Shop Local: Drygoods Design

From the moment you walk into a store if it makes your mind start spinning with ideas, you know it has been thoughtfully curated and artfully displayed. Although the square footage is minimal, when I visited Drygoods Design on my first visit I was able to spend a couple hours perusing every nook and cranny of this space. Let me be frank, I wanted to purchase everything in sight. In my dreams, I would like to think if I owned a fabric store, it would look exactly like this space. From the bright yellow chairs in their studio/sewing space to the creatively organized fabrics I wanted it all.

The difference between the sexes

For a couple years now I have been eyeing adirondack chairs. I love the shape, the bright colors and the general happiness I feel when I look upon one. Last week, I made the executive decision to purchase a couple and bring them home. I thought this was a brilliant decision until I stood maneuvering them back and forth in the parking lot trying to make them fit in our car. Oh, how I could have used a second set of hands. Upon placing them onto our deck and adding throw pillows I declared to myself how our deck looked a million times more inviting and happy. A couple days later Cameron and I were sitting on them and I turned to him and said, "Haven't these chairs changed your life?" Without hesitation he pronounced. "No, not really"

Stickygram

Have you heard of Stickygram? They are a company which turns your Instagram photos into personalized magnets. You buy them nine to a sheet and then they tear apart. I just ordered mine and I am excited to see them in person.

If would like to order some for yourself use the coupon code: FRIENDL3WT to get $2.00 off.

Dressing up a t-shirt

When I am at Target...... for let's say ziplock bags, I have a tendency to pick up an extra clothing item or two. In particular, I like to stock up on these Mossimo v-neck tees. They come in a variety of colors, are perfect for layering, working out in or even dressing up a bit.

I had some leftover fabric from when I had my wedding dress made, so I found a pretty cluster of flowers, cut out around them and sewed them directly onto my t-shirt. In about thirty minutes, I had a custom t-shirt for very little time and money.

Shopping find: C Wonder

Anyone who regularly sees me knows how much I enjoy color. I do not shy away from bold colors and I typically feel happier and more confident in something bright and cheery. I love the 'anything goes' approach currently sweeping the fashion industry and I secretly wish it would stay forever. While I was in New York I stumbled across C Wonder. This brand is new to me, but is the brainchild of Chris Burch.

How do you feel about wearing bright colors? Do you like to stand out or would you rather blend in?

A Pike Place Market Valentine's Day

Anyone who reads my blog knows I am a big fan of Pike Place Market. Some locals might stick their nose up at it as merely a place to take tourists, but there are a lot of great places to check out in not a lot of square footage. Lunch dates are by far the best kind of break in the middle of my day. It needn't be with a spouse, it could be with a child or a friend. It needn't be more than a hour, but it can be pure joy.

This time of year the tulips start making their way into the stalls at the market. Forgo the pre made bouquets and pick out your very own custom bouquet stem by stem, it does not cost much more and allows you the freedom to select what you like.

Black Friday

Bleak was the perfect description for the day after Thanksgiving. The skies let loose and it poured all the day long. The rain kept away the faint of heart shoppers, but it was not enough to deter us from venturing downtown. We did not come across very many items we just had to have, but we enjoyed the people watching, our annual lunch at Palomino's and being together on a weekday.

FashionABLE scarves

Part of experiencing a more meaningful holiday season, is giving more thoughtful gifts. I came across a list of gifts which give back and thought this was the perfect place to start. FashionABLE scarves are made by women in Ethiopia who were once former sex workers. The most amazing part of the company is that they recruit their workers by going out onto the streets and convincing them there is a better way to live. I just picked up one of these scarves and it is not only beautiful and thoughtfully made, but creates a meaningful job and purpose for another woman on the planet. Women should support other women and buying a scarf is one small way you too can do that.

To heed or not heed their advice.....

Most of my friends are astonished when they realize how many baby items I have already purchased, but frankly it is just my nature. I have been forewarned about skin tone and size of child making certain clothes not work, but that has not deterred me from becoming best friends with my local Baby Gap. Adorable little boy clothes are too irresistible to pass up and at discounted prices it seems like a shame to not just plan ahead. One question though....... Do you prefer footed or footless one pieces for your baby? Was there ever a case where they were too long and the footed items just did not work?

Downtown Seattle Rocks the Runway

Across the globe cities participated in Fashion Night Out and Seattle was no different. It was an after hours shopping extravaganza and fashion show of the Fall/Winter collections. Nordstrom, Eileen Fisher, Macy's, Baby and Co. and many other retailers participated in a runway show in the middle of Pacific Place. There was food from the many restaurants in the mall and surrounding area, fun people watching and loads in inspiration as to what to wear this season.

We love Portland

We planned our trip to Portland in conjunction with the long holiday weekend to do some tax free baby shopping, stay at our favorite hotel and enjoy the many sights and sounds of the city. Where else do you find such cute graffiti or the opportunity to eat grilled cheese in a double decker bus?

Baby nursery

Having a child is much like getting married, once everyone finds out they want to know the date and your color scheme. Long before we knew what we were having I started making my first quilt, the colors I was repeatedly drawn to were gray, white and yellow. I know they are a tad trendy, but our wedding colors were pink and green which seemed to have had their fair share of the spotlight. For the nursery, I am envisioning a room predominately white with gray and yellow accents.

Preparing for our little man

There is no denying little girl clothing is over the top adorable. In my limited experience, there also seems to exist some pretty cute little boy clothes. Do you have a favorite place to shop for little boys? Here are some of my favorites so far.

Peek, a limited selection can be found at Nordstrom, but they recently opened a store at University Village.

Sparkle and Spin, a UK brand which makes trendy basic and sometimes offers great sales.

Baby Gap, they have amazing sales, great attention to detail and offer adult clothing miniaturized.

Tea Clothing, unique, timeless styles which can be worn now and twenty years from now.

Zara, hip, modern, but not overly expensive trendy looking clothes.

Kate Quinn Organics, rich colors and stylish takes on basics.

The power of the red doors

We have a weekly routine or should I call it a "tradition" of stopping by Target on our way home from hiking each Saturday. In the past, we had a particular cashier we liked to visit best. She was quiet, had sad eyes and wore a gigantic metal key around her neck. There was something about that key or her sad eyes which made us pick her line over all the rest. Our friend started working there for a short stint and even found out her name for us. It is odd how you can feel a connection to someone who does not recognize you from the other person buying toothpaste and candy. One day she was no longer there and in our hearts we hoped for big things for the girl with the key around her neck. What is it about the red doors, the bright lights and the fact that you can find all sorts of things you never knew you needed, but end up walking out with bags full? Genius, pure genius I tell you.

To market, to market

Does the thought of grocery shopping at Pike Place Market seem overwhelming or too crowded to prove successful? Think again....

Here are a few of my tips on how to have a successful shopping trip to Pike Place Market:

1. Shopping on an empty stomach is a bad idea: Stop at Beecher's for a homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese for shopping fuel. While you are there pick up Beecher's Flagship cheese, so you can head home and make your own version of their signature mac and cheese.

2. Think local and seasonal: whether it is flowers or vegetables, if you purchase whatever is in season it will not only be fresher, but a greater value. Right now tulips are the "it" flower of choice.

3. Pricing: Just because it is artfully displayed or in a touristy location does not automatically mean it is more expensive than the grocery store. I consistently find great prices on carrots, potatoes, onions and fresh herbs at the market.

4. Fluid menu planning: Head to the market with a general idea of what you would like to have ie. a pasta with a protein and vegetables or ingredients for a hearty salad. This provides for a much more successful experience than scouring the market for a plantain.

5. Ask the experts: When a shopkeeper only sells fish or cheese they know volumes more about their product. Take the time to ask them how best to prepare their product. Pike Place Fish Market only sells sustainable fish. For those of us who want to be responsible, you can buy with confidence here.

5. Sunshine in Seattle: You are foolish to stay inside on days like this, so what better way to spend it than at the market.

Birthday party in a box

My three nieces all have their birthdays pretty close together, so I thought it would be fun to create a birthday box to help them celebrate. When I think of them I think of all things happy, fun, bright and playful. I hope this box makes them realize just how special they are to me.

Ideas for contents:
Paper decorations
Streamers
Old fashion candy sticks
Streamers
Happy birthday napkins
Paper Plates
Birthday banner
Birthday candles
Blowers
Notecards
Cake Mix
Frosting
Festive canned drinks
Candy
Brightly colored take out boxes

Easter outfit

For Easter the weather is typically either cold or rainy. This kind of weather does not lend itself to brightly colored short sleeved spring time dresses. In lieu of a brightly colored dress, I like to pair a printed skirt with a solid colored top and a denim jacket. Add a great funky shoe and you are already to dye easter eggs, eat chocolate and enjoy the cherry blossoms outside your window.

a. Tri blend tank b. Miz Mooz Ella Pump c. Nolita denim jacket  d. Old Navy Striped Skirt

Designing with candles

Capri Blue, Mandarin Mango

Good quality candles are potent enough to enliven your room with their scent without even having to light them. They are also beautifully packaged, liquify while burning (for even consumption) and are pretty to look at even when not in use. Here are my top three candles both for scent, aesthetics and price. Enjoy!!

 Volupsa, Goji Berry

Capri Blue Mercury Glass Candle