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June 22nd, 2007
We are so exhausted. Seriously. Or maybe we’re just hung over. We took a “Sunday off” from the computer and spent it wandering Capitol Hill (and then downtown) drinking, shopping and eating our way through the day. It was an effort worthy of our college days, except in college, we wouldn’t have topped it off by spending $110 on steaks and martinis. We would have stayed at the Mexican-food joint where we started the journey, filling up on free chips and salsa as we got loopy on “Electric Teas.” So see, Ma? See how grown-up we have become? How much different we are than we were—ahem—just a few years ago, as co-eds? Now we have jobs that we stumble into all bleary eyed from hangovers, not economics classes. Now we use our own money to buy our cocktails, instead of frequenting bars called “The Bookstore” and “The Emergency Room” so we can tell you oh no, those charges didn’t come from a bar. All that money was spent on textbooks and urgent medical care. See? |
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Seattle Picks: |
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| 1 | Lucky You |
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| 2 | Spirit Club What do you get when you cross the zip codes 98004 and 98121? A hip new lounge taken directly out of a scene from 90210. Swanky digs marked by men and women dressed to the nines—or dressed in next-to-nothing. Combine that with perfectly coiffed hair, impeccable makeup, and a sea of name-brand bags that would make even Barney’s jealous, and you have Bellevue’s newest hotspot. The local nightlife scene has officially scored with this stylish locale for sipping a yummy cocktail or two and noshing on caviar and chocolate -covered strawberries (only in Bellevue!) Flanked by a mega high-end pool hall, the Ultralounge (located within Parlor Billiards & Spirits) is carefully divided into two sections (by silver beaded curtains) that cater to all energy levels. We love the lounge-y side for sharing a martini with our man, and the dance side for a wild night out with the girls. The night we were there, it was a tough call, since the DJ was spinning hits from the 80s. Talk about a flashback! Ultralounge |
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| 3 | West Seattle Girly Don’t get us wrong, we’re just as happy to kiss off traditional gender roles as the next professional urban woman. We’re just not convinced we need to throw away our “Pride and Prejudice” DVDs to do it. Being a girl is fun sometimes, just as long as we can snap back to our cynical, non-dishwashing selves when we’re done. It’s a haven of girly goodness, ferreals. So when you feel like indulging, head across the bridge. It can be fun to take sides! Carmilia’s |
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| 4 | Celebrity-Caliber Workouts In between our gym being a meat-market and taking the same old boring yoga classes, we’ve been wondering when the next wave of celebrity health crazes is going to start so we can beat the crowd. We like the ballroom dancing fad, but we don’t want to get all dressed up in sequins just to sweat. That’s why we were delighted to hear that while in town last weekend for the Police reunion, Sting did the dirty work for us. "Extraordinary, revolutionary, revelatory and ultimately freeing. Highly recommend, five stars," he said. Wha?!? We had to know, what is he so jazzed about? Turns out that Sting is talking about Studio Evolve, Seattle’s first “green” Pilates studio. An inside source tells us Sting liked their services so much that not only did the Studio Evolve gurus perform their magic backstage at the Key Arena, but they also got access to the star in his fancy schmancy hotel room! Green and glamorous? Ooh la la! And, just an FYI, Sting isn’t their only celebrity client. So why not you, too? Studio Evolve |
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| 5 | Life Really is Like a Box of Chocolates Okay, so quoting “Forrest Gump” ain’t the most original way to get started, but our other idea was “Death by Chocolate,” so we picked the winner, don’t you think? We are totally obsessed with chocolate, and thinking about it shuts down our brains. But the good news? We can suss out a purveyor just by instinct. Which is how we found Chocolate Box. It’s a new concept in chocolate retail. They have an amazing coffee and gelato counter, and a bakery—featuring all local products, from the beans to the buns—and the rest is all chocolates, from mostly local, and all top-tier chocolatiers. You’ll find Theo Chocolate (organic, fair trade), Fiori Chocolatiers, Oh! Chocolates, Chocolat Vitale, Fran’s Chocolates, Maui Mint, Sweet Bliss, and Dilettante. If you haven’t gone into sugar-shock yet, you’ll be happy to know that you can create your own gift packages, choose themed packages that are already assembled, or just pick up a few of your favorites. Seriously, our last meal would include chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate—surf and turf are tops, but for those final moments we’d want our cacao fix. So maybe “death by chocolate” would have worked. Hmmm… Chocolate Box |
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| 6 | Importing Style When we were little, there was nothing better than a Sunday trip to the Pike Place Market. We loved picking out fresh fruit and flowers and having late lunches at the Athenian…we used to look up at the giant chalkboard drink menu and moon over the thought of our grown-up selves having a Pink Lady as our first-ever cocktail…turns out it was a Tom Collins, courtesy of Grandpa, but anyhoo. The point is at no point in our childhood did we ever think a supercool clothing boutique—specializing in Spanish designers—would ever find a home across the street from the Market. And yet it totally works. Encanto Barcelona is perhaps perfectly suited for this locale, since shopping there is a treat for your (design) senses. We were enamored with the slightly Grecian wrapped dresses from European Culture in deeply dyed red and blue, and the cotton button-downs for men with delicate embroidery. In fact, the whole men’s collection is fab—including a wall of graphic tees more hip than hipster. Rounded out by a small accessories collection, Encanto Barcelona is definitely worth many return visits—even if we don’t hit the Market first. Encanto Barcelona |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Jungle Lurv |
 junglegurl.com |
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| 2 | Your Closet’s New Best Friend Is your wardrobe fun and sparkling, like your personality, or serious and staid (and nothing at all like the “real you”)? Are you hard to fit, too busy to shop, or do you have a full closet but still “nothing to wear”? Learn how to flatter your body and look hot/smart/sharp/elegant—whatever your goals—with LifeStyled personal style consulting. LifeStyled offers highly personalized, expert packages that consider who you are, how you live and what you want. And you can keep your sentimental favorites, we promise! |
 getlifestyled.com |
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| 3 | Tank You Plus, $1 of every shirt goes to the Children's Cancer Association. So now you can be fashionable and charitable. |
 gotfaithgear.com |
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| 4 | Locked and Loaded They’re baaaack! Fresh off their huge success with Isabella Fiore, designers Jennifer Tash and Trang Huynh are tantalizing our accessory senses with their new line, Lockheart. Combining richly embellished leathers with playful details, Lockheart is designed and crafted to transcend the trends. Each bag is meticulously designed to be functional without looking utilitarian. So you can live in a cellar without reading Vogue for two decades, throw your junk inside, and still manage to look like an organized rock star. Available at Nordstrom downtown Seattle. |
 lockheart.com |
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| 5 | Sing Them to Sleep When we were little, our mom used to always sing us that silly song about mares and kids eating oats. So maybe that explains our weakness for Mairzey Dotes, which offers hip blankets perfect for our own tiny tots. Combining both fashion and function, each blanket exudes a hip, retro style, but is 100% machine-washable. Our favorites are the “vintage collection,” made with chenille and cotton prints that remind us of bygone eras, when our mom used to sing us to sleep. |
 mairzeydotes.com |
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| Bookof the Week! | |||
| “Rockstar Momma” by Skye Hoppus It’s tough being a rock star’s wife. Glamorous parties, hobnobbing with famous pals, free designer clothes…we can daydream about this for days. But one thing we have in common with the wife of a rock star—it’s tough to get dressed when you’re PG. So Skye Hoppus, wife of Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus, has written “Rockstar Momma” to help guide all of us through the hormonally challenging days of trying to look hip, despite the bun in the oven. You might not have married a rock star, but you can still dress like you’ve got one at home. Order your copy by clicking here! |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Feather Your Nest at Diggs & Dwellings Ready to forgo the frills of a retail store for incredible savings on home furnishings? Diggs & Dwellings offers hip styles, similar to those you’d find at local “Barns,” “Crates” & “Hardwares” without the high prices. Plus, customize, with more than 30 wood finishes and 300 fabric selections! Mention Seattle Picks, and get another 5% off. Such a deal! What: Extra 5% off for Seattle Picks readers |
 diggsanddwellings.com |
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| 2 | Rock Out, Ladies Check out the new works from renowned local sculptor Will Robinson, known for transforming massive chunks of granite and basalt into objects that transfix and draw you in like a tractor beam (or a shoe sale). Feel free to be drawn all the way in, as Robinson typically encourages you to feel the texture of these gorgeous pieces... |
 fosterwhite.com |
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| 3 | Mimosa Sundays at illi From now through August, enjoy a mimosa (or two) when you’re shopping at illi! (As if you need a reason to go there…) Plus, their Summer Sale is going on—save 30% on selected items and stock up on the things you’ve been coveting! What: Mimosa Sundays at illi |
 shopilli.com |
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We are all about local blogging, and we just came across Girl About Town at the Seattle PI. From party hopping to event listings, she provides you with a superfun way to while away your time—especially at work. So watch out for your boss. And click here to read all about it! |
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