and have your significant other on-call if you are so inclined Kidding

Fifty Shades Darker, the second book with Diesel watch, Ray Ban sunglasses, Stella McCartney jeans, 3.1 Philip Lim sweater and Giorgio Armani belt

I love the color grey, and contrary to popular belief, there is a shade (no pun intended) that will complement your skin tone.  From heather to charcoal and everything in between, grey is the ultimate neutral hue.

Use these tips to add a shade of grey to your wardrobe today:

• Grey denim – a chic alternative to everyday blues
• Grey sweater or lightweight tee – break up the monotone by adding depth and texture to your look
• Grey scarf, belt, watch and/or sunglasses – these little extras are a perfect way to incorporate the shade without the gloom
• Grey shoes – try a rich suede, soft leather or casual canvas for an unexpected contrast to everyday black

 This week’s assignment: incorporate grey into your wardrobe and read the books (seriously, if you haven’t already – do this, you and your significant other will thank me).

Stay tuned and stay stylish.

Sunday is going to be a busy day for group athletic adventures and fun. With the 17th riding of the Haul Ash Redhook Tour De Brew there’s no doubt the Burke Gilman Trail is going to a freeway of bikers and an occasional traffic jam of strollers, skateboards and joggers. Well, tack on to that the 30th annual Beat the Bridge 8K run taking place in the University/Montlake area and you have a recipe for biker runner soup.

The event consists of an 8k run and wheelchair race, 4-mile walk, 1-mile fun run, and diaper derby for toddlers.  The event is called Beat the Bridge because the University Bridge is raised during the race and the goal is to BEAT the raising of the bridge.  Have no fear, if you don’t beat the bridge, there is a band and prizes for those who get caught.  After a few minutes, the bridge goes back down, allowing everyone to finish.

Although online registration has closed, you can still register for Beat the Bridge in person on Saturday, May 19 from noon 5:00 p.m. or on Sunday, May 20 starting at 6:45 a.m. The registration area is in parking lot E18, located off Montlake Blvd just north of the Alaska Airlines Arena.Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes is a fundraiser for JDRF, the largest nongovernmental contributor of research to cure, treat, and prevent type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Hope to see you out at one of these events this weekend – or at least dodging riders on the Burke.

We spent a day posing, dancing, and even lying down on the ferry.  Definitely wear something comfortable and relatively covered up.  You don’t want to spend the better part of your shoot readjusting your clothing.  Some people are unsure of whether to get engagement photos taken.  For us it was great since we don’t have that many pictures together and it’s a really good way to get to know you photographer.

My other purpose for writing this post is to give a little love to our photographer and to recommend her to anyone looking in the Seattle area.  I really dislike getting my picture taken and am notorious for either closing my eyes, squinting really badly or looking like a true deer in the headlights because I’m overcompensating for being squinty.  Our lovely photographer, Tara Malouf of Red Thread Imageswas able to make me look neither squinty nor overly surprised and I will be forever grateful for that. She had a wealth of ideas and we trusted her to turn them into something great.  The most important thing though is to find someone you really like as a person and not just as a photographer.

You can check out some more of her great work (and our engagement photos if you’re interested) here: http://blog.redthreadimages.com/2012/05/kiss-me-ceci-and-waylon-seattle.html.

Hana and I in Brooks apparel

I’m an advocate of matching (with discretion) when it comes to gym attire. Here’s a few ways to look fresh while burning calories, beyond that endorphin-induced afterglow:

• Match your sports bra to your sneakers – this is the best way to coordinate while still incorporating your standard black and white basics into the mix. Try neon if you’re feeling bold.

• Invest in classic black fitted capris that boost your rear end – why not turn heads while hitting the treadmill? It’s all fellow gym-goers see anyway…

• When sweating outdoors, opt for moisture-wicking technical fabrics – practical and stylish is the ultimate combo while working on your fitness

Stick with these tips and you’ll be burning maximum calories in style.  Bring on the boot camp!!
Stay tuned and stay stylish.

Cascadian Edible Landscapes will help you eat your yard. Photo copyright 2010 by Zachary D. Lyons.

Since we’ve been having such lovely weekend weather the past few weeks (and for the weekends coming up!!), I’ve been on a HUGE farmer’s market kick. I usually try to go during the winter, but it’s so much more pleasant when I can wander around and take in the entire experience.

Therefore, I’m giving a shoutout to my local farmer’s market, the Ballard Farmers’ Market! I love you and all your flowers, fresh veggies and excellent people-watching opportunities. Whenever I get there, I always make an initial pass around the market to see who’s there. I’m keeping an eye out for the veggies I need to pick up, and what types of flowers I want for the week. The selection can change almost weekly, so I love getting a feel for what’s in season. [Take for example, there are TONS of starter veggie plants out right now. I picked up a gorgeous lettuce start just last week, and it is so, so, so happy in my garden right now. If you've ever thought about starting your own edible garden, visit your nearest farmers' market now to get going.]

Customers providing the power at Juice Peddler. Photo copyright 2012 by Zachary D. Lyons.

After my initial walk-through, I usually make my way to the crepe station or pick up a slice of pizza! So delish. While I’m eating, I always watch one of the local performers who are almost always around, and often there are more than one to choose from!! And, if food isn’t your thing, maybe a smoothie is? If that’s the case, you can make your own by riding a bike to blend it up! No joke.

Finally, I dive in to my market business. If you do want veggies, I recommend that you get to the market earlier in the day. That will ensure you have the best selection of goods to choose from. Last week, I failed to get there early enough and I missed out on the last bag of arugula by seconds! The woman in front of me snagged it before I had a chance to react. DOH!

Anyway, farmers’ markets are a totally awesome and totally free (unless you want to purchase goods) source of entertainment. They are also a perfect way for you to get some fresh air and support small, local farmers in our area. Get out, do your part and enjoy this city!

So, this is my second cat themed post in as many weeks and I worry that it may put me on my way to getting a bit of a crazy cat lady reputation.  However, I think it is important to point out at this time that I have exactly ZERO cats and that it is impossible to really be a crazy cat lady without any cats.  (Of course that is only because my apartment building doesn’t allow them, but that’s not the point)

Anyway, I’m not talking about house cats this time. Well, unless you own a tiger and in that case you are a crazy person and you should know that no matter how much your tiger  “loves” you it will only end with someone getting mauled.  Don’t keep tigers as pets.  So, if you like tigers, but don’t like being mauled, I have a better and much safer way for you to help.

The Woodland Park Zoo‘s current tiger habitat is 60 years old and in desperate need of an overhaul.  They are currently collecting funds for the construction and they need to raise $100,00 by midnight on May 25th and they need help!  They are encouraging a donation of $10 per person (though you are free to give as much as you want of course) and asking that each person will try to get 10 friends to donate as well.  (Don’t feel bad if you don’t have ten friends.  Even a few more donors will help.)  They have collected about $6,000 at this point so they really need more people to pitch in!

I will conclude with these final two reasons you should shell out $10:

1. Tigers are awesome and deserve  an equally awesome home.

2. Because Betty White says so.

In order to ensure you achieve the desired look, here’s a few ways to make daytime sequins work for you:

Vince top, H&M blazer, Chicos tee

• Pick a neutral color or metallic hue to lighten up the look – black is best left for evening attire.
• Choose a silhouette that is more daytime (i.e. loose fitting tanks and tees, blazers, and casual pieces) than nighttime (i.e. mini-dresses, shorts) for an effortless sheen. No pun intended.
• Use your sequin piece as the focus and don’t go overboard with accessories – you CAN still wear a watch (obviously), but keep additional jewelry to a minimum, if at all.
• Wear with confidence – this is a no-brainer, if you wear daytime sequins, you are the fashionista wearing daytime sequins.  Simple, right?

My current favorite daytime sequin pieces are a loose fitting navy striped tee, a rose-gold blazer and cozy oversize sweatshirt.  The nighttime sequins are a whole different ball game and tend to cause a scene a la the shorts I wore for New Years, but that’s a whole different entry…

Stay tuned and stay stylish!

Registration is open now for the Sunday, May 20 ride.

So pull out the padded spandex shorts and your rain slicker (just in case) and register to ride roundtrip from Redhook Brewery in Woodinville to Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood – the birthplace of Redhook – along the scenic Burke-Gilman Trail. Once in Fremont head into downtown to quench your thirst with a cold pint at the midway point at LTD Bar and Grill, or hold onto your drink tickets for the Haul Ash After-Party. The party will be held in the grassy Bowl at the brewery, complete with a BBQ and Redhook beer garden.

The Deets:

DISTANCE 42 miles roundtrip, flat course
EST RIDE TIME 2.5-4.0 hours
PARKING Available at Redhook, neighboring ball fields, and the business parks on Hwy 202 north of Redhook. No parking at Columbia Winery.

On-Site Registration: You can pre-register with no processing fee in the Forecasters Pub. $30 through May 16. $40 on the event day.

Packet Pickup: Wednesday, May 16 from 4pm to 7pm

May 20, 2012

• Registration & Packet Pickup: 8:00 AM
• Riders Depart: 9:00 AM
• After Party: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Over the years, I’ve developed a taste for healthy foods I never thought possible, including brown rice, squash and raw vegetable juices. I make a mean eggplant dish that even my momma loves. But after a long day, I’m just not interested in making it, or anything else, myself. I can’t manage the effort to find the olive oil, marinara sauce and cheese. Sad, huh? On my nights, with a craving for pizza and no pizza equipment in sight, I seek out the best eco-friendly establishments I can find. My local favorites never let me down.

My Favorites:

• Z Pizza (Capitol Hill, 1620 Broadway Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122, (206) 432-9158)

The Z Pizza menu offers fantastic gluten-free and vegan options. Their roasted eggplant is made fresh in-house. My friends and I appreciate that they use select ingredients including certified organic tomato sauce and fresh produce. This inexpensive option makes a great lunch or dinner when you really need it fast and you can even order on-line. Go in to enjoy their happy hour pricing on beer and wine.

• TASTE Café at the Olympic Sculpture Park (2901 Western Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121, (206) 332-1376)

During the summer, when I want a seasonal soup, I know where to go. The TASTE Café serves their soups with fresh baked focaccia bread. If you’re looking for packaged local and organic snacks, this is a great quick stop. It’s awesome that all of the packaging is biodegradable. Their commitment to composting helps us all sustain the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Furthermore, investing in local farms helps promote the environment and build the community.

• Stumbling Goat Bistro (6722 Greenwood Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103, (206) 784-3535)

When I’m looking for something a little fancier, I head over to the Stumbling Goat Bistro with a group of friends. The menu changes seasonally. And, I like that the menu changes according to what is regionally available. For me, coming here is a treat, giving me a chance to support my local community and sustainable businesses. Their pan-roasted organic chicken with roasted oyster mushrooms and garlic confit is a crowd pleaser. For dessert, try the blackberry pear tart.

Other Options
Other places I frequent include the Agua Verde Cafe and Paddle Club, a waterfront restaurant featuring eco-friendly Mexican dishes, promoting good health and sustainable resources. I also enjoy the Chaco Canyon Organic Café, when I dine with friends with food allergies. They offer raw and vegan menu options. Molly’s Salads provides a great lunch option. They too support local farmers by purchasing their products nearby. The great part is that these places help promote the farms that provide their produce so when I have the time, I can go myself and can buy my own vegetables and cook. That’s the plan anyway!

My Pledge

My commitment to visit restaurants that serve environmentally-friendly foods is easy in Seattle because so many restaurants are dedicated to providing their customers with healthy options that also allow them to invest in local and sustainable food sources. Supporting these businesses on a regular basis keeps prices down for everyone. When you patronize local establishments, you enable them to participate in outreach programs, including school and community events to promote awareness about the importance of sustainable farming. I like knowing where my food comes from, don’t you? Get out and try some of the best sustainable local restaurants in Seattle and you won’t regret it!

The Mobile Food Rodeo is Seattle’s largest mobile food truck rally featuring over 35 food trucks and plenty of Pike Place’s best buskers. The festival offers the chance for attendees to sample food from some of the most creative and refreshing menus around, and celebrates the star chefs of the street food scene. Admission is free, a charity beer garden will quench your thirst, and a large  seating area awaits to sooth your tired feet. How can you possibly say no to all of that? Come on down and join the fun!

Photo via Mobile Food Rodeo