Dec 14, 2015

Holiday Gift Guide for the girl who has everything





52 Lists book by Moorea Seal // Shadow House Annora Ring // Christian Louboutin Lip Color //
Herbivore Coconut Milk Bath Soak // Pom Pom Key Chain from Pipe & Row //  Brooks Vanguard Heritage // Emmy Trinh Bracelet //



White Space Ruby Arc Earrings // Dolce Vita Hazeley Heels // YSL Nail Lacquer No. 9 // Kate Spade Champagne Clutch // Kendra Scott Haylee Ring // Marc Jacobs Watch // Marcus Lupfer Sequin Beanie // London Coordinates Bracelet //

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Dec 13, 2015

Great gifts under $25 for anyone on your list




Cancer constellation mug // Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert // PF Candle Co. // Shelterwood Field Notes // Glittersweet Tablet Sleeve #Local //  Seahawks Key Chain & Bottle Opener #Local// Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert // DysFUNction Board Game #Local


Kari Gran Lip Whip #Local // Seattle Canvas Map Tote #Local // Herbivore Soaking Salts #Local // Olivine Atelier Body Lotion #Local // Glittersweet Flat Case #Local // Seattle Chocolates Gift Box #Local //
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Dec 12, 2015

The best blow out in Seattle

Chances are you know someone with "really good" hair. Is it the luck of the draw? A really good shampoo? Or maybe a killer haircut? As someone with signature long locks I can tell you it's a clever mix of all of the above. Truth be told,  my best hair days come after spending time in one of Seattle's best blow dry bars. We've lucky to live in a city where good hair days are just 30 minutes and around $35 away. Blowouts are a budget-friendly way to get pampered and achieve the bombshell hair you've been dreaming about. Here's a list of the best blow out bars in the city. Trust me, these salons really know how to work a round brush.

O2 Blow Dry Bar 
If you live on the eastside, check out the O2 Blow Dry Bar located just downstairs from the main Obadiah Salon in Bellevue. This location is the perfect solution for anyone who wants to do a little primping in between retail therapy sessions. The stylists are amazing at working with hair of any length and texture and always keep product usage to a minimum to help make your blow out last as long as possible. 
Style Tip: Pick up a travel-sized can of Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray to help extend the life of your blowout. 
Cost:$35
Parking: Underground parking is free at The Hyatt with validation.

Gary Manuel Studio
Located in South Lake Union, Gary Manuel Studio offers a full menu of hair services but it's the blow dry that keeps me coming back for more. The stylists are great about helping you achieve the perfect look whether you want a basic blow out or something for a special occasion. If you Aveda hair products, you'll love this salon. 
Style Tip: To prep for your next trip, stock up on travel-sized Aveda products when you visit the studio. 
Cost: Depends on the stylist 
Parking: Metered street parking and underground parking available. 

Gene Juarez Express Blow Dry 
Added as a service back in 2012 for girls on the go, the Gene Juarez Express Blow Dry is great for those who want great hair in 30 minutes or less. Guests can choose from a dry style "do-over" for clean hair that needs some styling TLC or full shampoo and blow out to create major volume with a round brush.
Cost: $35
Parking: Varies by location.
Website: www.genejuarez.com



1 - Use a dry shampoo on your roots to soak up oil. Be sure to blend. If you are prone to extremely oily hair, try using dry shampoo at night to absorb oils while you sleep.

2-  Wrap hair in a silk scarf before you go to sleep. Silk diminishes the scalp's natural production of oils and can extend a blowout an extra day or two.

3- Pack an umbrella to avoid getting frizzy hair in the rain. Or, wear a jacket with a silk-lined hood.

4- Finish hair with an anti-humidity spray like Oribe's Imperméable to shield hair from frizz.

5- Wrap your hair in a towel or use a hair cap before taking a shower to keep hair from getting wet.
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Dec 11, 2015

Best of Beauty: Seattle


I could spend hours talking about anything beauty-related. My close friends can attest to this because they've been subjected to my endless monologues about everything from eyelash extensions to the importance of pubic hair etiquette. We could be anywhere, in the middle of any conversation, and I'll find a way to weave it in. Brunch? No problem, there's nothing we can't talk about over mimosas. In line while waiting for photos at an event? Even better. Someone standing nearby might just need to know where they can find the best hair stylist, spa or local beauty product in the city.

As a beauty addict, I've road-tested many of Seattle's best products and services in the name of "research". I've even been called a "beauty fairy godmother" a time or two. From micro-needling to injectables and everything in between, here's a look at my "best of beauty" picks, Seattle-style.



Best Seattle skin care line: Susan Grace Skin Care

The women with the best skin in the city regularly see Seattle esthetician Susan Grace to maintain a healthy glow. Susan specializes in Pacific Northwest skin conditions and works with clients to calm redness, soothe dry skin and reveal a brighter, more youthful complexion. Enjoy the experience of great skin at home with the Partly Sunny Skincare line. For those looking for a serious anti-aging experience will want to check out The Tiffany, named after pro make-up artist Tiffany Lowry.
Susan Grace Skin Care
5424 Ballard Ave NW Suite #300
Seattle, WA 98107
// Beauty Notes // Located in the heart of Ballard. Easy street parking available.


Best place to go for injectables: The Stella Center
Botox, Restylane, Juvederm, you name it, the only place to go in the city for natural looking injectibles is The Stella Center. Dr. Stella Desyatnikova and RN Carolee Weaver are the best in the business and in addition to having years of experience, their "less is more" approach delivers beautiful results.
The Stella Center for Facial Plastic Surgery
509 Olive Way Suite 1430
Seattle, WA 98101
206.682.3223
// Beauty Notes // Located downtown. Easy parking available at Pacific Place. Sign up for the mailing list for monthly specials.



Best Organic Skin Care: Bella Fiore Organic Med Spa
At Bella Fiore Organic Med Spa on Queen Anne you'll find serious skin care coupled with innovative technology to achieve long-lasting results. Available services include Dermaroller, Naturopathic Facials, Body Contouring, Laser Hair Removal and more. All products used in treatments are organic and the spa also stocks additional organic lines including iSun and Kari Gran Skin Care. I highly recommend the Dermaroller treatment for acne scarring and fine lines. For a detox after the holidays, also check out the Urban Detox Retreat.
Bella Fiore Organic Med Spa
1629 Queen Anne Ave. N. #103
Seattle, WA 98109
// Beauty Notes // Located on Top of Queen Anne across from Umpqua Bank. Free street parking available.


Best Blow Dry Bar: O2 Blow Dry Bar
There's one one place to go for blow outs in Seattle, and actually, it's located in Bellevue. Obadiah's O2 Blow Dry Bar is the place to go for a beautiful blow out that lasts several days. The stylists are well-versed on blow dry styles and will get you in and out the door in under an hour (less time for shorter hair).
O2 Blow Dry Bar
10500 NE 8th St. #106
Bellevue, WA 98004
// Beauty Notes // O2 is located in the Hyatt on level one. Parking in the underground garage is validated with your service. Stock up on travel size Oribe products when you are there.

Best Seattle make-up line: Julep 
When Julep first introduced make-up I was skeptical. I mean come on, they specialize in nail polish. But when I tried the dual-ended eyeliner I was an instant convert. The Kajal Eye Glider is black on one side and shimmery brown on the other. It's a great product for women looking to streamline their make-up bags and the color lasts all day.
Julep
// Beauty Notes // Some of the Julep make-up line is available in Julep Parlors, but for the best select I recommend shopping online.


Best place for a mani + pedi: Frenchy's Day Spa
Located in Madison Park, a classic mani + pedi will run you about $60. Frenchy's is a Parisian-inspired day spa that has been around for more than 15 years. They are great about coordinating appointments so that you coordinate your service with a girlfriend (or two!)
Frenchy's Day Spa
3131 E. Madison St. Suite #103
Seattle, WA
// Beauty Notes // Parking is limited to small lot, but street parking is available nearby. Arrive early and stop by Belle Epicurean (a few doors down) for champagne cocktails and a quiche.


Best place for organic hair removal: Sugar, Sugar
An alternative to traditional waxing, sugaring is a method of hair removal that uses all-natural, organic sugar. It's environmentally-friendly because it doesn't require the strips used in regular waxing and in my opinion, it hurts less. After your initial appointment, expect to go in for maintenance every 4-5 weeks. Sugar, Sugar also stocks some great skin care products including the entire line of Eminence skincare and Portland-based Serious Serum.
Sugar Sugar
510 NE 65th St.
Seattle, WA 98115
// Beauty Notes // For the faint of heart, Sugar Sugar also stocks lidocaine numbing gel by Numb It. Call in advance to make sure it's in stock if you think you'll need it prior to your appointment.



Best place for a juice cleanse: Jujubeet
In New York and LA, juicing is serious business. Here in Seattle, the juice scene is just ramping up as more people turn toward juicing as a way to support overall health and wellness. If you're on the hunt for an easy, organic juice cleanse to kick off the New Year, Jujubeet has you covered. They make it easy for Seattleites to supplement their diet with healthy fruits and vegetables and even have an on-staff dietician to help answer questions as they come up along your juicing journey. Cleanse prices start at $35, but select juices are also available a la carte.
Jujubeet
4915 25th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98105
// Beauty Notes // Pick up your cleanse in-store or schedule front porch delivery for $15/day. You'll also want to check out the delicious raw, vegan food made fresh each day at Jujubeet including raw almond energy balls sprinkled with cinnamon, millet balls and if you have a sweet tooth, don't miss the chocolate banana bites. 




Best nail polish line: butter LONDON
Founder Sasha Muir was on to something when she brought a little bit of her British roots to the Northwest with the launch of butter LONDON over a decade ago. The line is now available at mass retailers worldwide and its products have a very loyal following. Butter London nail lacquers come in yummy, long-lasting colors plus, they are free of toxic ingredients like formaldehyde, toluene and DBP.
Butter London
// Beauty Notes // Shop locally for Butter London at Queen Anne Dispatch (Queen Anne), Horsehoe (Ballard) and Nordstrom (various locations).


Best lash extensions: Noir Lash Lounge
Long lashes accentuate the eyes and perk up the entire face. They also make the morning "get ready" routine a whole lot faster. If you're addicted to long lashes you have to check out Noir Lash Lounge in Bellevue. They stock over 100 different sizes of lashes, which means the perfect lash combination is finally within reach. For lash addicts looking for insane volume, Noir Lash Lounge has a new service called the "Carte Blanche" which involves placing 5-10 synthetic mink lash extensions onto a single lash.
Noir Lash Lounge 
225 Bellevue Way NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
// Beauty Notes // Free parking. Expect to go in for fills every 3-4 weeks. Noir Lash Lounge also sells its own label of strip lashes that are perfect for a night on the town. If lash extensions are too much commitment, Noir also stocks a lash growth serum called LiLash that works wonders and sells out quickly every time it's in stock. You heard it here first.


Best Spa experience: Four Seasons
The spa at Four Seasons is award-winning for a reason, it's simply the best spa experience in Seattle. Not only do guests get whisked away from the hustle and bustle of the city right into the lap of luxury, but the spa also offers sweeping views of the Puget Sound making it an epic place to unwind. During the holidays the spa offers seasonal spa treatments including the Shimmering Cranberry Pomegranate Body Scrub which is a hybrid between a body scrub and a massage. It's a 75-minute treatment that is as relaxing as it is indulgent. Let's face it, you deserve to be pampered.
The Spa at Four Seasons
99 Union St.
Seattle WA 98101
// Beauty Notes // Parking is validated for spa guests if you valet at the hotel. Allow for extra time before your spa appointment so that you can enjoy the relaxation room.

More beauty favorites are coming soon!


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