|
 |
January 22nd, 2010
We are no literary snobs, by any means, but while waiting in a doctor’s office recently, we picked up the latest issue of a well-known women’s magazine, and started flipping through the pages. There was the usual magazine fodder—how to get a stylish look for less, readers’ most embarrassing moments, tips on how to get a boyfriend. But then we came to an article that made us laugh out loud. The article’s title was something along the lines of “the rise and fall of the thong.” Seriously? This is journalism? Documenting the historical and social aspects of the thong? We thought to ourselves, “Who in the world came up with the idea of writing about how the thong was once the undergarment of choice, but has now been surpassed by the boy-brief? And what editor gave it the green light?” Like we said, we read “Us Weekly,” so we don’t have particularly high journalistic standards, but this was just too ridiculous. Besides, a thong is a necessity to avoid VPL—it never goes out of style. Duh. P.S. We just realized that it’s been a while since we treated you to a little prezzie! Forward this issue of Seattle Picks on to 5 or more of your friends and CC picks@seattlepicks.com. You could win one of two $50 gift certificates to Fresh Bistro. Yum! |
||
Seattle Picks: |
|||
| 1 | Just Dance! Like we said, this past year has been the year of Gaga, and we are loving her! We’ve never been more inspired by clothing, makeup, and, well… whatever else it is that she does that’s so amazing. Not long ago, we got all ridiculously dolled up for the extravaganza that is a Lady Gaga Concert and all garments worn were pretty hot: skinny-leg denim with over-the-knee black suede boots, and a pink and black corset. But next time, we’ll know better, and wear a signature, fancy-schmancy dress from Pala Pala. Located in Belltown/Queen Anne, Pala Pala is all about the dresses, accessories (belts, handbags, scarves and jewelry) and fit. Dresses from Pala Pala run the gamut from the fun, flirty cocktail aesthetic (think spaghetti-strapped, short minis) to fantastical, floor-length ball gowns (think flouncy flamenco-style). It’s all there for us, ready for our next fabulous occasion—with custom alterations to boot! So next time Lady Gaga is in Seattle, we’ll ditch the denim and get dressy! And just dance… because music (and fashion fierceness) is worth celebrating. Pala Pala |
|
|
| 2 | Gelato Makes Everything Better Occasionally we get a sweet tooth. OK, not occasionally, all the time. But usually we can quell it with some yogurt or fruit—ok, not usually, but sometimes. But last Monday was not one of those days. We’d been running errands all over town, we were cranky, and we wanted 30 to just sit down somewhere and eat something we shouldn’t. Because—you know it’s true—it just feels so good. So we paid to visit to Fainting Goat Gelato in Wallingford. We were immediately reassured by seeing other people who also had a Monday-afternoon sweet tooth. Plus, the Goat’s walls are painted a bright cheery yellow, and the chocolate brown loveseat next to the counter just begged to be relaxed in while we savored spoonfuls of Salted Caramel and Spicy Chocolate gelato. Three scoops (and half an hour) later, our temper had improved dramatically. Finally we were ready to pick up our dry-cleaning and pay a fine for the book our dog tore in half. A little Fainting Goat Gelato always makes us happier. No matter what kind of day we’re having. Fainting Goat Gelato |
|
|
| 3 | Find Your Sole Mate You should know: we usually have several toes crammed achingly into terribly uncomfortable but oh-so cute shoes. We also usually attempt, painfully, to glide through the day acting as though we are not holding our breath with every step. We have to walk. We have to look cute. No specific order there, and no more importance placed on one over the other. Then, in walked Market Street Shoes. Located on NW Market Street in Ballard, Market Street Shoes is a friendly, earth-loving store filled to the brim with funky and feminine shoes that you can actually stand to be in all day. What a novel idea! Along with well-known brands like Born, Frye, Earth, John Fluevog, and Simple, they are also the only store in Seattle that carries the Art shoe, and Neosens. Along with selling shoes you can actually wear, Market Street Shoes is Green-friendly. They take part in Seattle Weekly’s Green Card program, so offer 15% discounts on all “green” products, which they happen to have a lot of. Our personal favorites were the John Fleuvog mary jane heels. Absolutely precious! Market Street Shoes |
|
|
| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Choose Your Own (Necklace) Adventure Designing our own jewelry always seems fun on paper, but we never seem to get around to buying the materials and spending an entire weekend crafting them into something remotely fashionable. Enter Gemkitty’s “Design Your Own Necklace.” Give them your material, size and color preferences online, and the Portland-based artisans assemble (and even smartly gift-wrap) your one-of-a-kind accessory in short order. Now when friends jealously ask if we made our necklace, we can finally (mostly) be honest when we answer, “Of course!” |
 |
|
| 2 | Fashion Plate We watch “Project Runway,” imagine attending every show at Fashion Week, read style and fashion blogs all day. We even imagine being designers ourselves one day. One problem—we can only draw stick figures. Enter the Fashionflat Sketchpad from Hokey Croquis. This fun, one-of-a-kind tool for aspiring or professional designers (or for us wannabes!) comes with pre-printed female outlines—just draw the clothes. Create your own ball gown or your dream fashion portfolio—it’s our fashion dream come true! |
 |
|
| 3 | Book Worm Remember in middle-school when textbooks got covered in brown paper grocery bags and you doodled hearts around the name of your crush on the cover? Ahhh, the good old days. Book City Jackets has updated the paper-bag book cover—as a new art form. Printed on recycled kraft paper, it folds to fit almost any book, keeping the romance novel you’re secretly reading under wraps. You can even doodle your BF’s name on it with hearts—if you wanna. www.bookcityjackets.com |
 |
|
Hip Happenings: |
|||
| 1 | The Sales Aren’t Over Yet! When January finally winds down, we are thinking we may go through some serious boutique-sale withdrawals, because this month the sales have been too good! The latest one is at Hip Zephyr. Their progressive winter blowout sale is full of sexy, stylish choices starting at 30% off and increasing each week. Ah-mazing. What: Winter Sale at Hip Zephyr |
 |
|
| 2 | Too Good To Be True And you thought there couldn’t possibly be any more winter sales you didn’t know about! Don’t forget to check out the sale at Vian Hunter. Save up to 75% off all fall and cocktail apparel, shoes and jewelry. Designer Lisa Hunter’s timeless silhouettes from the era of “Mad Men” are to-die-for. See you there! What: Vian Hunter January Sale |
 |
|
| 3 | Brighten Up The Gray There’s a lot of gray and a lot of rain this time of year in Seattle, so brighten up your life by bringing living, green plants inside to lighten the mood. This month, get a 20% savings on selected house plants—from the tiny to the enormous—at Ravenna Gardens. Just don’t forget to water them! What: Houseplant Sale at Ravenna Gardens |
 |
|
| 4 | Light Up Your Life There are few things we love more in life than seeing a brand-new glassybaby glowing on the counter. So you know where we are going to be on Saturday—at the famous glassybaby Seconds Sale! Pick up your own glassybaby, with only slight imperfections, in every color of the rainbow. Get there early! What: glassybaby Seconds Sale |
 |
|
Our Treat Yourself Right Guide is coming up next week—we’ve already lined up some amazing ideas for pampering and treating yourself. Make sure to spread the good word by signing up your friends at www.SeattlePicks.com. |
|||
Be sure to visit www.seattlepicks.com and check out past issues in our archives. If you like what you see, forward to a friend and encourage them to check out www.seattlepicks.com and subscribe for free! It's easy--there's a box in the upper left to enter your email address. If you would like to make a suggestion, please email us at contribute@seattlepicks.com. Share your favorite ideas for Picks, tell us about terrific products or services, announce a sale or event, or let us know what you think of Seattle Picks! Website and weekly issues maintained by Studio Ridge.com. |
|||
