Blackbird Heads to PDX

Earlier this month Blackbird owner Nicole Miller announced plans to open a new store in Portland early this summer. The store will be located on W. Burnside and N.W. 13th Ave. two blocks from the Ace Hotel. Woo hoo. Portland shopping trips are about to get even better! Stay tuned for more details.

Spring Trend: White on White

You don't need to be the bride this spring to wear white. Everyone's doing it and we imagine, you'll want to do it too! It's a total white out for Spring '11. Here's a quick look at the trend.

Chloe showed a total white on white look including a white handbag and even white shoes!

White also dominated the Spring '11 Alberta Ferretti collection which blossomed with fairy tale femininity. Dresses were adorned with lace and crochet details and then paired with nude sandals.

Classic Calvin Klein also indulged in a white on white collection for Spring. In fact, the first nine looks featured at his runway show were all white, followed by three solid black looks, only to be followed up again by three more white ones.

Alicia + Olivia also showed numerous white on white dress and skirt combinations in their spring line. The stark white was broken up with periwinkle sandals, orange lipstick and quirky hairstyles.

This season lighten up your look with soft neutrals and lots of white.

Style Tip: Add interest to your outfit with a punch of color from bold shoes or a bright handbag.

REPORT Launches iphone app

Seattle-based REPORT Footwear launched an iphone app to help shoe lovers keep track of all the latest shoe news and fashion trends. Browse through shoe galleries, read press reports and watch up to the minute video of REPORT photo shoots and fashion events from around the globe.

Spring Shoes: The Wedge

So pretty much the only thing Kim Kardashian and I share in common is that we're both 5'2 and need a little lift in the leg department. So naturally, we're probably both really excited that the wedge sandal is making a comeback this spring! This is the perfect shoe to elongate the leg, add a little lift and show off a pretty pedicure.

The Michael Kors Wilshire Sandal is at the top of the list for a lot of reasons. Maybe it's the clean lines- but mostly it's the snake embossed gold straps that make me love this shoe. Pair with oversized sunglasses and a flirty summer dress and you're ready to hit the boardwalk.

For a girls night on the town, check out the Kelsi Dagger Ankle Cuff mini wedge featuring a silver reptile print and a 2 1/2 inch heel. The ankle detail looks like an anklet and the back zip makes this sandal even more stylish.

When it comes to a great everyday wedge, this Chloe sandal is all you need. With contrast stitching and a wood-inspired sole this shoe is neutral enough to mix and match with all your spring wardrobe favorites and has a great logo-embellished strap.

Need a daytime wedge for the office? I'm in love with these Nine West yellow leather heels. They have a great peep toe detail and a manageable 3 3/4 inch heel making them totally practical for running around the city.

I'm really into neutrals this season and I'm loving this wedge from Aldo. I love that it doesn't cut off the ankle, instead it helps elongate the leg. I also like the blend of patent leather and cork because it means you can dress this shoe up or down depending on the occasion.

Another option for elongating the leg is the Erzincana by Aldo. The heel is a little over 4 inches but the sturdy base makes this sandal super easy to walk in. This is the perfect summer sandal to throw in your suitcase and take on vacation!

And last but not least, get a little crazy with the Victoria's Secret Zig Zag wedge featuring a 4'' wooden heel with rhinestone embellishment. This shoe is sure to be a conversation piece at your next party!

AIS Presents 'Fashion Roulette'

The Art Institute of Seattle is hosting their 13th Annual Student Fashion Show on Thursday, May 10th at The Showbox Sodo. 'Fashion Roulette' is produced by the fashion design and marketing students in the program and will feature current spring trends as well as Fall 2011 fashion. Featured designers include Cindy Marlatt, Megan Cherewatenko, Lina Zeineddine and Seattle Magazine’s October 2010 spotlight designer, Isaiah Whitmore.

A matinee showing of Fashion Roulette at 5:00 PM is available to high-school students at no cost with a valid school ID, and general admission tickets for both the matinee and the 8:00 PM main show are available for $20.00. Front Row VIP seats available at $60.00 and reserved seating available for $40.00. Tickets may be purchased in advance through Ticketleap or at 206.239.2274. Fashion Roulette is sponsored in part by ADOBE, 7 Salon, Jones Soda and Swink Style Bar.

What: Fashion Roulette

When: Thursday, May 10th

Where: Showbox Sodo- 1700 1st Ave. S.

Time: 8pm

Tickets: Click here.

3rd Annual Silhouettes of Style

The Act Two Guild is a group of dedicated women who are committed to raising funds and community awareness to support Tateuchi Center, a world-class performing arts center featuring a 2,000-seat Concert Hall and 250-seat Cabaret targeted to open in Bellevue in 2014. The Guild is presenting their third annual signature event, Silhouettes of Style—A Royal Affair on Friday, April 29, 2011, from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at The Westin Bellevue. Proceeds will benefit the Tateuchi Center Campaign.

The Guild event, A Royal Affair, is named in honor of the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, occurring on the same day. This year’s luncheon will include a runway fashion show fit for a royalty, featuring top fashion of the season. Look for a special runway segment that pays homage to Ms. Middleton’s personal sense of style. The fashion show is presented by The Bellevue Collection. Reservations are now available for $125 for individual reservations or $1,250 for a table for ten. All proceeds benefit the $160 million Tateuchi Center Campaign.
For more information click here.

Hotel 1000 Hosts: Evening with the Stars

Get ready for an Evening with the Stars at Hotel 1000 to watch the Academy Awards! This is the 2nd annual party and will include delicious bites from BOKA Kitchen, speciality Ciroc cocktails, swag bags, red carpet photo ops, prizes for best celebrity look-alikes, live entertainment, a telecast of the Oscars and more! Event proceeds benefit Reel Girls, an organization that empowers young women from diverse communities to realize their power, talent and influence through media production.

What: An Evening with the Stars

Where: Hotel 1000

Time: Red Carpet Arrivals Begin at 4pm

Tickets: $75. Click here.

LUCKY shops Seattle

I've always felt that Seattle has some really great places to shop, it's the very reason I launched this blog several years ago. Seattle has a signature style that is genuine, unique and constantly evolving. Apparently Lucky magazine feels the same way because they recently featured some of Seattle's best boutiques in their March issue.

Lucky mag Editor at Large Elise Loehnen gave kudos to one of my personal favorites, Blackbird in Ballard, calling it "wildly hyped" but "well-deserved". Madison Valley's Canopy Blue also made the list of the hottest places to shop in the Pacific Northwest.


Page 2 of the spread noted many places to shop that even I haven't ventured (and I shop a lot!) including Far 4 on First Avenue (far4.net), Great Jones Home (1921 Second Ave.) and the Fremont Vintage Mall.

Also making the list were Kimberly Baker Jewelry, Kirk Albert in Georgetown, Laguna Vintage Pottery, Lambs Ear Shoes, Lucca Great Finds in Ballard, and Merge in Fremont.

Rounding out the list were Red Ticking on Madison, Totokaelo on Western, Watson Kennedy on First Ave. and Velocity Art & Design on Yale. Congrats to the featured businesses- and thanks for making Seattle such a fabulous place to shop!

Designer Debut: Anar Couture

Seattle-based designer Rana Ghezelayagh will host a trunk show to showcase her line Anar Couture on Saturday, March 12th. 'Chic with Silk' will take place at Avalon Towers in Bellevue and feature both apparel and a new line of accessories including scarves, wraps, capes and more. A fashion show will begin at 8pm. Come support an emerging designer and be part of the local fashion scene! And- in honor of #Follow Friday we suggest that you follow Anar Couture on Twitter @Anar_Couture.

What: Anar Couture Trunk Show

When: Saturday, March 12th

Time: 6:30pm (Fashion show begins at 8pm)

Where: Avalon Towers Bellevue (10349 N.E. 10th St. Bellevue) in the Club Room (15th Floor)

Admission: FREE

For more information about Anar Couture, please visit www.anar-couture.com.

The Perfect Tan @ Spa Scotta

You don't have to be Snooki to appreciate a golden glow. Drop in to Spa Scotta now through March 16th for The Perfect Tan at a can't-miss-price of $25 (regularly $45). Sunless Tanning is a great alternative to traditional tanning beds which can prematurely age your skin. The Spa Scotta system was developed in Australia and delivers a tan that looks great on all skin types, never yellow or orange (sorry Snooki!)

Spa Scotta

4915 25th Avenue NE Ste #103

Seattle, WA 98105

NY Fashion Week Update

While many of us ponder whether or not to break out our spring clothing collections from the spare bedroom closet the entire fashion world has already moved on to the hottest trends for Fall '11. On the first day of fashion week collections by BCBG Max Axria, Luca Luca, Christian Siriano and Richard Chai graced the runway. Friday’s line-up was filled with new collections by Perry Ellis, Rebecca Taylor, Rebecca Minkoff, Tommy Hilfiger, Nicole Miller, and Cynthia Rowley. Today’s shows include Vivienne Tam, Charlotte Ronson, Prabal Gurung, and G-Star and there's still lots more to come! Major trends emerging so far include lots of lace (as seen at Jason Wu), asymmetrical necklines (as seen at Nicole Miller), a continuation of the futuristic trend (as seen at Rag & Bone), and a carry-over of the geometric print trend (as seen at Cynthia Rowley).

Notable Upcoming fashion week shows:

Sunday, Feb. 13th
Derek Lam
DKNY
Max Azria
Y-3
Calvin Klein
Lela Rose
Diane von Furstenberg

Monday, Feb. 14th
Carolina Herrera
Monique Lhullier
Betsey Johnson

Tuesday, Feb. 15th
Badgley Mischka
Vera Wang
Diesel Black Gold
J.Mendel
Narcisco Rodriguez

Wednesday, Feb. 16th
Michael Kors
Nanette Lepore
Ports 1961
Anna Sui
Elie Tahari

Thursday, Feb. 17th
Ralph Lauren
L.A.M.B.
Naeem Khan

Stay tuned for more fashion week trend reports to come!

Photo: Marcus Tondo / GoRunway.com

Fashion Feud- TONIGHT

FASHION FEUD is coming to Seattle tonight at Citrus Lounge on Lake Union. Designers will be given 1-hour to create a design and prepare it for a LIVE runway show. The finished designs will be presented by models to a live audience and then voted on by both the audience and a select panel of local industry judges. The winner from each round advances to the Finals in each city to compete for the title of best designer in their city. Sponsors include D List Magazine, Joan & Jared Events, TCM Models, Swink Style Bar, Seven Salon and Scion. This is a FREE event and doors open at 7pm. Click here for more info.

The Office @ Venue

I have a friend who wrote an entire novel while camping out in various coffee shops. Sure she was addicted to coffee, but the bottom line was that there was nowhere else she could be productive enough to work. Needless to say she would have been thrilled to hear about the new Office at Venue in Ballard where you can rent an office loft for just $25 a day.

Access is available from 9-5 for the traditional office worker or 10-6 if you like to arrive a little late. Free wifi and use of fax machine is included in rental rate.

Now as I liked to tell my old assistant Lauren in my most annoying boss-lady voice, "GET BACK TO WORK!"

Venue

5408 22nd Ave. NW

Seattle, WA 98107

206.789.3335

info@venueballard.com

www.venueballard.com

Seattle's Newest Salon Opens Feb. 12

It's a Mad (Mad Men) World out there and now you can get your fix of the splendid 60's era at Spatini Beauty Lounge, a new mod salon in Seattle. Flip through Spatini's Signature Cocktail Inspired Menu of Services including natural nail manicures (they also do Shellac), Pedicures, Body Treatments (check out the Slim 'n' Tonic), Massage, Facials, and Waxing. Spatini also offers special packages including the Wild Night Out featuring a blowout, style, makeup application, express manicure with polish change and validated parking. Feeling more like a VIP? The VIP package offers a blowout with hairstyle, makeup application, nailpolish change for the hands and feet plus limo service and VIP entry to the Seattle club of your choice. Grand Opening specials include 20% off any Retail Item and free validated parking with any retail purchase over $75. At Spatini Beauty Lounge, your mane concern will be having a good time! Don’t miss out on the most talked about salon and spa opening in Seattle in 2011. For the latest Grand opening news follow Spatini on Twitter @spatini.

Seamless in Seattle Seeking Submissions

Seattle magazine's Seamless in Seattle design competition is currently accepting designer applications. They're scouring the city for the best up-and-coming fashion designers hungry to launch themselves onto the local fashion scene. This year, Seattle Mag is offering the winners big prizes including a chance to launch their line at one of Seattle's premier fashion events. Entries will be accepted in categories including Best Emerging Designer, Best Student Designer and Best Bridal Designer. The winner will have their work photographed for the September issue of Seattle magazine and be featured in the Fashion First Runway show with fellow content winners. Entries must be received by FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2011. Click here for full contest details.

Valentines Day Wish List

Love is in the air and the countdown to Valentines Day has officially begun. What should you get your Valentine this year and most importantly, what's on YOUR wishlist? Maybe it's gold jewelry, a new watch, or a new perfume. Here are 5 Valentines Day inspired gift ideas that are sure to make your sweetheart smile.

A Moët & Chandon Valentine's gift set. The box contains a special pink bottle of Moët Rosé NV, two glasses and a gold pen that can write on glass, so you can tell your sweetheart just how you feel.

A luxe lipstick from the Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color Collection. Featuring 12 universally flattering shades ranging from Bare Nude to Fire Red these lipsticks will make you feel like a millionaire every time you put it on.

Vivienne Westwood's fragrance Boudoir launched in 1998 and features an extremely feminine floral note, combined with traditional English country garden scents of tobacco flowers and heliotrope. You'll seduce your sweetheart with this sultry scent.

Gucci's G Line black gold–plated watch is the ultimate Valentine's Day Gift. It's sleek and reads more like a bracelet for fashion than a watch for function. *LOVE*

Last but not least, the YSL Arty Too ring is to-die-for with it's classic Parisian–luxe styling. Set with a large square stone, this chunky gold ring is just what you need to accent that special Valentine's Day dress. But let's face it, you'll love this ring so much you'll pair it with just about anything.

Happy Valentines Day!

Last Days of Clutch Exhibit

If you haven't been to the Museum of History and Industry (Mohai) to see the Clutch It!, The Purse and the Person exhibit you're running out of time. This exhibit was started from a single collection and now includes contributions from a variety of donors. They have an amazing patent leather zip purse in the shape of a shoe, bags from the turn of the century and everything in between. They even have archived pictures of Seattle's stylish women shopping at the old Fredrick & Nelson department store.

The Purse & The Person: A Century of Women's Purses brings together life stories as told through our handbags. This exhibition looks at purses from the inside out, examining day-to-day life reflected in a very personal, very female artifact—a woman's handbag. Eight exhibition vignettes examine iconic women of the 20th century, from the Edwardian matron to the Superwoman of recent decades. Glimpse into the lives of Edwardian matrons, flappers, wartime Rosie the Riveters, suburban housewives, hippies, businesswomen and more. The women of the 20th century reveal their personalities, their fashion sense, and their day-to-day concerns brought out in the mysterious depths of their purses.

What exactly was in your great-grandmothers handbag? You might be surprised. The exhibit runs through Monday, February 14th. For more information call 206-324-1126.