Minnesota Archives - Just to Claireify

Brim Restaurant Review {An Entirely Gluten-Free Cafe!}

February 18, 2026 by Claire Leave a Comment

Oof. What a weekend. The past few days have been President’s Day weekend–no school but Eric still had work–so I haven’t had time to sit down with the blog or really, anything beyond dishes and laundry that’s needed my attention. (Our tax forms are screaming my name from the corner as their deadline approaches…)

Anyways, after an unseasonably warm few days, Minnesota remembered that it’s winter. And how better to cozy up than visiting a new restaurant near us that’s not just gluten-free friendly, but entirely gluten-free?! Brim Café & Coffee opened up on the edge of Edina/Richfield fairly recently and we’ve been excited to visit since. So here’s our restaurant review of Brim.… Read More »

Smoke on the Wind

July 29, 2021 by Claire Leave a Comment

The air is like campfire smoke here today.

I was out with the kids this morning, walking around the neighborhood and chatting with a mom down the street. The air was fine then, not great, but decent given the drought.

In the afternoon, the smoke moved in. By evening, when I was out running errands, the sky had turned grey and the sun was red. Buildings were hidden in the haze. My eyes itched and my throat burned walking from the car to the store.… Read More »

The Gluten-Free Twin Cities Restaurants Guide

April 5, 2019 by Claire Leave a Comment

Updated 9/2025: Because this is a frequently-viewed post, I’ve updated the restaurant list to reflect our current recommendations.

I’m easing back into regular posting (more than just life updates) with a fun post today: our favorite gluten-free restaurants in the Twin Cities! Minneapolis and St. Paul are full of excellent restaurants encompassing a wide range of cuisines. And luckily, many of these cater to the allergy-friendly crowd, too–with more allergy-friendly spots opening each year.… Read More »

Camping in Wild River State Park, MN

October 7, 2018 by Claire Leave a Comment

We went camping last weekend for the first time in forever! The last time we camped was on our way out to California in 2017… that feels like a long time ago. So we packed our car on Friday afternoon and drove up to Wild River State Park. It’s northeast of the Twin Cities on the St. Croix River (and the Wisconsin border). Wild River is not the most well-known park in that area, but it’s just as beautiful with the fall foliage IMO.

Is this “travel post” just an excuse to show you gorgeous pictures of autumn in MN and try to convince you to visit? Pretty much. No shame, I love where I live and I love sharing it with you :P… Read More »

Call Me Weird, But I Hate Hot Weather

May 26, 2018 by Claire Leave a Comment

E and I in our natural habitat: a cold December day in the Flatirons

This is random, but then again, so are most things I post on my blog these days. But does anyone else actually NOT like the heat? It’s hit 90 for the past couple of days here and I am miserable. Anything over 75 is pretty much too hot for me.

While I can’t get enough of cold, ice, and snow–you’ll find me out for a walk every day, bundled up appropriately of course–I have been practically hidden inside since this heat wave hit. Some people in the winter carefully chart the shortest courses from their house, to their car, to work, to the store, back home again for the evening. They spend as little time outside as possible in cold. That’s me, but in the summer.… Read More »