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August 17th, 2007
Recently, we have become obsessed with navy blue nail polish. We fell hard for the black stuff last fall…we even started wearing it before it got big—just before Halloween—so people kept asking us if we were in costume early. As if! But seriously, the black reminded us of our middle-school days when we’d paint our nails with wite-out or 99-cent black polish and we’d feel oh-so-goth as we traipsed around in Guess sets and jelly sandals. But now, black is so normal that it’s boring again. So navy blue is our new black. You should try it, too, and then we can all feel like we’re in a secret club when we spot each other around town in our blue tips. And what is a bigger throwback to middle school than being part of a secret club? Awesome. |
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Seattle Picks: |
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| 1 | Just Say Da Move over piroshky and Baryshnikov. You’re no longer our favorite Russian exports. We’ve fallen in love with the banya. Thanks to the folks at Banya 5, we can indulge in the therapy of a traditional Russian bath house, in ultra-modern style, without ever leaving downtown Seattle. We had our hypochondriac misgivings about bath houses but all were quickly quelled the second we walked into Banya 5. Staffed by an attentive crew who leave no spot unclean, Banya is an immaculate space with a mod-natural feel. There’s not a right or wrong way to banya, just go from hot to cold as many times as you can muster. In one rotation we went from steam room to room-temperature saltwater bath to dry sauna to 55-degree cold plunge, and couldn’t help but feel rejuvenated and incredible. For the ultra-indulgent (yes, please!) Banya also offers massage services and skin treatments. When you’re done schvitzing, head next door to the Venik Lounge and complete your homage to Mother Russia with our second favorite export: vodka. Banya 5 |
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| 2 | Tea for You Don't get us wrong: We love coffee. And while it may be king in Seattle, there's definitely some competition for the throne in our book: tea. There's nothing like cool, refreshing, yummy iced tea in the summer, or a warm, calming cup of tea in those cold, drizzly months. And thanks to Ballard's hip yet cozy new tea bar, Miro Tea, we won't have to travel far for our fix. This bar doesn't just serve up your average cup of chamomile. The Cosmonaut is Miro's most popular drink, a mix of yerba mate, lime, pomegranate and mango juices with a few bubbles courtesy of a little seltzer water. Miro also has more than 60 organic blends to choose from (hot or cold) if brewed tea without all the bells and whistles is more your cup of, um, tea. Pair your choice of libation with one of Miro's scrumptious crepes and you've got a true moment of Zen on your hands. A delectable selection of sandwiches, salads, pastries and cookies rounds out the menu, but this place is all about the tea. And so are we! Miro Tea |
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| 3 | What Fits Your Lifestyle? Every winter we wish we could jet down to Palm Springs for some sun. We’re die-hard Seattleites, but golly, all that grey gets to a girl. Aside from sunny days and a Trina Turk store, Palm Springs is also a mecca for our favorite design style: Mid Century Modern. From hotels and houses to handbags and accessories, we’re crazy for the colors, shapes and lines of the Mid Century design that Jonathan Adler continues to make chic. Ok, so we can’t afford to decorate our house from the Design Within Reach catalog, but thankfully, Click! Design That Fits brings affordable modern sophistication to West Seattle. Next time we’re in the market for a credenza for our dining room or something unique for our mantle, we’ll search no further than this inviting boutique. The furniture from Seattle’s own urbancase, delicate blown glass by Julie Burton and classic ceramic pieces by Eva Zeisel make us want to move right in. Owners Frances and John Smersh’s jewelry line, which uses innovative materials like concrete and cork, is awesome as well. Yes, this is definitely design that fits! |
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| 4 | Knit One, Style Two We learned to knit when we were little. Grandma was a domestic artist, a wiz at all things that are now considered “craft.” Knitting became supremely un-cool throughout our teens and twenties, until a few years ago when we picked it up again, determined to get past the scarf stage. Sit and knit a while at the tables at the front of the store. Chat up the regulars—heck, become a regular yourself! You’ll find ideas and yarns to make everything from delicate sweaters to plush baby blankets. And if you’re a sports fan, look no further, because you won’t find custom-dyed Husky and Cougar colored sock yarn anywhere else in town. Tricoter |
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| 5 | Whistle While You Sip The theme song from the TV show “Cheers” had one line that always stuck with us: “You wanna go where everybody knows your name.” Ain’t that the truth. We love certain dive bars because the bartenders always know to serve up a cold amber when walk in. We love certain shops because the proprietors call us when our favorite brands come in, and when we discovered Faire Gallery/Café, we knew this could be our citified version of Cheers. Faire Gallery/Café makes our day with their specials. Coffee and pastries in the morning and happy hour prices on sandwiches and cheese platters in the evenings allow us to enjoy the artwork on the walls as we sit at a table downstairs or curl up on a couch in the lounge upstairs—and we already have our version of “the usual”: a Nutella mocha and a book. More reasons to make Faire a favorite? September brings the return of Thursday “Wine Flight” nights—four nice-sized tastes at a very reasonable prix fixe. What better way to start the weekend early? To that we say, cheers! Faire Gallery/Café |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Molten Hot Magma Like most Washingtonians, we’ve spent time visiting Mount St. Helens, learning about ash falls and lava caves. So Blake Von Roekel’s Magma jewelry, which reflects the flow of glass, seems perfectly named. But what really blew us away is how exquisite it is. Candy color glass beads are fastened to sterling silver with loops and swirls, creating necklaces, bracelets–even hairpins, as memorable as Harry Truman himself. |
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| 2 | Beauty Secrets You’ve got a lot of choices when it comes to aesthetic beauty. That’s why we’re always on the lookout for a treatment like none other. Proprietress Sheri Perry is it. In her adorable, European-style home, you’ll get a facial experience, beginning with a foot soak. We love the “microlift,” which combines micro-current technology to release muscle tension with yummy topical organic products from eminence. Sheri believes beauty must be coaxed or seduced, not forced—a mantra that’ll keep you coming back for more. |
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| 3 | Shop, Shop! Staying on top of trends can be hard, and doing it on a budget? Downright impossible. Fortunately, Shop Suey Boutique is just a click away, ready with suggestions of sleek handbags, oversize sunglasses and sassy accessories … all at bargain prices. Our current faves are the Grecian style double headbands and the “designer inspired” tortoise look Emma shades—your start to a stylish fall! |
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| 4 | We’re Suckers for Good Deals And we are fiends for beauty products. Which is why we flipped when we discovered Bombshell Bargains.com, where items are 20-50% off retail! And they’re all current items in the hottest colors—plus hard-to-find favorites. No back-room leftovers or musty old colors here. Just fabulous must-have items at shock-inducing prices. (In a good way.) New stock arrives weekly, and they do quick airmail shipping to the U.S., so you can have your beauty booty lickety split. |
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| 5 | Oscar-Worthy Glamour There's a gal we know who created this genius new mascara called “Tube Your Lash.” It gives you gorgeous lashes and won't cry off or swim off, but comes off easily with a splash of warm water. It was chosen to be among the exclusive products in last year’s Oscar Gift bag. So it was sported by Jessica Simpson, Katie Holmes, Ivanka Trump, Sarah Jessica Parker, and now, you! |
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| Cocktail of the Week! | |||
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Urban Fashion Network Launch Party You’re invited to the official launch party for the Urban Fashion Network website, devoted to providing inside info to emerging designers and fashion lovers. They’ve partnered with the non-profit Seattle chapter of DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) so come down, meet UFN, raise money for a great cause, sip cocktails and mingle! What: Urban Fashion Network launch party |
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| 2 | Organic Wednesdays on Pike Place What: Organic Wednesdays on Pike Place |
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| 3 | Clean Out Your Closet for Fall 07 Take advantage of La Rousse’s twice-yearly opportunity to shed some old and buy some new—clothing that is. Bring in a bag of old clothing and save an additional 20% off your purchase. (Tip: The new Alice McCall merino side-zip sweater and the Tee Party T-neck dress are adorable!) Sip free IZZE beverages while you shop! What: Clean Out Your Closet for Fall |
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| 5 | Pairing Favorites Fran’s Chocolates is known for delectable, sweet yet savory gray-salted caramels. And now they’ve created a port & chocolate paring with two notable ports that are ideal for summer. Try the Porto Rocha Lagrima with chocolate covered organic ginger, or the Porto Kopke and dark chocolate almond trios and tas de noix (roasted macadamia nuts in dark chocolate). What: Port & Chocolate Pairings |
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Oh, how we hate for another week to end. Fridays are so much better with a little Seattle Picks in your inbox. Tell your friends! |
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