The temperatures are dropping, but there’s plenty of fall fashion to keep you warm. Men’s store MartinPatrick3 shared these shots from Blue Claw Co.’s fall look book, which features looks styled by store. Blue Claw’s bags are designed and manufactured in Minnesota, and their latest set of impeccable-looking luggage has us planning a fall weekend away as soon as possible.
Source: MartinPatrick3
On November 14, people will compete for the chance to pay $120 for a beer. The beer in question is a 22-ounce bottle of Moody Tongue’s Shaved Black Truffle Pilsner, and starting at 10 a.m. on the 14th, people will enter a lottery for the opportunity purchase one of the bottles. Only 500 will be chosen. The beer’s astronomical price is due to it’s extremely rare ingredient: Australian black truffles. The beer will give people a chance to better savor the sought-after truffle, according to Moody Tongue’s owner and found: “Shaved truffles on pasta, you eat in three or four minutes and then you move on to the next course. This beer you can swirl and sip as long as you want. It’s showcasing truffles in a completely different format.”
Source: Chicago Tribune
We guarantee you’ve never seen a home quite like this one, except maybe in the cartoons. The home, officially known as “Ensculptic,” is in Minnetrista, Minnesota. Construction began in 1969 but it was quite an unusual process: the home has no straight walls and was built entirely using polyurethane foam, which gives it that cloud-like appearance. To see more photos of the surreal interior and the construction process, visit House Crazy.
Source: Ensculptic
Julep has Kansas City feelin’ just right: the new cocktail bar from bartender Beau Williams and his wife Keely Edgington has upped the city’s craft cocktail game. Feast Magazine recently settled in for a night out at Julep, and their recommendations include the pimento cheese plate, the fried green tomatoes, and of course a Mint Julep, which the bartenders will whip up one of three ways: vintage, traditional or modern. We might have to try all three.
Source: Feast Magazine
Most new construction is built from either concrete or steel, but developers in Minneapolis’ North Loop are thinking old school. Their new building, the T3, will utilize wood construction. Bob Pfefferle, director of the developer Hines Interests, says using wood is “stuff that was done 100 years ago, but really hasn’t been done since then.” The new wooden building will be in good company with the century-old wooden warehouse buildings so prevalent in the North Loop.
Elizabeth Millard, co-founder of Minnesota C.S.A. Bossy Acres, is in The New York Times this week for her inspiring work in urban farming. After accidentally growing micro-greens on the floor mat of her car, she experimented with new techniques for indoor farming year-round. Her new book “Indoor Kitchen Gardening: Turn Your Home Into a Year-Round Vegetable Garden” is out now from Cool Springs Press. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can grow fresh herbs no matter the temperature outside. Here’s to happy accidents!
Source: The New York Times
Riverfronts are enjoying a renaissance across the country as cities transform former industrial areas into parks and trails for everyone to enjoy. USA Today recently listed their top ten revitalized riverfront developments and 3 out of ten are right in the Midwest. Iowa triumphed with two nods, to Dubuque and Davenport’s riverfronts, and Detroit (pictured) snagged a place as well.
Source: USA Today
Beloved St. Paul restaurant W.A. Frost is mixing up some mystery with its mixed drinks. The restaurant is organizing a secret society cocktail party series called Arcanum; the hush-hush gatherings, of which there will be four, kick off on November 25. Someone spilled the details on the first location: the Commodore Bar, located in the old Commodore Hotel, which used to be frequented by F. Scott Fitzgerald. To get in on the exclusive gatherings, head to Arcanum’s website.
Source: City Pages
That old pile of firewood leaning against the house is getting a new lease on life. Dwell profiles ten creative ways to stock up on wood for the winter. These homes incorporate their firewood stockpile into the interior design, like this built-in storage space in a cozy Indiana home. Wait ’til you see what they do in Demark; the full list is here.
Source: Dwell
Thrillist rolled out their mouthwatering list of Chicago’s new restaurants, and Kokopelli in Wicker Park caught our eye. Already a sensation in Tijuana, the taco restaurant focuses on seafood and vegetable tacos, along with a long list of Mexican beers. Their specialty? The Kraken, pictured here in the making. That’s cilantro-marinated octopus on the grill, to which they add avocado and cheese. Unleash the Kraken!
Source: Thrillist
“The owner wanted a lap pool running through a tropical garden, with palm trees and bananas and views of the sky,” says architect Bart Prince, who designed this surreal Ohio home. The home was built with another odd request in mind: it had to look beautiful from the air, as the homeowner often arrives by helicopter. To see the full 75-foot long pool that winds through the house, along with the stunning entrance and indoor gardens with papaya trees, check out the interior on Unusual Life.
Source: Unusual Life
Willie Willette Works crafts stunning one-of-a-kind wood furniture pieces in Minneapolis. They shared this precious gem on Facebook: a solid walnut and solid bronze bassinet for a wee one. We love the rich wood and modern design — definitely the best looking bassinet we’ve seen!
Source: Willie Willette Works
The first renderings are out for the proposed Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, the brainchild of filmmaker George Lucas. The building makes its mark on the Chicago skyline, sitting right on the lake shore and featuring an observation deck that bears more than just a passing resemblance to a spaceship. Coincidence? This is Lucas, after all. And it’s not the first alien-esque architecture to touch down in Chicago. The renovated Soldier Field also has some UFO influences.
Source: Chicago Tribune
Artist Jim Bachor is a bona fide Chicago hero. Instead of just grumbling about the city’s astronomical number of pot holes like most Chicagoans, Bachor took the street with his mosaic tile skills and fixed a few. He continued his work this fall, installing four new flower mosaics where gaping pot holes used to be. The city hasn’t exactly endorsed Bachor’s work, but they haven’t told him to stop either… Here’s to more artistic solutions to urban problems!
Source: Colossal
Crain’s Detroit recently highlighted eight small groups making a big impact in Detroit. If you’re interested in the creative entrepreneurs revitalizing the city, don’t miss this list. Back Alley Bikes made the cut for their influential youth programming. Kids learn bike maintenance and repair at Back Alley, and they get to keep the bike they fix up during the course. Learn more about Back Alley and other change-makers in Detroit at Crain’s.
Source: Crain's Detroit
These stand-out shoes from Well Bred and Greenwich Vintage caught our eye — the perfect fashion statement for fall. The Aztec Oxfords are crafted from premium wool fabric sourced locally in Minnesota and the bright red soles are handmade in the U.S. by Greenwich Vintage’s master cobbler. As of this writing, there were only a few pairs left. Snap ’em up while you can and treat your feet.
Source: Greenwich Vintage
Welcome to the future — or the Futuro, to be exact Designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen in 1968, the Futuro modular homes were original designed to serve as modern ski cabins. The lightweight construction allows for the homes to be transported by helicopter to remote locations, where the steel legs adjust to balance on any terrain. Only 96 Futuro homes were built, and only 16 are in the United States. This one, which touched down in Wisconsin, is available as a vacation rental. See the space age interior at Hooked On Houses.
Source: Hooked On Houses
It’s Halloween, so let’s talk about something scary: crossing the Chicago River on a tight rope 50 stories up. That’s exactly what Nik Wallenda will attempt this Sunday. He’ll be crossing from the Marina City west tower to the roof of the Leo Burnett building. There’s still a few details up in the air, like whether Wallenda will be forced by the state to wear a tether or use a net, but however things go down (and here’s hoping they don’t go crashing down), we’re scared at just the thought of it.
Source: Chicago Magazine
Pure Detroit organizes tours all over the city, but you won’t find any better views than on their Downtown Skyscraper Tour. Led by historic preservationist and urban planner Michael Boettcher, the tour winds through the Guardian Building, an art-deco gem; the Penobscot Building; the First National Building and the GM Ren Cen, a contemporary masterpiece. There are dates all through November; see Pure Detroit’s full schedule.
Source: Pure Detroit
This lot in Deephaven, Minnesota was deemed “un-buildable” due to a pond on the property, but David Salmela’s architecture firm found a way to make it work with almost no impact on the land. Using pre-fabricated construction techniques and materials, Salmela still added unique character and local touches to the home. Arch Daily has a stunning tour of the interior: start the tour now.
Source: Arch Daily
The Oh Brother Brand launched in March with a successful Kickstarter and they keep on kicking. This shirt of theirs is our current favorite (it also comes in cranberry). All of Oh Brother’s products are made in the U.S., and their t-shirts are printed by hand. What’s more, Oh Brother donates a portion of their proceeds to organizations making a difference. This round’s donation goes to support ArtWorks for Milwaukee.
Source: Oh Brother Brand
Introducing the Saunalautta, a floating vacation getaway available for rent in Finland. The houseboat structure sleeps six, with room for a full sauna, trampoline, hammocks, barbecue and observation deck. The Midwest has been heavily influenced by Scandinavian design, and we’re hoping this trend makes its way stateside as soon as possible. Imagine summers not at the lake but on it. Did we mention it’s eco-friendly as well? The entire thing is built from recycled wood. We’re ready to float away.
Source: PSFK
Tyree Guyton’s solo show “SPIRIT” opened at Detroit’s Inner State Gallery to great fanfare. Guyton, best known for founding the Heidelberg Project, which transformed abandoned homes into art and sculpture, displayed a range of work, including pieces recently damaged by the fire that struck some of the Heidelberg Project homes. The show will be on view from October 17 to November 17 and is a must-see for those interested in the role art is playing in Detroit’s renaissance.
Source: Inner State Gallery
Walking onto this property five minutes outside of Minneapolis is like stepping back in time. Designed by architect John Polivka and built in 1961, this modern gem still has all of its mid-century design touches: black slate tile, warm wood beams, interesting levels, linear lines, and of course that splash of teal on the front doors. The home sits on Sweeney Lake and offers spectacular views of the water. They don’t make ’em like this anymore. Tour the entire home with Retro Renovation.
Source: Retro Renovation
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits in Chicago is welcoming fall with delicious cold weather favorites. Today they’re serving up mugs of french onion soup smothered in melted aged Gruyere. Bring on the brisk winds if it means more meals like this.
Source: Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits