In honor of MN Fashion Week, I’ve been stopping in at some of favorite clothing and accessory shops (poor me that it’s part of my job). Just had to show these adorable coin purses made from recycled materials that I stumbled upon at Fast and Furless Vegan Boutique; a couple of them made it home in my bag. And I’m sorry I do not have a snap that does my new flippees—a vegan pair of flip-flops—justice. The soles will someday biodegrade in a landfill—but not until after I’ve worn ‘em down.

My sister and I always joke that our favorite place to shop is in each other’s closets. That might be why I feel a kindred connection with My Sister’s Closet, a consignment shop with every imaginable fashionable wardrobe piece packed into a Victorian house on Grand Ave {many of them now live in my closet, btw}. The exciting news is that next Monday, MSS is opening a second location in Uptown for the Minneapolitans. Click here for directions, and head on over there, sistah!

High fashion and consignment happily coexist at East Hennepin’s gh2, where Edina’s Grethen House houses its beautiful overstock, fashionable women consign their gently worn Prada + Miu Miu, and folks like me get to benefit (yay!). For those interested in banking G bucks (store credit) for castoffs, here’s a tip from the folks at gh2: “Last year’s Gap essentials will be politely declined while a Martin Margiela skirt made of an inside-out potato sack will be warmly embraced.” Got it?

To celebrate her comfy kid-and-parent clothing line turning two, Swami Baby owner Katie Holley recently threw a great party at the Warehouse District’s gourmet market Local D’Lish. Check out the yogi cake (left) by St. Paul bakery Sweets Bakeshop (am definitely checking out their new shop this weekend). Besides the sweet treats, the adorable Swami swag screamed holiday baby gift. I snagged the one that says: “Same Diaper, Different Day. I Recycle.”

I’m still feeling the buzz from the Maiden MN charitable shopping event at the Graves a couple of weeks ago. 35+ women-owned companies showed off their wares + helped raise funds for Free Arts MN — helping abused, neglected, and at-risk children heal through the power of artistic expression. It was so nice to see some of our Sprout merchants there, like Bebe Babble, Oscar & Belle, LiveSavvy… Check out LV’s headbands (left)—stylish stocking stuffers, anyone?

Our website has a New Look, so I couldn’t resist a post about Nu Look, the best place to shop for secondhand kids clothes in SW Minneapolis. Moms with great taste hit this outpost to deliver their children’s castoff Oilily dresses, Ralph Lauren button downs, and other pint-size apparel. And we all know how kids grow like, well, sprouts (there I go again), so what a relief to be able to spruce up their wardrobes and save for a change.

Ever wish you could rob the closets of TC fashionistas? Let me suggest June’s high-end resale racks instead. I practically skipped out of the shop on Lyndale after purchasing several designer duds for a song; gently worn cast-offs definitely have the feel good one-upmanship on luxury items purchased new. Love owner Daune Stinson’s carefully curated selection, the lofty space, the Manolo Blahniks…