Open Books, Wallingford

Open BooksI met Tennyson when I was in the third grade. Anne Shirley introduced us and ignited what has become my quiet affair with poetry. Upon hearing Anne recite Tennyson, I took myself straightaway to the library and told the librarian, "I'm looking for the poem from Anne of Green Gables." She knew immediately: "The Lady of Shallot."

I spent the next week memorizing the poem's twenty stanzas. At age 8 I had never experienced the type of heartbreak described in the poem, but that did not matter. I recited those words over and over. I felt the Lady of Shallot's loneliness. I knew her longing.

After Tennyson, I memorized Lewis Carroll's "The Jabberwoky." For years mimsy and Bandersnatch were my favorite words, although I never spoke them aloud for fear that my friends would think me weird for using made-up language.

I memorize poetry the way the devoutly religious memorize scripture. Emily Dickinson, Robert Herrick, Kenneth Rexroth, Sandra Cisneros, e.e. cummings, Rumi, Dorothy Parker, Shell Silverstein, Mary Oliver, Billy Collins, Naomi Shihab Nye...and these are just the ones coming to mind at this moment. There are so many whose words have sunk into my bones. The lines of these poets resurface from my subconscious like old friends: Unexpectedly and when I need them the most.

You can imagine, then, my delight upon discovering Open Books, a sweet store dedicated entirely to poetry. Tucked into the first floor of an old house on 45th, the store's slim shelves are filled with poetry from the known to the obscure. The white walls are decorated with quotes like this one from Wallace Stevens, "One reads poetry with one's nerves." Oh yes! Glorious!

I bought two slim volumes on my recent visit. The first is entitled War by Klaus Rifbjerg, because it is the subject on all of our minds lately. The second is a small selection Tennyson's poems. It has been nearly twenty years since I spent time with the Lady of Shallot, and I figured it's about time we catch up.

Open Books
2414 N 45th ST
(206) 633-0811

In Vogue, Bellevue

In Vogue, BellevueShopping at In Vogue makes me want to go on a date with a handsome, tan man at a see-and-be-seen club somewhere in Miami. Or Los Angeles. Something about the boutique's silky tank tops, colorful halters, strapless dresses, playful prints, and luxe fabrics leave me longing for a Balenciaga bag to hang on one arm and a Ken doll to hang on the other.

In Vogue's owner, Gee Kaur, is young and chic, and she stocks her boutique with clothes suited for Hollywood hotties like Jessica Alba and Mischa Barton. Items at In Vogue are sometimes trendy, sometimes classic, but always fashionable, feminine, and sexy. Simply stepping into the boutique, with its white walls, crisp lighting, and sleek windows, makes you feel like you are hanging out somewhere much hipper than a busy intersection of Bellevue. Somewhere like St. Barts, maybe. Or Dubai.

Gee herself is a graduate from the fashion design program at the Art Institute of Seattle. While Gee hasn't had time for much designing since opening In Vogue two years ago, she does dream of stocking her store with her creations sometime soon. When I ask her what celebrity she would want to wear her clothes, she does not hesitate in her response: Eva Longoria. Yes! I could totally see it.

In Vogue
Bellevue Place Building
800 Bellevue Way NE
(425) 468-5765

Havana, Capitol Hill

Havana, Capitol HillA blue-eyed pilot with a devastating, dimpled smile once showed me around Chicago. It was November and bitter cold. To warm up we slipped into a little Cuban restaurant downtown and spent hours sipping caipirinhas. That afternoon I learned that Cuban cocktails can be dangerous. Ditto all-American pilots.

Those close to me know that when it comes to danger, I avoid activities with a high risk for broken bones (downhill skiing, mountain bike racing) while jumping head first into those with a high risk for a broken heart (flirting with bartenders, professing love on second dates). So when the aforementioned flyboy landed in Seattle last week, I naturally threw caution to the wind agreed to meet him for drinks at Havana. Where better for us to romp down memory lane than this Cuban-inspired hotspot?

Havana is glamorous without the glam, laid back yet utterly sexy. With its palm plants, vintage sconces and soaring, embossed tin ceilings, Havana evokes another place and time; I wouldn't be a bit surprised to run into Hemingway himself at the bar. You can sip your perfectly made Mojito or one of the inspired house specialties at large booths beside picture windows or head upstairs for more privacy in the intimate loft. Tuesday nights bring great DJs and hot dancing, I hear.

Take note: The entrance to Havana is hard to find. Unmarked and tucked in the back of the parking lot that sits across the street from Caffé Vita, the obscurity of it all makes visiting Havana all the more exotic.

Havana
1010 E Pike ST
(206) 323-2822

Baguette Box, Pike/Pine

Baguette BoxI have a confession to make: I am not a dog person. I certainly love them in the grand, "Every living being on the planet is a blessed, beautiful child of Mother Nature" sort of way, but when it comes to daily life, I prefer to live unfettered by the duties that come along with an intimate relationship with a dog. I prefer not to have my hardwood floors destroyed by doggy claws. I prefer not to accessorize my clothes with doggy hair. I prefer not to carry--even for one second--a little plastic bag full of doggy poop.

Some people might call my sentiments about dog ownership coldhearted. In fact, some people already have called me coldhearted. An ex-boyfriend once labeled me (in so many words) the antichrist when I complained about the hot, swampy breath of his beloved canine. To be honest, I can't say that I completely disagree with his opinion. I mean, what kind of callous jerk doesn't love a dog?

Continue reading"Baguette Box, Pike/Pine"

Reflexology Foot Path at Bastyr University, Kenmore

Reflexology PathSeptember always catches me off guard with its hint of cool and sideways light. The ninth month arrives and I am jolted. It's the same every year. "Wait!" I exclaim. "Where has summer gone? Time is moving too fast. Slow down! Slow down!" The problem is, if you are a naturally high, mile-a-minute, see it all, do it all, busybody, go-getter like myself, slowing down is a task as difficult as stopping a rolling 3,000-pound boulder from crashing down the side of a mountain.

Fortunately I have discovered just the thing to reduce my speed and help me soak up the final days of summer. It's the Reflexology Foot Path located in the community gardens at Bastyr University. Built during the summer of 2004 by a group of volunteers, this winding path of Pacific Northwest river stones is meant to guide visitors on a "step-by-step journey toward wellness" using the ancient technique reflexology. The process is simple: shed your shoes and walk barefoot across the stony trail. As you walk, you will notice certain spots to be more tender than others. This tenderness may mean an imbalance in a particular part of your body. Grab a small printed guide at the beginning of the trail and you can learn where your sensitive reflex zones correspond (for me it is number 18 or my liver). Then massage the sore areas of your feet and walk the path again to release toxins.

I first tread upon the reflexology path on the first of this month and have gone back every day since. I have decided to make this my daily ritual for entire month. While the river stones are not as big as boulders, they are just as powerful at stopping me in my tracks, forcing me to savor the sweet moments of subtle, transitional September.

Reflexology Foot Path
Bastyr University
14500 Juanita Drive NE
(425) 823-1300

Curtsy Bella, Near University Village

Curtsy BellaI had a job interview yesterday. It didn't go too well, and I was bummed and stressed and frustrated beyond belief because I really really want the job. Luckily I also discovered Curtsy Bella yesterday, because when I walked into the boutique after my debauched interview and spotted a dress form modeling a party skirt made of wrapping paper, my spirits lifted slightly. When I peeked behind the gigantic pink and white antique headboard that acts as the wall for the store's dressing room and saw pictures of vintage pinup girls, I felt inspired to cancel my "real job" search and join the burlesque revival movement. Flirting in fishnets looks way more fun than typing under time clocks.

Curtsy Bella inspires. And I don't mean just to whip out your credit card (although it will). The place makes you want to play and create. It makes sense when you meet Mary Jo and Danielle Thomas, the mother-and-daughter team behind this fresh gift boutique. Mary Jo easily says things like, "I encouraged my children to pursue their passions from the time they were very young." This is obviously true. Danielle worked in small retail boutique while growing up and then studied fashion in Los Angeles. Today, after years of dreaming, Danielle is putting her experience and study to work while Mary Jo has "retired" into their co-owned family business. (Danielle's brother plays in local band Change Versus Comfort, proving artistry really is in their genes).

At Curtsy Bella, the Thomas' original style is evident. Ceramic vases shaped like pistols sit next to delicate handmade pink pillows filled with lavender. They have a wide selection of funky gift cards, a section for baby, and a small rack of playful dresses by designers such as Betsey Johnson, Alice and Trixie, and Shareen Downtown. Curtsy Bella is the only store in Seattle to carry the fanciful jewelry of Tarina Tarantino. It is worth a trip simply to gaze upon these creations. If the Fates of Employment choose to salvage my interview debacle, I am going to celebrate at Curtsy Bella with the purchase of a dramatic necklace made of shiny beads and a wise old owl pendant.

Curtsy Bella
2920 NE Blakeley ST
(206) 523-3221

Nana's Soup House, Wedgewood

Nana's Soup House, WedgewoodA bowl of soup is one of my all-time favorite meals on the planet. I have collected recipes for years and regularly spend entire Sundays waiting for a hearty stew to finish simmering on the stove or tending to a delicate bisque. There are times, however, when chopping, waiting, and fishing a bay leaf from a pot full of spinach, carrots, onions and leeks before running it all through the food processor requires more energy than I am willing to invest into a single meal. These are the times when I fall to my knees and thank the soup gods for Nana's Soup House. Because let's be honest, a warm hug from Campbell's, bursting with salt plus a trace of tin can, is mmmmm...not good.

Nana's ambiance is exactly what one might expect at a soup house (dark walls, heavy wooden booths, mix-matched silverware) while the menu reads like Pulitzer-worthy literature for the soup lover. Served in a cup, bowl or "big bowl," the soups du jour change, but my regular favorites are lentil and brown rice, corn chowder and the ever spicy, ever belly warming southwest chicken fiesta. Nana's always offers vegan and vegetarian options and nearly all of the soups contain no flour. Green salads are fresh and plentiful, and the grilled "Nan-wiches" are served on focaccia bread and make for delicious dunking.

Take note: Nana's has a daily happy hour with specials on beer and wine, and Thursday nights offer live performances from local musicians.

Nana's Soup House
3418 NE 55th Street
(206) 523-9053

Century Ballroom, Capitol Hill

Century BallroomA wrenching breakup and a shameless addiction to Dancing with the Stars lead me to the Century Ballroom for the first time. One twenty-minute East Coast Swing lesson followed by a night of social dancing and I quickly kicked my cheesy reality show habit, trading it for a new obsession: Lindy Hop. Today, thanks to six months of lessons, countless dances (some graceful and some...well...let's just say I've occasionally come away with superficial bruising) and a mild schoolgirl crush on my instructor (Oh bad boy Michael! How you twirl me!) I can officially say that my broken heart is (almost) healed. To top it off, I can even dance pretty well.

While the dress is typically laid-back Seattle casual, the vibe at the Century Ballroom recalls a time when ladies were refined, when men were gentle and actually asked questions like, "May I have this dance?" Owner Hallie Kuperman has created an environment that welcomes everybody. Straight? Gay? Single? Coupled? Underage? Klutzy? Outgoing? Shy? Yes, even you are invited to boogie. If Jitterbug (as my mother nostalgically refers to my new favorite dance) isn't your thing, try Salsa, Tango or the occasional Waltz. The recently opened HaLo, located at 500 E Pike Street, doubles your pleasure and your opportunities to perfect your partner dancing.

Century Ballroom's adjoining restaurant is quite good and definitely worth a visit. The next time you find yourself about to plop in front of the tube for yet another Project Runway marathon, why not make it work at dinner and dancing instead.

Century Ballroom
915 E Pine Street
2nd Floor
(206) 324-7263

Sambar, Ballard

Sambar, BallardMy birthday isn't until October, but I am already deeply engaged in strategic planning for my big day. It's not because of what the event is going to be, but where the event is going to be. I am definitely, without question, celebrating my birthday at Sambar. I knew it the minute I walked in and took one look at the chic, sleek decor. "This is where I want to turn twenty-eight," I thought, because to me twenty-eight seems like a chic, sleek age.

The only problem is that Sambar is tiny with just handful of small tables and a few stools at the bar meaning any party I assemble can consist only of my closest pals. This is fine by me. I have always preferred intimate gatherings to blowout bashes. But still, we will have to arrive early, as it is not unusual to find a line of people waiting outside before the place opens in the evening.

Sambar shares a kitchen with Le Gourmand meaning the food is both delicious and pricey. The salads are inventive: mesclun, radicchio, blanched asparagus, crispy pancetta, boiled radishes, sauteed shitakes, dandelion leaves. The steak frites is an organic, grass fed filet served with a dollop of blue cheese butter and crispy Belgian style fries. These fries are perfection and I have been known eat a second order for dessert, choosing the delicately salted treats even over the rich, house made chocolate mousse.

During the summer Sambar hosts tables in their garden, which is one the city's best outdoor dining spots. With its iron fence and lush greenery, you feel as though you are being hosted in the garden courtyard of a sophisticated, gourmet Parisian socialite. Reservations are not accepted at Sambar, so if want to go, plan ahead and arrive early.

Sambar
425 NW Market Street
(206) 781-4883

Holly James Salon and Spa, Kirkland

Holly James, KirklandWhen I was in junior high I hired a beautician to apply my makeup for my school's famous ninth grade spring dance. The beautician had recently moved to Seattle from Dallas and declared it her mission to beautify the women of the entire Pacific Northwest, one sweep of her mascara wand at a time. "Y'all are so grungy here," she announced while applying foundation to my cheeks. "Before I moved here I never even heard of a woman going to dinner without lipstick on!" One hour and dozen makeup brushes later, she handed me a mirror. I gasped at my reflection and she smiled. "I worked some magic, didn't I?"

That beautician had indeed worked magic, transforming me from a fresh-faced ingenue to a middle-aged mother of the bride. The makeup was too heavy, too loud, too big, too...Texan! I arrived home in tears and spent the afternoon in front of the bathroom mirror returning my face to normal. The moral? Only visit makeup artists whose faces you would enjoy having as your own.

If this lesson holds true for hair--which I'm sure it does--every woman wanting silky, vibrant, luminous, long locks should transport herself immediately to the Holly James Salon and Spa. All the salon's employees, from owner Holly Bernstrom to the stylists to the esthetician to receptionist have the shiniest, healthiest hair I have ever seen. Is it magic? Is it something in the water? I don't care. I'm taking a leap of faith that Holly will turn my dry, damaged tresses into flowing strands of gold.

The salon itself is casual and comfortable decorated with earth tones and dark wooden armoires. Tucked in back is a full-service spa. If you visit the salon don't pass up on a pedicure from nail tech, Cassandra Bray. She gives a soothing pedicure that will rejuvenate the feet of even the hardest working Cinderella. With real life treatment this good, a girl can finally stop wishing for magic.

Holly James Salon and Spa
368 Parkplace
(425) 576-1650

Portage Bay Cafe, U-District

Portage Bay Cafe, U-DistrictIf you want to eat breakfast at Portage Bay Cafe on a weekend, get there early. If you arrive much later than 9:00 am you will be forced to stand in a long yet narrow entryway, crammed shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers for forty minutes while you wait for a table. This holding pattern can become incredibly awkward when people need to enter and exit through the front door or go down the hallway to use the restroom and press you even closer to your already to-close-for-comfort neighbor. The saving grace of it all is the barista working the espresso machine who offers drinks to everyone standing in line.

And of course there's the delicious breakfast waiting to reward your patient taste buds and quiet your growling stomach. Don't forget about that delicious breakfast.

Portage Bay Cafe's menu is filled with organic and whole food items: organic egg batter blintzes filled with mascarpone cheese and fresh peaches simmered in rum and organic vanilla, smoked tomato and saffron sauce drizzled atop spicy black bean-pancetta cakes, omelettes with smoked wild salmon and Spanish manchego sheep's milk cheese or caramelized organic Washington apples and shallots with pork sausage and Dutch gouda. Journey to the breakfast bar to garnish your pancakes or French toast with your choice of nuts, fruit compotes, freshly whipped cream, brown sugar or warm, organic Vermont maple syrup.

Although I have not yet ventured to Portage Bay Cafe for their weekday lunch, I can hear the ginger and sesame infused Dungeness crab cakes with cucumber yogurt sauce and saffron jasmine rice loudly calling my name.

Portage Bay Cafe
4130 Roosevelt Way NE
(206) 547-8230

Joe Bar, Capitol Hill

Joe BarDuring my most recent visit to Joe Bar a man brought his new puppy, a chocolate brown Portuguese water dog named Moses, into the shop with him to get a coffee. Moses was in full throttle cuteness mode, bounding from table to table, tugging at shoelaces and licking the hands of charmed customers (myself included) who couldn't help but reach down to pat his darling little head. "It's his visit to Joe Bar," the man told the girl behind the counter, beaming as proud parents always do.

If I died tomorrow I would like to be reincarnated as a Joe Bar barista. The place, its customers and, of course, its gorgeous staff, epitomize a particular type of Seattle cool that I have always adored. Located on a lovely tree-lined street, Joe Bar feels less like a Seattle coffeehouse and more like a European neighborhood cafe complete with a troupe of devoted regulars and a menu of sweet and savory crepes, panini sandwiches, antipasti plates and wine. My favorite place to sit is in the loft above the counter where I can easily observe the antics below as if it were a movie, as if the world and all these wonderful people were created for my utter amusement.

Creative gals take note: Joe Bar is home to the One-Eared Rabbit Collaborative, a program that gives visual artists the opportunity to present their work to the public.

Joe Bar
810 E Roy
(206) 324-0407

Liberty 123, Kirkland

Liberty, KirklandWhen I was a little girl, I used to dream of having my birthday party inside Toys "R" Us. I would invite my best girlfriends and we would spend the night putting on Barbie Doll fashion shows and racing the aisles on pogo sticks and roller skates.

Now that I am a grownup girl, I dream of hosting a dinner party inside Liberty 123. I would invite my closest girlfriends and we would drink wine from goblets and sip lobster bisque from delicate, flower-shaped bowls. We would light candles, dance beneath chandeliers, adorn our necks with jewels, converse with ceramic chickens, and eat hazelnut gelato with tiny spoons crafted from mother of pearl.

Liberty 123 is the type of boutique you never want to leave. This is thanks to mother and daughter owners Mary and Liberty Hanson who each possess a refined eye for choosing only the most beautiful and quality items. They have a unique ability to mix whimsy with elegance, traditional styles with contemporary moods. "It's my passion," says Liberty, the daughter of the team and the shop's namesake. This passion is evident. From the Arte Italica ceramic and pewter dishes stacked high on a darkly stained, heavy farm table, to the delicate handmade jewelry by local designer River Burke, to the John Derian decoupage plates that hang on the walls: everything in the store is a work of art.

Apparently I'm not the only gal longing to linger in Liberty 123 after hours. Years ago I told Liberty, "I want to spend the night in your shop." She nodded her head in response. "People tell me that all the time," she laughed.

Liberty 123
123 Park Lane
(425) 822-1232

Oh! Chocolate, Madison Park

Oh! Chocolate, Madison ParkI took my first sip of the house-made French Hot Chocolate on a Friday afternoon. Spring sun spilled through the many windows of Oh! Chocolate's Madison Park storefront as I lifted the ceramic demitasse mug to my lips allowing the silky beverage to roll onto my tongue. "Oh my!" were the only words I could use to describe my inaugural taste.

I have a girlfriend who lives in Los Angeles. She had a box of handmade chocolates mailed to her house. After enjoying the luscious truffles and French creams, she gushed, "Oh! Delicious!"

Dianne, whose husband's grandparents founded Oh! Chocolate and who now works for the company, shared with me the inspiration behind the business's name. "It is exactly what you say when you walk into one of our shops and smell the wonderful cooking going on. 'Oh! Chocolate!'"

"Oh!" is an expression of joy and wonder and extreme delight: the perfect word to attribute to the treats created by this family-owned candy company. Founded over twenty years ago by Gertie and Carl Krautheim, Oh! Chocolate is now run by its third generation of chocolatiers. And if a sweet tooth runs in the family, so must a discriminating palate and appreciation for superior ingredients and traditional chocolate making techniques. This family loves chocolate, and you can taste it. Venture into one of the three Seattle area locations (Mercer Island, Bellevue, and Madison Park) for a handmade tiramisu truffle, a caramel infused with bourbon and topped with pecans, or a silky vanilla French cream. You're sure to find yourself exclaiming with joy.

In addition to satisfying our city's sweet cravings with some of the finest treats available, the Oh! Chocolate family teaches chocolate classes at their Madison Park shop. I signed up for one and found myself tasting cacao nibs, discovering the vast flavors of chocolate varietals, devouring fresh-made, chocolate-covered ice cream bon-bons, dipping berries and apricots into warm milk chocolate, and learning why chocolate and wine came to be such a famous pairing. The class was a blast and would make for a great girl's night out. I took my mother along and the two of us left, our hands covered in delicious dark chocolate, our bodies buzzing. When we got into the car we looked at each other and laughed, "Oh! That was fun!"

Oh! Chocolate
3131 E Madison Street, Suite 100
(206) 329-8777

Nia Seattle, Seattle

Nia SeattleOne of the best parts about being a travel writer is that I get to experience things that fall outside of my usual activities. I could be the poster child for the saying, "creature of habit." I have eaten the same breakfast nearly every morning for five years (onion, red pepper, garlic, and steamed broccoli scrambled with one egg and topped with salsa, a piece of Essential Baking Company's Mille Grane bread toasted with peanut butter, and fruit), and if left to my own devices I might never leave the comfort of my neighborhood and simple day-to-day routine. I am also aware, however, of the importance of not allowing oneself to get stuck in rut, which is probably why I chose this gig: it forces me to try new things. Like one evening in late winter when I left my running shoes behind and headed East for the Sammamish Plateau to join in on my first Nia class.

But if one of the best parts about my job is taking adventures, one of the hardest parts is writing about these adventures, and Nia is no exception. Before venturing to class, I asked friends who had taken Nia before to tell me about it. They all gave virtually the same answer, "It's hard to describe, but you'll like it." They were right.

Nia stands for Neuromuscular Integrative Action, but in Swahili the word translates to "with purpose," and in Hebrew nia means, "a small, tiny movement." These three definitions give a glimpse into what a Nia class is like. Nia is a form of exercise developed by fitness professionals Debbie and Carlos Rosas on the premise that movement can be a healing force. It incorporates elements of dance, martial arts and energy work, with movements that are smooth and give virtually no impact to the joints. You flow easily around the room to music that is filled with tribal beats, meditative chords, and sacred chants. Nia is full of creativity and throughout my various classes I have been asked to imagine myself with a large, bushy tail to shake, I have played sky drums and air guitars, I have sent my fears floating off to the horizon and let my anxiety melt into the sea, and I have yelled "yes" and "no" with forceful intention. Nia is exercise without push, dance without complicated choreography. Nia is magical movement. Enter with an open mind and you will leave energized and full of bliss.

Nia Seattle
Classes are held at various locations throughout the Seattle Metro area

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