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August 31st 2007
Is this blasphemy? We’re tired of summer clothes. All the shops are filling with cool-weather merch and we’re getting way too excited about it. Sundresses are one thing … fall fashion is another. And aside from the media hype, we simply love fall fashion cuz we can hide our “not so adorable” parts under thick sweaters and feel like glamour-pusses in tailored jackets that skim over the bad stuff. And did we mention that we’re experts at layering? A four-piece top ensemble is somehow infinitely more flattering to our gramma arms and bra-pinched back fat than a tank top—on any day, in any kind of weather, on any planet. We should really move farther up the latitudes … to someplace where mukluks and parkas are year-round attire. We would be total hotties on the North Pole. |
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Seattle Picks: |
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| 1 | One Size Fits All Calling all accessory lovers: ever think you’d have the opportunity to indulge your ultimate handbag fantasies in Seattle? Well, Purse-Ladies, if this weather’s got you feeling blue (gray) this summer, a little fantasy shopping inside Clutch should do the trick. Clutch, a boutique devoted strictly to handbags, recently opened in the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. Owners Kimberley and Carrie Arrington wanted to create a destination for unique designer handbags in Seattle with the personal touch of a boutique experience. And what a personal touch it is! Water and mints are provided for customers in a warm, inviting environment that features the ultimate selection of designers. Clutch carries more than 15 lines including Treesje, SHIH, Goldenbleu, CC Skye, Botkier and Seril, with prices ranging from $120-$1000. So girls, you don’t have to twirl in front of the mirror and fret over the size of your hips in those pants … handbags are one-size-fits-all! The only thing holding you back is your own pocketbook, but perhaps that doesn’t even matter, since Clutch sells wallets as well. Clutch |
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| 2 | The Greatest Love of All |
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| 3 | Stop and Smell the Posie |
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| 4 | Say It with Flowers When life gives you lemons, there are few things more valuable than having a good florist on your side. By “good florist” we mean someone who knows that no occasion is carnation-appropriate and that “understated” means sans baby’s breath and bows. So when we find a florist whose eye we trust, we latch on, which explains why we called our friends at Fleurish three times in a twenty-four hour period last week. Tucked away in a sleek, nondescript corner of Capitol Hill, Fleurish is the boutique florist we may never have found were it not for some friends who happen to live upstairs. Now, we go out of our way to find an excuse to send their exquisitely modern creations to friends and family. Fleurish uses only the freshest of seasonal blooms to create floral works of art that are always original and one-of-a-kind. There are no “Elegant Wishes” pre-fab bouquets here; just call, ask them to “make something lovely” and you’ll never, ever be disappointed. Oh, and tell them Seattle Picks sent you! Talk about a fab way to brighten someone’s day… Fleurish |
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| 5 | A Nose Knows We love scents. We think of ourselves as “scentophiles,” always on the lookout for a new scented item: scented soap, scented bubble bath, scented sachets, scented mists, and scented oils—you get the point. That’s why were captivated on a recent walk in Madison Valley by the strong, seductive scents wafting along the sidewalk and leading us to a new bath, bed and body boutique called Sweet Petula. Owner Cory Smith has been making bath and body products for 12 years, selling them at the Fremont market and then a store in Burien. Lucky for us city slickers, she moved her locale to a more convenient location in the heart of the city. You’ll find an array of handmade creations—aromatherapy candles, olive-oil soaps, hand and body lotion, and sparkling bath tablets, in scents like Ginger Blossom, Sweet Pea, Provence, and more. She also sells super luxurious bedding from Bella Nolte and loungewear from PJ Salvage and Petit Pois, as well as select bedroom furniture. It’s a scent lover’s paradise—sniff it out today and tell them Seattle Picks sent you! Sweet Petula |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Name that Bag Soft, slouchy leather tops fresh and hip fabric choices. Like all of local designer Jamie Irene’s handbags, the Evette is current without being trendy. We like that in a bag. |
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| 2 | Totally Tubular Back in high school, we totally used the word “hella.” Everything was “hella cool” or “hella sucked” and, looking back, we think our overuse of the word made us “hella lame.” In limited doses, however, we’re okay with it. Which is why we rather like the site Hella Good, which promises incredible goodies and irresistible surprises. Fortunately, it delivers, with handcrafted jewelry, screen-printed tops, whimsical accessories and more. Our favorite? An art print set from The Royal Tenenbaums—odd, but hella awesome. |
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| 3 | We Heart NY As much as we love to travel, we’ll admit that we haven’t visited NYC lately. We’re looking forward to returning—mainly to check out Rice to Riches—but in the interim, our travel cravings can be satiated with a visit to Carolyn New York. The site offers a “story in a bottle” for a full spectrum of nail polish shades—navy blue for Fleet Week, hot pink for Staten Island, brown for the city’s brownstones. Native or never been there, each bottle definitely contains the city’s charm. |
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| 4 | Don't Get Steamed! Rather than gloves, muffs or mittens, we use a hot cup of coffee to warm our hands during the winter months. But regardless of the season, it's hard to find the delicate balance between "just right" and "ouch!" when holding a naked cup. That's why we adore Cup Couture, handy sleeves that combine our love of fashionable accessories with our penchant for a steamy brew. As an added bonus, these cuties are enviro-friendly, fit from small to venti, and are 100% reusable. Drink up! |
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| 5 | Birds of Paradise Though we love all things vintage, we shy away from old books. Not because we don't like to read (isn’t everybody doing it?), but because they're often too fragile for our clumsy fingers. Fortunately, artist Jennifer Doheny of Urban Bird Designs is infinitely more coordinated than we are. She takes pages from these same tomes and gives them colorful new life as art for her greeting cards, incorporating mediums from wax to colored pencil. The results? Delicate and timeless, just like the originals themselves. |
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| Dessert of the Week! | |||
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We love chocolate cake, so when we heard about Café Flora’s vegan version we were intrigued … and a bit wary. But oh, did they deliver! Their Nibby Cake is a light hazelnut-chocolate, a little crunchy from cocoa nibs, and the icing is silky smooth, and just rich enough that we wanted another bite, and then another… We paired the Nibby Cake with Cabernet and followed with espresso, but either one would complement the rich chocolate. Feeling adventurous about gourmet Vegan fare? This is the place for delicious surprises—the vegan paté platter, Yakima polenta, Oaxaca tacos—they’re all excellent. Then, by all means, have the cake! Cafe Flora |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | A Fall Fashion Affair It’s time for A Fall Fashion Affair, a late-night shopping event hosted by Sweetie, Edie's, Carmilia's and Clementine! Each store will feature door prizes, treats and libations as well as special discounts. Get your punch card—visit each store, fill the card, and redeem it at West 5 for a free glass of champagne! (21 and over, of course.) What: A Fall Fashion Affair |
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| 2 | Powerful Engines and Elegant Lines Some of the most exciting cars, motorcycles and scooters in the Northwest will be gathered for the 15th annual Italian Concours d'Elegance, a judged exhibit of rare and historic Italian vehicles. In addition to the vehicles, sponsors and vendors will offer automotive and Italian-inspired merchandise, plus a raffle to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. What: 15th Annual Italian Concours d'Elegance |
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| 3 | From Faux Pas to Fabulous Everything tacky and old is new again! Ruby Room’s annual fund-raiser, Fashion Faux Pas to Fashion Fabulous, highlights local designers who take old prom dresses and transform them into new creations (plus they show off new lines!) Host Chinchilla Von Schwamp will dazzle Seattle as attendees enjoy live performances, tasty treats and a live auction for the dresses! What: Fashion Faux Pas to Fashion Fabulous |
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| 4 | Pearl District Annual Sidewalk Sale Labor Day weekend is famous for one thing: The Pearl District’s Annual Sidewalk Sale! Save up to 80% on selected merchandise at more than 40 participating merchants throughout the Pearl. From fashion to furnishings, you’ll want to shop early to save big! Plus, enjoy Art in the Pearl Festival in the North Park Blocks. What: Pearl District Sidewalk Sale |
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Want to win an awesome gift certificate for a fresh fun new store? Forward this email to 5 friends who don't know about Seattle Picks & cc picks@seattlepicks.com. You could win one of five $20 gift certificates to Clover House! (Check last week's issue for our writeup of this amazing new shop.) |
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