While we officially don’t know how long Quarantine will last, I have a feeling people are starting to lose interest in a lot of their hobbies that they initially loved when Quarantine first started. While I know the weather will be nice coming up and everyone will want to be outside, I encourage you to always be smart and safe should you be out and about but if you stay home.. I have some great ideas on how to support local and cure your boredom! (Or, alternatively find a new passion!) Check out some of my favorites below!
Become a Bartendar with Cocktail Kits
While it’s no secret liquor sales are through the roof, get a little more creative than a typical vodka soda and grab a cocktail kit from a local bar or restaurant! One of my favorites has been the cocktail kits from Lawless Distilling. Place an order for a Wednesday or Saturday pickup, and these kits come with absolutely EVERYTHING you need. The spirit, syrup or mix, any garnishes, completed with a full bag of ice too! We decided on the Bees Knee’s cocktail kit, complete with a locally made raspberry passionfruit honey syrup! We are officially hooked.
Since then we’ve tried to Prickly Pear Maragarita mix from Centro & the Best Life mix from Hai Hai! We have our eye on kits from J Carver, Earl Giles, and Spoon and Stable next! Make sure to research which ones come with spirits so you can plan accordingly! 🙂
Test your Knowledge with Virtual Trivia
Trivia nights have become a regularly scheduled programming here in our apartment and Eric wouldn’t have it any other way! Lift Bridge is hosting Trivia every Tuesday and Friday evening at 5:30pm through April. A different theme each time, you’ll answer 20 questions with prizes from Davanni’s and Lift Bridge online store!
If you want a longer experience, Trivia Mafia has gone virtual! They host anywhere from 1-5+ different options a night, with hosts from all over the state. Some are themed, all are live and typically start around 7pm.
Get Crafty with at-home Kits
Whether you are crafter at heart or don’t have a creative bone in your body, local makers are making it easy for you to craft fun things from their personal inventory! Every week, jeweler and badass extraordinaire Larissa Loden drops a new DIY stackable bracelet kit for folks to make at home. She now has donned it the “Quarantine Craft Club” with every kit coming with an official sticker. She’s giving back with different add on options on her website, including a kit with a bracelet reading “Look for the Helpers” with all proceeds going to YouthLink MN.
Some other local makers include PIP: Projects in Person, who created a Build Box for fun DIY mini projects! Make sure to sign up for their newsletter so you can get first dibs- these sell out quick! Another option if you’re a fan of jewelry is to check out The Leather Guy’s Etsy page for their Perfection Packs in which you can create your own leather earrings!
Cookie Class (Virtually!)
If you’ve already reached the phase where you are over baking just to bake, consider taking a virtual cookie class from a local Saint Paul baker! On April 30th, Maddie from Garty Goodies is hosting a virtual cookie class where you’ll learn tips and tricks with baking, icing, piping techniques and more! (Also look at how cute those cookies are!)
Upgrade your Takeout
It’s easy to order food to go, but take it a step further and order a take and make kit to cook at home for a fun date night! Broders is offering fresh pasta and pizza kits for take out or try another cuisine with Centro’s Take and Bake nachos or add some pizazz with their glitter guava rolls!
Learn Traditional Northern Craft
North House Folk School is currently conducting “Crafting in Place” where they are bringing new ways to bring craft experiences and connections from the North Shore! They are continuning to update their website but check out their e-newsletter, Instagram, or Facebook, for updates. So far they’ve had video and live sessions on photographing your craft, tool sharpening, and a demonstration how to build a 3 legged stool!
Travel to the North Shore from your Tablet
If you’re anything like me and love escaping to the North, Odessey Resorts is bringing you Virtual Vacations where they stream live every day. Tune in Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for an evening getaway or stream on Tuesday and Thursday around noon for a Shore lunch. Each time coming from a different location along the North Shore! Eric and I took our lunch break one afternoon just listening to the waves from Lake Superior on the shores of Grand Marais and it was absolutely heavenly.
Get your Sweat on
With the weather starting to warm up, I’m sure many of you will start to transition to workouts outside but if you’re looking for some inspo for indoor workouts there are SEVERAL options for FREE streamed workouts via Facebook or Instagram Live! Sweat Minnesota is a one stop shop for virtual resouces. They have a whole list of local health and fitness professionals and what they are offering during this time. Once you find a coach or fitness studio that intrigues you, make sure to check out their personal instagram because of lot of them are offering freebies or IG Live workouts for their followers!
Also, this coming weekend there is a virtual event with Move4Masks which includes a full weekend of virtual workouts and all proceeds will go to North Memorial’s Mask Fund. Tickets start at $30 and will host over 15 workout classes throughout the weekend!
Compete in a Scavenger Hunt
GetKnit is hosting a Stay at Home Scavenger Hunt coming up on May 2nd. The first went over so well this is part 2! Gather a team to compete and participate in 100+ challenges, trivia, contests and more! It will be all done virtuall so make sure you’re ready to submit some photos, videos, text, and emails to compete!
Learn from MSP Locals!
Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine is currently during a Live/IGTV video series with local chefs, musicians and more. Every other day join for a new series or check their instagram for past sessions! Enjoy live music, a cooking demo class, or a fresh workout – all from local experts.
Bonus: Connect with Local Instagrammers with my Community Chats!
If you miss connecting in person come join me every Tuesday night at 7pm or Thursday morning at 10am for a community chat! I go live on Zoom and open it up for anyone looking to connect, chat, or just simply pass the time! Feel free to message me on Instagram for a link or email me at hello@lizannelately.com!
_______
I hope you enjoyed this list and maybe gave you some inspiration to try something new!