Jill Bucy Skincare

“I am absolutely crazy for Jill Bucy Skincare – ever since my first facial there, my skin has looked and felt amazing. The staff seems to know everything there is to know about skin care, and I love that the products they choose are “fluff-free” and only use ingredients you really need. Not to mention, the décor is so charming and beautiful. I am actually considering painting my walls the same color, and the pedicure seats are so unique and fashionable – it’s a little piece of heaven.”
~ Ashley Breckel

Best Face Forward

We watch the red carpet events in total and complete awe of the flawless, translucent skin that the stars possess. How do they accomplish such a feat? Sure, our skincare routine has improved since high school, when we regularly slathered our faces with Oxy pads, but to get to that next level, we are in need of a guru—a skincare guru.

Ladies and gents, we have found her—our new skincare guru—at Jill Bucy Skincare, located in the MarQueen Hotel in Queen Anne. And let us just say that she has changed our lives. Inside her very Parisian-feeling salon, Jill Bucy and her fully CIDESCO-trained staff create customized treatment plans for your face. Focusing on French-style facials and skincare, the treatments are natural and unique, and completely amazing. During our 45-minute facial, we were continually impressed with the wealth of knowledge our facialist had—this girl knew skin. And since visiting, our skin has never felt more vibrant, smooth and bright.

We are assured that we will have movie-star skin in no time—and for once, we believe.

Jill Bucy Skincare
600 Queen Anne Ave. N
Seattle, WA 98109
206.283.9295
www.jillbucy.com

Asher Anson

“I loved Asher Anson for their young, fresh layout, well placed merch and hand-picked stock.  The brother-in-law owners were really laid back, interested in chatting up each customer, and really wanted to have a relationship with their clients.  Plus, they carry Frye boots, which is rare for an independent shop, and they were totally unpretentious, which made me want to support their business.” ~ Siiri Sampson

Stocking Stuffers

We always attempt to spreading out holiday shopping year-round—under the guise of being more gentle to our pocketbook. Each year brings a varying level of success, because we
always spend more than we should, and keep half the stuff
we buy for ourselves.

But this year we really think we’ve found the ticket with Asher Anson. We love a boutique that caters to women—and the men who love us. Let’s face it, the entire store should be able to fold up and fit in our stocking. We couldn’t get enough of the handmade jewelry by local designer Erin Jane, or perfect wallets (his and hers) from MAKR. We daydreamed about wearing a Christys hat and SHAE sweater while enjoying the downtown holiday lights. And we almost lost it when we imagined our BF in the ruggedly yummy navy French Connection sweater with toggle closures.

Before we did too much financial damage, we promised ourselves we’d head back soon to continue the holiday present-shopping. (By which, of course, we mean buying all the Joes Jeans that lined the walls!)

Asher Anson
2038 NW Market
Seattle, WA 98017
206.789.1687
www.asheranson.com

Willow & Bloom 

“Whether its winter and holiday season or summer and wedding season, Willow & Bloom is the boutique answer to "one stop shopping" when it comes to gifts.  With beautiful floral, fun hats for baby and unique jewelry, you can't go wrong.  And with specialty gift wrapping at no extra cost, I can't imagine buying a present anywhere else.”  
~ Anna Bazzi

Bloom and Grow

Maybe it’s us, but this winter has seemed like the coldest—and darkest—ever.  So when Seattle got some sun for a few days, we ignored the icy temperatures and swore that spring had arrived.  And when the rain returned—a certainty in our fair city—we decided we were going to need a new way to brighten up our lives.

Willow & Bloom is the spring treat we have been craving.  Less than a month old, this flower and gift boutique is the perfect addition to the Fremont shopping scene.  Drawing from European and Asian influences to create unique arrangements in beautiful specialty containers, and with services that range from small herb gardens to themed event arrangements, you are bound to find your perfect floral match.  Beyond buds, the shop is stocked with great gifts like Christa Hope jewelry and baby hats by local knitters. 

So whether we are shopping for an upcoming birthday or helping our guy friends pick out gifts for their ladies, Willow & Bloom will be on our minds as an oasis of springtime in Seattle.

Willow & Bloom
3415A Fremont Ave. N
Seattle, WA 98103
206.799.9775
www.willowandbloom.com

Poppy

"I love food . . . I loooove it. My friends and family shudder when it comes time for me to order a meal – I take forever to decide. At Poppy I don’t have to choose and I always taste something new. Maybe it’s the economy or maybe it’s being mom to a wee one, but when I get the chance for a night out it has to be worth it – and Poppy is so worth it." ~ Jessica Plesko

Dress for Success
The other day we bought a dress with absolutely no event in mind. It was just hanging there, waiting to be worn. Of course, you can show up to the Opera in jeans and no one bats an eye, but we were determined to have a fancy night out. What better excuse than dinner at former Herbfarm chef Jerry Traunfeld’s new digs, Poppy?

Thank goodness for reservations—the space was packed. The cocktails were well-balanced and the starters (eggplant fries with honey and gorgonzola cherry-sage puffs!) piqued our interest. No full menu to navigate here (or to agonize over when you want to try absolutely everything). We each ordered the daily Thali (a ten-dish wonder served on a round platter). When the food arrived all fashion choices faded to the background. Wine and conversation flowed freely punctuated by exclamations like, “Wow!” “Now that is good!” “Mmm!” It was a party in our mouths.

We rocked that dress and Poppy rocked our senses. But
don’t worry ... we spied a lot of denim. Poppy has enough style for any outfit.

Poppy
622 Broadway East
Seattle, WA 98102
206.324.1108
www.poppyseattle.com

Highbrow Waxing and Nail Studio

“The one routine I follow in life is not the recommended gym visits, vitamin regimen, or doctor check-ups, but rather my bi-weekly appointments at Highbrow that I just could not live without.  These sessions feed my soul, my confidence, and my feminine spirit.  With my shaped to perfection “brows of a babe,” as my husband has remarked, I am ready to face the world.” ~ Erin Baranick

Lookin’ Good

As women, we try our best to always radiate that ‘I just stepped out of the beauty salon’ glow.  If we all had stylists, personal chefs, and trainers like celebrities, of course we would look just as fabulous as Heidi Klum … all the time.  But since we aren’t that lucky, and we need a little help when the time comes to take care of eyebrows, nails, and other hairy situations, we have the expert for you.     

Uni-brows and unsightly bikini lines (eek!) are now a thing of the past thanks to the hair taming talents of the esthetician at the Highbrow Waxing and Nail Studio. Armed with wax, tweezers, and meticulous patience, Highbrow can provide you with the brows of your dreams. After one session, we received compliments on our new look and were ready to show our faces for a night on the town. 

This city chic salon with its leaf-green walls and white leather chairs is located inside Retail Therapy, a boutique, so go for
the Highbrow pampering and stay even longer for the earrings and shoes. 

Highbrow Waxing and Nail Studio
902 E. Pike St.
Seattle, WA 98122
206.329.5362

Paper Delights

"Belinda Carlisle was right -- heaven is a place on earth. And for me that place is Paper Delights. I'm a nut for paper products, pretty things and organization -- and they have it all. I visit this divine destination whenever I need a perfect card, or just a little peace of mind. Oooh baby, do you know what that's worth?"
~ Dominique Barni

Earthly Delights

Last summer, acting as the dutiful bridesmaid, we spent a week traipsing across Manhattan in search of the perfect paper products for our best gal pal's wedding—place cards, thank-you notes, favors—the works. From paper stores to gift shops, by the end of it all we were paper experts.

If only we'd found a one-stop shop like Wallingford's Paper Delights, we might have actually had time to enjoy New York! Offering cards, confections and cravings for any occasion, this new boutique is paradise on earth for those who delight in paper goods. Find the perfect card, and add a sweet treat to complete the gift—or create custom everything (invitations, place cards, wine labels, etc.) for those truly special events. Our favorite part of this charming shop? The color-coordinated tables of accessories and goodies!

Whatever your paper craving may be, the mother/daughter team behind Paper Delights will find something to satisfy … so you don’t have to search to the ends of the earth like we did.

Paper Delights
2205 North 45th St., Suite B
Seattle, WA 98103
206.817.4853
www.paperdelights.com

Monster Art and Clothing

“I love to shop, and I love it even more when I can share my passion for handmade, high-quality clothes and accessories with others. The collective team at Monster Art and Clothing (designers, artists and sales associates) obviously love casual fashion, their customers, and the environment. You won’t find any mass-produced, polyester clothing here—their lines are all original, made out of 100% unadulterated funk, and that’s why they are my favorite Pick of 2008.” ~ Cameron Levin

Monster Mash

We happen to be chickens when it comes to scary stuff—we’ve been known to get a bit spooked by our own shadow. But just ’cause we’re scaredy cats doesn’t mean we don’t love monsters. Of course not the real kind (like what used to be under our beds when we were six) but cute and quirky, vector-styled, animé-ish monsters featured on silk-screened T-shirts.

Monster Art and Clothing in Ballard features an awesome array of tees, hoodies, hats, scarves, skirts, socks and accessories by local artists and designers, all with an emphasis on being easy on their customers' pocket books. And as if affordability and cuteness wasn’t enough, most of the lines are also created from sustainable products like up-cycled fibers and recycled materials. Even if the monster theme isn’t your dig, check out the chunky, refurbished patch-knitted skirts, which are perfectly cozy for the fall and winter season, and the shrine of socks (“regular” and naughty knee-highs).

Monster Art and Clothing is a ghoulishly great place to shop! (Sorry, we had to say it.)

Monster Art and Clothing
5000 20th Ave. NW
Seattle, WA 98107
206.789.0037
www.monsterartandclothing.com

Zak and Zoe: A Modern Dog Mercantile

“Zak & Zoe is my absolute favorite pet store because it offers not only the necessities like food, chew toys, and poo bags, but I can also find fun things like swanky collars or maybe a hot dog costume for my furry friend to wear next Halloween.  However, I think my favorite thing about Zak & Zoe is their specialty dog treats which speak to me from their neatly stacked places under the glass display case. My little Dino is one lucky Yorkie!”
- Marissa Niranjan

Wag This Way

She’s your best friend. She knows all your secrets and even what your SSB’s are (secret single behaviors—you know, those things you do in private that not even your boyfriend knows about). She never ditches you for another guy, never talks behind your back, and is always there to snuggle if there are tears. We all have great girlfriends—but really, aren’t our pets the most loyal friends we’ve ever had?

Treat them right by stopping into new pet boutique Zak and Zoe—not only serving man’s best friend, but the friend herself. They have everything from name-brand dog food (they even offer free delivery!) and specialty treats to novelty items like “Dog is Good” T-shirts. Shopping fun for you and Fido—what could be better? We plan on doing all of our holiday shopping here—not only for our pampered pooches, but for all of our dog lovin’ friends as well.

And as an extra bonus, enjoy 10% off all dog and cat food and 15% off all gift items thru Nov. 7 when you mention you saw them in Seattle Picks!