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November 16th, 2007
We’re trying to make the holiday shopping season a bit different this year, and we need your help. See, here in Seattle we believe in the little guys: We make an effort to buy produce grown on local family farms, eat bread made at the bakery just around the corner from our house and drink milk (hormone-free, of course) from cows we could go visit (Daisy! It’s been awhile!), so why not make more of a commitment to supporting the independents when it comes to buying everything else? With the busiest shopping day of the year—Black Friday—looming on the horizon, Seattle Picks wants to challenge you to Shop Independent this holiday season. You’ve got to buy for your nephew, mom, sister, second step-cousin twice removed, dog and goldfish, so maybe this year you can put that moolah in the cash registers of the locally owned, independent businesses in your ’hood by committing to shop independent for just one person on your list this year—even if that person is you! Seattle Picks is dedicated to supporting independent businesses, and we are asking Seattleites to join us this holiday season. Pledge to Shop Independent for the holidays by signing up for Seattle Picks. If you’re already a subscriber, show your support by spreading the message! |
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Seattle Picks: |
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| 1 | Closet Equilibrium We see the good in everything, including trendy clothing styles. The result is a closet full of mismatched pieces that require a few combination tries to find an outfit that works, a challenge we wish we didn’t face every day. We’ve contemplated a wardrobe consultant but aren’t ready to totally give in, so instead we try reorganizing our closets and other homemade remedies like taking Polaroids of combos that work. Now the conundrum has escalated to a new solution that would require winning the lottery. Visit Canopy Blue and you’ll see what we mean. The boutique’s racks are filled with items that gorgeously combine modern sleek with flowing feminine for outfits that pair exquisitely. You’ll find favorites from Theory, Tory Burch and California-based Splendid, as well as splurge-worthy items from Tevrow + Chase, Trina Turk and a Nanette Lepore cape that fits like a cardigan. We also adore the Tamara Henriques hot-pink tweed galoshes and Goldsign’s trousers. Of course, we’re ready to abandon all reason for a closet that looks just like this. Fashion symmetry we strive for. Canopy Blue |
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| 2 | Can We Have the Definition, Please? Although we love the word, we had no idea what a “zephyr” was until we looked it up. Zephyr was the Greek god of the west wind, which was considered to be a gentle and pleasant wind. In the case of Hip Zephyr on Phinney Ridge, the gentle wind has brought some wicked hipness to our fair city. Owner Dana Smith has got the eye for unique lines you won’t find elsewhere in town. Melding the comfy designs of local enviro-friendly designer Lizzie Parker (is that fabric really bamboo?) and Redmond-based Pine IV denim with exclusive French lines like Ikks, you’re likely to find unique pieces that you can wear from season to season. Hip Zephyr brilliantly offers a “wish-list,” a registry of sorts, perfect for dropping holiday hints. Quarterly Girl’s Night Out events allow you to shop with abandon after hours. Snap up a hard-to-find Majestic tee shirt or a reasonably priced sweater coat by Heather B. And of course, soft and cozy cashmere scarves and gloves from KinRoss will help keep you warm when the winter wind is not so gentle. Hip Zephyr |
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| 3 | All Fun and Games |
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| 4 | For the Love of the Sport We have this obsession with always finding the perfect gift. No matter the occasion, we simply will not rest until we discover a present that is creative and brilliantly reflects the recipient. In fact, we’ve gotten pretty good at it but now we have a rep to uphold. We see gifting as a sport, and we love the game. Lucky for us, Lucca Great Finds in Ballard is an ideal place to score. We adore the towering shelves of lotions and soaps; for mom a rose beauty bar from Spanish-made Maria Evora, for our foodie sister we’ll splurge on a serving platter from Eloquent Ink. A paperie in the back room is the final element to satisfy our urge; with the perfect gift in hand, we have our choice of paper, ribbons and cards to pull it all together. Even we are in awe at the one-stop gifting adventure at Lucca! Your gift-giving game will be taken to a new level with Lucca, and we won’t tell if you just happen to pick up little something for yourself as well. Lucca Great Finds 5332 Ballard Ave. NW Seattle, WA 98107 206.782.7737 www.luccastatuary.com |
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| 5 | De-Stress with The Best You can’t imagine how stressed we’ve been lately. We’ve been jumpy, forgetful, crabby, tired and, oddly, itchy. No surprise, the body was out of whack! A crick in the neck was just the beginning. And then someone did something ridiculously wonderful … they sent us for a spa day at the Gene Juarez downtown. It started with an Ayurvedic Abhyanga Massage, which stimulates key pressure points in the body. Personalized to our personality, or Dosha (we’re mostly kapha, which we think means “chunky thighs”), the masseuse knew exactly the right massage strength and we chose the Dosha-specific massage oils that smelled the best to us. By the time the Champi Head Massage was administered we were having an out-of-body experience. Next up, the Vanilla Latte Pedicure! Our legs were again massaged, using Vanilla Bliss body butter, then a Coffee Bean Sugar Body Scrub, followed by one of the best polish applications we’ve ever had. Did we mention we got a haircut, too? We officially have the best bangs we’ve ever had in our lives. Now what was that about being stressed? Gene Juarez Salon & Spa |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Save It for a Rainy Day We’ve found a solution to our wet dog woes: local company ZenTek Clothing’s dog raincoats. Seamstress Janice Kajanoff combines form and function in her canine rainy season wear—she uses her eye for style to keep the pooches from getting mocked by the popular pups at the dog park, and the raincoats are made of Comfortemp fabric to keep the dogs cozy. We’re pretty sure our pups are going to thank us for this; regardless, we’re already thanking ZenTek for our dry furniture. |
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| 2 | Music to Our Ears We are so wiped after stuffing holiday cards that we almost don’t have the energy for (gasp!) shopping! We’d like to knock out the cards and gifts all at once, and Ringo Baby’s got just the thing with its customized holiday card CD covers. You take care of the song selection (legally downloaded, of course) and CD burning, and Ringo Baby does the rest. They include your message and photos, add your song list inside and even include the coordinating CD sticker labels. |
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| 3 | More Than a Handful Sports bras flatten us like pancakes. Of course they’re just doing their job, but it can be bad for our self-esteem. Now there's a sports bra made to flatter, not flatten: Handful is the first and only “sportssiere” that's attractive in and out of the gym. They come in a variety of styles and colors like “No Headlights White,” “Skinny Dip” and “No Nip Nude.” Now we have one (actually two) less things to worry about. |
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| 4 | Think Outside the Socks So explain to us why exactly socks are sold in pairs? Sure, we have two feet, but everyone knows that one sock is bound to get lost in the dryer, so why not sell pairs of three? Well, there’s at least one genius out there. She’s called the Socklady and, yes, her socks for kids come in threes. They’re also mismatched (but in the same color scheme), which makes them doubly adorable. Don’t miss the adult versions—they’re in twos, but just as cute. |
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| 5 | Naturally Pretty From boutique to grocery store, we always read the labels. So imagine our delight to find a label with all our favorite words—organic, vegan and cruelty-free! Without talc, oils or dyes, von Natur’s mineral makeup goes on smooth and comes in vivid colors that flatter all complexions. In the shower, shampoos and conditioners work on both hair and body, revitalizing with a pleasantly peppermint scent. Filled with essential oils, vitamins and antioxidants, reading the labels has never been so rewarding! |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Movin’ On Up We’ve never been organized enough to throw a housewarming party at a new place. However, we also don’t have the bonus of stocking hip clothes, accessories and housewares for our friends to peruse. But newly relocated Tweed does. So come shop, sample some espresso and enjoy the Potluck Paris trunk show—no housewarming gift required! What: Tweed Opening Celebration |
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| 2 | Home for the Holidays We have seven boxes of holiday décor we haul out the day after Thanksgiving to deck our halls. For those equally excited about holiday decorations, Liberty 123 is holding its annual Holiday House, featuring holiday greenery from Twigs, La Boheme ornaments and awesome daily drawings valued at over $500, including a $100 Liberty 123 gift certificate. Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la! What: Holiday House at Liberty 123 |
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| 3 | Fashion Unzipped, Parts Un et Deux Unzipped is the event for showcasing tomorrow's style makers, innovative design and unique fashions—and you’ve got two whole days to soak it up, baby! More than 50 emerging designers from around the country will feature men's and women's high-end, casual and contemporary apparel and accessories. Saturday’s the runway show, and Sunday’s all about shopping. Pick your poison! What: Unzipped Fashion Event |
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| 4 | Give a Gift for Life It really is so much better to give than to receive, and we’re not talking stocking stuffers and fruitcake. Park Avenue Agents of Pacific Market Center is hosting its 15th annual Gift for Life sample sale benefiting The American Foundation for AIDS research. The sale features donated toys, books and home accessories with proceeds going to the foundation. What: Gift for Life Sample Sale |
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| 5 | BYOW We tried to bottle our own wine once by pouring smashed grapes into an empty cough syrup bottle. For the real deal, head to Silver Lake Winery and leave the winemaking to the experts, while you bottle, cork, foil and affix your own personalized label. And be sure to try before you buy with all the free samples! What: Bottle Your Own Wine at Silver Lake Winery |
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Join the movement to Shop Independent this holiday season, and encourage your friends to do the same by forwarding Seattle Picks to your nearest and dearest—and yes, frenemies totally count. |
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