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This weekend in St. Paul shopping and style, check out the w7 Collective monthly social at the Pilney, snag a gift package during Second Debút2 grand opening, hit up happenin’ gallery and salon FiveTwoSix for its latest edition of its Go Live series, and visit the Goldstein for their latest exhibitions, “Flights of Fancy: A History of Feathers in Fashion” and “Off the Top of My Head: Hat Habitats.”

Thursday-Friday: w7 Collective Social at Pilney Building
What: This month, join the w7 collective for another round of their weekend market market. Once again, the historic Pilney Building is hosting a mingle soiree you won’t want to miss. This time around, you can expect to peruse through an array of fabulous items made by local lovelies (such as the cutesy clothing collections by HackwithDesign, handmade handbags by Carrie Cordelia, and the to-die-for necklaces by Sheer Addiction!), nom on some tasty treats, groove to tunes by Tres Moto and mingle with some Minnesota talent, or get a booked signed by any of the local authors who’ll be in the house during the event. -Lauren Gantner
When: 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 10 and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, June 11.
Where: The Pilney Building, 1032 W. 7th St., St. Paul, www.w7collective.com

Friday: Go Live
What: Join FIVETWOSIX this Saturday for a super sexy photo sesh! That’s right, the pretty people at FIVETWOSIX are starting the summer off right with lingerie, photographers, motorcycles and more. Fashion designer Brittany Hughes is makin’ the night sexy with her unique lingerie designs, flaunted over the custom made motorbikes by Atom Pechman and Tristan Thiel. Plus, there will by live hair and make-up sessions, Karla Haugen’s jewelry gems and sculptures by Marc Clements all rounded out by a collection of pretty paintwork by Nick Minenko. You can rely on the complimentary bevs and beats by DJ BookaB to keep the night bumpin’. -Lauren Gantner
When: 7 p.m. Friday, June 11.
Where: 526 Salon Spa Gallery, 526 Selby Ave, St. Paul, 651-222-3839, www.526salon.com

Friday: “Flights of Fancy: A History of Feathers in Fashion”
What: This Friday marks the opening of the Goldstein Museums newest exhibit: Flights of Fancy. With the help of the local Raptor Center and the Bell Museum, curators at the Goldstein have brought together a fluffy showcase of feathers and flair from fashion legends like Oscar de la Renta, Bob Mackie, Victor Costa and more. This exhibit will dive into the feathery styles of western culture, starting from feathers in nature to the appeal of feathers on clothing. Plus, Adam Barnett from The Raptor Center will be flaunting his share of LIVE feathered friends with his own presentation of history and birds. -Lauren Gantner (Image: Oscar de La Renta)
When: Opening reception 6 p.m-8 p.m. Friday, June 11. Exhibition runs through September 12.
Where: Goldstein Museum, 241 McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Ave., St. Paul, 612-624-7434, goldstein.che.umn.edu

Thursday-Sunday: Second Debút2 Grand Opening
What: Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota celebrates its new higher-end consignment store Second Debút2 in St. Paul with a Grand Opening Celebration. Enjoy refreshments all weekend, and enter to win a makeover gift package drawing worth $600, including spa treatments and a shopping spree at the store.
When: Thursday, June 17 through Sunday, June 20 (10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Noon-5 p.m. Sunday).
Where: Second Debút2, 1825 University Ave., St Paul, 651-645-5048, www.seconddebut.org

ONGOING:

Ongoing: FIVETWOSIX Salon Promotions
What: In addition to the fashion photo event, St. Paul’s preeminent gallery-meets-salon FIVETWOSIX is bringing you a weekend of sales, discounts and more. Since June 20 is Father’s Day, FIVETWOSIX is giving you a discount! That’s right, if you buy daddy a $50 gift card, you will receive a savvy travel package with two 2oz bottles of bumble products. Some ongoing deals: Recommend five of your pals to FIVETWOSIX, you will receive a free haircut of your own, and a haircut with a stylist in training is only $15. -Lauren Gantner
When: The month of June
Where: 526 Salon Spa Gallery, 526 Selby Ave, St. Paul, 651-222-3839, www.526salon.com

Ongoing: Details Father’s Day Sales
What: Show your love for daddy dearest this week by spoiling him with some salon goodness. Thanks to Details’ Style Lab, you can pick up some awesome discounts just in time for Father’s Day. Buy one, two or three items, and receive up to 30 percent off of salon services and products just for the big guy in your life! -Lauren Gantner
When: Ongoing until June 19.
Where: Details Salon Spa, 346 St. Peter St., St. Paul, 651-251-8700, www.detailsmn.com

Thrifty Thursdays at Arc’s
What: Thursdays may be the new day to hit the thrift circuits, thanks to Thrifty Thursdays at Arc’s Value Village through the month of July. Take 25 percent off everything (including gently-used designer, vintage and contemporary clothing, housewares and more) at the store’s four Metro area locations. And whenever you shop at Arc’s Value Village, you know you’re giving back to the community – with every purchase, Arc’s donates money toward children and adults suffering from intellectual and developmental disabilities. -Jahna Peloquin
When: Thursday, June 3-Thursday, July 29.
Where: Arc’s Value Village, four area locations including 1650 White Bear Ave., St. Paul, 651-788-8300, www.arcsvaluevillage.org.

Ongoing: “Off the Top of My Head: Hat Habitats”
What: We’ve always thought a hat finishes off any great ensemble, but it took awhile for the rest of the fashionable flock to catch on. Now, thanks to a resurgence in interest in mid-century fashion, hats are back in a big way. In a nod to the trend, the University of Minnesota’s Goldstein Museum of Design is opening up its vaults for this new exhibition in tribute to the hat. It features the hat-inspired works of artists Cynthia Rapacz and Ryan Haro in mediums from photography and design to fashion and architecture. -Jahna Peloquin
When: Ongoing through September 3.
Where: Goldstein Museum of Design, 1985 Upper Buford Ave., St. Paul, 612-624-7434, goldstein.che.umn.edu.

Britta Lynn Design at The Grand Hand
What: Jewelry by local line Britta Lynn Design is now available at The Grand Hand Gallery in St. Paul. The jeweler will have her full collection available, which consists of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings in fine metals arranged in asymmetrical and textured configurations. -Jahna Peloquin
When: Now available.
Where: The Grand Hand Gallery, 619 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-312-1122, www.thegrandhand.com, brittalynndesign.blogspot.com.

Content shared with l’etoile magazine.

Black Friday was only the beginning. This weekend, holiday shopping in St. Paul really gets a kick start, thanks to a bunch of St. Paul’s finest boutiques. Snag locally-made fashions, accessories, gifts and art for your loved ones while enjoying libations, gifts, prizes, and deals galore. And remember: shopping local is a virtue.

ONGOING THROUGH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6:

Up Six Holiday Sale

Head to vintage capital of the Twin Cities, St. Paul, for Up Six’s annual holiday sale. Snag 15 percent off all jewelry, 20 percent off all clothing and accessories, and 10 to 50 percent off all furniture and housewares. On Saturday and Sunday, snack on cookies from Bread & Chocolate and hot apple cider. While you’re in the area, check out St. Paul’s other fab vintage shops, many of which are part of the St. Paul Retro Loop. (We recommend Lula’s Vintage Wear and Sophie Joe’s Emporium.) Bonus: You can pre-shop the sale on Monday if you mention hearing about it on l’étoile. (Begins noon Tue. Ends 4 p.m. Sun. 157 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul. 651-917-0470.)

Go Live image by Meghan Sitek

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2:

Home for the Holidays at FiveTwoSix
The holiday edition of St. Paul salon spa and gallery FiveTwoSix’s monthly fashion, art and music soiree offers the usual entertainment and art, as well as tons of great gift ideas. For sale will be original art, sculpture, glass, photography, handmade candles, and a jewelry trunk show by local designers. You can also get your ‘do done or a facial acupressure for free, register for prizes, and enjoy gifts-with-purchase opportunities and refreshments. (5-8 p.m. 526 Selby Ave., St. Paul. 651-222-3839.)

Landmark Center

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3-SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6:

Old-Fashioned Holiday Bazaar and Gift Stroll at Landmark Center
Head to St. Paul’s historic Landmark Center and stroll the marketplace of over 75 exhibits with unique, hand-crafted gift items from Midwest artists in Landmark’s Musser Cortile. Afterward, head out for the gift stroll, featuring neighboring gift shops Sophist-a-Gifts and the Artist Mercantile. Visit all three shops for gifts and prizes. (10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thu. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. $3. 75 5th St. W., St. Paul. 651-292-3230. Artist Mercantile: 24 7th Pl. W., St. paul. 651-222-0053. Sophist-a-Gifts: 406 St. Peter St., St. Paul. 651-291-7948.)

CVA Art Sale

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4-SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6:

CVA Holiday Art Sale at College of Visual Art
CVA’s newly expanded Holiday Art Sale promises to be filled with fresh artwork by CVA students, alumni, faculty and staff for you to peruse and purchase. Your best bet at snatching up the hottest artwork? Friday night’s Preview Party, of course. Artwork and prints from the CVA Art Archives will also be included in a silent auction benefiting the CVA. (Preview party: 5-8 p.m. Fri. $20-25. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Noon-4 p.m. Sun. 173 Western Ave. N., St. Paul. 651-224-3416.)

DC Ice art at AZ Gallery

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4: Lowertown First Fridays & Handmade Holidays Market Sale at Black Dog Cafe

Over 40 artists team up for the ninth annual Handmade Holidays Market Sale at Lowertown’s Black Dog Cafe, coinciding with Lowertown First Fridays art crawl. Items include jewelry, stained glass, dolls, ornaments, bags, hats, soaps, knits, paintings and more by an eclectic mix of artists. Sip a latte or glass of wine while you shop. (5-9 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. 308 Prince St., St. Paul. 651-292-9746.) Snag more one-of-a-kind local art at Lowertown First Fridays studio and gallery crawl, featuring open studios at Jax Building (253 E. 4th St.), Lowertown Lofts Artist’ Cooperative (255 E. Kellogg Blvd.), Northern Warehouse (308 Prince St.), Tilsner Artists’ Cooperative (300 Broadway St.), as well as galleries AZ Gallery (308 Prince St.), Black Dog Cafe (308 Prince St.), and Peach (275 E. 4th St.). (6-9 p.m. Click here for more info.)

Grand Avenue

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5:

The Grand Meander on Grand Avenue
Have an old-world, holiday experience at Grand Avenue’s annual Grand Meander, which invites shoppers and their families to revel in holiday cheer as they walk the expansive avenue. Take advantage of holiday promotions, sip hot cocoa, meet reindeer, sit on Santa’s lap and even see a penguin! You can also swing by the Saint Paul City Ballet studio (Noon-4 p.m. 1680 Grand Ave.) to see the dancers rehearsing for their premiere performance of The Enchanted Toy Shop, featuring living dolls and dancing snowflakes. If your arms get tired from all the shopping bags, you can even hop a ride on an old-school trolley. (8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Grand Avenue. Visit grandave.com for details.)  

The Commodore

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7: First Mondays at The Commodore
The Commodore Hotel, frequented by the likes of F. Scott & Zelda back in the ’20s, provides the delightful art deco backdrop to this monthly art mart. Stock up on handmade holiday gifts by artists and vendors including Lynn Alpert, Vandalia Street Press, Lisa Freeburg, Heinz Brummel and many more. (4-8 p.m. 79 Western Ave. N., St. Paul. 651-222-1751.)

With MNfashion Week kicking off early this weekend, it’s no surprise there happen to be a ton of stylish events happening in St. Paul this week. After all, Minneapolis isn’t the only Twin City with a happening fashion scene.

Thursday: An Evening at Eastcliff

Looks from Amanda Christine's Fall 2009 collection / Image by Nic Marshall / Styling by Eclecticoiffeur

The Friends of St. Paul’s Goldstein Museum of Design are behind this official MNfashion Week event at the beautiful home and gardens of the President of the University of Minnesota. Two local fashion designers, Amanda Christine and Allison Quinnell (both of which were featured in Voltage 2009), will share a selection of their Fall 2009 collections as guests sip wine and take in a rare opportunity to take in the surroundings at Eastcliff. Since space is limited, be sure to RSVP for entry to gmd@umn.edu. (6-8 p.m. Free. 176 N. Mississippi River Blvd., St. Paul. 612-627-6800.)

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