Style Stars

Spotted at: Macy's Minneapolis

There were many deals to be found at Macy's last weekend. Nicole Ranallo of Lino Lakes and Omaree Tyson of Minneapolis were among the browsers. The couple have been together seven months. He's an aspiring artist and she's a graduate of the Aveda Institute, though her rich red hair color is 100 percent natural. For their shopping date, she wore a jacket and jeans from American Eagle, sweatshirt from Victoria's Secret, Ugg boots from Macy's and handbag from Nordstrom. His Lacoste jacket and Calvin Klein jeans are from Macy's, Nike Airforce One shoes are from Footlocker, and his hat is from a gas station. "I was cold and it was $5," he said.

Sales and events Arafina's fall/winter/holiday clothes are now 40 to 70 percent off original prices. You'll find dresses, gowns, coats, pants, tops and sweaters from contemporary designers.

It's your last chance to shop Minnesotan at the pop-up store MN Fashion Holiday Boutique (Gaviidae Common, Neiman Marcus wing, skyway level). Saturday will be the final business day for the season. You'll still find jewelry and accessories such as these Minnesota Nice gloves ($40) by Rebecca Yaker.

Shop talk: The new Q Q Boutique (1404 W. Lake St., Mpls, 612-821-0000, www.qfashions.com) isn't a new store, but it's a recent addition to Uptown. After five years at Excelsior & Grand, it has moved to the area that is gradually becoming a destination for boutique shoppers, even as stores vacate Calhoun Square. "We're trying to add a little class to Lake and Hennepin," said owner Norm Gurstel, a former lawyer. He fondly remembers Josi Wert, the popular boutique that closed in 2006. "When she left, it left this void and our store is geared to fill that void. I give her a lot of credit," he said.

Q has always taken a chance on lesser known, up-and-coming labels. Some fresh names include Vivienne Westwood (famous for designing the "Sex and the City" wedding dress) celebrity favorite Vena Cava, Fluxus and denim by Pratt's for women, and Ben Sherman, eco-friendly ToPo Ranch, Report and Finn Cultured and Cured for men. Price points now skew lower than at the old store, with plenty of items priced below $100.

Gurtsel is looking to expand, potentially at the Shops at West End, a development that is under construction off Interstate 394 and Hwy. 100 and being name-dropped as a location for a number of local businesses. A real one-stop shop for boutique shoppers? That's the retail dream for many Twin Citians.