It smells like spring at Macy’s Minneapolis.

When you get off the elevator on the 8th floor, you’ll get a whiff of sweet gardenias, daffodils and hyacinths courtesy of Bachman’s. Get swept up in the current show –“Spring is in the Air.” They mean that quite literally as you must look up to see the giant hot air balloon (in Martha Stewart textiles), butterflies, dragonflies, kites and towering trees.

The emphasis may be upwards, but there are plenty of beautiful blooms on the ground. In addition to the plant life, the show also features eight live birds, including a Paradise Whydah Finch, canary, and two zebra finches.

You can get your photo taken in a whimsical setting that makes it look like you’re in a hot air balloon and you can shop the new market and café. Pick up an orchid or a fresh bouquet, browse various garden items. You can also pick up candy, wine, and sandwiches and enjoy them on a bench surrounded by the flowers.

With a setting like that, spring is definitely looking up.
Macy’s Flower Show with gardens by Bachman’s, 700 Nicollet Mall, 8th floor auditorium.

Looking for a new car? The best day to buy is on April 12. A new study says that shoppers are feeling poor just before taxes so dealers will be willing to knock down prices. Don’t jump the gun by going on April 4 (Easter Sunday), when shoppers will be out and celebrating. Check out the best models for incentives here.

On Thursday night, get your friends together for a night of spring fashion and hair trends. Mainstream Boutique and Spalon Montage have joined forces for a show and discounts -- 25 percent off full-priced clothing purchase at Mainstream and 25 percent off first-time services at Spalon. Plus food and drink specials and free makeup bags and samples to the first 25 guests. The event starts at 6 p.m. at The School II (600 Market St., Chanhassen).

Target recently launched a program in which it will issue coupons directly to your phones. After you opt in — you can enroll online or by texting “COUPONS” to 827438. Then you’ll get a text message once a month linking to exclusive deals on the store’s mobile page. A few examples from this month: $1 off Kraft cheese, $1 off some Planters food products and $3 off certain Glade air fresheners.

It’s a good time to find your balance. Whether you’re an aspiring athlete or just trying to find your fitness routine, Lauren Drilling of Prior Lake can help.

The yoga ingénue has been practicing for six years. After being a competitive figure skater, she wanted a physical activity that incorporates flexibility. She started by taking classes at Lifetime and then found a deeper spiritualized practice in Sedona. She has been certified in Hatha and Kundalini and draws on all sorts of practices (from Ashtanga to Bikram) in her teaching.

She’s planning to get a master’s in Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture. Beyond her many credentials, she wants to help people find their practice and level of yoga. She teaches at Lifetime Fitness in Savage (Sundays at 10 a.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m.) and at her home once a week. In her spare time, she works with professional athletes too.

She’ll also come to you. You can hire her for one-on-one sessions or split the cost with a group of your friends for $75 for 45 minutes or $100 for 90 minutes.

The goal of her practice and teaching? To be well-rounded. A nobel ambition indeed!

Get more information on Lauren Drilling online.

The public is invited to the annual “wear-it-again” St. Francis Auxiliary jewelry sale 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 24. All proceeds benefit St. Francis Regional Medical Center. There is no cost to attend and the event is located at the north atrium of St. Francis Regional Medical Center, 1455 St. Francis Ave., Shakopee.

If you’ve watched many cooking shows (Top Chef in particular) then no doubt you’ve seen someone using molecular gastronomy techniques to make some really bizarre foods. Well now you can give it a try too with this molecular gastronomy kit ($70, Think Geek) which includes a bunch of ingredients and recipes to try. Includes how to make pearl and foams of different flavors and a bunch of other crazy, yet tasty stuff.

When Alisha Perkins of Lakeville needed to find a tutu for her 2½-year-old, she found nothing but plain pastels.

The Minnesotan, who happens to be the wife of Twins’ pitcher Glen Perkins, was inspired to turn the terrible tutu situation into a creative opportunity. A year ago, she started her line of clothes – Cakes and Beans. The name came from her own girls’ nicknames: her oldest daughter “Addie-Cakes” and her youngest “Lyla-Beans.”

The entrepreneurial and crafty mom’s colorful and fun line is now available across the country.

There are tutus, tutu halter dresses, custom onesies and shirts, necklace onesies, tie and bowtie onesises, barrettes, headbands, mitten clips and pacifier clips.

Now girls have another reason to love twirling.

Cakes and Beans, available at Pink Door Boutique, 20784 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville, 952-985-4118. See other locations online or buy through Etsy.

Steve Wiseth of DXStudios shot and edited this short video of the Savvy.mn Magazine launch party Thursday night. Singing are Lady Gaga and Cher tribute artists courtesy of entertainment company A Party Crasher.

Hey everybody, photographer Amy Zellmer has uploaded photos from the Savvy.mn Magazine launch party on our Facebook page. Become a fan and check them out!