Home + Design

Remodeling Without the Guesswork

How Mixson Home Services Is Redefining Trust in Home Renovation Article by Sarah Knieff Home remodeling doesn’t have to feel like a leap of faith. At least, that’s the belief driving Mixson Home Services. Within an industry where homeowners often expect unclear pricing, constant delays, and limited communication, the company has taken a deliberately different approach. Founded by longtime friends EJ Johnson and Grant Mixdorf, Mixson Home Services blends skilled craftsmanship with radical...

Home Services

From Chaos to Calm

The Real Cleaners Approach to Home and Heart Article by Sarah Knieff | Photography by Andrew Vick When life feels overwhelming, sometimes the smallest acts can restore a sense of control. For many families across the cities, that act comes in the form of a freshly cleaned home, delivered with care, compassion, and intention by the team at Real Cleaners. Founded in 2024 by entrepreneur and mother Talia Bartley, Real Cleaners has quickly grown from a residential cleaning service into a trusted...

Life + Culture

Rightsizing with Style

An Empty Nester Designer's Journey to a Lighter, More Intentional Home Photography by Ashley Sullivan In her book “Love It or Leave It: Your Guide to Thriving in Your Next Chapter,” Cari Ann Carter, a top-producing Twin Cities realtor and owner of Cari Ann Carter Group, offers empty nesters a compassionate framework for deciding whether to transform their current home or embrace a lighter, more aligned lifestyle.    Drawing from 28 years of guiding families through this pivotal transition...

Real Estate

Winter Magic at the Loppet

Discovering Beauty in the Season We’re GivenThere’s a moment each winter when the Twin Cities transforms into something extraordinary. When frozen lakes become canvases for imagination, and the cold night is a magical fairytale. This is the Loppet—what I’ve come to call the Winter Light and Artistry.A Storybook Setting on Lake of the IslesPicture this: You’re standing on a frozen Lake of the Isles, one of Minneapolis’s crown jewels, surrounded by ice sculptures that catch and refract the glow of...

Finance + Legal Services

Rooted in a Century of Trust

Best & Flanagan is incredibly excited to celebrate its centennial year in 2026.Founding partners Jim Best and Bob Flanagan established their partnership on the corner of 5th Street & 2nd Avenue South in Minneapolis in the New York Life Building in the summer of 1926. The stock market crash of 1929 predictably spawned a high volume of litigation amongst banks and trust companies. Many larger law firms would not handle these claims because of their industry connections, but B&F was too...

Health + Wellness

Smiles Rooted in Community

At Linden Hills Dentistry, four doctors share how heartfelt connections—both in the chair and around town—make caring for Minneapolis smiles feel like coming home Article by Sarah Knieff Dr. Matt Hawn What inspired you to become a dentist — what do you love most about your work?   For me, dentistry was a perfect blend of art, science, and working with people.  We have so many great patients and it's fun to see them transition from being fearful of the dentist to actually enjoying the...

Food + Beverage

A Taste of Survival and Strength

How simple fry bread became a lasting symbol of Indigenous resilience Article by Sarah Knieff Few foods carry as much layered meaning as fry bread. Simple in ingredients yet profound in history, fry bread is a traditional fried dough of the Indigenous peoples of North America, cooked until light, golden, and comforting. Today it appears at pow-wows, family gatherings, and community celebrations, but its origins are rooted in survival, adaptation, and resilience. According to Greg Bellanger...

Shopping

A Valentine’s Day Worth Remembering

Inside Gunderson’s curated guide to romantic gifts – from modern diamond jewelry to watches with legacy Article by Sarah Knieff Valentine’s Day is about more than a single moment – it’s about celebrating a relationship that continues to grow. At Gunderson’s Jewelers, that philosophy is at the heart of everything they do. As a third-generation, family-owned business, Gunderson’s has built its reputation on helping customers mark life’s milestones with meaning, craftsmanship, and care. Whether...

Real Estate

Is a Warmer Climate Calling Your Name?

When we talk about the "Love It or Leave It" decision framework in our upcoming book, most people immediately think about their current home. Should I renovate my 1960s rambler or sell and find something new? Do I invest in that kitchen remodel or start fresh somewhere else?But what if "leave it" means something bigger? What if it's not just about leaving your house—but exploring life in a warmer climate altogether?The New Migration Pattern We're SeeingOver our 26+ years in Twin Cities real...

Real Estate

Cari Ann Carter Group at the 2026 Minneapolis Home + Remodeling Show

The 2026 Minneapolis Home + Remodeling Show is one of the Twin Cities’ most anticipated home events—and Cari Ann Carter Group is proud to be both exhibiting and speaking at this premier gathering of design, renovation, and real estate professionals.Taking place January 30–February 1, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium, the show brings together homeowners who are thinking seriously about what comes next. You’ll find the Cari Ann Carter Group team at Booth #115, offering clear guidance, thoughtful...