Out & About: Beats & Bohos Grand Opening

I'm a lucky girl! I can now call Beats & Bohos my neighbor! They just moved to Greenwood from Ballard, which is most excellent as Greenwood was in desperate need of a cool, vintage clothing store. Really, Beats & Bohos is the epitome of cool, seeing as they also carry vintage records.

Here's a recap of their grand opening.

 Vintage maven and amazing blogger, Bella of The Citizen Rosebud chats with Jean of All Trades and her husband.

 The place was packed with fashionable Seattleites (the girl in polka dots is one of the buyers)

 Photo taken by my sis!

Come have a look around the store, which is located at 7200 Greenwood Ave North. Or, if you're not in Seattle, you can browse their racks via Etsy!

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Seattle Favorites: Phinney-Wood

Every couple of weeks, either my husband or I say something along the lines of “I never want to leave Greenwood!” We’ve been here three years now, and the Phinney Ridge-Greenwood neighborhood just keeps getting better. Here is a short list of my current favorite stops along Greenwood Avenue.

1. Flourish Collection

7406 Greenwood Avenue North

Whether you're a stationery addict like I am, or just looking for a nice greeting card, you have to pop into this little shop on the east side of Greenwood Avenue. The owner is friendly and helpful and the bright, tidy shop is a pleasant break from Greenwood’s countless coffee shops. With products in everyone’s price range, you’re sure to find something among the hand selected gifts and paper notions, all so pleasantly arranged on vintage tables

2. Ludlow Home

7315 Greenwood Avenue North

Kitty-corner from Flourish is Ludlow Home, a furnishing shop full of Seattle aesthetic. If you’ve just moved to the neighborhood, Ludlow is the perfect place to find those finishing touches for your new home. Owner Rick Rochon has created the perfect collection of mid-century furniture and vintage Americana and filled in any cracks with delicious small batch preserves and elegant house warming gifts. Even if you don’t have a big budget, Ludlow is worth a visit!

3. Greenwood TrueValue Hardware

7201 Greenwood Avenue North

A neighborhood staple since 1948, they carry everything from screws and power tools, to canning jars and potting soil. The staff is always friendly and capable of answering any home improvement questions you might have. Why waste time wandering up and down massive aisles when you can come and see your neighbors at Greenwood Hardware?

4. Bluebird Microcreamery & Brewery

7400 Greenwood Avenue North

Last summer, I was perfectly happy with my PB&J ice cream from this small-batch ice cream maker, but now that they’ve added beer to their list of treats, I may never leave! Everything, even the beer, is made in-house. If a down-to-earth staff, an unfussy menu, and local ingredients aren’t enough to get you in, then how about a beer float? Try the Caffé Vita Porter with a scoop of Theo Chocolate Chunk!

5. Yanni’s Greek Cuisine

7419 Greenwood Avenue North

For 30 years, Yanni’s has been serving up so much more than gyros. I’ve been going to this family owned and run restaurant for years and am excited about the recent menu update thanks to Gordon Ramsay! Without owner Peter Avgoustiou’s talent for cooking traditional Greek fare, this menu update wouldn’t even matter. This family-owned and run restaurant really is a neighborhood institution! Give the Chicken Krasati a try and don’t miss the Kalamari Piatela.

This article originally appeared in Renter Resources on Apartments.com

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Long Weekend: Baltimore

I've always been interested in travel, but mostly only when it pertained to exotic locations or destinations steeped in history. Lately, though, I've been more interested in exploring the US. There are so many wonderful places that are worth, at the very least, a weekend trip. Baltimore is definitely one of those cities, and if fate hadn't stricken my friend, Laurel, with an illness that wasn't the 'travel bug', I would have had the chance to tour some of the historical sites in the area, too. 

We had hoped to go to Gettysburg, possibly; Antietam for sure, but she didn't have the energy. Instead, she took me to a wonderful cafe called Artifact Coffee. I'm slowly learning that "split shots" are something they only do in Seattle. They wouldn't make me one, but they did make me a maple latte! Funnily enough, just last week I had been contemplating why I had never seen a maple latte. Well, now I've had one, made with real maple syrup, and I can honestly say they're amazing!

Shaggy dog street art on the way to the farmers' market (artist: Luis Rosenfeld)

Clouds have been one of my favorite things to photograph since forever.

 Floral Laurel

Laurel and her husband, Jon, hosted a wonderful brunch, complete with deviled eggs, waffles, bacon, and a million cheeses. Afterwards we all enjoyed the sun in the field behind their house.

Trevor, post-brunch

Laurel spent a lot of time on this skipjack, the Sigsbee, last summer.

Growing up in Seattle has really given me an appreciation for old architecture and brick. It's so rare on the West Coast, and Baltimore, like the rest of the East Coast, is filled with it!

Great architecture near the waterfront

Home I go in a cloud sandwich!

(Missing picture #1 Berger cookies , a Baltimore classic. So good we ate them before I could take any pics!)

(Missing picture #2 Me! I always forget to have people take pictures of me on trips!)

Look of the Day: Picnic for One

My husband, Trevor, is gone on a business trip, but that's no reason to mope around all week. That means it's times to be pretend single!

Whenever he goes away, it's always a mix of feelings. We're both pretty independent, but we got married for a reason, so of course we miss each other. It's nice, though, having a big bed to myself and doing whatever I want for dinner.

Monday was the most glorious day we've had in Seattle in a while. It was close to 60 and splendidly sunny. I didn't have much to do at work, so I threw on my Madewell sweatshirt dress (haven't had many opportunities to wear it) and some happy colors, and went shopping with Frida at University Village. We didn't buy anything (amazingly), but Frida did have her photo taken twice! And we finally met another Corgi Chihuahua mix that, somehow, had ears bigger than Frida's.

When I got home, a picnic dinner sounded like a good idea, so I stopped by Malena's, which recently opened down the block from my apartment. I ordered the shrimp taco combo, which was amazing. I expected previously frozen cocktail shrimp, but they were pretty fresh and perfectly cooked. I finished off some hard cider from an orchard in Chelan and read a bit of the new Vogue.

The best part about Spring: being able to go out with bare legs!! I've been looking forward to wearing skirts and dresses without tights for so long! I just wish the swelling would go down in my ankles. That's right, a month later, still recovering from my multiple falls. Stupid weak ankles! Luckily, I think I'm the only one who can tell the difference.

If only my husband could have as lovely a week, but that is not the life of a man who works in the thrilling field of grants administration. Hopefully his weekend will be more enjoyable than his week, though. Thursday, I'm off to Baltimore to visit friends and meet up with Trevor (back to being for-real married). I've packed 3 camera cards, so I should have some photos of my travels to share with you by next week! Hope you all have wonderful holiday weekend!

Madewell Sweatshirt Dress - J.Crew jersey cardigan (similar) - Lady Howard circle scarf (similar) - Classic Vans - vintage sunglasses (similar)
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Review: Djaouida Skincare

Let me just begin with how soft my skin is! It's incredible! Feels like velvet, but not in a fuzzy way. 

I suppose I should explain things a little better. Today I had the pleasure of meeting Djaouida, a tall, charming esthetician with huge brown eyes and, you guessed it, perfect skin. I also had the pleasure of getting my very first facial. I wasn't totally sure my skin could handle all that cleansing and scrubbing and masking, but Djaouida knows what she's doing! I'm hooked! My skin looks and feels amazing and it was one of the most relaxing 75 minutes I've had in a long time. The facial also included an arm and hand massage, which was the clincher for me. Honestly, include some sort of massage and I'll do just about anything. (Dental fillings with a free neck massage? I'm there!) 

Lately, I've been having some minor problems with my skin. It just seems more reactive and I see rashes more frequently. I was a little worried about this, so I scheduled a European facial, which was listed on the site as suitable for sensitive skin. Turns out I made the right choice, as the European is perfect for customizing. All the other facials come with predetermined lotions, masks, etc., but the European can be tweaked for any skin type. The fact that Djaouida uses all natural products also helped dispel any worries about reacting to perfumes or harsh chemicals.

How gorgeous does my skin look now??

Along with the European Facial, Djaouida also offers more decadent facials. I had to keep reminding myself when I was choosing a facial that "Catie, you don't get to eat these. They're just facials."

Click for more info!

Moroccan: Featuring pomegranate, yogurt & honey

Pumpkin: Detoxify & renew with pumpkin & clay

Hawaiian: Featuring coconut & tropical fruits

Goddess: All I have to say is CHOCOLATE

Definitely worth the drive out to West Seattle!

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Look of the Day: Trevor

 Still working up the guts to take street style photos of people I'm not related or married to.

My husband is easy to shoot, though, because he doesn't get at all nervous. 

So much Filson! I'm slowly coming to terms with the fact that my husband is much better dressed than I am. He looks so good in his Levis Filson collaboration trucker jacket, that he bought two.

On a side note, somewhat related to this post, I have had a pretty awful week. I'm not one to lose things, especially important things, but I managed to unconsciously empty my pockets on the plane ride between Houston and Denver. When we landed in Seattle, I realized my phone was gone. By the time we parked in front of our apartment, I had discovered that my license was missing. Thankfully, they were both together and the airlines called my husband to tell him they'd found them (I think they figured the number listed as "Love of My Life" was someone pretty important). Well, to add insult to injury, when I was going through my purse today, I realized my wedding ring wasn't in its usual place. Yup, I lost my wedding ring and we haven't even been married 2 years. I'll be honest, I've cried quite a bit this week, but this is the real kicker. I left a message with the airlines and sent them an email, but I don't know if I'll ever find my ring. Something that small, and made of gold doesn't always find it's way home. If someone dishonest found it, they won't be too pleased with the resale value. As pretty as it is, it's mainly of sentimental value. I couldn't care less about my phone and license, those are easily replaced. A second ring just isn't the same, though. Please, universe, I would like it back.

Levi's Filson trucker jacket - Imogene & Willie denim - Filson Briefcase Computer Bag - Filson Carry On bag - Lucchese 1883 Boots
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Filson Sale: Might as well have the best at a discount!

My husband and I are getting old. You know how I can tell? We're both in agreement on the sensibility of investing in "some good luggage." Also, we've been travelling so much lately, it makes sense. Since November, I've been gone for at least 23 days. This coming weekend we'll be in Houston for a wedding and in March my husband is going to D.C. for a week; a trip on which I may be lucky enough to accompany him. Which brings me back to luggage. As much as I love my thrifted floral canvas duffle bag, we're tired of big, awkward bags that may or may not make it through another handling at the airport. 

 A Filson, on the other hand, will last a lifetime and possibly longer. Their outdoors gear was originally designed to outlast the tough conditions of Alaska and the north during the Klondike Gold Rush, so an airport luggage carousel is nothing to worry about. Even if our bags do get a little roughed up, it will just look better. Like the Filson website says, "Comfort, protection, and durability never go out of style." 

 Like most stores, Filson had a post-holiday sale, so we jumped at the chance to get this carry-on bag at over 40% off the original price. The carry-on bags are unfortunately out of stock now, but their all-leather tote bag is still in stock, 43% off and, my goodness, is it gorgeous! I have my heart set on this classic Filson Duffle Bag in Otter Green, though. Too bad it's not on sale!

What are things you feel are a good investment, even if they are a bit boring and "grown up"?

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