Girls Guide to Seattle

Seattle: A City for the Dogs

2012-10-11T20:54:00.000-07:00

Seattle is well known for being a city that extends a hearty welcome to all dog-kind. Residents joke that there are more dogs than children in the city; this is statically proven to be true, and it is not even close. With such an extensive population of pooches, it is not surprising that Seattle offers many amenities for visitors traveling with canine companions.

Hotels

Quite a few hotels in Seattle permit guests to stay with their dogs. However, some go above and beyond basic canine courtesy, going as far as to consider the comfort of their four legged clients at least as important as the guests whose names are on the credit cards. A few particularly dog friendly hotels include the Executive Hotel Pacific, which charges no fee for dogs under thirty pounds and graciously puts no limit on the number of dogs allowed in each room. Another good option is Chambered Nautilus Bed & Breakfast, which permits a dog of any size for a fifteen dollar fee. Dogs are gifted with a special pampering basket which includes poop bags, a cloth for dirty paws, and doggy treats. A final suggestion for travelers with dog in tow is Alexis Seattle. This hotel has no limits on the size and number of dogs in a room and charges no pet fee. Rooms come equipped with plush pooch beds, water bowls, and dog treats.

Restaurants and Bars

Though city codes do not necessarily allow for it, many Seattle bars and restaurants are more than happy to fudge the rules a bit and welcome diners to enjoy a meal with their dog at their feet, or even on the seat next to them. One place well known for being a haven for dog owners is Norm's Eatery & Ale House. Dogs are welcome both outside and inside this establishment. Another restaurant allowing dogs to accompany their owners to the inside bar is Summit Public House.

Dog Parks

Seattle is bursting with gorgeous parks, and the weather does not keep people inside. While dogs will enjoy almost any park on leash, multiple dog parks allow man’s best friend to run free. Magnuson Dog Park is the most celebrated, offering more than nice acres of off leash enjoyment, including beach front land for refreshing dips. Blue Dog Pond is an enclosed grassy area that can get quite muddy; lots of fun for the dogs, though perhaps the owners show less enthusiasm. Another option is Dr. Jose Rizal, which includes an expansive fenced in area for dogs to play. This park also offers spectacular views.

Fun Activities for Dogs

Seattle is famous for its outdoor recreation options; everything from kayaking to snow skiing is available in close proximity to downtown. Dogs love to hike the countless trails crisscrossing the city’s parks and more adventuresome canines enjoy backpacking in the nearby mountains. Dogs can cross to local islands on the ferry system and traverse the city by bus. The many beaches allow for hours of delightful exploration. For the more cosmopolitan canine, most shopping malls are dog friendly too.

Anyone who longs to travel with a canine companion should consider Seattle when deciding on a vacation destination. Numerous dog friendly hotels, restaurants and recreation and relaxation opportunities make Seattle a city that will please the pickiest of pooches. Odds are their owners will not be disappointed either!

Bio: Laruen Colman serves as the digital marketer for the dog boarding and dog sitting community at Rover.com and is a true dog lover at heart. Lauren spends her days at the office with her dogs Squish and Brando by her side. For more dog tips, you can follow Rover.com on Twitter @roverdotcom or on their blog, Dog Boarding News.

Life's Simple Pleasures

2012-09-09T23:40:00.002-07:00

By day and by night, I am an event planner. I live outside Seattle in the mountains, and have the privilege of working at a beautiful winery called Swiftwater Cellars. The idea of being event planner used to sound so glamorous. You get to be at every party, help pick themes decorate, and you're always the hostess.

Well, I've since learned the reality: you are WORKING at every party, you rarely get the chance to change, or look better than a sweaty mess; even in flats your feet feel like you're about to lose a leg. The weird thing is... I still LOVE it!

After a summer of weddings and events, my face and body have been neglected. After a long day at work, I came home to find a fabulous package from Simple Apothecary filled with some of the most amazing products ever!

For those of you that haven't heard of Simple Apothecary, this 2-year old product line is also a spa in Seattle featuring products that are simple. In their own words: "we don’t buy into complexes, buzz words, or fancy new fangled ingredients, we just use ingredients that have been working in one capacity or another for hundreds, if not thousands of years, to nourish and sustain us." Here is the best part....everything is made right here in Seattle, using all natural local ingredients. Everything that we love at GG2S!

(Photo: Simple Apothecary)

I've coupled my Clarisonic with both the Lemon Verbena facial cleanser and the Eucalyptus White Clay Cleaner. I cannot tell you how amazing it is to start your morning with lemon or eucalyptus. The most refreshing feeling ever! No amount of film is left on your face. You're only left with soft skin. I look refreshed and awake, even after a weekend with a bridezilla!

(Photo: Simple Apothecary)

This mountain weather makes my skin dryer than normal so I've been carrying around the Rose Day Creme and my Chai Spice Lip Balm like its my right arm. ADDICTION.

(Photo: Simple Apothecary)

All these and other products can be purchased online at Simple Apothecary Salon. My cart is full!

7 Things To Do in Seattle This Week - All Under $10

2012-05-21T15:55:00.000-07:00

This week Seattle is hot with networking events for the comms pro, tech lover, and young urbanite. If you're looking to meet new people, this is definitely the perfect week to do it!

Monday, May 21
Yelp's A Zoo Presents: Yelpin' in the Jungle
FRED Wildlife Refuge - 127 Boylston Ave E
7:00pm - 10:00pm - FREE
Yelp and The World is Fun have teamed up to host free weekly parties full of local food, drink, and entertainment every Monday through may. Attendees are asked to donate funds to The World is Fun or simply purchase drink tokens to support the local non-profit. For this week's event you can expect bites and sips from Wild Ginger, Wing Central, Honest Tea, PopChips, and Emerald City Beer, among others.

Tuesday, May 22
Mediabistro Party in Seattle
King's Hardware - 5225 Ballard Ave NW
7:00pm - 9:00pm - FREE
If you're a media, communications, or creative professional then this event is for you! Mediabistro.com is putting together for industry pros to mix and mingle on the local scene while enjoying cocktails.

Wednesday, May 23
TechCocktail's Seattle Mixer and Startup Showcase
PNK Ultra Lounge - 600 Pine Street
6:30pm - 9:00pm - $10-$25/ticket
Calling all tech enthusiasts and startup lovers for an evening of connecting with Seattle's startup scene. Local startups will be showcasing their innovative products and you'll have the chance to mingle. Whether you're looking to work for a startup or just love technology, there will be something for every chic geek.

Thursday, May 24
VIBE Happy Hour
Six Seven Restaurant at Edgewater Hotel - 2411 Alaskan Way, Pier 67
6:00pm - 9:00pm - FREE
Head into summer by networking with young Seattleites at a chic venue overlooking the Sound. The VIBE Happy Hour is hosted by Clubvibes and will feature discounted wine and cocktails and bites starting at $5. We've been to a VIBE Happy Hour and definitely came out having a great time!

Friday, May 25
41st Northwest Folklife Festival

All weekend long you can enjoy everything from folk music and crafts to panels and discussions.

Unofficial Yelp Bar Crawl

Kicks off at Pine Box - 1600 Melrose Ave.

7:00pm - FREE

If you're a Yelper, Yelp enthusiast, or just like meeting new people this is definitely a great way to kick off your weekend. The Unofficial Yelp Bar Crawl was organized a year ago by a group of Yelpers who just wanted to get together and kick it in their city and has grown ever since. Full details of the night's stops can be found on Two-Oh-Six blog.

Saturday, May 26

Woodinville Warehouse Wineries Tasting

Woodinville Warehouse Wineries - 19495 144th Ave NE

12:00pm - 5:00pm - FREE admission; tasting room fees apply

The tasting event offers a day of mobile food vendors, winery and cellar tours, live music, hors d'oeuvres, wine-tasting, and local winemakers answering questions and sharing their knowledge.

Sunday, May 27

PRIDE Idol presented by Smirnoff

Neighbours Nightclub - 1509 Broadway

6:00pm - 10:00pm - FREE

Oh yes, it's as fabulous as it sounds. The series has been running for the past few weeks so coming into its final weeks, but it's sure to be a fantastic time!

7 Things To Do in Seattle This Week - All Under $10

2012-05-14T22:54:00.000-07:00

Whether you're looking to expand your network, learn about cultures or social causes, dance it up, or shop local - Seattle has got you covered this week!

Tuesday, May 15
Meet & Greet with Brown Paper Tickets
Brown Paper Tickets Office - 309 N 36th Street, 2nd Floor
5:00-7:00pm - Free
The Brown Paper Tickets team has some exciting things happening at their office in Fremont. This is an opportunity to enjoy some refreshments, meet and greet the team, fellow local event organizers, learn about how the services can help you with the next ticketed event you're hosting, or how you can find out about awesome local happenings.

Wednesday, May 16
Beakers and Beers
Spitfire - 2219 4th Street
6pm - 9pm - Free
If you've been to startup weekend, are planning to go, have thought about attending, or simply have a love for startups, then this is your meetup! This monthly event is hosted by a small group of Startup Weekend attendees and aims to bring fellow enthusiasts together to chat about ideas, startup obstacles, or just plain technology.

Thursday, May 17
17th of May Festival and Parade (Syttende Mai)
Festivities: Nordic Heritage Museum (all day)
Parade: Corners of 28th and 62nd at 6pm (Ballard)
Celebrate Norwegian National Day, in honor of May 17 1814 when Norway became an independent nation, with Seattle's Norwegian community. Several festivities will be happening at the Nordic Heritage Museum including live entertainment, children's activities, and traditional Norwegian food. Then, make your way to 28th and 62nd and get your seat for the annual parade. Last year's celebration was said to welcome over 20,000 Seattleites, so it's definitely worth checking out.

Friday, May 18
Finding Kind Screening at Q Cafe
Q Cafe - 3223 15th Ave W
7pm - Free
Finding Kind is a new indie feature film and movement that brings awareness and healing to the negative and lasting effects of girl-against-girl bullying. The film documents a 10,000-mile cross country journey of the two filmmakers, Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson, who were both victims of the "mean girl" syndrome. The film is said to be creating buzz at film festivals across the country. Sound interesting? Check out the trailer and reserve your ticket online.

Free Friday Mini-Mamacon Event Open House
Bellevue Hilton - 300 112th Ave SE
3pm - 9pm - Free
The women behind the Mamacon Conference are welcoming current and soon-to-be moms (and dads) in for a special sneak peak open house. Simply RSVP and you can look forward an evening of relaxation, sipping wine, touring over 80 vendors, and listening in to 10 expert speakers discuss all things parenting and lifestyle.

Saturday, May 19
JAI HO! Bollywood Dance Party
Chop Suey - 1325 E. Madison Street
9pm - 2am - $5 in advance/$10 at the door
If you're a fan of Bollywood music and dance moves, this is definitely where you should be spending your Saturday night. Whether you're familiar with the music or not, all are welcome, and it's sure to be a good night.

Sunday, May 20
University District Street Fair
Heart of U-District - University WAY NE
10am - 6pm - Free
The UDistrict Fair kicks off on Saturday and continues through the weekend so there's plenty of time to catch all 350 craft, food, and information booths. The fair is said to be the longest running street fair in the nation and welcomes over 50,000 people each year.

Girls Guide Life: Last Minute Mother's Day Gifts - Seattle Edition

2012-05-10T09:12:00.000-07:00

Mother’s Day is this weekend. Yikes, right? If you haven’t had the chance to pick up a super fab gift for your mom yet, don’t fret! You can still find the perfect present, even if you don’t have time to hit the boutiques. Taking a little inspiration from Etsy’s Mother’s Day Gift Guide, I’ve created my own featuring all Seattle based Etsy artists.

Poshstreet Pillows makes super stylish pillow covers and with so many different patterns, colors and size combinations to choose from, you’re bound to find something to brighten up mom’s living room or bedroom. Consider a pop of color with tangerine or the gray and yellow combo, which I just love. Once you’ve found the right one, drop a line to the shop to see if you can arrange a quick pick-up, or have it shipped directly to mom – it might just make it!

This 16x16in cover is only $18 or two new 20x20in covers for $40, which means one for you and one for mom!

Here’s a great gift for the garden lover – Garden Bon Bons! How cute are these?! They look just like yummy chocolates, but are actually handcrafted clumps of healthy soil and seeds, and have several themes to choose from.

I like the Italian Herbs and Edible Flowers sets the best.

You can order directly from Etsy for about $15 a box, or swing by Petals on Fremont, which also has gorgeous fresh bouquets. Then, head over to Paper Delights on 45th Ave (where I recently found some fab stationary and invitations) and pick up a sweet card for you-know-who while you’re there!

If mom loves to be pampered (and what girl doesn’t?), these handmade soaps, lotions and potions from Red Leaf Bath & Body are sure to please. They come in a variety of intriguing scents like lettuce, pink grapefruit, black tea and basil lime.

This gift set includes beeswax lotion, bubble bath dough and room spray, for just about $30. Plus, Red Leaf will gift wrap, add a card and send straight to your mama – done! Check out their Facebook page to score a discount.

So, I have a thing for vintage china. It looked so pretty at our vintage-inspired wedding, and with so many colors and designs - each one tells a story.

I love what Teresa from The Everlasting Garden has done with them, and I think mom will too. Not for the faint of heart, these whimsical garden decorations are sure to be a conversation piece! Priority shipping is available or message Teresa and pick one up in West Seattle.

Be sure to mention that you're a Girls Guide reader to get 15% off!

Speaking of vintage china, Kate from Bunny’s Baked Goods makes these darling one-of-a-kind vintage upcycled dessert plates that I just adore. This one is my favorite, but there are lots to choose from.

Found one that’s perfect for mom, but want to skip the shipping? Kate will meet you in Seattle for a pick up and is giving Girls Guide readers 20% off for Mother’s Day! Use code SEATTLEMOM when ordering through Etsy, and be sure to leave a note to arrange an easy pick-up.

Prices range from $20 to $68 after the discount. Kate’s also a baker, so maybe you can swing a sweet deal to have mom’s new treasure pre-loaded with home baked goodies… yum! ;)

On that note, if your mom has a bit of a sweet tooth (like me), consider sending a tasty little treat from Sweet Caroline Jams. You can order directly from Caroline’s Etsy site, or buy from her in person at the Issaquah Farmers Market on Saturday or the Fremont Market on Sunday.

With flavors like Strawberry Rosemary, Raspberry Black Pepper and Vanilla Bourbon Pear, you know it’s going to be delish! This little gift set with a 5 oz. jar is $12. Just want the jam? 9 oz. for $9. Plus, receive $1 off when you buy two medium or large jars. How sweet is that?!

There are so many crafty Seattleites on Etsy, and I had fun picking out a few of my favorites.

Check back for our Father's Day gift guide, which is right around the corner too. Happy shopping!

Girls Guide Life: Northwest Hope and Healing Heals Hearts

2012-05-09T12:39:00.001-07:00

We are all guilty of getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. We sweat the small stuff; we stress over outfits, time management, and co-worker conflicts. Believe me, I am just as guilty.

Then I get the opportunity to attend an event like Northwest Hope and Healing's "Style '12 Fashion Event" and it really puts things into perspective. While it combined fashion, drinks... and all things PINK, for many of us attending, the message was deeper. Each fashion show model fought, is fighting, or is closely associated with someone fighting breast cancer. With a combination of men and women from all ages, the show evoked emotions of empowerment, hope, and thankfulness.

It was a great reminder to savor and enjoy every moment of my life, cherish the ones I love, give back to others, and live life to the fullest.

The drinks were flowing...

Showbox SODO was decked out in pink lights and glow rings!

A little background: Northwest Hope & Healing is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit foundation that provides financial assistance for non-medical needs like child care, groceries, gasoline, utilities, and emergency rent to women receiving breast and gynecological cancer treatment at Swedish Medical Center. In addition, they provide signature Healing Baskets which are given free of charge to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

Amazing organization, right???

Christine Smith, Founder of NW Hope & Healing

Thanks to the generous donations and volunteers this was another successful event for Hope and Healing, but the work never stops; if you are looking for opportunities to volunteer, donate or get involved, here is your chance! Volunteer Today!

*Photo credit: Matthew S. Browning

7 Things To Do in Seattle This Week - All Under $10

2012-05-07T14:05:00.000-07:00

Whether your a wine or beer conniosseur, looking to expand your professional network, a vintage seeker, or all of the above - Seattle has got you covered. Here are 7 things to do in Seattle this week - all on a dime. Enjoy!

Monday, May 7
Yelp's A Zoo Presents: A Yelp Safari Party!
FRED Wildlife Refuge - 127 Boylston Ave E
7:00pm - Free
Yelp and The World is Fun have teamed up to host free weekly parties full of local food, drink, and entertainment every Monday through May. Attendees are asked to donate funds to The World is Fun or simply purchase drink tokens to support the local non-profit. For this week's event, you can expect bites and sips from Wild Ginger, Wing Central, Emerald City Beer, and Jones Soda, among several others.

Tuesday, May 8
Prolango Career Mixer - May 2012
MunchBar - Bellevue Square
6:00pm - 9:00pm - Free
Currently on the hunt for your next professional adventure? It's definitely true when they say it's all about who you know, so it will be worth your while to check out this month's career mixer hosted by Prolango. The event will offer the chance to connect with local area professionals, job seekers, and recruiters, so come ready with your business card, resume, and personal elevator pitch.

Wednesday, May 9
Southern Italian Winemakers Event
Wine World - 400 NE 45th Ave
6:00pm - 8:00pm - $10 for Seattle Uncorked members (become a member!)
Enjoy an evening tasting Southern Italian Wines and meeting the winemakers who create them. This event is limited to Seattle Uncorked members so be sure to attend with your membership card or sign up soon!

Thursday, May 10
Sex in Seattle 20: Happily Ever After
West of Lenin - 203 N. 36th Street
8:00pm - $8 through Goldstar (normally $16)
Sex in Seattle is an episodic theatre show which explores the lives and loves of four modern Asian American women and this week's show is the finale episode in the series. Here's what Seattle Weekly had to say about it:

"Imagine Amy Tan's Joy Luck girls with real, hormonally-driven libidos and you have playwright Kathy Hsieh's witty Sex in Seattle series in a nutshell. These four . . . take a blowtorch to the cookie-cutter caricature of docile, obedient young Asian women today."

Seattle Beer Week Kick-Off: Today kicks off Seattle Beer Week, which continues through May 20th. This event offers everything from tastings to competitions, with several of the activities being free. Enjoy!

Friday, May 11
glam.spoon Trunk Show
Frock Shop - 6500 Phinney Ave. N
6:00pm - 9:00pm - Free
Local independent recycled clothing brand, glam.spoon, is debuting her s/s 2012 collection at Frock Shop in Phinney Ridge. We've written about Frock Shop before, so the boutique is definitely worth checking out and if sustainable design is what you fancy, then this trunk sale is a perfect way to kick off your weekend!

Saturday, May 12
West Seattle Garage Sale
All around West Seattle (detailed map)
9am - 3pm
The West Seattle community has gathered for their 8th annual West Seattle Garage Sale. You can expect to find goodies in over 250+ sales that include individual sales, block sales, group sales, etc.

Sunday, May 13
Journey to the Flames: 11 Years of Burning Man Screening
Central Cinema - 1411 21st Ave
3:30pm - $8 online
Ever wonder what Burning Man is like? Or maybe you're an avid Burning Man attendee... either way, this documentary is sure to showcase a new view into the event which brings 50,000 people into a desert each year. The event is said to create a temporary city of art while implementing a few simple rules: No commerce, bring what you need to survive, leave no trace, participants only (no spectators), and enjoy the journey of art, music, sexuality, and fire.

Girls Guide Events: How Will You Spend Your Cinco de Mayo in Seattle?

2012-05-04T08:59:00.003-07:00

Still thinking about how you'll spend your Cinco de Mayo in Seattle? We've scoured the city's happenings to bring you this curated list of events that is sure to please every type of city girl.

The Fitness Enthusiast
Fiesta 5K Ole and Taco Truck Challenge: Cinco de Mayo may be known for the sombreros and excessive margarita drinking, but you've never been conventional so why start now? Rise and shine early this Cinco de Mayo and bask in a 5K run through Volunteer Park with several other fitness enthusiasts. Once you've worked your little booty off, enjoy your free admission to the Jose Cuervo Margarita Garden and concert while munching on some of Seattle's best taco trucks.

If you haven't registered for the run, don't fret. You can get yourself registered through cash/check the day of the race. Enjoy, Skinny Mini!

The Socialite
Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl: Wherever there's a party, you're the life of it so you should definitely be gracing your lovely presence at the Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl hosted by Seattle Fun Events. The crawl kicks off at 1:00pm with the location still TBD. Check back to the site for more deets, but you can rest assured you'll be hitting up several bars before settling in at the last locale at 6pm. Costumes are strongly encouraged on this crawl, so if you're so inclined, go ahead and rock it! The one thing you'll want to remember is to bring cash for easy breezy orders.

The Dancer
Inferno Seattle: You've never met a dance floor that you didn't own, so get your groove on at Neighbour's Inferno Seattle dance party. This all-women's party was voted "best women's dance regardless of sexual orientation." If dancing is your passion, you know where to go this Cinco de Mayo.

The Badass
Mayweather vs Cotto: Girl - no one is as badass as you and you know it. The closest you'll come is with your fellow patrons watching the Mayweather vs. Cotto live at Trago. DList Magazine is will be in attendance so you can look forward to several Cinco festivities including a jalapeno eating contest, outdoor margarita garden, live performances, and and plenty of drink specials.

The Southern Belle
Kentucky Derby at The Bottleneck Lounge: You may be feeling like rocking a different style of hat this year for May 5th, which is why you should be at The Bottleneck Lounge for their Kentucky Derby viewing party. Doors open at 2pm, an hour before the live viewing of the Derby.

Wanting to get the party started earlier? As we previously mentioned, Tavern Law is hosting an all-day Kentucky Derby party complete with complementary munchies, all-day Mint Julep specials, and kicks off at 12pm.

The It Girl
Cinco de Mayo at Barrio: You're chic, you're classy, and you know how to have a good time; you're the "It" Girl. So why not spend your Cinco at a bar that matches you and your girlfriends perfectly? You can brunch with the girls while enjoying $6 drink specials and when you're ready to throw caution to the wind, shot and beer specials will be awaiting you.

The Hostess with The Mostess
House party: You were born to entertain and once you serve up these margaritas, you'll solidify your title as the "Hostess with the Mostess."

Blu Bungalow's Watermelon Margarita (recipe found on Anthropologie)

Spicy Margarita (recipe found on Food Republic)

So how will you be spending your Cindo de Mayo?

Girls Guide Life: Bus it Between Seattle and Portland in Style and Connected

2012-05-02T12:34:00.002-07:00

Great news! Weekend getaways just got easier thanks to BoltBus. The premium bus service, the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, is offering service between Seattle and Portland starting at $1/seat. Now there's a more convention and better option than the train from Seattle to Porland. Amazing!

Take note: these are not your average buses. With leather seating, extra legroom, complementary WiFi and power outlets, you'll be riding in style and rocking your to-do list while doing it.

The service kicks off on May 17th; just in time for a Memorial Day weekend getaway! We'll be snapping photos of the interior in the coming weeks but in the meantime, here's what you can expect to see cruising through the streets of Seattle and Portland.

Now if only they allow dogs, we're golden...

Girls Guide to Seattle Needs Some Voting Love!

2012-05-02T10:59:00.002-07:00

Hello to our favorite Seattleites!

425 Magazine is hosting their annual "Best of" awards including Best Local Blog. The team at Girls Guide to Seattle would be eternally grateful if you could give some voting love to us! Simply click here or hit the picture below. Voting ends May 5th and winners are announced in the July/August issue.

If you don't already have a login, you'll need to register first and then scroll down to Local Faves.

Fingers crossed!

7 Things To Do in Seattle This Week - All Under $10

2012-04-30T16:52:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay - so there may actually be 8 events on this week's list. Today's event is awesome and located in Issaquah, so we've opted to add another Seattle event this week to keep our promise of delivering 7 great things to do in the city.

Enjoy!

Monday, April 30th
Back to Balance Sugar Buster Nutrition and Lifestyle Seminar
Honest Movement Pilates - 22605 SE 56th St., Suite 170, Issaquah
7:30pm - Free
Did you fall off the wagon of your New Year's Resolution? Wanting a bikini body and healthy lifestyle in time for Summer? Honest Movement Pilates in Issaquah is ready to help you get fit and healthy. With this free seminar, you can say you're starting to eat healthy "tomorrow" and really mean it!

Tuesday, May 1st
Vinyl Revival
Blue Moon Tavern - 712 NE 45th Street
8:00pm - Free
Check out this U-District dive bar for pool, drink specials, and a night full of mixing vinyl IPs including everything from rock n' roll to country. Plus, rumor has it if you bring in your own records, you could have your fave songs played.

Wednesday, May 2nd
Walking the Room with Greg Behrendt and Dave Anthony
Chop Suey - 1325 E. Madison Street
9pm - $10/GA
Walking the Room is a comedy podcast hosted by comedians Greg Behrendt (think: Sex and the City; He's Just Not That Into You) and Dave Anthony. Check out their live comedy show to hear them banter about the comedy scene, their lives, and anything else they might feel inclined to rant about.

Thursday, May 3rd

Free admission to Seattle Art Museum

SAM - 1300 1st Ave

10:00am - 9:00pm - Free

Every first Thursday of the month, Seattle Art Museum offers free admission to all. No more excuses for missing out on famous artwork and touring exhibits; it's time to culture yourself!

Sell Your Sole Grand Opening
2121 1st Ave, Suite 101
6pm - 9pm - Free
Check out the grand opening of Belltown's newest designer consignment boutique: Sell Your Sole. Enjoy an evening of shopping and mingling while sipping champagne and noshing on apps. This definitely isn't an event where you want to be fashionably late because the first 25 guests will receive swag bags with some very coveted goodies.

Friday, May 4th

Seattle's True Independent Film Festival Kick-off

Northwest Film Forum - 1515 12th Ave

Tickets start at $8

Seattle True Independent Film Festival showcases independent, underground, experimental and zero-budget films. The festival is in its 7th year, runs through May 12th, and is definitely worth checking out!

Saturday, May 5th

Kentucky Derby Day Party

Tavern Law - 1406 12th Ave

12pm - Free including a few provisions for Derby viewing

Join Tavern Law for the 135th Kentucky Derby and enjoy Mint Juleps, free apps, and Makers Mark drink specials all night. At 3pm, the live viewing of the Kentucky Derby will kick-off.

Sunday, May 6th

Mobile Food Rodeo

Fremont Studios - 155 N 35th Street

12:00pm - 7:00pm - Free

Enjoy 35 of Seattle's best mobile food trucks all from one central location. The twice-a-year event offers free entrance, delicious bites, live music, a beer garden, and the company of thousands of fellow Seattleites. Definitely a great way to spend your Sunday or nurse your Cinco de Mayo hangover.

Girls Guide Events: 7 Things To Do In Seattle This Week - All Under $10

2012-04-23T11:10:00.001-07:00

No matter if you're looking to network, dance it up, or catch your fave shows this week, Seattle has got ways for you to get out of the house and enjoy your city.

Monday, April 23
Northwest Hip Hop Unites
Rendezvous / JewelBox Theater - 2322 2nd Ave
9:00pm - $5
Born and raised Seattleite and local hip hop artist, Luke Rain, headlines a PNW concert featuring Oregon-based emcees Matty, Bank Sinatra, Calvin Valentine, and special guests Moe Betta and Clent. We've never been graced by Luke Rain's lyrical genius so we can't vouch, but if you're into hip hop or the local music scene, this just may be worth checking out.

Tuesday, April 24
Hot In Tech Networking and Jalapeno Eating Contest
Salad Labs - 6100 4th Ave S
6:30pm - 9:00pm - $10/jalapeno eating competitors or $15/GA
If you're into tech, this one's for you! Local Seattle startup, Salad Labs, is teaming up with StartupCity to host the first annual Hot in Tech event featuring a panel of local tech execs including:

Marcelo Calbucci/CTO of EveryMove
Maggie Finch/CEO of King of the Web
Enrique Godreau/Co-founder of GSharp Ventures
Kate Matsudaira/VP of Engineering for Decide and
Bryan Trussel/CEO of Glympse.

These local startup extraordinaires will be discussing the latest trends in tech. Following the panel, attendees can witness or partake in a jalapeno-eating contest while enjoying heavy apps, beer, and wine.

Wednesday, April 25
Free Zumba Class
Sandbox Sports - 5955 Airport Way S
7:30pm - 8:30pm - Free for first-timers / $10 drop in
Been wanting to try Zumba but haven't gotten around to it? With Sandbox Sports offering attendees a free first-class, there is really no excuse. Not sure what to bring? According to the Yelp event, the essentials are your workout kicks, water, and lots of energy!

Thursday, April 26
Cameron Levin Trunk Show
Karan Dannenberg Clothier - 2322 1st Ave
5:00pm - 8:00pm - Free
Local designer Cameron Levin is hosting a trunk show at Belltown boutique, Karan Dannenberg Clothier. Cameron will unveil her spring collection, Sati, which inspired by the natural beauty of water in motion. Enjoy an evening of apps, champagne, and some of the best fashion in Seattle.

National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) kicks off today and goes through the weekend. Tickets for individual shows start at $11 and can be picked up here.

Friday, April 27
Dance it up! Whether you're into hip hop, 80's, or just looking to chill with local music, Seattle has got you covered on a dime tonight.

Saturday, April 28
Community Fitness Open House
Community Fitness Roosevelt - 6108 Roosevelt Way NE
8:00am - 2:30pm
If you've been wanting to try Barre, Bodypump, Nia, or Zumba - now is your chance! Community Fitness in Ravenna is hosting their 3rd annual Open House event and will be ditching their normal schedule for free classes beginning from 8am and going through the afternoon. Enjoy a day of food, drink, and workouts while getting a feel for the urban gym and instructors.

Sunday, April 29
Mad Men Season 5 Viewing Party
LUC - 2800 E. Madison
Don't just watch your favorite show. Catch it decked out in 60's era cocktail attire with other fans while enjoying $6 classic cocktails, free snacks, and in informal fashion show of Mad Man era style. Seating begins at 9:30pm. Don't be late!

Girls Guide Life: Freshen Your Home With Your Own Urban Garden

2012-04-19T11:03:00.001-07:00

While urban gardening can mean many things – from contributing to your neighborhood garden plot to building a chicken coop behind your town home – it can also mean bringing a little bit of sunshine inside and turning your apartment into an urban green oasis.

The home design store, West Elm, recently invited the Girls Guide team in for a gardening demo. There were so many great ideas for building your own terrarium, from hanging air plants to a glass enclosed cactus; though the one I favored was a simple glass bowl filled with a handful of sweet little succulents - just perfect for coffee table or kitchen counter decor.

I was so inspired I came home and created my own – tout de suite. Here is a step-by-step guide to planting your own urban garden. Enjoy!

Step 1: Pick out a glass bowl – any shape is fine. Choose a size that will accommodate however many plants you want to include. I love the funky shapes and selection from West Elm, but you can also check out thrift stores.

While you’d be lucky to find some of the funky designs like what West Elm offers, you’re bound to find a handful of more basic options, like these:

Step 2: Purchase your plants and potting soil. Mini succulents and cacti are probably the best. I chose a variety of hens and chicks, aloe and ground cover, plus a bit of moss. You can also add in a few pebbles for contrast.

I bought mine at the charming West Seattle Nursery and had so much fun picking out my favorites. West Elm also has lots of cute little numbers, like these:

Step 3: Start planting! You’ll want to add a few rocks to the bottom to help with drainage. I didn’t have any, so I used wine corks - which I’m always trying to find new uses for.

Put the rocks or corks in haphazardly, so air pockets are created. You don’t need a shovel; a large soup or serving spoon works well. During the demo at West Elm a paint brush was used to brush away any dirt that got on the glass – great tip!

After a few scoops of dirt, make room with your hands or spoon to nestle the plants into. You’ll want to carefully pull the roots apart just a bit so they have some wiggle room.

Get creative with the placement and try a few options. Once the plants are in the bowl, press the dirt down gently and give a bit of water. Be sure to follow the care directions for the plants you chose.

Step 4: Find a nice spot in your home to display your new conversation piece, you crafty little gardener, you!

I love my new terrarium. It was super simple to put together, is a great spring centerpiece and is very easy to maintain. Plus, it would make a fantastic DIY housewarming gift. One like it, that is – I don’t want to part with mine! Thanks so much to West Elm for the invite and glass bowl to get my own urban garden started.

Have you made your own garden in the city? Share your pics and your tips!

Girls Guide Life: Your Daily Latte Can Improve Lives and Build Communities

2012-04-18T16:44:00.009-07:00

There is no shortage of Seattle coffee shops; from the coffee corporates to local chains and indie cafes, we've got it all. Want to sip while shipping packages? No problem. Care to enjoy some cupcakes or sweet treats with your caffeine? Take your pick.

Needless to say, it takes a lot for a coffee shop to impress a Seattleite and my latest Belltown find: Street Bean Espresso managed to blow me away. While there's a steady flow of foot traffic throughout the day, it can be considered an undiscovered gem at the corner of 3rd and Cedar.

Beyond the rustic decor, friendly service, mind-blowingly delicious coffee, regulars who are chummy with the baristas, and being dog-friendly; its the central tenants and mission of the cafe that differentiate it from other Seattle coffee shops and make it well-worth visiting, again and again.

Street Bean Espresso was founded in November 2009 out of New Horizons Ministries, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness. Since its opening it has become its own entity outside of New Horizons, but at the crux, the mission remains: enabling and empowering youth who are exiting street life by offering employment and teaching core job skills. The cafe employs youth who are working to improve their lives as full-time baristas and works with New Horizons and the local YMCA to source interns and apprentices for 3-month trainings.

At the base of every decision, three central tenants are evaluated:

Impact to the community (employees, customers, and the local community)
Impact to the planet
Sustainability

With that, every element of Street Bean continues to empower local and global communities. The pastries are from local bakeries/shops such as Mighty-O, Zatz, and Macrina. The coffee beans are from the Guatemalan village Trapichitos, and sourced with the help of Agros International, an organization committed to breaking the cycle of poverty for rural families in Central America and Mexico. Trapichitos is then roasted by Caffe Lusso Coffee Roasters, a small family-owned business in Redmond, Washington.

There are few, if any other, coffee shops in Seattle that are so committed to empowering and improving lives and supporting the local community. So, next time you're in need of your daily espresso, think about doing some good while you sip through one of the best Seattle coffee shops. The wi-fi is a bit spotty, so as long as you're willing to be slightly lax with the tech needs, you definitely won't be disappointed!

Girls Guide Events: 7 Things To Do in Seattle This Week All Under $10

2012-04-17T11:49:00.002-07:00

Happy Tax Day! Whether you're getting money back or you owe the government a few bucks, everybody could use some tips for enjoying city life without breaking the bank. Here are some things to do in Seattle on a dime.

Tuesday, April 17th
Downtown Driving Range
2nd Ave - between University and Seneca
11 am to 1:30 pm - Free to $5
Intuit, the company behind TurboTax, has set up a 200-foot long driving range in the center of Seattle. You can make your way down there and hit a ball for free, buy a bucket of balls for $3 or for the serious golfers, pay $5 for a 10-minute lesson from golf pro Jeff Coston.

Wednesday, April 18th
wakeUPgirl LIVE - Women Waking Up to a Life They Love!
Lucid Jazz Lounge - 5421 University Way NE
6 pm - Free
wakeUPgirl is creating a movement empowering women to wake up to their true purpose and live the life they love. Through their live events, wakeUPgirl attemps to bridge the gap between the world's most notable female leaders and everyday women looking to discover and actualize their purpose in life and business. We've never been so we can't vouch but it definitely sounds like a worthwhile experience for anyone experiencing the quarter-life crisis or not sure about their current path.

Thursday, April 19th
LEVEL UP! April Edition
Capitol Club - 414 E. Pine Street
8 pm - Free
Children of the Atom, a local comedy collaborative, present LEVEL UP! - a free weekly comedy series at Capitol Club. Between free admission, $1 tacos and $2 Tecates, and a promised night of laughter, it sounds like a great way to spend a Thursday evening.

Friday, April 20th
UYBC - Capitol Hill "Bootie Crawl"
Capitol Hill Bars: Cure and Auto Battery
7 pm - Free to join
Local Yelpers have organized an "unofficial Yelp bar crawl" through Capitol Hill as a precursor to the popular Bootie event. Show up, bring some friends, and meet new people as you eat and drink your way through some of the most popular bars in Capitol Hill.

After the bar crawl, you'll wind up at...

Bootie Seattle
Chop Suey - 1325 E. Madison
9 pm - 2 am - $5 cover before 10pm / $10 after 10pm
A popular bi-monthly mashup dance night that started in San Francisco and features some of the hottest DJs. We've never attended Bootie in Seattle, but San Francisco's is filled with an eclectic crowd that is always ready for a good time.

Saturday, April 21st
The Amazing Race Seattle
Cal Anderson Park - 1635 11th Ave E
11:30 am - 4 pm - $10 + bus fare
Seattle scavenger hunt created by local Seattle Yelpers. You and your team members will be challenged to a foot and public-transport, 4-hour, Seattle-themed scavenger hunt. The hunt will kick off and end in Cal Anderson Park with the first clue handed out at noon. The hunt will take you through Pioneer Square, Downtown, Fremont, among other neighborhoods. After prizes are distributed, the whole group will wind down with drinks and bites at Linda's Tavern. Want to participate but don't have a team? No worries. Simply show up a bit earlier and you'll be partnered there. Check it for more info on what you can expect or should bring.

Sunday, April 22nd
Clybourne Park
Seattle Rep - 2nd and Mercer in the Seattle Center
7:30 pm - $10 when booked through Goldstar
A dramatic comedy exploring race relations in a northwest Chicago neighborhood portraying the dynamic and evolution through events fifty years apart. The play portrays fictional events that are loosely based on real-life events and explores the evolution of gentrification in the neighborhood.

Girls Guide Style: Hinge Wedges Were Designed In Seattle Just For Me

2012-04-13T12:49:00.001-07:00

It's funny how as adults we still have some childlike tendencies. For example:

Child: When it's hungry, it cries.
Me: When I'm hungry, I make others cry.

Child: When it gets a new toy, it plays with it constantly; doesn't go anywhere without it.
Me: Same. When I bought my latest pair of Hinge wedges, I put them on and literally fell asleep wearing them.

Up until recently the weather hasn't been amazing enough for me to venture outside of the house, but I still came home and greeted these spring beauties every day.

There's so much to love about these shoes and one of the most lovable parts is that they were designed in Seattle. I'll snap a photo of the logo & box, but once I saw that, it was all the more reason to lust over them!

Hope you enjoy... until next time my fellow fashionistas!

Girls Guide Bites: Lot No. 3 Puts Bellevue Restaurants on the Map

2012-04-11T09:21:00.007-07:00

One of the biggest adjustments to moving from Honolulu to the Seattle area has been the weather. Literally it hit me like a hungry tiger in the jungle... bone chilling cold, grey skies and rain. I wasn't ready for it. Naturally, I turned into a bear - bundled up, hibernated at home, and packed on the pounds.

Now that Spring has sprung (kind of), my hibernation has subsided but my comfort food cravings haven't. In Hawaii, the "colder months" meant it got down to a mild 70 degrees with slight rain, you wore boots and a cardigan, and went out for pho. Here, I crave all things hearty and thankfully I found just the place to fill those cravings: Lot. No 3 in Bellevue.

This contemporary lounge offers a pub atmosphere with its take on comfort food. Imagine chicken and waffles, meatloaf, candied bacon, popcorn... but all with a twist. Yes, it's been done before, but man-oh-man, I like when Lot. No. 3 does it!

The atmosphere is dark, really dark; which I don't mind because dim lighting complements everyone. The bar, where we sat, was beautifully lit with mason jars and tea lights. The decor was very rustic, modern, and made for the perfect date destination on the Eastside.

We started with a meat and cheese board which went along with the winter hibernation. Yummm MEAT!

As if that wasn't enough, the chicken and waffles sounded too amazing to pass up. The best part is that it's not the typical fried chicken with bone. These are boneless, juicy crispy chicken breasts over malted waffles with a side of bourbon maple syrup. It's sweet, savory, and crunchy all in one bite! We ate it all up!

Although winter is coming to an end, the cravings for this place won't be anytime soon. There are so many options left to try!

If you're looking for Bellevue restaurants or venturing from Seattle, I highly recommend checking out Lot Number 3. Between the plethora of parking, fantastic food, happy hour specials, and rustic ambiance, it's well worth a visit!

Girls Guide to Seattle is on Alltop!

2012-04-10T14:46:00.002-07:00

Hi friends - great news! Girls Guide to Seattle is now available on Alltop in the Seattle section.

If you're on Alltop, you can stay up on all things Seattle + get the latest GG Seattle updates by simply adding our feed to your page. We'd be eternally grateful!

Girls Guide Mix & Mingle: A New Way to Overcome the Seattle Freeze

2012-04-05T08:45:00.006-07:00

A few weeks ago the boy introduced me to a little startup called Grubwithus, a service dedicated to bringing back good old-fashioned IRL networking with quality peeps over a bomb meal.

Here's how it works: weekly dinner options at fantastic restos are organized by both the Grubwithus team and site members. You - the future diner - search through the site and decide on an upcoming meal that piques your interest based on who is already registered to attend, the "theme" of the dinner, and the meal logistics (timing, restaurant, location, etc).

Once a meal has caught your fancy, simply hit the "reserve now" button and get yourself signed up. During registration you'll enter your credit card number to reserve a seat at the table. Once the minimum number of participants have registered (each dinner requires a minimum of 5 attendees), your card will be charged and voila! No concerns around reservations, splitting the bill, tipping, or under-budgeting for the meal; everything is taken care of for you.

All you need to focus on is showing up and putting your fabulous self out there to meet fantastic new people! After the meal, hop back online and ~~review~~ share some insight on your fellow diners to ~~weed out the weirdos~~ help build the community.

My experience: Being relatively new to city, the boy was eager to check it out and I had my hesitations. After relentless begging, I finally gave in and we signed up for a thai dinner for "comedy lovers."

Thank goodness we did because the entire evening was the shit. Seriously. We came out having met incredibly interesting people and chatted it up on all things city living. We were already excited for the next Grubwithus dinner.

Since that time, I organized my own dinner called Bites with Bloggers, which lived up to all expectations and definitely didn't fail to impress. I met fellow blog and social media enthusiasts, not to mention super inspiring people!

Why it rocks:

It's networking without the typical BS. It's easy to feel good about being at the meal and chatting it up with everyone because it's safe to assume each person wants to be there and is genuinely interested in meeting new people. Let's be real, if that wasn't true, no one would actually sign up for a 2-hour, $30 prix fix dinner with a handful of strangers.
Themed-meals connect individuals with similar interests. Having a central theme ensures you're going to get people with similar interests who will have an interesting perspective to share.
You can explore Seattle at the same time. At the same time that you're connecting with Seattleites in their 20's and 30's, you're trying a different restaurant in a local neighborhood.
Keep communication through the site. Not totally convinced you want to exchange personal info with the people at your table? It's cool. You can keep the convo going post-dinner right through the Grubwithus website until you're comfy enough to share your deets.
It's a great way to ease into Seattle networking. Though the format may seem more intimidating than your typical networking events, I would venture to say its actually easier because its an intimate group of people. Also, see the first point about none of the typical BS.

The only downside I've seen thus far is that the dinner will set you back and average of $25 - $30/pp (not including drinks), so it's not the most economical way to network. Other than that, I highly recommend checking it out!

Intrigued but not a Seattle local? Don't worry. You can grub in most major US cities. Check it.

Have you grubbed or do you plan to? I'd love to hear about it!

Girls Guide Style: Rocking The Animal Print Mini + GG Reader Discount

2012-04-04T09:55:00.023-07:00

This spring it's all about neons, neutrals, the pop of color, and... animal print!

That's why I was so excited to rock this bronze animal print mini during a day out exploring San Francisco. Pair it with opaque tights and you've got a dress that will go from day to night with a simple switch of shoes. For our day gallivanting through the city by the bay, I paired it with boots, a vintage Ruth Saltz clutch, and my fave pair of TOMS sunnies.

I picked up this animal print dress from one of my favorite Seattle stores, Pala Pala Dress Boutique on 1st Ave, for a mere $35. Pala Pala specializes in dresses but offers a good assortment of accessories, shoes, and handbags too. Despite the coveted downtown location, the boutique is moderately to high priced with most dresses ranging from $58 - $100+ depending on style.

The best part? Girl's Guide readers will receive 10% off all new items, an additional 10% off sale items and 20% off all other items. Just mention Girl's Guide to Seattle at checkout or scan the QR code below for safe keeping 'til your next visit; girl's gotta love a deal!

Sunnies: TOMS at ShoebizSF, Dress: Pala Pala Dress Boutique, Cuff: Lulus.com, Boots: GoJane.com, Vintage clutch: Dina Louise

Hope you enjoy the savings!!

Girls Guide Life: Planning Your DIY Vintage-Inspired Wedding

2012-04-02T10:57:00.003-07:00

Hello dear urbanites!

My name is Carly and I’m absolutely thrilled to join the team of Girl’s Guide gals in sharing our favorite new discoveries, old standbys, and living an urban lifestyle. I’m most interested in scoring vintage treasures, handcrafted and repurposed finds, deepening my knowledge and love for Washington wine and trying new restaurants and recipes.

Let’s see, what else? I’m a huge fan of boutique hotels, salted caramels, strong coffee and first class upgrades. Oh, and I never pass up a bargain. Ever.

Since this is my first post for Girl’s Guide to Seattle, this weekend was my six month wedding anniversary and wedding season is right around the corner, why not kick it off with tips for planning your PNW vintage-inspired wedding?! I’ve highlighted a handful of local and independent shops, artists and the venue that helped make our celebration perfect.

So, that’s me (on the left, silly) and I’m happily settled in the Emerald City with my hubby (cute, huh?!). We live in Ballard and love it – there are so many fab restaurants, cafés, bars and boutiques to tell you about, but let’s save that for future posts.

The location: Finding the perfect location can sometimes be the most difficult, and can beg the chicken/egg question - which comes first, the date or venue? We had stumbled upon Cama Beach on Camano Island while on a Sunday drive the summer before our engagement, and at the time thought that the oh-so charming 1930s-era cabins right on the water would be great for a family reunion.

Once we started planning our wedding we knew that this was the place for us; perfect for a weekend celebration with all of our closest friends and family. It was November and the following early October was the earliest we could get the whole park, so call right away if you’re considering it. These cabins fill up fast, but are worth the wait. Plus, if a restored 1930’s fishing resort doesn’t just scream PNW Vintage, then I don’t know what does!

Since it’s only 90 minutes from Seattle, this location gave our out of town guests the best of both worlds – a peaceful outdoorsy getaway, while still being able to enjoy some of the more touristy city attractions.

The website: Now that we had committed to a date – October 1^st, setting – the Pacific Northwest, and the feel - vintage, it was time to let everyone know. We created a website (www.benandcarlytietheknot.com) with details on our wedding weekend getaway and added it to our handcrafted wedding invites.

Good thing I married a web developer because coding and graphic design are so not my forte. While we saved quite a bit of money on our DIY endeavors and we are really happy with the end result, we definitely lost a few nights’ sleep tackling these projects. My advice is to decide what’s most important to have your handprint on, purchase what’s not as critical, and don’t be afraid to ask for help!

The invitations: With a goal of carrying our theme through, we crafted our invitations on linen and collected original Washington State postcards from local Fremont Sunday Market vendors and the nearby antique and retro paradise, Deluxe Junk. We used the postcards for RSVPs, so we could get them back and use them for wedding decorations. While some were blank from the ‘50s, others shared short stories of adventure or quick notes assuring safe travels, dating back to 1910. What a find!

The look and feel: My vintage lace cocktail dress was an Etsy score – exactly what I was looking for. I adore Etsy and will share tips and tricks for navigating it soon. You can just about always find what you want (and more) if you know how to track it down!

I had seen a few different button bouquets and loved the idea, but with most costing between $500 - $800, I opted to make my own. With the help of my crafty mom, we put together this gorgeous bouquet for around $50. My jewelry and most of the buttons used in my bouquet and veil were all collected from thrift store and garage sale treasure hunting. My personal favorites are the SoDo Salvation Army and the Goodwill on 8^th Ave. You can also find vintage style buttons at Joanne’s craft store in Ballard and no one will know the difference!

The veil was created by the amazing Christine of Azula By Design from Vashon Island. I discovered her at the Ballard Farmers Market, and fell in love. She makes these incredible feather headpieces and jewelry and specializes in custom orders. I only wanted a touch o’ feather with a focus on my buttons, and what she came up with was perfect.

For the table settings, we used mis-matched vintage plates and silverware, repurposed tablecloths became sweet, colorful napkins and handkerchief covered jars along with my mom’s collection of old Haeger pottery held all those glorious dahlias sourced from this darling little flower farm in Skagit Valley.

The black cake pedestals are from Rosanna Inc., a world-renowned Seattle based company started by one super savvy gal right out of her Seattle garage. We filled these plates with cannoli, pistachio cookies and Italian chocolates, instead of a traditional wedding cake. This was a perfect dessert to follow the delicious and seemingly never-ending home cooked Italian feast that our guests shared family style.

There’s so much more I’d love to include – many other projects from welcome baskets for the cabin and individual s’mores packets for the campfire after the reception, the menu throughout the weekend, the set-up, ceremony, music … and the immeasurable amount of help we got from all our dear family and friends. That’s one thing you definitely need to account for with a DIY wedding, especially if it’s a weekend affair.

I could go on and on; but I’ll have to leave it at that… for now.

So there you have it – I’ve taken a short walk down memory lane, you’ve had a little peek into where I found many of the design elements for my wedding, and we’re off to a great start! Below are a few more photos for inspiration.

Thanks to ELLDUB Photography for capturing our wedding day. All you Seattle brides-to-be, aspiring models and good old fashioned fashionistas, check him out!

Girls Guide Guest Blog: A Day in Seattle with My Dogs

2012-03-04T10:00:00.007-08:00

Heather Kalinowski is a pet lover and new mom who enjoys exploring the city with her whole family – fur-kids included. During the day she can be found helping pet owners protect their pets with Trupanion pet insurance.

One of my favorite things to do during a Seattle weekend is to plan a day with my dogs, taking them with me as I jet around the area. I’m the type of dog owner who likes to include my dogs in all aspects of my life and luckily, Seattle is very good at allowing me to do that. There are many dog-friendly places to explore and if I plan my day right, I can have a great day out, dogs included. The following is one example of a typical day out with my two furry family members.

9:00 a.m. – Starbucks

I know that people are divided about Starbucks – you either love it or hate it – but I definitely still think Starbucks is a Seattle institution and have much love for their coffee. My days mostly start with a trip to Starbucks for a grande sugar-free vanilla soy latte, and the days I have my pups with me is no exception. (As a side note, I either drive through or have my husband wait with the dogs outside rather than tying them up while I go in. I just don’t trust the tie-up method.)

10:00 a.m. – Farmer’s Market

The Ballard Farmer’s Market is the best I’ve found in the city. You can find amazing colorful produce, farm fresh eggs, homemade pasta, bouquets of flowers, crepes made to order on the spot, and so much more! And inevitably, you will find that 50% of the shoppers have their pooches with them. I love to bring my two dogs with me as I pick out my favorite items – my little dog in a carrier around my shoulder, my bigger dog sniffing along the path and greeting the other pets.

11:00 a.m. – Dog Park

There are a few excellent dog parks to choose from in the Seattle area, but my favorite it Magnuson. What I love most about this particular park is that I can get some exercise as well as my dogs. There is a path that leads down to a beach and walking along that path a few times makes me feel much more active than the sitting or standing I do at other dog parks.

12:30 p.m. – Picnic Lunch at Luther Burbank Park

I used to live on Mercer Island and while there, I fell in love with this park. It’s an easy walk down to the end of the path to a nice little beach with a great view of the water and lots of grass to lay out a picnic blanket. It’s fairly quiet and a place I can spend a few hours relaxing. There is a dog park here as well, but I like to bring my dogs to this little beach and let them troll the water’s edge for a while before lying out in the sun.

3:30 p.m. – Downtown Shopping

Seattle is not a huge city and it’s easy to walk from one end of downtown to the other. Downtown Seattle offers a great variety of shops and window shopping with my dogs in tow can be a lot of fun. Of course, I will often actually stop into stores like All the Best and Mud Bay (where I can bring the dogs inside with me) to look for a new toy or sweet treat to bring home.

5:30 p.m. – Dinner at Norm’s Eatery and Ale House

My absolute favorite way to end a day out with my dogs is to bring them inside a restaurant with me for dinner! I love that Norm’s not only allows dogs inside, but welcomes them with open arms. There are comfy couches to hang out on and televisions to sit back and watch with your pup relaxing at your feet.

After dinner I would head home to crash after a long day out and about. It’s a great way to bond with my dogs as well as tire them out for another work week. What are your favorite places to hang out with your pets in the Seattle area?

Girls Guide Bites: Marination Mobile is a Little Taste of Hawaii

2011-10-08T22:00:00.003-07:00

I've been missing Hawaii a lot lately... not so much for the weather; I look much cuter in winter clothes, but I've been missing the food terribly. Obvi Seattle has amazing "grinds," and I am on the hunt to discover them and maybe some that remind me of Hawaii.

First stop, Marination Mobile. This lunch wagon fuzes Mexican, Korean and Hawaiian to create some of the tastiest lunch time treats.

From Aloha Sliders filled with kalua pork and shredded cabbage slaw to kimchi quesadillas and kalbi tacos all topped with the signature slaw.

Aloha Sliders

Kalbi Beef Tacos

Want to be adventurous? Try the SPAM sliders or SPAM Musubi! I passed on these; encased and packed meats are way too gangster for me.

All deliciousness washed down with Hawaiian Sun juices. This is especially so Hawaii to me. I am pretty sure I used it as a chaser once or twice while in Honolulu.

Overall, the tacos were good, but the sliders were a bit sweet for me... though it was definitely a nice way to experience some delicious fusion and reminisce on some familiar flavors.

Interested in tracking down the truck to try for yourself? Check out the website for the full schedule.

Girls Guide Events: Design*Sponge Book Tour Hits Seattle!

2011-09-27T15:46:00.004-07:00

Hi, my name’s Mary Lou and I am a design blog addict.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve likely spent hours digging through the archives of design blogs searching for that perfect piece of inspiration to freshen up your apartment or home. I would often comb through them for pictures, DIY ideas, and put together inspiration boards of my own – oh how I wish Pinterest was around years ago!

If you haven’t discovered Pinterest yet, go on and start your own virtual pin board of all the visual eye-candy you come across everyday. Be warned! It is highly addictive and can easily occupy your entire weekend.

So you can just imagine how thrilled I am to find out that Grace Bonney, the extraordinary blogger behind Design*Sponge, would be making a stop in Seattle to launch her new book, Design*Sponge at Home.

Grace will be at Anthropologie (1509 5th Ave, Seattle) this Thursday, Sept. 29 from 5-8PM, for a book signing, celebration, and crafting event. All proceeds from the evening will be benefiting a local arts charity, Arts Corps. The RSVP list is currently wait list only; fingers crossed Anthropologie manages to open more spaces given Seattle’s high demand to meet the lovely Grace.

Let us know if you’ll be at the event, or have picked up Grace’s new book, we’d love to hear from you!

Girls Guide Style: Rene Ropas Dollhouse Prom

2011-09-26T14:54:00.003-07:00

I had the wonderful opportunity to witness a local designer’s unstoppable dream and a lifelong promise to a best-friend live on last week.

Seattle fashion designer, Morgan Carson, and her recycled design line, Rene Ropas, came to be based on a childhood passion and love for recycling vintage clothes and fashioning them into stylish costumes and garments. With her best-friend, Ashley Renae Moffitt, by her side urging her on throughout her early creative years, Morgan would go on to pursue art school. Sadly, Ashley would be diagnosed with cancer and would later pass away in May 2010; not before making Morgan promise to pursue her dream of becoming an inspirational and unstoppable fashion designer. One week before Ashley passed on, Morgan would put on her first official fashion show and name her company, Rene Ropas, after her beloved best-friend and her passion for Spanish literature - with Rene being Ashley’s middle-name, and Ropas being Spanish for clothes. Rene Ropas represents Ashley’s spirit and Morgan’s belief in only using recycled fabric and items to create clothing, while inspiring the people and clients she works with and the community she loves.

Morgan Carson and crew put on their invigorating Dollhouse Prom show for Rene Ropas last Thursday at iMusic, in the heart of downtown Seattle.

Photo credit: Nyk Photo, Facebook & Model Mayhem.

The locale was perfectly picked - iMusic, located across the street from the colorful and architecturally-inspired EMP building and Space Needle, proved to offer the fun, fresh, and vibrant atmosphere necessary for the night.

As you walked in, you were greeted by and in awe of Harajuku-styled models embodying Rene Ropas’ energetic spirit and eclectic style.

Photo credit: Nyk Photo, Facebook & Model Mayhem.

Struck by the gorgeous art installation produced by local concept artist Kemba Opio, and a chandelier of colorful Shocking Goat watches, you knew you were in for a treat.

Photo credit: Scott Manthey, ImageArts Photography.

Photo credit: Nyk Photo.

The fashion show began with Rene Ropas’ Fall ready-to-wear eco collection, Infiniti. I was enamored by the colorful street-style looks, which covered some of the best trends of the season – jewel-tones, all-things red, high-waists, cropped tops, and flirty dresses. I was particularly struck by the long red dress and pale gray trench, gorgeous!

Photo credit: Nyk Photo.

Amazed by the ready-to-wear collection, it was then time for a show. The avant-garde Femme au Foyer Rene Ropas collection was unveiled with a choreographed performance by Renado Tozer, a Seattle-based choreographer – bringing the stylized dolls to life with lights and movement.

Renado Tozer, @Re_na_do16, with the main doll of the evening, Jaymee Espinueva, @jaymeedoll. Photo credit: Nyk Photo.

Dazzling LED light installations by Kevin J. Russell. Photo credit: Scott Manthey, ImageArts Photography.

Photo credit: Scott Manthey, ImageArts Photography.

Photo credit: Nyk Photo.

And the lady can dance herself. Calling the interesting character behind Shocking Goat, Mr. Fresh, onto the stage for a dance-off... I hereby witnessed another one of Morgan’s many talents. Watch out, Betsey Johnson, Morgan Carson’s splits can outdo your cartwheels any day.

Mr. Fresh from Shocking Goat. Photo credit: Nyk Photo.

Mr. Fresh with the fashion designer of the evening, Morgan Carson.

Photo credit: Nyk Photo.

Calling on her love and sense for community, Morgan announced that a portion of Dollhouse Prom’s proceeds were being donated to local non-profit, The Mona Foundation – supporting grass roots education initiatives worldwide impacting young children, women, and families.

Morgan welcomed us all to take part and enjoy a piece of her fantastical and imaginative world on Thursday night. This incredible woman’s dream came true; she managed to motivate the crowd to share their most inspiring pictures from the show and comments from the night. Follow the thread to take a look at what others had to share.

Seattle, I don’t know how you can top this show or Morgan. She is beyond & virtually unstoppable. To the rest of the USA, Morgan’s expanding her line beyond the Emerald City and coming at you next.

Bedazzled,