Life + Culture

Life Minded

A Cut Above Article by Jen Fortner I recently purchased a knife that I’m very excited about. This is a sign of becoming firmly middle-aged. When I was twenty-five years old, I had cheap knives and thought people who got enthusiastic about knives or lamps or pillows were sad and needed to get out more. But I’m not sad and I don’t want to get out at all. I’m excited about my knife, and I’m quite proud of my purchase.  Not to brag…but it’s a Shun Premier 5.5” Nakiri. It’s like a trophy wife but...

March 2024

Health + Wellness

New in Lake Minnetonka: Brush Dental Studio

From anxiety to ease, how Brush Dental Studio redefines what it means to go the dentist Article by Sara Hoeman | Photography by Anna Kostochko For many, the prospect of visiting the dentist can evoke feelings of anxiety or apprehension. However, Brush Dental Studio is on a mission to rewrite this narrative, ensuring that every visitor walks through their doors feeling cared for and at ease.  Since opening in the summer of 2023, Brush Dental Studio has received resounding acclaim for its...

March 2024

Home + Design

Inspiration to Installation

Excelsior Paint & Design shares small investments in your home that make a big impact Article by Kendra Johnson | Photography by Emily John After a long day of work, it’s a joy to settle into a house that feels like home. Whether your family is always on the move or you’re more of a homebody, feeling comfortable in your own home makes all the difference. And turning your home into a place you love doesn’t have to be a chore. With some help from Excelsior Paint & Design, small investments can...

March 2024

Life + Culture

Investing in Community

How community partnerships created the beautiful park we know as The Excelsior Commons Article by Rebecca A. Hahn “Time,” they say, waits for no one; you can’t stop it, nor can you catch it! But what you can do with time is spend it with others. Only 170 years ago, city leaders of Excelsior had the foresight to make an “investment in people” by deciding not to build homes along 13 acres of its shoreline. Instead, a beautiful park we know as The Excelsior Commons was established, keeping the...

March 2024

Home Services

Outdoor Escapes

Expert tips from Waconia Landscaping Co. on how to create your own outdoor oasis Article by Lauren Beaubaire With only a short time to enjoy our lovely state without being buried in several layers of fleece and down-stuffed jackets, getting outside at every possible opportunity is high on the list once spring hits. And to help ensure you love every moment, Justin Goche, owner of Waconia Landscaping Co. shares his expert insight on big and small ways you can invest in landscaping to transform...

March 2024

Style + Beauty

Treat Yourself from Head to Toe

We share our favorite ways to invest in yourself Article by Jamie Tjornehoj In a world obsessed with fast-forward, self-care can often become a lost train of thought. Parents, entrepreneurs, employees, and students alike, we all seem to be getting busier, and our to-do lists are getting longer.  Investing in ourselves can be seen in a variety of ways. We’ve learned from Gary Chapman’s 5 Languages of Love that we all give and receive love differently. So, let’s not forget the importance of...

March 2024

Life + Culture

Time Together

The best local spots to spend time with your favorite people Article by Hannah Harms Spending time with your loved ones is one of the best investments you can make. Now that spring has sprung, it’s time to leave your cozy abodes and try new experiences with your family and friends in town. Here are three great local hangout spots for your next family or friend outing.  Rockvam Boat Yards Enjoy the sunshine and spend a day on Lake Minnetonka renting a boat with family and friends from Rockvam...

March 2024

Home + Design

Rooms with a View

Invest in Water: Exploring Charles Stinson’s architectural artistry on Lake Minnetonka Article by Jen Fortner Acclaimed architect Charles Stinson has designed projects all over the country and abroad, yet Minnesota remains close to his heart, especially with his roots growing up in Red Wing, MN. “There is something about the whole culture here. I love the variety of the seasons. All of it. The snow, the rain, the longer days and shorter days. I even enjoy the cloudy days. People just feel...

March 2024

Life + Culture

Life Minded

This Old Home Article by Jen Fortner I watched a lot of Bob Vila when I was a kid. My dad liked Bob’s show, This Old House . Bob seemed to know everything about everything. And we enjoyed Norm, his insanely knowledgeable carpenter sidekick. I had never heard an accent quite like Norm’s and it was fun to decipher what he was saying in a manner so exotic to my Midwestern ears. I had no idea what Bob and Norm were talking about when they went on poetic speeches about lumber grades or 60-tooth...

February 2024

Home Services

Kitchen Confidential

Sawhill Kitchens’ timeless approach to design and excellence Article by Graham Johnson Sawhill Kitchens has a long history of custom projects. They started in 1971 as a custom furniture company focusing on tables, chairs and unique cabinets and “quickly evolved into a kitchen company,” says Matt Cook, the president of Sawhill Kitchens. From those roots, Sawhill grew to the full-service design-build firm that it is today.  Sawhill Kitchens has been working in the Twin Cities for more than...

February 2024