SavvyDecember2011 by Big Fish Works

Where women shop, talk, learn and laugh.

DECEMBER 2011

Cookies with a

conscience

The Blogunteer on where and how to

volunteer

Cooking with kids baby steps

Dangling Delights holiday party earrings

Local Finds Holiday clothes, dĂŠcor & gifts from our advertisers

Seasonal

pop-up shop in Chaska

Crafty, cozy, cute A new generation of women becomes smitten with knittinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

‘Surgical weight loss was the right choice for me’ It may be right for you, too. Attend a free seminar to learn more about weight loss surgery, including: Current surgical options Beneﬁts and limitations of weight loss surgery Lifestyle and behavior changes associated with the surgery Led by bariatric surgeons Edmund Chute, MD, and Raymond Drew, MD, of Ridgeview Bariatric & Weight Loss Center, seminars are held on the ﬁrst and second Wednesday and third Thursday of each month at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia or Two Twelve Medical Center in Chaska. View the schedule at www.ridgeviewmedical.org/bariatric. For more information, call (952) 442-7820.

Bariatric & Weight Loss Center

Wendy W endy Olson-Slepicka, Olson-Slepicka, CChaska, haska, iiss hhealthier ealthier aand nd eexercises xercises ddaily aily aafter fter hhaving aving gastric gastric bbypass. ypass. “Like” Ridgeview at www.facebook.com/ridgeviewmedical 2

savvy.mn | December 2011

contents

Cover photo by Amy Zellmer

On the cover: Jenni Krosnowski is the owner of the Twisted Loop Yarn Shop. Jenni is among a new generation of women finding friendship and fun through knitting. Jenni’s green Tribal jacket is from Home Accents, Etc.

December 2011

Local Finds

Smitten with Knittin’ 12-14

Where to find these holiday cuties.

4 5-6

Letter from the Editor Shopper ‘Tis The Season ready for shopping in Chaska; new boutique, Bee Cottage, opens in Excelsior.

7-10

Local Finds Clothes, décor and gifts from our advertisers.

This photo by Gail Weinhold

Sponsored Feature Learn about Jordan-based Iris Valley Boutique & Gifts in this special advertising story.

15 Publisher | Jennifer Sorenson

Season of giving: How and where to volunteer.

16 17-18

Jennifer Churchill, Carrie Rood, Brian Sorenson, Traci Zellmann

Savvy.mn Magazine is published monthly by

CONTACTS:

Southwest Newspapers. No part of this publication

Content: Melissa Gilman, 952-345-6387 or mgilman@savvy.mn

may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior consent of Southwest Newspapers, 952-445-3333, P.O. Box 8, Shakopee, Minn. 55379.

Advertising: 952-345-6477 or advertising@savvy.mn Subscription and address change: Ruby Winings, 952-345-6682 or circulation@swpub.com

Haute Holiday Looks Family Tastebud Tart’s advice for cooking with kids, plus a recipe.

Photography | Amy Zellmer/Custom Creations Photography, Jennifer Baker,

Web | Steve Delmont

20-21 Fun Cookies with a conscience; fi nd a fun holiday event.

Scene Photos from Savvy Soiree at The Stash of Waconia.

savvy.mn | December 2011

Letter from the

Savvy

adj., Being well-informed, astute, knowing, keen, smart, clever, intelligent, discriminating, discerning, canny, perceptive, sharp, far-sighted and artful.

side this issue you’ll find great ideas and

But of course the holidays aren’t all about

options for shopping locally. Our advertisers

gift-giving. Stacy Pearson is the creator

are featuring their cutest holiday clothes,

and author of The Blogunteer blog which

jewelry, décor and gifts in Local Finds, beginning on page

profiles volunteer opportunities. She

7. If you want to shop local while supporting artists check

graced our December cover last year and

out ‘Tis the Season Boutique in Chaska, page 6. You’ll find

is back this year with a long list of ideas

holiday gifts and decorations for everyone on your list.

for you and your family to give time, money or talents to

Then stop by newly opened Bee Cottage in Excelsior, page

groups in need, page 15.

6, to pick up a new shiny object for yourself.

Melissa Gilman Editor in Chief

Chilly gusts of wind and barren trees mean it’s time to

Another way to shop local and save money is to purchase

head indoors. Jenni Krosnowski recently opened a small

the new Savvy.mn VIP Shopping Card. The loyalty

knitting business in Prior Lake and says knitting provides

card can be used repeatedly for savings of at least 20

the perfect opportunity for spending time alone or with

percent off for one year at more than 25 area businesses.

friends, page 12.

Cardholders receive special discounts on items like clothing, accessories, gifts, flowers, personal and home services and entertainment. Details are on Savvy.mn.

VIP+

Jan an ne D ne Doe

se ed Busin Busi siness esses

All the Rage

Exp E pire iress 12-3 1 12 2 31 1-12 1

Allure Hair Salon Co. Inc.

rd Shopping Ca

Jane Doe

Expires 12-31-12

Just in time for the Holidays! Save money all year shopping more than 25 local boutiques & businesses! The Savvy.mn VIP Shopping Card, only $25, can be used repeatedly for savings of at least 20 percent off for one year at participating businesses. Cardholders receive special discounts on items like clothing, accessories, gifts, ﬂowers, personal and home services and entertainment.

Scan the code for details

holiday season, with quiet time for yourself, fun with friends and joyful celebrations with your family.

Canterbury Chiropractic Carver Country Flowers & Gifts Chanhassen Dinner Theatres D Copperﬁeld Jeweler Encore Consignment Boutique Ficus & Fig Giggle Gals Gunnar Electric Huntington Learning Center Iris Valley Boutique & Gifts

The Mustard Seed Landscaping & Garden Center Portrait Gift Bags Prairie View Framing Pure Romance By Kristin Reﬁne Laser & Electrolysis Rosie Posie Scentsy Wickless Candles Shakopee Florist The Stash The Vinery Floral & Gifts Watkins Products

Jayne’s Hallmark

Xocai Healthy Chocolate

LaBelle Boutique

Yoga Bella

Mixed Company

Zida

Zelaz

To buy your Savvy.mn VIP Shopping Card or view the participating business’s offers, go to Savvy.mn or email jsorenson@swpub.com

savvy.mn | December 2011

Everyone at Savvy.mn Magazines wishes you a happy

Save 20% or More from these Savvy.mn VIP Shopping Card Participants

B nus Bo Sh S op pp pin ing ng Ca ard rd d Based

Onlin On O ine e or Home

VIP

Editor

UPCOMING EVENTS: READY, SET, DECORATE FOR THE HOLIDAYS Time:

6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, December 1

Location:

GLENROSE FLORAL 582 W 78th St., Chanhassen

Cost:

Free

• Learn how to make a festive holiday bow • Ongoing centerpiece demo • Tasting new candies and gourmet items • See new candles, hostess gifts and partyware Visit Savvy.mn and click on Soirees to register

• Drawings for free wreath, etc. and goody bags with treats from local businesses • Complimentary glass of wine at Axel’s next door to ﬁnish off your evening

sponsored feature

A “must” stop for all of your holiday shopping! Third Time’s the Charm! Iris Valley Boutique & Gifts owner Kathy Kreuser agrees that the third time may very well be the charm, when talking about her store’s current location. Kathy initially opened the doors of Iris Valley in the fall of 2006 in the downtown Jordan area. She made her third move this past spring when she settled into her new location at 110 Eldorado Dr. in Jordan. She share’s the building with the Glowing Hearth & Home business, behind Radermacher’s Fresh Market. “Every move has been because we have continued to grow and that’s good for our customers,” she explains. “Our new space is bigger, brighter and let’s us display our merchandise in a classier, more stream-lined setting, which really appeals to our customers,” Kathy continues. “We’re easy to get to and we have lots of parking for a stress-free shopping experience.”

Clothing, Jewelry, Purses, and so much more! Iris Valley specializes in clothing, purses and jewelry, scarves, hats, costume jewelry, plus a wide assortment of home décor and gift items. Clothing lines include Tru Luxe and JAG jeans in sizes 2-18 in stock and Katina Marie and Liberty Wear clothing, These last two lines are both made in the USA and range in sizes S-3XL. Iris Valley is proud to offer boutique style clothing for every sized woman. There’s lot of jewelry options for that little bit of bling you just gotta have, including the Bauble LuLu line of jewelry. You’ll love the hundreds of hand-blown glass beads and charms that fit on bracelets, necklaces and earrings. This line is also compatible with Pandora-style jewelry, which lets you create your own personalized jewelry pieces.

Great Holiday Gift Ideas – Check your List Twice! Iris Valley has something for almost everyone on your gift list! They have a wide selection of children and baby toys, Webkinz stuffed animals, teen gifts and jewelry, inspirational items, Beanpod candles, a variety of art work from Bonnie Mohr and Billy Jacobs, home and seasonal décor, including Light Garden accessories. New merchandise is added weekly so you’ll always fi nd something new and exciting at Iris Valley. Kathy and store manager Tracy Behr are happy to help you fi nd that something special for you and your home or that hard-to-fi nd gift item. Plus, they also offer after-hour shopping for groups such as Bunco and Red Hat Society gathers. Call them at 952-492-3360 to schedule your next ladies night out! Tis the season so Happy Shopping at Iris Valley!

What’s Hot for this Season? • Scarf Charms: one of the hottest trends; add pendant-style charms to your favorite scarves • Boot Topper Cuffs in faux fur: add to any boot to make it fabulous! • Handbags: Bronze & Pewter, Rhinestones & Studs, Flower & Fleur Des Lis styles

Iris Valley is all Decked Out for Christmas

IRIS

25% off

V ALLEY Boutique & Gifts

one regular priced item expires 12/31/11

20% off entire ornament & christmas ﬂorals purchase (Cannot be combined with other discounts) expires 12/31/11

Open Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs 10-8, Fri-Sat 10-5

110 Eldorado Dr., Jordan

952-492-3360

www.irisvalley.net savvy.mn | December 2011

Smitten Knittinâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; with

Why the next generation of women is clicking with knitting needles Story by Gail Weinhold Photo by Amy Zellmer

savvy.mn | December 2011

“

Our previous generation used to get coffee and sit around and stitch and today I think people are missing out on that connection. Plus, we knit cooler things!”

you think the only people who knit are shawlwrapped grandmothers you’re missing out. Today’s knitting groups are fi lled with younger women creating cool items like Bella’s mittens and Hermione’s hat (from the “Twilight” and “Harry Potter” movies, respectively). After a bad break-up Christine Meoni started a knitting group in Uptown called “Stitch and B**ch” after the eponymous book series. During a recent Stitch and B**ch gathering the topics of conversation included tattoos, fused baby teeth, best buys at the State Fair and kids throwing up on a recent camping trip. The group of six young knitters was laughing so hard it raised the eyebrows of many coffee patrons around them. Hannah Wallace of Minneapolis didn’t even bring a knitting project that night saying, “I’m just here to b**ch!” When asked what people say when Meoni shares that she’s in a knitting group she smirked and said, “They laugh and ask, ‘you do that in public?’” Laughter and “girl talk” won out by a wide margin over counting stitches. “I am always ripping out things I make at these things! But it’s so much fun you don’t care,” said Katri Hanson whose been coming to the group for several years. Jennifer Clemmerson, a young teacher at Twin Oaks Middle School is Savage, picked up her knitting needles in college. “I was living by myself and going a little stir crazy. We don’t get married as young anymore and it got me out of my place and doing something positive with positive people. It wasn’t the typical going to the bars and drinking. I was making quality friends.” Clemmerson said, “Our previous generation used to get coffee and sit around and stitch and today I think people are missing out on that connection. Plus, we knit cooler things!” “Girls go into Abercrombie, Hollister or Anthropologie and they want $150 plus for a bolero! You can make that same exact hat for so much less plus so many

Jennifer Clemmerson

Best websites for knitters Ravelry.com (groups, yarn shops, projects and shopping) Knittinghelp.com (free instructional video, forums, and shopping) Knitters.org (website of the Minnesota Knitters Guild) Knitty.com (patterns, shopping, contests and more) Tip: also check out your local library for a wide array of knitting books for every level

Sampling of southwest metro yarn shops Twisted Loop Yarn Shop, Prior Lake Coldwater Collaborative, Excelsior Unwind Yarn Shop, Burnsville Skeins, Minnetonka Creative Fibers, Carver

other fancy French knits in gorgeous yarns,” said Jenni Krosnowski owner of the newly opened Twisted Loop Yarn Shop, located on the lower level of Home Accents, Etc. in Prior Lake. Krosnowski’s colorful and cozy business offers knitting on the front porch, wine nights, small classes and yarn bombing where literally everything gets covered in yarn. She suggests women give knitting a fresh look by exploring many of the trends including felting, high fashion patterns, and exotic yarn blends. Some of the yarns she carries include bamboo, alpaca, silk, mohair, soy and even corn and milk yarns and many are handdyed from local artists. She encourages women to come in and just unwind. “Knitting makes you sit and concentrate on yourself,” Krosnowski said. “It’s time just for you.”

Jenni Krosnowski is the owner of the newly opened Twisted Loop Yarn Shop in Prior Lake. It’s located in a cozy and colorful corner of the Home Accents, Etc. building.

savvy.mn | December 2011

Where does a knitting newbie begin?

Wendy Murphy of Plymouth is one of the many young women kicking the grandma stereotype. “I think the belief that knitting is for old women keeps younger women from knitting. I needed something to do and I saw that a local place was having a beginners’ class. I decided to sign up. I love creating things from nothing and there are patterns for just about everything now.” According to Jennifer Clemmerson, “A lot of people don’t know anyone who does it. Joining a group is the easiest way to get into it. Every group has somebody who likes to teach.” Talk to any young knitter today and you will undoubtedly hear about Ravelry. “Ravelry is like Facebook for knitters!” says Krosnowski. Ravelry is a website where knitters can fi nd literally thousands of patterns, the nearest yarn shop and browse the pages and pages of local groups right in the Twin Cities metro area.

Shops like the Twisted Loop and groups like Clemmerson’s Panera Purls are quite literally just a few clicks away for today’s newbie knitters and the wide array of project ideas are sure to give even the most reluctant knitter inspiration. From Bella’s mittens to Herione's hat there is something for everyone at every age. Brigid Brindley, the current Board President of the Minnesota’s Knitters Guild, suggests that new knitters fi nd their local yarn store, start a project and return to the store for help and discussion.

Celine Perkins recently took a class at the Twisted Loop called “Noobie Mittens” and she seconds Brindley’s recommendation to those just starting out. “They think it’s hard and it’s isn’t. If you get stuck come in and Jenni can figure it out and [she] doesn’t make you feel like an idiot!” Perkins also belongs to a knitting group with Krosnowski called the Savage Knit Wits. Clemmerson recalls, “The fi rst project I made was a blanket in college. I didn’t know how to read the pattern. It was so bad I threw it down the building laundry shoot! Having a more experienced person helps a lot.” Knitting today is bringing together so much more than yarn and needles; it’s creating a whole new outlet for women to connect and decompress from the stress and pace of today’s modern world. So whether it’s in the cozy corner of a friend’s couch or alongside the patient hands of a teacher at the local yarn shop, keep calm and carry yarn.

4 1. Photo by Amy Zellmer: Krosnowski suggests giving knitting a fresh look with felting, high fashion patterns, and exotic yarn blends. Some of the yarns she carries include bamboo, alpaca, silk, mohair, soy and even corn and milk yarns and many are hand-dyed from local artists. | 2. Photo by Gail Weinhold: Candace Rotert, left, and Celine Perkins work on projects outside Home Accents, Etc. which is home to Twisted Loop Yarn Shop. | 3. Photo by Amy Zellmer: Stylish handbags can be crafted with yarn. | 4. Photo by Gail Weinhold: Members of the Stitch and B**ch club gather at a coffee shop in Uptown. Pictured from left are Christy Mattingly, Amy Baker, Christine Meoni, Hannah Wallace and Katri Hanson.

savvy.mn | December 2011

Season of giving:

advertising that

Where and how to volunteer

works for local businesses

By Sara Glassman family for dinner.

This time of year, more people are in the giving spirit. But how do you fi nd the right organization to give of your time? Stacy Pearson of the Blogunteer (blogunteer.wordpress.com) has been writing up non-profits for more than a year. As a member of the Women of Today, the Savage resident wanted to help some of the smaller nonprofits out there. “It’s that season of giving and not just giving material things to your family and friends,” she said. Stacy encourages people to prioritize volunteering and turn it into a family activity.

Community news also means community business. Advertising in Southwest Newspapers’ print and online products gets results.

Jewelry Liquidator in Hopkins advertises in Savvy.mn Magazine.

Stacy Pearson, left, Sue Ellen Toppings, center, and Rose Nelson participated in the October 2010 Be Bold Be Bald event to raise money for cancer research. Stacy’s advice for volunteering during the holidays: pick something you’re passionate about and get the family involved.

Sometimes fi nding the perfect place or organization can be part of the challenge. “The best way to make a difference during the holidays is to fi nd an organization that you are passionate about and contact them,” she says, recommending that you check the legitimacy of any group through Guidestar (www2.guidestar.org) or Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org).

Buy holiday gifts from local organizations. For example, Isaac’s Journey sells great cookbooks: http:// blogunteer.wordpress.com/2010/10/06/ isaacs-foundation/

Gather new or used kids’ books to donate to Read Indeed. (readindeed.org)

Assist a local military family with holiday tasks such as hanging lights, holiday shopping, or provide babysitting so a parent can shop on their own. Beyond the Yellow Ribbon of River Group in Prior Lake can help you fi nd a family.

Get a letter from Santa from a charity and make a difference. One such organization is the Eden Prairie Women of Today (epwt.org).

Look though your closets and storage areas and donate extra clothing and furniture to a local charity thrift store such as the PROP Shop in Eden Prairie or the CAP Agency Thrift Store in Shakopee.

Here are some her ideas for a meaningful holiday season:

Gather money as a family and choose a local organization to donate to.

Make fleece tie blankets to donate to Project Linus (projectlinus.org).

Collect or buy new pajamas to donate to Sweet Dreams for Kids. (sweetdreamsforkids.com)

Make or purchase holiday cards and help a local senior write them out (maybe even help organize their address book, too). This could be a neighbor or you could contact a nearby nursing home or assisted living facility to offer assistance.

Deliver meals for Meals on Wheels (meals-on-wheels.com).

Make dog or cat toys to donate to a local humane society or animal organization (animalhumanesociety.org or paws4cause.net).

Donate art supplies to Free Arts MN, http://blogunteer.wordpress. com/2010/09/15/free-arts-mn.

Donate baby items such as blankets, books, toys or movies to the Ella’s Halo organization: http://blogunteer. wordpress.com/2011/02/01/ellas-halo.

Owner Lara Rush is pleased with the results:

“

I am open every Saturday from 10 to 3 and I have several customers every week who tell me they saw my ad in Savvy. Jennifer Churchill [sales rep for Savvy.mn] is so wonderful and helpful. My ads are beautiful. Thank you to Savvy for helping my business grow with every issue. I don’t want to advertise anywhere else.

”

The Jewelry Liquidator, 5-11th Street, Hopkins, MN 55343 612-801-1242

Invite a neighbor that doesn’t have family visiting during the holidays to join your 201414

savvy.mn | December 2011

Playing on the Main Stage!

CHRISTOPHER STRAUB AND MAURICES ON

haute holiday looks S

Presented by

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cate Gift Certifi ur TO: Yo Recipient FROM: You

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952-934-1525 800-362-3515 W W W. C H A N H A S S E N D T. C O M

savvy.mn | December 2011

hakopee fashion designer Christopher Straub knows all about making a statement. The “Project Runway” alum releases his new line with Duluth-based retailer Maurices the week of Nov. 20. Christopher Straub for Maurices is a full line of clothing, accessories and fragrance.

3. Glam clutches Ditch the big bag and just pack the essentials into a glamorous clutch. If you have an all-black outfit this may be a great way to introduce color. Look for metals, studs, gems and other texture while staying clear of demure satins…you're not headed to a wedding.

“Everywhere you look, the accessories and dresses are brighter and more luxurious – it’s all shimmer and shine,” said Maurices spokesperson Monica Hendrickson.

4. Luxe jackets You have to get from the car to the party, right? A luxe jacket is just the thing. Look for rich faux furs, textural tweed boucle and lush wools. Usually these pieces are lighterweight so you can even wear them indoors.

Straub shares 5 hot holiday trends: 1. Statement jewelry Bold, eye-catching jewelry is a great way to elevate a simple outfit. A bold necklace and one stunning ring are just enough. 2. Shimmer dresses Sequin or gemmed dresses are another way to get noticed at any holiday event.

5. Daring shoes When else are you going to break out that amazing pair of shoes that you keep tucked away in the box? Now is the time to show ‘em off!

-Kristin Holtz & Sara Glassman

Cooking with kids more fun when they assist

nterest in eating the casserole you made for dinner? Zero. Interest in messing around in the kitchen? Off the charts. Savvy.mn’s go-to chef Molly Herrmann knows a thing or two about cooking with kids in the kitchen. The founder of Tastebud Tart and Kitchen in the Market has taught classes with a special "guest chef,” her 6-year-old son A.J. There are ground rules: Wash your hands fi rst, keep your hands out of the food (use baby spoons or tasting spoons instead) and don’t add anything without instructions. She suggests instead of getting irritated, getting kids involved. Here are some of her tips: ■ Start at the store: There are plenty of wonderful things to discover in the produce section. Young shoppers can look for colorful options like blue potatoes and purple cauliflower. Dinosaur kale, also known as Tuscan kale, looks like dinosaur

Women’s Lunch Club When:

Wednesday, December 14th, 11:45am to 1:00pm

Where:

Stonebrooke Golf Club, 2693 County Road 79, Shakopee

RSVP:

go to www.Stonebrooke.com to sign up

Cost: Hosted by Tammy Laurent, speaker, author and ﬁnancial advisor

skin and kids of a certain age get excited about it. ■ Give them simple tasks: Ask for help getting the seeds out of pomegranates. It’s pretty easy: Cut the fruit in half and submerge the pomegranate in water then the little red jewels pop out. ■ Peeling: Potatoes, sweet potatoes and carrots will work. A peeler won’t hurt them; just make sure they don’t get the actual vegetable in the garbage. ■ Mixing and measuring: There are many practical math skills to be learned when you’re asking for help with three scoops of something. Also, kids are great at stirring. ■ Holiday breakfast: Let kids fl ip the pancakes – they are actually better than adults a lot of the time.

Tastebud Tart owner Molly Herrmann involves her entire family in the cooking process. She thinks you can do it too.

Kid-friendly pie dough recipe on page 18

~ Sara Glassman

Opening Soon

ncore HOME

New and used home furnishings

$15 includes lunch and speaker

8264 Commonwealth Drive, Eden Prairie

Speaker: Gaye Lindfors

Living with Purpose during the Holiday Season: Finding the time and energy for things that really matter

201639

Program Description December is such a special time of year…the music, the gifts, children laughing, snowﬂakes, bright decorations, family gatherings. AND it can also be a tension headache time of the year! The noise, the shopping, children whining, stalled cars, over-the-top expectations, and family gatherings. (Yes, family gatherings is on both lists.) Join us as we laugh and learn about ﬁnding the time and energy for the really important things in your life…in December and all through the year. About Gaye Lindfors With authenticity, passion, and humor, Gaye touches people’s hearts and minds. She is known for her ability to generate enthusiasm, create connections, and focus people on living with purpose. Gaye knows the joy and the disappointments that come with trying to be authentic and live a life with purpose in a world that demands so much. Gaye is a contributing author to the book, Don’t Miss Your Boat: Living Your Life with Purpose in the Real World, and author of Find a Job: The Little Book for Big Success. She serves as the president of the National Speaker’s Association-MN Chapter.

Watch for our Grand Opening Celebrations!

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savvy.mn | December 2011

Visit our warm and inviting showroom, and see why our clients are raving about us.

Family Owned • Full Service Seamless Design

Kid-friendly pie dough from Tastebud Tart

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Deck your Halls with Vintage! www.thinkhopkins.com/antiques

ere’s a kid-friendly recipe from Molly Herrmann. “You can make it together in the food processor and use it for pies, tarts, crostatas and even empanadas,” she says.

ANTIQUES ON MAINSTREET 913 Mainstreet | 952-931-2144

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4-5 Tbsp. ice water, plus more as needed

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1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 Tbsp. sugar 3/4 tsp. salt

Doorbuster Sale Stocking Stuffers

9 Tbsp. (4 oz.) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

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savvy.mn | December 2011

Lone Oak Center • 7942 Mitchell Road • Eden Prairie 952-937-9252 • www.underneathitall.com

Sparkly Jewelry

In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Pulse to blend. Add the butter, and pulse until the mixture resembles a coarse meal; there should be no pieces of butter bigger than a large pea. Mix water and vinegar together. With the motor running on dough setting, slowly add the watervinegar mixture, processing just until the dough forms a ball. Turn the dough out onto a wooden board or clean countertop, and gather it, massaging and pressing, until it just holds together. Shape it into a ball, and press it into a disk about 1-1/2 inches thick. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, and then press it a bit more. Refrigerate the wrapped dough for at least two hours. (Dough can be kept in the refrigerator for up to four days or frozen for up to one month. Thaw it in refrigerator overnight before using.) Before rolling it out, allow the dough to soften slightly at room temperature.

Find out whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s holding your child back. Answers are just a phone call away!

Chanhassen (952) 949-6900 www.LearningRx.com/Chanhassen

Eagan (651) 686-1066 www.LearningRx.com/Eagan

Maple Grove (763) 746-5850 www.LearningRx.com/MapleGrove

Savage (952) 226-1115 www.LearningRx.com/Savage

savvy.mn | December 2011

Cookies with a conscience

Fire power This year’s on-screen hero doesn’t have a cape, but tattoos and piercings. Rooney Mara stars as computer hacker Lisbeth in the much-anticipated fi lm of Stieg Larsson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (opens Dec. 23). Straight from the best seller, Lisbeth helps journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) in his search for a woman who has been missing for 40 years.

By Sara Glassman

Photo by Dan Norman

HOLIDAY December 2nd-4th Great holiday gifts, beautiful arrangements and blooming plants, gifts from Willow Tree, Dept. 56 and new candles.

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Catering the Twin Cities for 25 Years!

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savvy.mn | December 2011

ou promised them presents. Lots of presents. Delicious, homemade, like-they-just-popped-out-of-the-oven presents. However, nobody said they needed to pop out of your oven. Time is tight during the holiday frenzy so you never had a chance (or the eggs) to make them. But a promise is a promise. So luckily you can make an order at the Cookie Cart. The nonprofit, founded by Sister Jean Thuerauf in the 1980s, provides teens with their fi rst paying job experience.

42 MPG hwy.

Linda Radue

During the holiday season, they offer hand-decorated sugar snowman cookies for $18 per dozen. They also do Christmas trees and wreathes and plaids and winter swirls and can even meet most custom requests. The traditional assorted cookies (chocolate chip, M&M, snickerdoodle, peanut butter, gingersnap, oatmeal raisin and coconut toffee are just $8 a dozen. You can just drop by the bakery (open five days a week), but preordering is strongly encouraged. You’ll want to hand-deliver the cookies right to your mouth. So promise yourself you’ll get enough to share. Cookie Cart, 1119 West Broadway Ave., Mpls., 612-521-0855, www.cookiecart.org.

what to

Dakota Valley Symphony: ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’ Enjoy this fully-staged production of an American classic as well as a Christmas sing-along and performance of other seasonal favorites. (Dec. 2, Burnsville Performing Arts Center, ticketmaster.com)

Live Nativity

Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt The market features many vendors offering German gifts, a parade, music, trolley rides with Santa, live reindeer and more. (Nov. 25-27, East Lot behind Biella restaurant, Excelsior, excelsiorchristkindlsmarkt.com)

Cirque Dreams Holidaze: ‘A New Wonderland’ Watch as ornaments come to life as costumed characters. They perform astonishing feats that celebrate the holiday season and showcase pageantry, ingenuity and artistry. (Dec. 1 – 11, Mystic Showroom, Prior Lake, mysticlake.com)

The Christmas story is told in an outdoor stable with live animals and interactive characters. Listen to a storyteller inside the church; enjoy crafts and treats; listen to music by children’s choir Angelica Cantanti. (1-3 p.m. Dec. 3, Cross View Lutheran Church, Edina, crossview.net)

‘White Christmas – The Musical’ Based on the movie, this musical features well known Irving Berlin standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and “White Christmas.” (Dec. 2-4, 8-11, Chaska Valley Family Theatre, Chanhassen High School Theater, cvft.org)

Moscow Ballet’s ‘Great Russian Nutcracker’

featuring the Rockettes, the Chipmunks and The Vienna Boys Choir. (Through Dec. 31, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, chanhassentheatres.com)

Enjoy the classic “Nutcracker” ballet performed by the Moscow Ballet troupe. (Dec. 2-3, Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis, hennepintheatredistrict.org)

‘A Silent Night for Peef’ After a wonderful beginning to his life at the North Pole, Santa asked Peef to become a special gift to a lonely child. Now Santa visits Peef to see how things are going. What he finds is not what he expects: a torn, dirty toy that has lost his voice. What is Santa to do now? (Through Dec. 26 at Stages Theatre Company, Hopkins, stagestheatre.org)

‘Hot Chocolate’ In this musical review, a young couple juggles competing family expectations, literally shopping ‘til they drop. When they finally stop for a cup of hot chocolate, they discover the “secret recipe” that can weave the diverse threads of their lives into new traditions. (Dec. 2-18, Park Square Theater, Historic Hamm Building, St. Paul, parksquaretheater.org)

‘A Christmas Carol’

‘Plaid Tidings’ The holiday edition of “Forever Plaid” is suitable for the entire family. The Plaid Boys (Sparky, Smudge, Frankie and Jinx) have returned to Earth and are overtaken with the Christmas spirit. The audience will enjoy their version of “The Ed Sullivan Show” Ph oto courtsey of Dinner Theatre

A miserly and miserable man, Ebenezer Scrooge greets each Christmas with a “bah humbug” until he is visited one Christmas Eve by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future. (Through Dec. 30 at the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, guthrietheater.org) Chanhassen

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savvy.mn | December 2011

Savvy Scene

Rebekah Melchert and Summer Jensen of The Stash of Waconia, pictured above, took a quick break to pose for a photo. They quickly went back to offering styling advice and hospitality to guests during the Savvy Soiree Oct. 13 at The Stash. It was a fun night fi lled with shopping, gifts, door prizes and tasty hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres from D'vinci's.

Photos by Jennifer Churchill

This Holiday Season

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Award Winning

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Open M-F 10-8 Sat 8-6, Sun 11-4

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savvy.mn | December 2011