May 23, 2022

2022 Sydlovesfashion Bozeman Travel Guide

Last fall, Trevor Noah announced that his "Back to Abnormal" comedy tour would be heading to Bozeman, Montana. As a big fan of both "The Daily Show" and Montana, I instantly booked tickets and encouraged a few friends to do the same. A few weeks prior to the event, Trevor ended up rescheduling the show in order to host the White House Correspondents Dinner that same weekend, but my family and I were already committed to the trip so we decided to go anyway and I'm so glad we did. Our long weekend in Bozeman was one of the best trips we've taken in a while and we can't wait to go back. Over the course of a few days, we visited with some friends who moved to Bozeman during the pandemic, checked out all the local shops on Main Street, dined around town, stopped in on a local comedy show, and even visited Yellowstone National Park. Here is my travel guide on the best places to shop, eat, stay, and play in Bozeman, Montana.  


How to Get There from Seattle


According to Google, the drive to Bozeman from Seattle is approximately 10 hours and 53 minutes via I-90 East. If we had more time to dedicate to this trip, driving might have been a more cost-effective option for our family, but since we only had a long weekend to spare, we decided to forgo the drive time and maximize our time in Bozeman instead. Non-stop flights from Seattle run about $415 per person on  Alaska Airlines and there's generally a morning, afternoon, and evening flight option available. 

Once we arrived in Bozeman, it was really easy to rent a car from Hertz and get on our way. If you're a AAA member, you'll save money on fuel, car seats, and adding additional drivers to the car. 



Where to Stay 

Located in the heart of downtown Bozeman, the Kimpton Armory Hotel offers convenient access to everything on Main Street including coffee shops, boutiques, restaurants, and more. We've stayed at many Kimpton Hotels before and have always had a great experience, so I'm pleased to report that this hotel provided all the usual amenities and services that we've come to expect. The rooms were clean and spacious, there were multiple restaurants on-site, and valet parking was quick and easy. 



Where to Eat


The first night we arrived, we met up with friends for drinks at Tune Up, the basement bar at the Armory Hotel. Last Best Comedy was hosting an open mic night and we enjoyed drinks and laughs as a prelude to our dinner up at the Sky Shed, the hotel's rooftop bar complete with fire pits and relaxing mountain views. Everything is great on the Sky Shed menu, but we really liked the Furikake Fries, Fried Chicken Bao Bun, and Coconut Curry. 

On our second night, friends of ours that moved from Queen Anne to Bozeman during the pandemic took us out on a date night to Brigade. Known for sourcing local ingredients and putting them together in a creative way, Brigade has some great options on the menu including regional charcuterie boards, black truffle gnocchi, and wild mushroom ragu. They also do a happy hour every day from 3-6 p.m. where you can get $3 martinis, oysters, and draft beers. 

If you're looking for coffee to power up your day, don't miss Wild Joe's on Main Street. They serve a great selection of locally roasted coffees and they also offer grab-and-go sandwiches and drinks and snacks for kids. My daughter loved the "Fluffy" which is a foamy steamed milk drink with chocolate, topped with whipped cream and sprinkles, of course. 

While in town we also checked out Revelry, located just steps away from The Armory Hotel. I liked that they had unexpected things on the menu like the house-smoked trout and avocado toast, frites & fondue, and coal-fired beet and cranberry salad. The beer and cocktail menu was great, too. 

The Armory Hotel actually has 3 restaurants on-site, and on our final night we dined at Fieldlings. It's the fancier of the three restaurants and the menu features fresh ingredients from local purveyors. We liked the house-made ricotta served with grilled sourdough bread and the beef short rib rigatoni. 


Bozeman Food & Drink List


Revelry - 24 N Tracy Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715

Brigade -  233 E Main St Suite 201, Bozeman, MT 59715

Fieldlings-  24 W Mendenhall St, Bozeman, MT 59715 (Located at The Armory Hotel)

Sky Shed-  24 W Mendenhall St, Bozeman, MT 59715 (Located at The Armory Hotel)

Tune Up - 24 W Mendenhall St, Bozeman, MT 59715 (Located at The Armory Hotel)

Wild Joe's Coffee - 18 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715

The Hideaway (Liquor Store/Dive Bar/Casino) - 1625 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715






What To Do


Yellowstone - Bozeman is located about 1 hour and 45 minutes away from Yellowstone National Park. If you've never been, it's definitely worth the drive. On our trip, we saw a ton of animals including deer, bison, elk, wolves, birds, and even mountain goats. It was really fun for the kids to try and spot animals with their binoculars and they kept a running list of everything they spotted. The north entrance of the park is located in Gardiner, Montana and the entrance fee is $35. 


Sweet Pea Festival - If you're heading to Bozeman in August, don't miss the Sweet Pea Festival. This year, the festival is celebrating its 45th anniversary and the event will include food, music, art, flowers, dance performances, and more. This event is a great opportunity to check out the "Best Of" Bozeman and wristbands are available now. 


Country Bookshelf - Bookworms and casual readers alike will love Country Bookshelf. It was founded in 1957 and continues to be a place where locals of all ages can come to find great books. It's even been named by Martha Stewart as one of the "Best Place to Find the Best Reads" and they also have a robust calendar of events


Museum of the Rockies - A friend of ours recommended that we take the kids to the Museum of the Rockies, and with interactive exhibits and a full planetarium, it did not disappoint. Located on the campus of Montana State University, the museum has an extensive collection of dinosaur fossils and a T. rex skeleton. The gift shop is great, too!



Where to Shop


Downtown main street in Bozeman is brimming with bars, restaurants, and local boutiques. It was a fun place to shop and explore while we were in town. As is the case with many small towns, the customer service was amazing and it was fun getting to know the locals. 


Heyday - Since 2007, Heyday boutique has been a great place in downtown Bozeman to shop for apparel, accessories, home goods, and gifts. The store is bright and airy and the team is eager to help you find exactly what you need, and maybe even a few things you don't, because when it comes to a well-edited assortment of must-have merchandise, they've got the formula dialed in. You can even shop online and enjoy $8 flat rate shipping. 


Mōka - Located in the heart of downtown Bozeman, Mōka is a great place to visit whether you need a wardrobe refresh or a fun outfit to wear for a night on the town. They have great shoes and accessories, and even offer sizes for teens


Jonah & Sage - Small town boutiques like Jonah & Sage are truly what make cities like Bozeman great places to shop. Locally owned & operated since 2001, the store is designed to outfit locals for whatever Big Sky Country brings their way. They carry a variety of brands including Commonform jewelry, which is lovingly handmade in Montana by my dear friend Stacy. I also love the fact that they have menswear, home goods, and gifts, making it a one-stop shop for everything on your list. 


Bonnie & Clyde - If you're looking for contemporary clothing in Bozeman, don't miss Bonnie & Clyde, located in the Main Street Market. Nestled just past the cafe and coffee bar, Bonnie & Clyde is brimming with shoes, clothing, bags, accessories, jewelry, and more. I got a great pair of summer sandals here that I can't wait to wear once the weather in Seattle warms up!




The Last Word

Bozeman was a delightful, family-friendly place to visit and we will definitely be booking another trip soon. The friendly atmosphere and small-town vibe will always have a special place in our hearts. It was definitely a trip to remember!


If you visit Bozeman and check out any of the places on this list, please tag @Sydlovesfashion on Instagram so that I can ride along on your adventure, too!


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May 19, 2022

Made in Washington Hires Kristin Frossmo as President and CEO


Made in Washington made news earlier this month when it appointed former Nordstrom VP Kristin Frossmo to lead the company as President and CEO. Previously executive vice president and general merchandise manager of Nordstrom's shoe division, Kristin will bring a wealth of retail knowledge and customer service experience to the role as the company prepares for a busy tourism season ahead. 

Since 1984, Made in Washington has been a place for locals and tourists alike to shop for a wide array of products that are designed and produced in Washington state. In her new role, Kristin will help bring the stories of local artists and makers to life as the company continues to expand its presence in the region and differentiate itself in the market as a diverse place for local shopping and discovery. 

With locations in four very different settings (Pike Place Market, Alderwood Mall, Bellevue Square Mall, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport), Frossmo sees an opportunity to personalize the experience at each location and give consumers a unique, hyper-local shopping experience. She's also excited about the possibilities that lie ahead when it comes to increased consumer engagement through interactive events, product demos, and specialty shopping nights where customers can learn more about the emerging and established brands carried by Made in Washington. 

As part of the transition, Kristin will replace current President and CEO Mike Mondello, who also serves as President and CEO of SeaBear Smokehouse. Made in Washington carries products from over 250 local vendors across a range of categories including food, art, home goods, gifts, glassware, and more.

As a long-time shopper of Made in Washington, I love the fact that customers can design their own gift baskets or choose from a wide selection of pre-made gift sets. It makes shopping for the holidays, or any occasion, fun and easy. We have a lot of relatives that live out of state, so having the opportunity to send them a little piece of "Washington" is always a welcome gift. 


Here are 5 of my favorite gifts available at Made in Washington: 


Seabear Smoked Salmon - An iconic Pacific Northwest gift that is handcrafted in small batches and smoked using traditional smokehouse techniques. 


SaltWorks Dead Sea Bath Salt - This relaxing bath soak has 10x more minerals than ordinary sea salt and features USDA-certified organic eucalyptus essential oil to soothe skin and reduce stress. 



Handblown Glass Paperweight - This handcrafted, Mercury-inspired paperweight glows in the dark and contains ash from the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. Perfect as a standalone piece of art or a stylish office accessory. 




Market Spice Huckleberry Tea - I've been a fan of the Market Spice teas for a long time and the signature Huckleberry flavor makes a great gift!





Chalo Boarding Pass Tote - This Seattle-inspired tote bag is spacious, durable, and great for carrying around all your must-haves. There's even an interior zip pocket to safely carry around smaller items like a wallet or keys. 



Whether you need an easy way to support local makers or you're looking for a great gift, you'll find it at Made in Washington. Visit one of the stores or learn more about Made in Washington, here



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May 17, 2022

Fashion Recap: Simone Biles x Athleta Girl Event at U Village

Over the weekend, London and I had the opportunity to host a special Mother + Daughter event at Athleta in celebration of the Simone Biles x Athleta Girl collection. Designed to empower the next generation of strong women, the limited-edition activewear line for girls ages 6-12 features fun colors, breathable fabrics, and built-in reminders that no dream is too big with mantras like "Because I Can" and "The Floor is Yours". 

The gymnastics-themed event included movement, music, light bites, bubbles (for the moms), and "Shine Bright" confidence-boosting worksheets for the girls to fill out. Everyone had a great time shopping, socializing, and meeting the team at the University Village Athleta store. 

I want to extend a BIG thank you to store manager Kelly King for hosting such a wonderful event and making everyone feel so welcome. Her team did an incredible job leading the girls through gymnastics routines and helping to build their confidence throughout the night. Swag bag sponsors included Aveda, Froglegs, Paint the Town, and Supergoop. Thank you to photographer Vivian Hsu for capturing this event so beautifully!

Here's to raising the next generation of strong, confident, and resilient women who dream big and make the world a better place!














Athleta at University Village has a variety of styles from the Simone Biles x Athleta Girl collection in stock now. The merchandise mix includes t-shirts, tank tops, bike shorts, and more. 

Athleta - University Village

2610 NE University Village St. 

Seattle, WA 98105



About Simone Biles

Simone Biles is one of the greatest female athletes of all-time. The first woman to capture five All-Around World Championship titles, Biles is the most decorated gymnast in World Championships history – male or female - with 25 medals overall (19 gold) and is a seven-time Olympic medalist (4 gold). A three-time Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, she has earned the rare distinction of having four skills named in her honor – The Biles – across beam, floor (two), and vault disciplines. Biles’ extraordinary accomplishments have received widespread recognition including TIME 100 Most Influential, Forbes 30 Under 30, Ebony Power 100, People Women Changing the World, USA Today 100 Women of the Century, and two-time Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year among others. Her autobiography - Courage to Soar - was a New York Times bestseller and developed into an award-winning tv special on Lifetime and her documentary series – Simone vs Herself – that streamed on Facebook Watch is nominated for a Sports Emmy Award. Biles utilizes her platform to help advocate for mental health and support initiatives that provide education and assistance for children and young adults associated with adoption and foster care.


About Athleta

A certified B Corporation, Athleta is a performance lifestyle brand with a mission of empowering a community of active women and girls. Athleta’s versatile premium performance lifestyle apparel is designed by women for women with inclusivity at its core. Founded in 1998, Athleta integrates performance and technical features across its collection to support women across their entire lifestyle – from yoga and training to travel and sleep. In 2016, the company launched Athleta Girl mirroring its signature performance in styles for the next generation. Based in San Francisco, CA and a Gap Inc. brand (NYSE: GPS), Athleta apparel is available at its more than 220 retail stores across the United States and Canada, through its catalog, and at Athleta.com.










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May 4, 2022

2022 #ShopLocalSeattle Mother's Day Gift Guide


Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 8th and in the spirit of supporting the amazing local businesses in our community, I came up with a list of 55 great gift ideas to help celebrate the moms in your life. As a mom of two fabulous kids and one very spoiled fur baby, I know that motherhood is a constant juggling act and that even during the toughest of times, the moments are fleeting. This year I want to send a big thank you to the fellow mamas out there who are working hard each day to raise kids that are kind, caring, curious, empathetic, and resilient. I see you, I support you, and I’m here for you when you need a kind word, a long walk, or a glass of wine. Happy Mother’s Day!

55 Mother's Day Gift Ideas that support Seattle businesses

  1. The AstroTwins Momstrology book helps parents understand the astrological charts of their little ones. It’s beautifully written and deeply insightful.
  2. A sapphire and diamond ring from House of Hitchcock.
  3. An overnight stay at The Woodmark Hotel so that she can wake up on the water in Kirkland.
  4. Gift cards to local boutiques on Capitol Hill including Sway and Cake and Glasswing.
  5. A signature massage from Yuan Spa. Don’t miss the unique hydrotherapy experiences available in Bellevue and Kirkland.
  6. An electric boat ride on South Lake Union.
  7. An old-school Igloo cooler for picnics and playdates at the park.
  8. A beautiful, ethically-made necklace that she’ll cherish forever from Boma Jewelry’s Treasured Collection.
  9. A signature Monarch tee from Luly Yang.
  10. A figure-flattering mock neck top from Oiselle.
  11. Vegan nail polish from local brand Veque.
  12. One-of-a-kind, custom dinner napkins from Set the Table by Lisa Cole.
  13. An Astrological Self-Care book by local author Stephanie Gailing.
  14. An annual membership to the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI). Don’t miss the Behind the Seams event and Spring Fling at the Mohai Mercantile taking place on Mother’s Day weekend. More info can be found here.
  15. A sunset dinner at Goldfinch Tavern overlooking the Puget Sound at Four Seasons Seattle.
  16. A bottle of soothing, single-sourced CBD oil from Two Cranes Botanicals. I got my own mom a bottle last year and she LOVES it.
  17. A dinner date at Bamboo Sushi.
  18. A gift card to SkinSpirit that she can use on facials, Botox, skin care products, and more.
  19. A gift certificate for a blow out at Drybar.
  20. An intuitive life coaching session with Erika Lynn.
  21. A Dyson Supersonic blow dryer that will cut her drying time in half. My husband got me one last year and it cuts down my dry time from 20 minutes to 8 minutes flat.
  22. An athletic-inspired skort from Girlfriend Collective that can be dressed up or down during classic Pacific Northwest summers, available locally at Prism in Ballard.
  23. A hilarious candle from Malicious Women Co. in Snohomish.
  24. A utility canvas bag for overnight weekend trips from Seattle boutique Flora & Henri.
  25. An Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Box from Trophy Cupcakes.
  26. A bottle of perfume from 86 West fragrances, available locally at Corre.
  27. A wine club membership to XOBC Cellars that benefits Brandi Carlile’s Looking Out Foundation.
  28. Tickets for a ride on the Victoria Clipper from the Seattle Waterfront to Victoria, B.C.
  29. A cooking class for adults at FrogLegs Cooking School.
  30. Modern handmade ceramics from Orphan Ten.
  31. A gift certificate for a session with a professional wardrobe stylist from Styled Seattle.
  32. A University Village gift card that can be used on an epic fashion field trip.
  33. A weekend trip to Suncadia so that she can escape the city and be one with nature.
  34. An all-natural skincare gift set from Kari Gran Skincare.
  35. A PNW gift set from Seattle Chocolate.
  36. A seafood-inspired gift basket from Made in Washington.
  37. A beautiful crystal diffuser from Antica Farmacista.
  38. A cool swimsuit from Tomboy X.
  39. A new pair of shoes from Brooks Running.
  40. A delicious and easy to prepare dinner kit from Kitchen & Market.
  41. A lightweight, jersey-knit beanie from Coal.
  42. Colorful hair accessory clips from Chunks.
  43. An architecturally-inspired tote bag from Ampersand as Apostrophe.
  44. A dinner date at Canlis.
  45. A gift card to Queen Anne Dispatch so that she can shop for whatever she wants. (They have apparel, accessories, gifts, jewelry, home accessories, beauty products, and more!)
  46. A glassybaby she’ll cherish forever.
  47. Gorgeous microbladed brows from Sula.
  48. A new raincoat from Eddie Bauer.
  49. An ethically-made midi-dress by The Cura Co.
  50. A Union Jack throw blanket, available locally from Watson Kennedy.
  51. A sushi-inspired tea towel, available locally at Morning Siren.
  52. A pair of eco-friendly cellulose acetate earrings from Baleen.
  53. A lavender-scented, aromatic, mousse-like ultra-moisturizer from Alaffia.
  54. A gift card to Purpose boutique to shop for a new summer dress.
  55. A gift certificate to Apollo Nails for a well-deserved mani/pedi.

TOP IT OFF

Don’t forget to send mom a memorable message using a Tokki bow card.


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