The651.com

The ladies of St. Paul lingerie boutique Flirt totally over-shopped for their summer selections and now they’re running out of shelf space. For us shoppers, that means a big sale! Help Flirt clear their shelves with a weekend of 25% off all of their goodies and 40% off all of their already clearanced items.
When: Saturday, April 2-Sunday, April 3.
Where: Flirt Boutique, 17 N. Snelling Ave., St. Paul, 651-698-3692, www.flirt-boutique.com

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.)