Rue the World

We were walking around downtown the other morning and happened by Rue. And just as we were shmooshing our nosies against the window, they opened. Lucky us! This romantic Soho-style boutique is filled with saucy dresses, frilly blouses, and gobs of fantastical earrings that Sienna loves (she always copycats us). We asked the owner what Rue meant.  “It’s French for ‘street’,” we were told. Oh. Yeah. (We must have been absent that day.) 

Rue carries some local lines, as well as London’s Arrogant Cat, Yana K, Madison Marcus and Karen Zambos, among others. They have great handbags, locally designed wallets and edgy jewelry. Up the grand staircase is a brilliant room painted all in pink with racks of vintage treasures for your dress-up pleasure. It’s set up like a ladies boudoir, or the walk-in closet we have in our dreams.  

This charming boutique is a gem among the downtown giants. Seriously, Rue rocks! You must do everything possible to check them out this weekend, before everyone else gets there, and of course, tell them Seattle Picks sent you!

Rue
611 Stewart St.
Seattle, WA  98101
206.264.0788
www.rueseattle.com

Horse, Of Course?

Our friend’s first-grader wrote a poem for Mother's Day that he read aloud in class. It began poignantly, "My mom is like a horse..." It was a lovely Haiku, but she had to wonder...how exactly was she like a horse? What was the most horse-like feature? Why couldn't she be like a duckling or a swan like the other mums? To improve her self-esteem, she headed to her favorite spa, Habitude, asap.

In a city filled with superior spas, this is still a front-runner. With northwesty ambiance in both their spas, you are transported to another place, but still grounded in the best part of the country. And just like we all try to do in this special corner of the world, Habitude not only makes you pretty, but gives back to the community, to the arts, to the children.  

So when you make your next appointment for your facial or massage, just remind yourself that you’re doing it for the good of others. Oh yes, there you go again, tirelessly busy, always giving back.

Be Jeweled

Yenta jewelry. You know it. Worn by women of a certain age, who clatter like Godzilla on the chain gang. We don’t know when the gene turns on that deems fist-size topaz rings to be super-duper, but we pray to Yahweh that it skips our generation.

We believe that jewelry should flatter, adorn, hint delicately, and still be interesting and maybe a little funky. It’s a tough mix, which is why we don’t wear much of it. And yet we found the motherlode at the tiny, adorable Kimberly Baker store in Fremont.  

From the glam 18kt gold vermeil pendants to elegant earrings filled with sparkly rubies to chunky emerald rings, we couldn’t leave empty handed (and provided a long wish list to all our loved ones since our birthday is lurking just ahead). It was like a symphony of the divine, and it made us think, hmm, maybe a fist-sized bauble ain’t so bad when the stuff is this good. If she ever starts making it, we’ll definitely buy it! We could pull it off. Right?

kimberly baker
617 N 36th St.
Seattle, WA 98103
206.545.1145
www.kimberlybaker.com

Check Your Pulse

We are incredibly impulsive, especially when it comes to clothes.  Often we’ll shop and, bam, impulsively buy. Then we get home and, wham, we instantly feel buyers’ remorse (we blame it on the damn skinny mirror so many shops employ). Shopping is not our friend when we encounter our fat mirror at home. Yet as impulsive as we are with our shopping, we’ve never had remorse (despite its name) after a splurge at Impulse in Fremont.  

Despite the ironic name, Impulse carries all our favorite designers that fit our figure and all our wardrobial needs, and their well-chosen designs have big-time staying power. Like their new line: Acne (trust us, this is the only acne we’ll welcome). Acne has fabulous clothes, fabulous jeans, and Impulse is offering 20% off all Acne in the month of May. They also have other favorites like Alice Roi, Habitual denim, Willow and Zoe Chicco.

Impulse carries clothes that fit brilliantly, designs not seen on others around town, and in this case, thankfully, we can count on our impulse.

Impulse
3516 Fremont Place N.  
Seattle, WA 98103
206 545 4854
www.ImpulseSeattle.com

There’s No Place Like...

Since we moved into a new house we are all about feathering the nest, and we’ve found the coolest store that does just that. We need not explain our OCD about moving, but it’s epic, and probably worthy of a textbook mention (or two). People who pop in two days after we’ve arrived marvel at how “lived-in” it already looks. Why? Because we’re crazy like that. And if we don’t have what we need, we must shop for it STAT. So thankfully, there’s Urchin.

 Make Scents

When we were little we thought it would be fabulous to make our own perfume. We’d collect all the ingredients from the pantry and a few dandelions from the yard and voila! Why, then did it always smell like oatmeal?

But now we take a special personality test, and our individual fragrance is created just for us. Are you sophisticated, bold, daring, ambitious, more of a wisteria type?  Take the test and find out (or host your own fragrance workshop and get a free perfume spray worth $25!)

www.urbanbotanic.com

Fab Bags—On Sale Just For You!

If we had to choose between new shoes and new handbags…we might have to go with handbags. But instead of an intervention, we feed the need with cuties from Style-Bistro.com. From mock-croc satchels to patent clutches and the drool-worthy shirred doctor’s bag, we dare you to pick just one.

Seattle Picks perk: When you place a phone order, mention Seattle Picks and get 20% off! Visit the website to choose your favorite bag(s), then call 866.877.2717 to get the savings!

www.Style-Bistro.com

Delicious Lips

We have a chapped-lip problem, since birth, and therefore we’re always on the hunt for anything that can help us have kissable, smooth lips. When we were young we loved Lip Smackers (remember the Dr. Pepper flavor?) but we need something more grown up.

Now there’s a new lip scrub on the block, called, well, The Lip Scrub. It eliminates dry, flaky skin and leaves lips ridiculously smooth and supple. In all kinds of yummy flaves, like almond crème, peppermint, and brown sugar. Yum!

www.thelipscrub.com

Innie or Outie?

Having a child can inspire you to do things you've never dreamt of. Like staying up all night just to watch your baby sleep, using your bare hand to wipe a runny nose, changing a poopy diaper without dry heaving…or designing a children's clothing line.

Moms Abbe, Eleonore and Robin created reversible clothes for girls and boys that are funky, fun and not just pink and blue. If your little bundle of joy squirts grape juice on herself, simply flip it over and, voilà, a whole new outfit.

www.inniesnouties.com

Stay Within the Lines

Channel your inner you-know-who with 2 Jane’s Paint by number Wallpaper. It's classic and beautiful and something you can show off and brag about. "Oh that, yes, I painted it." But this is no ordinary abstract Pollack, like your usual masterpieces. This is refined, evocative, and made just by you. You are sooo talented!

Hang it like conventional wallpaper, grab a paintbrush, and let the numbers be your guide. Color your world!

www.2jane.com

“I Heart Rummage” Urban Craft Experience

I Heart Rummage has what's edgy and new in the world of urban crafts and functional art, featuring 50 of the Northwest’s most innovative indie designers and urban crafters. It’s on the first Sunday of most every month. There’s a live DJ, and the Croc serves a killer brunch!

What: I Heart Rummage Urban Craft Experience
When: Sunday, June 3, 12-4 pm
Where: The Crocodile Café, 2200 2nd Ave., Seattle
Free!
Visit: www.iheartrummage.com

Happy Birthday, Sweetie

You’re invited to celebrate Sweetie boutique’s big birthday bash. Sweetie turns four with all kinds of in-store fun, discounts, champagne and prizes. If you didn’t know, Sweetie’s a contemporary boutique that carries all your favorite designers in a breathtaking space. Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

What: Sweetie’s 4th b-day party
When: Thursday, May 24, 7-10 pm
Where: 4508 California Ave SW, Seattle
Visit: www.sweetieboutique.com

A Veritable Event

Veritables is having a sale! And it’s at both of their stores: the gift store and the furniture/housewares store. This sale will include cashmere, cushions and jewelry—basically everything you want, all in one place. And it’s extra-special because Veritable only has sales every 3-4 years. Don’t miss out! 

What: Big sale at Veritable
When: Now thru May 25
Where: 2816 E. Madison, Seattle
Call: 206.726.8047
Visit: www.veritablesdecor.com