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January 8th, 2010
Ok, so we have a tendency to sometimes be “the glass is half empty” kind of gals. But when New Year’s rolled around, we decided to forget the bumpy emotional ride of 2009 and exercise our heart, mind and soul to believe that 2010 was going to be great. We set our hopes high, determined to make this year our very best ever—we decided to conquer the world, our fears, and every obstacle that stands in our way. We were ready to start 2010 out on the right foot with a positive, “glass is half-full” attitude. And then 2010 hit, and let us just say that so far, the New Year can suck it. We woke up on January 1 and it was like someone had purposely decided to rain on our parade. Between some drama with the ex, our dog being in the hospital for surgery, mounting bills from Christmas and an extra five holiday pounds, 2010 didn’t exactly start with a half-full glass as we had planned. Get it together 2010, we have bigger and better plans for this year and we won’t stand for much more of this! |
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Seattle Picks: |
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| 1 | Always a Bridesmaid… Yeah, but who cares? We’re 26 years old, and we are totally, no seriously, really okay with not getting hitched. We still need to backpack around Europe and South America, finish graduate school (maybe even get a second Master’s?) and kiss a few more bad boys before we settle down and do the white picket-fence thing. But seriously, it kinda feels like 1 in 2 friends are engaged… and that means, yay! Party time! But it also means we have some shopping to do. Bella Bridesmaid in Belltown is the latest boutique to hit the Seattle streets that caters exclusively to beautiful bridesmaids. This is the first of the national company’s storefronts in the Pacific Northwest, and the most cutting-edge, modern, fashion-forward styles and selections come with it! So we’re saying “goodbye” to tacky costume wear (better suited for a “What Not to Wear” episode) and “hello” to hotness. One day we’ll be ready to walk down the aisle in a Vera Wang, but for now, we’re excited to walk down the aisle before the bride… in anything but a white dress. Bella Bridesmaid |
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| 2 | Wheat—Who Needs It? Seattle is a haven for alternatives. From our music tastes to a wealth of vegan restaurants—even the local barista who won’t bat an eye when we order a half-caf, extra dry, no foam, extra hot, soy skinny latte—you can always find something in our fair city that fits your specific needs. And Seattle has delivered again with a new, mouth-watering, wheat-free bakery. We know what you’re thinking… how can you have delicious baked goods without wheat? Wheatless in Seattle does it, and does it well. We tried a date cake muffin which was moist and more than delish, and washed it down with a mind-blowing lavender mocha. They also sell wheat-free quiches, pizza crusts, hamburger buns, and a variety of breads (including cinnamon raisin, sweet potato, French, dill, pumpernickel, and many more). We can’t wait to go back and pick up the something for our next dinner party… although we’re sure it will be so tasty that we’ll never be able to convince the hostess that it’s gluten-free, or that we baked it ourselves. The alternative never tasted so good. Wheatless in Seattle |
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| 3 | Please Sir, Can I Have Some More? It’s Wednesday night and we’re trying to surprise a girlfriend with a birthday bash out on the town. We’re run-down from the holiday season. But friendship means you ditch your work clothes, squeeze your feet into stilettos that pinch, and make it happen. Since it’s mid-week, we need a place that’s fun and festive but not too crazy. Oliver’s Twist in Phinney Ridge is just the ticket. It’s one of the few independent Seattle bars we don’t feel out of place in wearing a cocktail dress. Their warm apricot lighting makes our skin glow, even after a weekend packed with parties, and the mixture of abstract paintings, golden statues and a whole wall of artsy garden tools is totally “Alice in Wonderland” meets urban chic. We shared a smorgasbord of truffle popcorn, sautéed kale with chili flakes, warm olives, and grilled cheese sandwiches served with frothy tomato soup. The specialty cocktails were divine, and their wine list definitely requires more research. Oliver’s Twist is officially our new meeting place when it’s time for cocktails and tidbits with the girls. Oliver’s Twist |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Make Mine a Mantra Cleansing Thoughts make it happen—choose from “Health & Happiness,” “Enlightenment,” “Peace & Prosperity” and more. Just attach one of the water-resistant cards to your shower wall, repeat the mantra, and let the healing begin. |
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| 2 | Call on Me Awkward moment #741: We make a new friend or potential business contact; we hastily pass along our personal deets to them via blah business card or crumpled cocktail napkin. Classy. Thankfully, Lisa Nelson anticipated these social foibles and began creating adorable yet practical personalized calling cards as part of her charming stationery line: My Little Buffalo. Now we can pass along our digits and URLs ever-so-nonchalantly with an air of silver-screen grace… at least, until we spill wine on our blouse two minutes later. |
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| 3 | Proud to Go Gray Recently, a friend of a friend started her own jewelry line, and—no playing favorites here—it’s absolutely stunning. We are so in love with grayling jewelry that we have actually had dreams where all of our outfits match a certain necklace. It’s not wrong—it’s awesome. Be the first on your block to sport a grayling design—we’ve personally have been coveting every single piece in her glamrock collection. Swoon! www.graylingjewelry.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Out with the Old, In with the New January is a time for new beginnings, and over at Show Pony, the new owners are putting on a sale for all fall and winter merchandise to make way for spring (and no, it’s not too early to start shopping for spring). Save 20–70% off lines like Prairie Underground and Hazel. Welcome, 2010! What: Winter Sale at Show Pony |
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January Means Sales January is officially our favorite month. It seems like every boutique we love is offering deep discounts that fill us with delight. The latest is Totokaelo—get 30% off their fall and winter merchandise (including Commes Des Garcons and Junya Watanabe) this weekend! It only happens twice a year at Totokaelo, making it all the more precious! What: Totokaelo End of Season Sale |
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| 3 | Yet Another One! Our last sale tip for the week comes to you from Jaxx Boutik—home to lines like Alice and Olivia, Tracy Reese, Kooba and Hudson. Get 40% off fall and winter merchandise, plus $50 off any purchase of $250 or more. Don’t you just love January? It’s like National Boutique Sale Month. What: Jaxx Boutik Fall/Winter Sale |
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Let’s start 2010 off right by spreading the “shop/eat/drink/explore local” love! Tell everyone you know about www.SeattlePicks.com. |
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