Shopping around

Macy’s has a great sale coming up – Friends and Family – where you recieve a 20% off coupon good through 12/15

Sierra Trading Post (online) has the 12 days of Christmas – deals every day up to the big one!  Prices change daily. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/

Yellow Mango Brazile has its first store (second one possibly coming soon) in St Paul.  If you go say hello to Iara for me (the owner).

Iara Watney      794 Grand Avenue,  St Paul MN            tel: 651.983.5968

www.yellowmangobrasil.com     iara@yellowmangobrasil.com

Ta’s Salon is offering limited gift certificates $125 for $100 call them directly to inquire 763-503-4792  http://tassalon.com

Pazzaluna in St Paul is offering an incredible deal of buy a $100 in gift certificates get $100 in gift certificates from their partner restaurants – check out their website – http://www.pazzaluna.com/

Parsole restaurants are also offering $125 in gift certificates for $100 – includes Mannys, chino latino, Good Earth, Pittsburgh Blue just to name a few!

Oh and of course mochablue is thrilled to offer $125 in gift certificates for only $100 as well – ours have no expiration date and are good towards service fees, and event fees for our concierge/event services.

Happy shopping!

Corset attendees….

A special just for the ladies that attended the opening SITC event. Just email me where the event was held and your able to tap into a world of bliss all your own!

simple 5 hours

joyful 10 hours

bliss 20 hours

Check out the website for more details or drop me a email! You will also receive a special gift compliments for Mochablue from Innovative catering- yum!

Cheers!

Bridal show this weekend! February 23, 2008

An exciting new venture for Goodwill Industries. They are tapping into the wonderful bridal industry are having a show this Saturday – yours truly will be in participating (with other vendors from around the Twin Cities- one per category for planning, floral, hotel, salon, photography, catering etc) and attendance is free – no rsvp required.  Stop down and say hello if your in the area!

Goodwill Bridal Show

Valentines offerings from Tiffany & Co with The Grand Hotel as well as Serendipity Flowers

A night just for you and your loved one in the fabulous 3500 square foot Presidential Suite of the The Grand Hotel in Minneapolis includes:
$ 10,000 Tiffany & Co. Shopping Experience

• Butler Service
• Chef to prepare a 7 course dinner served in your suite
• Sedan and driver on call
• Pianist
• Cristal champagne
• Tiffany & Co. candles and fragrances

As a special guest of The Grand you will be chauffered to Tiffany & Co. Edina to select your gift and be pampered with flowers and exquisite champagne, continental breakfast at Tiffany’s
ALL INCLUSIVE: $ 15,000

Call 612-373-0413 to reserve this blissful offering from The Grand and Tiffany & Co. Advance notice required of course. Based on availability of the Presidential Suite only. If you would like to see their ad click on this link Mochablue Concierge Partner Packages and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Enjoy!

0 comments | Edit Posted 09:15 PM February 03, 2008

Serendipity Flowers Valentines Offerings…

One of our preferred partners is offering a smashing deal on beautiful arrangements that we had to let you know about. Flower Options include a colorful assortment of : Orchids, Hydrangea, Roses, Lilies, Tulips, Calla Lilies, Gerbera Daisies, Tropical Flowers and much more! Vase arrangements start at just $35.00 + $10.00 metro-wide delivery.To see samples of Serendipity’s arrangements just click this link and scroll to the bottom of our website Mochablue Concierge Packages

Canon Powershot

Canon Powershot

Review of: Canon PowerShot A630 8MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom, Cameras & Photo Gear

By: Michelle T. on Judy’s Book

Rating: 4 stars

Read review on Judy’s Book.

We actually bought this camera a few years ago and the quality was superb then… from the new ones out they are more streamlined (not as bulky as ours) with a wider viewer on the back of the camera instead of a flip out. Color and quality of pics taken are very impressive. Took a while to figure out as I have a very short attention span when it comes to directions!
Highly recommend this camera!

As a side note I have also been equally impressed with Nikon cameras for picture quality…

Circuit City Maple Grove – Score on Motorola Q!

Circuit City Maple Grove – Score on Motorola Q!

By: Michelle Thayer

Category: Opinion > Other

Read the article on Judy’s Book.

If your dazzled by the new SDA by Motorola Q (as I am) -review at CNET http://reviews.cnet.com/Motorola_Q/4505-6452_7-31473357.html
Circuit City is having a FAB sale where you can purchase the little beauty for $99! That’s $100 off of their price earlier this week. The new Maple Grove Circuit City also opened up – where I happened to buy myself one! Ask for Calvin in the Verizon area just to the left of the main doors. If Calvin isn’t available any of their very customer service oriented techs/associates can help.

Sale starts Monday (October 8th) but they were honoring the price as of Friday (October 6th). Happy shopping!

Fashionista Macy’s

Fashionista Macy’s

By: Michelle Thayer

Category: Opinion > Other

Read the article on Judy’s Book.

Two gals and I went to our first Fashionista show and had a simply enjoyable time. Fashionista offered all of my favorite things- freinds, food, drink, shopping and pampering! Here’s some of my favorites…

Fresh- a ‘new’ line http://www.fresh.com has a sampler pack of 15 signature scents ($80-95) that you can use individually or layered over each other…. like- orange chocolate with patchouli- yummy. Sugar and Sake are also two of their new scents- I’m partial to Sake.

Philosophy http://www.fresh.com has a care line for skin, color and scents. Check out their supernatural line of lip glosses ($15.00 pink, mauve and ruby) as well as the shower gels ($16.00) in scents of mimosa, margarita and raspberry took me to the tropics just by the smells alone.

Bobbi Brown http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com found a new love with thier chocolate shimmer gel ink for $18.00 the ultra fine liner brush $18.50-

Clinque- a old time favorite has a sexy compact palette of lip colors. $32.00 http://www.clinque.com and eye colors palette color surge eye shadow quad $25.00

INC’s new line is very smart looking- youthful but tasteful as is my new favorite designer nanette leopore- she offers unbelievable fabrics perfect for fall http://www.nanettelepore.com/nanette_lepore_site/index_new.html
Kenneth Cole Reaction http://www.kennethcole.com and 9 West http://www.9west.com have respectful showings as well for autumn.

Premier Salons – Macy’s salon offerings- were on site and thank goodness! They treated us to parafin hand wax treatments, 5 minute back massage, hair style tips and eyebrow waxes. Didn’t have a chance to try the latter two but all were ‘abuzzing’ about their services as well.

Bloggers after my own heart- SHOP!

Guys here’s one for you- http://www.huntandgatheronline.com/ a walnut grain LCD televison,  Oculas Private relaxation theater, icream ball or a cordster as just some of the ooooh and ahhhh gadgets around.

From MoMa to Target- what better deals can be had?  Many!  Love the wooden briefcase MoMA and jewerly from Lucina!  Yum! http://www.mightygoods.com

Interested in the celebrity side of shopping? Check out http://www.shoppingblog.com for the latest on why Ms Klum (aka Mrs Seal) had jeans customized for her or who is gracing Vanity Fair’s best dressed cover to Gwen Stefani’s mini controversy regarding baby and a sling… Even better is their http://www.shoppersshop.com/bargains/ section- it lists out sales, deals, outlets, catalogs web sites and more.

Being from MN and remembering the first store that appeared… http://www.slavetotarget.com or http://www.slavetotarget.blogspot.com gets my 3 winks.  She visits the stores more than myself (and gets insider information too!)- I guess its a shared love for those thing from the bullseye for shopping only.  Very impressive.

Keeping up to date with the fashion world recently acquired ThriftyChick is now http://www.papierdoll.net may be well worth checking out.  So far they have sample sales, shopping guides and even a keycode section to let you know the dates of sales.

And of course the one that inspired me to try my hand at this at least in my own midwest way- www.girlawhirl.com always timely and an very active writer on things I hold dear to my soul- travel, shopping, fashion, beauty, eats, ‘culture, wealth, health & house’.

Enjoy!

Market, market off to the market

One of the wonderful things about summer is the abundance of our local farmer’s markets for fresh produce, flowers and so much more from jewerly, gifts, candles, crafts, clothes, and more. Here’s a small listing of the current ones Im aware of – if you happen to know of others please let me know so I can include it on my list!

Anoka County- 2nd Ave & Jackson Anoka 763.792.4025 OPEN AIR/SEASONAL July-October Thursday 2 pm-6 pm

Anoka County Growers/St Timothy Church Blaine 707 89th Avenue NE Blaine 763.792.4025 OPENAIR/SEASONAL May – October Tuesday 2 pm-6 pm Sat 8 am-12 noon

Anoka County Growers/Immaculate Conception Church 40th & Jackson Street Columbia Heights 763.792.4025 SEASONAL May -October Thursday 2 pm-6pm
Burnsville Farmers Market Diamondhead Senior Campus 308 WEst Burnsville Parkway, 651.227.8101 OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-October Saturday 7 am-1 pm

Burnsville Farmers II Mary Mother of the Church 3333 Cliff Road, 651.227.8101 OPENAIR/SEASONAL May-October Thursday 12 noon-5 pm
*Excelsior Farmers Market- 16 9th Avenue South, Excelsior 952.474.5330 OPENAIR/SEASONAL May-October Thursday 2 pm-6:30 pm

Falcon Heights Farmers Market 2025 Larpenteur Ave, Falcon Heights OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-October Tuesday 8 am-12 pm noon

*Hopkins Farmers Market 16 9th Avenue Market South, Hopkins 952.922.7703 OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-October Saturday 7:30 am-12 pm noon

Maple Grove Farmers Market MG Community Center, Parking Lot 12951 Weaver Lake Road 763.494.5955 OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-October Thursday 3 pm – 7 pm

Aldrich Arena Farmers Market 1850 White Bear Avenue, Maplewood SEASONAL May-October Wed 8 am-12 noon

Midtown Public Market Lake Street & Hiawatha Avenue, Minneapolis 612.724.7457 OPENAIR/SEASONAL July-October Tuesday 3:30 pm-7:30 pm Saturday 8 am -1 pm

Minneapolis Farmers Market I-94 Exit 230 East, Minneapolis 612.333.1737 OPENAIR/SEASONAL April-December Daily 6 am – 1 pm

Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market University and 7th Avenues Minneapolis, 612.788.0950 OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-October Saturday 9 am – 1pm

The Kingfield Farmers Market 43rd Street & Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, 612.832.5980, ext 3, OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-October Saturday 9 am – 1:30 pm

Richfield Farmers Market Veterans Park 6400 Portland Avenue, OPENAIR/SEASONAL Saturday 7 am-12 noon

Rosemount Farmers Market 13885 South Robert Trail OPENAIR/SEASONAL July-September Tuesday 2 pm-6 pm

Shoreview Farmers Market- Shoreview Community Center 4600 North Victoria Street 651.490.4631 OPENAIR/SEASONAL July-October Tuesday 3 pm – 7pm

Jackson Plaza Farmers Market 375 Jackson Street, St Paul OPENAIR/SEASONAL June – September Wednesday 10 am-2 pm

East St Paul Farmers Market Payne & Sims Avenue OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-September Tuesday 12 noon-5 pm

Seventh Place Mall Market St Peter & Wabasha Streets, 651.227.8101 OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-October Tuesday-Thursday 10 am-2 pm

St Luke’s Farmers Market St Luke’s Church Summit & Lexington Street, St Paul OPENAIR/SEASONAL May-October Friday 1:15 pm-5 pm

St Paul Downtown Farmers Market 290 East 5th Street 651.227.6856 OPENAIR/SEASONAL April-November Sat 6 am-1 pm Sunday 8 am – 1 pm

Stillwater Farmers Market 2rd Street & Pine 651.439.8793 OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-October Saturday 7:30 am- 1130 am

Signal Hills Farmers Market Signal Hills Shopping Center Butler & Robert Streets W. St Paul 651.227.8101 June – October Friday 8 am-12 noon

City of White Bear Lake Farmers Market Highway 61 & 4th St on Washington Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN SEASONAl July – October Friday 8 am – 1 pm

Woodbury Farmers Market Centreal Park/YMCA lot Radio Drive 651.227.6856 July-October Sunday 8 am-1 pm

June- Father’s Day, Graduations & Weddings!

Already June is at the half way point and summer days are counting down much too fast.  Hopefully you've already planned and made those gift purchases for the days ahead- Fathers day on the 18th (Sunday), the high schools have let their young out to face the world and the colleges/univerisities bright students are preparing to make their impact on the world!  Lets not forget all the engaged couples and newlyweds eager to start their new lives as 'adults' preparing their nests for their families.  Not sure of what or where to get a memorable gift to mark the occasion?  Be sure to inquire with the families as to what they might be yearning for or at least to see where the gift registries may be.  Some fav's of Mochablue's you may ask?  I'm a bit partial to the following stores for their wide selections of goodies…

Patina gift shops

Target (Minnesota mainstay!) -bullseye!

Bibelot gift shops

Need unique ideas?  Here's a couple….

For Dad – Paloma's Groove Money Clip- From the store with more…Tiffany's-

 

For Grad   Baekgaard ~ Leather Passport Cover-Stlyish and portable for their new travels in life

For Brides & Grooms to be – a treat either before or after the nupituals to keep them pampered and relaxed day at the Spa!  If Dolce Vita doesn't mean the sweet life to you try any of the wonderful salons we are fortunate to have in metro area… although it is one I have not tried (yet) I have heard good things about their services.

Celebrations- Brides, Grads and Mom’s

The best gifts have seem to fall into two categories- unique and functional… in a good way!  I listed a number of Bridal gift sites on my website under http://mochablueco.com/_wsn/page3.html scroll down to the bottom of the page

For mom's and grad's…Edible Arrangements in Minnetonka/Hopkins area has a very unique concept- arrangements made from fruit to look like bouquets see there website at http://www.ediblearrangements.com/Default.aspx

For unusual jewerly that is unique in its design a couple of spots that specialize in one of a kind pieces with some mass production as well- check out Bibelot's in Minneapolis (NE) http://www.bibelot.biz/Shops/   - they also have a store in St Paul.  Beautiful amber pieces are in the Baltic Import shop next to Kramarczuk (excellent polish/czech food in NE).  Patina http://www.patinastores.com/ (similar in some ways to Bibelot's) also have a changing selection that is always colorful, stylish and on the edge just a bit!  They also (like Bibelot) have great gifts, cards and home items.  One spot that I used to frequent but haven't had the chance lately was the Walker Store https://shop.walkerart.org/secure/outer_shop_frame.asp - talk about unique pieces!  They have a decent sized selection of all types of gifts – definately need to go to the shop in person as they only show a few samples on line…

If your partial to flowers (as I am) you can create fun easy arrangements with flowers from some open flower markets around the town. If you don't like to make arrangements contact your favorite florist or check out the farmer's markets that opened this weekend (Maple Grove, St Paul, Minneapolis) with the local garden centers (Linders, Malmborg's and of course Bachmann's).

Upgrading you graduates technology will always be appreciated!  Even if its in a gift certificate to their favorite electronic store. 

Great gift sites…  

http://www.redenvelope.com/ 

http://justpersonalgifts.com/  use code  6qbmw3eyoy for 5% discount

http://www.justmarriedgifts.com use code jzx5v52xwr for 5% discount

http://www.justcoporategifts.com use code 076l1s5u6q for 5% discount

Tacos and leather

Tacos

After meeting with a colleague at Cafe Latte we decided to skip the extremely long line (it is well known in St Paul as excellent food- even at 2 pm!) to try Axels bonfire across the hall in the old Ciatti's spot.  Service and food was top notch!  After enjoying a mild lemonade on came the tortilla soup which hits your palette with that latin zing to wake you up!  Very flavorful and nice heat.

For the entree I was partial to the chicken tacos, hard shell, 3 medium sized on a platter- no kidding- of lettuce and the fixings.  My associate went for the chopped salad highly recommended by the waiter- she reports it was very tasty.  Prices $$ not to low not to high ranging from $7-$11 for a late lunch with some slightly higher entree options.

They have a few locations throughout the metro- I will definately be visiting the one up north when I get the chance.  Someday soon I'll try and wander over to Cafe Latte to see if its still has the great food it is known for or if its all hype.

Leather

New trend offshoot from those 'cute' rubber bracelets with sayings… now you can get one that is a bit longer lasting right in St Paul.  Check out this link http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/14390268.htm from the Pioneer Press. 

Thats it for now!

Cheers!

Hello world!

Just a bit about myself- due to time constraints I thought with the way a lot of us get technology, information etc- a blog might be a bit better than a newsletter for my business.  My name is Michelle Thayer and I'm owner of Mochablue concierge and errands- based in the Twin Cities metro area.  Check out my website for the different services we offer at http://www.mochablueco.com  Basically if its legal, well intentioned, and non harmful we'll do it!

Blogwise this is all relatively new to me so bear with me as I get the hang of all this.  MN concierge and errands will basically give you all a taste of what types of areas we can cover.  I'll keep monthly updates on events coming to the TC area as well as new restaurants reviews, old restaurant reviews, travel deals, time saving tips and shopping (my favorite) places to check out. 

Beauty  www.cameobeautylounge.com Fabulous gifts, candles, cosmetics, perfume, jewerly, ribbon- plus more that are unique and refreshingly new as well as old.  From the brick sized handmade imported soaps to the scented dusting powders from Australia- reminiscent of 40's -60's glamour.  Be certain that this is not gramma's scents though…  They have signature scents that are too wonderful to imagine- must be the right mix of x and y for this nose.  They are still working on updating their website and will soon be going nationwide with their perfumes.

Food    Wander across the hall for seafood that is the best you can get in the Twin Cities.  Items are fresh, presentation- spot on and sometimes the simplest seasonings make the dish.  Their fresh broiled entrees with a bit of sea salt, virgin olive oil and lemon- done!  The baked alaska is very good as well if your a desert fanatic like myself.  The servings are quite large- you might want to split plates with your dinner companions- servings could easily feed two!  To avoid the crowd call for their early seating (5 pm).  Cost of course is top dollar but well worth it!  http://oceanaireseafoodroom.com/home.html

Events 

 Varsity Theater 

4/21 – New Congress                                                                               

4/24 – Taylor Hawkins                                                                              

4/28 & 4/29 – Eyes  & Hands Festival                                                        

5/05 – Staija & Smilin Liar                                                                        

5/11 – The Subways                                                                               

5/18 – Twilight Singers                                                                             

5/20 – Cloud Cult                                                                                    

5/22 – Matt Costa                                                                                   

5/23 – Imogen Heap                                                                                

5/25 – Flyleaf                                                                                          

5/26 – The (International)Noise Conspiracy                                                

5/28 – Gatsby's American Dream                                                               

5/29 – The Fall 

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Brave new workshop calendar  http://merge.calendars.net/bnw/show_calendar

Chanhassen Theater http://www.chanhassentheatres.com/

Guthrie Theater   http://www.guthrietheater.org/act_i/new_season.htm

Children's Theater  Anonymous through April 30, 2006   Pippi Longstocking April 25-June 18, 2006  http://www.childrenstheatre.org/