Wear What When

Dress Code: Belle Époque

What to wear to the March 12 opening at the stylish new White Sage Studio

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Mar 05, 2010 at 09:00AM 1 Comments

Slideshow: Neo-Victorian (Belle Epic!) runway looks to inspire next Friday’s outfit. (here: Christian Lacroix Spring 08)

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Slideshow: Neo-Victorian (Belle Epic!) runway looks to inspire next Friday’s outfit. (here: Christian Lacroix Spring 08)

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Charles Nolan fall 08

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Catherine Malandrino fall 08

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Jenny Packham fall 08

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Marc by Marc Jacobs fall 09

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Alexander McQueen (RIP) fall 06

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Alexander McQueen spring 09

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Monique Lhullier fall 08

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Moschino fall 06

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Anna Sui fall 09

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Vivienne Westwood spring 07

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Y and Kei fall 06

Opening March 12 at the new, buzzed-about, supercool White Sage Studio in Ballard: New Victorian, a show of gorgeously patterned wallpaper designs including one called “Wallflower” by Jordan Landin for the local house Hermitage, and new-world-meets-old-world porcelain design by Far 4.

A rule of thumb in sometimes-casual Seattle: Don’t miss an opportunity to flex your sartorial muscles. Under the heading of “Opportunities”: Art Openings.

I can’t, and won’t, resist the chance to rock granny boots and a high-neck, billowy-sleeved blouse with a pair of baggy jeans. Or maybe a cropped, strong-shouldered velvet blazer with some short pants? I love the whole Gothic/romantic thing. If you can relate, check the slideshow here for inspiration and consider adding a few designer-inspired elements to next Friday’s look.

Here’s the question, though: Where to go for dinner and drinks afterward in your neo-black lace, ruffled leather, bustled bubble-hum finery?

New Victorian at White Sage will also include art by Cody Blomberg, Frank Correa, and Jeffery Babbidge. The party on Friday March 12 goes from 6-9p, and the show itself will be up through April 10.

(And no, I didn’t spend hours researching every season by every designer for the past four years, I just made use of NYMag’s superfun trend finder. )

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Tags: Openings, home decor, Dress Code

Sweet Suggestion #5

Fired, Sealed, Delivered

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Feb 10, 2010 at 06:17PM 0 Comments

What’s red, hot, and on your beloved’s doorstep?

Flowers and pizza are not the only things that can be delivered come Sunday. Add to the short list: Glassybaby hand-fired vessels.

For Valentine’s Day, the local glassblowers are geared up to deliver their gorgeously hued votives and glasses directly to your loved one’s door.

Even if your loved one is in New York City.

Did you know this? Founder Lee Rhodes and company recently opened a shop in the West Village. The um, New York Times thinks it’s cool.

So, yeah. If you heart New York, or even Queen Anne, and you’re feeling the pressure of Sunday pressing in on you, a glossy red (or pink or raspberry) Glassybaby sure beats a meat lover’s pie.

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Tags: Valentine's Day, home decor, New York

Where to Find It: Eternal Flame Part II

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Feb 09, 2010 at 09:00AM 0 Comments

Come on, baby. Light my fire.

If you’re planning on covering the Cal King in millions of fresh rose petals under the soft, flickering glow of a gothic candelabra (you’re so romantic) this Sunday, you can definitely use this tip on great-price tapers.

And let’s say you’re planning to sit at home alone and burn old love letters while listening to Air Supply remixes by the Neptunes. Cool. This is good info for you as well.

I really really like nice candles. Remember? So when, in the middle of grocery shopping at the Madison Market, I spied a supply of Scandinavia-made tapers for a $1.79 each I did a little dance. The dance involved transferring whatever was in my hands to the crook of one arm so that I could load every last slate gray taper (there were fourteen; I would have taken 44 if there were 44 to take) into the crook of the other and getting myself immediately to the check-out stand.

So there you have it: Long, tall, well-made candles for about two bucks less than you are normally asked to pay for them, at the Hill’s favorite co-op.

Enjoy. Everyone looks more beautiful by candle light.

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Tags: Valentine's Day, home decor

Sweet Suggestion #3

How to get under the covers with that special someone

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Feb 04, 2010 at 12:30PM 0 Comments

Photo: Image from Blackbird's shopping pages

As far as helpful hints go, what better way to say, “Hey, I’d really like to get under the covers with you” than a rich, vivid, beautiful blanket.

The folks at Blackbird and their sibling shop Field House have an affinity for American and Northwest products, and they’re in love with (as are others in the fashion world) the Oregon-based heritage brand Pendleton.

Couldn’t you be in love with — or under — Pendleton’s Fremont blanket?

All the gorgeously historical and timeless Pendleton pieces in the Blackbird collection (or for that matter at the Downtown Pendleton store) — can be seen as the anti-lingerie. Not that there’s anything wrong with lingerie, but skimpy and strappy doesn’t work for everyone.

If cozy, warming, and private is your idea of sexy, well, you know what to do next.

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Tags: Hamburgers, Locally Made, Valentine's Day, heritage brands, home decor, gift guide, Pendleton

Sale of the Week: Go West

Savings and reasons to shop in, around, and beyond the West Seattle Junction

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Jan 25, 2010 at 07:00AM 0 Comments

Photo: Photo courtesy Capers blog

Have a seat: The Winter sale at Caper’s in West Seattle includes a 30% markdown on all upholstered chairs in-store and by special order

Six reasons* to shop in West Seattle this week:

Caper’s Winter Home Sale is in full swing; check the pillow table where an ample selection of cozy-making, room-updating tossables are offered for $9.99 each. All upholstered furniture is 30% off (in-store models and special orders), and fabric, findings, and gifts are discounted, too.

Edie’s Shoes is donating 20% of all profits from Wednesday January 27 will go to the American Red Cross in support of their Haiti relief

The Fall/Winter sale continues at Clementine; I’d advise checking in on available sizes of these Swedish Hasbeens

More markdowns and discounts at Carmilias; stock up on layering basics from Michael Stars and Three Dots

Take 30-70% off just about everything at Sweetie, including a half-off denim blow-out

Plus, I love love love those Pantone mugs, and the set of ten is on sale for $94 (down from $125) at Click! Design That Fits

If a *seventh reason is needed, c’mon: Spring Hill’s hamburger

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Tags: Fall/Winter Sale, home decor, Shoes