La Ree Clearance Sale

Help La Ree make room for new merchandise by stopping by for their annual clearance sale. Shop Saturday, April 30th from 10am-6pm or Sunday, May 1st from 12-5pm for can't miss deals you'd be crazy to pass up! Arrive early and receive a special gift with purchase! Follow La Ree on Twitter @lareeboutique.

La Ree

11 103rd Avenue N.E.

Bellevue, WA 98004

(425) 453-7868

La Bijou- Ladies Night Out

Join Bellevue's newest lingerie boutique, La Bijou for a Ladies Night Out featuring male models, champagne, and chocolates. (I know, I could have stopped at "male models" and you would have come anyway). Bring your girlfriends and indulge yourself with new lingerie. La Bijou carries brands including La Perla, Simone Perele, Chantelle, Blush, Zinke and more. RSVP to stephanie@la-bijou.com.

What: La Bijou Ladies Night Out

When: Thursday, May 12th

Time: 6:30-9:30pm

Where: La Bijou 10311 Main St. Bellevue, WA 98004 (Complimentary parking located behind the boutique)

More info: www.la-bijou.com

Shop Tax-Free This Weekend

This Saturday, April 16th the West Seattle Junction is hosting a tax-free shopping day to help ease the bite from Mr. Taxman. Shoppers will save 9.5% when merchants pay their sales tax. 37 merchants in the West Seattle Junction neighborhood will be sporting a red balloon outside their business alerting customers that they’re offering all-day tax-free shopping, as well as deep discounts on a wide range of goods and services. Sweetie is serving up sweet mimosas and offering a special gift with purchase for customers who spend over $100. You'll also want to stop by Clementine Shoes for a special trunk show by jewelry designer Joanna Morgan! Click here for more info.

Bill Cunningam New York Heads to Seattle

If you've ever leafed through the Sunday style section of the NY Times you've inevitably seen the "On The Street" photos by Bill Cunningham. For decades Bill has been obsessively photographing and chronicling fashion trends and high society charity soirées for the Times Style section in his columns “On the Street” and “Evening Hours.” Documenting uptown fixtures, downtown eccentrics and everyone in between, Cunningham’s enormous body of work is more reliable than any catwalk as an expression of time, place and individual flair. In turn, Bill Cunningham New York is a delicate, funny and often poignant portrait of a dedicated artist whose only wealth is his own humanity and unassuming grace. The film hits Portland starting this Friday the 15th at the Living Room theater and will make it's way up to a Landmark Theater on April 29th. Get the latest movie updates on Twitter @BCNYthemovie.

Enter to Win Free Tickets!

Leave us a comment and tell us your FAVORITE spring fashion trend to be entered to win a pair of movie passes to see Bill Cunningham New York when it premiers in Seattle.

*A winner will be chosen on April 25th*

ICDW presents: Product Runway

The Interior Design Coalition of Washington (IDCW) presents PRODUCT RUNWAY! Following two sold-out trips down the runway, the competition returns on June 3rd as interior designers and architects flaunt their creativity and technical skills by producing couture fashion constructed out of interior finish materials. Lift a glass and marvel at garments of carpet or ceramic tile that look like anything but! Part runway fashion show, part theatrical production and part indulgence for guests, PRODUCT RUNWAY promises to be the event of the year and a show case for the Puget Sound design community. Tickets range from $46 for general admission to $101 for VIP. Click here to get your tickets now. For the latest news, follow Product Runway on Twitter @productrunway.

What: Product Runway

When: June 3, 2011

Where: Showbox Sodo 1700 1st Ave. S.

Time: 6:30pm

Tickets: Click here.

Faith Connexion Trunk Show at David Lawrence

Nichole Ferrara of Faith Connexion will be at David Lawrence on Friday, April 15th from 6:30-8:30pm to showcase the latest trends from their Spring '11 line. There will be a special gift with purchase and 20% off all Faith Connexion merchandise during the event. Prosecco, Trophy cupcakes, and gorgeous models will be served. Email David@david-lawrence or call 425.688.1669 to RSVP. Follow DL on Twitter @davidlawrenceco.

Via Spiga Creative Director Heads to Seattle

JOIN NORDSTROM, VIA SPIGA AND VOGUE FOR A SPRING FASHION EVENT

Via Spiga Creative Director Paola Venturi will be in Seattle Friday, April 15th at the Downtown Nordstrom to present the Spring 2011 collection. Paola Venturi brings nearly two decades of experience in contemporary fashion footwear design and creative brand direction to her role as Creative Director. As the architect of design and creative vision across all product categories, Paola delivers the quality and Italian design consumers have come to expect from Via Spiga. She came to Via Spiga in January 2009 from her post as Creative Director for Te Casan. Prior to that, she led creative design for women’s footwear under the Kate Spade label for six years, and developed and designed women’s and men’s shoe collections for Calvin Klein. She began her career with Sergio Rossi, where she discovered her passion for the shoe world.A Vogue style representative will also be on hand to share expert fashion advice and discuss trends featuring looks from the collection. The event will take place from 12-3pm. Call 206.628.2111 to RSVP.

Wine, Women and Shoes

Wine, Women & Shoes is taking place on Thursday, May 5th from 6-9pm at the Four Seasons Hotel. The reception-style event will feature a multi-designer marketplace showcasing the latest fashions in shoes, handbags, jewelry and accessories. There will be some informal modeling including three dresses from celebrity fashion designer Nick Verreos, formerly of Project Runway. Nick will also be hosting the event and conducting a “sassiest shoe” contest! “Red Carpet” interviews will be happening with Team Photogenic and will be broadcast on the SEEN and Team Photogenic websites. Event proceeds benefit the Seattle Children's Home. Click here for ticket information.

Armani Exchange Launches A|X STYLEPAD

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, A|X Armani Exchange is launching the A|X STYLEPAD, a new create-your-own ad application available exclusively on iTunes. The A|X STYLEPAD gives iphone and iPad users creative control to design their own A|X campaign, selecting a background, casting a model, and adding a personalized message to create a one-of-a-kind ad to save or share with friends on social networks like Facebook.

5th Annual Thaw Fashion Show

Tickets are on sale now for the 5th Annual Thaw Fashion show! Featuring Danial Webster Designs, DVIT Swimwear, J Von Stratton, Like a Rock Star and Mark Mitchell the show promises to be a night filled with fashion. A special set featuring designs by the winners of the Seattle Magazine Seamless in Seattle contest will also grace the runway. The event to benefit Huntington's Disease will also include a silent auction component as well as a Thaw shop where designer wares will be for sale. 100% of the proceeds from the Thaw shop will benefit the Huntington's Disease Society of America. Sponsors include Bowie Salon and Spa, Caffe Vita, Heffner Management, Julep Nail Parlor, Seattle Magazine and vitaminwater zero.

-Ticket Levels-

Pret-a-Porter (machine wash) - $75/person

* General admission seating
* O Wines + Julep Nail Parlor Polish Bar
* Open bars hosted by Georgetown Brewery, Glennfiddich, Sailor Jerry Rum, Seattle Magazine, Stoli Vodka, Two Beers Brewing and vitaminwater zero
* Amuse-bouches served by Ohana, Las Placitas and Via Tribunali
* Six-month subscription to Seattle Magazine (see below)

Haute Couture (dry clean only) - $250/person
* All of the above with reserved cabana, box-style seating
* Cabana-side service from Des Voigne Cellars, Hendrick's Gin, Hudson Whiskey, Milagro Tequila and smartwater
* Amuse-bouches served by Barolo, Hitchcock, Il Terrazzo Carmine, Mistral Kitchen, Paragon, The Swinery and Vito's
* thaw Swag Bar stocked by Caffe Vita, Julep Nail Parlor, Michael Stars, Robert Graham, William Rast and more

Custom Tailored for Ten - $2,500
* All of the above with private cabana, box-style seating for ten people

Support local fashion! Click here to buy your ticket now. You can also follow Thaw on Twitter @Thawfashionshow.

Introducing: Charley + May

Queen Anne recently welcomed a new boutique! Charley + May is located on Queen Anne Ave. next door to Nancy's Sewing basket and is destined to be your new favorite store for form, function and fun. Shop owner Lauren Formicola (known to many through her work as a publicist at PR Matters) describes her store as a "gift gallery celebrating modern design for you and your home." She stocks home interior items including stylish vases, clocks, mirrors, wall art and candles, plus fashion items including jewelry, timepieces, wallets, iPad accessories, handbags, and more. The selection is constantly changing so you'll want to check back frequently to discover your new favorite things!

Charley + May

2225 Queen Anne Avenue North

Seattle, Washington 98109

Wedding Bells are Ringing

Your wedding dress is the most important dress you'll ever wear, so it needs to be a dress you absolutely love. For brides on a budget David's Bridal can help you get the look for less without sacrificing style. I'm loving this satin faced organza gown with hand-appliqued lace (pictured below). This dress actually converts into a strapless dress when the illusion piece worn under the bodice is removed. Customized your gown by adding an oversized ribbon to match your wedding party colors.

If you're planning a fairy tale wedding and want something a bit more dramatic you might want to consider upping the ante on your dress with something like the taffeta ball gown shown below. This gown features a cascade of floral appliques that form a breathtakingly beautiful skirt featuring a chapel-style train.

Or maybe it's not the style of the dress but the color that you want to deviate from this season. This beautiful organza gown (shown below) has traditional styling but comes in a blush color that looks modern and warm.

If you're petite like me and want to wear a short dress for the ceremony there are many wedding dresses by David's Bridal to choose from. Whether you're going for short or tea length, or something in between there's an option for everyone for every style of wedding.

But just because you prefer a long gown doesn't mean it needs to be boring and traditional. The gown featured below has a lace overlay and a giant bow on the back making it perfect for the bride who wants to be proper but maybe not prim.

Shopping for wedding gowns can be quite a daunting process but once you have a good idea of what you're looking for (style, color, silhouette) it can actually be a lot of fun. Bring your best girlfriend along to share the experience with you and most importantly, enjoy the moment. You're getting married!

West Seattle Junction Hosts "Tax Free" Day

On Saturday, April 16th the West Seattle Junction is hosting a tax-free shopping day to help ease the bite from Mr. Taxman. Shoppers will save 9.5% when merchants pay their sales tax. 37 merchants in the West Seattle Junction neighborhood will be sporting a red balloon outside their business alerting customers that they’re offering all-day tax-free shopping, as well as deep discounts on a wide range of goods and services.

Examples of deep discounts include:
· 20-40% off ceramic bake ware from J.F. Henry (including Le Creuset)

· An additional 15% off all liter bottles of salon brand shampoo and conditioner from Jan’s Beauty Supply

· An additional 25% off all SkipHop products from City Mouse Studio and Store

· 50 to 70% off select items from Knows Perfume

· All Melissa brand shoes will be $20 at Clementine

· 25% off all in-stock cell accessories from Sound Advice

· Any large pizza and pitcher of beer or soda for $20 from Garlic Jims

· Last chance sale on block printed linens at Capers: quilts were $225 now $49.99, placemats were $8.99 each, now 4 for $9.99

Click here for a complete list of participating merchants. And thanks (in advance) for shopping local!

butter LONDON launches NO MORE WAITY, KATIE

In celebration of the upcoming Royal Wedding, butter LONDON recently unveiled 'No More Waity, Katie', a limited-edition nail lacquer. Designed by Founding Creative Director, Nonie Creme, this exclusive color transforms nails with the perfect amount of sparkle for a royal touch. No More Waity, Katie is a soft, elegant greige shade with a splash of lilac glitter for the perfect marriage to combine fashion and fun. Click here to purchase online.

Promesse hosts Cynthia Rowley Trunk Show

This month one of our favorite Eastside boutiques, Promesse, is celebrating their 6th year anniversary! To celebrate they're hosting a Cynthia Rowley trunk show on Wednesday, March 30th from 6-8pm. Cynthia Rowley is known for her flirty, vibrantly colored dresses and sold her first collection to upscale boutiques in New York when she was just a senior at the Art Institute of Chicago. Since then, she has appeared on Oprah and has had her designs grace the pages of major fashion magazines including Vogue. Come check out her spring line! 10% of proceeds from the event will benefit the Japan earthquake relief effort.

Promesse

128 Central Way | Kirkland | WA 98033

La Ree Hosts Helmut Lang Trunk Show

La Ree is hosting a Helmut Lang trunk show on Sunday, March 27th from 2-5pm in store. Click here to RSVP. You can also shop the collection in store March 26th through April 2nd.

La Ree is located in Bellevue just off Main Street at 11-103rd Ave. NE. Find La Ree on the web by clicking here.

Stylish Home Decor: 5 Must-Haves

It's raining this weekend in Seattle, but inside Spring Cleaning is well underway! Simple updates can have a major impact on how your house/apartment looks and feels. Here are 5 fashionable items you need for your home right now.

Merchandise your jewelry on this adorable (and ballet inspired) Spinning Ribbon Jewelry Stand from Urban Outfitters ($28). How cute would this look on your dressing table? (Available in pink, white or blue).

I'm a sucker for pretty things. These clear glass perfume bottles from West Elm ($24) have vintage appeal and look pretty with (or without) your favorite fragrance inside. Your vanity table is hopelessly incomplete without these bottles.

Don't underestimate the power of mood lighting and what it can do for a room. A luxe chandalier doesn't need to be extravagant (or even real crystal) to have a major impact. This Bellagio 15 chandelier by Next would be perfect in a serene but sophisticated bedroom or anywhere in your house that could use a little sparkle and shine. Soften the scene by pairing with a dimmer.

I don't claim to be the hostess with the mostess- but hey, when people come over I do like to wine and dine them in style. And let's be honest, sometimes the food doesn't even need to taste that good as long as it looks good, right? I'm in love with these glass pedestal stands with dome from The Pottery Barn ($14). These would be great for a dessert presentation or even a special selection of cheese.

The Big Finish....

I think about outfits as finished works of art. How about a linen dress form for the corner of your room to properly put together outfits the night before a big event? This form is available in sizes 4-16 and has a pedal base. While working as a stylist this form would have been the PERFECT way to put together outfits and document them with a polaroid picture for future reference. At $300 from Urban Outfitters this item is a bit of a splurge- but so worth it when you think about all the creative ways you can use it!

Happy Spring Cleaning!

Spa Scotta Now Carrying Love + Toast!

Spa Scotta is now carrying the ENTIRE LINE of Love + Toast. Seriously the best hand creams, lotions, shampoos, conditions, perfumes, body washes, sugar scrubs, lip glosses, and more. Try it once and you'll be obsessed.

The Honey Coconut is my favorite scent and makes me reminisce of summer vacations on tropical islands. The hand cremes are completely Vegan and contain no Parabens, Phthalates or artificial colors- plus, all the adorable packaging is recyclable and made from 100% renewable resources.

The entire line smells amazing and price points start at just $9. Love + Toast is a cult favorite within the beauty circuit. Find out why by stopping in at Spa Scotta to check it out for yourself.

Spa Scotta

4915 25th Ave NE

Suite 103 West

Seattle, WA 98105

206.522.5800

*Complimentary Underground Parking*

Spring Fashion @ Meadow Boutique

If you haven't ventured to Queen Anne's newest boutique, Meadow, you're seriously missing out. The adorable store is tucked on the corner of Sixth and W. Crockett street and never disappoints when it comes to must-have apparel, accessories and home furnishings. Prices are reasonable and there's something for everyone.

Take a look at some of the styles in store now!

Happy Shopping- and don't forget to check out the Meadow boutique blog!

FGI Hosts Fashion E-Commerce Panel

THE FASHION GROUP INTERNATIONAL OF SEATTLE ANNOUNCES DETAILS

FOR RETAIL IN THE WORLD OF E-COMMERCE: FASHION EDITION

The fashion industry prides itself on moving quickly, but it will have to move even faster if it’s going to keep pace with the rapid demands of the e- commerce world. In 2010 retail E-Commerce was up 10% reaching sales of $142 billion
and that number will continue to rise as consumers continue to embrace fast fashion. Join Fashion Group International for an interactive panel discussion on retail, e- commerce and how it is changing the fashion industry. Topics of discussion will include mobile commerce trends, effective social media strategies, market research in the digital world, technology trends seen at New York Fashion Week and more. Panelists include Manfred Bluemel, Founder of Zeitgeist Research, Kyle Vucko, CEO of Indochino, Corinne Cavanaugh, Founder of Free Seattle Socially, Russ Blain, President and CEO of Bag, Borrow or Steal, Helen Stauffer, Director of E-Commerce & Merchandising at Eddie Bauer, and Seattle Stylist Hope Misterek. Lucky Magazines will be given out to the first 30 guests featuring a special SEATTLE City Shopping Guide. Space is limited so get your ticket now! For event updates follow Seattle FGI on Twitter @seattlefgi.

What: Retail in the World of E-Commerce: Fashion Edition

Date: March 23, 2011

Time: 7-9pm

Where: Spitfire Bar & Grill , 2219 4th Ave Seattle, WA 98121

Tickets: $20/FGI Members - $25/Non-Members . Click here to purchase.