Holiday Designer Trunk Show

UPDATE: Jamie Thorn Jewelry has been added to the mix - we will now have 9 amazing designers for your shopping pleasure!

Introducing the UFN Featured Designer for December!

Suburban Booty is a local jewelry line by Melisa Cary and she has made me just crazy for jewelry! You can find her pieces at Luly Yang Couture, Seattle Bride Mag (Fall/winter issue), trunk shows and her online shop.

She tells me "Part of what I do is very refined... Swarovski crystals and pearl pieces and on the flip side some great funky chunky rough stones. I love to mix the rough with the refined and blur the two lines. Rocks from the earth, and high end stones crystals and metals."

Check out Melisa's Q&A, she is just fabulous and inspirational!

Glitter Gala Tonight!

Tonight is the Goodwill Glitter Gala - are you going to be there?

Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 6:00pm
Sheraton Hotel Metropolitan Ballroom 1400 Sixth Avenue, Seattle

Here are all the details!

Check out pictures from last years event.

Clutch Turns 2!

Guess what! One of our favorite downtown shops, Clutch (1212 fourth ave at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel ), will be celebrating their 2 yr Anniversary on Thursday August 13th from 5pm to 8pm!

They will have Noshes by Conscious Catering, Champagne, Wink Cupcakes, Music, Swag for the first 50 guests and fabulous discounts and select Arm Candy!!!

It's going to be quite the shindig - you better be there! ;) See you there!!

Nordstrom Designer Preview 2009

Last night was the Nordstrom Designer Preview and our girl Youa was there to report back on just how fabulous it was!!

Check out her write up on the event and check out some of her pictures.

This Month's D-List Magazine...

I picked up a copy of this months D-List magazine to read on my bus ride home. As I was flipping along I came across a Q&A with local designer Chris Jones of "Like a Rock Star".

It was a great article and you can check it out for yourself on their website. Head on back to page 67! (On the way you'll pass a picture of DJ Darnell Sue and also a blurb about Alix Rose, who apparently writes from D- List magazine... which I did not know. Very cool!)

Since we're talking about Chris Jones I am reminded of the Q&A we did with him when he was our UFN featured designer in June 2008. Check it out!

He's a really nice guy and his style is ubber cool - make sure to check him out!

Bob Mackie and More...

Tonight I was invited by my friend, and FGI cohort, Courtney Russell of Half Past Lavish Events to attend the Spotlight Night for "Catch Me If You Can" at the 5th Ave Theater in Seattle.

I wasn't sure what to expect because I had no idea they did these spotlight events and wasn't sure what they entailed. Plus, it's free so I was even more baffled.

However, I am really happy I went because they introduce you to the people who have come up with the idea, or in this case have taken a story and made it into a musical. I saw the movie and really did enjoy it so I can only imagine I'll feel the same way about the play. We did get to hear a few songs from the performance and I must say they sounded amazing.

Infamous fashion and costume designer Bob Mackie is doing all of the costumes for the musical and they even showed us some of his sketchers... They were awesome! One thing I wish would have happened - more conversation with Bob Mackie. I would have liked it if more questions would have been asked of him, especially about the costumes. Oh well... I'll just have to go see them myself!

If this show takes off it will be another win for Seattle (Hello, Hairspray!) as it is being started here. It will be showing July 23rd - August 16th. I can't wait - the guy who plays Frank Abagnale Jr. (Aaron Tveit) is just a cutie and has an amazing voice. As you can see by the picture I have posted for you - A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!


Here is how the evening was broken down:

Act 1
The Incredible True Story
Catch Me If You Can is inspired by the real life story of teenage con man Frank Abagnale who lived the high life during the swinging ‘60s by successfully posing as a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, and lawyer while passing millions of dollars in forged checks. David Armstrong will recount Frank’s amazing journey and bring us up-to-date on Frank’s true crime adventures on both sides of the law.
Special Guest – Ken Kirkpatrick, President of US BANK

Act 2
Meet the Dream Team
Catch Me If You Can’s creative team is an extraordinary collection of Tony Award-winning artists. Songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray), playwright Terrence McNally (The Full Monty), director Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Legally Blonde), musical director John McDaniel and legendary costume designer Bob Mackie will give you an inside look into their creative process and show us how a Broadway musical is conceived and created – from page to stage!

Act 3
Meet the Stars
Catch Me If You Can features a remarkable company of actors from New York and Seattle and led by some of Broadway’s brightest lights. Meet three of our show’s leading men: Tony Award-winning star Norbert Leo Butz, exciting Broadway newcomer Aaron Tveit and Broadway and television star Tom Wopat. You will also be the first audience anywhere to hear songs from the brilliant ‘60s pop-infused score!

Featuring Musical Performances by Marc Shaiman, Norbert Leo Butz, Aaron Tveit and Tom Wopat.

Ok, so go tell some friends and let's all meet at the theater in July! Who's with me?!

Buffalo Exchange Opens in Ballard June 20, 2009

This excites me!! No more having to head over to the UW to drop off clothing for a wee bit of cash.. Now I can just head on over to Ballard!

BUFFALO EXCHANGE OPENS IN BALLARD!
Hip buy-sell-trade clothing shop opens a second shop in Seattle in mid-June

SEATTLE, WA- Eclectic buy-sell-trade clothing shop Buffalo Exchange announces the opening of its first store in Ballard at 2232 NW Market Street, Seattle, WA 98107 (west of 22nd Avenue NW), phone 206-297-5920, on June 20, 2009. Paid parking is available in the back and the store is convenient to several bus routes. Store hours will be Monday-Saturday 11-7, Sunday 11-6.

The 2,500 square-foot space was secured by Buffalo Exchange on April 20. The shop is at street level in the Ballard Square mini mall, in a neighborhood of independent shops and eateries. The shop features 10-foot high ceilings, floors refinished to look like weathered wood and accent mirrors. There are eight roomy, well-lit dressing rooms and two buy counters, where customers can sell their clothes for cash or trade.

The Ballard location is Buffalo Exchange's second store in Seattle. The U-District location opened in 2001 at 4530 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105, phone 206-545-0175. Seattle's Grist.org says of Buffalo Exchange: "your shopping cart is full of only the chicest recycled garb" (Jan 13, 2009) and Buffalo Exchange was listed for Best Vintage and Resale, 2008 Best of Western Washington, King 5 NorthWest News Television in Seattle.

Buffalo Exchange is unique because clothing and accessories are bought, sold and traded directly with store customers. Used clothes can be traded for any item in the store, including jewelry and brand new clothing. The ever-changing inventory includes designer wear, basics, vintage, jeans, leather and one-of-a-kind items. Buffalo Exchange is a sustainable company that works to protect the environment by reusing and recycling clothing. The store donates to local nonprofit agencies in the community through its Tokens for Bags(r) program, which has generated over $300,000 for hundreds of nonprofits since 1994, saving 6 million bags. Shoppers are encouraged to accept a token instead of a bag for purchases, and Buffalo Exchange donates five cents to a charity of the customer's choice. As of May 2009, the resale clothing store chain has 34 stores and 2 franchises in 13 states, with $56.3 million a year in sales. The resale clothing store chain celebrates 35 years of business in 2009. For more, visit www.buffaloexchange.com and www.myspace.com/buffaloexchange.

http://www.buffaloexchange.com/bulletins_det.php?Bulletin_ID=979
http://www.buffaloexchange.com/locations.php?Region_ID=18

Bouncing Wall is Closing :(

I just got the very sad news that one of my favorite local boutiques, Bouncing Wall, will be closing their doors at the end of May. Make sure to swing on by and check out their shop before the doors close.

Don't be to sad though as they will be taking Bouncing Wall on the road (and online)! They have embraced the concept of "shopping while you drink and mingle, happy hour style!" They had their first Bouncing Wall Shop Social on August 22nd - check out the images!

The events are by invitation only so check their blog for upcoming shopping events.

Tarina Tarantino is my Hero

Back in the day when being a jewelry designer was my ultimate dream goal in life I emailed a little known designer who was living in NY with her boyfriend/business partner at the time and working out of her apartment. She emailed me back a nice little email with a few helpful tips... Sadly, I don't remember what it said or even have that email anymore but it was nice none-the-less.

As the years have gone by she has since married that guy, had 2 daughters and they have built a very successful and extraordinary jewelry line. Hello Kitty works with her and she even has her own Barbie. (Yes, I have that Barbie, like you should even ask that!!! Duh!)

The designer I speak of is Tarina Tarantino. She is my rock star of the jewelry world. I love her style, and without sounding like some crazy psycho stalker, I would love to be her! Not in a crazy wear her skin type of fashion (ew gross!) but rather in admiration for her style and success. She has taken her little jewelry line and expanded it to be quite a large business! She is even international and has 3 boutiques all of her own. All the while having gorgeous pink hair!! She is my hero! (Check out this article from Swindle Magazine on her.)

So, what has spawned this blog... Well it seems Curtsy Bella Boutique in Seattle is having a trunk show of her jewelry they they carry and I fully plan on heading over there this weekend to check it out. It will be going on the 18th and the 19th. Maybe I'll see ya there!

Happy Friday!!

Not a Typical Wednesday Night...

If only all Wednesday nights could be this fun! Tonight was an FGI networking event held at the 24/7 staffing agency (they have an amazing space and are always so kind to us!) where local student designer, Tera Bacon showcased 7 of her designs.

The night started out with Tera being introduced and a mini Q&A with Janaea and Susan of Beauty Revolution Magazine. One interesting fact I learned that not only is Tera a designer but she also works in construction. She is multi faceted!

Tera's models came out wearing 3 beautiful dresses! I didn't take notes on how they were constructed as I was taking videos but I do remember that she said she liked to use vintage pieces she finds in her creations. The red dress was the dress she created for Project Red Dress. (Watch the videos!*)

After the fashion show ended the networking began, along with enjoying cupcakes by Wink and drinking wine. I got the opportunity to chat with several women who I have been communicating with via email - putting a face to a name makes all the difference!

Nina Ummel, the owner of Ummelina, invited us over to do a tour of her day spa and treated us all to some delicious tea created there at the tea spa. I have personally been to the day spa many times and know that it is a wonderfully relaxing experience. (They have a fantastic couples package called the Pacific Rim that I highly recommend!)

The night was a wonderful success and completely planned by FGI board member, Courtney of Half Past Lavish Events. Great job girl!! (insert standing ovation here.) ;)

If you weren't able to attend this event, don't fret, we will be having many more and I'll mke sure to notify you here and here. Hope to see you soon!

Here are some of the pictures I took at the event.

*The videos were taken on my camera so the quality and sound are not greatest. You'll get the general idea though. It's like you were there but forgot to wear your glasses and your ears are a bit plugged up. :)

Glamour-Tastic

I just got home from an event put on by Darnell Sue, local blogger, DJ, Girl Power Hour and now Glambassador for Glamour!

Apparently, as a Glambassador she hosts events for Glamour in Seattle to introduce new products. Man, I need to get a gig like that, it sounds like a lot of fun!

For this event, several fantastic women met to check out a new mineral-makeup product for Almay via Glamour. I thought we were just going to play around with makeup but what happened was we got free samples from Almay and basically got to network with many women of like minded interestes. The event was even catered and there was red and white wine by Kestrel Vintners. It was a lot of fun!

Several of the attendees I have met at other events but, was of course, happy to see them again! (Darcey, Sara, Jordana, Devon, Sam) Then to top it off I got to meet some new amazing women who also like to blog about fashion or were involed in it somehow (Jess, Summer, Marla, Alix and more). I was so unprepared to network (BAD TARAH!) as I had forgotten my cards. I do that all the time, so bad!! When will I learn? (I'm linking you to their blogs and websites so you too can check out these fantastic ladies. I know I didn't list everyone I met and I'm sorry for that. Please send me your websites and I'll put them up!)

My lovely friends, Melissa and Christine went with me! Thanks for accompanying me chicas!!

New to Seattle: The Neil George Hair Collection

I am always trying out new products because let's be honest I am a lover of product (product whore if you will). Hair care is very important to me!


I was recently introduced to a haircare line new to Seattle called The Neil George Hair Collection which came straight to us from Beverly Hills. I love the smell of it (smells are a HUGE deal for me) and the conditioner makes my hair feel so soft. The line is now available at Illustrated Salon Spa. Their prices range from $20 - $42.

I am currently using the orange blossom shampoo and conditioner. The instant repair deep conditioner is also fabulous!

Their line of products are exclusively available at Illustrated Salon Spa
7900 East Green Lakes Drive North
Seattle, WA 98103
206.524.0070

Latest Happenings...

Sorry it's been a bit since I last posted a blog. I've been busy-ish...

One noteworthy event was the re-opening of the Crocodile. Hubby and myself met up with the Matt and Kelly (our in-laws) for the re-opening private party. Matt got us on the list so a huge thanks for that!

The new Croc looks alot better. You don't feel as if you're in a fire trap anymore. The layout is much nicer but it still has that dive feeling, and I mean that in a good way. There is a Via Tribunali in the back where they were cranking out pizzas for the party. One place I ment to visit but did not was the bathroom... For all who have been there know the horror that was the bathrooms. Sorry but I can not report on how they looked, one can only assume they are better though! I took a few pictures but haven't been able to upload them yet... Will do that soon. Oh and the evil pole is gone! :)

On another topic: fashion events are starting to pop up more now as Spring is here. I will have more to report soon as the Blush event is this weekend and I'll be there! Check out the UFN calendar as I've posted many events that sound like alot of fun!

The Beauty Revolution Has Begun

Today two of my FGI gal pals, Susan and Janaea, launched their new eco friendly magazine, Beauty Revolution. It's an online magazine that covers beauty, fashion, eco friendly topics, and much more.

Not only was I excited for them and their big launch but I got a big surprise when I found Urban Fashion Network was mentioned and there were even a few picts of me. What a delight! I feel so honored. (check out pages 46, 47 & 48).

If you like what you see then just go here and subscribe (it's free) and you'll be notified when the Spring edition comes out in April.

Holy Snow, Batman!

Things have been quite crazy in sunny Seattle lately... oh wait, not sunny but SNOWY! We're not a city that gets a ton of snow usually but we have been getting dumped on for over a week or more.

We have more than 6-8" in my neighborhood alone and I live on a hill... They have closed most of our roads and now they have been turned into sledding hills for kids (and adults). I have yet to get on the sledding band wagon... Maybe I will eventually. I have no sled but I did see pictures today of people in laundry baskets so I may give that a whirl.

Since I'm not skilled in the art of driving in snow and ice the hubby has had to drive on the few times we have ventured out. Cabin fever has set in as not much venturing out has occured. I did catch a bus downtown today (took 50 min to show up after very slowly walking downhill to catch it) to see a movie and then had to walk most of the way home until Jupe, Frani and I flagged down the first bus we saw. Thankfully he stopped and let us get on. That would have been a brutal walk as we had quite aways to go...

My companies Christmas party was last night and we figured we would try and get there (free food and booze)- we made it thankfully. It continued to snow many inches while we were there. Not many people showed up but I will say I had alot of fun with those who did show up and with the duelling pianos that they had as entertainment. I sang my little tone def heart out. I even got one of the guys to bust out a little John Mayer (yay!). Plus they sang "Jesse's Girl" by Rick Springfield. (He is another crush of mine that dates back to when I was 12, plus I've had the pleasure to meet him!)

It appears we'll be having a white Christmas in the NW and a few more days of working from home. Stay safe to all of you out there dealing with snow and bad drivers.

The Goodwill Glitter Gala

Last night was the first annual Glitter Gala which was put on to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Goodwill Glitter Sale (which was originally called 'Sequins, Satin, Feathers and Beads' and then 'All That Glitters' and then eventually shorten to the name we now know). It will be held tomorrow and Sunday from 9am - 6pm at their Dearborn St. Store (1400 South Lane Street).

The gala was attended by many sharply dressed men and women who were there to support Goodill! The night started out with light appetizers and champagne being passed around while the patrons bought raffle tickets for numerous prizes and bid on 2 tables worth of silent auction items. I had my eye on a collector Barbie but sadly I didn't have time to bid.

The Art Institute had several designers there as well who had created pieces for the runway show. They had been given $75 at Goodwill and had been the task of creative a futuristic outfit for the runway show. I got some great images of those items, make sure to check them all out. (I had hoped to meet the designers but was so busy taking photos I didn't get a chance to speak to all of them.)

Rhinestone Rosie was also there with some of her vintage jewelry pieces that patrons could view. From what I was told some of those pieces will be in the Glitter Sale!

At a little after 7pm the Sheraton Metropolitan Ballroom doors were opened and guests were asked to go in and find their tables for dinner. We took our places next to the stage so we could get some great shots of the clothing coming off the runway.

The runway show was great; Mary Louise (head of the Goodwill vintage collection), the Art Institute and Robert Leonard did a fantastic job of styling the models and clothing to look like the differnt eras they were representing. Their whole show is about reusing and repurposing items, what a great eco friendly show!! All of the clothing they showed came from Goodwill which, as you should know, are items that the community donated. Plus, all of the items they showed will be in the Glitter Sale!

The proceeds from the event support Goodwill’s free job training and education programs, which help low income people with barriers to employment get the skills and support they need to achieve economic self-sufficiency through work. Towards the end of the evening everyone was introduced to two success stories, Joyce and Kimberly, it was very heart warming and portrayed how Goodwill really does help people!

Make sure to head on over to the Glitter Sale tomorrow to buy some of these amazing items!

Thank you to Tracy Schneider and Betsy McFeely for all their help answering questions and for allowing us to cover the event, thank you so much ladies!

I'll be in line at the sale tomorrow, make sure to say hi if you see me! ;)

Grand Opening of the Lizzie Parker Store at Tweed

Last night, hubby and I headed over to Greenwood to check out the grand opening of the Lizzie Parker Eco-Atelier at Tweed Boutique. I was curious to see how Tweed would setup shop for a designer inside of their store. I've never heard of anything like this so I just had to go and check it out.

When we arrived the first thing we noticed was that Lizzie Parker has her own signage on the outside of the building. (WOW, that's a huge deal!) Once inside, I checked out the space that Tweed has given Lizzie - it's quite a large portion of their lower level, about 45% (and by lower level I just mean you walk down a few stairs into another section of the store, it's not a basement or below the actual shop).

I chatted with Lizzie as I was curious about how this new relationship would work. She told me that her entire line of clothing would be sold here and that she would still be selling her clothes out of other stores in the area. She said that those other stores had been some of her biggest supporters in this new venture. Personally I think that is awesome as it is such a big step for her. Congrats Lizzie!!

Lizzie's Fall 2008 line is what is currently in store. You can check it out online too. (I was admiring one of her blue (or black) cape's.) Love it!! ;)

Check out the photos I took!

I Heart Barney's!

Want something to do tomorrow night? Well, if you just said yes then I wanted to pass on the info that you’re invited to FACE, an evening of wine, art, and fashion from Barney’s New York and benefits Sunflower Children Foundation.

October 9, 2008 ~ 7 pm – 10 pm at Herban Feast at SoDo Park (3200 1st Avenue South Seattle, Washington 98134)

Tickets are from $85 - $200. Purchase Tickets Here

Please Vote for UFN!

We've have been nominated for a Preneur Award at the Company Picnic event (seattle's largest entrepreneur bash), honoring outstanding achievements as an Entrepreneur! Yay!!

Awards will be given in 14 categories and winners will be announced this Thursday, Sept. 25 at Company Picnic—Seattle's Largest Entrepreneur Bash.

In the meantime, the ballot box is open and we are reaching out to our friends and family in hopes of increasing our chances for victory! Vote online until 11:59pm on September 24th.

Categories we "could" be nominated for are (by no means do you need to nominate us for all of them, they are just one's we could fit into):
Entrepreneur
Solopreneur
Serial Entrepreneur
Sideline Entrepreneur
Copreneurs
Socialpreneur
Entreprenesses
Blogpreneur

If you have a Seattle business you should ask your friends and family to vote for you too! ;)