? Perfectly chilled and just as refreshing. The hors d'oeuvres? No finer pigs have ever been blanketed. The main course? Delicious enough to throw your guests into reverential silence at first bite.  You’ve thrown one heck of a dinner party so far. Now to just serve the cake: some nondescript, unspecial thing you grabbed at the store. Oh no. Your guests make it apparent they don’t like the cake. No one asks for seconds...

Food + Beverage

New Restaurants You Need to Try

Bring your appetite, gather your friends, and pull up a chair at these new restaurants around the lake! Article by Lauren Beaubaire Tonight, you’re not cooking dinner. Forget the grocery list, the chopping, and the mountain of dishes. You’re taking a well-deserved break from the kitchen and letting the pros handle dinner. A wave of fantastic new restaurants has moved into the neighborhood, each dishing up flavors you won’t want to miss. So hang up your apron, put on your going-out outfit, and...

Life + Culture

Life Minded

Bang for My Buck Article by Jen Fortner When my daughter was born, there were a lot of comments directed at my husband, like, “Oh wow, a girl. That will be expensive. Get ready for a lot of drama. Now you are outnumbered!” Dumb comments, as we have learned, all children are expensive in their own special ways, all provide unnecessary drama, and this household isn’t helped one bit by balancing by gender. It’s five people and a dog who ALL want their own way. If anyone has a simple remedy for...

Arts + Culture

Elegance Etched in Glass

Discover the artisanal craftsmanship and enduring beauty of Simon Pearce glassware now at Five Swans Article by Sara Hoeman | Photography by Anna Ko Photography Five Swans boutique in downtown Wayzata is adding the timeless style of Simon Pearce glassware to their collection. Head buyer, Jeni Wojahn, shed some light on what makes these pieces so special and how you can bring them into your home. Valued for their legacy of artisan design and the finest materials, Simon Pearce started his...

Home + Design

Design That Feels Like Home

Union Place blends high-style interiors with smart tech integration for homes that work as beautifully as they look Article by Kendra Johnson | Photography by Emily John Photography Have you ever walked into a room and wished you could style your home in a similar way? Maybe it’s the furniture that pairs so well with the wall colors, or the decor that perfectly accents the rest of the space. The good news is that interior design is very intentional, and Union Place is the best in the game at...

Auto + Marine

Smooth Sailing into Winter

The experts at MarineMax share what every boater needs to know for cold-weather prep and how they can help winterize your boat Article by Lauren Beaubaire We Minnesotans know that when September hits, the countdown begins on how many more days we can enjoy getting out on the water without a layer of long underwear and a parka. But before the winter weather creeps in, you’ll want to make sure your boat is also ready to face the cold. We sat down with the experts at MarineMax Excelsior on how to...