Keeping up with hundreds of new, shiny tech items being released monthly is an advanced feat, unless you’re a writer for Geekwire or you are just genuinely interested in what’s hot in tech. Most of us, however, are not. We picked out a few simply awesome tech gadgets that can be found here at Pacific Place that are definitely worth your attention!
Williams-Sonoma Smart Tools for iPad® Sets
This smart tool is a wonderful combination of convenience and entertainment. If you normally use your iPad/tablet as a recipe book, give this chef tool a try. The Smart Tool’s Kitchen Stand is designed for your iPad to sit perfectly at an ideal viewing angle. This makes it easier for you to look at recipes, watch videos, or listen to music while you cook.
The set consists of a Bluetooth speaker, kitchen stand and removable screen shield so your screen stays glare and splatter-free!
HD Video Pen
We love Brookstone so much because we know that we can always find the most useful and unique household electronics. Take this HD Video Pen, for example, which we daresay is the coolest thing ever. Not only is the pen for our inner ninja, but we can now record just about anything we come across without missing a moment. There’s even a full two hours on a single charge! It is equipped with a high-definition CMOS camera that can record full-color video, 4GB flash memory (approximately 1.5 hours of video) and crystal clear 720 x 480 resolution which can be displayed on a computer via USB connection. Not bad for a ballpoint pen, eh? Oh, and one more thing; this bad boy turns on with just a click of a button!
Grill Alert Talking Remote Meat Thermometer
This friendly gadget will never let you ruin a good BBQ party by burning the meat left on the grill. This is how it works: Simply change the settings on Brookstone’s Grill Alert Talking Remote Meat Thermometer to the preferred cooking temperature and preferred meat doneness, close the lid, walk away, and join the party without having to keep an eye on the grill. A kind voice will alert you when the meat is almost done. All that’s left is for you to impress everyone with the perfect grilled BBQ!
SoundLink® Bluetooth® Mobile speaker II
Were you one of those teenagers who needed to have their iPods hooked to a speaker ritually? Did you think to yourself, “Wow, I wish someone would invent wireless speakers so I don’t have to deal with the wires all the time.” Your wish has come true! This compact and lightweight speaker will solve the problems that we had to deal with previously, such as annoying wires. Bose’s SoundLink Bluetooth Mobile Speaker can connect to any Bluetooth device and play music anywhere within a 30-foot wireless range. This means you can take the device anywhere indoors or outdoors regardless of whether there is an outlet. Whether you’re at a picnic, a park, or even your bedroom where all the plugs are occupied by other electronic devices, you can pair the speaker to your Bluetooth device and start a party!
What do you think of our list? Please be sure to check out more items from the featured Pacific Place stores: Brookstone, Bose and Williams-Sonoma!
Please don’t misinterpret this post because we love shopping! Shopping is one hobby that is both exhilarating and exhausting all at the same time. Hunting high and low for the best offers, sifting through racks of clothes for the newest spring trends and hopping from store to store to assemble a stylish and coordinated outfit can drain the energy of even the most experienced shopper.
There is no shame in having to take a quick refresher break to reboot and refuel your shopping engines. Here are three of our favorite Pacific Place destinations for a quick mid-shopping pit stop before diving back into the race:
1. Starbucks
Starbucks is a classic go-to destination for a refreshing beverage and tasty pastry. If you have a little time to kill, we highly suggest ordering one of Starbucks’ patented
Tazo Green Tea Lattes. Research on the health benefits of green tea has concluded that the beverage decreases the risk of both cancer and heart disease. Not to mention the icy beverage tastes great and is a perfect smooth and creamy pick-me-up when you’re starting to feel sluggish. 
If you’re pressed for time, pick up a Starbucks Refreshers and enjoy the satisfying taste and quality of a Starbucks drink without the wait in line. These conveniently canned drinks are only 60 calories and include several vitamins and antioxidants that make you feel just as good as the drink tastes.
If you’re hungering for something a little more filling, we urge you to try some of the delicious baked goods Starbucks has to offer. Their Morning Glory Muffins are made with carrots, raisins, pineapple, and pecans and are a delicious and nutritious snack to fuel you through your day. For a little extra indulgence, their new Cheesecake Brownies taste just as good as they sound, and are the perfect way to treat yourself after a great day of shopping.
2. Red Mango
Frozen yogurt is the classic spring and summer snack, and its cold, refreshing and endless toppings make this sweet treat scrumptiously versatile. Red Mango’s All-Natural Frozen Yogurt comes in many delectable flavors to choose from. Our personal favorite is the Original Tart. A small serving is only 120 calories and, paired with some seasonally fresh berries and crunchy granola, this is the kind of mid-shopping refresher that will maintain your pants size too.
If you’re in dire need of a little caffeine boost, we suggest trying one of Red Mango’s Frozen Coffee Chillers. These non-fat beverages blend together coffee and Red Mango yogurt to make a delightfully icy treat. They come in a variety of flavors including vanilla, caramel, mocha and natural coffee, and combine the perfect amount of flavor and caffeine to get you back on your feet, fully equipped with shopping bags in hand.
Let’s say you’re not in the mood for a drink but you do want to reward your long day of shopping with a mouth-watering treat. Look no further than Trophy Cupcakes! Their everyday cupcake flavors range from red velvet to triple chocolate (our personal favorite), and with each day of the week they have a different selection of cupcakes to choose from. Gluten-free? Yes, Trophy Cupcakes offers an insanely delicious variety of GF cupcakes for those who need to avoid wheat. So no matter what days you shop, what Pacific Place stores you hit or what sales you score, a new Trophy Cupcake you haven’t tasted yet will always be waiting for you.
Shopping is basically a sport. Any good athlete will tell you that you need to keep hydrated and fueled during any big sporting event. So get out there and shop until you drop, then reboot on some of these delicious refreshers, and shop some more!
Boys and Girls, Ladies and Gents, it’s that wonderful and awkward time of the year when – if you’re in high school – you get to gather the courage to ask that special someone to a night of expensive food and uncoordinated dancing. Prom season is finally upon us and, for those of you late planners, chances are you have no idea what you are going to wear. Fear not! We’ve got you covered.
Introducing this year’s Prom Shopping Guide, fully equipped with clothing suggestions for the beautiful ladies and the dapper lads as well.
For the Girls:
Prom is your night to shine. This means your dress needs to be absolutely one of a kind. While this is usually solved by having some sort of “Prom Dresses” Facebook group, picking out a spectacular and unique dress is just an additional level of security.
The way we see it, prom dresses boil down to two categories: gowns and cocktail-style. While prom is renowned for being one of the few occasions during one’s adolescence to wear a floor-length gown, it’s still hard to go wrong with a cute and short cocktail dress.
Let’s begin with the gowns:
We suggest checking out BCBGMaxazria for their extensive selection of stunning floor-length gowns. Whether you’re going for the strapless, halter, one-shoulder, sweetheart, spaghetti, or any other dress type, BCBG has it. We especially love how their variety of dresses allows you to customize your own look – mix and match simple designs with elaborate cuts, vice-versa, and/or any permutation of color and dress type imaginable. BCBG puts your look into your hands; all you have to do is say the word.
High-low dresses are all the rage right now and we’re obsessed. BCBG’s Alicia Silk Charmeuse Sash Gown is unbelievably cute, trendy and comes in four different delightfully seasonal spring pastels.
Now, it’s cocktail time:
You can’t go wrong with a bold cocktail to spice up the evening. A prom-acceptable cocktail can typically be found at any of your favorite dress shopping locations, but, if you’re asking us, you should stop by Bebe.
Bebe is one of our absolute favorite stores for dresses because their selection is huge, and the prices are affordable. Bebe’s cocktail dresses in store now are adorable and can fit any personality or body type. Bodycon dresses are always great for a formfitting look with a little extra flair.
In case you’re still torn between the classic gown or the cocktail, there is an added component to cocktail dresses that gowns can’t pull off: sleeves. Full, three-quarter, or capped sleeves have become a trendy new style for short dresses that dominate the fashion sphere. Longer dresses tend to look a little too modest with sleeves, so they’re now short-dress exclusive.
Bebe’s Studded Long Sleeve Dress embodies what we love about this new trend. The dress gets to show a little skin with the mesh shoulders and short-length, but the full sleeves ensure the dress is still a classy and fun option for prom.
On to the Boys:
To preface, you guys could just rent a tux. That’s what most do. However, you don’t want to be like “most” guys! Keep reading.
There are a lot of things to take into consideration when picking out your prom attire. Color? Number of pieces? Tails? Tie or bow tie? Cummerbund?! The options are endless. We can’t really help you make all of those decisions, but we can point you in the right direction:
Barneys New York has absolutely everything you need to assemble a dashing ensemble for prom. Their immaculate array of sports coats, suits and tuxedos will get you set for your big night. They also have an impressive selection of unique ties, vests, bow ties and other accessories to help you stand out from the rest of your buddies on Prom night. 
If you’re trying to step outside of the box with prom attire, we suggest heading over to J.Crew. They have an exquisite selection of men’s clothing that is formal enough for prom, but casual enough to demonstrate your own personal taste.
We love the Ludlow Sportcoat in English Cashmere because it’s formal enough for prom, yet casual enough to wear at other occasions. Also, who doesn’t love the feeling of cashmere? We know your date will.
We’re happy to help you with whatever you need to make your night as magical as it can be. All you need to do is follow these guidelines, find that lucky date and the rest will come easy.
Happy shopping (and dancing)!
Shopping for an entirely new spring wardrobe can be exhausting, not to mention it works up an appetite.
In honor of spring, and a new month, we journeyed over to Pacific Place’s Thai Ginger – a restaurant renowned for its bold flavors and impeccable service.
Upon arriving, we were immediately greeted by a friendly server who guided us toward a gorgeously furnished table fully equipped with dinner menus.
Deciding what to order was nearly impossible, but a combination of suggestions from our waiter and detailed descriptions assisted us in selecting the perfect meal.
As far as beverages go, the Thai Tea is a necessity at any Thai restaurant. Its sweet and creamy taste is only heightened by the tea’s beautiful swirling orange appearance.
In honor of the season, we commenced our meal with authentic Thai spring rolls. Their crunchy bite-size makes them a fun appetizer for all ages to enjoy.
Our main courses arrived swiftly, although even if they had taken twice as long to arrive, they would have been well worth the wait!
The dishes we enjoyed included: the classic Pad Thai, which was magnificently done. Vegetarians would appreciate the choice between fresh or fried tofu to accompany the exotic flavors of the dish.
For the seafood lover, opt for the Phad Talay. The savory medley of vegetables and seafood will certainly not disappoint.
Another favorite dish is the Guay Tiew Naam (Rice Noodle Soup). For those lingering cold weather days, a nice hot meal will suit Seattleites as the climate transitions to spring.
Upon completing our entrees, we were all happily, but incredibly full. Our effervescent waiter offered dessert, which we politely declined for the sake of our waistbands. He politely insisted that we try the mango sticky rice, because it was one of the restaurant’s crowning dishes.
Well, if he insisted.
The soft sticky rice, coated in a creamy coconut milk sauce, combined with ripe and succulent mangoes was the perfect ending to a fantastic meal.
The friendly staff, delicious food, and authentic atmosphere made our dining experience at Thai Ginger truly wonderful!
Beyond the name brands, the spring sales, and the pressing desire to “keep up with the trends,” shopping is an art. It is an art of aesthetics: looks are everything. So what’s the first thing you see when you walk past a store? The window display. A vibrant and artistically crafted window display can make or break a store’s productivity for that line. Stores must perfect the ability to portray their favorite pieces as a sneak-peak for their customers, but do so in an alluring and inviting manner. Here are our five window displays that especially caught our eyes for spring:
1. BCBGMAXAZRIA
BCBG takes the cake for a tasteful spring window display. The gorgeous flower arrangements are not only perfect representations of spring, but they are also skillfully coordinated with the color scheme of each clothing display. Further, the intentionally dimmed and angled lighting draws the eye to specific parts of the window display, namely the mannequins, which is an effective, yet subtle, marketing technique to lure in potential shoppers.
kate spade new york’s trademark is their usage of vibrant, bright colors and they are not afraid to flaunt it. This window display is so effective because the colors create a stark contrast with the usual mundane color palettes of other stores, making kate spade new york almost irresistible to the eye. The display is careful not to highlight fluorescent pinks and greens to excess, but rather, keeping the really ostentatious colors to a tasteful minimum.
3. J.Crew
J.Crew’s strategy is simple: let the merchandise speak for itself. The window display has minimal amounts of background color or ornaments, and the display is comprised entirely of the store’s featured spring line. The specifically selected outfits are also very simplistic. While most of the clothing features bright colors, which are representative of spring, they are also only the bare essentials of an outfit, lacking in almost any accessories. J.Crew does a masterful job of exemplifying that less is in fact more with their simple yet elegant window display.
Barneys New York combines both simplistic and colorful techniques in their window display. While they do rely on a backdrop to enhance the display’s overall appearance, the designs on the backdrops are very unembellished. The backdrops are composed of only basic primary colors, which are plain and versatile enough to function as effective displays. The blue and white display is paired nicely with a selection of outfits that are focused on a blue color palette, which naturally enhances their aesthetic appeal; the yellow backdrop has cute black marker-esque drawings, which subtly pay homage to the darker blacks and grays of the outfits displayed there.
5. Club Monaco
Last, but certainly not least, Club Monaco has a window display that is unique from all the other window displays previously discussed. The ominous black color scheme of both the featured outfits and the backdrop are directly contradictory to the advertising strategies employed by many of its peers. However, this display is truly effective because it appeals to a much larger audience. Club Monaco neutralizes this segregating effect by utilizing a gender neutral color scheme that even has a greater appeal to a male audience by featuring more mannequins sporting men’s attire than women’s.
Window displays aren’t just designed to taunt broke window shoppers: there is a method to the madness. These window displays were more than enough to inspire us to start spring shopping. Go out and find your own favorite window displays (and use it as an excuse to start scoping out a great new spring wardrobe)!
In Seattle, we get a lot of rain for a good portion of the year. However, in case you haven’t looked outside recently, the sun has finally woken up from its seasonal slumber and is making an entrance to symbolize the official end of winter. Spring has finally arrived and preparations must be made to give spring the warm welcome it deserves. Namely, spring wardrobe shopping.
You know the saying: behind every great outfit is an even greater accessory. Here are our favorite spring accessories that can fit right in your tote, and within your budget!
1. The Tote:
Ladies, having a trendy, yet sturdy, tote is an absolute must-have this spring. Whether you’re going to the beach, picnicking in the park, or even just hitting the shops, increasing your purse size is the most practical way to travel in style.
Totes can seem pricey but splurging on a cute tote is a great investment because of how much use you’ll get out of it.
Kate Spade has some bright and adorable totes that are well worth the price. Her Flicker Fabric Zip Bon Shopper highlights the perfect spring floral print.
If that’s a little out of your price range, Francesca’s Collections has some equally trendy totes that won’t break the bank. We love the Palermo Woven Middle Satchel because its intricate woven design is both gorgeous and comfortable.
2. Jewelry
Some people think jewelry isn’t a seasonal accessory; rather, you can just wear the same pieces day after day. Those people are not taking advantage of the gift of color. The best spring jewelry is vibrant and fun, which can really enhance an otherwise boring outfit.
Guess has some absolutely gorgeous jewelry all for fewer than 40 dollars!
Bright and colorful jewelry is really effective at accentuating the subtle colors in an outfit to help enhance the overall appearance of your ensemble.
3. Sunglasses
You know that bright yellow ball in the sky? It’s called the sun, Seattleites, and in order to shield your eyes from its shining brilliance, you’re going to need a pair of sunglasses.
Not just any pair of shades. Cute and fashionable ones:
Solstice Sunglasses has an incredible selection of both designer and non-designer sunglasses that can fit any budget, face shape, and style. Our top picks for Solstice shades for spring right now are the Ray-Ban Mirror, and the Dior My Miss Dior sunglasses.
4. Scarves
Unfortunately, sunny skies don’t always equate with warmer temperatures. The weather can still be a little chilly in spring, so it’s good to be prepared. You won’t need your thick, water-resistant, winter coat though; a simple scarf will do the trick.
White House|Black Market has an exquisite selection of scarves, but our favorite is the Animal/Floral Print Square Scarf. The scarf delicately balances two of the most bold spring patterns into one versatile and chic accessory.
Wrap one of these fun and comfortable scarves around your neck and not only will you feel warm, but you’ll look hot as well.
5. Hat
Not everyday is a good hair day. The easy, trendy, and seasonal fix for this is the hat. You can pack away your thick, woolen, insulated caps from winter though, because with an entirely new season comes an entirely new selection of hats.
Perfect any outfit with a fun and light hat to add a layer of protection from the sun, hide any frizzy hair, or even just to look cute:
Victoria’s Secret and Bebe both have a huge selection of spring hats. The fedora is a classic spring accessory, but this year we’re daring to try something new like the cabbie or the cloche.
These are the top five must-have spring accessories. So what are you waiting for? Get a head start on your spring shopping and arm yourself accordingly!
We’ll be the first to admit that sometimes life can get pretty stressful. Trying to balance jobs, school, relationships and family responsibilities (among other things) can be a lot to handle all at once; the perfect components of what we like to call a “stress-cipe”!
Okay, all terrible puns aside, we think it’s important to take some time everyday to just kick back, take some deep breaths and relax. It turns out our friends at Aveda couldn’t agree more!
Here are a few ways Aveda can help you take a quick break from your responsibilities and relax.
The stress-fix aromatherapy body lotion from Aveda is one of our favorite parts of our daily routine. Made with a luxurious combination of organic lavender and clary-sage, the stress-fix lotion is the perfect reminder to stop and smell the roses (or lavender in this case). The best part? All of Aveda’s stress-fix aromatherapy products are clinically proven to help us relax. All it takes is a few deep breathes, and our strain and anxiety seem to just melt away. We’re getting relaxed just writing about this zen-like stress-fix!
Sometimes, however, when the scent of luxurious lavender isn’t enough to calm our tension, we just have to take time to put our stress in perspective.
The 2013 light the way candle from Aveda is the perfect reminder of how fortunate we really are. The light the way candle is part of Aveda’s annual Earth Month Campaign to help raise money for clean water efforts in developing countries.
At only $12, and with 100% of the proceeds going to the Global Greengrants Fund to help fund sustainable water sources for underprivileged communities, this little candle can go a long way! With packaging made from reused beverage bottles and covered in pictures drawn by children from Madagascar, even the candle’s packaging helped remind us about the little ways we can help make a difference.
The light the way candle is a simple way to enjoy a relaxing vanilla and cinnamon fragrance while knowing we helped make a powerful difference in someone’s life.
If the Aveda Earth Month campaign sounds interesting to you, click here to find out how you can help.
How do you focus your stresses on more positive feelings?
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Nicole Logan
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