Why settle for standard lamps when there are so many bright innovations to choose from? Check out our favorite picks to illuminate your home —  lighten up your day, everyday.

Suspension Lamp

Put a finishing touch to your dining table with this big bow looking lamp above it. This delicate light designed by Luis Eslava is made of Polywood veneer to create the flexible organic look. Pick from a variety of colors — any will surely add elegance to your home.

Agatha Suspension Lamp | $1632-2378 | Available at 2modern

Fun Lamp

This rubber band ball lights up. Even when it’s not glowing, it’s a fun accessory to keep on your office desk or in your bedroom. The colors and material makes them look like real rubber band balls, but make sure not to bounce them on the floor!

‘U’-Lamp | $160  | Purcell Living

Pendant Light

If you’re into the soft beachy style, look no further. This tiered light made of shimmering natural capiz shells is perfect for you. These shells, often known as “glass oysters,” give a fragile and translucent look as they reflect natural light and illuminate the room on its own.

Hanging Capiz Pendant | $299 | Available at West Elm

Room Lamp

Brighten up your room with this LED lamp — and some music! Just stick your iPod or other audio auxiliary audio device on the dock and rock out. It can be turned on or off with a sensor button and also comes with a dimmer so control the brightness to the mood of your songs.

LED iPod Speaker Desk Lamp | $108 | Available at Amazon

You may think of white peaks and White Russians when you ponder a weekend getaway to Whistler, BC, but perhaps the best-kept secret of the wintry wonderland is just how happening it is all year long. When the sun–of which there is plenty–is out and the temperature rises, the mountain town plays host to myriad activities to content both adventurers and lollygaggers alike, and even better, there are deals to be had on all the food, lodging, and fun.

Largely because of the recent Winter Olympics, Whistler now has enough hotel rooms to host half of China, but one property stands above the rest and that is the Nita Lake Lodge. The lodge is tucked along the shore of picturesque Nita Lake, which is just a few kilometers, yet a world away from bustling Whistler Village. At Nita Lake Lodge, the name of the game is relax. The hotel wraps around Nita Lake, with its fly-fishermen and picnickers on the shore for constant scenery. Complementary bikes are available should you wish to tool along the trails up to Whistler Village (10 minutes by bike) or just meander the paths. There is also a free shuttle service if biking is not your thing.

The rooms are spacious with heated tile floors, a wall of windows, and every amenity imaginable, including a bed so comfortable that if you don’t set an alarm, you may miss your weekend. The spa is world class, and two Jacuzzi tubs are perched on the roof, making hot tub star-gazing a MUST. One and two-bedroom suites make travelling with larger parties a decadent breeze.

But the real treat of Nita Lake Lodge lies in all things food and drink at Aura Restaurant. Recently voted one of the top ten new restaurants in the Vancouver area by the Vancouver Sun, it’s time we out one of Canada’s newest, best secrets. Executive chef Michael Guy is communal and egalitarian in his approach to food, which is a trait that comes with talent and experience.

It’s no wonder world-class cuisine is coming out of this little kitchen, as he champions his team of chefs to push their personal boundaries, encouraging them to create dishes around a protein, vegetable, or grain.  They don’t disappoint, knowing Chef will be there to taste and critique. Consequently, what ends up on the plate of diners is nothing short of innovative, satisfying, and respectful of terroir in every bite. Guy makes his own black garlic after cracking the code to a process many of us have tried and failed to accomplish. Then he whips it into crème fraiche and serves it in sunchoke soup so delicate, soft and rich you’ll swear you’re eating on Mt. Olympus.

There is a living roof atop Nita Lake Lodge where Guy and his team grow much of the produce for Aura. This time of year it’s rhubarb, herbs and greens, but the sunshine in Whistler and the prime rooftop location mean that they are able to produce a good amount of what the restaurant needs.

As well as a la carte options, Aura has a tasting menu, should you wish to experience smaller portions of multiple courses. The five-course tasting is a great way to spend an evening, and you can even do so outdoors overlooking the lake and stars, with a heat lamp to ensure your comfort. The sommelier at Nita Lake has a masterful sense of what wine pairs well with which entrée; opting for the wine pairings is absolutely the way to go to experience the tasting menu at its best.

Before or after dinner, be sure to have a craft cocktail in Aura’s companion lounge, Cure. They are doing innovative things with Rye the likes of which the States has never seen, and yet their Sazerac is a solid and comforting as any classic drink should be. Cure often features live music, so if you’re looking to make a night of it, be sure to pack your dancing shoes.

The top-notch food, service, and ambience at Nita Lake Lodge should be enough to gas up your car and go north (Memorial Day Weekend is a perfect excuse to hightail it to Canada), but if you need a bigger teaser, tune in next week for tips on what to do outside the hotel.

Please visit the Nita Lake Lodge website for reservation information.

In the Seattle burger scene, the bacon definitely rises to the top.  With the closing of the highly regarded Counter in Ballard, it goes to show, if you’re going to cook it up in Seattle, it better be good, which is why I was surprised when a friend, a true Red Mill loyalist, invited me to Capitol Hill’s newest meat and cheese joint, 8 oz. Burger Bar.

What then transpired was a fantastic meal, and a look of concern on my friend’s face as if he just realized he cheated on his wife of five years.  Like Scarlett Johansson in that Woody Allen movie no one saw (Match Point), it was worth the adultery.

Must Have Eats: Understanding the elementary school kid in all of us, 8 oz.’s happy hour food menu is simply broken up into $2, $4, $6, $8 categories.  Fried is the name of the game in the $2 section, featuring chick peas, pickles, and green tomatoes that have all touched deliciously golden brown liquid.  Up in the $4 bracket lies Kobe beef corndogs (what!)  and Beechers mac-and-cheese with the option for bacon, which let’s be honest, is more of a necessity.  Things slow down a bit at $6, but not by much with short rib sliders and a bacon grill cheese sandwich.  To bring it all around, a 6 oz. burger and fries locks it in at $8.  Just typing this out gave me the meat sweats.

Must Have Drinks:  Although not a Seattle originated restaurant, the people behind 8 oz. understand our love of local, well priced beer.  The happy hour menu reflects with with a pint of Rainier for $2, and a rotating local lager for $3.

Happy Times:  (further info)

8 oz. Burger Bar| 1401 Broadway, Seattle | (206) 456-5989

Our guess is that since you’re reading this, you love wine just as much as we do. So may we suggest that when the next happy hour gathering rolls around, you head on over to Woodinville wine country and treat yourself to a special happy hour that focuses on one of your favorite things, wine. Sip on some of Washington’s award winning wines while nibbling on tapas and listen to live music for a perfect post-work de-stressor.

distefano | 12280 NE Woodinville Dr, Woodinville | (425) 487-1648 | Happy Hour: Friday’s, 5 – 7 p.m. | Crave Factor: One of the first 5 wineries in Woodinville, distefano is a consistent producer of high quality wines. The distefano winery happy hour offers glass pours at $6 (excluding reserve wines), 10% off of deli menu items and special happy hour pizza and flat bread options.

Goose Ridge | 14450 Woodinville Redmond Rd NE, Woodinville | (425) 488-0200 | Happy Hour: The Liquid Lounge, Thursday’s, 5 – 8 p.m. (Most Thursdays. Check their Facebook page) | Crave Factor:  Whether you cozy up to the fireplace or hang out on the patio – weather permitting – this Lounge is sure to help unwind after a long day at work. Enjoy glass and bottle specials that rotate weekly. Love cheese? Order a cheese plate to compliment your perfect glass of vino.  Live music will begin on May 24.

Woodhouse Wine Estates | 15500 Woodinville Redmond Rd NE, Ste C600, Woodinville | (425) 527-0608 | Happy Hour: Thursday’s, 5 – 8 p.m. | Crave Factor: Listen to live music by guitarist Michael Gotz while sipping on $5 – $8 wine pours, and savoring a slice of Piadina (Piada) – an Italian style flatbread in BBQ Pork and Mozzarella or Mushroom and Mozzarella, each just $5.

Novelty Hill – Januik | 14710 Woodinville Redmond Rd NE, Woodinville | (425) 481-5502 | Happy Hour: Wednesday Wine’d Down, Wednesday’s, 5 – 8:30 p.m. (Begins May 30) | Crave  Factor:  $5 glass wine pours and 10% off bottles.  Brick oven pizzas and tapas are offered with a weekly menu change.  Pizzas are always $14 each and tapas usually range from $6-$10 a plate.

The Library Tasting Room  | 14450 Woodinville Redmond Rd #105, Woodinville | (425) 408-1608 | Happy Hour: Story Time, Friday’s, 5 – 8:00 p.m. | Crave Factor:  This is definitely not your 5 yr. olds story time and you sure won’t find a hard-nosed librarian at this gem of a tasting room. Instead, you’ll cozy up on leather furniture next to a roaring fireplace in the library, sipping on a glass pour of choice while listening to live music. “Story Time” features wines by the glass and a complimentary cheese platter.

Add life to the table with eye-catching details. Whether it’s your dining table or your work desk, any table has room for improvement — and decoration!

Napkin Rings with Personality

Set the dining table with these prawn napkin rings to welcome and entertain family and guests. The tail of this carefully designed prawn curves to form the ring. Details like these on the table turn any meal into a classy experience.

Prawn Napkin Ring | $134 (Set of 4) | Available at Vagabond House

Vases with a Pop of Color

This vase needs no flowers. The vibrant and bold chrysanthemum blooming on the vase grabs all the attention on its own. The color contrast works perfectly in a fun room filled with other artsy pieces or can stand out alone in a clean and simple space.

Curvy Crysanthemum Vase | $28 | Available at Anthropologie

Place Mat LACE Artwork

Say goodbye to the boring old single colored place mats and cover the table with beauty instead. The lace-like design turns the dining table into an artwork. Even a quick lunch feels fancier with this stylish floral place mat.

Chilewich Dahlia Floral Round Place Mat | $40 (Set of 4) | Available at 2modern

If you’re a seasoned Seattleite, Paseo may be old news. If not, stop reading and go there right now. This popular sandwich stop has two locations in Fremont and Ballard near Golden Gardens.  Paseo is almost guaranteed to have a line, but it’s well worth the wait. Make sure you stop by an ATM before coming by – this place is cash only. Aside from incredible Cuban sandwiches, the roadside restaurant also offers entrees and a long list of side dishes.

Paseo Press Sandwich. Photo courtesy of Chewsy.com

Paseo’s three best sandwiches under $10

The most popular and insanely flavorful Caribbean Roast ($8.50) is hard to beat. Pork shoulder is coated in Paseo’s Marinade – kind of a garlic aioli – and slow roasted until it melts in your mouth. The lightly toasted baguette is stuffed with big, caramelized onions, lettuce and pickled jalapenos. Hands down, one of the top three best sandwiches I’ve ever had.

The Paseo Press ($8.95) is another popular choice. It’s made up of succulent morsels of roasted pork on top of sweet banana peppers, then topped with thinly sliced ham, Swiss cheese and caramelized onions, and melted between a hot press.

If you’re not a pork person, try the Ham & Cheese ($7.50). Thin slices of smoked ham are piled atop banana peppers, smothered with caramelized onions, Swiss cheese and then melted between a hot press.

Come sit at Paseo – or call ahead and take it to go – and let your jaw drop after each mouth-watering, messy bite.

Paseo | 4225 Fremont Ave N or 6226 Seaview Ave NW, Seattle | (206) 545-7440 or (206) 789-3100

Sometimes when we hear “hotel food,” we think mass quantities of preservative-laden, buffet-ready grub. But thankfully the times are a-changin’…and luckily for the better (if Hyatt has anything to do with it, anyway). Thanks to a program recently launched by the global hotel brand, Seattle’s downtown Hyatt at Olive 8 will benefit from this new philosophy– “Food. Thoughtfully Sourced. Carefully Served.”

Photo by Corinne Whiting

Inspired by a fax (yes, a fax) received awhile back from the Dalai Lama camp inquiring about Hyatt’s ethical treatment of animals, hotel executives decided to implement a culinary mentality that “will be healthy for people, for communities and for the planet.” Staff members insist that they are “not trying to put the world on a diet,” but rather, they hope to provide their guests with food options that are wholesome and fresh.

Last Thursday I was fortunate enough to feast among fellow journalists, friendly industry folks and a jovial pair of farmers from Eastern Washington. (Allen and Emmy Widman own Palouse Pastured Poultry in southern Spokane County, where they pride themselves on raising all-natural poultry, including USDA certified-organic, free-range broiler chickens and turkeys, grass-fed, free-range chicken pullets and eggs and duck eggs.)

Photo courtesy Hyatt at Olive 8

On our menu last Thursday evening? We indulged in fresh wild watercress and miner’s lettuce salads (with warm chèvre and borage blossoms form the hotel’s rooftop garden) and succulent roasted chicken from Palouse Poultry (flavored with a tarragon sauce). Delectable side dishes included minted spring peas, grilled asparagus and spring onions plus wild mushrooms with Bluebird Farms faro (and truffled fromage blanc). But the piece de la resistance? Our meal finished with rhubarb and cherry hazelnut cobbler (who knew I even liked cobbler?). I left the restaurant smiling, utterly content and vowing to soon return.

With this new philosophy, Hyatt, a company that serves about 24 million meals per year, intends to use only cage-free eggs, all-natural beef and sustainable seafood (not to mention the offer of vegan and gluten-free options). Over the next ten years, they will aim to drastically reduce the amount of calories, sugar and sodium in the dishes they serve. New Hyatt goals range from reducing the hamburger size from eight to seven ounces, introducing recycling programs to their restaurants and hosting farmers markets, to educating all associates on organic eating and mandating that five local ingredients be included on each menu.

The Hyatt at Olive 8, Seattle’s first certified “green” hotel, was awarded LEED Silver by the U.S. Green Building Council in July 2009. (Among other features, the building boasts one of the city’s largest living rooftops.) On the ground level, visitors find the 108-seat eatery Urbane (with its rustic-sleek decor, tempting happy hour specials and live music in the lounge area).

So be prepared to disregard what you’ve associated with hotel dining in the past, and head on over as soon as possible for a culinary experience that’s both delicious and guilt-free.

Hyatt at Olive 8 | 1635 8th Avenue,  Seattle | (206) 695-1234

After a long cold winter, Seattleites take any and every advantage to soak up the sun! So get the garden ready and set up the patio for optimum entertainment (or your own sunbathing needs).  These stylish patio furniture ideas will be a pleasant addition to the good weather and the barbecue season!

Modern Patio

A patio is not complete without a dining area that can fit the whole family!  The Reclaimed Contempo Collection from Viva Terra includes benches and chairs to accommodate all of your guests.  The dining set’s sleek design of steel and reclaimed wood is treated for all weather types and will uphold its integrity throughout the seasons.

Reclaimed Contempo Collection | $335-949 | Available at Viva Terra

Unique Patio

The Knotted Melati Hanging Chair is the new hammock!  This pod-like chair is eye grabbing and comfortable when a few pillows and blankets are added.  Hang from a rafter or tree branch and enjoy the wonderful summer weather Seattle has to offer!

Knotted Melati Hanigng Chair | $498 | Available at Anthropology

 Artistic Patio

Make your patio glow with these cotton ball string lights.  These circular shaped lights are wrapped in colorful cotton and can be used both inside and out. They are made to order so you can choose any color combination you like for a special occasion or to match your patio décor.

Cotton Ball String Lights | $15.50 | Available on Etsy

We agree: life is beautiful!

However, we will also argue that it gets much more beautiful after a couple glasses of fine Italian wine and a hearty helping of creamy linguini with salmon followed by the most delicate, flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth Tiramisu you will ever have the pleasure of eating.

The fragrant smells of slightly charred pizza crust wafting out onto the street are more than enough to draw you inside for a peek—once there, the gracious Italian hospitality and seductively traditional menu guarantee an unforgettable meal.

La Vita E Bella and it’s adjacent counter-part, Forte Café and Wine Bar both provide picturesque, cozy settings for a quiet lunch for two as well as the perfect location for larger groups to gather, eat, drink and be merry in the spirit of Sicily.

Since 1999, owner Giuseppe Forte has been serving up some of the most delicious and effortlessly authentic pizza, pasta and Panini that Belltown has to offer. The dinner menu expands to include crepes as well as sinfully simple, classic dishes such as Vitello Saltimbocca ($19.95) and Pollo Cacciatora ($17.95).

The espresso is bold, the pizza is delightfully thin and the pasta is politely unadorned yet bursting with flavor–created partly by the use of high-quality ingredients imported from Italy as well as the finesse, charm and incredible attention to detail by the chefs and owners.

Whether you want to treat yourself to a candlelit dinner on La Vita E Bella’s patio with friends, Spaghetti di Mare ($17.95) and a seasoned bottle of Chianti, or order a number of pizzettes, antipasti and bruschette (all priced under $10) to-go from Forte Cafe and Wine Bar for a (hopefully) sun-soaked picnic off of Lake Union–you will find yourself in good company at either of these restaurants.

La Vita E Bella | 2411 2nd Avenue,  Seattle | (206) 441-5123

Board sports have always played host to avant-garde designers. Since the older design punks bedded with the skateboarding/Thrasher movement in the eighties, design and board sports have forged a symbiotic relationship defined by the interplay of chaos and control within design and sport, respectively.

Skate deck design bled into snowboarding, thanks to Burton, which gave birth to designing surfboards, wakeboards and skis. The ever-rising normalization of board sports granted talented designers with a bevy of outlets for their individual skill-sets. Now, as a new board sport matriculates into the mainstream, a new breed of designer blazes the trail toward a unique aesthetic identity.

Skimboarding has been around for some time, generally playing a subservient role to surfing as a novelty that lay dormant, unactualized. In the early nineties, a company began to dedicate themselves solely to skimboarding. Their early prototypes revolutionized the industry with more maneuverable boards that provided a longer, more steady ride. As the sport progressed, Victoria’s teardrop boards became the status quo. Recently, the paradigm has shifted, all thanks to a local company, DB Skimboards. As their board models have taken over, allowing riders formidable pop and grip, the designs have become increasingly intricate.

What’s unique about Dashboard’s, er, boards is the foam layer adhering to the wooden plank. The ribbed foam allows the rider better grip by absorbing water and preventing slippage. Since the foam acts as the board’s focal point, the designer has to interact with the foam to produce detailed board art, a feat more involved than designing a skate deck or snowboard.

Although DB still uses the foam style design, the company has maintained their trajectory, constantly redesigning their decks for optimization and letting their designers run wild with experimental designs. By granting considerable artistic license, DB’s skim art has become a bold showcase of Northwest panache and skim-inspired artistry, and their designers have accomplished the alternative designers nirvana: ride by day, design by night, the life of perpetual play and creativity.

Should we all be so lucky.

DB Skimboards | 2519 Pacific Highway E STE B Fife, WA | (253) 214-6520

On your inaugural skimboard run, you will fall. Get up and try again.

The nation’s longest-running street festival kicks off this month right in our own backyard. This year, more than 50,000 people will attend the 43rd annual University District StreetFair to celebrate the beginning of the festival season in the Seattle area.

With more than 350 craft, food, and information booths, this self-described “country fair meets urban retail corridor” is the perfect place to enjoy arts and crafts, community, music and food.

Three main stages will feature entertainment such as music, dance performance and comedy. There will also be a special children’s area with age-appropriate events and street performers. Genres as diverse as Andes music, African Marimba, blue grass, and rock violin will be playing all day, so you can’t go wrong when deciding whether you’d like to kick back and relax, or join in the dancing. You can find a list of the entertainment schedule online.

Some of the special features of this year’s festival include Troy Carter and the staff at Sanctuary Art Center, who designed the poster and designed and printed the T-shirts. In addition, 4Kids provides entertainment for the youngsters all weekend, including the Children’s Area at NE 50th Street and University Way NE.

Who: The StreetFair invites all ages to enjoy exciting performances, an array of international food, and some of the best arts and crafts vendors cultivated right here in our own city. With something for everyone, this event will not disappoint.

When: Saturday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Vendors are located on University Way NE between NE Campus Parkway and NE 50th Street, with food courts along NE 42nd Street, NE 43rd Street, and NE 47th Street. Check out the map of all the vendors online.

How much: The street festival is free, and you can view the list of sponsors on its website.

What do you get when you combine performance art, high-energy music, confetti rain and neon paint? Dayglow, the world’s largest paint party.

USC Events and Committee Entertainment have combined forces to bring Dayglow to Seattle this Saturday, May 19th. This year’s lineup features Benny Benassi and hot Seattle DJs, hosted by Emir Duru. Dress in white and prepare to have the time of your life.

In its humble beginnings, Dayglow was a yearly tradition practiced on a Florida college campus. Since 2006, the experience has taken the world by storm, selling out arenas across the nation, breaking records and mesmerizing millions.

This is not your typical party, it is a 5 hour non-stop dance party with multiple DJs throwing down the best beats, while your senses are overwhelmed as acrobats soar through the air, and contortionists, stilt walkers and fire shows take over the stage. All the while the clock counts down the seconds until cannons explode covering the masses in a neon rainbow of paint.

Dayglow production is constantly breaking new ground in order to take their show to the next level. In 2010, DAYGLOW 3D visited select cities across the country. Eye popping 3-D effects played all night long on multiple screens, and bodies were coved in 3-D body paint, every member of the audience received a pair of Dayglow 3D glasses.

Who: You must be 18 years old or older to attend, and 21 or older to enter the bar.

When: Saturday, May 19, doors open at 9 p.m., get there early in order to find the best spot to experience it all.

Where: WaMu Theater  (800 Occidental Avenue South, Seattle)

How Much: General admission tickets are $30-$70.

The summer sun has finally arrived and Seattle is screaming for ice cream! You don’t have to go far to satisfy your sweet, cool craving. These desserts come to you.

Trifecta One: Street Treats

The classic ice cream sandwich you enjoyed as a child just got better. Street Treats offers up freshly baked cookies and freshly churned ice cream from a converted mail truck. Pick your favorite ice cream flavor sandwiched between your choice of chewy cookies and you have the epitome of nostalgia. If ice cream isn’t your thing, cookie sandwiches like carrot cake with cream cheese filling or sugar with toasted coconut and caramel are equally satisfying.

Street Treats| Schedule and Locations Online

Trifecta Two: Parfait Organic Artisan Ice Cream

Parfait’s all-organic ice cream offerings are made entirely from scratch. Don’t expect neon green mint chocolate chip or Barbie pink strawberry. The all-natural “Mint Stracciatella” is made with fresh mint leaves and the “Billy’s Garden Strawberry” is only available when strawberries are actually in season. Other fan favorites include “Butter Toffee Crunch” and “Fiore French Roast.” All flavors begin as just milk, cream, sugar, and eggs. Simply sweet.

Parfait | Schedule and Locations Online

Trifecta Three: Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream

If the line around the block has deterred you from enjoying ice cream from one of Molly Moon’s storefronts, you have another option. You can catch Molly’s blue and brown ice cream truck at special events around Seattle this summer. And if that’s not enough, you can now make Salted Caramel, Balsamic Strawberry, and all your favorite flavors at home! The new Molly Moon’s cookbook was just released. No excuse not to try it now.

Molly Moon’s| Schedule and Locations Online

As part of W Hotels ongoing music series, Symmetry Live, recording artist and rising star, LP, rocked the house and performed an exclusive live set for an eager crowd of Seattleites at W Seattle.  Hosted by W Hotels’ Global Music Director Michaelangelo L’Acqua, the private event celebrated LP’s newly released title track and album Into the Wild.

LP, an LA-based singer/songwriter on the rise, was named one of Esquire Magazine’s Artists to Watch in 2012 and was a breakout performer at this year’s SXSW. With her unique and powerful voice, she has been described as a mix of Jeff Buckley, Florence + The Machine and Janis Joplin, with a style and sound all her own. She is currently in the studio crafting her new album with a host of producers including Isa Summers (Florence + The Machine) and PJ Bianco (Cee-Lo) among others.  Check out LP’s latest sound here and her recent television debut on Jimmy Kimmel.

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]]> http://www.seattleite.com/w-seattles-symmetry-live-with-lp-an-exclusive-live-set/feed/ 0 http://www.seattleite.com/virtual-vanity-beach-babe-hair/ http://www.seattleite.com/virtual-vanity-beach-babe-hair/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 11:59:17 +0000 Andrea Kasprzak http://www.seattleite.com/?p=50345 Continue reading →]]> How to get the sexy tousled surfer girl look.

Even if you’re partial to a more polished look, there’s something supremely sexy about true California beach babe hair. Think: more Roxy surfer girl versus glossy MTV reality show cast member. This look is tousled, tangled, and totally sun-drenched.

So, how to mimic the sculpted-by-the-shore look if you happen reside in gray Seattle?

I visited Jeremy Novak at the Lisa Power Salon for some advice. Jeremy is a total color guru (he’s been featured in publications including Allure and American Salon) so it’s no surprise he knew exactly what to do.  Here are some his top tips:

• Go for a more refined look with your ombre hair color. Ombre hair continues to be one of the more popular trends in color and it’s no surprise – it’s seriously sexy and super easy to maintain. To stay current, Jeremy suggests opting for a natural look. “Think of the way a child’s hair looks after spending a day at the beach. Keeping it more refined with color added to break up the base with make the look more natural instead of that intense, obvious divide.”

• Forget about being perfect. When you want to an authentic playing-in-the-waves look, resist the urge to flat iron your bangs or obsess about forming perfect ringlets. “This look is about embracing imperfection,” Jeremy says.

• Make friends with your diffuser.  Jeremy is a big fan of using a diffuser to help bring out hair’s natural wave. “They’re also great for adding texture, which is crucial with this look,” Jeremy says.  To use: cup hair around the fingers of the diffuser and work evenly around your head. Have fine hair? Flip your head over first. Diffuse until hair is 80 percent dry and allow the rest to air-dry.

• Score a great sea salt spray. Sea salt spray is a must-have for creating that coveted piece-y texture. Thankfully, there are tons of great ones on the market. Jeremy used Davines Wizard Sea Salt Primer but I’ve also tried (and love): O&M Surf Bomb Sea Salt Spray and Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray.

Jeremy Novak at Lisa Power Salon | 536 5^th Ave, Seattle | (206) 216-2900

On the heels of the world’s biggest, baddest superhero explosion-fest ever, I found it appropriate that we take a look at some of the other movies coming our way this summer.  Rather than look at all of the obvious choices, let’s take a look at the films that could be the surprise hit of the season.  Just in case none of these pictures achieve that, I put the trailer for the new Batman below…cause it’s just so wonderful.

The Sequels, Prequels, Reboots and Reimagining’s

• The Dark Knight Rises – Dir. Christopher Nolan, Release Date: July 20
• Men in Black III – Dir. Barry Sonnenfeld, Release Date: May 25
• Total Recall – Dir. Len Wiseman, Release Date: August 3
• Prometheus – Dir. Ridley Scott, Release Date: June 8
• The Amazing Spider-Man – Dir. Marc Webb, Release Date: July 3
• The Bourne Legacy – Dir. Tony Gilroy, Release Date: August 3

Movie Previews

Dark Shadows – Dir. Tim Burton, Release Date: May 11

Johnny Depp in pale makeup, check.  Tim Burton channeling a gothic 70′s television show, check.  Danny Elfman recycling every one of his Burton scores, check.  Dark Shadows promises to be at the very least an interesting effort on the part of this trio but that doesn’t mean it will be good.  Burton has struggled to find his footing lately, maybe by mixing up the ingredients his future endeavors can rise to the heights of his previous success.

Moonrise Kingdom – Dir. Wes Anderson, Release Date: May 25

Even for a Wes Anderson movie, the trailer for Moonrise Kingdom looks REALLY Wes Anderson…y.   For fans of his specific brand of quirk this won’t be an issue but others may find the lack of exploration grating.  I’m in the former camp, excited to witness the world’s weirdest summer camp with the likes of Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Bill Murray and of course Jason Schwartzman.

Snow White and the Huntsman – Dir. Rupert Sanders, Release Date: June 1

I think we can all agree the world needed two live-action versions of Snow White in the same year.  At least this one has way less Julia Roberts and way more Charlize Theron.  Throw in some fantasy baddies, a Huntsman (not the 2012 Presidential Candidate) and Bella Swan and we’ve got a bizarre summer movie experience.  Count me in.

Rock of Ages – Dir. Adam Shankman, Release Date: June 15

The popular Broadway show you all love but now with a shirtless Tom Cruise!  It’s a weird slogan but that seems to be the pitch to audiences from the trailers to the posters.  The movie will go as far as the music takes it which could be the moon if your thing is 80’s hair metal.

Brave – Dir. Mark Andrews, Release Date: June 22

Pixar hit a bump in their winning streak with last year’s poorly conceived sequel Cars 2.  They are looking to regain their swagger with the promising Brave.  It is Pixar’s first foray into the humanoid realm since The Incredibles but don’t fret; Brave promises plenty of action, fantasy and gorgeous animation from the world’s premiere animation studio.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter – Dir. Timur Bekmambetov, Release Date: June 22

You know Hollywood is itching for original properties when a president-top hat-vampire mashup is green lit for production.  Hats off to Director Timur Bekmambetow (of Wanted and Day/Night Watch fame) for signing up to helm such a wacky endeavor.  If gothic civil war-era fantasies aren’t your thing I’m sure a romantic comedy will be at the multiplex.  I, being a history buff, am excited to learn how Lincoln enacted Presidential policy and rid the world of vampires.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World – Dir. Lorene Scafaria, Release Date: June 22

Being 2012 and all the apocalypse is a hot button issue for Hollywood.  Even our romantic comedies are dealing with it.  Steve Carrel and Keira Knightley star in this pre-apocalyptic road movie as they travel cross-country to reunite with Carrel’s high school sweetheart.  The film looks sweet and has a long title but to be truly unique it must rely on the strength of these actors to rise above standard indie-sensible fair.

Ted – Dir. Seth MacFarlane, Release Date: July 13

Ted looks…bizarre.  It stars Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy) as an animated stuffed bear who lives with his real life roommate Mark Wahlberg.  When Wahlberg grows up he is forced to choose between his lovely girlfriend Mila Kunis or his foul-mouthed fluffy companion.  The red-band trailer promises major league levels of raunch but the movie will need to rest on the laurels of a good script to overcome an insanely-high concept.

The Watch – Dir. Akiva Schaffer, Release Date: July 27

This mid-summer comedy stars Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller and Jonah Hill as a neighborhood watch group who must stop an alien invasion.  It sounds like a wider-audience version of last year’s awesome Attack the Block but my hope is these comedy greats can take a fun concept and make it memorable.

The Campaign – Dir. Jay Roach, Release Date: August 10

Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis as rival North Carolina politicians vying for a presidential nomination on the surface looks hysterical.  Let’s hope the satire is as biting and timely as it can be.  It’s going to be a long, arduous REAL Presidential campaign this year so there is reason to hope these two will ease the pain of watching the same stump speech over and over again.

Nothing ruins a lavish soiree like tattered pet toys and beds.  Instead of hiding your pet gear show off your little guy and get stylish animal accessories that add to the home.  These practical decorations will keep your house looking nice and your pet proud.

Stylish Living

Aruliden’s Fishscape bowl is a functional art piece that will have your guests swooning over your pet.  Made in Turkey and hand-blown each bowl is one-of-a-kind.  Treat your fish to a new spacious environment and your décor will instantly be updated.

Fishscape | $140 | Available at Aruliden

Stylish Scratching

The common cat scratcher looks out of place and unappealing, but the PetFusion Cat Scratcher Lounge is just the opposite – inconspicuous and sleek.  Made of corrugated cardboard and molded into a modern shape this cat scratcher doubles as both a cat lounger and scratcher.  Your cat is sure to love this new piece of furniture and you will too!

PetFusion Cat Scratcher Lounge | $54.95 | Available on Amazon

Stylish Feeding

Add some color to your kitchen with Jonathan Adler’s striped pet bowls!  These bowls are striped in different colors and meant to be mixed and matched to give your animals feeding bowls character.  The bowls come in different sizes so they can be used for all different sized pets – cat’s, dogs etc.

Pet Bowls | $50-78 | Available at Jonathan Adler

Stylish Lounging

Stop hiding your animal’s bed when guests come over and get Misk Design’s Petsmood collection.  This collection integrates your animal’s bed into your home with functional and stylish pieces of furniture.  To fit both your pets preference and your current décor there are six different styles of furniture in three neutral colors.

Petsmood | $1,990-3,590 | Available at Pet Modern

Every year, hundreds of food lovers head west for a mega spring food event, the Taste of West Seattle.  At this grub fest, participants sample food and beverages from over 50 of West Seattle’s best restaurants while helping to raise money and awareness for the West Seattle Helpline, a nonprofit organization helping Seattle families with one-time emergencies.

Photo Courtesy of Fresh Bistro

This year, ‘The Taste’ is offering a diverse group of restaurants to satisfy your taste buds.  Some of these eateries include Café Fiore, Full Tilt Ice Cream, Salty’s on Alki Beach and Bakery Nouveau. The variety of establishments range from comfort food to culinary delights, ensuring that everyone will go home well fed!

A new addition to this year’s event is VIP tickets for foodies who want to enjoy the experience without fighting the crowd.  Some of these perks include early admission (6p.m.) and reserved seating.

Who: The complete list of restaurants partaking includes: 3 Queens Catering * Angelina’s Restauralnt * Bakery Nouveau
Bamboo Bar & Grill * Bang Bar * Beveridge Place Pub
Big AI’s Brewing * Bin 41 * Blackboard Bistro
Blue Willow Catering * Caffe Fiore * Chaoo Canyon Organic Cafe
Cupcake Royale * Duke’s Chowder House * Eats Market Cafe
Elliott Bay Brewery & Pub * Endolyne Joe’s
Feedback Lounge * Fresh Bistro / Herban Feast Catering
Freshy’s Coffee * Full Tilt Ice Cream
Great Harvest Bread Company * Hotwire Coffee * Husky Deli
Jones Soda * Kokoras Greek Grill * Locol Barley and Vine
Marination * Ma’Ono Fried Chicken * Menchie’s Admiral
Metropolitan Market * NW Wine Academy at SSCC
Pan Africa Grill * Phoenecia at Alki * Pizzeria 22
Prost! West Seattle * Salty’s Onl Alki Beach
Schooner Exact Brewing * Skylark * Slices on Alki
Sugar Rush Baking Co / Coffee to a Tea * Talarico’s * The Bridge
The Swinery * Trader Joe’s * Tuxedos & Tennis Shoes * West 5
West Seattle Cellars * Wing Dome * Zatz A Better Bagel

When: Thursday, May 17^th from 6:30p.m. to 9p.m.

Where: The annual Taste of West Seattle will be held at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California Ave SW, Seattle)

How Much: Tickets can be bought online at Brown Paper Tickets; General Admission is $40 and VIP tickets are $80.

The thermostat rises above 60 degrees and this ardent wine consumer is cracking open some Vinho Verde. If you’re not familiar with the green wine of Portugal, you should get acquainted. It’s cheap (usually around $8 retail), it’s spritzy (just a enough fizz to tickle your tongue) and it’s loaded up at your local retailers by the case stacks, rearing and ready for your sunny day purchase and last minute party contribution.

Hailing from the Minho region in northwest Portugal, Vinho Verde translates roughly as “young, green wine,” both in reference to its hue in the glass and freshness in age when consumed.

When your Corona bucket gets empty and stale, Vinho Verde is a quintessential summer alternative for sun-soaked daytime imbibing. Although Portugal claims its wine fame from their esteemed after-dinner drink of port, the country’s wineries have been producing Vinho Verde since the 10th century, thanks to ancient Greek vineyard roots. Even Pliny the Elder, the iconic Roman philosopher, recited prose about the vines of the crisp archaic white wine.

Vinho Verde, which is the name of the region and of the wine, is Portugal’s largest wine area, stretching its length from down to the south of Oporto up to the Spanish border in the north. Granite-enriched soils give a mineral component to the flavors of the region’s wines and the gently sloping vineyards allow just enough sun for the easily-ripened grape.

The wine’s calling card, other than its color, is the fizz. This is the effervescence left in the wine from the release of carbon dioxide in the process of fermentation where the gruff malic acid turns into softer lactic acid.

Vinho Verde, although the name of the wine, is not a grape variety. It is typically comprised of Alvarinho, Arinto, Avcesso, Azal, Batoca, Loureiro and Trajadura, among a few other indigenous Portuguese grape varieties. Try saying those three times fast. Usually led by Alvarinho, the wines are light, effervescent, low-budget and low-alcohol. Vinho Verde is the perfect companion for a day without rain and a restaurant with seafood.

The Restaurant: Steelhead Diner — Husband and wife team Kevin and Terresa Davis opened up this Pike Place Market seafood delicacy in 2006 after extensive restaurant backgrounds with Kevin heading up several kitchens in the Seattle area (Sazerac, The Oceanaire) and Terresa running the books and management at a few other high profile names (Tom Douglas Restaurants, Wild Ginger). Striving to offer the vibe of a local hangout with a stellar view and standout seafood, Steelhead Diner provides eaters with brunch, lunch and dinner, a rocking patio and signature cocktails/local brews/regional wine to toast to.

The Dish: Slice of Caviar Pie ($15) — This is a commitment. Not only to the tangy, salty flavors of the sea and a massive portion cream cheese wedged on a plate, but to the overall idea that you are chomping down fish eggs that are most certainly not cooked. Decadent and hedonistic, the richness is balanced by the briney tartness of the multiple varieties of caviar placed like colors of a rainbow across the mound of cream cheese. The plate is dotted with onion, capers and diced boiled egg to carry on the piquant theme of the dish.

Why It Works: Vinho Verde shines its brightest when put next to a kindred spirit of something tangy and tart. The opulence of the dish is contrasted by the wine with its bright and lively acid and fizz, yet the citrus fruit profile matches the sour pang of the sharp caviar, sour cheese and salty capers.

The Recommended Match: Broadbent 2011 Vinho Verde ($8) — Zesty and lively with white flowers on the nose, the wine is full of refreshing citrus and melon, finishing with the signature fizz and tart acidity. A total porch-pounder, this summer-must ranges from a meager 8-11% alcohol per volume, so you’re looking at knocking back a bottle without a problem nor (maybe) a hangover.

Steelhead Diner | 95 Pine Street,  Seattle | (206) 625-0129

We often think the home has to be practical so we forget about the accent pieces that make it unique.  A great way to spruce up the home or decorate a new home is to add wall decorations that express your style.  These statement wall pieces are bound to fit your personality, inspire conversation and get rid of that white wall.

Vibrant Wall

Instantly add color and warmth with Graham & Brown’s newest wallpaper designs – The Legacy Collection. Inspired by travel and the glamour of Hollywood’s hotels you will see a variety of updated vintage patterns and a warm color palette – gold, grey, eastern red and cream.  Amongst its many different colors and designs this collection includes six different fabric effects in damask, floral, trellis and geometric textures to best suit your home décor.

Legacy Collection | $8-160 per roll | Available at Graham & Brown

Elegant Wall

If your home is small or you have a small room in your house add a mirror to make it feel bigger.  The Chantilly Vines Mirror from Anthropologie is a hand carved wooden mirror that will add volume and style to your room.  The lace-like carvings framing the mirror make this an elegant choice of wall décor that will enhance any room in your house.

Chantilly Vines Mirror | $128 | Available at Anthropologie

 Earthy Wall

The vertical garden trend is for plant lovers and apartment livers who don’t have a garden.  These pouches by Woollypocket are made in the US from recycled plastic water bottles and are perfect for making a vertical herb garden, tropical arrangement or a home for succulents.  The best part about Woollypocket’s Living Wall Planters is that you get to choose your plants and watch them grow into an art piece!

Living Wall Planters | $40-150 | Available at Woollypocket

 Artistic Wall

Instead of posting a painting on your wall add dimension with C. Jere’s 3-D Rain Drop Sculpture.  The gorgeous mix of metal, brass and mirrors creates an eye-catching design that resembles the beauty of raindrops.   Add this piece of mid-century modern art to your home and it is sure to jazz up your boring old white wall.

C. Jere Rain Drops Sculpture | $1,800 | Available at Jonathan Adler