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September 28th, 2007
Every boyfriend we’ve had since 25 has found a new girlfriend lickety-split within days of our breakups. Granted, except in one case, we dumped them (and that’s not just denial), but still, it does sting a biscuit to know you can be replaced so quickly. Our theory about this? It’s because we majorly improved their wardrobes. They were a mess when we met them … one wore Wranglers (before they were cool again), another’s only shoes were flip-flops (even in winter, no kidding), and one only wore vintage clothes—ugly ones, at that. In addition to the personal aspects of the relationships, we spent years putting a GQ spin on some seriously misguided guys. Yes, we showed them a new world. A world where they could wear flat-front trousers, cashmere sweaters and shoes with leather soles and not feel like dandies. A world where “casual wear” meant well-fitting jeans and “sport-fit” button-downs … instead of cargo shorts and moth-bitten t-shirts from college. Looking back, we now realize how lucky they were that we saw through their ill-appointed outfits to the wonderful men inside. (We’re not just saints, we’re martyrs, too.) So when we dumped them, we did them a favor—with their improved wardrobes they were irresistible to women everywhere. Yeah. It’s true. And you know what? You’re welcome. |
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Seattle Picks: |
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| 1 | Que Bonita! |
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| 2 | There's No Place Like Home |
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| 3 | My Favorite Year We once wandered antique stores fascinated by old styles and their aged fragility, afraid to touch or break something in our moose-like clumsiness. We do love clean modern lines but we like to intersperse that with wood for warmth. We were smitten when we found antiques that we could look at, touch and live with at Year of the Monkey. Antiques and reproduction furniture from China adorn the showroom. The storerooms are lined with rows of chests, lacquered cabinets, and wooden tables from the Gansu and Shan Xi provinces and Mongolia. Beyond that, statuaries of good fortune stand with sturdy wooden benches and drawers are interspersed with silk pillows and purses, glassware, Tibetan jewelry and even a little bit of kitsch. Calligraphied scrolls and paintings adorn the walls. Located in SODO (South of Downtown), Year of the Monkey may seem far away but it’s absolutely worth it! We like the quality offered here. When did we forget that antique isn’t equivalent to musty? Through September, save 20% on their statuary collection and tables, and tell them Seattle Picks sent you. Year of the Monkey |
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| 4 | We’ll Drink to That We’ve got a standing feud with our BFFs over the best Sunday cocktail: Mimosas or Bloody Marys? They both have their strong points. How can you compare bubbly and sweet served in a celebratory glass with spicy and salty served with a straw? It’s always the added celery, olives, and pickled beans (if you’re lucky) that tilt the scales for us. And now, a Sunday pairing of a Bloody Mary and Grilled Cheese for 10 bucks at the Bottleneck Lounge has sealed the deal. The Bottleneck Lounge is the quintessential neighborhood bar with a cheerful staff that welcomes you by name, just a few tables, a nice big bar, great dim lighting, and delicious cocktails. We love the Hair of the Dog—a dog-themed drink menu, complete with pictures. Try the Loyal Companion, or for something unique, the Ugly Chihuahua. The food is tasty, too. Offering tiny and bigger bites, we often find ourselves here for “last call” and a late-night snack. And with their well-priced specials, we can afford to party and buy those cute fall boots, too! The Bottleneck Lounge |
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| 5 | Gettin’ Busy It’s officially fall again, which means we no longer have to pretend we’re comfortable hanging out in skimpy clothing and embracing the outdoors! It’s finally safe to pull out our sweaters and bread recipes and rainy-day crafts without fear of persecution. Because we don’t craft quite like our grandmas do (unless yours spend hours embroidering robots onto laptop cases), we head to our favorite hip-craft depot, Stitches, to stock up for the rainy season. Half of Stitches’ appeal is its owner, Amy Ellsworth, a craft queen who is always happy to help with your craziest of craft endeavors. The selection of yarns, fabrics and notions is small but perfect, featuring a hard-to-rival collection of vintage-inspired cotton fabrics and stunning silk brocades. Stitches is the place to go for your Sublime Stitching fix, because you just never know when you’ll need a pin-up space-girl embroidery pattern, right? The store also offers free sewing space and a killer calendar of classes for creating things we’d actually, you know, wear in public. Stitches |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Grab and Go |
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| 2 | The Happiest Hour We’re always looking for a new spot to meet our pals for happy hour. So we were thrilled to find out about Julep Nail Parlor’s Girls Night Out Thursdays. From 5 pm to 9 pm, you and your BFFs can bond over delish treatments like the Ultimate Chocolate Experience pedicure or Red Carpet Ready manicure (with pomegranate) … or both. Our favorite treats? The specially priced $10 brow wax is a winner. We heart the chocolate pedicure, too. Trust us, you’ll be asking for a double. |
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| 3 | Your Best Face Forward A friend of ours recently asked us what kind of skincare we use. What a compliment! Especially since we’ve been using the same product since high school: Rachel Perry’s lecithin-aloe moisture retention cream. Ms. Perry started by concocting skincare products in her kitchen, wayyy back in the 70s, and selling them to friends and health-food stores. Now she’s a global brand, but retains her commitment to pure ingredients and unparalleled quality. We don’t just heart her products, we heart Rachel, for inspiration and good cream. |
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| 4 | Feather Your Nest Okay, by now you know that A) we love birds, and B) we love affordable artwork. So hooray for etsy and their astounding array of fabulous artists. This week we’re obsessed with the “Modern Art Print” available in four colorways—two pink and two brown—that feature the sweetest little birds perched on bubble-like flowers. They’re chic, they’re sassy, they’re fun and functional, and you can buy all four without breaking the bank. Now that’s what we call modern. |
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| 5 | On Every 4th-Grader’s Must-Have List… |
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| Cocktail of the Week! | |||
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In the heart of the evolving landscape of Belltown sits a restaurant that has transcended the transformation, Queen City Grill. For almost 20 years, Queen City has served urbanites fab food and divine cocktails in a superbly unstuffy environment. For homegrown Seattleites (who are often espresso snobs and chocoholics), or anyone in need of a buzz, the Flatliner cocktail is pure, enchanting decadence. A blend of Baileys, 151, Frangelico and espresso topped with homemade cream, the Flatliner is pure heaven. It satisfies your sweet tooth, appeases your espresso fancy, and takes the edge off your week. Long live the cream-stache! Your heart will be pounding as you order another.... Flatliner Shake over ice until frothy and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with whipped cream and a couple of coffee beans. Queen City Grill |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Seattle Fashion Week is Here! It’s happening now! Get up close and personal for international and national designers at Seattle Fashion Week 2007. You must attend at least one of these events—you don’t even have to be a fashionista—just a gal who digs cool clothes. Check the website for event locales and schedules. The catwalk awaits! What: Seattle Fashion Week |
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| 2 | Grand Opening Party at Clutch You’re invited to the grand opening party at Clutch! Treat yourself to champagne and chocolate, and celebrate with Clutch as they kick off the fall shopping season. Enjoy fantastic one-day-only sales, plus be the first to see new merchandise from Dutchy, Hayden-Harnett, Goldenbleu and others. If you’re like us and dream about handbags, Clutch is your dream come true. What: Grand Opening Party at Clutch |
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| 3 | Free Notary Services at the Sip & Ship! It’s not enough that you can have coffee at Ballard Mail & Dispatch while you send off your packages. Now they are offering free notary services—one per customer—when you use their shipping services. They have UPS, DHL, FedEX, USPS, and can customize any size box to fit any item. You can receive your packages there, too! What: Free notary services at Ballard Sip & Ship |
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| 4 | Massage for the Cure Massage Envy enthusiastically brings “Massage for the Cure” to Seattle for the first time. Get a free massage and help fight breast cancer! For a donation, Massage Envy will provide a free one-hour therapeutic massage from any of the 11 locations in Washington. All proceeds raised during the event will support Susan G. Komen for the Cure. What: Massage for the Cure at Massage Envy |
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| 5 | Fried Chicken Cook-Off to Support PAWS Have a blast at the Fried Chicken Cook-Off, sponsored by Union, to benefit PAWS. You’ll to personally rate the fried chicken served up by local chefs and foodies. We’re talking all the fried chicken you can eat, plus coleslaw, potato salad, and tap beer, all included. And all for a good cause! (Call your trainer!) What: Fried Chicken Cook-Off |
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| 6 | Celebrate the Spirit of 65th Busy this weekend? Head over to 65th St. NW in Ballard for a weekend of festivities celebrating the spirit of independent business. Check out a unique neighborhood devoid of any condominium monstrosities (and without a cell phone store or tanning salon in sight)! Enjoy a grand opening, two anniversaries, an open house, and great sales with a down-to-earth vibe. What: The Spirit of 65th |
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Have you spotted a chic new spot or boite in your hood? Let us know—we’d love to write about it! Email us at picks@seattlepicks.com. |
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