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January 15th, 2010
Obviously, 2010 heard our complaining last week and whipped things into shape pronto, because we pretty much got the best surprise of our lives this week. Our bestie, who moved to Chicago five years ago, leaving us with a big best-friend-shaped hole in our lives, is coming back to Seattle, and we couldn't be more excited. If you’ve seen "Anne of Green Gables" (which every little girl should have seen at least once), you know what kind of friend we are talking about here—a kindred spirit. So naturally, we are imagining all the amazing things we'll do together again — besides talking on the phone, that is. We can get into a yoga class together, go for runs around Greenlake, see the new "Sex and the City" sequel (yes, we admit without shame that we are already excited for it), go dancing… the possibilities are endless! Just when we thought we would never get her back from the Windy City, 2010 decided to cut us a break and bring her back to Seattle. Well played, 2010, we no longer feel the need to tell you to “suck it.” xoxo |
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Seattle Picks: |
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| 1 | Let’s Get Smashed Sometimes a girl needs wine and cheese—especially at the end of a long, hard day at the office. Well, we had one of those times recently, and found the perfect spot to appease our marginally hungry appetites—a place, as they say, “Where Wine and Food Collide.” When we first stepped into Smash Wine Bar + Bistro in Wallingford, we knew we were in for something great. We ordered a delicious full-bodied cab, and one of their “flights” of cheese—a platter of three different cheeses accompanied by a baguette, crackers, honey, and apple slices—drool. We were pleasantly surprised with both the powerful and mild cheeses on the plate, and learned that we love honey with cheese! Looking around the restaurant to see if any of the dinner entrees needed to be ordered next time, we decided that we’re definitely coming back for either the Truffle Macaroni or the Pumpkin and Spinach Ravioli—or both. This is assuming they’ll let us in—our satisfied “Mmmms” and “Ahhhhs” were so loud we practically took over the restaurant! Smash Wine Bar + Bistro |
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| 2 | Casual Chic So what’s a girl to do? Go shopping of course! (You had to know that was coming.) And we recently found this adorable shop right on the beach at Alki: Coastal Surf Boutique. As you might imagine from its name, it’s a surfer-girl paradise, but this style goes far beyond summertime at the beach. With warm sweaters, trendy jackets, adorable hoodies, and funky hats perfect for January weather, we’re happy to report that we found a few items we know will help us get through winter a little easier. Plus, if you can’t stop dreaming about hitting the beach, they stock flip-flops and sundresses year-round. Need a little something that’s stylish and comfortable? Head to Coastal and pick up a few must-haves—they’ll see you through more than just one season. Coastal Surf Boutique |
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| 3 | It’s a Miracle This last Halloween, we went to the best party in the history of the entire world! That’s right—the best. Ever. There was a super scary voodoo shrine, a whole creepy carnival theme of clowns with glowing red eyeballs, dead ballerinas, and a toothless palm reader. Oh! And our favorite installation was a Day of the Dead altar. Despite the skeleton motif, there was nothing scary about it… in fact, just the opposite. Day of the Dead celebrates the past lives of loved ones—the tradition includes building private altars using sugar skulls, candles, crosses and flowers. It’s quite beautiful, and all the beauty and warmth can be found at a little place called Milagros (Spanish for “miracle”) in the Public Market. Milagros features authentic Catholic art like tin flaming-heart ornaments, beaded crucifixes, hand-painted, sequined textiles, papier-mache, and of course, skeleton figurines! There’s also a fabulous selection of jewelry. It may be another year until we can celebrate Dia de Los Muertos again, but that won’t stop us from shopping at Milagros year-round. We still believe in miracles. Milagros |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Pillow Fight There are a lot of ways to “set the mood” —candles, sexy music, a bearskin run in front of a roaring fire… All great ideas, but ever since we saw the pillows from Alexandra Ferguson, we have a new way to get our point across. Her 100% post-consumer recycled felt appliqué pillows are stylish and quirky with sayings like “Be Nice or Leave” and “Let’s Make Out.” If being direct isn’t your thing, there are beautiful flowered ones too! |
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| 2 | Adorn Yourself We are always, and we mean always, on the lookout for fabulous new jewelry. From antique stores to department stores, websites to farmer’s markets, we love it all. But our new favorite place for baubles is Bonbon Oiseau. These distinctive, limited-edition designs combine antique with new, creating a visual that we loooove. Each season’s collection narrates a story—and each individual piece is a vignette from that story. Totally brilliant, right? We know—we’re total jewelry know-it-alls. |
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| 3 | Sweet Treats Now that the holidays are over, we know we should curb our naughty eating habits, but we don’t want to. We’ll just work out a little longer a couple times during the week… maybe. Whimsy and Spice is a Brooklyn confectioner that is so good, we are willing to send away for their cookies. From Earl Grey sandwich cookies to Honey Lavender shortbread and Cinnamon Chocolate Malt biscotti, it’s the best reason to break your New Year’s resolutions we’ve found yet. www.whimsyandspice.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Girls’ Getaway Sometimes a girl’s got to get away for some real female bonding time—sans male company. Plan a good old-fashioned sleepover with your besties at the Hotel Max with their Girls Just Wanna Have Fun package. They’ll stock your room with issues of “Us Weekly” and “People,” libations—oh, and there’s a massage the next day. Girl time rocks! What: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Package |
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The Sales Aren’t Over Yet! Clutch, the handbag addict’s dream come true, is having a sale on all their fall and winter merchandise through January. Save 30–50% off bags from the likes of Alexis Hudson, Treesje, Botkier and more. We plan to take home at least or four… or maybe one for each day of the week. Yes, we are definitely handbag addicts. What: Winter Sale at Clutch |
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| 3 | Keep the Sales Comin’ We are nowhere near done shopping all of the boutique sales happening this month, and next up is A Mano. All fall and winter boots, shoes and bags are 30% off, and with brands like Chie Mihara, Cydwog and Jamie Joseph, there is plenty of goodness to be had. We heart winter sales. What: Winter Sale at A Mano |
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Our Treat Yourself Right issue is coming up soon—if you want to be a part of it or know someone who should, contact Ashley@seattlepicks.com. Looking forward to it already, aren’t you? We certainly are! |
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