Kristin Makholm

Hello everybody! Welcome to today’s @MNMOmag Twitterview with @kmakholm (Kristin Makholm). Lets get started!

Kristin:     Hi Joel!

To begin, lets learn a little bit about your background. Where did you grow up, attend H.S and college?

Kristin:    I grew up in Milwaukee, went to Shorewood High School and college at Northwestern University.

When you were growing up, what were some of the fields of work you thought you might want to get involved with?

Kristin:    I was primarily a musician growing up–piano, bassoon, singing in choirs, and always knew the arts interested me

when I got to college, I rebelled and studied art history because I thought it would be cool to work in an art museum

I was a liberal arts geek, and studying art history was fascinating to me.

A good decision! So what kind of work did you do after college that led you to working at the MMMA?

Kristin:    Graduate school in art history at the U of M, internships at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Met in NY, the MIA

Curatorial jobs at the St. Louis Art Museum and the Milwaukee Art Museum, gallery director at MCAD

It was probably all the contacts I made at those jobs that have been so important to what I’m doing now at MMAA.

Networking is always valuable! With there not being an actual museum space, at the moment, what does your role entail?

Kristin:    Well, trying to resurrect an art museum is a full-time job! I need to encourage people to continue to support us.

I need to refine the vision and mission of the MMAA to remind people of our importance to the arts in Minnesota

I’m also taking care of our great art collection and getting it out for people to see and appreciate around MN.

To get the message out to everyone who will listen! This takes the form of exhibitions, articles, and Twitterviews!

Fundraising!

Wonderful! Now isn’t there some kind of touring exhibit that lets people see some of the collection? Is there a website?

Kristin:    Yes! Our Treasures is our current traveling show of great hits from the collection.

It began its tour at the Tweed in Duluth and is now at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

It continues to Carleton College, the Plains Art Museum in Fargo, and ends back up here at the Weisman next winter.

All the info is at http://www.mmaa.org. Fabulous art by Paul Manship, George Morrison, Joan Mitchell, great stuff!

What’s the cost to see the “Our Treasures” exhibit? Regarding fundraising, what are some options for the public to help?

Kristin:    The show is free at all venues. It has a free treasure hunt brochure too for kids and families to investigate the art

We just restarted our membership program, so bringing everyone back to support the renaissance of MMAA is our goal.

$40 gets you reports on our events, exhibitions and the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping us get reestablished.

We’re looking for volunteers to help out. And we also accept donations in any amount!

When you’re not being the Dir of the Minnesota Museum of American Art, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Kristin:    Two kids (15 and 11) keep me busy, but I also sing in the Plymouth Church choir, which keeps my music buds active.

But it’s a full-time job just keeping up with exhibition openings and art events after 5 pm and on weekends.

Joel:     Thank you so much Kristin for sharing some of your life and work today on #MNMOtv. Have a great rest of the week!

Kristin:    Thanks! This was fun!

When you think of eating downtown in the Twin Cities, do you think of Minneapolis first? Come on, be honest? Maybe you think of St. Paul, but I wonder how many do. You really need to if you don’t.  St. Paul has a lot to offer beyond the Excel Energy Center, the St. Paul Science Museum and the Ordway Theater. It has a good number of places to eat as well. One of which is The Liffey, just kitty corner from the Excel Energy Center.

Frickles

The Liffey is one of 4 pubs operated by Cara Irish Pubs. The others are Cooper in St. Louis Park, The Local & Kieran’s in downtown Minneapolis. It’s got a nice and comfortable feel inside when you arrive. Even though it’s attached to the Holiday Inn in St. Paul, you don’t necessarily notice or “feel” that. Back in July of 2011, it was given fresh look inside and out, and so you have a number of seating options available to you to choose from. If  you’re looking for something private or secluded, there’s the “Nook” space which provides you with a more intimate space to eat and talk in for a small group. Then there’s the booths along the windows that you can eat at, similar looking and feel as if you were riding on a train.  There are also some high-stools and counters near the piano area for another kind of eating and social engagement with other fellow customers.

A 1/2 order of Fish

As an Irish Pub, they have a good deal of brews and drinks for you to try, as well as a good number of menu options sure to fill your appetite, whether your looking for a little or a lot to eat.  On my lunchtime visit, I tried a 1/2 order of their fried fish with an order of their “frickles”, deep fried sweet-pickle chips.  What a treat!  The fish is good with a nice coating on i,t so that the fish had good flavor and was great for dipping into the tartar sauce that’s provided. The lightly oiled salad that came along with it was also very tasty and fresh. Next were the “frickles”. I would HIGHLY recommend them for your first or next visit to The Liffey. They’re sweet, juicy and delicious. Especially with the dipping sauce that comes with the oder. They’re sliced a little bit on the thick side for me, I’d actually prefer them to be a little thinner, but the taste was great!

The look, feel and the food at The Liffey shouldn’t be missed. So the next time you’re in or near downtown St. Paul, give The Liffey a try. Your stomach with thank you!

Hello everybody! Stay warm and follow today’s #MNMOtv with #DaraCo blogger @FreshTartSteph. Lets roll!

Stephanie:    Ready @JoelECarlson ! We should talk about food or something, ha. Thanks for inviting me!

So @FreshTartSteph. Tell us, where did you grew up, attend school and what did you want to be when you grew up?

Stephanie:    I grew up in freezing cold Grand Forks, ND. College in freezing cold Madison, WI at UW. Now I live…yeah. I wanted to be a chef.

I think it’s called “Cold Country”. :) So when did you start food blogging and what was your intended focus?

Stephanie:    Indeed :) I started food blogging Jan 6, 2006. My birthday!

“I can hardly imagine that anyone would ever want to read what I think about things…” My first blogged sentence. Still true, ha.

My intended focus was moderation. A concept I, um, struggle with. My blog at the time was called Moderate Epicurean – dumb name.

I changed my blog’s name to Fresh Tart a couple of years ago, but really, there’s still an underlying theme of moderation, health…

…eating real, whole food. That’s what I honed in on over time. Eat Real Food. Simply prepared. Cook for your family.

Interesting. What would you say your focus is now and how has being a GF eater effected you and your blogging?

Stephanie:    Being a #glutenfree eater has changed my life and definitely Fresh Tart. The whole food focus hasn’t changed, but I post very few…

…recipes that contain gluten or any grains at all. Recipes focus on vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, nuts, little dairy. I’m NOT…

…a fan of packaged #glutenfree food anymore than I am about packaged food in general. I think it’s fair to say that you…

…wouldn’t know that I’m #glutenfree by reading Fresh Tart. It’s just about cooking real food.

Alright. So how and when did your relationship with @MNMOmag start? Do you post for any other Co.?

Stephanie:    I met @DearDara at a wine tasting without knowing who she was. Gave her my blog name. Almost fell over when I actually introduced…

…myself. BIG. FAN. GAH. Anyhow, she read my blog, told me about the #DaraCo idea, I said I’d love to contribute, we launched…

…spring of 2010, I believe. I love how all of our perspectives come together, I’m very proud to participate. I also contribute…

…@ShootTheKitch with @susanpowers. @andrewzimmern’s Kitchen Adventures @fandw. I intend many more recipes for @Stuffed_Pepper…

…which is specificially #glutenfree recipes, great blog. I have a few recipes coming out in cookbooks this year, food photos…

…in other publications, working on a cool book concept, working on a food blog conference idea. How insanely fun, right? Amazing.

Food-socialite! Besides being a food blogger, you’ve also grown as a photographer. When did that interest start?

Stephanie:    I’ve always loved taking pics, millions of pics, I just used to photograph my then-baby, Nathan. And my garden. And my party food…

…which my family thought was weird. I got interested in improving after I saw the horror of what I was first posting on my blog.

To me now, it’s all about the pics. As @susanpowers says, if people don’t want to eat the food in the photo, forget it. No one…

…come back to your blog. Not now. Not now that standards have changed, in the world of @foodgawker & @tastespotting.

How much would you say photographs add in value to a food blog?

Stephanie:    Photographs – GOOD photographs – are imperative. Instant bonding with a reader. Something to chat about. Drives a recipe…

…and its potential into someone’s brain, and stomach, in 1 second. Done.

It makes me sad for chefs/restos when people take bad phone pics & post them. All that hard work, made ugly. Don’t do that :(

So how has your #MNFoodBloggers group been doing, and what other food related projects do you have in the wings?

Stephanie:    The #MNFoodBloggers are on fire as a networking group. Who knew? Our FB page http://on.fb.me/qj8AqA has more than 320 members…

It’s an all-day conversation about food, recipes, photos, job opportunities, on and on. Follow @MNFoodBloggers + #MNFoodBloggers!

The coolest thing #MNFoodBloggers are doing is raising money for local food charities. We’ve only just begun, but more than $2000

…so far, with more ideas in the works. In fact, those are the other food-related projects I’m most excited about. Food + kids!

We have a website, rough, but in process www.mnfoodbloggers.com. So far @GourmetGlee is contributing blogger spotlights. My sis

…@staceymaude manages the rather lengthy blogroll. And @littlepod is publicizing local food events. MUCH to do, redesign, badge…

Recent or long-term FAVORITE: Restaurant, comfort food, cooking tool and seasoning or spice.

Stephanie:    Mmm dude, I am genetically programmed to not pick faves. Did you hear me on @weeklydish? I eat @128cafe @HeidisMpls @CTKitchentable

Also @VincentMpls (twice yesterday, yah), loved @Victory_44 last week. Heading @Solera_mn next week, can’t wait. Lots of cocktails..

…Marvel Bar, yum. Honestly, I don’t even eat out that much bc I cook so much. Comfort food…polenta, I think. W tons of butter.

Tool: Sharp knives. Die without them. Spice: Cardamom obsessed at the moment, it shifts. I’m fickle.

You’ve been on a few radio programs lately. Would you consider your own show or segment on radio or TV?

Stephanie:    Dude! Way to put me on the spot, evil. I…don’t know. Flying by the seat of my pants. I love doing all of it. I’ve had a few chats

…about radio, TV, who knows, could be a blast, could be nothing. Fun to see where it all goes. All signs point toward –> FOOD.

And shoes :) And fun. All signs point toward fun, yes!

Joel:    I’ve got to keep the Twitterview SPICY! (Food pun). Thanks Stephanie for your time and comments today. Great fun!

Stephanie:    Thanks so much @JoelECarlson! Blast!

A few weeks ago I went out for dinner to get some good, high quality food for take-out. No “golden arches” or making a “run across the border” for me. I was willing to wait for my food to be prepared by hand and not have my order be ready in 2 minutes or less.  Instead, I was willing to wait for a good meal to take home with me.

For me, looking at a menu and deciding what I want to eat can at times be a real chore, especially if my literal and emotional “gut” are not telling me something specific that they’re craving. So I looked at Yum’s menu and decided on the ground chuck burger, without onions, and of course I had to get it with an order of their highly rated french fries. I just LOVE the sauces that they provide you to dip them in!  So after making my order, I waited for it and then brought it home to become my dinner. (Eating a few fries on the ride home. Couldn’t resist!)

In no way am I a burger expert of a burger aficionado,  but when I took my first bite of my medium-well ground chuck burger, it was really good! It had good flavor and was placed on a very good bun. A restaurant or cafe can have the best meat, but the bun really can help with the flavor and eating experience, or crush the experience all together. In this case, it was a good complimentary bun for the burger. The meat itself had good flavor and wasn’t too greasy either. I’d recommend it to those looking for a good burger experience.

So while Yum Kitchen and Bakery may be more known for their baked goods and french fries, be sure to try their burgers, you won’t be disappointed!

Romeny Chan

Good morning everyone! Welcome to today’s @MNMOmag Twitterview with @RoeWolfe co-founder Romeny Chan!

Where did you grow up and go to school?

Romeny:    I grew up in Bloomington as a youth and finished my high school years in Burnsville…

I attended college in Winona for Advertising and English.. Oh, how I do miss the bluffs!

I see. So how did you get into the makeup and fashion business?

Romeny:    As far as I can remember, I was really into water painting. From there, I painted incessantly using all types of media…

Later, I made a natural transition into fashion and make-up. Truly enjoy working with faces and features

What then led you to open @RoeWolfe with Ashley Kilcher?

Romeny:    @LuLi795 and I have been in the fashion industry long enough to know it was time to evolve…

From being on sets, artistic direction behind spreads and fashion shows, we wanted our inspirations to be approachable

Hence, a “fashion marketplace” – a humble boutique that consults you. We are passionate and just as ambitious.

So your boutique is more than just a retail location right? How would you explain as to what you offer customers?

Romeny:    Yes! Our team are all artists and stylists. Every woman is different, so we make it an intimate experience…

Along w/ our high-end collections, we have @BECCA_COSMETICS - and so, we offer image consultations and lessons

Once women know that we embrace the many magnitudes of woman, there’s no questioning our integrity of services

I understand that you are a perfume specialist. Explain how you can help women in this area.

Romeny:    Olfactory love. We carry Nasomatto and Boadicea. Men and Women leave here in a silage of sentiment!

I had to make sure our lines were unisex. There’s such an art and intimacy in finding the right scent….

Lastly, what are some of the brands that you carry in womens fashion in your boutique?

Romeney:    To mention just a few, we carry: Darling, WinterKate, Love Sam, Darling and Saivana.

Items from Pendleton, Nasomatto and A Peace Treaty are unisex! And, our full cosmetics line : @BECCA_COSMETICS

Joel:    Thank you Romeny for your time and comments today! See @MNMOstyle‘s article for more details – Suburban Chic

Romeny:    It was a pleasure!