Girl Friday

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween! 

I'm still undecided as to what my plans are for the evening.  I might just go low-key and hit up a small house party.  Or I might treat it like any other Wednesday and meet up with some friends for a drink at Azia.  One thing I do know: I'm making myself scarce at home so as not to be confronted by angry children.  I neglected to buy Halloween candy for the trick-or-treaters, so it's lights out, lock all the doors, and sneak out the back for me tonight.

Tonight is the last night of the Soap Factory's Haunted Basement.  Now, a word on this from a veteran (as in, I went on Friday so here's my take): GO EARLY and wear comfortable shoes.  They're now giving out wristbands to the first 240 people in line, and only those people will be able to buy tickets.  Matt and I showed up around 7 and got in line just in time, since the exhibit sold out at 7:30.  We were told that it would be another hour and a half before we would get in, so we walked down to Aster Cafe for tea and treats.  We walked back about an hour and fifteen minutes later, only to wait in line for approximately another hour.

Subjected to standing on a concrete floor--there are chairs, but since everyone has been waiting just as long, you feel the urge to nudge along on your feet and not to make one tiny wayward movement at the risk of losing your place in line; the words "angry mob" come to mind--and an experimental noise band making spooky "music" for the duration, I was kind of over the haunted basement by the time we got to the front of the line.  This was only compounded by the fact that were were paired up with another two-some, and one of the members of that party was obnoxiously drunk.  Matt politely said that the guy "dampened the experience" for him, but I'll state the facts: the dude was a complete d-bag.  He was harassing the performers and mocking the displays, pretty much taking all of the scariness out of it. 

I don't get jumpy at haunted houses, but the media swell for this one had me a little on edge; I'm sure that if Matt and I had navigated the basement on our own, we would've both been completely freaked out, despite the long and uncomfortable wait (did I mention the band was so loud we were yelling into each other's ears?).  But Drunky McD-Bags pretty much killed that possibility. 

In conclusion, the Soap Factory's Haunted Basement is a damn scary 10-minute ride.  Just do your best to go in a group of four and be prepared to wait in line.  For a really long time.

Back to Civilization

I'm back from the great north.  I'm sure I missed all kinds of fun this weekend, but three days on Lake Superior were just what the doctor ordered.  I highly recommend the Larsmont Cottages for anyone looking for a cozy yet updated, clean yet inviting place to get away.  My suite had a jacuzzi tub and fireplace, with a nice view of the lake and, of course, Dish Network. 

I was also pleasantly surprised by the restaurant, Ledge Rock Grille.  The guest chef was John Van House from Murray's, Minneapolis' favorite steak and chop house, but of course I couldn't really partake in his selections.  My wild mushroom ravioli was great, with fresh-made pasta so delicate it practically fell apart on the fork.  Very herby with a mushroom flavor that wasn't overwhelming, and floating in what I've declared to be the best alfredo sauce ever.  (Alfredo sauce is often underrated; I feel that it's because there are just so many bad alfredos out there.)  The dish was topped with a smoked tomato ragout that balanced out the heavier flavors of the garlic and sauce.

I also had two blue martinis that could've taken down a veteran sailor.  Actually, I couldn't even finish the second one.  I had to make my way out of the lounge and back to my cottage before I started doing those weird things people only do when they're drunk.  Like suddenly becoming a Red Sox fan, wanting to play Stratego all night, and going for a midnight sauna run despite paralyzingly brisk lake breezes.

Farewell October Friday Five

The coolest month of the year is almost over; isn't it sad?  Now all we have to look forward to are bare trees, suffocating clothing and freezing temperatures for the next I don't know how many months.  If anybody needs me, I'll be in bed watching Netflix.  If I don't answer the phone come January, that means I just couldn't take it anymore and had to retreat to San Juan again.

- I'm kickin' it smoove at the Larsmont this weekend, but here's something fun to do before you hit all the Halloween parties (via email):

*Friday Oct. 26 and Saturday Oct 27*
*Both nights: 7pm-10pm*
Come get your hair and make-up done for halloween... We'll have hair and make-up artists on site ready to take your costume to the next level... plus, we'll have plenty of embellishments, glitter, eyelashes, colored hair and fun stuff to add to your look. Everything is completely complimentary!
Where: 600 Washington Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55401. (corner of 6th st. and washington ave, brin building) We'll also have complimentary champagne and wine, snacks and music provided by DJ Bach on Friday and Cornelius on Saturday... Guys are welcome too!

- Someone created a superb guide on vita.mn that lists all the Halloween parties and events you don't want to miss.

- On the subject of vita.mn, there's an all-new Alexis on the Sexes page as of this week: http://vita.mn/alexis.  It's more or less a blog, which takes everything I contribute to the site (from tags to lists to my weekly column) and puts it all together on one page.

- My Bosnian homegirl Marina has started a Tumblr blog.

- My other Tumblr buddy, Taylor, linked to this story about Minneapolis water being so delicious that it's actually sold to other cities.  I'm hereby extending an invitation to Mayor Rybak to come over to my house anytime and fill up a glass of the wretched-tasting yellow sludge that comes out of my faucets.   I spend about $6 a week on bottled water for drinking; I'd bathe in it if I could figure out a fiscally efficient way to do so.

The Big Three-oh

It's my birthday!  It's my birthday!

- Birthday freebies at national chains

- Birthday freebies at local establishments

Wildcat Sanctuary

I'm breaking away from my normal Monday schedule--which specifically excludes the use of the Internet--to post a blog entry about the Wildcat Sanctuary.  I've been donating to the Wildcat Sanctuary for as long as I can remember; probably since its inception.

It's an non-profit, no-kill sanctuary that provides humane rescue and sheltering of unwanted, mistreated and privately owned wildcats.  Until recently, there was little by way of law regulating the sale and ownership of cougars, tigers, lions, jaguars and the like.  These big cats are often abused and mistreated by their owners who had neither the means nor the desire to provide proper care for them.  The Wildcat Sanctuary rescues, rehabilitates, and provides a safe and comfortable habitat for these cats to live out their remaining years.  They also work to educate the public on why wildcats should not be taken in as pets.

The Sanctuary has hit a financial bump in the road right now, though, and they're asking for extra help from their supporters.  I'm passing the word along for anyone with a similar love for animals who can spare a few dollars to help provide care for these beautiful cats who deserve to be treated humanely.

The Wildcat Sanctuary is asking for any amount you can give, and there are many different ways you can donate.

Sales Tomorrow: Boots and Tanning

Tomorrow kicks off DSW's first sale of this season.  Up to 50% off early fall styles, including boots.  As I found out last month while searching frantically for a particular pair of pewter colored knee boots (which I'm now returning anyway because, of course, I changed my mind) there are now six stores in the greater metro area: Mall of America, St. Louis Park, Maple Grove, Coon Rapids, Burnsville, and Woodbury.

Tomorrow is also the start of Captive Tan's anniversary sale, which only goes through Sunday: 

- Buy any bed package, get a second package for just $1.00
- Buy one, get one free on Mystic Tan sessions
- Buy any bottle of Designer Skin lotion, get the second at 40% off

Captive Tan is in Roseville, in the same strip mall as Linens N Things and Ulta.  If it's your first time, make sure you put "Alexis McKinnis" on the referral line.  That scores me a free tan, which I will desperately be needing when the snow starts to fly.  Nothing warms up your cold bones like some toasty rays; not even a scotch and a hot tub.

Countdown

- My birthday is in exactly one week.  Anyone looking to make Friend of the Year will have to contend with Mark Pritchard, who sent me three things off my Amazon Wishlist.

- If you've got some artistic flair, check out vita.mn's cover design contest for the upcoming 1st Anniversary issue.  400 bucks to the winner!  There are also some pretty fun events going on to celebrate, like a giant scavenger hunt and the most important event of all:

- Alexis on the Sexes and SINGLED OUT at The Saloon on November 14th!  That's right, I'm hosting a gay dating game, Jenny McCarthy-style.  The event is free, so even if you don't want to be a contestant--which you should, because the prizes are sweet--you should definitely come down and watch all the fun.

- The Soap Factory opens up its super scary haunted house this Friday.  From the press release:

Designed by local artists Chris Pennington and Aaron Wojack, the raw confines of The Soap Factory's undeveloped basement will provide a Halloween experience unlike any other. Groups will explore the 120-year-old basement with only the light of their handheld lanterns to guide them. This event is 18+ and a waiver must be signed before entering...that's how scary it is.

Sounds spooky!  Click here for the full scoop.

Want These?

I just noticed that Forever 21 (Forever 21, For Love 21, Heritage 1981) has launched yet another online collection to shop from: Twelve By Twelve.  Looks like it came out last month.  Maybe a little more sophisticated, but still nice and cheap.

Speaking of nice and cheap, I found these black Van Eli ankle boots at Second Debut last week (and I scored an extra 10% off because I used my coupon):

Aren't they cute?  They're also very clean and in excellent shape.  I figured since they were previously worn and I bought them from a charitable organization, I could go ahead and make a one-time compromise to my no-leather policy.  I was thinking these little beauties would take me well through the winter, totally working for the current short boot trend. 

When I tried them on in the store, they were a bit snug.  I was thinking it was because I'd been shopping all day and maybe my feet were puffy.  But I tried them on again the next day and they seemed even tighter; and that's when I noticed that they're a size 9 narrow.

So these little darlings are up for grabs, since they'll never fit me comfortably.  They're yours for just $21.60, which is what I paid for them.  Anyone interested should email me or leave a comment and we'll figure out the rest.  (And if you live in the city, I can probably deliver them at no extra charge.)

Lakeside Luxury

I didn't know how to structure this as an Overheard without clogging up the post with too many words, so I'll just mention it here.  I live in a duplex with a shared entrance hallway, and my back door leads out to it.  If I'm standing in the kitchen I can clearly hear anyone coming in or out on the other side of my back door.  Like yesterday when John, who lives upstairs, was coming home from work.  He exclaimed, to absolutely no one since he had no idea I could hear him, "it's colder than a well-digger's ass outside!"

That was a new one on me.

Speaking of cold, my birthday's in 13 days.

Actually, I'm contemplating dipping into a North Shore resort.  I'm trying to figure out which one gives me the most luxury for my dolla; The Larsmont is pulling the lead for posh, but it is a bit spendy.  Bluefin Bay looks promising, but my laptop hates their website and I can't look at floor plans without a Firefox meltdown.  Lutsen Resort has everything I need, including a pretty tasty looking menu.  This Cove Point Lodge looks nice and comfy, too, with wood panel walls and fireplaces.

Those curious about how my haircut turned out last week needn't wait too much longer to see it; Kare 11 is interviewing me on Friday for a piece about my sex and dating advice column in vita.mn.  I have no idea yet which program it's going to be on--it's not exactly breaking six o'clock news--so I'll keep you posted as far as which show and on what day.

Got Any Chairs I Can Have?

Did anyone else brave the crowds at Unique and Valu Thrift Stores yesterday?  Turns out the rumors were true and every item in the stores was 50% off.  I attempted to maneuver my favorite general thrift store, Valu Thrift at Sun Ray in St. Paul, but got frustrated with the crowd after about 10 minutes.  At least I still have my Reuse coupon book, which is good at a ton more stores (including designer consignment boutiques) and the deals are good through October.

So I'm sitting here watching The Today Show--simultaneously realizing that every day I spend working from home and watching daytime television is just one day closer to my early retirement-housewife life goal--and they're talking about how to remove deodorant stains.  The best tool they tested is some sort of sponge called Oops, which I remember seeing on Rachael Ray not too long ago.  I don't know much about that, but I do know that most every pet owner has a Gonzo Sponge, and that thing works like nothing else for getting all the white stuff off our clothes.

Hmm.  Now they're into the parenting talk.  Time to see what's on Maury.  (Ooh!  "My Overweight Mom Dresses Too Sexy!")

Over the weekend, my cousin's girlfriend told me about Hunt & Gather, the huge consignment antiques store at 50th and Xerxes.  While just the word "antiques" generally makes me shudder due to a deep-rooted association with tacky, Little House on the Prairie things, this place had a lot of cute stuff and it's all staged beautifully.  Fun to walk through, even if you're not shopping for anything in particular.

I'm actually in the market for a set of dining room chairs, so if anyone's got anything lying around, hit me up.