|
 |
June 27th, 2008 Growing up, we always had dogs in our family. And not small, lap dogs—big lab-like dogs with tails that could clear a coffee table with one wag. Naturally, when we became adults, we had to have a dog of our very own. While all our other siblings had chosen dogs like the ones we grew up with, we chose a pug. A snorting, sniffling, grunting pug with fat rolls—and, quite possibly, the cutest face ever seen on a dog. We were proud of our little roast-with-legs until we took her to the family cabin for a weekend. The dogs in our family swim, they hike and root through the bushes in the woods with abandon. Our little egg roll? She needed a doggie life-jacket (we used to mock dogs like this) and she still booked it out of the water at top speed. Not interested in taking a hike, she would rather chew on her bone in the cool indoors. But we aren’t giving up on the little one just yet—we are determined to make her an outdoor dog. She won’t be mocked by her dog cousins—she really will be, as they say, a big dog in a little dog’s body. |
||
Seattle Picks: |
|||
| 1 | Paper Dream It has been a long week, an ever longer wait for summer, and we are itching to throw a party. Do we host a dinner partay, a swanky cocktail affair, or perhaps a wine-tasting festivity? Girlfriends only or do we include males in the mix as well? The possibilities are endless and we have too many ideas to decide on just one, but when we do, one thing is for sure: we are going to need fabulous invitations. The Real Card Company in Madison Valley offers up one-stop shopping for invitations, cards, stationery, and last but not least, inspiration. Browsing through the unique and bright collections on the shelves is sure to bring out the fun “hostess with the mostess” ideas in everyone. From children’s parties in the sandbox to adult-themed soirees, we find the best ready made and custom paper goods at the Real Card Company. So we finally decided upon the perfect invitation, decor and guest list… now if only all of our calendars could agree on a date. Real Card Company |
|
|
| 2 | Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice Along with wedding season comes another one of our favorite times of year—bachelorette party season. We love the feather boas, the giggle-inducing anatomically correct party decorations, and the all-night dance parties these crazy shindigs inspire. What can we say? As longtime single ladies, something about our friends’ last hurrahs and raunchy party games really gets us going. Our most recent bachelorette party featured an old party standby: decorating cupcakes in less than savory shapes. And while it was a bit difficult to find the manly molds, we had no problem finding all the decorations thanks to Cookies. On Market Street, in the heart of Ballard, this tiny shop is a baker’s dream. Packed with hundreds of cookie cutters, vintage-y aprons for all ages, and sprinkles for days (in every shade of the rainbow), we couldn’t help but leave with a big bag full of goodies. The party was a total success and we can’t wait to make it back to Cookies. Perhaps this time for something a little more traditional. Cookies |
|
|
| 3 | Where Napoli Meets Madrid Every time we mention to friends or family that we’re headed out to a tapas bar we have to clarify that we’re not going out to watch naked women dancing ridiculously across a stage. That’s right, we say, we’re going to eat at a tapas joint, not a topless bar. We swear we enunciate perfectly, but this always happens just the same. We are, however, willing to endure the explanation for the thousandth time if it means we get to eat at Tidbit. This cozy, North Capital Hill bistro has been open less than a year, but has already garnered a buzz for fantastic dishes that marry the flavors of Spain and Italy in a selection of tapas, entrees and salads. We drooled over prawns sautéed in an Andaluz sherry sauce paired with perfectly grilled artisan bread, and a gooey Aracino (fried risotto cake) stuffed with tomato, saffron and mozzarella. Finally, we allowed our hosts to “convince” us to order desserts—two fruity sorbets paired with their newest offerings: a flight of grappa and a flight of cellos. How’s that for a wild evening at the tapas bar? Tidbit |
|
|
| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Parisian Chic We envy French women who never get fat, make berets look super-chic, have perfectly coiffed hair and stylish ensembles, and the piéce-de-resistance—perfect peaches-and-cream complexions. As hard as we try, we never quite reach that quintessentially French, Catherine Deneuve, put-together look. However, after finding Votre Vu, at least now we can achieve glowing skin. Launching in August, this line of organic Parisian-made skin and hair products is luxurious and made with only the finest, naturally based, French formulations. Tres jolie! |
 |
|
| 2 | Simply Stylish We love flashy baubles like big cocktail rings and costume jewelry as much as the next gal, but sometimes we are, quite simply, in the mood for a piece of jewelry that we can wear day in and day out. We have been on the search for such a signature piece, which we eventually found at Down to the Wire designs. This simple, gorgeously textured, sterling silver disk has us reaching for it every morning when we get dressed. Ahh, sweet simplicity. |
 |
|
| 3 | Memory Makers We are huge documenters. We take pictures non-stop and we keep every postcard ever received. The result? Boxes of photos and memorabilia under our bed, just waiting, until we find the place for it all. Mission accomplished! Good Stock Press and Bindery will turn our memories into a stunning and meaningful coffee table-quality book. Family histories, memoirs and love stories, using our own ideas or one of their templates—they make it easy and fun. It’s the best idea we never had! |
 |
|
| Cocktail of the Week! | |||
|
The Hendricks Gin Cucumber Rickey It may not be that sunny yet here in Seattle, but it is getting warmer, and warmer weather calls for special summer cocktails made to be sipped outside on restaurant decks and sidewalk cafés. At the top of our list is the Hendricks Gin Cucumber Rickey from Tulio Ristorante at the Hotel Vintage Park. Delicious and refreshing, it’s the perfect way to kick off summer. The Hendricks Gin Cucumber Rickey Muddle the lime, add three cucumber wheels, then the gin and soda. Garnish with a cucumber wheel on the rim of the glass. Enjoy while wearing glamorously oversized shades. |
|||
Hip Happenings: |
|||
| 1 | Double the Sale, Double the Fun! What’s better than a double-sale with Tulip and A Mano? Nothing! A Mano’s big bi-annual sale features spring and summer shoes and handbags from the likes of Loeffler Randall and Chie Mihara at 30% off, while Tulip is offering 30% off of all their spring and summer clothing from brands like Annelore and Bensoni. Two is so much better than one! What: A Mano & Tulip—Big Bi-Annual Sale |
 |
|
| 2 |
A Sweet Day Check out the sweet treats at the 2008 Strawberry Festival at Crossroads Park. There will be music, food, and more importantly, strawberry shortcake. Not to mention, a strawberry shortcake-eating contest. Park at Sammamish High School and ride the free shuttle to the park, which comes every 15 minutes. We are so there. What: 2008 Bellevue Strawberry Festival |
 |
|
| 3 | A Treat for the Home Capers, home of fabulous furnishings, décor and gifts, is holding their Anniversary Sale with savings of at least 20% off everything they have in stock—including select rugs for 25% off and outdoor furniture at 33% off. Silverware, linens, barware, candles—it’s all here, and it’s all on sale. What: Capers Anniversary Sale |
 |
|
Hey there, chic Seattle ladies—keep reading our Friday issues. We promise to bring you a thousand-and-one ways to enjoy your crazy, sexy, cool summer. (Tell your friends!) |
|||
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. |
|||
