Wear What When

Map: Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts

Sixteen shops for last-minute gifts that say “I love you” with artful originality.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Feb 14, 2011 at 07:00AM 0 Comments

Photo: Nube Green

Uncommon jewelry by Hitchcock owner Erica Sheehan at Nube Green.

Valentine’s Day gives Christmas a run for its money when it comes to last minute shopping.

If you haven’t picked up something sweet for the one(s) you love, consider the last minute recommendations plotted on our Last Minute Valentine’s Day Shopping Map. As usual, this one comes with a little free advice.

First, my gift-giving rule of thumb: Don’t overthink it.

Now, on to the map. Don’t go thinking flowers aren’t an original gift. The key is in choosing the right flowers. Katherine Anderson at Marigold and Mint makes botanicals and blooms look really, really smart. Not inspired to send flowers? Give a plant instead. We like Envy on Capitol Hill and the Palm Room in Ballard.

Got a guy that likes a good old fashioned shave and a handsome manicure? A gift certificate for Valentine’s is perfect (and you can just imagine how popular the Green Lake neighborhood men’s grooming spa is this time of year.)

Food lovers love World Spice Merchants; scent lovers love Essenza. (Hint: It would be a mistake to think that men don’t like scents, or that Essenza is just for women.) Love lovers? Nancy Meyer Fine Lingerie. Enough said. Spell it out for them after a visit to Paper Hammer.

For sweet nothings that are really quite something, Liberty 123, Common Folk, and NuBe Green all stock surprising little notions. There’s more on the map. Check it out.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Love Is Complicated X: Liave

C’mon ring this bell.

Posted by: Malika Ritchie on Feb 11, 2011 at 01:00PM 0 Comments

The little cast iron bell animals at Liave are in the neighborhood of $9 to 20 each.

THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE: One of you could use a little waking up.

THE RESOLUTION: Softly chiming bells made in Japan.

THE EXPERT: Cornelia Veit, owner of Liave

THE GIFT: Little cast iron animals ready to make the sweetest little noise — either to rustle someone from their sleep, alert them to a set table ready for dinner, or tell them you’re ready for your breakfast in bed or a coffee refill. Of course, platonic loves will love putting one of these little guys on the garden path or near the front door.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Valentine's Day Gift Ideas, Liave

Love Is Complicated IX: Louis Vuitton

Zip it. This Stephan Sprouse stuff-keeper by Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton, that is.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Feb 11, 2011 at 11:00AM 0 Comments

Photo: Courtesy Louis Vuitton

Give a gift that says, Don’t ever lose my love — or the stuff I give you.

THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE: Stuff goes missing. Keys, debit cards, lip moisturizer. Gone. Your sig other has a bad habit of losing things and meanwhile you’re starting to lose your mind.

THE RESOLUTION: An investment piece that will never be misplaced.

THE EXPERT: Marc Jacobs. In my mind, he’s doing the Lord’s work by keeping the Stephen Sprouse stuff alive. Year after year, Jacobs, as the designer at Louis Vuitton, finds new ways to splatter Sprouse’s iconic, splashy art work all over bags and scarves and other stuff. Stuff that won’t go missing.

THE GIFT: New for spring, this adorable mini keep-all. Who could lose this? It’s available at the Seattle Louis Vuitton store. for a fraction of what the brown shoulder bags go for.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Love Is Complicated VIII: Claudio Corallo Chocolates

Intellectual chocolate from the Island of Principe.

Posted by: Malika Ritchie on Feb 10, 2011 at 12:00PM 0 Comments

Claudio Corallo gift box: No gold foil hearts or big red bows here.

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Claudio Corallo gift box: No gold foil hearts or big red bows here.

THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE: The two of you are of the shared mindset that bittersweet is way more complex and interesting.

THE RESOLUTION: Sophisticated chocolate.

THE EXPERT: Marie-Françoise Barnhart of Claudio Corallo Chocolates on Westlake Ave near Whole Foods.

THE GIFT: Laranja — go ahead and say it in Portuguese. It’s way sexier than just “orange.” Here, Corallo studs his 75 percent bar with bits of crystallized orange peel so that bright, tangy surprises hide inside bites of rich, nuanced chocolate.

Barnhart also points to the 73.5 percent with cacao nibs. It’s crunchy, nutty, and relatively sweet. The somewhat milkier chocolate gets boosted by “the bits of crushed cacao harvested from the same trees from which all his chocolate is made.” The overall flavor is creamy but the hits of dark, bittersweet complexity ought to suit your deeply enigmatic storyline quite nicely.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Love Is Complicated VII: Tiffany and Co.

Starter rings and strong bangles.

Posted by: Malika Ritchie on Feb 09, 2011 at 12:45PM 0 Comments

His and hers? Tiffany’s Frank Gehry torque bangle looks lovely on the feminine arm; the torque ring is strong and structural enough for him.

View Slideshow » Illustration:

His and hers? Tiffany’s Frank Gehry torque bangle looks lovely on the feminine arm; the torque ring is strong and structural enough for him.

THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE: He or She is ready for the little blue box. Just not that little blue box.

THE RESOLUTION: Great things come in small packages.

THE EXPERT: Tiffany and Co. store director Ellen Rollins

THE GIFT: Rollins says yellow diamonds are hot stuff right now. Tiffany’s yellow stone-centric collection launched just recently, at the end of 2010 and it’s been especially popular here in Seattle. Relatively speaking, there are some very reasonably priced sunshine-colored baubles to be had.

Rollins also points to the Paloma Picasso collection when thinking about Seattle sweethearts in Tiffany goods. The two of you fell even harder for each other at the recent exhibit focused on Paloma’s papa? Give him this sterling silver graphic ring to seal the memory.+

Finally, Rollins highlights the Frank Gehry collection. The strong torque shape is modern and timeless, and pretty fitting for a city like ours, where nature meets concrete and steel around every corner.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Love Is Complicated VI: Moxie Papergoods

Cute cards from Egg Press and other indie houses set the tone for a good time.

Posted by: Nico Ortega on Feb 08, 2011 at 12:00PM 0 Comments

Photo: Nico Ortega

Slideshow: Cards from Moxie, because you care enough to send the cutest stuff around.

View Slideshow » Photo: Nico Ortega

Slideshow: Cards from Moxie, because you care enough to send the cutest stuff around.

View Slideshow » Photo: Nico Ortega
View Slideshow » Photo: Nico Ortega

All cards available at Moxie Papergoods.

View Slideshow » Photo: Nico Ortega

THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE: Lately, things just haven’t been awesome in the Good Times department. The two of you need to start having more fun.

THE RESOLUTION: It all starts with a cute idea on a cute card, handed over with a cute smile.

THE EXPERT: Jodie Marr at Moxie Papergoods in West Seattle.

THE GIFT: Cards by Egg Press or a. favorite —check the slideshow here for some examples—set the tone. The rest is up to you, goofball.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Love Is Complicated V: Willow & Bloom

Can you send a guy flowers? Should you?

Posted by: Nico Ortega on Feb 07, 2011 at 11:00AM 0 Comments

Photo: Nico Ortega

Slideshow: You don’t bring him flowers anymore? Here are some solutions from Willow & Bloom. Here, Cymbidium orchids, engineered by Mother Nature.

View Slideshow » Photo: Nico Ortega

Slideshow: You don’t bring him flowers anymore? Here are some solutions from Willow & Bloom. Here, Cymbidium orchids, engineered by Mother Nature.

View Slideshow » Photo: Nico Ortega

Love him in pink? Vanda orchids are another option.

View Slideshow » Photo: Nico Ortega

Consider presenting him with a tough succulent.

THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE: You don’t bring him flowers anymore. But the thing is: What kind of flowers do you give a man?

THE RESOLUTION: Skip roses and opt for a non-traditional Valentine’s Day bloom – something sculptural that feels a bit more male. Or, consider giving a plant.

THE EXPERT: Erika Bush at Willow and Bloom in Fremont.

THE GIFT: Bush says orchids, currently in season, are a great manly flower and suggests that he might like keeping a planted succulent on his desk at work or at home.

See the slideshow for some visual references.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Fremont, Seattle Floral Vendors, Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Love Is Complicated IV: Isadora’s Fine Antique Jewelry

Symbolic and intellectual, antique jewelry is sexy and smart.

Posted by: Nico Ortega on Feb 04, 2011 at 03:00PM 0 Comments

Photo: Isadora's

Slideshow: Timeless adornment from Isadora’s. Here, a Victorian snake ring.

View Slideshow » Photo: Isadora's

Slideshow: Timeless adornment from Isadora’s. Here, a Victorian snake ring.

View Slideshow » Photo: Isadora's

18 K and diamond Victorian snake ring

View Slideshow » Photo: Isadora's

Victorian silver locket with elegant repousse heron.

View Slideshow » Photo: Isadora's

Cameos are enjoying a popularity resurgence. This one is Circa 1890.

THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE: Your sweetie is pretty deep. Symbolism makes him/her weak in the knees.

THE RESOLUTION: Intellectual antique jewelry.

THE EXPERT: Miko Premo at Isadora’s in downtown Seattle.

THE GIFT: Premo loves snake rings like the ones Queen Victoria and Prince Albert exchanged to symbolize eternal love. Lockets from the Victorian or Edwardian eras evoke a special kind of forever. They very literally convey a kind of close-to-the-heart love.

Check out the slideshow for captivating examples of these and more, or head toward First Avenue near Pike Place Market and check out the pieces for yourself.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Love Is Complicated III: Sweet Petula

Gee your best friend smells terrific.

Posted by: Malika Ritchie on Feb 03, 2011 at 11:15AM 3 Comments

Photo: Sweet Petula

A very special made-in-Seattle love potion from Sweet Petula.

THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE: You’re in love, but not that kind of love.

THE RESOLUTION: Give friends, family members, and other such non-passionate types something that makes them all the more lovable to others.

THE EXPERT: Cory Smith, artisan scent-, soap-, and stuff-crafter at Sweet Petula, once located in Pioneer Square, now found on Etsy.

THE GIFT: For gals: shea butter soap in Love Potion #9. Smith says this scent is exclusive for Valentine’s Day 2011 and is a ‘smoky, sexy blend but yet still very feminine and sweet. I’ve mixed Italian bergamot, with smoke, amber, Peru balsam, jasmine, musk, sweet honey, pale rose and a touch of champagne.’

For the dudes: Bonjour Monsieur. Of the name of this combo of roasted tea leaves, tobacco, cedarwood, and Sicilian lemon, Smith says: ’I’m calling it Bonjour Monsieur because when I meet the man that smells like this, I’m going to walk up to him and say, Bonjour Monsieur!’

Photo: Sweet Petula

Well hello, Mister. You smell terrific.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Love Is Complicated II: Bremelo Press

Locally made letterpress love notes.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Feb 02, 2011 at 02:00PM 1 Comments

Photo: Bremelo Press Etsy

Slideshow: See handmade letterpress Valentine’s Day love notes from Bremelo Press.

View Slideshow » Photo: Bremelo Press Etsy

Slideshow: See handmade letterpress Valentine’s Day love notes from Bremelo Press.

View Slideshow » Photo: Bremelo Press Etsy
View Slideshow » Photo: Bremelo Press Etsy

THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE: He/She is awfully touchy/feely.

THE RESOLUTION: Locally made letterpress love notes give him/her somewhere to put their hands.

THE EXPERT: Artist Lynda Sherman of Bremelo Press’s Etsy shop

THE GIFT: The sweet, straightforwardness of a locally handmade card with a handwritten note. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but in some cases that might be at least 989 too many. Sherman’s cards get right to the point with bold graphics and a timeless style that manages to convey warmth and restraint at the same time.

Perfect for that perfect push-pull you’ve gotten yourself into.

Oh, and why share this particular Love is Complicated idea with you on this particular Wedding Wednesday? Because Sherman also does descriptive, vivid printed matter for weddings; we’ve featured her bold, eye-catching name cards, decor elements, and stationery in more than one issue of Seattle Met Bride & Groom.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Seattle Wedding Details, Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Love Is Complicated I: Wall of Sound

We’re taking you right up to V Day with smart, nuanced, Seattle-sourced gift solutions for the people you agonize and lose sleep over.

Posted by: Nico Ortega on Feb 01, 2011 at 12:00PM 1 Comments

Afro-Desia by Martin Denny. Jeffrey Taylor at Wall of Sound on Capitol Hill recommends playing this record for someone you love.

Love is complicated, but shopping doesn’t have to be.

In the days leading up to the emotionally loaded anxiety fest that is Valentine’s Day we’ll be posting gifting solutions sourced from local shops and shop owners. All the gift ideas will be based on specific examples of complex relationships and the what-to-give quagmires that result from them.

Don’t sweat your sweetie, that is. Let us lead the way.

THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE: Communication. You don’t know how, when, or with what precise words to say what you want to say.

THE RESOLUTION: Let vintage vinyl do the talking.

THE EXPERT: Jeffrey Taylor at Wall of Sound Records on Capitol Hill.

THE GIFT: Afro-Desia by Martin Denny ‘The record is a mood-setting, instrumental that can be played over dinner or conversation,’ says Taylor. ‘Also check out Exotica by the same artist.’

Add a Comment »

Tags: Valentine's Day Gift Ideas