Revive Your Style

One of my favorite local shops, Revival Home & Garden recently launched their new website and I have to say it is just fabulous!


Leah, the owner, has such an amazing eye with a mix of vintage and modern pieces...I always pop into the shop for inspiration and now I can peruse the loveliness from my comfy couch! And the best part? You can purchase from their online shop. Here is what I'm currently eyeing...

These reversible pillows would look great layered on my sofa

I would love to hang this amazing red lantern over my mirrored side table in my living room. Ahhh, dreaming is fun!

I wish I had room for this stunning black velvet settee.

Pop in these beautiful pierced jars, and voila! I'm done...

Except, maybe, for this little bobble... gorgeous! But enough with my dreams...
You must check them out and let me know what your favorite pieces are. And if the website isn't enough, they have a fantastic blog too!

Strip Teas

I was visiting my favorite coffee shop, Muse Coffee Co. this weekend on Queen Anne and discovered Brent is carrying a new, hip, spectacular, fun, yummy tea called Strip Teas.


The design of these little puppies is just ingenious. In a tall aluminum foil perforated pocket, the entire tea "strip" is environmentally sound and 100% recyclable. The unique shape allows for the tea leaves within to unfurl releasing the fantastic flavors into the water and is the perfect shape to act double duty as a stir stick!



Packaging is just charming and the teas come in six spectacular flavors including Masala Chai (a black tea with ginger, pepper, basil and a touch of cinnamon), Pushkar Rose (just as it sounds, flavored with rose) and Maristar (with marigold petals and sweet anise).

Strip Teas is the brain child of Emily Koteff who lives here in Seattle, so support a local business woman and pick up a cup of Strip Teas at Muse Coffee Co. today!

Spinasse

I was treated to quite the culinary experience last night at a superb new Italian restaurant on Capitol Hill called Spinasse.

photo via Spinasse

To begin with, the decor is spectacular...rustic and charming it is like dining in a friend's home. A friend with a gorgeous eye for design! Worn wood beams punctuate the walls and four family style tables surrounded by mismatched wood farm chairs fill the room. Drippy candles and Italian art hang on the walls which encompass a fantastic bar topped with honed Carrera marble and deep dark wood shelves. The windows are covered with delicate lace adding to the traditional yet modern homey feel. Romantic and fun...I loved it!

photo via here

I wish I could have smuggled in my camera to take pictures of the fantastic food we ate. Here is a list of the decadence that we consumed...

A salad of marinated beets, fennel and local farro: one of my favorites

Anchovies in Piemontese green sauce with crumbled egg yolk: I didn't think I would like these but I really did!

Gorgeous portabello mushrooms doused in a creamy buttery cheese sauce: I think my description says it all YUMMMM!

Fine hand cut egg pasta with ragu: Rich while staying light...did I mention they hand make all their pasta in house?

Piemontese agnolotti in broth with Italian black summer truffle shavings: Mild and comforting

Huckleberries marinated in Grappa with a dollop of freshly whipped cream: Fantastic...sweet and tart with perfectly smooth cream....ahhh

I know, I know...are you kidding me? It was so flipping good. Not to mention the cocktails and wine. We were in heaven!

photo via here

This place must be checked out by all...I guarantee you will enjoy it!

Weekend Excursion

This weekend Stein and I decided to walk down to the Seattle Art Museum, Olympic Sculpture Park. It was such a gorgeous, sunny day...we had a fantastic time. Acting like tourists in our own town, we wandered the park, enjoyed the view and saw some spectacular pieces...



I love this sculpture called Perre's Ventaglio III by Beverly Pepper. The shiny chrome finish is offset by a deep azure blue interior. It really sparkles in the sun and creates unique optical illusions with its intricate shape.



Each piece has such rich colors and textures. They are highlighted beautifully against the sunny, blue Seattle sky.


I'm not too wild about the giant, orange construction cones. Does anyone know what these are all about? I decided maybe they are place holders for future sculptures. Maybe?



The bright, modern chairs scattered about the park are a much better use of orange. I love how you can pull them wherever you want and create your own little seating area.


This giant ampersand is really fun. It is surrounded by tables shaped like punctuation marks and letters. Perfect for a graphic designer!



Finally, my absolute favorite piece...this giant tree is completely made of metal. I love the mix of nature and man made materials. It is majestic and elegant and again is greatly highlighted against the beautiful blue sky.

See the Sub Pop flag on top of the Space Needle? They are celebrating their 20th anniversary!

We finished off our night at our favorite neighborhood hangout Via Tribunali with our ever entertaining friends, Brent & Kelley.



It was a fantastic day!