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December 14th, 2007
When it comes to the holidays and gift-giving, our fam usually appreciate a few not-so-subtle hints about what to get us. And we’re easy to please, truly. We like pretty things, sparkly things, smell-good things. Throw a rock in a boutique (not a good idea, by the way), and you’ll definitely hit something that would be the perfect gift for us. Our mate, however, is an entirely different story. He works from home and wears the same uniform of jeans/t-shirt every day. He’s super-outdoorsy, but he already owns every piece of skiing, fishing, hiking, biking and camping gear you can cram in a Subaru. We don’t know what to get him, let alone his East Coast family. So this year, we came up with a new solution for him: Buy something, take a picture, send it to the ’rents along with the bill. Sure, it doesn’t sound as magical as you might want your gifting experience to be, but it sure beats getting a re-gifted s’mores maker, a nose-hair trimmer or a toothbrush that plays music in your mouth (we’re not kidding: www.toothtunes.com). Want to score a little something that’s sure to be the perfect gift for yourself? Forward this email to five friends who don’t know about Seattle Picks and copy picks@seattlepicks.com, and you could win one of five $20 gift certificates to Luscious Skin Spa! Check out our review of this fab in-town retreat below. |
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Seattle Picks: |
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| 1 | Top That Slowly but surely we are checking things off our holiday to-do list. In fact, we felt so confident and ahead of schedule that we offered to host Christmas dinner this year. Upon review of the china cabinet we realized we may be in over our heads; we could already see our mother wincing at our “everyday” plates and mismatched glassware. So we ran right to Table Top Shop for backup. With locations at the University Village and Bellevue, Table Top Shop may be Seattle’s best place to dress the table. The display settings range from holiday glamour to classic French country and everything in between. We brought in our favorite serving piece for inspiration and the brilliant staff created an entire setting complementing the colors of the platter. We’ve heard that they’ve even been known to make house calls. Now it’s up to us to fill those beautiful plates with holiday food that is just as fabulous. Thank you, Table Top Shop; come Christmas night our table will look as chic and put together as we do! Table Top Shop |
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| 2 | Honing Our Craft While we have never received anything from Tiffany ourselves, we got a vicarious thrill when our little girl got a Tiffany silver spoon from some well-heeled relatives. There really is nothing like opening one of those little blue boxes! It goes to show you what good packaging can do. For those of you who are crafty-capable and love to embellish gifts with panache, you should know about Packaging Specialties. Filled to the rafters with ribbons and paper from Midori, tags and labels from Waste Not Paper and containers of all varieties, this is a DIY paradise. Not to be missed is the plethora of stocking-stuffer ideas: Envirosacs for the eco-conscious person on your list, adorable pig-shaped Dynamo Flashlights and the classic “Happiness is a Warm Puppy” Peanuts book are items that caught our eye. Heck, you can even find the stocking itself here! Not just for the holidays, Packaging Specialties is also a bride’s best friend. There’s enough inspiration here for wedding decorations, favors and bridal party gifts. And the two local stores in Seattle and Redmond offer a great variety of classes. Ever wonder how to tie the perfect bow? Now’s your chance to find out! Packaging Specialties |
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| 3 | Sweet Escape At this time every year, we start craving a sunny escape from the low-hanging gray skies. We’ve tried turning up the heat, donning a bikini and sipping pineapple juice in our living room, but we only ended up with a higher utility bill and weirded-out neighbors. Alas, neither our bank account nor our schedule will allow for a getaway at the moment, but we do have a relaxing, tropical retreat just around the corner—Luscious Skin Spa, owned by the talented Mari Mamikunian. With a subtle island theme (think hibiscus paintings and soothing Hawaiian instrumental music), the spa is a warm, inviting respite from the cold and drear. Luscious Skin Spa offers a variety of waxing services, body treatments and facials; and we love Mari’s facials—she uses Éminence Skin Care products, which are chock full of all natural and organic herbs, fruits and vegetables. During our hour-plus with Mari, she used a paprika treatment on our dry-ish, sensitive skin followed by the most amazing hand massage we’ve ever received. By the time we walked out, we had a rosy, dewy glow that made us look (and feel) like we’d been relaxing on the beach. Aloha! Luscious Skin Spa |
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| 4 | French Women Don’t Get Fat We tried to do a little holiday shopping this weekend but there was a major problem—we kept buying things for ourselves. Our favorite purchase? A new red hat that is oh-so-Parisian. To celebrate our new purchase (and refuel for more gift shopping, we swear), we decided to treat ourselves to another French favorite—a café au lait and pain au chocolat. When it comes to our coffee and croissants, we can only think of one place—Le Fournil. A staple along Eastlake, this bakery serves up lattes in bowl-size proportions and the flakiest, buttery-delicious croissants all for under $3. Be sure to grab one of their baguettes for later. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for their beautiful Buche de Noels. No, they aren’t anything naughty; it’s just a yule log-shaped cake that will impress any guest this holiday season. We ordered one up for Christmas before slinging our baguette over our shoulder and heading back out for more shopping. After all, if French women can diet like this, so can we. Oui oui! Le Fournil |
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| 5 | Nail Envy Lately, we’ve found ourselves ogling everyone’s hands for the season’s hottest nails. And last night over drinks with the gals, we couldn’t stop gawking over steely-colored toes peeking out from the most adorable peep-toe pumps. Has Seattle finally stepped it up on the nail front? We think yes, and why not with new concepts like butter London cropping up? A cross between a high-end chichi day spa and a quick, no-nonsense nail stop, butter London offers walk-in flexibility and a slew of gorgeous non-toxic nail products. The sell is a health-conscious mani or pedi in 20-minutes with a choice of edgy and sophisticated colors like “take me to bed red,” “big smoke,” or “diamond geezer”—our current favorite. Packaged in a classy square bottle and sold in multiples or on their own, we couldn’t resist picking up a few for holiday gifts, and for ourselves of course. Don’t pretend like you don’t want to be just a little bit edgy during the holidays. After all, doesn’t every woman crave a polished presentation? butter LONDON |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Healthy Glow Dipping temperatures have totally caught us off guard this year. So the other day when brought out our favorite fuzzy scarf and matching mittens; we vowed to be better prepared—including giving our skin care regimen a boost. Our ally? The French-made SAMPAR Urban Active skin care line. We love the blend of active ingredients, wonderful smelling essential oils and sleek, pink packaging—luxurious winterizing you won’t forget. www.sampar.com, or locally at Gene Juarez |
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| 2 | Cheers to That |
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| 3 | Make Their House a (Holiday) Home We love spoiling loved ones with great home accessories—and bonus!—we can shop from home! Thomas Paul pillows, prints and rugs, plus an array of unique and lovely lamps from designers such as Re-Surface and Lights Up! can mean only one thing: Burke Décor. Burke Décor’s fabulous online home décor boutique offers all of the above and more. Click here for last-minute gifts, and enjoy free shipping, plus all orders over $200 receive a free Kobo candle from now until Dec. 31. |
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| 4 | What's in Your Basket? So you have to get your boss a gift—what do you give that shows A) you deserve that promotion, and B) you’re not a total kiss-patootie? How about a gift basket full of wine, art, or chocolate? What if you need a gift for your BFF, your BFF’s pet (which they treat like a child) or your mom? Gift baskets, again! And nobody does it like Total Basket Case. Each one is modern, unique and customized … sure to please any recipient! Gift list? Done! |
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| 5 | Sweet Destiny The crisp air of spring is a few months out, but we’re already feeling the love. That goes especially for the stunning brocade coats from Portland line Amai Unmei. Absolutely impeccable and totally luxurious, the slight sheen and carefully tailored appearance will help any Picks girl stand out in a crowd, no matter what the weather. And, lined with silk habotai, they’ll feel just as good on the inside as they look on the outside. With a name that means “sweet destiny” in Japanese, we feel confident that these are definitely in our future. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | No Junk in These Trunks Capers, West Seattle’s “everything” store, is perfect for holiday shopping—there’s something for everyone on our list! This weekend Capers is featuring trunk shows from two jewelry lines: fun silver from Potluck Paris on Saturday and one-of-a-kind-pieces by Susan Goodwin on Sunday. Parking is free at the Junction. It’s genius! What: Trunk shows by Potluck Paris and Susan Goodwin |
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Hint, Hint A new handbag is the perfect gift. Drop that hint loud and clear to your significant other: Send him down to Clutch on Dec. 17 for a Husband/Boyfriend Night Out. Entice him with sports, beer, snacks and the knowledge that he can’t go wrong with anything from this incredible boutique. What: Husband/Boyfriend Night Out at Clutch |
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| 3 | What Are You Doing for New Year’s Eve? When it’s time to celebrate, we go to Union. Many a glass of champagne has been clinked at this sublime and creative downtown restaurant. This New Year’s Eve, Union is bringing back their seven-course tasting menu filled with epicurean delights. We know where we’ll be to toast the New Year! What: New Year’s Eve seven-course tasting menu for $95 |
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| 4 | We Love Lucy We think one of the best ways to stick with our upcoming New Year’s resolution to exercise more is to have super-cute workout wear. And you can score it from Lucy for 25 percent off now through Dec. 24 by using the coupon code 1207mwonder at checkout! Lucy is also offering free shipping until Dec. 21, so all your goodies will arrive before the big holiday rush. What: Lucy Sale—save 25% with the coupon code! |
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| 6 | Polish for the Holidays Want to relieve those tired feet and aching muscles from all that running around during the holidays? Visit the Salish Lodge & Spa for a festive and rejuvenating experience, which includes a foot soak, foot massage and full body exfoliation with orange and clove essential oils‹all for only $88 (a $108 value). What: Polish for the Holidays spa special |
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| 7 | Shop, Drink, Moxie Moxie means vigor, verve and pep and the designers featured in the Moxie Restaurant Holiday Shopping Soiree have got it! Find jewelry, clutches, journals, scarves and candles galore. Enjoy delicious snacks and champagne while wrapping up all your last minute shopping. Support Northwest Harvest and bring along a nonperishable food item! What: Moxie Holiday Shopping Soiree |
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A little Mad Libs to keep you busy while you’re pretending to work but really doing your online holiday shopping and reading PerezHilton.com: We got so wasted at the company holiday party, we ______ (past tense verb) all over our _____’s (position of authority) _____ (article of clothing). She was so ______ (adjective) that we’re pretty sure we’re going to get enrolled in the ______ (gross food item) of the Month Club instead of getting our holiday bonus. But the joke’s on her because ______ (same gross food item) is our fave! |
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