the Seattleites' Diary

Seattle's Best Cheese

2011-05-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

If you haven't tried Beecher's Cheese located at Pike Place Market, you ought to try them. They are delicious.

Beecher's Cheese's Mac and cheese is definitely the world's best mac and cheese around town. It is best when eaten fresh out of the oven, bubbly and hot.

Specialty Bottle in SODO area

2010-01-27T10:53:00.000-08:00

I don't know if Specialty Bottle is the only company in Seattle where they sell varieties of bottles, but it's pretty cool to find out that we have this unique company in Seattle SODO area. I stumbled upon their website the other day and I thought, this is pretty cool!... If you are in need of glass or plastic jars/bottles or special containers, you can always check their selections.

For small business owners or artist, this could be one of many resources to keep and use.

You can order through online or call their store.
Their Address: 3434 4th Avenue S |Seattle, WA 98134 | 206-382-1100 | service@specialtybottle.com

Ideas that you can do with bottles or jars.

Flower in a jar.

Candle holder

Favors / Cookie Jars

Photo Displays

Candy Displays

Organizing materials

For more ideas.. you can look at Martha Stewart Website, and Weeping Cherries Blogspot (All images in this article are from this blog).

Sweet Tooth for Cupcakes

2010-01-25T14:58:00.000-08:00

Cupcake has become a form of art in Seattle. A lot of cupcakes business blooms in the past few years. Yet, no one has written a review about cupcakes in Seattle. Let's explore more about Seattle's Cupcakes!... This is definitely going to be an interesting article.

First, let's find out where does cupcake come about. According to Wiki (yes, this is my favorite resource when looking for origins), in 19th century 'cup cake' or 'cupcake' were baked in individual pottery cups, ramekins, or molds and took their name from the cups they were baked in. The name "fairy cake" is a fanciful description of its size, which would be appropriate for a party of diminutive fairies to share.

Nowadays, cupcakes artist make them look so beautiful and amazingly creative, with decorative frosting and fondant, colorful wraps and liners. Cupcakes soon becomes an alternative to cakes for celebrations, such as weddings, graduations, and birthdays.

Check out some of Seattle's amazing Cupcake Places:

Trophy Cupcakes, located at three major location throughout Seattle and Bellevue.

SOURCE: HAPPY CAVALIER

The cupcakes based on many reviews was voted as one of the most moist cupcakes in town. Don't believe. Try it for yourself.

Cupcake Royale, located mostly in and around Seattle. Cupcake Royale always have cupcake of the month. Check out what their cupcake of the month is by going to one of the stores around Seattle.

Coffee to a Tea with Sugar Cupcake Place has some delicious and delightful cupcakes and other types of dessert.

SOURCE: COFFEE TO A TEA WITH SUGAR WEBSITE

The Yellow Leaf Cupcakes is one of the newest cupcake place in Seattle. They just recently open (May 2009). "You won’t believe there's Campbell's tomato soup in the signature cupcake at Belltown's petite Yellow Leaf Cupcake Co. (the tender cake tastes more like a marriage of spice and carrot cakes), but co-owner and chief cupcake baker Tony Portugal assured me it's in there. The subtly sweet cake... "from Seattle Magazine.

New York Cupcakes is definitely divine. It's one of my favorite cupcake place in Seattle. Their cake is very moist. It's too bad they close the branch in Seattle, however you'll find them inside Bellevue Square.

See more Cupcake Places in Seattle:
Wink Cupcakes, located in Queen Anne.
Sweet Cakes, specialized in Gluten Free Diet, located in Kirkland.
Common Ground Cupcakes located in Renton.

Featured Artist: Susan Najarian, the Encaustic Painter

2010-01-22T09:35:00.000-08:00

Susan Najarian is a local Seattleites artist with an amazing talent. Check out Susan's recent interview with Seattleites' Diary and her paintings below.

PAINTING: MAGIC IN THE AIR

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Please describe your creative process and the material.
I am an independent artist and I live on Bainbridge Island. I am married and have thee school aged children. I create encaustic paintings. Encaustic is from the ancient Greek word that means to heat. The medium consists of beeswax melted with a small amount of resin to impart hardness. This mixture becomes paint when pigment is added to the molten wax. I use the hot wax like paint and I fuse layers of wax to a stable surface using a blowtorch or heat gun.

I love the process of encaustics. There is a lot of preparation, which I see as part of the fun. I like all the setup that is needed before you even begin to paint. Also, living here in the gray, damp, Pacific Northwest I like the warm, sweet smelling, medium, (as beeswax warms, there is a sweet smell of honey). Most of all, I like the finished look. Every completed piece has a sensual, tactile quality that invites the viewer to caress the paintings.

What inspires your work?
I love nature and color. Birds and trees show up in my paintings quite often. I am also drawn to the color of water and I use a lot of blues and greens in my work. And the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest is always inspiring.

What made you want to become an artist?
I have always been creative. I don’t think I “became” an artist it has always been who I am I can remember being in Kindergarten and the teacher praised my creative ability. So I guess getting positive feedback over the years made me want to be an artist.

What advice would you give to other Seattleites Artist?
I guess the advice I would give other Seattle Artists is - try the internet to sell your work. Etsy and other online venues are fantastic. I have met so many wonderful people through Etsy and the support and encouragement is fantastic.

GROUP INSTALLATION PAINTING

Check out her shop at Etsy. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook. Check out her photos at Flickr and her latest news at her blog.

Some of the rave reviews from the buyers:
"Beautiful little painting. It spoke to me the moment I spotted it and is more beautiful in real life. Thanks." - mackaren

"This is truly amazing art. i have never seen anything so creative in my life. it brings such an interesting aesthetic. truly amazing. and the artist is a pleasure to work with. no prima donnas here!" - cathlapotle

"I love my new art! I have received many compliments and Susanna was easy to work with." - AnneMulick

PAINTING: BLUE FOREST

Susan Najarian upcoming Events:
Jan. 8 – Jan. 31
Bainbridge Island Library - exhibition - Bainbridge Island, WA

Jan. 4 – Jan. 31
Walnut Street Coffee - exhibition - Edmonds, WA

Seattle Wedding Show 2010

2010-01-21T12:31:00.001-08:00

Dear Readers, last weekend I was invited by my friend to Seattle Wedding Show... It's so fun to be there. There are so many vendors participated in this event. The great thing about this show is their samples!... Sweeeeeet!... I get to try many different food samples, Espresso shot, cakes, took a lot of the brochures and information from each of the vendor...

Check out some of these amazing vendors.

Metropolitan Market Flower Stand

Bridal Shower invitation card from Paper Zone

Table Decorations by Ravishing Radish Catering

Mixed Media Photography by One Love Photo

Cute Umbrellas from Bella Umbrella

Cakes by A Tier Above

It's definitely a worth while event to go to... they also have Fashion Show that features different kinds of wedding dresses/tuxedo from Seattle Bridal shops.

Art in Focus: Mending Project by Lee Mingwei

2009-11-18T10:46:00.000-08:00

Dear Diary, I can't help but to share this wonderful work of art that is done by Lee Mingwei. The Mending Project is simply a project about humanity.

About The Mending Project:

The Mending Project, is an interactive conceptual installation that uses the gesture of mending to explore ideas of trust and intimacy between strangers…Trained in weaving by a monk in Taiwan and later as a student at the California College of Art, in this project Mingwei brings together his expertise in sewing with the concept of the gift and reciprocity in his artistic practice…Closing the gap between art and life with the ceremonial serenity of a Buddhist ritual, Mingwei invites the gallery audience to bring in articles of clothing that require mending. However, unlike a tailor whose goal is to hide the tear and restore the article to its original state, Mingwei’s gesture celebrates the rip by leaving a visible mark of brightly colored thread, chosen by the participant. In his effort to expand the potential limits and contexts of transformative experience, the conceptual core of the project becomes the conversation between the participant and the artist as he repairs the garment.

Currently the Mending project is being held in New York at Lombard-Freid.

Lee's other projects include- The Dining Project, The Letter Writing Project, The Tourist Project, The Sleeping Project. If you want to see more of his work, check out his website.

The L Letterpress Tool Kit Giveaway!

2009-11-12T17:40:00.001-08:00

Hi Everyone, Check out what I found from DIY blog; who’s up for some letterpress action with their very own DIY letterpress machine???

Here’s the deal: Lifestyle Crafts, makers of L Letterpress, is offering 1 lucky iDiY reader to do just that! I know I’ve been shying away from doing anymore giveaways here in the blog but as a self-confessed letterpress junkie, there’s no way I could pass this one up. Not when you can DIY cards like these… right in your own home! Check it out.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: (Please read carefully)

Prize: The L Letterpress Combo Kit (valued at $149.99)
Prize Ships: To USA or Canada address only

To enter:

Entry #1: Comment on this post telling us the projects you want to do with the L Letterpress;
Entry #2: Leave a SEPARATE comment if you follow us on Facebook, including your username;
Entry #3: Leave a SEPARATE comment if you follow us on Twitter, also with your username indicated;
Entry #4: Leave another SEPARATE comment if you mentioned this giveaway either on your blog or via Twitter. You must include the blog/Tweet link below.
Limit: Maximum of 4 entries per person
Number of Winners: One
Giveaway Closes: Wednesday, November 18th at 11:59pm EST
Usual Stuff: The winner will be selected using random.org. and will be announced back here on this post.

Good luck, everyone!!

City's Fabulous Street Food

2009-10-07T10:00:00.001-07:00

If you never aware about Seattle's Gourmet food trucks thereabout, here's the time to know more about it. Seattle is one of those city that keeps exploring for new ideas and new innovation. We have many Gourmet Food trucks around Seattle that you can't even believe.

Here are some of them in town.

Marination

Marination Mobile is Seattle’s sauciest food truck. Marination specializes in Hawaiian and Korean curb cuisine that is always fast, usually marinated in a signature sauce, frequently served in a tortilla, and mostly healthy. Find out where they are located in Seattle, go to their blog and check out Marination latest news.

Skillet

Unlike other street food, this one provides gourmet food like you never thought before. The menu is like what you would find in a five star restaurant. They provide seasonally relevant, locally sourced and impeccably executed bistro style food up and down the west coast…...out of their airstream trailers.

Find out where they are located in Seattle and make sure to check out their menu.

Maximus Minimus

If you in need of a simple, yet delicious food for lunch, you've got to try Maximus Minimus. Their menu offers pulled pork or vegetarian (roasted onions, fennel, and barley) sandwiches. Sandwiches can be customized by choosing between two styles of sauce, maximus (spicy and savory: made with beer, a blend of six peppers, onions, and fruit juices) or minimus (sweet and tangy: made with tamarind, honey, and molasses). Just thinking about it, makes my mouth watery!... Be sure to check out their location and their menu before you visit their famous pig truck.

Kaosamai Thai

Kaosamai Thai is a unique mobile kitchen. they also offer catering to events like wedding, birthday party and have their mobile cook right in front of the venue space. The food is amazing, it is gourmet Thai food. Check out their locations and twitter for their latest news.

Gert's BBQ

Michael N. from Yelp says, "The DDot Sliders were tasty and the sides (green bean casserole, mac & cheese and the fries) could not be beat. I'll definitely go back and try their other offereings as well. Hope their mobile station brings them in toward downtown Seattle!". Be sure to find out their location and menu.

El Camion

El Camion offers authentic Mexican food. The food is very affordable and they have a lot of selections to choose from. From breakfast burrito to special plates, you name it, they have it. They have two trucks located at South of Seattle and North of Seattle. Be sure to check their where about before going there.

Parfait Ice Cream

Parfait offers elegant versions of classic ice cream flavors, with a variety of fruit and specialty flavors regularly rotated into their menu according to the season.

At Parfait, every cone is a waffle cone. They prepare organic cones from scratch. Each Parfait cone is pressed on a specialty iron and hand-rolled with care. Be sure to check their locations and taste those yummy ice creams.

Crossroads

2009-10-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

Crossroads in Seattle is in the heart of Capitol Hill on Broadway and Harrison. Capitol Hill is a beautiful community with many historic buildings and mansions and Broadway is one of Seattle’s busiest and most popular streets. The eclectic neighborhood is always bustling with diverse people and cultures. Broadway east is the gathering point for Seattle’s gay community, college students, and young people of all cultures, lifestyles, and ethnicities. Broadway’s shopping options are as varied as its people. You can choose from such stores as Urban Outfitters, Aprie, American Apparel, Ok Ok, and of course, Crossroads! Our Seattle store offers the best in everything from urban trends by Diesel, Marc Jacobs, and BCBG to great basics like Banana Republic, Club Monaco, and H & M. We also offer a huge selection of designer denim including Citizen’s of Humanity, True Religion, Habitual, and Seven For All Mankind. You can accessorize any outfit with a wide variety of shoes, bags, and jewelry.

After a day of shopping and sightseeing, energize with a coffee from Vivace Espresso and set out to sample Capitol Hill’s exciting and varied nightlife. Filled with restaurants, bars, nightclubs and live music venues, Capitol Hill has something for everyone. Some of our favorite spots include Via Tribunali for a cozy dinner date, Quinn’s for innovative bistro cuisine, Redwood for a casual drink in a rustic lodge setting, Chop Suey and Neumo’s for live music, or Cha Cha for cocktails in a kitschy tiki surrounding. Capitol Hill offers the best of everything, and so does our store. Come and check us out!

The Legend of Pretty Parlor

2009-10-05T15:03:00.000-07:00

Source: Article is taken from Pretty Parlor website

Once upon a time, a kicky young miss named Anna Lange (that’s Anna Banana, to you) dreamed of bringing clothes with clout to the masses. “Today’s look reflects today’s taste,” she said to herself, as she painted her toenails with Passion Pink. Soon enough, her delicious dream became a reality; she opened the original Pretty Parlor on Summit Avenue in Seattle’s Capitol Hill in November of 2001.

After a year of bestowing bountiful bon-bons to the denizens of Capitol Hill, Miss Banana had another brainstorm. “Let’s bring the funk up to Phinney,” she exclaimed, while visions of sugarplums danced in her head. The Parlor relocated in November 2002 to a happy home on Greenwood Avenue atop Phinney Ridge. However as the hustle and bustle of an ever-expanding city grows, so does the real estate.

Alas, the Parlor on Phinney was forced to flee as the buildling lost its lot to condos. "BACK TO THE HILL WE MUST GO!" exclaimed her lady in pink. In late fall of 2005, the Pretty Parlor was back in its original spot in all its glory on Summit Ave. E. "Ahhhhh......" said Miss Banana, "It feels so wonderful to be back on the Hill! HOME SWEET SOME!"

As ever, the 1000-square foot boutique (that’s a lot of pink paint, pardner!) showcases vintage & indie designer fashions, jewelry, and accessories for men and women. Anna now spends her days frolicking among the racks of fabulous finds and creates flirty fashions for her own label, "House of Pretty Parlor". If that’s not happily ever after, we don’t know what is.

Macarons in Seattle

2009-10-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

Hi All, I have been extremely busy these past few months and didn't get a chance to post anything new at all... Last month, I just got engaged. Ever since, I have been really crazy about planning and finding venue and all that... So, I'm sorry for being absence for so long... I'm back though!

Let's talk about Macarons...What is it? What is so interesting about Macarons? I'm going to take you back to the 18th century, where French people started to these.
Macarons is a traditional French pastry that is made of egg whites, almond powder, icing sugar and sugar. This sweet pastry came out of the French courts' baker's oven as round meringue-like domes with a flat base.

Here's what I found out: In the 1830s macarons were served two-by-two with the addition of jams, liqueurs, and spices. The macaron known today is the "Gerbert" macaron, born in the 1880s in the Beleville neighbourhood of Paris.The double-decker macaron filled with cream that is popular today was invented by the French pâtisserie Ladurée.

Macaron come with many colors. The famous ones are pink, purple, yellow, and pistachio green. If you are interested how to make macaron, you can check out the step by step instructions at Serious Eats.

Macarons can be found in several places in Seattle. One of my favorite place to go is Bakery Nouveau, Honore Artisan Bakery in Ballard, Le Panier at Pike Blace, and Boulangerie Nantaise in Belltown.

Because of the cute shape and colors, you can use Macarons for many occasions, such as Tea Party with the Ladies, Wedding showers, Baby showers, or even weddings.
Their pastel or bright colors make it look so good in the pictures.

Next time if you are thinking of a colorful decoration idea for your event, think of Macarons.

Michael Jackson FLASH MOB in Downtown Seattle

2009-08-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

Flash mobs pop up in the middle of crowded cities, perform, then disappear into the crowd. August 29 is Michael Jackson's birthday, so following in the footsteps of Stockholm and Paris, we're going to be flash-mobbing the streets of Seattle. Warm-up and choreography at Cal Anderson at 10am, then a dress rehearsal at noon, followed by a 1pm performance at Westlake Center, and a 2pm performance at Pike Place in front of the Starbucks.

Youtube Flash Mob (Stockholm)

http://www.onedegreeevents.com/flashmob.htm

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=103795456378&ref=ts

Best Shoe Stores in Seattle

2009-08-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

Dear readers, I came accross Seattle's Best Shoe Stores the other while browsing internet and I thought I'd like to share this with you.

John Fluevog Shoes

Moses used tablets, Picasso used paints, God used Moses, Alex G Bell used the telephone and John Fluevog uses shoes. Great minds of the past have used a variety of mediums to communicate their messages – since the beginning of time (or at least John) John has been using the soles and foot socks of his shoes to communicate with the world.

John has always seen himself as more than a Canadian shoe designer: “I’m an armchair philosopher, and artist and a style monger, my shoes and messages are quite simply a part of me.”

Visit their website.
Location: 205 Pine St Seattle, WA 98101

A Mano

A Mano (Italian & Spanish) means By Hand. A Mano is an intimate, artful boutique and online shop that is filled with European
and American-made shoes, bags and jewelry, which highlight that authenticity never goes out of style. Emphasis is on old world craftsmanship (a.k.a. quality freaks), original designs, beauty as well as durability.

Visit their website
Location: 1115 First Avenue Seattle Washington 98101

Lambs Ear Shoe Store

According to Jen.M from yelp Lambs Ear Shoe Store is the most selective women's shoe store in Seattle. She's always impressed with their collection and taste level. A lovely hidden gem of a store.

Alice R commented: "Ultimate feet candy and a lovely place to buy them. I tried on the most comfortable adorable boots. I still think about them fondly and I like to think they will still be there on my next visit, but deep in my heart I know they have gone home with someone else with the kind of disposable income that makes my head spin. Oh the shoes I would buy....."

Visit their website
Location: 3516 Fremont Pl N Seattle, WA 98103

Don't Miss All the Fun this Weekend

2009-07-27T13:10:00.001-07:00

Seafair Hydroplane Races

For those of you who have been in Seattle long enough, you must be aware about Seafair Hydroplane Races that are happening in the summer. This year, the race is happening at South Lake Washington, Stan Sayres Pits, starting from Friday through Sunday (July 31st - Aug 2nd). There will be an admission fee apply to this event. More information about admission fee.

In addition to the high-speed action on the water that draws thousands of fans to Lake Washington, there is also a wide-variety of entertainment options for the whole family on land. Returning in 2009 will be music all weekend in Genesee Park; plus an awe-inspiring pyrotechnic air show performance followed by a spectacular fireworks display on Saturday evening!

UmojaFest | African Heritage Festival and Parade

Another event that's coming up this coming weekend is Seattle's UmojaFest | African Heritage Festival and Parade. It's happening at Judkins Park - Seattle, WA.

Background:
"Umoja" is a Swahili word which means "unity", is the main theme of the festival. An artistic and cultural extravaganza that uniquely touches the spirit of the community, the Umoja Fest has historically been the most unifying celebration in the community, bringing people of all ethnic backgrounds together for a celebration of culture, education, social festivities and networking.

Event highlights :
include the African American Day Parade, Children's Day, African Drum & Dance, Jazz, Soul, Reggae, Spoken Word & Poetry, Hip-Hop Fest, Basketball Tournament, Soccer Tournament, Gospel Fest, Voter Registration, Bite of Africa, Vendor Marketplace & Community Resource Fair.

Shakespeare in Discovery Park

GreenStage will present the 21st annual Shakespeare in the Park series at Discovery Park on two dates this summer. The Comedy of Errors is set for Sunday, July 26 at 3pm and King John is Sunday, August 2 at 3pm.

GreenStage’s mission is to inspire audiences to engage with live theater. The productions are free, fun, and family oriented. They present Shakespeare’s plays simply, focusing on the text, story, characters and relationships in the play. The plays are free (though donations are welcome) and you don’t need reservations. Just show up and watch the show. They do recommend that to get a good spot you should arrive at least 20 minutes early.

Bring a blanket or a chair. They ask that audience members with chairs sit towards the back so as not to block the view of those on the ground. You are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, dinner, or snack. The show goes on in all weather. They say that if an audience is willing to sit in the rain, they are willing to give them a show. This of course depends on just how wet it gets, and how much of an audience there is. The show will be cancelled in the case of lightning.

Kayaking and Canoeing in the Summer

2009-07-21T09:50:00.000-07:00

Lately the summer has been HOT in Seattle!... it's time to do some fun outdoor activities!... I'm going to explore about places where you can take your family out on a Kayaking/canoeing experience.

University of Washington Rec Sports
For the University of Washington Students, everyone knows that they can take advantage of the discount that U.W offers. The UW Rec Sports center is located directly behind Husky Stadium on Union Bay and the Montlake Cut. Activities include canoe and rowboat rentals. Boat storage is available for private non-motorized boats to students, faculty/staff, and alumni association members. For students/faculty it is $5/hour on weekdays and $6/hour on weekends. As for general public, it is $8.50/hour (weekdays) and $10/hour (weekends). They only accept Cash/Checks only.

Green Lake Boat Rental

photo credit: Kathleen W- Green Lake Boat Rental Yelper

Another favorite Kayak/Canoe place in Seattle is Green Lake. You could rent canoe/boat at Greenlake Boat Rental, which open daily from April through September, 11Am until Dusk. To rent boat at Green Lake is a little bit pricier than UW Rec Sports- it's $14/hour for Kayak, Canoe, Pedal and Row Boats.

Agua Verde paddle Club

If you have been to Agua Verde Cafe- the restaurant that Rachael Ray been to, you probably notice that there's Paddle club right next to it. You could rent Single or Double Kayak on a guided tours for groups. They take you out for sunset tour, a full moon tour in the evenings, or a guided paddle through the Ballard Locks.

Tribute to Michael Jackson in Seattle

2009-06-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Seattleites' Diary, my heart filled with turmoil and sadness as I discovered Michael Jackson's death last thursday. For some of us who grew up with his music, this is truly a big lost. As I was discussing about M.J's life with my sister, we both suddenly just cried together and our hearts filled with deep sadness.

I wish that he could live to see how much he is loved. It's quite a tragic ending for the King of Pop. However, his music and influence will continually live in this generation. He will always be a legend.

Movin 92.5 did a tribute video for M.J in Seattle's area- 4th and Jackson St, on Sunday, June 28th.

Michael Jackson Moonwalk Tribute in Seattle

Here are some of my favorite videos of Michael Jackson:

You rock my world

Dangerous

The hidden Monuments in Seattle

2009-06-10T14:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Seattleites' Diary Reader, there are so many monuments around Seattle, however they are kept hidden unless you search for them. They are not in any tourist guidebook, however they are there for us to enjoy and take pictures.

The Hats and Boots in Georgetown Neighborhood

Source: See Seattle

The Hat ‘n’ Boots was originally built as a Premium Tex gas station near Georgetown. The station office is canopied by a giant cowboy hat measuring 44 feet in diameter, and the restrooms are housed in boots standing 22 feet tall. Today the restored Hat 'n' Boots rest nearby in Oxford Park, Georgetown. The cowboy hat is now a metal skeleton frame, without its original orange concrete skin. - Source Jeff Burger Flickr

The Birthplace of Seattle Monument by Alki Beach

You may have gone to Alki Beach, but have you ever notice that there's a monument that marks the location where the Denny Party landed in 1851, establishing the first non-native settlement on Elliott Bay. In 2001, a plaque acknowledging the assistance that these first settlers received from the region's indigenous people was added to the monument, one of many efforts in recent years to make the role of Native Americans more visible in the local historical record. The nearby Log House Museum offers exhibits and video programs highlighting early contact between Native and non-native people in the Seattle area. - source Seattle Cultural Guide

The Fishermen's Terminal Monument

Source: lighthouselucy

In 1988, the Seattle Fishermen's Memorial dedicated this magnificent bronze and stone aggregate monument at Seattle's Fishermen's Terminal. The celebration culminated years of effort and generous contribution by Seattle's commercial fishing community. This towering sculpture and the bronze name plaques at its base have become a place of reverence, recognition and healing for the families of more than 675 local commercial fishermen and women who have lost their lives pursuing their livelihood since the turn of the century. - source Seattle Fishermen's Memorial

The Chief of Seattle Statue in Downtown Seattle

Source- Wikipedia

City of Seattle was named after its founder, Chief of Seattle. In 1890, a group of Seattle pioneers led by Arthur Armstrong Denny set up a monument over his grave, with the inscription "SEATTLE Chief of the Suqamps and Allied Tribes, Died June 7, 1866. The Firm Friend of the Whites, and for Him the City of Seattle was Named by Its Founders" On the reverse is the inscription "Baptismal name, Noah Sealth, Age probably 80 years." The site was restored and a native sculpture added in 1976. Source - Wikipedia

The Simpsons and King/Queen of Heart Stamp from USPS

2009-06-09T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hi Seattleites' Reader, I just found out that at USPS, they are selling The Simpsons and King/Queen of Heart Stamps. It's quite adorable. Check this out:

I first found out from my favorite blog: Weddingbee by Mrs.Bee in their recent article about King and Queen Heart of Stamps, which you can use for wedding theme. :) Quite nice, eh?...

If you are looking into personalised postage stamp, there are few companies that would do customize stamps for you. These are great for weddings, holidays or even sending mails for close friends and relatives. These companies are zazzle.com, PhotoStamps.com, and PictureItPostage.com.

PhotoStamps.com allows user to zoom, move, and rotate the image, and select one of 10 different border colors to compliment it, while PictureItPostage.com lets you select a landscape or portrait orientation and click on a color within your image to select it as the background for the postage area of your design. And for those who want their postage picture to be worth more than 1,000 words, Zazzle.com allows you to superimpose text on your image. (Source Seattle PI)

Zazzle.com personalised postage stamp.

Did You Know About 826 Writing Center?

2009-05-20T15:16:00.000-07:00

826 SEATTLE is a non profit writing Center that helps students, ages six to 18, develop their creative and expository writing skills. They have writing workshops, publishing projects, and one-on-one help with homework and English Language Learning - all FREE OF CHARGE.

Their Publishing project consists of comic books, family portraits books, short play from selected Student works that was created in the Workshop.

There are many ways we can help 826 Seattle and our youth. You could consider making a financial donation, contributing your time, or donating something on 826 Seattle wish list.

Volunteering: Tutoring, administration, special events, professional services.
Money: All at once or over time.
Wish List: Always something, always changing.
Honor a Teacher: Financial donations in the name of your favorite teacher.

Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country

A few days after the election, students from 826 centers around the country were asked to provide advice and guidance to their new President. The result was a stack of hilarious, heartfelt, and occasionally downright practical letters loaded with advice. You can buy a copy of the book at the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. UPDATE: Powell’s Books in Portland has asked some of the young authors to check in with Obama and send updates to their letters via the Powell’s Books Blog.

Bizarre Things in Seattle

2009-05-18T15:39:00.000-07:00

Medical Error
Donald Church, 49, had a tumor in his abdomen when he arrived at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle in June 2000. When he left, the tumor was gone -- but a metal retractor had taken its place. Doctors admitted to leaving the 13-inch-long retractor in Church's abdomen by mistake. It was not the first such incident at the medical center; four other such occurrences had been documented at the hospital between 1997 and 2000. Fortunately, surgeons were able to remove the retractor shortly after it was discovered, and Church experienced no long-term health consequences from the mistake. The hospital agreed to pay Church $97,000.

The treehouse workshop
The TreeHouse Workshop is a Seattle-based company that takes the art of constructing tree houses extremely seriously. They build an average of one tree house per month and hire extremely able builders and carpenters to construct their projects. Their finished works vary in luxury but some even include (counterintuitive!) fireplaces.

World's Largest Birthday Cake
Made in 1962 for the Seattle World's Fair, the world's largest birthday cake weighted 25,000 pounds and stood 23 feet tall. The ingredients list includes the 10,500 pounds of flour needed for the cake.

Bizarre beards
Gandhi Jones, 34, from Seattle, 1st Place winner in the Freestyle Moustache category in 2007

CREDIT TO: http://www.oddee.com/

Summer Activities in Seattle

2009-05-14T15:43:00.001-07:00

Summer is coming, what sorts of activities can we do in Seattle? We are lucky to live in the Northwest, where everything is available for us to explore, such as nature and water activities. Check out our Seattleites' Flickrs on Summer Activites, it will inspire you to go outside and plan for some amazing adventures!

Three Person Canoe -novon

Seattle Folklife Festival -singingpixel

Splash at Seattle Center -singingpixel

Trail/hiking at Yancy St and take pictures at Fishbone Bridge -Duckyguy

Capturing images of Musicians at Pike Place Market

2009-05-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

If you have been to Pike Place Market, you probably notice some great street musicians singing by the side walk and entertaining people around them as they sing. Check out these great pictures from Pike Place Market by our Seattle flickr members.

accordion and dog -smitheruwm

Violinist - joeszilagyi

Emery Carl -BrittneyBush

Musician at Pike Place Market - beatnikside

Buskers Festival 2k8 m - lawrence_grant247

Street Musicians - dklimke

He's back and brought friends -MaryWit

Flute Dude -Stacie_O

Coffee Art Inspirations....

2009-05-11T14:09:00.001-07:00

"Ever have a cup of coffee with some of the most elaborate designs that make it almost too beautiful to drink? Many baristas have evolved the method of creating coffee to an aesthetic quality. This technique is called Latte Art." - Steve G - from The Barista Culture - theChefSeattle.com

Living in Seattle, you can't help to see creativity in your coffee latte. Check out Coffee art for your inspirations today...and enjoy a cup of coffee today...

pretty cup of caffeine by Gilfer

pirate con leche by ChrisB in SEA

It's spring! Time for coffee by ChrisB in SEA

latte art, latte heart -andy.s.

coffee art -Gilfer

Cup of Cappucino -swisscan

Seattleites' Flickr...

2009-05-11T13:21:00.000-07:00

I thought this week would be fun to feature our local flickr.... Check this out!

That Girl - Walsh

lady liberty -Walsh

Green Lake - Seattle -pkarm70

your basic tourist shot -EdgarDiazRocks

Latte Art - Flowers - Makeda Coffee Seattle, WA- shawnmebo

Daner WK Parskid - SoDo Legal Wall -Slightlynorth

YIP071 - Dave and Maggie - Slightlynorth

Now that is a beer holder - J. Kraemer

Ballard Sunday Market Musicians -PamINseattle

Green Lake ducks -mr*sha*mme*r

After all these years, the truth comes out -Justin Kramer

OVO Installation - Instax WIndows - Slightlynorth

Top Pot Doughnuts Coffee Cup -shawnmebo

Seattle Center Sci-Fi Perspective -Surrealize

Red Fin Sushi, a fun Dining Experience.

2009-05-11T10:36:00.000-07:00

If you haven't try Red Fin Sushi, you oughta try it. They have delicious sushi and bento box on the weekend.

I got this amazing discount from Restaurant.com, where you can get $25 gift certificate for only $10. If you love eating out, but want to save some money, you should try to go to Restaurant.com, and there you can find many participating restaurants.

Something that we like over there is the Tarantula Sushi Roll, Ichi Roll, Barbie Roll, and their bento boxes (only available on the weekends). The place is very modern and really neat, located right besides Hotel Max in Downtown Seattle. Our Yelper describes, "The most striking aspect of Red Fin is the decor. Black and red colors in a rather streamlined minimalist approach. I wouldn't have expected anything else from a Seattle sushi bar. The seats had neat stitching and were rather plush... the ambiance was subdued." -Kiki M.

Red Fin Sushi is located at:
612 Stewart St (between 6th Ave & 7th Ave)
Seattle, WA 98101

Pamper Yourself at Spa Noir

2009-04-23T12:16:00.000-07:00

Spa Noir is one of those Spa places in Seattle that you must try. The place is dark with dim of light and bright red color accents everywhere. The place is somewhat romantic, cozy, and relaxing. Couple of tips that I got from friends is that you should probably arrive early to your appointment so you can get started on time and there are no cell phones inside. A lot of people recommended facial over there.

As the owner of the place, Jessica Norton is really well known among her peers. A lot of people complimented and truly pleased with the work that she has done.

Jennifer N, a Yelper mentioned," I've been going to Alyson for what can only be described as an eff-load of waxing since I moved to Seattle (Ugh, Seattle...but that's another story) but that's not all she does. She also does facials (ooh facials...relaxing, beautifying, cleansing, hydrating, amazing facials) & scalp treatments (again, relaxing, beautifying, cleansing, hydrating, amazing) & all kinds of other fun relaxing, beautifying, cleansing, hydrating, amazing things."

MISCmedia.com says:

"Spa Noir offers all the favorite day spa services (facials, massages, manicures, etc.), but offers them until 10 p.m. Appointments can be made for even later at night, so bar and nightclub workers will have something to go to after closing time besides the suburban casinos."

Every month Spa Noir hosts Last Tuesday, which coincidentally, occurs on the last tuesday of each month. Enjoy champagne and chocolates while treating yourself to the wonderful specials that are offered on this evening only!

Spa Noir is located in Belltown neighborhood, between Lenora St & Blanchard St. Make sure to book your appointment at Spa Noir.

Helle, the Alternative to the Old Spa Scene

2009-04-20T09:59:00.000-07:00

I have been searching for a really good spa place, and found some great reviews from fellow Seattleites about some rejuvenating Spa places, rated by all of you that would be fun to share this week.

One of the places that I kept hearing raves about is Helle Seattle. Helle is a sanctuary from urban grime and pretentiousness. They provide clinical grade skincare in an it’s-o.k.-if-you’re-not-feeling-quite-so-zen environment. For sure they will make you look like an angel.

Helle offers wide varieties of services, facial, exfoliation, detox therapy, message, waxing, etc. I love their slogan on their site 'Your body is a temple', simply explain why I need to take good care of my body and be responsible to what has given to me.

Helle is located at Georgetown District. 5701 Airport Way S Ste C (between Carstens Pl & Homer St), Seattle, WA 98108.

Maria Christina B from Yelp says,"A little place located in the heart of Georgetown, Helle is a place to escape the same old hum drum of the regular spa experience. Danielle DeCanti is amazing as she transforms you from blah to fabulous! She makes your skin sing a happy tune with her wonderful facials. And the wax jobs are top notch! You must check out her major cool website at http://www.helleseattl... and call her for a visit! You'll love her too!" photo credit: Maria Christina B

Read more great reviews about Helle from nwsource.com and Daily Candy.

April 2009 Best of the Best Restaurant in Seattle

2009-04-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

According to Seattle's Best Restaurant, April 2009 Best of the Best Restaurant is:

PURPLE CAFE & WINE BAR

CUISINE: American (new) / Mediterranean
LOCATIONS: Seattle (financial district), Kirkland & Woodinville

A multifaceted food & wine concept that merges casual sophistication with an upbeat metropolitan style. Featuring a global wine selection coupled with a menu that blends classic American styles, seasonal northwest ingredients & Mediterranean themes. The atmosphere is often described as an urban retreat with rustic elements.

Purple Cafe & Wine Bar is a wine lovers dream! Offering wines flights from all around the world and the perfect food to pair. This is a great place to bring a date, impress clients or for group dining.

According to Foodette, from Restaurant Review World, "The atmosphere at Purple can be described as nothing short of swanky. Dim lighting, an upstairs lounge, and two stories of open wine storage really made the place feel hip."

Our Pick Yelper, Jennifer K says:

"We came here with a group twice in the last few months.
Loved the food, especially:
- the apple pear walnut & stilton salad
- butternut squash & prosciutto salad
- lobster baked mac & cheese
- butternut squash ravioli

Loved the atmosphere and it's great for groups. Ironically however I expected to be more impressed with the wine both times. Once I ordered a flight of Pinot Noir, and another time we ordered a bottle of a cabernet & merlot blend (can't remember the name since this was the visit from months ago). The wines were good, but they didn't knock my socks off. Oh well, I still love this place and I'll be back to try out more food and wine.

Check out Mondays for half price on certain bottles of wine."

Be sure to check out Purple Cafe and Wine Bar around your area!...

"Coffee: The World in Your Cup" exhibition at Burke Museum

2009-04-15T13:11:00.000-07:00

Coffee: The World in Your Cup exhibition at Burke Museum is extended through September 7, 2009 before it's national tour due to a strong local Seattleites response.

What is it about?
Coffee: The World in Your Cup presents the story of one of the world's most widely traded commodities and how it has affected cultures, economies, and environments across the globe.

Learn about the impacts of caffeine, the world's most commonly-used drug, on your body, discover coffee's early controversial reputation as a "revolutionary drink," and consider the culture that surrounds coffee in the twenty-first century. Photos, maps, text, selected artifacts, audiovisual presentations, and hands-on demonstrations help visitors explore the fascinating world behind the coffee we drink.

Coffee Tastings at the Burke
Each weekend during the run of the exhibit Coffee: The World in Your Cup, the Burke Museum and our partners offer coffee tastings.

Saturdays and/or Sundays 11 am – 2 pm
Free with Burke Museum admission

Coffee tasting Schedule in April:

Sat., April 18: Seattle Coffee Works
Hone your tasting skills on three single-origin coffees, each a favorite of this Seattle roaster and each from one of three distinct growing regions.

Sun., April 19: Peet's Coffee & Tea
Come and learn about Peet's long history, unique roasting style, and commitment to quality that has remained unchanged over 43 years! Sample some classic coffee blends, along with a limited edition 43rd Anniversary Blend.

Sat., April 25: Caffé Appassionato
This Seattle roaster will present its award-winning coffees for home brewers.

Enjoying the Cherry Blossom around Seattle

2009-04-14T11:35:00.000-07:00

photo by: sopon supamangmee photography | Sopon's Flickr Photostream.

I bet you are all excited that the Sunny weather is coming up this week!... I checked the weather forecast, it's definitely going to be pretty sunny mid of April... up to the 70s!... It's time for me to take my camera out and take pictures!

photo by: sopon supamangmee photography | Sopon's Flickr Photostream.

I looked at my friends' pictures in Facebook, and some of them have made a trip to The University of Washington Cherry Blossom garden... It's beautiful! :)

photo by: sopon supamangmee photography | Sopon's Flickr Photostream.

Here are some places where you can take pictures of Cherry Blossom in Seattle:

Quad on the University of Washington Cherry Blossom
The UW trees were first planted on land that is now the approach to the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge. They were rescued during construction and moved to campus.

Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival
April 17-19, 2009 - Seattle Center - Downtown Seattle Washington
There's a lot for you to experience during these 3 Days: watch a Go Tournament, visit Arts & Crafts Booths, dine on traditional Cuisine. You'll even be able to see Exhibits and Performances. | Free Event

Seattle Japanese Garden
Located within the Washington Park Arboretum,this is a 3 1/2 acre formal garden designed and constructed under the supervision of world-renowned Japanese garden designer Juki Iida in 1960.

Bakery Nouveau in West Seattle

2009-04-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

One day on visiting a friend who lives in West Seattle, we stopped by on California Ave to get fresh bread from Great Harvest, Co. We came a little bit too late and found out that they were already closed. As we walked several steps going to the crosswalk, my good friend, told me that there is this amazing bakery and pastry called 'Bakery Nouveau', just a few steps away from Great Harvest Co. We went it and looked around. I was truly amazed at the pastry choices. They all looked so good!

I didn't try that day- but decided to come back several days afterward with a troop. We tried their Banana mousse, Twice Baked Chocolate Croissant (top favorite), and the Lemon Meringue Tart. Their menu offers variety of selections, from Traditional & Specialty Breads, Breakfast Pasteries, Cakes, Tarts & Desserts, to Sandwiches, Pizza & Quiche.

Bakery Nouveau received many recognitions and awards throughout the years. They updated their accomplishments and awards in their blog.

Bakery Nouveau is located at
4737 California Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116
www.bakerynouveau.com

Seattle's Best Walking Trails

2009-03-29T19:41:00.000-07:00

Apart from the rain, the Sun awaits behind those clouds, ready to welcome the warm weather and Summer. Let's get ready and get those walking/running shoes out from your closet, we're going for a walk in Seattle's Best walking trails!

PHOTO BY: TRISH SNYDER. DISCOVERY PARK TRAILS

Discovery Park
Discovery Park is a 534 acre natural area park operated by the Seattle Parks and Recreation. It is the largest city park in Seattle, and occupies most of the former Fort Lawton site.

The site is one of breathtaking majesty. Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, Discovery Park offers spectacular view of both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges. The secluded site includes two miles of protected tidal beaches as well as open meadow lands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, active sand dunes, thickets and streams. See how to get there by car or by bus.

PHOTO BY: SEATTLE GOV. CARKEEK PARK TRAILS

Carkeek Park Trails

Located in northwest Seattle, this popular park offers extraordinary views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.
TRAIL MILEAGE: 6.061 miles
TRAIL CONDITION: Fair to excellent. Quite a bit of work has been done in the park over the past few years.
ADA: The Salmon to Sound Trail, the Piper"s Creek Trail from the Lower Meadow to Piper"s Orchard and the Wetland Trail are ADA accessible. Directions to Carkeek Park

PHOTO BY: HILLCLIMBKEN. WASHINGTON PARK ARBORETUM

Washington Park Arboretum and Foster Island Trail

A few Seattle parks provide a glimpse of the way it was by harboring the last stands of the thick forest that once covered the region. The Washington Park Arboretum is a similar sanctuary, instead featuring exotic plant life from around the world. Level of difficulty: Flat to moderately sloping dirt trails and grassy lawns; boardwalk on parts of Foster Island Trail. Get directions to Washington Park Arboretum trails.

You might like these articles:
Best Walking in Washington
Safety Tips for Pedestrian
Walking and Fitness
Seattle Running Trails in Washington
The Numerous Benefits of Walking

Movies that were Made in Seattle

2009-03-27T15:27:00.001-07:00

This week, I'm having too much fun with fun facts about Seattle and unique things that have happened in Seattle alone. Today, I'm going to cover movies that were made in Seattle.

Sleepless in Seattle, ranked #10 on the American Film Institute's list of the 10 greatest films in the genre "Romantic Comedy".

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Featuring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan

Short Summary:
Two soul mates who come perilously close to never meeting, although separated by thousands of miles, rueful widower Sam Baldwin (Hanks) and soon-to-be married Annie Reed (Ryan) connect through a radio call-in show encounter engineered by Sam's son, Jonah (Ross Malinger). Fans of An Affair to Remember will enjoy the many references to that classic romance.

The Ring produced the highest gross movie that were made in Seattle:

The Ring (2002)
Featuring: Naomi Watts

Short Summary:
It sounded like just another urban legend: a videotape filled with nightmarish images, leading to a phone call foretelling the viewer's death in exactly 7 days. Newspaper reporter Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) was naturally skeptical of the story -- until four teens died mysteriously one week after watching such a tape. Curious, Rachel tracks down the video and watches it … and now, she has just 7 days to unravel the mystery of the "Ring."

Rose Red by Stephen King is the longest Movie Durations: 254 minutes that were made in Seattle.

Rose Red (2002)
Featuring: Nancy Travis, Kimberly J. Brown

Short Summary:
In Stephen King's chilling tale, psychology professor Dr. Joyce Reardon (Nancy Travis) commissions a team of psychics and a gifted 15-year-old (Kimberly J. Brown) to wake up a supposedly dormant haunted mansion known as Rose Red. Their efforts unleash myriad spirits and uncover horrifying secrets of the generations who have lived and died in the mansion.

30 Frames a Second: The WTO in Seattle by Rustin Thompson is the shortest Movie Durations: 73 minutes that were made in Seattle.

30 Frames a Second: The WTO in Seattle (2000)

Short Summary:
Independent journalist Rustin Thompson went to Seattle to cover the 1999 World Trade Organization meeting and came away with this powerful video chronicle of how a protest spiraled out of control. Thompson's personal account shows you the 50,000-person demonstration from all angles: the confusion inside the convention center; the zeal of the protesters and the mayhem out on the streets; and the police's questionable tactics.

As for me- I would recommend this movie for you to watch:

Life or Something Like It 2002
Featuring: Angelina Jolie, Tony Shalhoub

Short Summary:
A reporter (Angelina Jolie) with a shallow, meaningless life interviews a psychic homeless man named Prophet Jack (Tony Shalhoub) who informs her that her life will end in just a few days. The wake-up call emboldens her to try and change things around ... hopefully, for the better. Stockard Channing scores as an investigative reporter modeled after Barbara Walters, and Edward Burns co-stars as Jolie's beleaguered cameraman.

See more Movies that were taken in Seattle.
"Reel Life in Seattle" - An Insider's Guide to Seattle Film Locations
See Film Events and Festivals in Seattle

Interested to Filming in Seattle? Here are some great info from Seattle.gov site about incentives, permit, crew, locations, climates, etc

The Best Sunrise and Sunset Locations in Seattle!

2009-03-26T00:16:00.001-07:00

Don't you ever wonder, where are the best sunset or sunrise location in Seattle? I do. I have been enjoying these longer daylights for the past few weeks, and I almost feel like my energy to explore the city slowly finds its strength.

I found this really cool website to find out rising and setting times for the Sun. And for those of you, who are interested in photography, photographing Sunsets and Sunrise can be real fun.

PHOTO BY:Samirdiwan photostream, FLIKR. TITLED: PICTURE PERFECT.

So, let's cut the chase, where can I find really good Sunrise locations in Seattle?

Louisa Boren Park is the best spot to catch the sunrise. where you can gaze eastward over the rolling backside of Capitol Hill, past wavy Lake Washington, and out to the Cascade Mountains beyond. This park is just a few blocks east of Volunteer Park and, if you're not a morning type, is usually a serene spot all day long.

Olympic Sculpture Park. This new waterfront park gives Seattle residents and visitors the opportunity to experience a variety of sculpture in an outdoor setting, while enjoying the incredible views and beauty of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound during Sunrise and Sunset.

PHOTO BY:B Mully's photostream, FLIKR. TITLED: SEATTLE, OLYMPIC SCULPTURE PARK, LOVE.

How about Sunset locations?

Alki Beach Park. Home to the first white settlement in Seattle, nearly 150 years later it’s home to the most spectacular place to view a sunset. From Alki you see Seattle’s downtown core, the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. So dig your toes into the sand and enjoy the perfect ending to your day.

Kerry Park. An unsurpassed view of Elliott Bay and the Central City, with an occasional backdrop of Mount Rainier, draws camera buffs to this spot. At sunset they often line the wall just as the city and the sound are beginning to glow with lights. At night it becomes almost a fantasy scene, with brightly lit ferries gliding across the water and the Space Needle shining from its 500-foot pedestal.It's is also great for Sunrise view.

Golden Gardens Park. Located just North of Ballard, Golden Gardens is one of Seattle’s few sandy beaches. The beach stares straight through the Puget Sound and to the Olympics, where onlookers can witness the last peak of the sun.

Seattle's Smallest Houses

2009-03-25T13:40:00.000-07:00

Tim and Diana Hammer's 550 Sqft Cottage Quaint

Tim and Diana Hammer purchased their 550-square-foot Ballard cottage in 1999. Then a dilapidated shack in need of some serious TLC, the tiny space wasn’t quite what the pair had in mind as the perfect newlywed nest. But instead of razing the existing structure, the Hammers opted to rework the former fisherman’s flophouse, creating an open, inviting space that’s anything but cramped. Moreover, they rebuilt an existing outbuilding, outfitting it with reused and donated materials to create a functional guesthouse and studio space, and Diana landscaped the property with low-maintenance native plants. (Source: Living Small).
See more photos of this house.

RELATED ARTICLES:
Northwest Home: Big Ideas for Small Spaces
Living Small: Allison Arth - Living Small blog

David Sarti's 800 sqft Urban House

DAVID SARTI'S newly finished, modernist-style house in Seattle's Judkins Park, a little south of East Yesler Way, is the first he has designed and built for himself. It is a showcase for his aesthetic sensibilities and an embodiment of his can-do spirit. (Source: Seattletimes.com).
See more photos of this house.

RELATED ARTICLES:
Seattle Times: An Urban Pioneer
Small House Style: David Sarti's 800 square feet in Seattle
Grassroots Modern: David Sarti Does Affordable Modern
Apartment Therapy: David Sarti's Small, Affordable Home

Visiting Museums and galleries at Ballard

2009-03-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

Nordic Heritage Museum

3014 NW 67th Street | Seattle, WA 98117
The museum is place to check out everything relating to Nordic history, especially the immigration of Scandinavians to the Pacific Northwest. There are areas devoted to each area in Scandinavia: Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Finland, and Denmark. In addition to this there is a permanent exhibit entitled The Dream of America, which highlights the emigration from Scandinavia to the PNW, as well as rotating gallery exhibits from Scandinavian and local artists.

Hiram M. Chittenden (Ballard) Locks | Museum/Visitor center

3015 NW 54th St | Seattle, WA 98107
The Locks Themselves - It's mesmerizing to watch the water rise and fall as the gigantic doors miraculously open and close. To understand why this is a miraculous feat of engineering be sure to stop by the visitors center and learn the who-what-when-where-why of how it all came to be. While some might say "It's no Panama Canal" let me assure you, our locks are not dwarfed by their more famous brethren. Sure, the boats going through the locks here are pleasure crafts and fishing vessels but who wants tankers disturbing our salmon run anyway?

OKOK Gallery

5107 Ballard Ave NW | Seattle, WA 98107
"If you're a fan of Giant Robot, Uglydolls, Be@rbrick, or KidRobot, OKOK is definitely the place to go. This place is fabulous, and the staff is great. The art exhibitions here never fail to disappoint. OKOK is a great place to find unique items with a sense of wit and nostalgia for the Gen-X set." (Source: Avitania - Yelp reviewer, photo by: Kathleen W)

Blowing Sands Glass Blowing

5805 14th Ave NW | Seattle, WA 98107
"David Smith is a terrific glass artist. If you are in Ballard, you owe it to yourself to stop and take a walk through his shop and studio. We bought two of his hand-blown pendant lights and they were just what we were looking for, and at a very reasonable price. He has some other great pieces that would make wonderful gifts." (Source: Brent A - Yelp Reviewer)

La Tienda Folk Art Gallery

2050 NW Market St | Seattle, WA 98107
La Tienda has always sought to find the finest hand-made crafts by going to the original source, understanding the culture that nurtures them, and then bringing them to our customers at a fair and reasonable price.

Where to Eat, Drink and Be Merry at Ballard?

2009-03-23T21:41:00.001-07:00

Food is always the topic that I'm so passionate about. My mom always said, "Food is something you should enjoy!" and I believe that it is true!... as Keith Floyd, the famous British Chef and TV Presenter once said, "Food is life, life is food." So we must celebrate and share the good food around us.

I have been exploring Ballard these days and I have been wanting to share my readers some great eateries around Ballard.

The Top Restaurants:

Ray's Boathouse

Ray's Boathouse is world-renowned for its impeccably fresh Northwest seafood. Complementing Ray's cuisine is their award-winning wine list of more than 700 selections, with an emphasis on Northwest vineyards. Ray's Boathouse is located by the Puget Sound, with the view of the water and close to Golden Garden Park. This is one of the restaurants you must try at Ballard.

Le Gourmand Restaurant

Le Gourmand is a gastronomical pleasure. Chef-Owners Bruce and Sara Naftaly craft organic Northwest ingredients into artful fare. See critic reviews at Urbanspoon.com

The Ethnic Restaurants:

Thai Siam

Thai Siam is indeed a culinary oasis North of Ballard. They work with only the freshest ingredients from local suppliers, providing an uncomplicated approach and strive for purity and the perfect balance between local-grown ingredients and a natural, flavorful, and exotic Thai herbs and spices.

La Carta de Oaxaca

"More often than not, I've had to wait to score a table at La Carta de Oaxaca. Chances are you'll also face a wait if you choose to dine at this small, excellent Ballard eatery." (Source: Seattle P.I - Penelope Corcoran)

India Bistro

"The truth of the matter is we have tried almost everything on the menu at India Bistro and cannot seem to get enough of the satisfying and aromatic stews and sautés." (Source: Gayot.com)

The "One of a Kind" Restaurants:

The Dish

For all of Seattle's hippie-dippiness, it's a real project to find a good tofu scramble in town. Luckily, there's the Dish, home of the Slacker Special—a rich, inventive scramble of cheese, enchilada sauce, more cheese, onions, tortilla chips, and eggs or tofu, topped by a dollop of sour cream and salsa and offered with a side of potatoes and toast.(Source: The Stranger, photo by: Scott K, Yelp Reviewer)

Olsen's Scandinavian Foods

"Much, much love for this place. It's one of the last blatantly Norwegian businesses on Market St. but their offerings are pan-Scandie - plenty here for the expat Swede or Dane as well, despite the tiny space they're in. When I need a Kalles Kaviar fix or have one of my twice-yearly cravings for fiskekaker, I would drive very far for these things - but they're a short walk from home, and that just makes my life indescribably better."(Source: jk w. - yelp reviewer, Photo by: Inballard.com)

Hang Out and Relax:

Verite Coffee & Cupcake Royale

You don't want to miss this place. Delicious gourmet coffee drinks and tastey treats. Located inside Cupcake Royale, just two doors down from the Majestic Bay, Verite Coffee is the perfect spot to grab an espresso before or after a movie. (Source: inballard.com)

Equal Exchange Espresso

Equal Exchange has created Big Change since 1986. Our founders envisioned a food system that empowers farmers and consumers, supports small farmer co-ops, and uses sustainable farming methods. They started with fairly traded coffee from Nicaragua and didn't look back. Today, we continue to find new and powerful ways to build a better food system. We partner with co-operatives of farmers who provide high-quality organic coffees, teas, chocolates and snacks from farmers all over the world, including here in the United States. (Source: Equal Exchange Espresso, Photo By: Meghan H. Yelp Reviewer)

Floating Leaves Tea

"This tea house is as unpretentious as it gets. If you like tea and want someone who can help you find the right tea for an occasion or person. This is the spot." (Source: Ruth M- Yelp Reviewer)

The Happiest Hour:

The Dray
Happy Hour Details: Daily 5-7PM ($1 off pints) | 708 NW 65th St

Ballard Loft
Happy Hour Details: Mon- Fri 4-6PM ($1 off drafts and wells, half off appetizers) | 5105 Ballard Ave NW

The Bal Mar
Happy Hour Details: Daily 5-7PM ($3.50 draft pints, $4 wells, food specials) | 5449 Ballard Ave NW

Exploring Local Shops at Ballard!

2009-03-22T23:03:00.000-07:00

Ballard is one of Seattle's neighborhoods that is keep changing. Old Ballard that was once surrounded by salons and bars, is now becoming hip, trendy, and cool. There are many new restaurants and shops around Market St.

Here are some local shops and boutiques in Ballard that has some unique and amazing styles, setting the latest trend in our community.

Blackbird

PHOTO BY: INBALLARD.COM
A men’s fashion boutique, Blackbird sells brands you’re not likely to find elsewhere. A.P.C., Trovata, Uppercut a.p., Steven Alan, Jack Spade, Orthodox, Surface to Air, Earnest Sewn, and Oliver Spencer are just a handful of the many unique designers featured at this location.(source: inballard.com)

Ballard Mail & Dispatch

is the one-stop neighborhood solution shipping and mailing needs. There is also a full service espresso bar, that serves 100% fair trade espresso bar, sandwiches, snacks,and other seasonal delights, plus inspired gifts, cards, stationery and miscellaneous irresistibles.

20 Twenty

PHOTO BY: INBALLARD.COM
This small shop in historic Ballard has a collection of vintage items for men, women and children as well as clothing and accessories from local independent designers. Check out owner Joel Leshefka's screen printed T-shirts and vintage ties featuring retro images of typewriters, cameras and airplanes. (Source by: Kathy Schultz - NWsource shopping columnist)

Show Pony

PHOTO BY: JULIE R
Friend and I wandered in here on President's Day... Super cute store, found nice jeans for 20, yes 20, dollars... Loved the jewelry, fun clothes, some things are pricey, but I was surprised by the amount of reasonably priced stuff. Definitely will go back when I am in Fremont again! - Maddie S (yelp reviewers) -

Dandelion Botanical Company

PHOTO BY: INBALLARD.COM
Dandelion is a natural apothecary (or pharmacy) specializing in quality botanicals. They offer a variety of Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Vadik Herbs as well as teas, oils, and a plethora of other organic wellness products from reputable brands. They also host classes and are a proud supporter of the arts in Seattle. Stop by their new store located on Ballard Avenue. (Source: inballard.com)

More Guides on Ballard Shops | Ballard Boutiques | Ballard Specialty Shops

Exploring Ballard - One of Seattle's Unique Neighborhoods

2009-03-21T15:50:00.000-07:00

Ballard is one of Seattle's growing neighborhood. Ballard was once a city before being annexed by city of Seattle. There are many tourist attractions in Ballard area.

Some of the places in Ballard are very historical, such as Shilshole Bay, which was inhabited by the Shilshole Tribe who lived off the plentiful salmon and clams in the region (Wikipedia).

Historic Places in Ballard:
Ballard Avenue Historic District
Ballard Carnegie Library
Fire Station No. 18
Ballard Bridge
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
Lake Washington Ship Canal

Unique Places in Ballard:

Hiram M Chittenden Locks
is also known as Ballard Locks. Ballard Locks maintain the water level of the fresh water Lake Washington and Lake Union, prevent the mixing of sea water from Puget Sound with the fresh water of the lakes, and moving boats from the water level of the lakes to the water level of Puget Sound, and vice versa. At Ballard Locks, they also have the Salmon Ladder, where you can see many salmon in specific season. (Source: myballard.com)

Olsen Scandinavian Foods
Members of the Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Finnish communities are often found at Olsen's Scandinavian Foods. Besides providing you with many popular Scandinavian gifts and foods, Olsen's dedicates a large portion of their business to producing home made, traditional products. (Source: inballard.com)

Archie McPhee
One of Seattle's most bizarre and beloved shops. Here you can find everything from plastic toy soldiers and rubber chickens to boxing nuns. If you're having trouble finding a unique gadget gift, this is your one-stop shop. Look for the large dragon head on NW Market Street on the right as you head out toward Shilshole marina. You'll never forget a trip to Archie's. (Source: inballard.com)

Port Chatham Smoked Seafood
Port Chatham Smoked Seafood is a leading provider of high quality, wild smoked seafood from the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, since 1935. Portlock smoked seafood rated by the Food Network as “a Top 5 Seafood Sensation.” You’ll find King Salmon, Dungeness Crab, Copper River Sockeye, gift boxes, gift assortment baskets, and more. (Source: inballard.com and myballard.com)

Also check out Ballard Sunday Farmer's Market: It's every Sunday from 10am-3pm. Experience Ballard's Farmer's Market, selling their freshest produce and food, with wide varieties of art and crafts from local Ballard shops and eateries.

Special Thank YOU for inballard.com and myballard.com for providing information about Ballard's upcoming events, local shops, eateries, and news. We appreciate you!

PHOTO CREDITS: INBALLARD.COM AND MYBALLARD.COM

Craving for Organic Cafe: Cafe Fiore

2009-03-21T01:06:00.000-07:00

This week, I'm really craving for good breakfast places and also any organic philosophical eateries in Seattle. So if you see my articles for the past few days, all of them have been Organic cafes or eateries around Seattle.

Cafe Fiore is one of those Organic Cafe in Seattle. They have three locations around Seattle, which are Old Ballard, Queen Anne, and Sunset Hill. I have to admit, I have not been to this cafe yet. Although, I wished they had it earlier when I used to live in Ballard.

Michelle B, who's a Yelper Elite member said, "Great coffee shop to cozy up in when the weather is bad, or when the weather is actually nice you can hang out on the deck to soak up the sun. You could also get your coffee to go and try to make it down the hill to Golden Gardens since it's just so darn close."

Here are some ideas from our community about Cafe Fiore:

"This place only gets two thumbs up because I don't have any more thumbs." - Morgan W -

"They are also looking out for the environment. The cups are compost-able and they have a special "garbage" for those. They do it all." - Carrie H -

"I confess, only one visit so far. But the espresso was perfect. And by perfect, I mean parfait. Delicious. If it's always like it was today I will be there every day, six times a day." - Derek B -

If you think this is the kind of place you want to hang out at, you should see all the rave reviews about this place from our web community.
More Community Opinions about this place:
Go City Kids
Seattle Weekly
Yelp.com
Urbanspoon.com
Menuism.com

ALL PHOTOS ARE COURTESY OF CAFE FIORE FLICKR ALBUM

Chaco Canyon Cafe: Organic Cafe Raw Vegan Food

2009-03-19T14:50:00.000-07:00

Chaco Canyon Cafe is one of a kind restaurants. With variety selections of raw and organic food, they served delicious and nutritious live food!

And what is RAW food?... They are un-cook and un-process food. People who have this kind of diet is called Raw foodism.

PHOTO BY: DON L

PHOTO BY: pleomorphic

I dare you to try it! :)
The Natural Directory website posted a very nice article about Chaco Canyon Cafe, "For those of you who have never had a raw meal, have no fear: the food is scrumptious and will have you salivating at the thought of return visits. Hot vegan sandwiches and soup have been recently added to the menu, so you can bring your less-adventurous friends along!"

PHOTO BY: pleomorphic - Ginger Sesame Bowl with kelp noodles-

PHOTO BY: pleomorphic - Basil Pesto bowl with kelp noodles-

PHOTO BY: Marissa S - Raw Pizza-

Chaco Canyon Organic Café is located at 4757 12th Ave NE in Seattle Washington, on the corner of 12th and 50th in the University District.

Seattle Organic Sweets: Molly Moon Ice Cream

2009-03-18T12:59:00.001-07:00

Molly Moon Ice Cream is one of Seattle's organic sweet eateries. If you haven't been there, this is definitely the place to try for those of you, sweet tooth!...

Their Ice cream flavors are unique. I would recommend you to try the Chocolate Orange Sorbet..they are so YUMMY!!... they tasted so different from any other Sorbet that I've ever tried. It's more stickier and flavorful with varieties of unique flavors selections to choose from.

Some of the flavors of their ice cream are: Balsamic Strawberry, Olive Oil infuse flavor, Honey Lavender, Cardamom, Scout Mint, etc...they all tasted wonderful!...

Molly Moon Ice Cream is located in the heart of Wallingford. The place is small, but cozy. They got some nice and cool merchandise. From t-shirt, hoodies, aprons, all of them are Molly Moon branded.

Check out Molly Moon's Blog for the recent update about the store and about their story.

Organic Eateries around Seattle : Portage Bay Cafe

2009-03-17T14:42:00.000-07:00

One of the advantages living in the Northwest is that we are blessed to be surrounded with people that care about living healthy and eating organic food. Many restaurants in Seattle carry organic ingredients and are targeted specifically for Northwesterners.

Last week, I went with my sister to try this organic breakfast place called Portage Bay Cafe up in Roosevelt, the wait was 45 minutes, but it was well worth it.

Portage Bay Cafe specializes in Breakfast. They open from 7.30AM - 3PM (M-F) and 8AM - 3PM (Sat-Sun). If you don't want to wait for a long time, it's better to come early, right when they just open or later in the afternoon. Although breakfast is truly a gem over there, nothing beats the smell of coffee in the morning and a fresh pancake! Yummy!...

As soon as we are seated, we ordered something that the reviewers from Yelp have been craving about and that is Banana Foster French Toast and their special of the day- Goat Cheese Omelette with Nettles and Potatoes.

PHOTO FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: BANANA FOSTER FRENCH TOAST | GOAT CHEESE OMELETTE WITH NETTLES

What we ordered were so good. Especially with the French Toast, you can have an ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT fruit bar! Not just that, knowing that what you are eating are all organic, makes you fell so good!... Their philosophy is Eat Like You Give a Damn!

Apart from their excellent menu, Portage Bay Cafe's specials of the day was also depending on the seasonal local fruits/vegetables. Which makes this place even so special and local.

A friend of mine who later joined us for breakfast and an organic foodie later told me that the omelette that I ordered was very nutritious. She said that Nettle is an annual herbs that has to be grown locally. She was surprised that Portage Bay has Nettles in their menu. Nettles that came with my omelette is a herbaceous perennial plants, an annual plant that is well known as a strong plant with medicinal purpose that is high in nutrients, specifically in vitamin K, calcium, and iron.

So the next time you're in the mood to have a delicious and nutritious breakfast, come to Portage Bay Cafe, located at two locations: University District and Salt Lake Union.

More about their philosophy: Eat like you give a damn! and their menus.

Happy exploring, Seattleites!...

Seattle's Best Wedding Cake and Desserts

2009-03-16T22:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Seattleites' Diary,

It's time to end the wedding series with some sweet thoughts, last but not least, I'm featuring: Seattle's Best Wedding Cake and Desserts. A celebration is not the same without the presence of a cake or sweets. I guarantee you, sugar makes people happy!...

Here are some great ideas for your wedding cake:

Cupcakes Tower

Wink Cupcakes offers you cheerful artisan cupcakes made with the highest quality ingredients and delivered directly to you...cheerful artisan cupcakes and custom cakes.

MORE FAVORITE CUPCAKE PLACES:

Cupcake Royale | Ballard, Madrona, West Seattle
Trophy Cupcakes | Wallingford, University Village
Look Cupcake | Queen Anne
Coffee to a Tea | West Seattle
Dahlia Bakery | Downtown Seattle
Simply Desserts Seattle | Fremont

Celebration of Cheesecakes

The Confectional which has one motto: Confess your love to Cheesecake, offers great selection of exquisite, sinfully dense, baked cheesecakes and cheesecake truffles, made with Guittard chocolate and a hint of passion. The Confectional is located at Pike Place Market, downtown Seattle.

MORE FAVORITE CHEESECAKE PLACES:

Hiroki | Green Lake
Bakery Nouveau | West Seattle
Seattle Cheesecake | Seattle
Calico Cheesecake | Downtown Renton
Dahlia Bakery | Downtown Seattle

Collection of Pies
PHOTO BY: PIKNIK STUDIOS

Shoofly Pie
"yum! love this place...great idea. the pecan pie is the best...it tastes like grandma made it! definitely recommend it!" -Sara Z (Fellow Yelper)

MORE FAVORITE PIES PLACES:

Le Panier French Bakery | Pike Place Market
High 5 Pie | Madison | Part of Fuel Coffee Seattle
Le Fournil | Eastlake
Marie Callender | Northgate
Dahlia Bakery | Downtown Seattle

The Ultimate Tiered Wedding Cake

Just as the Renaissance introduced novel thought and artistry, New Renaissance Cake offer a fresh look and taste to delicious classics: a "rebirth" for the senses. Our customized approach to decorating your wedding cake complements your thorough planning and attention to wedding day details.

TOP FAVORITE WEDDING CAKES IN SEATTLE:

B & O espresso | Capitol Hill
Sugar. Bakery + Cafe | Madison
Yummy House Bakery | International District
Diane's Designer Cake | Seattle

Check out also these places in greater Seattle area:

Mike's Amazing Cake | Redmond
"Mike makes cakes like you've never seen... truly Out of this world. For our weeding, we decided the cake will be chocolate with chocolate mousse filling. It was tasty. They had some strange flavors like coffee and almond roca. Our cake was in the shape of a roller coaster for my wedding."

Creme de la Creme | Renton
A Tier Above | Lakewood

NOTE FROM MY OWN LABEL: Custom personalized labels, favor tags, coasters and cards. Use your words with our styles, shapes and colors. Ordering is fast and easy, and you can order just the amount you need! Custom labels, tags and more

Seattle's Best Wedding Planners

2009-03-15T21:34:00.000-07:00

NOTE:
Dear Seattleites, stay tuned for Seattle's Best Wedding Cakes companies, which will end our wonderful week of 'Wedding in Seattle series' articles.

PHOTO BY:PAUL JOSEPH BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY

Today, I'm going to cover Seattle's best wedding planners. These wedding planners are best known by their clients as professional, excellent, resourceful, and creative.

Not everyone needs wedding planner, but the fact that there is someone professional out there that can help you make your wedding planning easier and more relaxing, why not take advantage of that service?

Here are some reasons as to why you need a wedding planner?

1. They understand the details. From how to obtain your marriage license and insurance, wedding etiquette, hotel accommodations, transportation needs, vendor lists, getting vendor discounts, etc.

2. They can also help plan activities for your out-of-town guests. Working with you on how to entertain your guests while they are in town.

3. They can help you setting up meetings with vendors, communicate directly with photographers, caterer, musician, officiant, etc

4. They can help you find a wedding reception place.

5. They will help you meet your budget!

So, here are Seattle's wedding planners that you could always turn to on your big day:

Married with Michelle
PHOTO BY: JOEY BOWLES (COSA BELLA FOTO)

"I just have to say Jesse and I are so grateful for all the work, effort and incredible taste in vendors you have. It made our wedding something more than we could have ever put together ourselves! Along with your wonderfully fun, perky and calming personality all the vendors were such fun to work with too. Thank you so again for everything!" -Jesse & Bre Stockdale-

Junebug Weddings says "Michelle Engvall is delightfully warm, reassuringly calm, and oh… so well organized. With over ten years of experience in wedding and event planning, she never ceases to bring a fresh, creative eye to each and every unique event. No matter what you envision for your wedding, you can expect her to help you create a wedding day that’s an expertly planned reflection of you."

Chambers & Co.
PHOTO BY: JOEY BOWLES (COSA BELLA FOTO)

Junebug Weddings says "Brides and professionals just can’t say enough good things about Lisa Chambers. She’s kind, caring, and full of enthusiasm. She’s a fountain of creative ideas, a multi- tasking genius and a consummate professional."

The Adventure School

The Adventure School is an event planning company that creates immersive adventure environments. Their motto is Semper Ad Extrerum: Take it to the Limit Every Time! Their goal is to bring your wedding to an adventurous and exciting celebration that will be memorable and unforgettable.

Sweet Pea Event

Junebug Weddings commented on Sweet Pea's professional work: "Working with Holly-Kate Foss is purely delightful. Her enthusiasm and creative ability to think outside of the box is contagious. Holly-Kate specializes in creating tailor made weddings and events that are fun, stress-free, and absolutely unforgettable. From engagement party planning to honeymoon travel she can help you every step of the way, or just jump right in when you need her most, to help with contracts, referrals, or day of coordination. No matter how Holly-Kate contributes to your wedding day, she's bound to make a difference you’ll treasure."

More Seattle's Wedding planners:

True Colors Events
Luminous Event Design
SK Wedding and Event Design
Parker Events
Lindeman Weddings
Amazing Events
Occasions LLC

The Fashionable Groom's Attire

2009-03-13T16:17:00.001-07:00

PHOTO BY THE KNOT.COM: Amanda & Shaun: A Tropical Wedding in Manchaca, TX

A lot of articles in a wedding magazines and websites cover about 90% of the Brides' dresses, but how about the Tuxedos? I think it's time for us to explore Tuxedos styles and where you can get them in Seattle.

There are many approaches to Tuxedos. It is all depending on your style. You can go classic, modern, sleek, or even funky. It is all about you and your bride. There are some things you might want to think about when picking a certain styles for your tuxedo.

Articles about Tuxedos and Attires.

7 tips for a Perfect Tux Fit
Groom To-Dos: Top 10 Tips
Grooms: Find the Most Flattering Tux Style
Tux Renting Basics

CREDIT TO: THEKNOT.COM FOR ALL THE PICTURES USED IN THIS ARTICLES

Seattle Wedding Photographers

2009-03-12T14:07:00.000-07:00

I never thought that featuring Wedding articles could be so fun. I have been doing a lot of research on Seattle vendors and read reviews on Seattle's best wedding venues, and I can't wait to share it with Seattleites' Diary readers. Many Seattleite brides told me that their number one priority is to invest in a good Photographer, so that their wedding pictures could capture a long lasting moment for them and their family.

Alicia's Bridal Shop has wonderful articles on Six Quick tips to find the perfect photographer.

Here are some great reviews that I got from reading other blogs and magazines on Seattle's best Wedding Photographers:

Laurel McConnell Photography

"She specializes in photojournalistic photography, which, in my opinion, is the only way to go for weddings." Said Amber. M from Redmond, WA

Lifebox Studio

"The photography is simply beautiful. It not only captures the event taken place but the true personality of each person and their emotions." Said Kristin Ewer

John and Joseph Photography

"When you're shopping around for a wedding photographer, make sure you ask to see a whole wedding album, not just the best photos. Anyone can take 5 amazing photos, especially if they are thoroughly photoshopped. It takes talent to take 500 amazing photos. John and Joseph are amazing." Said Ellie.P from San Fransisco, CA

Sean Flanigan Photography

"You get honest, natural images that you'll love. He saw things that we would have never imagined, found quiet little moments that we would have missed." Said Jenny Pear B from Brooklyn, NY.

Photo by Jenny Jimenez	Puja Parakh Photography	Monologue Photography	Every Moment Photography
Victor Zerga Photography	Bella Rock Studio	Sarah Brooke Portraits	Jenn Repp Photography

Customized Wedding Invitations

2009-03-11T10:38:00.000-07:00

For you readers who are new to this blog, might be wondering what this blog is all about. This week I'm featuring Wedding in Seattle articles. Today, I'm going to cover topic about Wedding Invitations.

INVITATION DESIGN BY: BROWN SUGAR DESIGN

Your wedding Invitation is an announcement of your big day. From Save the Date card, to the actual invitation, there are a lot of ways to tell your stories. I'm inviting you to see what others have done and where you can get resources for these beautiful invitations.

Monogram

BY: FOXGLOVEDESIGN
Monogram is a classic way to declare your wedding day. Photo on the left is a design by Foxglovedesign Etsy shop, which is specialized in handmade invitations and customize monograms.

Check out Martha Stewart edition "Breakfast at Tiffany's" monogram stationery.

LetterPress

BY: BROWN SUGAR DESIGN
Having a letterpress invitation is truly a unique experience both to the bride and groom and the invitees. The texture and paper weight determine the quality of letterpress invitation. Seattle based studio, Brown Sugar Design designs some beautiful, unique, modern, whimsical invitations.

Local Resources for Letterpress design:
Paper Moxie | Ephemera Press | Izzy Girl

Photo Based Invitation

BY: BROWN SUGAR DESIGN
Having a photo invitation can be really personal, more than anything else. Your family and friends can truly cherish your invitation and feel like it's worth keeping as a remembrance of your big day. See these local resources to personalize your wedding invitation:
Brown Sugar Design

Online Wedding RSVP

In this time, where all of us rely on the web world for all sorts of information, we can take advantage of the online RSVP technology that some websites provide.

Here are some great websites that provide website templates and online RSVP:
ewedding | Momentville | My wedding | Wedpage Design | Wedquarters | Wedding Pages | Wedsite

Note from My Own Labels: Custom personalized wedding place cards and note cards. Use your words with our styles, shapes and colors. Ordering is fast and easy, and you can order just the amount you need! Custom Wedding Place Cards

Shopping for Wedding Shoes

2009-03-10T16:32:00.000-07:00

PHOTO BY: Est Bleu2007

Finding the perfect shoes is like finding Mr.Right. Not all of us have Cinderella stories where her prince brought her the missing Glass Shoe, realistically all brides have to look for the perfect shoes ourselves. Shoes are an important accessories for a bride, and this article will cover some good resources where to find a great shoes, both locally and online.

Flowers Accessories

NORDSTROM
Cole Haan 'Ceci Air Rose' Dyeable Slingback

Beautiful rosettes taper up the side of an elegant d'Orsay-cut slingback crafted from dyeable satin. Slender wrapped heel provides a considerable lift, while concealed Nike Air® technology cushions the foot. | Price: $428

MY GLASS SLIPPER
Badgley mischka carlo white Wedding Shoes

The Carlo wedding shoe by Badgley Mischka is a true bridal shoe in ever way. Made of white satin, covered in tulle, and decorated with a hand-made organza flower on the heel. | Price: $215

STEVE MADDEN
ANJELICA

This Steven Madden's Bridal Collection's feminine satin heels are perfect for that special occasion. 4 inch heel, Satin upper, Leather sole, Available exclusively at www.SteveMadden.com. | Price: $69.95

Crystals and Glass

BELLISSIMA BRIDAL SHOES
Grazia Alicia Bridal Shoes

Meet the perfect pair for high-glam Hollywood style. Luxurious silk satin in white or ivory plays host to a bevy of rhinestone starbursts that cascade into crisscross straps. Heel measures 3.5". | Price: $210

BELLISSIMA BRIDAL SHOES
Jonathan Kayne Austria Prom Shoes

You won't just be walking in these shoes, you'll be strutting. The 4" clear heel, platform base and crystal straps scream "party" all night long. Made with an adjustable ankle strap for a secure fit, these shoes are available in a wide selection of sizes. | Price: $159.99

BELLISSIMA BRIDAL SHOES
Two Lips Gorgeous Bridal Shoes

Not a traditional bride? This pewter and crystal encrusted sandal sets you apart with a daring 4" heel and a slender ankle strap. | Price: $95

LOCAL RESOURCES
Macy's Bridal Department | Downtown Seattle
Nordstrom Wedding Shoes
Bridal Boutiques: La Belle Elaines | Belltown Bride | Blue Sky Bridal | Calla Bridal | Cicada Boutique | La Belle Reve

ONLINE RESOURCES
Steve Madden Bridal Collection
Kate Spade Wedding Shoes
Bellissima Bridal Shoes
Quality Bridal Shoes
Wedding Zone
My Glass Slipper

Wedding Dresses for our Brides-to-Be!

2009-03-10T13:20:00.001-07:00

This week, I'm going to do series about Wedding in Seattle. From dresses, photographers, to wedding planners. Stay tuned on great tips, and ideas and vendors around Seattle and get ready for a great Summer wedding in Seattle.

PHOTO BY: Todd Pellowe

Wedding Dresses:
Recently I was doing a research on where to buy the perfect Wedding Dress around Seattle area, and I found some great articles and blogs about wedding dress in particular:

Wai-Ching Clothing
Wai-Ching provides wedding dresses that are totally unique, hand made, and customizable just for their brides-to-be.

Cicada Bridal | Downtown Seattle
Cicada Bridal carries two designers clothing lines, Jen Gay and Elizabeth Klob. They are having Veil and Tiara 20% Sale for March.

I Do Bridal | Wallingford
Wallingford's I Do Bridal is a tiny bridal shop that carries really nice Bridal dresses. The customer Service is great and the place is wonderful.

Luly Yang Couture | Seattle
Wendi H commented on Luly Yang's store located in Fairmont Olympic Hotel "Luly Yang is an amazing store and designer. Her dresses are exquisite and ethereal. When you enter the store you're taken into another world." See Yelp Reviews.

Blue Sky Bridal | University District
Their motto is "Helping happy couples reduce, reuse, and recycle
their way to the perfect green wedding." If you inherited your wedding dress from your mom, and would like to preserve the moment, you could bring those to Blue Sky Bridal and they can help you customized that dress to fit your style.

La Belle Elaines | Downtown Seattle
La Belle Elaine's was named "Best New Bridal Boutique of 2005" by the editors of Seattle Bride Magazine and the bridal industry's top professionals!

Belltown Bride | Belltown Seattle
Belltown Bride brings you boutique service and atmosphere coupled with outlet prices.

See what others have said about purchasing Wedding dresses at:
Wedding Bee.com
The Wedding Chicks
What Junebug Loves

COMING UP:
Point Defiance Wedding Fair
Tour wedding and reception facilities and visit with cake designers, caterers, florists and other wedding planners, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Lodge, Pagoda and Rose Garden
5400 N. Pearl St. | Tacoma, WA 98407

The Best Eggs Benedict at Glo's Coffee House

2009-03-08T16:12:00.000-07:00

On a Saturday morning, I purposefully woke up a little bit earlier to try this well reviewed restaurant in Capitol Hill, Glo's. My favorite thing to do on a Saturday morning is trying new breakfast places with friends or just by myself. Glo's was best reviewed for their Eggs Benedict. It's a small restaurant with an excellent service. The turn table at that restaurant is quite amazing, simply there is no empty table at all. We waited for almost 20 minutes to be seated. I asked one of the customers that was waiting outside with me if this was her first visit to Glo's, her answer was, "I've been here so many times, and the food has always been so satisfying. Just look at the place, it's tiny, but a lot of people don't mind waiting for a long time, so the food must be GOOD!"...

Soon enough after waiting outside in a cold, snowy weather, me and my boyfriend went in to be seated, we ordered Salmon Eggs Benedict, Black Bean Omelette, and their famous Sour Cream Coffee Cake. They only had two chef's in their tiny kitchen to serve the whole restaurant, the wait was a little bit long.

When the food came and we had our first bite- Oh My!.... The wait was worth it... Each bite was so good, it melts in the mouth so smoothly and perfectly. The Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict was simply the best. English Muffin at the bottom, layered with fresh Smoked Salmon, top with poached eggs smothered with Benedict sauce, and a small tiny slice of olive- was so perfect and good. It was served with a side of Hashbrown and a slice of grapefruit. This dish was definitely to die for. In a second, we forgot how long we've waited in the cold weather.

I can tell you in a long page how the omelette taste and the Sour Cream Coffee cake, but I've got to share with you Seattleites' Diary readers, if you have never tried Glo's - You have got to try this wonderful local eatery at Capitol Hill anytime soon! You will not regret it.

Glo's is located at:
1621 E Olive Way | Seattle, WA 98102

They open from 7am-3pm Mon-Fri, and until 4pm - Sat through Sunday.
See what Yelpers are yelping about Glo's.

B & O Espresso Gains Fame From its Coffee

2009-03-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

Located in Capitol Hill, B & O Espresso gains fame from their coffee. Many thinks that they only serve coffee and dessert, but they also provide yummy food that are very appetizing to the tummy.

The atmosphere is very inviting and warm, perfect for a hang out place with friends while you have a sip of your favorite coffee drink. Try these recommendations from the reviewers of yelp: The Chocolate Pot, Fruit Tart, Sour Cream Lemon Pie, and white chocolate cake with raspberry puree.

If you are not in the mood for coffee nor dessert, but do have a hungry tummy, you could swing down there and try their breakfast or lunch menu. Katy H, one of yelper's reviewer wrote "I usually end up deciding between the three poached egg meals.. the salmon eggs Benedict is bomb!"

Next time you are around Capitol Hill, make sure to stop by:
B & O Espresso is located at:
204 Belmont Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102

B & O Espresso Website

Business Hours:
Mon-Thu. 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Sat. 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Top Pot Doughnuts

2009-03-05T14:15:00.000-08:00

Who knew local Seattleites craving for traditional old-fashioned Doughnuts could make Top Pot as one out of ten 'America's Best Doughnuts' in the United States by MSN and AOL City Guides.

Top Pot Doughnuts is so popular among those who live in Downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill. "They make the best Doughnut around here" says one of the customer of Top Pot. Top Pot was in the highlight of their success when Starbucks offered to carry their product both locally and nationally.

The fact that Top Pot Doughnut serves zero gram trans fat doughnuts, tells a lot about the local shop. Top Pot Doughnut serves more than 40 different types of Doughnuts. Their Doughnut size is twice from a regular doughnut size.

Top Pot not only provides good food and aromatic Coffee, their shop is equally amazing. I have only been to the Downtown location, and I can tell you that it is a must-see shop! The shop's interior architecture shop is modern, sleek, and inviting. It's a high ceiling, two-floor building with glass windows all-around,and a tall bookcase full of interesting books to read.

Top Pot is located in five different locations around Seattle:
Capitol Hill | 609 Summit Ave E |Seattle, WA 98102

Downtown Seattle | 2124 5th Ave | Seattle, WA 98121

Wedgwood | 6855 35th Ave NE | Seattle, WA 98115

Queen Anne | 325 West Galer | Seattle, WA 98119

Bellevue | 10600 NE 9th Place | Bellevue, WA 98004

Check out Top Pot Website

5 Great Ideas to Spend Time With Friends Without Spending Money

2009-03-04T23:56:00.000-08:00

In this economy, some of us are trying to save money as much as we can. We are trying to cut back unnecessary things that had become a luxury that was too obvious to ignore . Starting from taking the bus, cut back from eating out, shopping, and even restrain from buying coffee.

Many of us whose lifestyle involve social-gathering through eating out and watching cinema with friends have becomes desperate to find ideas on how to hang out with friends without spend money too much in this economy.

Here are 5 great ideas and tips spending time with friends without spending money:

1. Scavenger Hunt.
Do Scavenger Hunt around your local neighborhood or Downtown Seattle. Set up a fun game activities among your friends. Gather a group of friends and divide them into several groups. Leaders should prepare clues, places to go, things to do, and questions to be answered by group members. See article from Seattle Times titled "City on a Scavenger Hunt" as an example.

2. Take Your Camera and have a Picture Day.
Capture your moments with friends going around new neighborhood and take a zillion pictures. Make funny faces, star-action poses, etc. Find some unique spots, and be sure to take a lot of pictures. At the end of the day, share your moments with your friends over dinner or coffee at home. Some great background or places to take pictures: Seattle Public Library, Gasworks park, or even walk around our Fremont neighborhood and visit Center of the Universe, Statue of Lenin, and the Fremont Troll.

3. Visit the Art Walk
Pioneer Square is having First Thursday Art walk, as well as Fremont with their first Friday Art Walk. This could be a fun activity to spend time with friends.

4. Explore Seattle's History
Some of us just love History class! The greatest thing about living in the Northwest is that we have many history. You can have a day with friends where you just bring yourself and explore Seattle's history. You can visit MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry). It's free every first Thursday of the month. Check out also these places that are considered historic district by Seattle, such as Ballard Avenue; Columbia City; Fort Lawton; Harvard-Belmont; International District; Pike Place Market; and Pioneer Square.

5. Volunteer to Help the Community.
Have you ever heard the phrase "Two is better than One"? When you have a group of friends, you become part of a small community. Seattle has many resources on where you can bring your friends to volunteer together. From feed the homeless, donate food to food bank, helping elders, to build houses for the community, all those opportunities are available in Seattle area. Some of the places that you can contact for more information to volunteer as a group are: Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, and Elder Friends.

Although we are tightening our budget in this economy, it's a great time to actually use this time to train ourselves to spend more on other non-material things for our friends and family. This is something that money can't buy. Surely money can't buy us love! I hope you get to share a really good moments with your family and friends.

If Microsoft Designed the iPod Box

2009-03-04T14:09:00.001-08:00

This morning, I was forwarded with this funny video execution from YouTube titled, "Microsoft iPod". It's pretty hilarious. I'm pretty sure those of you who has ever bought Microsoft products will understand the joke. As a designer, I found that sometimes not everyone agrees the concept of negative space/white space.

You'll see how the decision around the design was based of filling in every single white space with information...lol..Check this video out; if Microsoft designed the iPod Box:

See more videos

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

Theo Chocolate, People's Pick Chocolatier this year!

2009-03-02T14:37:00.000-08:00

From a recent visit to a friend's house, she introduced me to Theo Chocolate. Theo Chocolate never tasted so good after a delicious dinner meal. We had the Venezuela Dark Chocolate Bar (91% Cocoa)... it was a strong bittersweet taste. I didn't know they were a local chocolate company in Seattle.

The great thing about Theo Chocolate that my friend was telling me about is that they have their Chocolate Factory Tour, open daily!... cost only 6 bucks and you get to try some samples of the chocolate. What a deal for you, chocolate lovers!...

Theo Chocolate Factory is located at:
3400 Phinney Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98103

The Factory opens from Monday through Thursday at 2pm and 4pm.
Friday through Sunday at 10am, 12, 2, and 4pm.

Theo Chocolate is the first and only organic and Fair Trade Chocolate factory in the United States. It is founded by Joseph whinney, who pioneered the suply of organic cocoa beans into the United States in 1994.

The cost of a 32oz chocolate bar is $5 and $3.25 for the 2oz bars. One thing for sure, you can't go wrong with Theo Chocolate ~ They tasted so delicious, you would want to have some more after the first bite. I still remember the crave I had after that night.

For those of you who don't like bittersweet taste, but still in love with dark chocolate, I recommend you to try the Madagascar bar (74% cocoa bean). They are not too bitter, the chocolate taste is so smooth and melt in your mouth.

Theo Chocolate was voted as People's Pick from NW Source this year: Check out this article.

Brief information about Theo Chocolate Factory can also be found at NW Source website.

See their official website:https://www.theochocolate.com/

Jewelry Shopping at Seattle Etsy

2009-03-01T00:11:00.000-08:00

The other day I was looking into some jewelry to buy for myself and gifts for my sisters and I found some really cute local Seattle Etsy shops and bought myself couple of earrings before they got sold out. For those of you who are not familiar with "ETSY" - it is a website that provides users a way to buy and sell handmade stuffs.

What I love about Etsy is that each items that I ever purchased was handcrafted to the finest details. They have unique design and different styles all the time. Most of all, if I ever want to find inspirations for design and artwork, just going to etsy.com always so motivating and inspiring.

Today I want to focus more on our Local Etsy's owner, particularly in Jewelry shopping. I found some cute accessories, that you ladies will definitely like. Check this out:

The "Itty Bitty Owl Earrings" by our local designer Kristin Friesen. See her Etsy shop here.

Sarah Hood's "Tree Earrings". See her Etsy shop here.

Very nice customize sterling silver necklace for gifts titled "Love you to the Moon... and back" by Birthdesign. See the Etsy shop here.

Charming Bracelet work "Lampwork Charm Bracelet" by deniseannette, check her Etsy shop here. Her bead work is so much fun and whimsical! Each piece is handcrafted carefully and just beautifully.

So next time if you'd like to buy some jewelry, be sure to check out our local Etsy shops.

FUN TIP about Etsy Shop:
1. It's easy to loose track of your favorite shops at Etsy.com, but once you sign in, you can add that shop to be your favorite seller, that way you can always refer back to their Etsy shop and browse around.

2. If you like the shop so much, you can also RSS feed (Subscribe) to their shop, so whenever the owner posts a new items, you can check their newest creations..

Obama's Blend

2009-02-28T15:41:00.000-08:00

Dear Diary,

I came across Obama's Coffee Blend the other day- I didn't buy anything, but it was very tempting. I was walking down Pike street in Downtown Seattle and First Ave.

Next time around I walk by and see this sign, I will stop by and try Obama's Blend by Seattle Local Coffee shop :) ...

Trip to the EMP- Experience Music Project!

2009-02-27T14:01:00.000-08:00

For those who loves music, probably you want to visit the Experience Music Project (EMP). My trip was a blast to the EMP, only it was way too pack, and I felt so jammed over there, please don't go there on a free Museum Day! You'll know what I mean. You can get coupons buy one admission get one free from many tourist brochure stands, or entertainment coupon book.

The coolest thing about EMP is their building. According to the description that I read somewhere, the architecture for that building is Frank Gehry. The building was built in 2000, with the concept shape of a smashed electric guitar. From the outside, the material is truly amazing. I love how the materials reflect everything that surrounds it.

One of EMP's popular collections is Jimi Hendrix permanent collection. It's definitely worth to see. For those who don't know Jimi Hendrix, he's a famous American guitarist and songwriter in the 60s. Unfortunately, we lost this talented man too early. He was only 27 years old when he died.

One thing that I truly treasured when I visited this place was the music activities room. As visitors you get to try all kinds of different music instruments, bass guitar, piano, drum, even vocals. AWESOME experience! They even have the recording room, which amazed me.

Another fun activity over there is that you can take a picture of you and your family on a stage- pretending to be in a band, and sing...

EMP connected with Science Fiction Museum, which unfortunately I didn't get a chance to go there at all. See the great thing about it is that you get to go to the Science Fiction Museum when you buy EMP Admission ticket. So it's like getting two things for one deal. IT's Great!

Admission Ticket for EMP : $15

They also offer FREE ADMISSION every First thursday evening of every month from 5pm-8pm.

Check their site here: Official Website

Welcome to Seattleites' Diary

2009-02-27T10:46:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the Seattleites' Diary!

Proud to be a Seattleite:
As a Seattleite, I'm very proud to live in this Northwest area. It's truly a blessing to live in the area where you get to enjoy everything that's in here. Nature, city life, mountains, rivers, oceans, rain...LOL...

Exploring Seattle in DETAILS:
My goal is to explore every single details there is about Seattle and any upcoming events in our local area and of course get to try local restaurant, as much as chain restaurants. Not just that, finding sightseeing places, hiking places, etc. Hope this blog will motivate you to start exploring everything there is about Seattle...

Happy Blogging!...