Hello everyone!  This is my first post in quite a while as I have finally escaped from the black hole of time that is wedding planning.  Finally the concept of “free time” has come back to me.  It’s pretty exciting, but I’m not going to ramble on about the wedding except to say that it was quite nearly frickin’ perfect, it was totally worth the headaches,  and I am sooooo glad I won’t have to do it again.  Anyway, other important things are going on in the world.  As you likely already know, tomorrow is Election Day. (Also known as that fantastic time when the seemingly endless campaigning finally stops and we can all start watching TV again without fear of political ads.) So what I’m trying to say is make sure you vote!  We are fantastically lucky to be in a country where there is a peaceful transition from one leader to the next and it is up to all of us to do our duties and keep that up.  Vote!   That is all I will say about that.

Now, onto a less serious subject.  As you may or may not be aware, Seattle is known for it’s rain.  Also, if you have gone outside or looked out a window you might know that it has been raining quite a lot.  What you may not know is that you can use this rain to your advantage (and not just as a cheap way to shower).  On select days at the Woodland Park Zoo you can get a Rainy Day Discount.  That means that on certain days (based on weather forecast) you can print off a coupon for 50% off admission to the zoo.  All you have to do is go here: http://www.zoo.org/rainyday#.UJiLSGcsHvY and see whether or not the discount is on.

You can also print off a map with special raindrop symbols marking the places you can stay dry.  There is also a guide to building hopping from both the South and West entrances that will allow you to see as many animals as possible while also staying as dry as possible.  You can still have a fun day at the zoo and not leave feeling like you’ve gone for a swim with the otters.  Part of being a resourceful Seattleite  is finding ways to still go outside and not become one with your couch during the rainy fall, winter, spring and some of the summer months.  So, go forth and see cute animals and stay somewhat dry!

First: thank you Shannon for your rousing post about Seattle weather on Tuesday. The laugh was much appreciated.

Second: I’m going to be that person that complains about the rain today. Only because I’ve now taken two showers today and I’m feeling… well… soggy! (Of course at the time that I’m writing this from downtown Seattle the rain has let up – likely only to crack open again the second I step outside without my umbrella for my lunch shower.)

But we all know nicer weather will come again, and this time we’ll be ready for it! In my search for things sunny and warm I came across this great (?) and helpful video about how to self tan yourself. Don’t stop reading! Everyone suffers from the neon glare of white skin and I’m just here to help. Man or woman, if you’ve ever tried an at-home bottle of glow, you know mistakes are bound to happen.

Check out this Daily Candy video before you put your shorts back on come July. I thank you in advance.

How to Apply Self-Tanner

Next week I’ll be back to events – I’m checking out the new Chihuly Garden & Glass exhibition at the Seattle Center and look forward to sharing some photos with you.

Photo by Melanie Connor for The New York Times

I’m baaaaack. Did you miss me? I sure missed you! Sorry to have been away so long. I have been doing lots of traveling for work and fun, but now I’m back in Seattle and ready to write about stuff. First on the agenda: reasons why we should love Seattle weather. Now, hear me out. I know we’re in the middle of a pretty dreary seven-day forecast, but I’m about to show you the silver lining. Five silver linings, in fact. Much of traveling was spent in destinations known for their sunshine, and you know what? I decided I’ll take Seattle weather any day. Constant sunshine is overrated. And you can quote me on that. Here are five musings that will hopefully bring you over to the Dark Side. (Get it? Dark Side as opposed to Bright Side… Clouds instead of sun… Sigh. I know, it was a stretch. I’m a little rusty.)

5. Places where it’s sunny all the time are brown. Places where it rains a lot are green. Green is a prettier color than brown.

4. We appreciate our nice weather and we can tough it out in the not-so-nice weather. The entire west side of the state runs outside at the first sign of blue sky, but the recreation sports leagues, Greenlake walkers and bike riders are still rocking when it’s windy and drizzling. We’re all-weather, all-terrain people. The sun-spoiled pansies down in Southern California take the sunshine for granted and cower inside when a dark cloud rolls through. I like to think their conversations go something like this:

Sunny Day: “Hey man, what do you want to do today?” “I don’t know, dude, we could go to the beach.” “Eh, I don’t know, it’s not that nice out. Only 75 degrees. Let’s wait for a better day.” “Word.”

Yucky Day: “Hey man, what do you want to do today?” “Nothing, it’s raining and I don’t want to melt.” “Woooord.”

3. Can you imagine leaving a hot yoga studio and walking into the blazing Texas sun? Just think about that for a minute. From hot, sweaty studio to hot air, hot pavement, hot car, hot apartment… gggugghhh. I’ll take the refreshing Seattle mist, please and thank you.

2. The following is the 2012 list of the 10 fattest states in America in descending order. Michigan, Arkansas, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, West Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi. Can anyone tell me what 8ish of these 10 states have in common? The answer is hot and humid weather. And I’m no scientist, but I think this evidence ‘proves’ that if a state has hot and humid weather, the people that live there are fat. Ergo, we the people of Seattle, have the rain and fog to thank for our flat abs and tight asses. Take a minute, look up and thank a cloud for how fabulous you look.

1. This might be a selfish reason, but the number one reason I love Seattle weather is its compatibility with pale people. Pale people thrive in Seattle. Often prone to sun burn, heat stroke and glow-in-the-dark-legs syndrome, those of us with alabaster-like complexions seek the shelter of clouds, shade and mist. Seattle is our safe playground. And while the golden brown Summer Sun Babies get depressed come October as their tans begin to fade, we stay chipper because you can’t miss what you never had!

Can you think of any more reasons to love Seattle weather? If so, share them in the comments and if they’re extra good I’ll add them to this post!

For my first formal weekly feature on the Belle’s, lets not waste any time and dive right in.  This is Fashion Fridays.  Not only does everyone LOVE Fridays, but I like to think everyone has love (whether it be a little, a lot, or more of a love/hate) for fashion – besides, it’s a necessity, you have to wear clothes.

So, in the spirit of spring (which hasn’t officially graced us Seattleites with its presence, yet) lets talk about optimal weekend wear for these transitional times.  Here are a few key pieces to take you through the inevitable showers and sun-breaks ahead:

Burberry vest, H&M sweater, Joes jeans, Tod's loafers, Michael Kors watch

 

Stay tuned and stay stylish!

Buy a T-Shirt! Support the fight against breast cancer! *Photo courtesy decemberists.com

With Bumbershoot in full swing this weekend I thought I would say a little bit about the outdoor concert.  About two weeks ago on August 22nd I saw my beloved Decemberists perform outside at Marymoor Park.  First I’ll just say that the show itself was great ad I always enjoy what Colin Meloy and his bizarre gang bring to the stage.  If you enjoy a good nine minute song about people being eaten by whales or listening to music with a dictionary at hand the Decemberists may be for you.

Anyway, more than that I just want to write a little about the venue and a little something else.  First off the idea of an outdoor concert is a great idea.  You get to enjoy a little nature with your rock and roll (or whatever you’re into).  You can bring a picnic and the venue doesn’t have to invest in chairs.  However, scheduling any sort of outdoor anything in Seattle has always seemed to me to be a little foolishly optimistic.  Take this show for instance.  It hadn’t rained any significant amount in the weeks leading up to the 22nd.  It had been in the 80′s the couple of days before.  It had been beautiful.  So of course, when the show actually rolled around it did almost nothing but rain for the better part of three hours.  I wonder how a show in Southern California would have dealt with such a night?  I imagine there would have been refunds.  I have quite a bit of Seattle pride that the crowd at Marymoor did not disperse much as the rain fell harder and harder.  We all tightened our hoods on our ever-present raincoats and carried on enjoying the show.  It was, rain and all, a lot of fun.

If you do attend a concert there I suggest getting there early setting up camp on the back hill.  Unless you need to be super close, this gives a great view and lessens the chance that some tall person will block your view (always a concern of mine at 5’2″).  I also suggest bringing your own food as the choices are limited and not that exciting.  The parking is about 5 bucks and not too bad (though the field gets a little muddy when it’s been downpouring for hours).  And of course bring a raincoat.  Always.

Lastly I just wanted to say a little piece for the Decemberists.  A few months ago their super awesome accordion player Jenny Conlee was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I was very happy to see her at the show here and wish her a speedy recovery.  If you want to do a little, in honor of Jenny’s perpetual awesomeness for the cause of breast cancer check out these “Team Jenny” t-shirts with a fantastic accordion design on sale for $25 at the Decemberists website.  All of the proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  But one for someone you love!

If you can’t beat it, join it. The rain, that is. If all our city wants to do this April is rain, then the Belles will take a Tuesday to glorify Seattle rain with some interesting imagery.