Get your shopping shoes on.

The Seattle Design District  is holding its second annual sidewalk sale! Who knew we even had a design district (Psst. It’s in Georgetown)? Sounds like a goldmine to me!

Hosted by the Seattle Design District Association, the Saturday, September 8 event features more than 70 retailers and interior designers who are eager to be rid of stylish stock, tasteful treasures, fabulous furnishings and discounts and deals. The outdoor event can be found at Sixth Ave. S., at S. Orcas St. on Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

The event will be put on in partnership with the Seattle Children’s PlayGarden, a great charity partner that will benefit from donations and event proceeds – in addition to a raffle ticket event.

You’ll find more than trends and fashion at the sidewalk sale – rolling in are food trucks, live entertainment and the PlayGarden for the mini-shoppers to explore.

The Seattle Design District is home to all things home design and decor with dozens of shops and showrooms to explore.

So, I am getting married in October and because of that I am somewhat immersed in wedding stuff.  In a concerted effort to not make every post from now until October about my wedding (consequently forcing our readers who are not planning weddings and don’t care to stop coming to the sight on Mondays just to avoid my incessant marriage talk) I have created a new feature (Wedding Belle…get it?) and will try to keep it to no more than one post a month (maybe less).  (more…)

If you like it, the Goodwill Glitter Sale is where you must go this weekend!

Held every year since 1983, this famous two-day sale features racks, rows and cases of glitzy and glamorous formal wear, gowns, jewelry, handbags, shoes and more, at fantastic prices! It has become Goodwill’s most popular and well-attended sale—people from across the region and even other states make it a point to attend. Who doesn’t love glitter?

Get yourself to the Dearborn Street store at 1400 S. Lane St., Seattle.

On this particular weekend, and this particular store location, all proceeds—every penny our customers spend—go to support Goodwill’s free job training programs.

The organization has been so kind to also provide you with a list of tips to make your glitter shopping experience, and every one else’s, a sparkling one:

• Wear a slip, body suit or swimsuit to make trying on clothes easier; dressing rooms will not be available.
• When you arrive in the special sales area, grab a tote bag to carry your purchases.
• To ensure the best customer service, be sure to take a number for assistance at the jewelry counter.
• Please arrive early for the best selection.Help us by re-hanging clothes you will not purchase.
• Keep an open mind, as this is the ultimate treasure hunt—you never know what you’re going to find!

You could find something like this:

Photo courtesy of Goodwill Glitter Sale 2009 Flickr album

Or something amazing like this!

Photo courtesy of Goodwill Glitter Sale 2009 Flickr album

Will I see you there?

Okay. I’ll admit it. I’m addicted to shoes. I have two closets packed with shoes, and that’s AFTER I got rid of a bunch of them during my move last year. I can’t help it, I see a cute wedge or a sexy little peep-toe and I fall in love! So I got super excited when I heard that Cole Haan is giving away a pair of shoes every month for a year to a lucky winner at Fashion’s Night Out at UVillage next Thursday!

On Thursday, September 8, University Village is hosting Fashion’s Night Out as part of the global initiative to celebrate and support the fashion and retail industry. Cole Haan isn’t the only store that will have a giveaway that night, merchants will offer fashion demonstrations, giveaways, gifts with purchases, discounts and other in-store events. Events, giveaways and deals will run from 3-9pm. You can find the whole list of events and store promotions on the Fashion’s Night Out website. U Village is even giving away 200 swag bags to the first 200 shoppers!

It’s a perfect night to grab your girlfriends for a night out of shopping! This is a fantastic event for every fashionista out there, however there will be events for everyone. There will even be a “Man Cave Destination” at Sony with sports and PlayStation for the guys who need a shopping break.

Not only can you score some great deals for yourself, but you can also give back to a child in need. U Village will be hosting a children’s coat drive for Wellspring Family Services. Wellspring helps homeless families in King County get back on their feet. If you donate a new or slightly used coat, you will be entered to win a $500 U Village Shopping Spree.

You can RSVP and invite your friends on Facebook and on Twtvite. You can also follow U Village on Facebook and Twitter. U Village is making Fashion’s Night Out social by using the #UVFNO hashtag.

I can’t wait to go and check out the shoes and the other deals! Hope to see you there!

Leave me a comment and tell me which promotion or deal is most interesting to you.

I’m torn about telling you all about my latest find. On one hand, I want everyone to know about this fabulous new place. But on the other hand, I want to keep it all to myself! Well, I guess I’ll let you in on the secret, just don’t tell anyone, okay?

I was at a friend’s birthday a few weeks ago and the always adorable Monica Guzman was in attendance. Monica always looks cute, but she had on the most stylish outfit ever! It was the perfect combo of a feminine little slip dress layered with a cardigan and leggings then topped off with a funky necklace and fashionable cowboy boots. While complimenting her, Monica let me in on the secret, the slip dress and boots came from Vintage Angel Company. I immediately let my BFF know we needed to plan a shopping trip to this magical place!

About a week later I made a trip with a couple girlfriends and this store did not disappoint! The owner, Susie, restores and reinvents vintage boots and clothes. The Fremont shop opened in June and is a sister store to The Vintage Closet in Phinney Ridge. There are hand-dyed tutus, lacy slip dresses, funky jewelry and boots galore! There are cowboy boots, high-heeled boots, knee-high boots… all super cute and AFFORDABLE! I fell in love with a pair of knee-high, tan leather Aldo boots for $38. Most of the boots were $38 or $58, far more reasonable than the $200-300 price tag of most new boots. And these ones are broken in for you!

Vintage Angel Company is open Thursday – Sunday and can be found across the street from the Lenin statue. I suggest you check it out! Unless you wear size 10 shoes, then you should stay away!

Also, don’t tell anyone, but they are having a FABULOUS $15 boot sale this weekend! Shh! Let’s keep it just between us!

Allow me to introduce to you the first annual Shopping Week Out put on by Seattle Magazine and Fashion First. You don’t have to tell me twice -bucket loads of Seattle boutiques and retailers will be offering great deals for a city-wide shopping fest with special offers and discounts beginning tomorrow Friday, September 10 and going through next Saturday, September 18. This event leads up to the seventh annual Fashion First fashion show and fundraiser on Thursday, September 16 at the Showbox SoDo! Both events will raise money for Rise n’ Shine, a nonprofit support organization for children and teens affected by HIV/AIDS.

Beginning today the folks at Shopping Week Out will begin announcing deals on the website and through all social media channels. One of the first deals starts tomorrow at Sway & Cake (1631 6th Avenue) and others including many of the retailers at the Shops at the Bravern, University Village and some of our favorite downtown establishments including Tiffany & Co., Swink Style Bar, Clutch and La Ree. You might want to pay attention so you know where to go.

Stay tuned to Seattleshoppingweekout.wordpress.com for the latest updates and follow the deals and partners at on Twitter at @shoppingweekout, @seattlemag, @fashionfirstSEA and @insideseattle and Facebook pages for Seattle Magazine, Fashion First Seattle and Seattle Magazine and Fashion First Shopping Week Out. I have a feeling you won’t be sorry you did.

Look for the Seattle Shopping Week Out window deal at these retailers and simply mention “Seattle Shopping Week Out” for your discount! It really can’t get much easier than that to effortlessly starting sporting the season’s freshest styles, accessories and shoes. All of the retailers are featured in this month’s issue of Seattle Magazine – September Style Guide or get the full list here.

Just another reason to love Friday’s and help out a really wonderful local cause! Read more about the Joan and Jared Events Fashion First and how it came to be what it is today.

Pioneer Square has been making significant improvements to its image recently, making it a more family and visitor friendly place to spend a weekend afternoon exploring shops and historic attractions and a hubbub of activity during the week as new restaurants open to cater to the nine-to-fivers in the neighborhood. The popularity of outdoor markets is no secret in this town and Pioneer Square is next up in the weekly outdoor market circuit.

On July 17, The Seattle Square will open for its first Saturday of business and will run from 11am – 5pm in Occidental Square Park each Saturday through the end of summer. The Seattle Square will feature a mix of downtown restaurants like Delicatus (see previous post here for a quick review), with mobile food vendors including Skillet, Ram & Rooster Dumplings and Parfait Organic Ice Cream.

According to The New Pioneer Square blog, the market will also host a wide range of vintage and craft vendors – selling the usual suspects of market fair including locally designed clothing, handmade housewares and accessories and mid-century modern furniture.

The Seattle Square is a volunteer driven market — organized to activate the neighborhood on Saturdays and to invite people to experience the area, atmosphere and shops it has to offer. The vision of the market is derived from flea markets across the nation, contemporary art exhibits and most importantly, Seattle’s Mobile Chowdown. The mobile food vendor component alone could set this market up for great success throughout the season.

The neighborhood encourages the use of public transportation down to the market but the Seattle Square has partnered with nearby parking lots and garages to provide complementary parking for all Seattle Square shoppers each Saturday.

For more information about weekly features, music and mobile food lineup, directions, or contact information go to email info@theseattlesquare.com.

The late Beth Levine keeps hers at the Bellevue Art Museum. That has got to be an impressive closet! After a lifetime of modeling, designing and wearing some of the most artful and whimsical shoes from the 1940s through the 1970s, her passions and talents have been put on display for the world to see.

Beth Levine

While my pocket-book doesn’t always permit it, and encourages that I window shop more often, I look forward to the days that I can drop my hard-earned dime on a new pair of pumps or dazzling flats. There’s just something special about it. And you wouldn’t believe me if you saw my closet, but occasionally I do window shop! I’m planning to look, and not touch, my way through the colorful display sometime soon while it’s in Bellevue until June. In case you need something to jog your memory, Levine designed, under the label of her husband Herbert Levine, the infamous white go-go boots worn by Nancy Sinatra in the promotions of her song “These Boots are Made for Walkin’”

Truly fashion over function at it’s finest, Levine was known for creating, in her words, “very pretty shoes that nobody really needed but everybody wanted.” She was the driving force behind many…er…styles that even Lady Gaga and Gwen Stefani may pause at before sporting today. Everything from pumps attached to pantyhose and race car inspired loafer to the topless “No” shoe (literally the sole of a shoe applied with adhesive to the bottom of your foot) to evening shoes that looked like Aladdin’s lamp, are part of the first exhibit of her work in the United States, “Beth Levine: First Lady of Shoes.”

Anemone d’Orsay Photo: David Hamsley

The exhibit runs through June 6, 2010 at the Bellevue Art Museum, admission is $10 for adults, $7  for students and seniors and FREE for members & children under age six.

While she also designed shoes of a very classic nature, I’m sure it’s the experimental or questionable designs that make the show.

Fun Fact: You can also thank Levine for the clear plastic heels that strippers favor.

Here are some of her most sassy and stylish creations.

Hello Seattle! My name is Kara and welcome to Thursday! You’re almost through with the week and hopefully, if you haven’t already, you’ll be able to get some ideas for weekend fun in Seattle. Do check back regularly to find out what’s going on with all seven of us and what’s on our minds.

I can tell you already that I’ll probably devote a little time to the gym, maybe a lap or two around Seattle’s gossip track, otherwise known as Green Lake. You’ll find me on the outside trail, keeping far away from the mommies, untrained puppies, and double wide strollers. You may notice that I’ll often write about the outdoor activities I’m participating or just what’s going on in the area as far as recreation.

I love to sneak into antique stores and poke around the boutiques in Ballard. One of my favorites is Damsalfly at 5346 Ballard Ave NW. I’ll try to keep you updated on fun sales and events at some of these hidden treasures around the city. After an afternoon of dreaming of a new wardrobe or what I would do if I won Mega Millions, I’ll be at Norm’s in Fremont enjoying a refreshing beer with some of the neighborhoods most attractive four-legged customers.

You’ll notice my writing is thoughtful but I try to get right to the point, I’m responsive and always excited about new things. And I especially love random facts and making lists. I can’t promise a focus on only a few topics so fall in love with Thursday as I have, generally filled with random shenanigans and sometimes spontaneous adventures. After all, according to Wikipedia, “Thursday is sometimes referred to as “Friday Eve” in anticipation for the end of the work week on Friday.”