Minnesota's Couture Kitchen Designer (Apron Elegance Meets the MN State Fair-Style)

This is how I dress when I'm making stock or baking cookies. Sometimes I even match my apron and heels to my food -- the orange stilettos with the carrots, while the green pumps look fab with the roasted asparagus. You do too, right? If not, and your cooking wardrobe needs a little spicing up, might want to check out Rachel Hart's Apron Elegance booth in Heritage Square. This photo was taken in 2011, her first year at the fair, and I don't yet know if she'll be returning.

Last year in addition to buying glam aprons, you could have the lovely Ms. Hart or her assistants type up (yes, TYPE, as in peck it out on an old-fashioned retro typewriter) an "Aprongram" message to include with gift orders. Hart says she takes inspiration from the "greatest generation" and their gift-giving, but my guess is that while Grandma might not be so impressed with a typed message (typewriters might be seen as a bit fuddy-duddy by those who actually used them), your younger friends will find the typewritten gimmick to be killer-diller.

Rachel Hart is a Duluth-based apron artist. You can buy her couture aprons online, or check to see if she'll be making a return to this year's Minnesota State Fair. As I'm sure she'd point out, a snazzy apron would be a GREAT way to keep sugar crumbs and ketchup splatters from ruining your fair clothes, so might as well wear your new apron right out of the shop.

Forget Peru: Alpacas May Live Near YOU!

According to Butch and Pat Hansen of Pure Country Alpacas, 99 percent of the world's three million alpacas live in just three countries: Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. You can find some of the remaining one percent in Prior Lake, Minnesota, where the Hansens have raised award-winning alpacas since 1997. They show their alpacas at shows around the country, as well as sell alpaca goods (including very soft sweaters!) both online and at various markets and festivals, or at their farm (by appointment). Or, of course, wait until August and meet them (and their beautiful alpacas) in person at the Minnesota State Fair.

Eye'll See You at the Fair!

There's so much to see at the Minnesota State Fair, so why not make sure that your eyes are up to the job? You can buy almost anything at the Fair, so perhaps it should come as no surprise that the Spectacle Shoppe has set up shop on-site for more than 30 years (they also maintain several permanent stores in the metro area). They usually offer special fair deals, so check them out next year if you want to ensure you (and your eyes) are prepared to get the most out of the best State Fair activity of all -- people watching.