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October 19th, 2007
We visited the other Washington (as in D.C.) last weekend and were given a big pinstripe-suit-wearing, sensible-pumps-owning reminder about Northeast fashion versus Northwest fashion. We’re not trying to start a coastal conflict, and there’s nothing wrong with the button-down look. It just reminded us a bit of private school attire versus public school attire. Private school—you always know what you’re wearing to class the next day: blazer, collared shirt, wool skirt. Public school—this can go a couple of ways: 1) Function over form in fleece, jeans and sneakers, or 2) Every day is the first chance to make a lasting impression, so you experiment with the latest fashions and your own quirky tastes. During our vacay to the other coast, we were the public school kid, torn between two looks. We stepped out in metallic flats and skinny jeans topped with a fleece (we get chilly easily!) and found ourselves surrounded by thousands of prep school students dressed in natty power suits. But they can have them! Enjoy your small, tasteful diamond studs and practical handbags, Northeasterners. We’ll happily take the Northwest’s cozy, eclectic style. Now, who’s ready for recess? |
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Seattle Picks: |
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| 1 | I’m Every Woman We’ve always preferred boutique shopping to the bigger stores. What woman doesn’t love personal attention from sales clerks, unique pieces from small designers that we won’t see on everyone else, and that perfect suede skirt on super-sale that seemed to have been waiting just for her? It’s no news to any of us, however, that boutique sizing can be a bit, well, on the petite side. It’s hard to find boutiques that carry lines that cater to women with some curvature, and our post-baby bodies definitely have a few curves. This is where Tweed boutique comes in. Owner Danielle Luartes understands that plus-size women want more options than Lane Bryant, so she has brought on lines that fit above a size 12. Hooray! We spotted wardrobe staples from Soundgirl, tops and dresses from Red Beans and Rice, and denim and cords from C.enne.V, which come in sizes 12-24 and two shapes: pear or apple. More good news for Tweed: Their long-anticipated move from Greenwood Avenue to 85th is happening in two weeks, so check their website for more details. And tell them Seattle Picks sent you! Tweed |
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| 2 | Toy Story Lately we’ve found ourselves buying more gifts for kids than adults. Being an “auntie” to family and friends’ children requires some serious gift giving. So in order to stay in their good graces, we’ve employed a new strategy for being armed with presents on every visit. Our new approach? Chowing down on delicious Italian, French, Mexican or home-style fare on 12th Avenue in Capitol Hill, then swinging by our favorite toy store in its very convenient new location on the same trendy street. Izilla Toys moved this year from a tiny adorable house to a more spacious spot in a beautifully restored building. Featuring more of the same great toys, puzzles and books, the shop is known for a wonderful variety of well-crafted wares from all over the world. We can’t resist reminiscing over favorites from our own past like Uno and Ty stuffed animals, and loving the modern options like Manhattan Toys’ Groovy Girls dolls. Just don’t too carried away at Izilla. Try to show some restraint, or you’re bound to come across like Tom Hanks in “Big.” Izilla Toys |
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| 3 | I Want Candy With Halloween just around the corner and those little bags of miniature candy bars on sale everywhere, we just can’t stop thinking about sugar—even when it comes to our beauty regimen. We love warm sugar scrubs in the shower, sweet pink nail polishes with names like “Sugar Plum Fairy”; and when it comes to hair removal, sugaring at The Sweet Spot Sugaring Studio in Fremont is a pretty sweet option. Unlike all the Halloween candy, though, the ingredients used for treatments at the studio are all natural: water, lemon and sugar. Administered by Seattle’s original sugarist, Lara Olsha, sugaring services at the studio cover all those areas that you want hair-free. And October is an excellent month to satisfy your sweet tooth and the need for smooth skin at The Sweet Spot. The studio is offering 15 percent off its sugaring services for the whole month and a free pair of exfoliating gloves while supplies last. No trick-or-treating or costumes required! The Sweet Spot |
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| 4 | Say Ahhhh Life is stressful. You’re running in circles and crossing things off your to-do list and at the end of the day, you’re tired and feel like you’ve accomplished nothing. We can relate. Which is why we recommend that every woman lets someone else rub her, squeeze her, paint her and pamper her. Ah yes, a day at the spa. The new Penterra Spa at The Heathman hotel in downtown Kirkland will slow your breathing as you relax into a “Balinese” state of mind, and then take it to the next euphoric state. Have a big event in a week and need your face to radiate? Try the Advanced Skincare facial or microdermabrasion. Took the Bar exam, and after three months of being holed up in a cave, your muscles could be pounded with a hammer? You need the deep tissue massage or a Coffee Culture restorative body ritual. Break a nail while typing a text to your boyfriend? We’d say go for a mani, and get a pedi while you’re at it. Remember, it’s okay to pamper yourself. So take a deep breath and relax. Penterra Spa at the Heathman Hotel |
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| 5 | Home Is Where the Homefries Are We're generally not a fan of chain restaurants—we blame our suburban childhood, which was immediately followed by wild college years in the big city, leaving us with a taste for unique, independent dining experiences. But we were thrilled to discover that Julia's, a small, local chain serving up "wholesome food and wildly good times," had moved into Queen Anne. Not your typical chain, each of Julia's three locations has its own personality. Our new neighbor, Julia's on Queen Anne, has taken over one of the charming craftsman homes typical of the neighborhood—we felt like we were dining at the Dragonfly Inn of “Gilmore Girls” fame. We visited for breakfast and were delighted to find that the staff was as wonderful as the food. Two cups of coffee and a plate full of eggs, potatoes and pancakes later, we left feeling happy and satisfied (with a hearty to-go box in tow). Next time you're in the mood for tasty food and a cozy atmosphere, head on over to Julia's. And don't forget to tell them that Seattle Picks sent you! Julia's on Queen Anne |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Pink Is Always In Season We are always bumbling around with a couple of giant totes filled with all manner of “necessities,” from lip gloss to extra shoes. But there’s never room for our water bottle, so it always ends up in-hand. Why not carry one that’s meant to be seen? In comes the cute new Athena Sport Bottle. Here’s the uber-important kicker: Athena donates 100 percent of the profits from the bottle sales to women’s cancer research. We couldn’t think of a better deal. |
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| 2 | We Predict You’ll Have Another Cup What’s the best thing to sip on chilly nights (other than hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps)? Tea. Plus, you can tell your fortune afterward by studying the leaves in the bottom of your teacup. We are all about this textural porcelain teapot from Pearl River. The color scheme is punk rock, but the delicate design is a classic Chinese shape. Too bad schnapps and tea don’t mix, but then again, that will probably save us from taking our tea fortunes too seriously… |
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| 3 | Hands Off! Clutches are de rigeur this season, and we’re positively smitten with them. We actually enjoy forcing ourselves to whittle down to the essentials for an evening out—ID, credit card, lipstick and a house key. It’s very freeing. But this saucy number from French designer Sabrina Love is just a bit bigger, so we can stuff in more stuff (cell phone, maybe a naughty pack of smokes, a notebook for jotting down boys’ phone numbers) and still look fantastique. |
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| 4 | Wet and Wild We love us some funky footwear, so when wet weather rolls around we’re often stumped—how do we incorporate our bold style into clunky gear? So we turn to Wellingtons for fresh and fabulous rain boots. This year, we’re getting two pairs—one wildly patterned, and one sedate. Well, sorta sedate. Okay, not at all, but how could we not fall in love with these hot pink babies? Sooo cute, right? They make us wish every day was a rainy one. |
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| 5 | Possibly the Best Toothpaste Ever Well, not ever, but we really like it. Forget plain old drugstore mint—this is the good stuff! We always have a tube stashed in the downstairs bathroom, so we can leave it out for houseguests and be like, “Oh, right, this is our regular toothpaste. This is how we roll.” Marvis actually comes in several flavors, but we heart the Jasmin Mint. Aside from the purty purple tube, it has a delish taste that actually makes you savor brushing your teeth. It’s true! |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 2 | Ella Mon Boutique Celebrates Grand Opening New boutiques in Seattle are like rays of light poking through the clouds of our gray skyline, and now Ella Mon is joining the sunbeam ranks in Ballard. During the grand opening, Ella Mon will be giving away $2,000 in merchandise and prizes, featuring lines like James Jeans, Faith, Isda, Jenne Maag and Farinaz. What: Ella Mon Boutique Grand Opening |
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| 3 | Accessory Designers Show Mimosas and shopping for jewelry and bags are two of life’s great indulgences. Put ’em together and color us tickled pink … or in this case, Violette. The boutique with the colorful name is hosting a one-day Northwest Accessory Designers Show, featuring designs by Linda Danforth, Maria Carter, Crystalyn Kae and Angela of Flora and Fawn. What: Northwest Accessory Designers Show at Violette |
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| 4 | Trunk Show at illi Like raccoons, we get easily distracted by shiny things. And Bruce Magnotti is an amazing local designer of beautiful distractions in the form of elegant cocktail rings. Magnotti and Nancy Rose with her Thorn clothing line will be offering a 10-percent discount on orders at their trunk show. What: Magnotti and Thorn Trunk Show at illi |
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Reaching holiday shoppers is so easy with Seattle Picks! For just $200 you can advertise in the Seattle Picks Holiday Gift Guide, publishing December 7. Your ad will reach more than 5,000 shoppers in the Seattle area. For more info or to place your ad, email picks@seattlepicks.com! |
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