Good Night Nocturnal House

Come 2010 Woodland Park Zoo will be closing the Nocturnal House due to budget restrictions. In the Annual Plan presented by the Zoological Society they state "The zoo will close the Night Exhibit portion of the Day and Night exhibits. That exhibit was chosen because of its operating costs – it is the zoo’s most expensive user of energy – and there will be an evaluation of how to renovate and retrofit the building to be more energy efficient." The specific date has not been announced but take in the exhibit once more while you can. Remember the longer you let your eyes adjust the better you'll see all the creatures.

Update- the nocturnal house will close on March 1st. Most of the animals will be relocated to other exhibits in the zoo.

Merry Christmas

Gifting Season: Infused Vodka II

Apparently I have more alcohol loving friends then I knew and had to make some reinforcements. Creamsicle vodka was the perfect answer. The vodka can infuse in the bottle for a few weeks, so long as my thirsty friends can wait. It also makes a gorgeous presentation. 1/4 of a Mexican vanilla bean and 1/2 an orange worth of zest per 6 oz bottle. Continue reading about infused vodkas here.

Birthday fete

Always one for a decadent Birthdays, this year I am hosting a caviar and champagne pairing for my closest friends at Seattle Caviar Co. before we go out for the evening.

For $25 you get a glass of champers and tastings of all varieties of their caviar, paired with blinis and creme fraiche. Bring on the beluga!

Gifting Season: Infused Vodka

Continuing in the spirit of a homemade holiday, infused vodkas make for an easy well received gift. This batch is flavored with organic cranberries and Mexican vanilla bean but the combinations and limitless. To make: Infuse 1 cup of fruit per bottle of mid grade vodka, for two weeks or more. Use a Ball jar to store the displaced vodka. If the fruit gets dark and lifeless, swap it out with fresh. Enjoy!
Flavor suggestions: citrus zests, lemongrass, sweet tea, rosemary, pomegranate, coffee.

Check out the house-made infusions at Chapel for additional inspiration.

Best of Seattle: Resturants 2009

It's that time of the year again to vote for your favorite haunts for the Best Restaurants issue of Seattle Magazine. Polls close December 18th. The winners will be revealed next April. Fill out your ballot here.

Fashion Forcast: Turquoise

Pantone predicts turquoise to be the top color for 2010. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, says in her mind "people crave escapism and freshness after a tough year." Read the full Associated Press article for insight into how this color will transpose itself in fashion, interiors, and cosmetics.

Women's Wear Silhouettes

With Winter at our door, your jacket is your last line of defense from the weather. This season stay on trend with silhouettes as fierce as the elements.

Illustrations by: Graham Thomas

Exaggerated shoulders: Balmain made it, Rihanna made it hot, now make it your own.

Cape it coming: Nothing like a passe' poncho, this seasons cape(lets) are quite structured, with accents of traditional outerwear.

The Swing coat: Taking inspiration from '60's glamour, this silhouette transitions easily from day to evening.

Classic trench: Masculine military detailing makes the trench the 'power suit' of the season.

Mini Facial to the Max

Having stumbled upon the Qiora boutique on Madison Ave. in New York, I was delighted to find the predecessor to the Spa Mask DH, the Eye Mask. Oh the serenity! This aroma therapeutic, calming, and revitalizing mask was my go-to when feeling exhausted or stressed. The new and improved spa mask is two pieces one for your eyeas and one for your face. The cool gel medium soothes while the felted backing adds a luxurious quality. Qiora is a scientifically inspired skin care line by Shiseido, offered exclusivly at independant boutiques. In Seattle the full line of products can be found at Savvy Cosmetics in Uwajimaya Village. Next time you need a cocktail after a long day, try this mask instead. Your skin will thank you for it.

World AIDS Day

Today is the 22nd annual Worlds AIDS day. An estimated 33 million people are living with AIDS world wide, over 1 million in the United States. In President Obama's Proclamation he states "On World AIDS Day, we rededicate ourselves to developing a national AIDS strategy that will establish the priorities necessary to combat this devastating epidemic at home, and to renewing our leadership role and commitments abroad."

Donate, volunteer, and get involved locally through Lifelong AIDS Alliance.


Shop (RED) for your Holiday gifts and make a difference.

25 corks for $25

Save your corks! Ethan Stowell resturants (Anchovies and Olives, How to Cook a Wolf, Travolata, Union) are offering $25 off your bill if you bring in 25 real corks. This promotion can cover up to 50% of your tab and runs through the end of the year. Never dined at one of his acclaimed resturants? Now is the time!

Seattle Festival of Trees

Hurry! Only four more days to view the amazing trees on display at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, before the auctioned trees move to their new homes. Sip a cocktail in the Spanish Ballroom and let these trees inspire your own decorating. A truely elegant entre' to the Holiday Season.

One Day Get Away: Tulalip Resort

Welcome to Tulalip Resort, where the standard rooms are anything but standard. Spacious, chic, and luxurious, spending a night or a weekend at Tulalip is a wonderful retreat from the day to day. Whether gambling, shopping, or the spa is your thing you will find plenty to do here.

Happy Thanksgiving

The Tasting Room

As Washington quickly approaches becoming the nations largest producer of wines, the selection can seem overwhelming. Enter The Tasting Room. This charming wine cellar, in the middle of Pike Place Market has a well edited collection of amazing Washington wines for every palate. Forget your conception of "tasting room" think of this place as a wine bar. The staff is not only knowledgeable but personable, and leave the wine snobbery to other establishments. While you can 'taste' any wine, or do a flight, the relaxed, casual, atmosphere invites you to linger with a glass (or bottle) of your favorite, and partake in any of the numerous board games available. With the wines being sold at retail, great cheeses and chocolates, and a location to die for, The Tasting Room has the honor of being the first bar featured on SCS.

Gifting Season: Homemade Truffle Oil

With the Holiday's right around the corner now is the time to start making your gifts. Oil infusions are an easy, beautiful gift that everybody loves. Start with good quality extra virgin olive oil (sorry Rachel Ray I refuse to abbreviate it) and add your favorite flavors.

This batch is flavored with black summer truffles. Garlic, herbs, or peppers also infuse nicely. Allow 3-4 weeks for the flavors to intensify. Collect bottles throughout the year or purchase online HERE.

One Day Get Away: Deception Pass

Only an hour and a half from Seattle, Deception Pass offers scenic views, random encounters with nature, and the serenity of Puget Sound.
Tweeds and turtlenecks in rich neutrals not only fend off the brisk ocean air but meld with the naturalistic aura of the Islands.

Seasonal Flavors: Apples

Go apple picking locally this Fall. So many of our neighbors have fruit trees overburdened with more fruit then they can eat. Remember though, return the favor.... Stylize your favorite apple pie filling recipe. Just wrap in filo and drizzling a simple icing over top to create a fun and different treat. Perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Or try something savory. This Butternut Squash Gratin is topped with apples and gorgonzola cheese. An amazing start to any meal. This will be a huge crowd pleaser at all of your Holiday parties.

Coast Cabins: Manzanita, OR

No beach lodging is as stylish as your very own luxury cabin. Coast Cabins offers up both seclusion and elegance just blocks off the Oregon Coast.Travel in style with the Louis Vuitton Carryall. Relax in Danish Modern surroundings with luxury textiles from Restoration Hardware.

Trend Finder: Fingerless Gloves

'Hobo chic' fingerless gloves are perfect for Seattle's dreary months. They allow you to text, smoke, and show off your manicure while staying warm. Available in black, gray, and olive at Banana Republic

Earthues: Naturally Dyed Yarns

Located on Ballard Ave.; Earthues, a natural color company, launched a new line of yarns, just in time for holiday knitting. The impact of the textile industry on the environment is astronomical. Earthues makes their own naturally derived dyes which are sustainable and do not negatively impact the planet.

The Author:

This was my 25th Birthday at Ocho. Knit cap from Coal (Kuhlman), and military shirt from H&M (6th & Pike).