Five adventurous friends are currently attempting to make the 60-mile journey across Lake Michigan on stand-up paddle boards. They’re leaving from Algoma, WI and heading for Frankfort, MI; they will be trailed by a support boat for safety. Previous attempts by paddle boarders to cross the lake have been met with 17-foot waves. We’ll see how they fare! The friends are raising money for the Great Lakes Alliance; learn more at standupforgreatlakes.com.

Source: The Detroit News

Esquire released their list of the Best Men’s Stores in America, and the Midwest was well-represented. Four of the eleven style houses fall right in the heartland: J3 Clothing Company in Moreland Hills, OH (pictured); Cuffs in Chagrin Falls, OH; Askov Finlayson in Minneapolis; and Badowers in Des Moines. Each has a unique style, from heritage denim to custom Italian suits. Best dressed in the Midwest!

Source: Esquire

This is where Red Wing’s classic boots start. The Minnesota shoe company shared this shot of their six-ton tanning drum being installed at the tannery. The drum had to be lowered through the tannery roof by crane. You can watch the whole installation process in action here: http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-video-different-drum

Source: Red Wing Shoes

“David Bowie Is”…coming to Chicago. Or at least his costumes are. The Museum of Contemporary Art is putting selections from Bowie’s wardrobe on display in a new exhibit, opening September 23rd. Pictured is his “Tokyo Pop” vinyl bodysuit, designed by Kansai Yamamoto in 1973.

Source: Time Out Chicago

The Detroit Mercantile Co. hosted legendary Detroit street photography Bill Rauhauser this past Saturday. His book, 20th Century Detroit Photography, captures Motor City history in stunningly candid shots.

Source: Detroit Manufacturing

That’s a direct quote from The New York Times — their recent review of Travail Kitchen & Amusements calls the menu “a blend of the playfulness of molecular gastronomy and the homey charm of Midwestern cuisine.” The Times hailed the wildly creative restaurant as one of the best in the Twin Cities, and the wackiest in the country.

Source: The New York Times

Calling all mod enthusiasts: MidModMen is hosting a clearance sale this weekend. They posted a sneak peek of their sale items on Facebook, and we fell in love with this blue sofa and bench. Find the perfect piece at their St. Paul boutique to really make your decor pop.

Source: MidModMen

Detroit’s Lincoln Street Art Park came to life for Drinks x Design’s monthly open studio event. Every second Thursday of the month, Detroit’s creative businesses gather to put on a lively networking event in a different creative venue. The August shindig took over the Art Park with amazing sculptures, summer cocktails, a bonfire and paper rockets — pictured here — from TechShop Detroit. Photography by J. Singleton Photo.

Source: Drinks x Design

Riverfront Times delved deep into the hoppy history of St. Louis’ craft beer scene and pulled together an oral history of how the Gateway to the West has become a bastion of great beer. St. Louis has always been a beer town, but it’s fascinating to hear how microbreweries and the craft beer scene stepped out of the shadow of Anheuser-Busch.

Source: Riverfront Times

At the Minnesota State Fair, anything is possible. Rick Nelson of the Star Tribune took it upon himself to try all of the fair’s new taste sensations, and he posted this snapshot on Twitter. Yes, that’s a S’mores Beer. A chocolate porter with a few floating marshmallows, finished off with a chocolate and graham crack dusting on the rim. Bottoms up.

Source: Rick Nelson

Omforme, a furniture design and restoration shop in Minneapolis, is throwing the most swingin’ fundraiser of the season. They’ve transformed their parking lot into a 1950s backyard, complete with vintage furniture, old school lawn games and plenty of cocktails and snacks. They’ve taken care of every detail, down to the cars parked out front. Proceeds will benefit Smile Network International.

Source: Omforme

Handcrafted. High quality. Made in America. That’s how Tretow, a Milwaukee-based furniture design shop, sums up its Urban Lifestyle Collection. The collection made an impression in Chicago at the 10th annual Guerrilla Truck Show — Tretow’s work took home the “Best In Show” prize. We love the collection’s sleek lines and playful pops of color.

Source: Tretow

This week, The New York Times explores the revitalization of downtown Kansas City. “Over the last decade,” writes the Times. “Kansas City’s urban core has become known as a cool place to live instead of a dreary place to drive immediately away from after eight hours at the office.” Pictured are architect and developer team turning a downtown former bank headquarters into a “mixed-use vertical city.”

Source: The New York Times

Bike sharing has hit Milwaukee! The Twin Cities have Nice Ride, Chicago has Divvy, and now Brew City has Bublr. Kiosks for the bright blue Bublr bikes are currently being installed through the city. Find the Bublr bike station closest to you and start your two-wheeled adventures!

Source: Bublr Bikes

The Floating Library has returned for another summer. On Minneapolis’ Cedar Lake, you can paddle or swim up for summer reading material. The brainchild of Northern Spark Art Festival associate director Sarah Peters, the library is outfitted with artist-designed zines and chapbooks. Don’t worry about splashing around — some of the books are specially designed to dissolve into the water.

Source: Vita.mn

Beez Kneez will bring local honey right to your door. The sweet Twin Cities operation maintains bee hives in public spaces, teaches beekeeping classes and has a metro-wide delivery route. Did we mention they deliver by bike? Pictured are their country wildflower hives, home to bees busy churning out honey with floral hints.

Source: The Beez Kneez

Time to break out your best folk dance moves. The Minnesota History Center is hosting the Grammy Award-winning folk band The Okee Dokee Brothers on their front lawn tonight. The Tapestry Folkdance Center will be on hand teaching traditional dances for all ages. For those less inclined to cut a rug, there are lawn games and snacks from Cafe Minnesota.

Source: Minnesota History Center

Flyover Press in southwest Michigan is busy proving the Midwest is anything but “flyover country.” Their American-made series of clothing and artwork pays homage to the country’s heartland. Their recent series of “Made in the Midwest” onesies make perfect baby shower gifts. Get the little ones showing their state pride early!

Source: Flyover Press

Red Orange, Ultramarine, Lemon Yellow, Aqua Sky, Parchment… Herman Miller churns out Eames chairs in a stunning array of archival colors. How do you choose just one? You don’t have to — a playful mix of colors can make your dining room or  conference table really pop.

Source: Herman Miller

Cedar Planked Salmon. Summer Vegetables. Brown Butter Crumb. Herbs. Horseradish Mousse. The Root Restaurant & Bar in White Lake, Michigan aims to showcase the best of every season, and they’re serving up this late summer masterpiece with top-notch local ingredients.

Source: The Root Restaurant & Bar

So that’s how it’s done! Hennepin Made, an independent glass studio in Minneapolis, shared this process shot on Facebook. Their secret? Using the Sunday edition of The New York Times to shape the glass.

Source: Hennepin Made

How do you blend modern design with Wisconsin farmland? Take the classic big red barn shape, but make it all your own. That’s what Bill Bickford of Northworks Architects & Planners did with his modern retreat just outside of Madison. The house is filled with natural light from its floor-to-ceiling windows and there’s even a pool out back for those perfect summer evenings out on the farm.

Source: Chicago Magazine

Smack Shack brought a taste of Louisiana to the streets of Minneapolis for their annual all-you-can-eat crawfish boil block party, Crayfest. In addition to the overflowing seafood, they were serving up classic cocktails and live music by local bands like Davina & The Vagabonds. Definitely worth coming out of your shell for!

Source: Smack Shack

Move over chocolate and vanilla. Strawberry, you’re fired. A whole new crew of wildly inventive ice cream flavors are teasing Twin Cities taste buds. City Pages featured some of the best oddball ice cream flavors in town and now our must-try list is ten scoops long. Which to try first: cardamom black pepper at Sonny’s Ice Cream or lemongrass ginger bark from Sweet Science?

Source: City Pages

Palmer, Iowa is calling to us. 600th St. Retro posted this picture of their packed showroom with so many swoon-worthy mid-century pieces. The shop specializes in mod furniture and accessories, and they have us coveting those blonde end tables. Road trip!

Source: 600th St. Retro