CopyStrands

Boutique Crush: Bloom

2012-02-06T12:45:00.000-08:00

My sister is a fashionista. Last year she told me about this blog. I'm sure glad she did. As that adorable blogger just opened a new store and web shop based in Texas. It's called Bloom.

Photos: Bloom

Dr. Oz's 99 Approved Diet Foods

2012-02-01T17:55:00.000-08:00

I have been absolutely fascinated with the Dr. Oz. show, do you watch it? Recently he shared his approved list of boxed grocery products for the busy person or family on the go (including Amy's low sodium bean and rice burrito, pictured above). The idea is to pair these diet foods with fresh fruit and veggies. Dr. Oz claims you will drop weight if you eat from this list. Brilliant! (His list is below).

He also met with The Hungry Girl to learn nutritious meals that anyone can cook at home. Including shiratki noodle alfredo (with shrimp, spinach and broccoli). And Big Daddy shared his recipe for a heart healthy stir fry. Or you can check out all of the Dr. Oz show recipes.

Here are Dr. Oz's tips for fighting heart disease.

And Dr. Oz met with William W. Li, M.D., who shared four cancer-fighting foods: lima beans (fights breast cancer), limes (fights lung cancer), apricots (fights stomach cancer), and parsley (fights ovarian cancer) (did you know you are suppose to cut the bottom stem of parsley and store it on your counter top in a cup of water like flowers?).

Here is Dr. Oz's complete list of approved diet foods (Note: The Dr. Oz show does not endorse the brand name products he suggests. If you find another product with the same nutritional value then go for it):

Will you try it?

Photos: Eat to Thrive and The Dr. Oz Show

Stay the Night in a Lighthouse

2012-01-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

Yes please! The Saugerties Lighthouse in upstate New York is about as quaint of a place you could stay. The 1835 lighthouse sits on the shoal of the Hudson River with breathtaking panoramic views. There are two rooms available for guests (Thurs.-Sun. only) and the $225 a night price goes toward lighthouse conservation. The best part is you get to approach the lighthouse on foot. A half-mile long trail leads you to the front door...

Photos: The Saugerties Lighthouse

Preview: Jason Wu for Target

2012-01-16T16:09:00.000-08:00

After the Missoni debacle, I wonder how Target will field the flurry of Jason Wu followers. Especially since Jason Wu is best known for designing First Lady Michelle Obama's inauguration gown. Well his collaboration with Target hits Target's website and stores on February 5, 2012. Here's a sneak peek of the lookbook from the collection ($19.99-$59.99), what do you think?:

Photos: Jason Wu Lookbook / Target

Seattle Snow

2012-01-16T14:11:00.000-08:00

Seattle received a Montana-style dusting of snow over the weekend and now weather reports are saying by Wednesday we could have up to seven inches more! The hubs and I live in a walkable neighborhood and we took a stroll up to our favorite park to snap some photos of our winter wonderland. What's it like in your area?

Photos: CopyStrands

Play. Shop. Eat. Maui, Hawaii

2012-01-10T17:29:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love Hawaii? I've been to Oahu (Honolulu) twice, and I've been to the Big Island (Kona) once. And now add Maui to the list. If a trip to Maui is in your future, this list will help you discover how to play, shop and eat on an island playground. We loved Maui so much we already have a package to go back in 2013!

Play
There are a lot of things to do for water lovers on Maui. From snorkeling, to scuba diving, surfing and more. The best snorkeling beaches on the island are on the south end: Palauea Beach (also known as White Rock; off Makena Road) and Po'olenalena Beach (also known as Paipu Beach; off Makena Road). And turtles can be seen on the west side of the island at Kahekili Beach Park and at Black Rock. If you want to stay on land head to Surfing Goat Dairy for a day of farm fun, or visit the Lavender Fields, or head to Nakalele Point to watch the famous blow hole in action (video of it at the bottom of this post). Adrenaline junkies will love the Zipline at Piholo Ranch. Wine lovers will enjoy Tedeschi Vineyards. Thrill seekers can ride in a helicopter to see the island from a birds eye view.

Shop
After your flight lands and before you head to your hotel or property be sure to buy your groceries and Hawaiian clothes at the local Costco, otherwise the local stores are pricey. The prettiest shopping mall is on the south side: The Shops at Wailea where the swim stores sell awesome collapsible, packable sun hats. On the west side is Whaler's Village with the cute Cinnamon Girl store. There are also quaint local boutiques in Lahaina home of the Shops at 505 with a total Seabrook vibe to them. And one store in particular with affordable dresses is Mahina Maui.

Eat
If you want a traditional Hawaiian meal you can always book a luau where you can also learn how to hula and tie a traditional wrap dress (video of it at the bottom of this post). In Lahaina, David Paul's Island Grill offers colorful hand artisan cuisine. Also in Lahaina is Cheeseburger in Paradise with a cool rooftop deck and view of the water. On the west side, Duke's Beach House has a tiki hut vibe with exquisitely cooked fish dinners served up with a sunset view.

Day Trip
This trip will take all day (about 8-10 hours round trip), but offers a view of Maui that most don't get to see. Rent a car, fill it up with gas to the brim, pack a cooler, load up hiking shoes, bathing suits, beach towels and head along the winding road to Hana. Points of interest include: The historic Paia Town, the Twin Falls swimming hole and thirty minutes past Hana are the Seven Sacred Pools (also known as Kipahulu Pools).

Read more Play.Shop.Eat posts.

Photo: CopyStrands

Photos & Videos: Maui, Hawaii

2012-01-04T11:00:00.000-08:00

Over the holiday break the hubs and I traveled to Maui, Hawaii for vacation. Before the trip I bought a swim skirt at Athleta for snorkeling in. We snorkeled almost every day (including on Christmas Day) and saw colorful fishies; the hubs even saw a turtle! We played in the sand, went shopping, watched a luau, where I learned how to tie a traditional Hawaiian-style dress (video at bottom of post) and we even drove to the famous Nakele Blow Hole, boy was it active that day! (video at bottom of post). We've been asked by several people to share some photos and videos so here they are, and a Play.Shop.Eat. post is coming soon, enjoy!

.
Photos and Videos: CopyStrands

How to Avoid Germs on Planes

2011-12-21T15:34:00.000-08:00

Are you going anywhere fun for the holidays? I'll be here! When I travel on planes in the winter I am hyper about germs. I have a few things I do to stay germ-free while on flights and realized my dear readers might benefit from them too. Here is how I stave off germs during a flight:

1. Wipe everything down with a disinfecting wipe (seat belt, tray table, flight tv screen / channel changer, air vent, light button, armrests, window). You name it, if it's wipeable, wipe it down. And when you're done wash your hands! You may get weird looks from other passengers, but they'll be the ones coughing and sneezing days after the flight lands. Airlines do not wash the area around your seats in between flights, they just collect garbage.

2. Resist the urge to touch your face, nose or eyes without clean hands.

3. If you suffer from allergies, like me, keep your nasal passages moist with a saline spray and drink LOTS of water.

4. Don't touch the seat-back pockets, no matter how tempting that in-flight magazine looks, it is swarming with germs. And DON'T touch the airline pillows or blankets (ewe!) bring your own if you want to avoid germs.

5. Open your air vent (after you disinfect it!) and aim it so it blows just past your face. Keeps the airborne germs from hitting your face.

What do you do to stay healthy on flights?

Photo: Fizzlizz

Winter in San Francisco

2011-12-21T10:21:00.000-08:00

On a recent trip to San Francisco, I snapped some photos to share with my dear readers. I've lived in the Bay Area twice and I know the area well. We were down there for two Christmas parties.

We waited in line to have breakfast at Cafe Divine and ate dinner at Sens Restaurant, which was in an awesome location and in a cool building.

Our hotel room had a view of Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower and eerie Alcatraz Island.

We visited fun friends, we went shopping (love the new Athleta store on Fillmore Street), and I took the hubs to see the touristy sights (did you know some of the homes off The Crookedest Street in the World are haunted?; at Fisherman's Wharf the World Famous Bushman was scaring tourists as they departed buses.). The tourist sites still look the same to me after all these years.

And when you're married to a real eastate broker you end up flipping through local real estate pamphlets where we saw this pretty house for sale.

Enjoy the photos:

More California

Our Christmas Cards

2011-12-19T15:18:00.000-08:00

This year the hubs and I decided to have fun with our Christmas cards. Since they went out we've received so many questions and comments from family and friends. Here are some fun ones:

1. Did you jump off the ledge behind you? No
2. Were you jumping on a trampoline? No
3. Where was the photo taken? Volunteer Park, Capitol Hill, Seattle
4. I love your upside-down skirt. Thanks?
5. Who took that awesome photo of you jumping? Art of Subtlety photography by Amanda Waltman.

We jumped off the ground by ourselves and our awesome photographer, Amanda Waltman, clicked away and kept yelling "do it again!" She is a steady handed shutterbug, thanks Amanda! P.S. We ordered our Christmas cards from Amanda too. She offered perfect template options and sent them to a printer for us, couldn't have been easier!

Here's a sneak peek of our Christmas card:

Bike Mirror

2011-12-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

Love this photo by Sara Cuesta. When I get my new bike (this one or one of these) I'm going to put a mirror on it like this one. Too cool! Remember this cute post: Matching tights to your bike.

Photo: Shutter Sisters

Quirky Nan Lawson Art

2011-12-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

I adore this artwork by Los Angeles artist Nan Lawson. She calls her illustrations cute, quirky and nerdy. See for youself. I think it's fun. What do you think?

Photos: Nan Lawson

More: California

Clever Birdhouse Key Ring

2011-12-14T14:00:00.000-08:00

It seems that bird decor is everywhere. And this is the first time I've seen something practical and clever involving the bird fad. I know a few people who will swoon over this idea: Sparrow Key Ring.

Photo: The Container Store

It's a Wrap: Cars Set

2011-12-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas is coming. Are you ready? Need gift ideas? I just found the most awesome Christmas wrapping set EVER: Cars Set (from a company based in Germany). Love the green paper, love the bright red car, love the white and green trees. Classic. Retro. Chic.

Photo: Pleased to Meet

The Sweden Tray

2011-12-07T11:50:00.000-08:00

Love the concept of this tray. This pretty tray designed by Caro-lines in Sweden showcases the names of Swedish towns to form the country. The sleek black and white design is dishwasher safe too!

Photo: Caro-lines

More Sweden

Cute e-Reader Clutch

2011-12-05T14:52:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of eReader cases on the market. But so far I've not found one with true character. Especially one that is NOT leather. Then I found out about local Seattle designer Angela Kay Designs. How cute are all these eReader cases?

Photo: Angela Kay Designs

Seattle's Outdoor Ice Rink

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Get ready to lace up your ice skates, Seattle! The Southwest corner of Cal Anderson Park will play host to the park's first ever covered outdoor ice skating rink.

When: December 6 to December 24 (might extend into 2012)
Where: 1640 Nagle Pl. a top Cal Anderson Park's basketball court area.
Times: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Cost: $12 per hour for adults; $6 per hour for kids, 8 years old and under
(includes skate rental; no cash, credit cards only)

And Caffe Vita plans to serve hot coffee and toasty cocoa daily.

I know, the price seems steep, and if you bring your own skates it's the same price for admission, but I plan to skate! Who's with me? I'm so excited to live within walking distance of the ice rink. If you go be sure to support local businesses in the area. Skate on!

Photos: Sally Scott and Capitol Hill Ice Rink

Boutique Crush: Brook Farm

2011-11-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

If I could live in a store I would live in this one. The Brook Farm General Store on the south side of Williamsburg in Brooklyn is packed with traditional and earth-friendly finds in a modern atmosphere. They even have their own line called Tourne. And I'm a big fan of their cute wooden toys for kids.

More New York

Photos: Brook Farm

Holiday Gift Guide 2011

2011-11-18T14:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas is right around the corner. Are you ready? This year the hubs and I are not giving gifts to one another. Instead we are going to Hawaii for Christmas (yay!). Time together in a sunny place is the best gift we could give each other. But that hasn't stopped me from checking out the hottest gifts to give this year. Here are my picks for über cool gifts for anyone on your shopping list. (Please note: I do not receive payments or handouts for any content on my blog. I post out of the love of sharing only.) This is my first ever gift guide if you find it helpful let me know and I will plan to do more. Enjoy!

Fashion forward: The Pembrook suede bootie by Steve Madden is stylish, versatile and can be dressed up or down. It's a cute bootie for pants, skirts and dresses. $99.98

Tidy up: A zinc zig zag hook at Terrain is perfect for storing hats and coats and even garden tools. Give the gift of tidy. $39

State it: The Maya Brenner Designs state necklaces are so fun! Make her smile with her home state on a chain. Each state necklace is offered in silver or gold. $130 and up

Gab in style: A retro handset by Yubz for your iPhone or Android phone is a fun way to gab (especially if someone you know has cell phone radiation fears). $39 and up

Give memories: Can there be anything better to give than a book? A great interactive book for wee ones is Press Here ($14.99). A fab book for ages 4 and up that will make kids and parents smile is I Want My Hat Back ($15.99). And At Pinhole Press you can create a photo book for a special person on your list. $43 and up

Tech fever: The Up band by Jawbone works with the iPhone to track activity from eating to sleeping. Perfect techie gift for the Apple lover in your life. $99.99

Kid zone: A mod 1960s-inspired wooden scooter built for kids by Kiddimoto will get your kids zoomin' around the block. Great for helping kids learn balance and coordination. $89.99

Group gift: We all have that one person who is hard to buy for. Get everyone in your family to go in on a vintage bar cart from ABC Home for the person with fine tastes on your holiday list. $1295

P.S. I'm loving this album for the holidays.

Top photo: Terrain

Fun With Infographics

2011-11-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

Infographics are sure taking off these days. A new trend in resumes is to turn your work experience into an infographic like this one. Intrigued by this, I discovered other uses for infographics. Here are a few fun ones worth exploring that follow my blog's tagline:
Be Chic. Be Green. Be Well-traveled.

More infographics

Clever Street Art

2011-11-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

Part graffiti artist, part political activist, part painter, the creative stencil street designs of British artist "Banksy" (a pseudonym) are found on streets, walls and bridges around the globe. Here are three fun ones:

Photos: Banksy

Boutique Crush: C. Wonder

2011-11-14T16:18:00.000-08:00

When I lived in New York everyone wore black. The days I wore color, I got lots of attention. And now New York is full of color. Soho has a brand new store: C. Wonder! I will be back in New York next March and this will be my first stop. Check out this colorful Manhattan gem:

Rainboots: $68 Suede Mocs $78

Photos: C. Wonder

More: New York

Eco-chic Produce Bags

2011-11-10T11:48:00.000-08:00

I have used my Envirosax bags long before it was popular to use re-usable shopping bags for grocery shopping. They are really handy to role up and take on vacations too for toting around shopping finds. And then while in SPUN Collective I saw these produce bags by A Greener Kitchen. Each bag is filled with six different sized bags for toting fruits and vegetables back from the grocery store or your local farmers' market. Brilliant! No more plastic produce bags for me! Each bag is created with upcycled materials and have a built-in elastic loop to close each bag quick and easy (check out the video).

And while at Sara's pretty store, SPUN Collective, my sis swooned over this top. There were only two left on the rack and my sis wanted black in her size. So Sara created one on her sewing machine in the back. My sis was delighted. Talk about one-of-a-kind customer service! Happy one-year anniversary to you and your store Sara!

Photos: A Greener Kitchen

1920 Mediterranean Remodel

2011-11-07T12:02:00.000-08:00

Remember this Seattle home stunner? Turns out my dream home is also in Portland, Oregon. Look at this closet! I keep telling the hubs that our next home has to have a dedicated entry. My jaw dropped when I saw this closet tucked in the wall:

This is the awesome work of Jessica Helgerson Interior Design. In this house they also updated and renovated the 1920s kitchen and living room:

Simply beautiful and a Be Green do!

Photos: Pure Green Magazine and Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

Boutique Crush: Nygårds Anna

2011-11-04T14:08:00.000-07:00

Just another reason to love Sweden. Really inspiring photo campaigns of the designs at
Nygårds Anna. I especially love the whimsical nature of these past designs...(I swear I should have been born in another decade):

Photos: Nygårds Anna

Italy's Small Island Wonder

2011-11-02T13:46:00.000-07:00

Someday I plan to explore Italy. Of course it is tempting to hit all the coastal areas: Naples, Sorrento, and Capri. But, just a short hydrofoil boat ride from those cities is a volcanic island with thermal waters and the Negombo thermal park on a little island named Ischia, Italy.

Negombo's most popular draw is its 12 thermal pools. So pretty.

Photo: City Pictures

Modern Apron Bibs for Kids

2011-10-31T13:34:00.000-07:00

I recently joined my fashionable sister and equally hip friend Tricia on a Sunday excursion to the Thread show in Seattle. There were several new and talented designers there from around the Pacific Northwest and beyond. But the one designer who stood out most for me for innovation, creativity, and a character-filled touch of whimsy was Chibi Shoguns.

The friendly owner, Yoko, has created modern bib-inspired aprons for the modern child that actually stay on and cover more of your adorable child's clothing when they eat and play. Yoko's Japanese prints are sure candy for the eye. Tricia bought this cute bib for her pretty daughter, miss cutie K:

More: Kids

Photos: Courtesy of Tricia

Orla Kiely New York

2011-10-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

Psst...Orla Kiely is now open in Manhattan! I loved visiting their flagship store in London. The clothes are so well made with a whimsical touch. I bought a lemon yellow dress by Orla Kiely.

Check out their recent designs:

New York Address: No. 5 Mercer St.

Photos: Orla Kiely

Bike Crush: The Felt Cafe

2011-10-26T12:02:00.000-07:00

I'm still on the hunt for a new bike. I'm enamored with step-through bikes after my recent travels through Scandinavia. Since I live in hilly Seattle I need something with several gears that is built as light as possible. Try cycling up a steep hill in the wrong bike, if your urban cruiser is heavy, it will be harder to pedal up hill.

Enter the Felt Cafe, I have my eyes on this little beauty:

P.S. It comes in the color orange too. Love orange!

Photo: Felt

My New Moo Business Cards

2011-10-17T13:04:00.000-07:00

It was time for new business cards. And I needed something that would separate my blog from my business. When I meet new people some ask: What is your blog? Others ask: What is your business? And I found the perfect solution with London-based Moo business cards! I now have these awesome mini cards with my photo and info on the back of two separate designs I created. Now when I'm asked questions I can give the perfect card. What do you think?

For my blog:

For my freelance writing and editing business:

And the back of the cards (read the last line a Be Green do!):

Photos: CopyStrands

Boutique Crush: Zara

2011-10-17T12:28:00.000-07:00

Stumbled across Zara several years ago on my travels to Spain (before they opened their first U.S. store in Manhattan). The Spanish-based company is one I visit when I travel around the world. But now, you can shop at Zara from the comfort of your couch. They just launched their online store for men, women and kids. Yay! Now they need to put a store in Seattle.

And while on a recent trip to San Francisco I popped in the local Zara store and snagged these rad pants! (shown above)

Photos: Zara

An Old Airstream is New Again

2011-10-14T15:48:00.000-07:00

My jaw dropped when I saw this Airstream makeover. Hofmann Architects took a 1978 Tradewind Airstream and renovated it using recycled waste and materials. Inside it features bamboo countertops, table and floors and recycled glass tile. That is a Be Green do! This Airstream is a dream road trip mobile!

P.S. Love this post: Glamping Trailer Style

Photos: Hofmann Architects

Book: Naive

2011-10-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for inspiration this graphic design book, Naive: Modernism and Folklore in Contemporary Graphic Design is sure a treat. The images illuminate before your eyes. Here are some inspirational picks:

Matte Stephens, Boston, 2008

Darling Clementine, Haberdashery Series, 2006

Nate Duval, Hootie - 2008; Jen Skelley, Love Birds, 2007, 2009

Nate Duval, Nighttime in the City, 2009

Matt W. Moore, BITNB, 2008

Peach Beach, You Don't Need Vehicles to Move Something, 2008

Spikepress, The National Central Park, 2008

Cover: Naive

Photos: CopyStrands

Play. Shop. Eat. San Francisco

2011-10-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

I've lived twice in the San Francisco Bay Area. And every time I visit there my eyes see changes that the city has made. There is a bigger push to shop local and fresh there. And to live close to your work. If a trip to San Francisco (otherwise known as Frisco) in the Bay Area is in your future, this list will help you discover how to play, shop and eat in a town with high rent, classic cable cars and steep hills. And if you're lucky you can snag a taxi in a city with a major cab problem.

Play
Cable Car: It may sound touristy, but locals use them too. And the classic cable car can help you navigate the tough SF hills. It's a fun way to see the city. Get there early, lines get long.
Golden Gate Park: It's the prettiest park in SF. Worth exploring if you have time. You can walk through it, rent bikes or rollerblades there and even take Segway tours through it.
Bike along the Wharf: The best way to see all the attractions along the wharf is by bike and it's a scenic ride along the water. Or rent a bike and go on your own ride.
Chrissy Field: Go fly a kite, read a book, enjoy a picnic. It is a great park for setting sail. And when the fog blows over you can see the Golden Gate Bridge.
Yurba Buena Gardens: Walk under the waterfall (kids love this).
SF Zoo: Kids also love to see this urban jungle. The animals are characters!
SF Moma: Discover art in SoMa and hide out with art on a rainy day.
The Walt Disney Family Museum: Explore the treasures of Disney interactive family-style.
Le Video: On a rainy day, rent an indie flick and fire up your TV or laptop, watch it back at your home or hotel.
Haight and Ashbury Streets: Makes a fun photo, check out the convergence zone at quitting time. And discover the colorful homes in the area.
Alamo Square: Gives you the best view of the famous Painted Ladies.
Lombard Street: The best place for a photo of the crookedest street is at the bottom. Take the Powell-Mason cable car line to Lombard and Columbus. Otherwise you can go to to top via the Hyde Street cable car line.

Shop
Rag: This co-op stands for: Residents Apparel Gallery and it is chalk full of local designer duds. It was packed the day I was in it, very popular.
Perish Trust: This awesome vintage store (pictured above) was also packed the day I was in it. It's full of vintage typewriters, eyeglasses by Warby Parker, light fixtures, rare books plus nautical, bow and arrow and railroad memorabilia. The co-owner (stylist Rod Hipskind) told me that his "parents owned an antique shop in Sacramento" and he said he didn't "know how long his store on Divisadero Street will last" but that he's "enjoying it day-by-day." He has a fierce eye for vintage, a must see curiosity-type shop. While there I bought this anthology, which he and his other co-owner Kelly Ishikawa were featured in.
Goorin Brothers: This quaint hat shop on Haight Street is popular. Go in and try on all the classy hats you can imagine.
Athleta: The snappy sportwear line for women now has a brick and mortar shop on Fillmore.
Nest: Just down the street from Athleta is this awesome vintage home decor store.
Eden and Eden: Offers fun, colorful jewelry.
Jeremys: Go buy something on sale. Or ogle the beautiful designs.
Bell Jar: There are pretty, trendy and affordable dresses at this little boutique.
Ambiance SF: Features current fashions for women, a cute store!
Heidi Says: Offers a pretty shoe salon.
Cliff's Variety: This is a quirky, fun store where you can buy kitchsy things from kitchen supplies to tool belts. Fun section for kids too.
Monument: Discover the mid-century modern furniture.
Room 4: Best vintage store in SF from home decor to apparel.
Green Apple Books: The best indie bookstore in SF. Join their Apple-a-Month Club and they will handpick the best fiction selection for that month and mail it to you.
City Lights Books: Also a great indie bookstore that specializes in world history and the arts in the heart of SF.

Eat
Slanted Door: Located in the Ferry Building the Vietnamese dishes are set up for you to share with others. The location of this restaurants rocks and so does the food.
The Ferry Building: You really can't go wrong with any food inside this awesome market especially during their farmers' market on Saturdays.
Chiaroscuro: Across the street from the Transamerica building is this cozy and delicious Italian cuisine restaurant with a killer wine list.
Bix: This restaurant has been around a long time, it's tucked away in Jackson Square. A jazzy treat to visit.
Oriental Pearl: Local consider this place the best Chinese food in Chinatown.
Aliotos: In Fisherman's Wharf is one one SF's oldest restaurants and they have the best dungenous crab.
1300 on Fillmore: Maple syrup slow braised short ribs. Nough said.
Yoshis: They serve only the freshest ingredients at this sushi bar with jazz music too.
Greens Restaurant: Go for a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge and a vegetarian meal.
Leopold's: Popular local SF hangout with a Bavarian feel with rustic decor and a wine bar in back.
Alembic Bar: Wet your palate at a favorite local hangout.
Bourbon & Branch: Make a reservation at this speakeasy and order a drink from the 1920s. Don't even think about ordering a Cosmo here. Think bourbon, rum, scotch and whisky. Or if you want to sit in the library without a reservation use the general password "books" to drop in for a drink.
Latin America Club: Sip a strong, very strong, cheap margarita at this pinata decorated joint.
Mr. Smiths: A speakeasy and dance club wrapped into one.

Read more Play.Shop.Eat posts.

Photo: CopyStrands

Umbrella Fruit Bowls

2011-10-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

A clever London-based designer created these fruit bowls. How rad are these Yumbrella Fruit Bowls by designer Benjamin Hubert? Love how whimsical they are. What creativity!

More: London.

Photos: Benjamin Hubert

New Line: Pendleton for Anthro

2011-10-06T11:34:00.000-07:00

Nothing says fall like the name Pendleton. Long known for its classic heritage to wool the Portland, OR-based company has partnered with Anthropologie. Wrap yourself in iconic comfort for me, since I can't, sadly, wear wool (darn allergies). Take a look at these chic, woodsy designs:

Photos: Anthropologie

The Netherlands: A Cycling Life

2011-10-05T13:48:00.000-07:00

The Netherlands sure have cycling figured out. With the help of The Cycling Academic Network and The Dutch Cycling Embassy the country has literally advocated to keep cycling a way of life in their country. It is normal for them to hop on a bike to get around—not jump in a car. They have set up their city streets to put cycling and their safety first—unlike Seattle. Bravo Netherlands! Another Be Green do! For more information check out the photos and video below. (Can you hear me clapping?)

More bikes.

Photos and video: The Dutch Cycling Embassy

West Elm: South Lake Union

2011-10-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

West Elm opens in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood on October 6, 2011! I know a few people who will be really excited about this, including me! And the store will have a living wall. That's a Be Green do!

Photos: West Elm

A New Polaroid Camera Shop

2011-09-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

My Polaroid camera goes with me when I travel abroad (I snapped the photo above of the Eiffel Tower with my Polaroid camera). And it's not easy finding supplies for it unless you go online. But now Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood is getting a new instant camera shop by the founder of Love Cameras! It is suppose to open at the end of October. I. Can't. Wait.

More Paris.

Photo: CopyStrands

A Modern Home Bookshelf

2011-09-19T18:55:00.000-07:00

When my eyes discovered this bookshelf my jaw dropped in awe. It's a bookshelf made out of heavy iron piping and one look at it made me think of my favorite phrase: Character matters. It can hold books stacked in different ways and includes accent lighting. Talk about a statement piece for the modern home.

I. want. this.

Photos: stellableudesigns

Play. Shop. Eat. San Juan Island

2011-09-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

When you ask a local why they like living on San Juan Island (also known as Friday Harbor) the number one answer is the simplicity of life. The island now has a modern hotel right off the ferry docks called Island Inn 123 West that is a unique space and great location for those who walk off the ferry for their stay on the island. If a trip to San Juan Island (Friday Harbor) is in your future, this guide will help you narrow down where to play, shop, and eat in a town known for its relaxed 1950s vibe.

Play
Explore the island on a moped or rent a bike. Go on a whale watching tour and scout for Orcas. Take a kayak trip. Or go ziplining. Visit the Whale Museum. The island offers something fun for everyone.

Shop
Robin's Nest (pictured above) is a fabulous home, garden and floral decor store. Robin's Nest recently moved locations and owner Robin Zemek now has a beautiful location under the umbrella of a 100-year-old tree. Go see her beautiful new store. Women and girls will love
Daisy Bloom. Daisy Bloom, owned by Michelle Waldron, features local artist designs including the awesome designs of Momentum Handbag and trendy designers like Michael Stars and Seattle's Prairie Underground. If you love vintage don't miss Annie Adams' Funk and Junk Antiques it is chalk full of vintage surprises. And men will love the San Juan Hot Shop where owner Eddie Williams will even let you taste the hot sauces and if you're lucky he'll tell you his secret to turning chili from hot to mild.

Eat
If you are in the mood for breakfast or brunch don't miss the Rocky Bay Cafe. For classic American fare head to Haley's Bait Shop & Grill complete with televisions for sports fans. And a few miles out of town the five-star rated Duck Soup Inn offers gourmet cuisine from fish to steak (if you need a lift Bob's Taxi can take you).

Did you know that the Victoria Clipper leaves from downtown Seattle and takes you straight to Friday Harbor?

Orcas Island is a quick ferry ride from San Juan Island (Friday Harbor).

Learn how to get around the different islands cost-effectively: 72 Hours in the San Juan Islands.

Read more Play.Shop.Eat posts.

Photo: CopyStrands

Waterfall Braid Tutorial

2011-09-12T19:10:00.000-07:00

Look at my pretty waterfall braid. The waterfall braid is the new trend braid of the season. It may look complicated, but it’s easier than you think. Plus, it looks great for any time of day, even in the office. I recently had my hair braided in a waterfall effect for a wedding I went to. This style works best on straight hair or wavy hair (like mine). Here’s how you can get the look too:

1. Make sure hair is dry, tangle free and parted naturally.

2. Collect a small section of hair at the top of one side of your head, close to your part, and break it into three sections.

3. Braid the three sections then drop the bottom section closest to your face. Now, add a section of hair to the top strand near the crown of your head (like you would when you do a French braid). Then grab a new section of hair on the bottom (closest to your ear just behind the dropped section; don't grab in front of the dropped section).

4. Now you should have three equal sections of hair again. Repeat step three.

5. Continue this process to the desired length you want it, wrapping the waterfall braid toward the back of your head as you go. Finish with a normal braid to the desired length. Finally, secure the braid with bobby pins or a hair tie and flip a section of hair over the top to conceal the pins or hair tie. Or cover the secured section with a decorative hair piece.

YouTube features great video tutorials of how to do a waterfall braid too.

Photos: CopyStrands

Boutique Crush: Vintage Angel

2011-09-09T11:00:00.000-07:00

Seattle's Susie Jarvis has outdone herself this time. On the heels of her Vintage Closet store in Ballard she has opened another called the Vintage Angel in Fremont. She is known for her massive collection of cowboy boots, slips and vintage purses. Love it! See for yourself...

Photos: Vintage Angel and Vintage Closet

Weekend Getaway: Seabrook

2011-09-06T13:46:00.000-07:00

If you live in the Pacific Northwest and you haven't visited Seabrook you are missing out. Seabrook is a quaint beach town along Washington's Pacific Ocean coastline. The homes are built green. The beach town is only a two and a half hour drive from Seattle and three hours from Portland, OR. It's a wonderful place to visit, relax and meet new friends.

At Seabrook you can rent a home or cottage. Ride beach cruisers. Fly kites. Run on the beach. Hike on trails. Picnic. Play basketball, volleyball, badminton, pickle ball, bocce ball, horseshoes and more. You can watch outdoor movies and make smores in an outdoor fire pit. You can discover dramatic beach sunsets. Or go on an evening stroll and explore all the twinkle lights that adorn the quaint homes.

They now offer an indoor pool. The beach town has its own shops and grocery store and a revamped restaurant now called Mill 109. If you are in the market to buy a beach home my hubs can get you a free night stay at Seabrook and you can go on a tour of the town and see home plans.

I've written about Seabrook for AOL City's Best and The New York Times Company / About.com:

These photos are all reasons why I heart Seabrook. Something tells me after you see them you will fall in love with this beach town too:

Another reason to Be Well-traveled!

Photos: CopyStrands

A Pool in the Clouds

2011-09-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

Don't you want to jump right in? The Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore features a 150-meter infinity swimming pool for guests in their Sands Sky Park. It sits 200-meters in the sky atop three hotel towers making it the largest outdoor pool at that height. It's like swimming near the clouds. In all my travels around the world to date I have yet to visit Singapore. That pool makes me want to visit! Wow! Another reason why I say it's good to Be Well-traveled.

Photo: Marina Bay Sands

Boutique Crush: Adore Vintage

2011-09-02T09:30:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of Adore Vintage? This Los Angeles-based online vintage shop sells clothing from the 1900s to the 1980s. The dresses are like candy for the vintage loving eye. Especially my love for 1920s and 1930s styles. Bravo! Oh, and the hats, you must see the hats! They even have this section for Mad Men fashion lovers.

Vintage clothing is a Be Green do.

Photo: Adore Vintage

100 Years of Style

2011-09-01T14:35:00.000-07:00

Want to smile? Watch as a man and woman go on a delightful romp in clothing spanning a century. The vintage pieces are my favorite.

It's an advertisement that was done for the Westfield Stratford City shopping center in east London, England. Best ad ever. Watch:

Another Be Chic moment!

Gorgeous Handmade Bags

2011-09-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

I adore these handmade bags by Oregon-based designer, Abby Meadow. She creates bags from "natural, organic, sustainable and recycled fibers and fabrics." This is a gorgeous Be Green do! My favorite bag is this one.

These bags are perfect for weekend trips. Where are you headed for the long holiday weekend? I'll be at my favorite getaway to ride my bike, fly my kite and play in the sand with dear friends.

Photos: Infusion

A Loft Treehouse Bedroom

2011-08-31T11:36:00.000-07:00

I would have loved to have this rad bedroom when I was a kid. Or a tepee. What's your dream room?

Photo: Kids Furniture Blog

Boutique Crush: KIND Boutique

2011-08-26T13:12:00.000-07:00

Eco-friendly shop Kind Boutique features sustainable style and design and vintage clothing. They have adorable housewares too. Their designers range from Bodkin to Hansel From Basel. A lovely little Be Green shop.

Photo: KIND Boutique

Bicycle: The History

2011-08-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

Did you know that back in the 1920s and 1930s the bike was so popular in Europe that people would take their bikes on overnight trips and go camping? Bicycle: The History by David V. Herlihy features a section on old bicycle posters.

One read:

"Along with the Netherlands and Sweden, Denmark has long been one of the world's most bicycle friendly nations, a tradition reflected in this poster from 1949 for the National Travel Association of Denmark."

Another read:

"A French poster from 1925 promoting De Dion-Bouton bicycles and presenting cycling as a means to commune with nature.Cycling touring developed rapidly in the 1920s and 1930s in Europe, where many people went on overnight trips, bringing tents or lodging in a youth hostel."

The posters are vibrant and fun:

Makes me want to go for a bike ride!

Photos: CopyStrands from Bicycle: The History

Elements of Style Illustrated

2011-08-12T11:37:00.000-07:00

Illustrator Maira Kalman adds fun and whimsy to William Strunk, Jr. & E. B. White's grammar bible: The Elements of Style. Brush up on your grammar, enjoy vivid artwork and get language tips. The illustrations are so pretty:

"Somebody else’s umbrella"

"Divers"

Photos: The Elements of Style Illustrated

Mad Men for Banana Republic

2011-08-10T12:41:00.000-07:00

I adore the show Mad Men and I heart the new designs Banana Republic is launching this August 11 in honor of the 1960s show. Gorgeous and dapper for all, love it!

Introducing Banana Republic’s complete Mad Men collection:

What do you think?

Photos: NY Magazine

Luxury Bali Slated Huts

2011-08-05T10:49:00.000-07:00

Stumbled upon this five star luxury resort in Bali. Wouldn't it be fun to lounge around in one these slated huts? The best part is butlers, "take care of your every whim."

Photos: Alila Villas Uluwatu Bali

Look What's New: MYHABIT

2011-08-04T17:05:00.000-07:00

It was just a matter of time before Amazon.com joined the ranks of high-end, couture discount sites (think local Seattle company Zulily). Enter: MYHABIT. Just use your Amazon.com login and password to get started on their new site. It's a private fashion sale site that offers up to 60% off brands from high-end designers to boutiques.

While on the site I discovered Decades Denim (shown above). Offering a new twist on the blue jean. They are designed more like leggings in look, but a bit heavier in weight like a jean.

It will be interesting to see what else they sell as time goes by, each day new products are launched for women, men, kids and home by couture designers.

Photo: MYHABIT

Play. Shop. Eat. Portland, OR

2011-08-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Whenever I travel I scope out the best boutique shops in the area and then pay them a visit when I'm in town. I've traveled around the world and my favorite place to shop is Portland, Oregon. Portland loves to support local, I love that and the boutique shops offer tons of whimsical designs by local artists. If a trip to Portland is in your future this list will help you discover how to play, shop and eat in a city full of local shops in different districts.

Play
Portland is flat as a pancake. Bring your running shoes, rollerblades or your favorite bike. Portland hums with activity. Urban cruiser bikes are everywhere. Admire the bike baskets of the locals. Then go see the awesome bikes at Joe Bike.

Shop
Portland's Alberta Street neighborhood offers beautiful boutique shopping. There are feminine and flirty dresses at Tumbleweed Boutique. Owner Kara Larson designs her own dress line called Kara-Line. Have a few dresses shipped to your home to try on. The dresses are elegant and gorgeous! The store also sells slips from Glam Garb. Next door to Tumbleweed Boutique is the cutest children's store called Grasshopper also owned by Kara. The store offers an extensive collection of children's clothes, toys and books. And the pedX Shoe Boutique has affordable, trendy, yet comfortable shoes. And I adore the ladies at the Frock Boutique.

Mississippi Avenue offers loads of shopping including a cute country store called Porch Light.

And the whimsical clothing at Portland-based Makool Loves You is available online.

In the Pearl District make sure you visit Powell's Books, it is the best bookstore in the United States. Parallel (has indie fashions including Seattle-based Prarie Underground) and Physical Element offers local and international labels with a unique fashion twist. And Lizard Lounge features high-end, yet pricey, outdoor-inspired clothing including the popular, Portland-based Nau line. And check out the adorable, retro-inspired swimwear at Popina.

And a few other local stores in the Portland area worth checking out include Marguerite (1520 SE Bybee Blvd; 503-234-7202; hours 11am-5pm Wed-Sun). Also check out Golden Rule (a concept store that changes monthly). Palace has awesome vintage clothes for men and women. And just around the corner from Palace, I heart Noun, what a lovely store chock full of eclectic baubles.

Eat
A great local place in Portland for breakfast is Broder. The line to get into the Little T American Baker is worth the wait for a dose of healthy food. If you like pasta, Noodle & Co offers affordable meals. For some soul food go to Mother's Bistro and Bar. For a true old school diner experience head to the yummy Byways Cafe, the employee-owned restaurant has been dishing up American fare since the 1930s. And the award-winning pizza at Old Town is mouth watering and the building is haunted too. Enjoy a seasonal meal at Doc, and don't miss the canned foods that lines the walls and windows. For a local communal table feel with fresh food and awesome wine list don't miss Clyde Common.

Find more Portland shopping.

Read more Play.Shop.Eat posts.

Photo: CopyStrands

The Gorgeous Maldives

2011-07-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

The Anantara Hihavah Villas in the picturesque Maldives, wish they were closer to Seattle
(flight time alone is 18 hours, not including layovers!). Instead I'll settle for someday visiting
Bora Bora (flight time 9.5 hours, not including layovers).

Someday I'll vacation in a bungalow on stilts like these:

And soak in an awesome tub:

And sit under perfect umbrellas:

See more luxury vacation spots. Do you have a favorite dream place to vacation?

Photos: Home Dsgn

Boutique Crush: Beklina

2011-07-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

An eco-boutique doing its part to Be Green. These little enamal French lockets with a mirrored-sheen are just lovely. And they are made in Paris! Their women's fashions are edgy too. And the best part is, it's a family run business. Bravo!

Photo: Beklina

Play. Shop. Eat. Chicago

2011-07-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Chicago or like the locals pronounce it "Sheh-CAH-go" shines with super friendly locals. The city bustles with young urbanites looking to put their stamp on the world. If a trip to Chicagoland is in your future, this guide will help you narrow down where to play, shop, and eat in the Windy City.

Play
Baseball fans must take a stroll around the exterior of Wrigley Field and gaze up at the rooftop bleachers above the homes that line the streets (pictured above). And then if you are so inclined go on a tour inside the oldest stadium in the U.S, home of the Chicago Cubs. If the Cubs are in town, then go to a game. For those who like culture head to the Art Institute of Chicago where you can snap photos of the impressive art. Or check out the Chicago History Museum where you can learn about the 16th President of the United States: Abraham Lincoln. Millennium Park is a great place to explore the sculptures including "The Bean" a reflective piece known as Cloud Gate. And at Millennium Park you can catch a concert in the summer or ice skate in the winter. Families and kids will love discovering Navy Pier, featuring rides, attractions and boat tours. And if you want to snap a photo from the top of Chicago you have two choices. Head to the Skydeck to hover over Chicago on a see-through ledge (fun for kids) or go have a drink at the Signature Lounge where you will be treated to panoramic views of the city while you sip a cold one (fun for adults) and really romantic to do at night.

Shop
These three little words will keep you busy shopping for days: The Magnificent Mile. They have every store you can ever dream of—all on one long street. Also be sure to visit some local shops. For local shops head to the Wicker Park district where you will find Penelope's and Renegade Handmade. Just around the corner from those two shops is N. Milwaukee Ave., which is lined with one-of-a-kind shops and some big names like Steve Madden, Cynthia Rowley and Marc Jacobs. And if you like antiques check out the Chicago Antique Market (seasonal dates) and the Broadway Antique Market (open year-round). And P.O.S.H. Chicago has fun Parisian-inspired flea market finds.

Eat
If you are in Chicago during the Taste of Chicago you will be in food Heaven. Vendors from around the area offer their food to the public in Grant Park for the price of pre-paid tickets that you buy ahead of time. One yummy find: Beggars Pizza. Another highly rated place to dine is at Ruxbin Kitchen. Thanks to the Kalles' for giving us a heads up about the Weber Grill Restaurant where we had a yummy BBQ meal cooked on—you guessed it—Weber Grills. The FishBar Chicago whips up melt-in-your-mouth seafood—try the lobster roll sandwich, thank me later.

Read more Play.Shop.Eat posts.

Photo: CopyStrands

Discover Art: Chicago, Norway, Denmark

2011-07-19T17:15:00.000-07:00

When I was in college I enrolled in an art class that ended up becoming the hardest class I took (even over Biochemistry and Anatomy Physiology). The professor promised it would be the hardest class we'd take as well as the most useful and memorable. Of course at the time we all scoffed at her, but when I graduated college and ended up walking through the Louvre in Paris, France and then the Musée d'Orsay and Musée National Picasso I was really grateful for what my art professor taught me. Thanks to that college art class I knew the names of the artists, recognized pieces of work, I knew the dates they were painted and the era they came from.

Then while visiting Chicago, Sweden, Denmark and Norway I found more reasons to be thankful for that college art class. I was amazed when I visited the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) that they let me take photos of the art. Every museum I've visited until now has never let me take photos of the art. I want to share with my dear readers some of the fabulous pieces at AIC, I'm sure you will recognize some of them (as well as the famous piece by Norwegian artist, Edvard Munch I snapped in Oslo):

The staircase inside the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) is bright and filled with words:

When I arrived at AIC I visited the Impressionist wing and the early American art wing:

Claude Monet's "Stacks of Wheat," 1890; Art Institute of Chicago:

Claude Monet's "Water Lily Pond," 1900; Art Institute of Chicago; I've also visited this place in Giverny, France:

Edward Hopper, "Nighthawks," 1942; Art Institute of Chicago:

Grant Wood, "American Gothic," 1930; Art Institute of Chicago; The models were Grant's sister and dentist:

Gustave Caillebotte, "Paris Street, Rainy Day," 1877; Art Institute of Chicago:

Georges Seurat, "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte," 1884; Art Institute of Chicago:

Paul Cézanne, "The Basket of Apples," 1893; Art Institute of Chicago:

Vincent van Gogh "Self Portrait," 1887; Art Institute of Chicago:

Vincent van Gogh "The Bedroom," 1889; Art Institute of Chicago; This was the guest bedroom of van Gogh's:

I was also amazed that the Oslo National Gallery and the Edvard Munch Museum let me take pictures of the art. I went to the museums in Oslo to see Edvard Munch's "The Scream" and "Madonna" by the Norwegian artist. While at the museums we learned that Munch had an engagement with a woman go bad and he never really recovered from it and remained single until his death. Upon his death he donated all his art to Oslo.

Edvard Munch "The Scream," 1896:

And when I visited the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense, Denmark (again you are allowed to take photos) there was original artwork on display from his famous book "The Ugly Duckling," artwork by Thomas Vilhelm Pedersen (as well as artwork from his books "The Little Mermaid" and "The Emporer's New Clothes"):

"The Ugly Duckling"

Did you have a favorite? I found I really enjoyed the art of Gustave Caillebotte, especially in person. And I've always been awe struck by the pointillism paintings of Georges Seurat.

More Chicago.
More Norway.
More Denmark.

Photos: CopyStrands

Step Through Bike Love

2011-07-15T18:22:00.000-07:00

I have my eyes on a new bike. While in Sweden I rode a step through urban cycle made by Swedish brand Monark that had a chain cover and skirt cover (no more greasy chains or a wet, muddy back), three gears plus foot and hand breaks, power-generated lights on the front and back for evening rides and a handy basket in front and one basket on the side of the back wheel. It was like a dance watching the local women get on and off their step through bikes just like Mary Poppins - no more swinging your leg around like you're mounting a horse.

Mothers had forward-facing (front mounted) child seats near their handle bars for toting wee ones. Most women wore dresses or skirts while cycling the urban jungle. Throughout Sweden and Denmark they don't wear helmets, even when riding alongside cars (some locals choose to wear helmets, but it is not mandatory). If the locals wore helmets they were like the one I bought in London by Yakkay. If it rains and they park their bikes they cover their seats with these oilcloth seat protectors (I bought the apple print one for my beach cruiser). They ride their bikes while holding umbrellas or they sport a Danefae raincoat.

The bike paths in Malmö, Sweden invite you to ride your bike safely all over the flat city. When you want to park your bike they use these handy O-locks with a retracting shackle that fit around the seat post and back tire. They leave the keys in it while riding (most O-lock models won't let you take out the key until you lock it) and when they park they quickly turn the key to lock the O-lock and walk away. The O-locks are designed to protect by leaving no space for thieves to insert tools for stealing. The U-locks used here in the States leave a ton of room for thieves to use their tools and steal your bike. If you want to put an O-lock on your bike just have a bike shop build holes on your bike to attach it. In the States it would be good to have an O-lock and a U-lock when leaving your bike to deter even the best thieves. My hubs' bike was stolen last fall and he used just a U-lock. Now he'll be using both an O-lock and a U-lock.

You can rent bikes at Malmö Centralstation (in Sweden), but in Copenhagen the bikes the city offers are taken first thing every morning and you won't be able to rent one (they need to supply more bikes in Denmark for visitors). The locals even told us that it is a joke to find a bike to use while in Copenhagen.

My favorite bike shop in Malmö was Fridhemscykel. They also sell the O-locks.

Bikes I'm loving:

I still adore this bike by Kate Spade.
I heart the elegance of the Gazelle.
The Velorbis Victoria is interesting.
The minimalism of the Public C3 intrigues.
And my absolute favorite bike right now is the Amsterdam Electra.

Photo: Hermès

Scandinavia Adventures

2011-07-13T15:08:00.000-07:00

See this cute little house? It's nestled in the city center of beautiful Malmö, Sweden. Throughout the city there are super flat, floral lined streets with brightly colored doors and bikes parked anywhere they feel like putting them. I LOVED Malmö the best of all the cities we visited. It was a quiet city, with hardly any cars, with women wearing dresses and pedaling cycles all over the place. The city offers miles of bike paths, miles of pedestrian walkways and all separate from the few cars on the roads. You know how in the States we drive and park our cars to catch buses and trains? The locals in Sweden bike to the bus and train stations and park their bikes out front. No cars. It was amazing to see. Even on our drive through Sweden, out in the middle of the farmlands, alongside the one-lane highways, were bus stops with bike holders chock full of cycles. Sweden's cities were designed specifically for bikers and pedestrians. And the cars stop for cycles and walkers at all times. It was the safest I ever felt cycling and walking in my entire life. And the country has trains that go everywhere, some are high speed too. And they pride themselves in putting the Earth first, everything they do is a Be Green do! They have more recycling bins for things than anywhere I've ever visited. Seattle is WAY behind a country like Sweden. I could easily live in Malmö.

And the story of great built cities was mirrored throughout Denmark. Checkout Denmark's solution for cyclists and walkers and cars, just brilliant!

While in Denmark we visited several places including Copenhagen (with more women in dresses cycling everywhere, but a lot more cars on the roads), Helsingør (where another king the hubs is related to lived and reigned at Kronborg castle) and Odense (home of children's book author Hans Christian Andersen). In the photo below I was walking down an adorable street in Odense (pronounced "Oh-whens-ah") pointing out to the hubs that our last name was on the woman's door who lived there:

The hubs loved Stockholm the best. While in Stockholm, we both dropped our jaws in awe at the alleyways throughout Old Town. He explored this one:

And I explored this one:

We took a short one-hour flight up to Oslo from Copenhagen to see some of my hubs' family roots. When we arrived at Akershus Fortress (built by his ancestor, King Haakon V of Norway, the kings remains are buried there too) the hubs decided this cannon was in the wrong place and tried to move it:

After exploring Sweden, Denmark and Norway we were told by locals in each country that our last name is Swedish and Danish and Norwegian. This caused the hubs to try to figure out which country suited him best. In the end he chose Sweden. Probably was a wise choice since everywhere we went the locals spoke to him in Swedish first. I was even mistaken for Swedish and Danish (for the record I'm Irish and Crow Indian). Neither of us were mistaken for Norwegian. Thankfully, all three countries speak English. The hubs' favorite part of Sweden was how they greeted you. The locals would say "hej, hej" (pronounced "hay, hay"). And when they were really happy to see you they would say "hej, hej, hej!" At first we thought they were speaking English to us, but then we realized their way of saying "hi" is our way of saying "hey there" - it was entertaining to say the least. And when saying "thank you" the Swedes say "tack" pronounced "talk" which became his second favorite thing to say.

Someday we plan to visit Sweden again. What a beautiful country!

I've traveled to several countries. I've visited more castles, churches and government buildings than I can count. So the day we took a train up to a ferry station in Sweden to hop a ferry across to Helsingør I was sure I would be bored visiting another castle my hubs' family is related to. Kronborg castle (known as Hamlet's castle) was built by the hubs' ancestor King Erik VII aka Erik of Pomerania. This is what Kronborg castle looked like from the ferry crossing over from Sweden to Denmark:

Inside the castle was really nothing special if you've seen as many castle's as I have. What was special was an underground area called the Casemats. It's damp, dark and creepy in there and when you enter you aren't even given a flashlight. Luckily we have Android cellphones with flashlight apps built in that really came in handy. The Casemats housed supplies and prisoners. If you would like to see what the Casemats were like this was the entrance (the couple ahead of us quickly exited because they were too freaked out) as we explored the Casemats we didn't run into a single person, we braved it alone:

As you can see no flashlight was needed yet. Then just around the corner at the end of the cobbled ramp we were greeted by Holger Danske:

Where we used our flashlight apps to shine on the walls:

As you wind your way underground you walk through lightly lit areas with dark nooks to shine a light to see etchings on the walls:

And as we traveled deeper inside it became very dark:

And then pitch black:

It took us about a half hour to get through it as we shined lights on everything. There were countless dark nooks to explore. Once we were totally freaked out we quickly exited back outside. Our bodies were sticky and damp and our sunglasses had fogged over. As we wiped off our sunglasses we promptly decided that that was the coolest thing we've ever done. If you go to Kronborg castle, skip paying for the whole castle and just get a ticket to the Casemats, it is hands down the best part to see there.

If you'd like to see more photos of our trip to Sweden, Denmark and Norway visit our Flickr page.

Next Drizzle: Danefae Raincoats

2011-07-11T18:18:00.000-07:00

Scandinavia features some of the best designs in the world. Just because it rains doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style - no more sporty raincoats for me. While in Sweden I fell in love with a raincoat designed by Danish company Danefae for sale at several Swedish and Danish boutiques. Each time I saw it I wanted it more. So I splurged on a black and white mini polka dot raincoat (shown above). It's lightweight, waterproof and complete with taped seams. Love the puckering in the back. And the longer length keeps thighs covered on a rainy bike ride. No matter what I'm wearing it can go over the top of any outfit, including my dresses, and I'll still look chic on a rainy day in Seattle. Win-win!

Photos: Danefae

Boutique Crush: Penelope's

2011-07-11T08:38:00.000-07:00

On our way home from Scandinavia we stopped over in Chicago where we discovered this awesome brand of men's shoes: Zuriick (they are based in Utah). The hubs ended up buying this sweet pair of shoes by Zuriick at Penelope's in Chicago's Wicker Park where we told co-owner, Joe Lauer, about Shoe the Bear and he was excited for the tip. He co-owns the store with his wife Jena Frey. They have a killer men's section of clothes and shoes; the women's section is eclectic and they have lots and lots of dresses. A must see if you are ever in Chicago! From downtown just take the Blue Line subway to Damen, their store is a short walk from the station.

Photo: CopyStrands

Get Heeled: Shoe the Bear

2011-07-11T08:18:00.000-07:00

We're home from our Scandinavian adventures to Sweden, Denmark and Norway! Photos and news to come. In the meantime, we stumbled upon this fun Danish-based shoe company on our trip and fell in love with the shoes. Have you heard of Shoe the Bear? Fun company! The hubs loved both pairs of shoes shown above and ended up buying the tan oxford-style pair.

Photos: Shoe the Bear

Winding Down in Denmark

2011-07-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

We are finishing up our trip to Scandinavia with some fun adventures in Denmark. From Malmo just across the famous Øresund Bridge is Copenhagen. It connects Sweden to Denmark. By train it takes about 40 minutes into the downtown core of Copenhagen from Malmo. Our friends from Paris are joining us for part of the time in Denmark too before they head back home to France.

While in Denmark we plan to visit Tivoli Gardens (the inspiration for Disneyland by Walt Disney). We are going to go shopping at the world's longest pedestrain-only street on Strøget. We are planning a day trip to ferry over to Bornholm Island to play on the beaches and ride scooters. Plus we are also going to hop a train to Odense to see the home and museum of famous children's book author Hans Christian Andersen. We will try to take a tour of Freetown Christiana if it's open, there are rumors that the government is shutting down the "town with no rules" which is only a few miles from Denmark's govenment sites. And if there is time we plan to visit Denmark's famous open air museum.

And of course we plan to ride bikes, since that is what Denmark is known for.

Then we head home via Chicago to spend a couple days in the Windy City before coming back home to Seattle!

When I'm back home I'll write up some Play.Shop.Eat. posts on what I discovered in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Chicago.

Photo: zoned.dk

Play. Shop. Eat. Malmo, Sweden

2011-07-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

Malmö is Sweden's third largest city. And it is a family friendly place to visit. Plus they love their hair salons, there are more hair salons on each block in Malmö than we have Starbucks in Seattle. Did you know that Malmö, Sweden has over 800 stores? Even local magazines and websites in nearby Copenhagen, Denmark tell visitors to head to Malmö to shop (and eat!). Only a 40 minute train ride from Copenhagen Centralstation to Malmö Centralstation (shown above) and you are there (from Kastrup airport near Copenhagen to Malmö it is only 22 minutes by train). Once in Malmö just walk a few blocks from the train station and you are at the core of everything in a city with more bikes than cars. In the summer, on Saturdays there is a farmers' market in Queen Square (Drottningtorget in Malmö) and on Sundays there is a flea market in the same square. In all of my travels to date Malmö is my favorite place. You can find free English guides about Malmö inside local hotel lobbies. Here is how to play, shop and eat in Malmö, Sweden.

Play
First, rent a bike at Malmö Centralstation (head to the train station's tourist center to find out who is currently renting bikes) and explore this quaint city on bike. They offer over 250 miles of bike paths for cyclists and the terrain is flat and enjoyable to pedal. If a tour is more your thing go sightseeing with Malmö Bike Tours. Monark bikes are a popular brand in Malmö. Or hop on a boat and see the sites via their canal. The boats are shallow, and watch out for low bridges, where you'll have to duck your head. On the tour you'll see Malmö Castle and the oldest parts of the city. All tours have a guide and they start at the canal near the centralstation. If you have kids they will love the rides and animals at Folkets Park. If you like to picnic, stroll and dine in one of their many parks. Or head to Ribban Beach for a day of fun in the sand. And Gamla Väster in the downtown core of Malmö is adorable and worth a look. Check out the low, colorful houses. To get there head west of Lilla Torg (pronounced "toy") square. Locals can show you the way if you get lost.

Shop
One of the best places to shop for one-of-a kind fashions and local designs is Davidshallstorg. Be sure to visit Liebling (a sweet shopgirl there gave me her umbrella when it was raining outside, such kindness!), Meloa (for fun accessories) and Tjallamalla (they sell cool men's and women's fashions including awesome oxfords by Shoe the Bear. Then head over to Friisgatan to see two lovely boutiques: Miloii and Folk (where I met a lovely woman named Tindy who gave us advice on where to eat in her beautiful city; and later that week I splurged on a Danefae coat at Folk).

Other stores around the city worth seeing include: Lotta Djossou (Swedish designed jewelry with a Parisian twist). And Design Torget (for affordable, up an coming Swedish designs, a really fun store to explore).

There are several other shopping streets in Malmö easy to get to on foot or by bike. The big commercial streets run from Stortorget and Lilla Torg, through Södergatan, across Gustav Adolf’s Torg and continues south along Södra Förstadsgatan. And if you are ambitious you can head all the way over to Triangeln for more shops.

Eat
Malmö is also well-known for their restaurants that offer a unique food experience for all your senses. For a melt in your mouth breakfast you can't miss Pâtisserie David (the fresh apple turnovers are scrumptious). For lunch head to Epicuré Bröd & Vin (the pasta is delicious and they have an adorable courtyard out back to dine in). Have dinner outdoors at Mosaik (thanks to Tindy for the suggestion, loved my meal there with a view of Lilly Torg square). For true Swedish cuisine head to the exclusive restaurant Vendel at Sturehof or dine at Mrs. Brown (a great place to eat that is not a chain) or enjoy a meal at Restaurang Atmosfär (they offer a seasonal, affordable menu). Note: If you order alcoholic drinks be fore warned that it is expensive to order drinks in Scandinavia. And the best ice cream I've ever had is at Dolce Sicilia. Malmö also has a raw food bar on Friisgatan called Raw Food House, it is a lovely place to grab a healthy drink and snack.

Plan a Day Trip
There is a high speed X2000 train to and from Malmö to Stockholm that only takes four hours (one way), a fun overnight trip option. And Malmö is only 40 minutes from Copenhagen too. And it's easy to take a train and a ferry boat over to Kronborg Castle from Sweden. Or hop a train and ferry and head over to the beaches at Bornholm Island.

Copenhagen is only a 40 minute train ride to lovely Copenhagen in scenic Denmark. And Malmö is an eight hour train ride to Oslo.

Their local website is Malmö Town.

Read more Play.Shop.Eat posts.

Photo: CopyStrands

Play. Shop. Eat. Stockholm

2011-07-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Stockholm is rich with history. The photo above was a jaw dropping moment while strolling through Gamla Stan, known as Old Town, it's the oldest part of the city dating back to the 13th century. Old Town Stockholm is laced with hidden alleyways and colorful corridors. If a trip to Scandinavia is in your future go see Stockholm. It's a vibrant city with hundreds of islands speckled off its shores. And tons of forward thinking design stores. This guide will help you play, shop, and eat in the capital city.

Play
Go on a tour with a real Viking. The Stockholm Viking Tour will lead you through the historic city pockets. If you only have time to do one thing go straight to Old Town and enter medieval Stockholm, your jaw will drop at the intricate, cobbled streets that narrow into colorful allyways. If you enjoy art don't miss Stockholm's National Museum, it is considered the best and most comprehensive museum in the world (they have paintings by all the great masters: Rembrandt, Rubens, Boucher, Renoir, Degas and Gauguin). Or see the modern art at The Agueli Museum. If you want to know what Stockholm was like in the 13th century head to the Museum of Medieval Stockholm, it is a free museum that is underground and set up just like medieval times. If you go you'll find the museum under the Norrbro bridge between Norrmalm and Gamla Stan. The world's oldest outdoor museum, Skansen is also very popular and worth a visit. And when you're ready to get off your feet for a while take a royal boat tour through Stockholm's canal or rent a city bike. For those with more time hop a ferry and visit one of the 150 inhabitated islands in the Stockholm Archipelago. Ferries depart from the Blasieholmen peninsular. And kids will love Pippy Longstocking's Junibacken.

Shop
The flagship Odd Molly boutique in downtown Stockholm is huge. Up close the dresses are flirty and adorable. Design House Stockholm features the designs of local Swedish artists. They even sell my bicycle basket. And Bruka Design is a must see, it's a gorgeous design store. Svenkst Tenn is an elegant interior design store. For brand named men's and women's clothing check out Grandpa. And Svensk Hemslöjds offers one of a kind handicrafts. MUD is known for it's Swedish-designed ceramics. And the sweet store Bric-a-brac offers urban clothing for women, men, and children. Shop wall-to-wall ribbons at Folkers. And if you are a tea lover don't miss The Tea Centre. For a pop of color head over to Afroart. If you want to visit a popular shopping destination for locals then go to Ahlens.

Eat
For breakfast and lunch don't miss Östermalms Saluhall inside you will find rows of fresh food stalls with something for everyone. It's very popular with the locals and they take their treats across the street to the courtyard and eat outdoors or you can dine in one the restaurants inside. For lunch eat outside with a garden view at Rosendals Tradgard Cafe. Or enjoy the small plates of French food at Sardin. For dinner request a fun room in The Grill (their website is fun too). Or enjoy an organic and locally grown meal at Aarts. Whatever you do don't try to eat any meal in Old Town. It is very expensive there and a tourist trap during high travel seasons such as summertime. Only walk through Old Town for the history and eat your meals elsewhere in Stockholm. If you insist on eating in Old Town head over to FLYT, a floating restaurant.

Plan a Day Trip
It's only a one hour train ride from Stockholm's central train station to the university town Uppsala, where you'll discover Carolina Rediviva, home of over five million books and a museum showcasing rare artifacts like the Silver Bible and Mozart's Magic Flute. And don't miss the Uppsala Cathedral it is gorgeous inside.

Stockholm's central train station offers lockers for luggage on the main level and downstairs. If you bring anything bigger than a carry-on size suitcase it is slim pickings to find a larger locker available to store bigger luggage, especially during high tourist season. And there is a high speed X2000 train to and from Stockholm to Malmö that only takes four hours (one way), a fun overnight trip option. Malmö is only 40 minutes from Copenhagen too. And Stockholm is an eight hour train ride to Oslo.

This map of Stockholm can help you get to know the area.

Their local website is Visit Stockholm.

Read more Play.Shop.Eat posts.

Photo: CopyStrands

Play. Shop. Eat. Copenhagen

2011-07-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

Copenhagen teems with women in flowy dresses and men in dark suits, atop Dutch bikes, zipping through the flat, super bike-friendly city. Denmark is known for their green homes they call hygge (meaning cozyiness) and many are stylish and modern. Just like Stockholm, Copenhagen has several different historic areas and lively action is featured along their famous canal. The city prides itself in offering free bike rentals (for their 10,0000 km of bicycle routes) through their program: Bycyklen København, however, good luck finding a bike in the summer, by early morning they are all taken. But there are other ways to get around the city, it's easy to walk to every district. Shopping and eating in Copenhagen is expensive, there, you've been warned. But the must see National Museum is free. This guide will help you play, shop, and eat in the capital city.

Play
To help you get acquainted with Copenhagen, hop on a boat tour first thing in the morning, before the boats get crowded later in the day. For those who like to see a city on foot join locals and visitors for a jog through Running Copenhagen. If you are dying to see The Little Mermaid statue you can get there by foot, bike, metro, car or bus, but you can skip the crowds and see the side and back of the statue on most boat tours. Kids and those who are kids at heart will enjoy Tivoli Gardens an outdoor amusement park in the heart of the city with rides (they have the oldest wood coaster in the world), gardens and restaurants. Tivoli Gardens was the inspiration for Walt Disney to create Disneyland. And for history buffs head to the free National Museum Denmark where you'll see: The Chariot of the Sun, The Egtved Girl and Viking Runic Stones. Beer lovers will enjoy the Carlsberg Brewery tour.

Shop
If you enjoy mainstream shopping then head to the longest outdoor, pedestrian-only shopping area on Strøget (it runs from Rådhuspladsen to Kongens Nytorv). There you can shop couture brands (Louis Viutton, Gucci, Marc Jacobs) and popular brand names (Zara, H&M, Vero Moda) and if the price tags shock you check out the fun home decor store Tiger (it's super affordable). One store worth seeing is: Norr they sell the awesome Scandinavian-designed line: St-Martins. And if you have time check out Bruuns Bazaar.

If you like shops with character and handmade goods head to the Latin Quarter. Stores in the Latin Quarter worth checking out include: Sneaky Fox (pretty accessories), One Off (one-of-a-kind designs that can be altered to fit your body at no extra charge; sewing machine is on site) and Tone Barker Silke (elegant but expensive dresses). A little further into town off the Latin Quarter is Lubarol (handpicked designer wear). And on the otherside of town you can visit Danefae.

Eat
You really can't go wrong with eating a Danish pastry or fresh out of the oven bread at Lagkagehuset, makes for a yummy breakfast. For lunch and dinner, if you want to eat like a local head to the Fiskebar they are located in a warehouse area just off the downtown core, easy to walk to, and the seafood is delicious. Most locals are found outside dining at Mothers, a popular Italian restaurant. And for a super quaint experience dine in the outdoor nook of the Il Dona Courtyard Cafe (it's Rome in the heart of Copenhagen). A note about eating out in Denmark: Alcohol (just like in Sweden) is expensive and many places charge for tap water.

Plan a Day Trip
There are several easy day trips you can do from Copenhagen. One is the popular Open Air Museum (train, then bus or walk), where you can experience early Danish life. Or you can take a day trip from Copenhagen to Helsingør / Elsinore (via train) to visit Kronborg Castle (known as Hamlet's Castle) and see the underground casemats where supplies were stored and prisoners were kept. And for kids and children's book lovers take a day trip to Odense (pronounced "oh-whens-ah"), home of the Hans Christian Andersen Museum on Bangs Boder road. Andersen was the famous author of the children's books: "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Emporer's New Clothes" and "The Little Mermaid." You can also take a couple days and visit the slow paced life at Bornholm (Ronne) Island (where you can rent scooters and hangout on several different beaches) or Aero (Ærø) Island, which is popular for cycling. And to beat the summer heat take a seven-minute train ride out to the curved wooden pavilion in the Baltic Sea known as: Kastrup Søbad or Sea Bath.

Copenhagen is only a 40 minute train ride to lovely Malmö in scenic Sweden.

To get to Oslo from Copenhagen, hop on an overnight ferry the journey is about 16 hours. The DFDS cruise ships leave at night and arrive in the morning leaving about seven hours to explore before you head back to your destination.

Their local website is Visit Stockholm.

Read more Play.Shop.Eat posts.

Photo: CopyStrands

Play. Shop. Eat. Oslo, Norway

2011-07-01T09:00:00.001-07:00

Oslo has had its share of sad press. But chances are you have Norwegian in your family tree and it's a country to still be proud of. If you have ancestry roots anywhere in Scandinavia, your family most likely originated in Norway (like my hubbys) and migrated over to other countries as Oslo was founded in 1000 ca. Locals say Oslo means "the field below the hill" or "the field of the Gods." The majestic fjords, museums packed with Norwegian heritage and the land of the Vikings offer something for everyone. If you don't like the cold go in the summer even then the temperatures only hover around 60 degrees. And of course if you like to ski or do any snow sports for that matter Norway is the place to be in the winter. Oslo is worth discovering at least once in your lifetime. This guide will help you play, shop, and eat in the capital city.

Play
Be sure to go to at least one museum while in Oslo, they have 50, there is something for everyone. The National Gallery is packed with Norwegian heritage and even has the famous works of Edvard Munch (pronounced "Monk") such as "The Scream" and the "Madonna." For those that want to learn more about Oslo's famous artist head to the Edvard Munch Museum. When Munch died he had no heirs so he donated all of his paintings to Oslo. The museum is gorgeous and security there is high, no bags bigger than a small purse, you must go through screening, but photos of the paintings are allowed, without a flash of course. History buffs will want to explore Akershus Fortress. Here you can see what life was like back in 1299 to the present, you can visit the tombs of kings buried there (armed guards patrol the fortress all hours of the day due to the famous kings who are buried there). You can take a free and very informational walking tour too and if you are lucky you might see a wedding (only employees of the military are allowed to get married at the fortress). Men and boys will love the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo. And if you have kids take them to Norway's largest amusement park: TusenFryd. Or go on a mini cruise: Hop On - Hop Off.

Shop
The city centre, along the main street called Karl Johans Gate, is where you will find most the shopping. Trendy brands are here like H&M, Mango, and Zara (this Sept. 2011 Zara will sell clothes online!) along with traditional department stores. Behind the royal palace as you head toward Vigeland Park are the shopping streets Hegdehaugsveien and Bogstadveien. Here you will find exclusive designers of high street fashion (like Kameleon) and furniture (like Pur Norsk and Eske). Then head toward the Aker River and stroll through the streets Thorvald Meyers and Markveien. Here you will find vintage shops (like Velouria Vintage), shoe stores (like the Shoe Lounge), ceramics (at Granit), art and food.

Eat
Speaking of food, if you are looking for a light breakfast or hearty lunch don't miss People & Coffee (near Akershus Fortress), and if you are lucky you'll meet the charismatic owner. Fresh food is served daily with a rolling, seasonal menu, and they are known for their specialized coffee from Ethiopia and Columbia. For dinner head to Stranden along the water (a short walk, just across the water from Akershus Fortress). There are a plethora of restaurants there like DS Louise, Lofoten Fiskerestaurant, or Olivia. Other restaurants worth checking out include: Cafe Christiana, Engebret Cafe, or Icebar Oslo.

Plan a Train or Boat Excursion
If you plan to visit more of Norway (especially the gorgeous fjords on the Bergen side) a great way to do it is plan a Norway in a Nutshell tour. Or go on one of the most scenic and steepest train rides in the world: The Flam Railway, before you go watch a spectacular video of the railway.

Oslo is an eight hour overnight train ride to Stockholm or an eight hour overnight train ride to Malmö, which is near Copenhagen. To get to Copenhagen from Oslo, hop on an overnight ferry the journey is about 16 hours. The DFDS cruise ships leave at night and arrive in the morning leaving about seven hours to explore before you head back to your destination.

Their local website is Visit Oslo.

Read more Play.Shop.Eat posts.

Photo: CopyStrands

Onward: Norway, King Relations

2011-06-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

We are taking a quick trip to Norway to visit in and around Oslo. We found the best way to visit Oslo from Sweden is by air. A quick hour flight gets you there. And we are meeting our friends from Paris in Oslo!

There are two reasons we are going to Norway. First, ever since I wrote a fifth grade report on Norway, I've wanted to visit.

The second reason is it turns out my hubs is Norwegian before Swedish. While researching his family tree before the trip we found that his family lineage on his father's, mother's side was Swedish going back to the 1300s. Then it ran into Norway and Denmark from 700-1300. It turns out he is related to over a dozen Norwegian Kings (his link to the kings was through an illegitimate daughter of King Haakon V of Norway her name was Agnes Håkonsdotter aka Agnes Princess of Norway) and thanks to marriages he is also related to a bunch of Danish and Swedish kings and queens. He is even related to two Viking kings and two Emperors from the Byzantine Empire of Constantinople!

These are the kings from Norway the hubs is related to, they were part of the Fairhair Dynasty (in order from oldest to most recent):

Norwegian Kings
1. King Harold Klak (whose son was King Sigurd Rise of Norway whose son was King Halfdan Hadafylke Sigurdsson of Norway)
2. King Sigurd Syr
3. King Harald Hardrada (founded Oslo, Norway in 1048)
4. King Olaf III of Norway (he founded Bergen, Norway in 1070)
5. King Magnus III of Norway (Barefoot) (he got his name for fleeing an attack on his bare feet)
6. King Harald IV of Norway (Gille) (illegitimate son of Magnus III with a commoner from Ireland)
7. King Sigurd II of Norway (Munn) (illegitimate son of Harald IV with commoner Tora Guttormsdotter)
8. King Sverre of Norway
9. King Hakon III of Norway (illegitimate son of King Sverre with commoner Astrid Roesdatter; rumors say he was murdered by his step-mother)
10. King Haakon IV of Norway (illegitimate son of Hakon III of Norway with Inga of Varteig)
11. King Magnus VI of Norway (married Ingeborg of Denmark who became the Queen of Norway)
12. King Haakon V of Norway (who had an illegitimate daughter named Agnes Princess of Norway with commoner Cathrine Sigurdsdtr. Agnes married a commoner where the royal lineage ended until Agnes' son married a woman named Birgitta Knudsdtr Lejon who came from royal lineage.) Haakon V of Norway is buried at Akershus Fortress in Norway, which he helped build in Oslo (he is credited for Oslo becoming the capital of Norway), we plan to go see the fortress. Side note: Eric of Pomerania was a descendant of Haakon V of Norway, Eric's castle is Helsingor famous for the setting of William Shakespeare's Hamlet, which we also plan to go see, it is in Denmark).

The following are names of other royal people my hubs is related to through marriages with the kings and their children:

King Magnus VI of Norway married Ingeborg of Denmark. The following is her family lineage:
1. Ingebord of Denmark / Queen of Norway
2. Eric IV of Denmark
3. Albert I, Duke of Saxony
4. Bernhard, Count of Anhalt
5. Albert I “The Bear”
6. Sophie von Wizenburg
7. Mieszko III “The Old”
8. Elizabeth of Hungary
9. Leopold VI of Austria “The Glorious”
10. Theodora Angelina, Duchess of Austria
11. Leopold V of Austria “The Virtuous”
12. Helena of Hungary
13. Leopold III, Margrave of Austria (Patron Saint of Austria, canonized by the Pope)
14. Theodora Komnene (daughter of Andronikos Komnenos from Byzantine Empire)
15. Andronikos Komnenos (son of John II)
16. John II Komnenos (Byzantine Emperor)
17. Irene of Hungary (wife of John II Komnenos)
18. Alexois I Komnenos (Byzantine Emperor)
19. Irene Doukaina (wife of Alexois I Komnenos)
20. Anna Dalassene (wife of John Komnenos, their child was Alexios I Komnenos)

Haakon IV of Norway married Margret Skuladottir, this is some of her family lineage:
• Margret Skuladottir (wife of King Magnus VI; together they had a son who married Rikitsa Birgersdottir, daughter of Jarl Birger Manusson who founded and named Stockholm, Sweden)
• Skule Bardsson (father of Margret Skuladottir)

Princess Agnes (the illegitimate daughter of King Magnus V), her son married Birgitta Knudsdtr Lejon. The following people are part of Birgitta’s lineage:

Sweden:
• Folke the Fat Earl of Sweden (1078-1133)
• Erik IX Jevardsson “The Saint” King of Sweden (1115-1159) (he is buried at Uppsala Cathedral which we plan to visit).
• Charles the Deaf aka “Karl Dove” Jarl of Sweden (1139-1220) (the oldest seal from the 12th century is at The Swedish Museum of Antiquities and it is the seal of Charles the Deaf, which we plan to go see).

Denmark:
• Sweyn Forkbeard I Haraldsson King of Denmark and Norway (960-1014)
• Harald III Gormsson “Blue Tooth” King of Denmark and Norway (910-986) (king "Blue Tooth" is a descendent of the Vikings listed below.) Funny note: Bluetooth wireless designed by Ericsson named the hands free device after this king.

Vikings:
• Ragnar “Lodbrok” Sigurdsson King of the Vikings (770-840)
• Sigurd “Ring” Randersson also known as Sigurd Hring (he was the father of Ragnar Lodbrok) (750)

Next stop Denmark! When I'm back home I'll write up some Play.Shop.Eat. posts on my discoveries in Scandinavia!

P.S. Check out this crazy road in Norway.

Photo: Zanthia

Off to Sweden, Amusing Facts

2011-06-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

The time has finally come. The dates are here. It's a trip that's been in the works for almost a year now...the hubs and I are headed to Sweden, Denmark and Norway for a two week summer vacation!

To make the flight more bearable we will be stopping over in Chicago on the way to and from Scandinavia. Extra bonus, I get to explore Chicago!

The main purpose of the trip is for my hubs to explore his Swedish, Norwegian and Danish roots and for me to explore my grandmother's Swedish roots.

We will be staying in Malmo and Stockholm. We plan to shop Malmo, they have over 800 stores! And frolic on Malmo's pretty beach. We plan to visit this store in Stockholm I've been dying to see. And we will be going on a road trip through tiny towns like Tingsryd and the big towns of Norrköping, Stockholm and Uppsala visiting tons of museums along the way:

Did you know that Malmo's "Turning Torso" is supplied with 100% locally produced renewable energy? Sweden is big on living green. Here are some more random facts about Sweden that you might enjoy. Any surprise you?

And here is a cool site that shows weather conditions in Sweden.

I have a couple more posts set up for you while we are away sharing what else we will be up to. Enjoy!

When I'm back home I'll write up some Play.Shop.Eat. posts on Sweden, Denmark and Norway plus Chicago! I'll let you know from first hand experience exactly what is worth exploring when you travel there someday :)

Photo: dans le grand bleu

Boutique Crush: House 8810

2011-06-22T19:03:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of this Texas-based online store House 8810? They stock the cutest things for home, kids and more. I especially love the unique picnic boxes. Their products are an old school nod to the past with clever twists of fun, love it!

Free Museum Day Cities

2011-06-22T18:52:00.000-07:00

This is a brilliant site. If you are traveling this year to different cities check out the Free Museum Day site. Hopefully more cities are added to the site over time. But for now, you never know, it just might come in handy on your upcoming travels!

Photo: MiqsPix

Three Top Summer Reads

2011-06-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

If you have summer travel plans this year and are looking for a good book to read I can tell you these three books are worth reading. One will take you on an adventure, the other will take you on a mystery and the other will take you on a discovery for happiness. What books are you loving right now? Here are my three picks for what to read this summer:

1. Wanderlust by Elisabeth Eaves: A travel memoir spanning 15 years written for those with the itch to roam. Author Elisabeth Eaves, shares her hunger for travel as she crisscrosses five continents from the jungles of Papua New Guinea to her re-connection with her high school sweetheart in Cairo. It’s a raw and honest journey of self-discovery with outcomes you may not agree with but it’s her truth.

2. The Violets of March by Sarah Jio: Written by up and coming local Seattle author, Sarah Jio, (one to watch!) it’s set on Bainbridge Island and is packed with hidden twists and turns with a lovely thread of acceptance, healing and how to move forward once you’ve made a decision. When the main character, Emily Watson, finds her world turned upside down she accepts an invitation to visit her great-aunt Bee in Washington State where she discovers a journal from 1943 that mirrors her current life. A touching read.

3. Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh: This should be required reading for anyone in the corporate world and those who are looking for what it takes to be truly happy in life and at work. This is more than a book about how to run a successful start-up. It’s a full on effort on how to live life with true happiness. Author, Tony Hsieh (pronounced "Shay"), is the CEO of Zappos.com and his number one focus is company culture. He has proven when you help employees grow personally and professionally anything can happen – including $1 billion in business annually.

Photo: Zucchiniandoco

Base Camp: Seattle in Vogue

2011-06-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

Vogue magazine recently called Seattle "sophisticated but disarmingly down-to-earth," in their "America the Beautiful" series. They also managed to make us look like campers.

I'm tired of magazines writing up reports from New York (obviously they haven't visited Seattle, or they'd have known we don't dress like that) and passing us off as a city still hooked on Nirvana and wrapped in plaid and sporting hunting hats. And if you are staying at the Four Seasons in Seattle, take it from a local, it does not take five minutes to walk to the Seattle Art Museum (SAM), unless you're dropping off at Fran's to buy some chocolates on the way. It's only 423 feet from the Four Seasons to SAM.

But maybe they thought you'd rather "hike" the long way in your camping gear.

Photo: Vogue

Mason Jar Lunches: Recipes

2011-06-02T16:59:00.000-07:00

This is a fabulous Be Green do! I've seen this lunch idea on a few blogs lately and went straight to the talented source. Mason jar lunches by The Decorated Cookie, brilliant! I am going to try the one pictured: Pesto Pasta on a picnic this summer.

"Pesto Pasta: Cook penne pasta and drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the water. Prepare pesto: Process two cloves of garlic, about a cup of fresh basil leaves in a food processor. With the blade running, pour in about 1/4 cup of olive oil and the pasta water. Add salt and pepper to taste and blend. Add about 1/2 cup of Parmesean cheese. Mix briefly. Blend in more olive oil or hot water to desired consistency. Spoon a layer of pesto on the bottom of a mason jar. Add a layer of halved cherry tomatoes, a layer of cubed mozzarella cheese, and some of the penne pasta. Shake right before eating."

And I'm going to try this yummy salad too:

"Chickpea and chicken salad: Rinse and drain a can of chick peas. Place about half in a bowl, add your desired salad dressing (generously, as this will dress the whole salad) and mix. Spoon a layer of the chickpea mixture on the bottom of a mason jar. Top with a layer of sliced baby carrots, a layer of bite-size, cooked, seasoned chicken pieces, a layer of cucumber slices and a layer of lettuce. Shake right before eating."

Photos: The Decorated Cookie

Minimalist Running: Big Deal?

2011-05-26T15:39:00.000-07:00

Do you remember what it felt like to run as a kid? Your quick, short, stride speeding barefoot across a grassy field or sandy beach. Do you remember how your foot landed? Did you ever think about your feet?

Before running shoe companies filled their shelves with motion-control, over-cushioned shoes; before you were told you overpronate (turns out research is showing some pronation is natural); and before you knew it you were suffering from chronic injuries. But why? Could it be that running shoe companies were inventing problem shoes to make money, selling us shoes that actually created injuries?

Running is a hot topic again and for reasons that may surprise you. There's been a lot of discussion about foot fall and the perfect running form (have you seen Ryan Hall’s smooth running form?) and a large push to run barefoot or try minimalist-style shoes with zero drop. But what does it all mean?

My Running Story

In my 30 years of running I haven’t given the minimalist shoe craze much thought and frankly was not a fan of the idea. It wasn't until 20 years into running that I started having problems with injuries. For the past 10 years I've focused on how to cure my chronic runner’s knee so I can run into my old age. After meeting with three different orthopedic surgeons I was told: “you’ll never run again” to “you need orthodics” to “we could do surgery.” Instead I’ve tried: physical therapy, doctor-prescribed orthotics, motion-control shoes, weight training exercises to strengthen quads including riding a bike, massages, acupuncture, I even changed my running form about three years ago (shorter strides, leaning from my ankles, running 180 beats per minute) based on things I read in the book Chi Running by American Danny Dreyer. I've tried glucosomine pills, fish oil pills, KT Tape and knee braces. Some of these changes seemed to help me, but sometimes runner’s knee still creeps back in when I train for anything above a 10K. The minimalist shoe craze never caught my attention until I was asked to review a new minimalist running shoe.

I was approached to test a new zero drop minimalist running shoe called the Nada by Somnio. I've spent the past few months experimenting with the shoes and researching everything I could on the new minimalist running shoe craze. The following is what I've learned about minimalist shoes and what I think of the new Somnio Nada.

Minimalist Running: What's the Big Deal?

My journey started with re-reading the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. In the book the author states: “Before the invention of a cushioned shoe, runners through the ages had identical form: Jesse Owens, Roger Bannister, Frank Shorter and even Emil Zatopek all ran with their backs straight, knees bent, feet scratching back under their hips.”

According to the book How to Train by Fred Witt, McDougall notes Witt said, “They had no choice. The only shock absorption came from the compression of their legs and their thick pad of mid-foot fat.”

McDougall interviewed Arthur Lydiard (a former well-known runner and coach in New Zealand, now deceased) who claimed runner’s knee was treated by surgery in the past, but surgery did not solve the problem. Instead runners should strengthen their feet.

McDougall goes on to say that, “Today’s running shoes are so over-cushioned they invite you to land on your heel.” He shares a story about Bill Bowerman (former University of Oregon running coach, who McDougall says “wasn’t even a runner.”

“Bowerman created a shoe where you could land on your heel and in essence lengthen your stride.” The name of the shoe was the Cortez by Nike. When runners who wore the shoe started getting injured Nike began to research the barefoot craze that took off in 2002. That is when Nike unveiled the Nike Free.

Somnio Nada Review

Currently the running shoe market is flooded with minimalist shoe choices. My first adventure with the Somnio Nada was finding the right size (they run large, I usually wear a women's size 7 and ended up with a 5.5 size in the Nada). After spending time walking in my test pair of Somnio Nada shoes and watching and trying out the Wharton Performance guided DVD that came with the shoes (introducing form drills and strengthening exercises), I went for a run in my Nada shoes.

I slipped them on my feet (I wore wick-away socks with mine) and left my orthotics at home. It was the most bare I’ve run in years. I chose a flat, three-mile loop near my home and instantly noticed that they reminded me of the stripped down track flats I used to race in. The Nadas are extremely lightweight (3.5 ounces), they feel like you are wearing nothing but air. I didn’t really notice that big of a difference in comfort running in them versus my usual running shoes. The soles actually held up well across pebbles and bumps in the road.

I have narrow feet and I noticed that the toe box fabric on the Nada, when laced up, caved in around my toes and rubbed a little while I ran. While I ran I immediately felt lighter and faster. But I slowed down my pace on purpose and kept my stride short to ensure I had safe foot fall (landing mid foot, heel kissing the ground briefly).

After my run I took off my shoes and noticed my white running socks had turned orange (the interior of the Nada shoes have a bright orange lining). The next day my calves were crazy sore. I’m learning through research that this is normal as one makes the change from full support running shoes to minimalist shoes. I’m planning on wearing them on short runs once a week for a while to see how my body, especially my calves and feet adjust. My chronic runner’s knee so far has not been an issue since running in the Nada shoes. Now I have a new issue: flaming calves!

If you want to learn more about how to safely go minimalist or even barefoot check out:

Photo: Minimalist Running

Swedish Dreams: Family Trees

2011-05-18T11:45:00.000-07:00

I've been busy putting together family trees lately. The photo above was of my dear grandma Gerry as a kid. Wasn't she cute? I have a fascination with fashion from the 1930s and this photo would have been taken in the early to mid-1930s (she was born in 1929). Love her swimsuit!

The hubs and I are traveling to Sweden this summer to visit our family roots. His mother and father have family roots in Sweden and in the Netherlands. On my grandma's side she had family in Sweden. It will be fun to see the towns our relatives are from! Several years ago we traveled to Ireland to see my grandfather's roots. This summer it's time to see grandmas!

We booked our summer travel via Iceland Express because the prices across the pond this year are atrocious! It will be my second time in Iceland in one year, wow! When we booked this killer deal earlier this year. This time we are just doing a short layover at their airport on the way to Sweden.

Photo: CopyStrands

Update: Iceland Express was horrible. We were told by locals that the flights are on time only 36% of the time. Both our flights were two hours late with no food or drinks offered until well after take off. Not good.

Adorable: Popina Swimwear

2011-05-06T12:19:00.000-07:00

My husband walked by this cute store in Portland, Oregon recently and texted me to look up the Web address. My jaw dropped, the swimsuits were so cute, love the vintage-inspired designs they carry. Adorable!

Photos: Popina Swimwear

Exploring Superfoods

2011-04-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

I've been reading a lot lately about "superfoods" (featured on CNN and in O Magazine, May 2011) rare grains and natural substances, seeds and berries found around the world that are added to meals for healthy eating options. A few sites I've stumbled on:

What do you think of this "superfood" craze?

I'm personally a big fan of Jamie Oliver (love his Food Revolution show and cookbook). Did you know he has a new Jamie Magazine out?

Photo: Slight Clutter

Bikes and Kate Spade

2011-04-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Swooning over the new limited edition Kate Spade bike in gorgeous green. Available at Kate Spade stores and in partnership with Adeline Adeline.

Also love these bright bike lights, cool riding jeans and fun helmets (reminds me of my London Bobbin Bicycle helmet).

Riding a bike can Be Chic and it's a Be Green do!

Photo: Adeline Adeline

The Perfect Outdoor Room

2011-04-22T11:10:00.000-07:00

My husband has this dream to have an outdoor "room" where we can hang twinkle lights and entertain friends with an outdoor bar and BBQ with a firepit space for roasting marshmellows. A space to watch outdoor movies all the time. Of course we'd need to live somewhere you could do that year-round, Seattle (especially the weather this year!) just doesn't support that kind of lifestyle. For now I'll pretend that I live in this photo.

Photo: Miss Design

A New Look

2011-03-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

If you are a regular reader of my blog you may have thought you landed on the wrong site. The good news is you didn't. I decided to keep up with the times and implement a more modern look to my business and blog. Still working out the kinks so bear with me. Would love to hear your thoughts on how you like the new look.

One of the fun features is the main slider that automatically rotates at the top of the homepage (I created all the slides myself, I'm no designer so I was happy with how they turned out! Those who know me well will recognize my adorable beach cruiser in one and a beloved kite in another as well as a nod to one of my vintage dress silhouettes.) I had fun implementing new fonts for each too. If you click on the scrolling images in the slider it takes you to different parts of the site. Try it, it's very cool. And you'll notice to the right of blog posts and on the homepage there are little thumbnails of past posts you can click on. Overall it is a much cleaner and professional look, no more sidebar clutter!

Most of you know I run my own freelance writing and editing business. I was drawn to the idea of random words and letters "raining" on top of an umbrella (shown in the first slideshow image on the homepage). Pretty much defines what I do for a living - crafting and rearranging language from a storm of word choices.

P.S. I have a couple new Play.Shop.Eat. posts coming your way soon!

P.P.S. Blogger just launched new view features for Blogger blogs. Now you can also view my blog in a few different views. Click on the links to see the different views of my blog:

CopyStrands Mosaic View
CopyStrands Flipcard View
CopyStrands Snapshot View

Photo: Lola's Room

Sneak Peek: A Photoshoot with @ArtofSubtlety

2011-03-17T15:32:00.000-07:00

Photo: Art of Subtlety

Chutes and Ladders isn't just a board game, it's this photographer's life. Amanda Waltman of Art of Subtlety Photography is the real deal. She climbs ladders, she shoots from up high, she fixes your hair, wipes mud off your shoes and even brings props to your shoot (she brought an adorable children's book from her childhood to use in the photos with me, the writer and editor, I brought a vintage book too and my beloved train kite). She snaps photos while simply telling you to kiss, to look serious, to smile then to laugh (laughing wasn't hard to do with her fun sense of humor). She drags her own lighting outdoors to make your face sparkle and she does it all with a giggle of delight.

My husband and I had the pleasure of teaming up with Amanda for a photo session in Seattle's Volunteer Park. She snapped a new headshot for my company. And afterward we took some fun candid photos with her artful eye and laser sharp aim. Her infectious and friendly personality helped us relax and let loose. We loved our shoot with her so much we plan to make it a yearly tradition. This was the year of the "fun photo" (which some of you will receive in Christmas cards later this year - top secret for now) and to our surprise she also snapped the sexist photo ever taken of us! Miss Amanda, dear friend, we'll see you in the park next year for another shoot!

The following photos are a sneak peek of Amanda's gorgeous skills with a camera. All photos: Courtesy of Amanda Waltman, Art of Subtlety Photography:

Boutique Crush: SPUN Collective

2011-03-15T13:07:00.000-07:00

Photo: SPUN Collective and Out of Line

If you haven't been to Sara Seumae's boutique: SPUN Collective on Seattle's Capitol Hill you are missing out on top local designs. The friendly owner offers her own line of eco-friendly clothing called SPUN. I own a couple of her designs and adore them (1 super comfy, 2 has pockets!).

She shares her boutique space with local designers including: Out of Line, Nico Paper Goods, Lekkerlife, Cameron Levin and Dotty Speck (loved and bought this round silver necklace).

Visit her store to chat with Sara, she is a fashionable, friendly and knowledgeable woman who is quick to highlight other people's designs before her own.

Gorgeous Small Home in the California Woods

2011-03-10T16:29:00.000-08:00

Photo: Tiny House Blog

How quaint is this tiny house in the California woods? More about it here. Love the simplicity of it.

Boutique Crush: Andersen and Lauth

2011-03-01T14:42:00.000-08:00

Photo: Andersen and Lauth

While in Iceland I fell in love with this Anthropologie-inspired store: Andersen and Lauth. Right in the heart of City Centre, the vintage-inspired designs have been around Reykjavik, Iceland since 1934.

The designs range from organic cotton (called Baumwolle) and polyester to smooth silk with whimsical ruffles and beaded detailing. The sizes are quite roomy and range from XS-XL and European sizes 34 (US 4) - 44 (US 14).

I bought two lovely dresses from them (the sales lady was super helpful letting me try on over 14 dresses) and I sifted through their new 2011 line. It was a gorgeous store (the prices are more affordable on the sale racks). A must visit if you are ever in Iceland. The designs are truly little pieces of art.

Off to the Land of Fire and Ice

2011-02-24T10:45:00.000-08:00

Photo: Kevin Cooley

I’m off to the land of Fire and Ice! I’ll be on vacation in Reykjavik, Iceland. You may recall I blogged about the deal I found here. And it turns out Iceland is one of the best places to travel alone, but I’m going with the hubs and my sister (it's her first trip abroad!).

We plan to:

Swim in a geothermal pool

Explore a Northern Lights tour (weather permitting)

Discover a local comedy show

Have a drink at an ice bar

Shop at Smaralind mall

And frolic on a glacier!

I’ll write a Play. Shop. Eat. post for Reykjavik, Iceland, when I return!

P.S. Some gorgeous photos of Iceland: 1, 2 and a fun Iceland tourism video.

Plus a couple AOL City’s Best posts you might have missed:

Washington Wine: Get Your Passport to Woodinville

Seattle Freebies: Symphony, Bike Repair, Spelling Bee

Play. Shop. Eat. Iceland

2011-02-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

Iceland has one thing in common with Kentucky. They are similar in size. A fact locals love to tell Americans. The Land of Fire and Ice is an island of treasures. If a trip to Reykjavik (the Capitol), Iceland is in your future this list will help you discover how to play, shop and eat in a city with colorful buildings, English language speakers and trend setting designers. Just keep in mind that taxis in Iceland are very expensive, so is the whole country for that matter. But if you are looking for an honest taxi driver we adored: Trausti Hannesson, (pronounced "Trossty") you can hire him by calling: +354-660-4252 or emailing him at: trausti.h@simnet.is.

Play
Two words: Blue Lagoon. To soak in this aqua-colored geothermal pool is considered one of the top 10 things to do before you die. It is breathtaking in person. And the water really is blue! The best part is you can sip on beer or wine while soaking in silky smooth water. If you venture to Iceland in the winter months there are several excursions you can book. Reykjavik Excursions offers a Northern Lights Tour, but be sure you do your homework before going as they will take you out in cloudy conditions (we heard stories of sitting on a bus driving into the mountains for three hours one way - no bathrooms). And I can promise you, you won't see anything if it is cloudy, the conditions need to be clear and dry. We relied on this Northern Lights predictor to help us gauge which night would be best (turned out while we were there the lights were covered with clouds, there's always Alaska!). And for adventurous types check out Gulfoss Falls of the Gods, an eye-opening waterfall just outside Reykjavik. Art goers will enjoy The National Museum of Iceland, there are a lot of hands-on activities for kids toward the back of the first floor, and you can learn a lot about Iceland history.

Shop
Local designers are abundant in Reykjavik. My favorite stores include: Kirsuberjatred (the locals call it The Cherry Tree) it's a design store in City Centre run by 12, local, female artists. Gorgeous handmade clothes for children, innovative kitchenware (including handmade ceramics, we bought a pair of handmade mugs that your hand fits around with perfect indentations by artist Kristín Sigfríð Garðarsdóttir) and handmade accessories. Also adored Andersen and Lauth (very Anthropology-inspired local clothing designs for women; also in City Centre). And for the more mainstream shopper the Kringlan Shopping Centre is near the Center Centre with stores like Zara and Top Shop. And my sister loved the vintage clothing store: Gyllti Kootturinn located in City Centre. Note: If you shop in Iceland the sales tax is very high, be sure to take advantage of the Iceland Refund, you essentially get your tax money back, which can add up, in our case we got close to a $150 back.

Eat
Every taxi driver and local we encountered talked about the Perlan (the Pearl). Why? Because it was recently chosen as one of the best restaurants in the world. It revolves with views of the city (just like the Space Needle). If you want a true, local, home cooked meal dine at Gardurinnn (Klappastígur 37, Reykjavík, Iceland 101; +354 561 2345). It's a vegetarian restaurant with tea and cakes with a revolving daily menu. We enjoyed veggie lasagna the day we went and it melted in our mouths. The owner even told us that they "have a sister cafe in Seattle" (in the Fremont neighborhood): Silence Heart-Nest. Small world!

Photos of our trip to Iceland on Flickr.

Read more Play.Shop.Eat posts.

Photo: CopyStrands

Matching Tights to Your Bike

2011-02-18T11:07:00.000-08:00

Photo: Honey Kennedy

Hello my dears! How awesome are her tights that match her bike? That photo makes me smile.

Have you heard of Pinterest? I recently received an invite to join and created a fun apparel / accessories board of things I love. I'll keep adding to it over time as I find more things to pin!

And here are a couple AOL City's Best Seattle posts you might have missed:

Fashionable and Family-Friendly: Shopping Queen Anne (one store offers dresses for curvy women!)
Megan Mary Olander Keeps Capitol Hill in Bloom (beautiful store to visit)

Pretty Ruched Leggings

2011-02-15T11:17:00.000-08:00

Photo: Toast

Love the new ruched leggings at Toast: 1, 2.

Photos: Shalane Flanagan, Kara Goucher UW Invitational 2011

2011-02-01T14:02:00.000-08:00

I was lucky enough to attend the recent indoor track UW Invitational where two female Olympic icons ran in separate events.

The 2008 10,000-meter Olympic bronze medalist, Shalane Flanagan ran the 1-mile race in 4:33.81 and placed second. In person she is petite and super cut from her crazy training schedule.

And the 2007 10,000-meter World Championship bronze medalist, Kara Goucher ran and won the 5000-meter (5K) race in 16:11.50. Goucher looked strong after just having a baby four months ago! And her cute baby boy, Colt was at the meet along with her husband, Adam Goucher. I got to congratulate Kara after her race.

What athletes! Complete results from the event here.

Shalane Flanagan

Kara Goucher

Photos: CopyStrands

Play. Shop. Eat. Vancouver, BC

2011-02-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Did you know that Canada is considered one of the top 10 friendliest countries in the world? Boy, is it true. On a recent trip to Vancouver, BC, everywhere I went, I was greeted with a "hello" and a smile. Several of the districts there have changed since I last visited. Here is your guide on where to play, shop and eat in a country peppered with International youth, Native American symbolism and just a stone's throw from world class skiing and rock climbing.

Play
A visit to Stanley Park is a must. If you stay downtown near Robson Street it is a short walk to the entrance. If you have a car and love adventure discover the Capilano Suspension Bridge just 20 minutes from downtown, it is awesome. You can always head just an hour outside of town to my old outdoor rock climbing playground: Squamish.

Shop
There are a few great districts within walking distance of downtown Vancouver, BC with plenty of local shops. Right downtown is Robson Street packed with trendy shops. The area is not that great anymore, but they still have all the big named shops, including Zara for men and women, H&M and local favorite Lululemon. Gastown is the oldest part of Vancouver with cobbled roads. From Robson Street it is a short 10 minute walk to Gastown. There you will find the famous Steam Clock and Salmagundi West (pictured above) has the best quirky antiques. For locally made designs head to Gentille Aloutte. And be sure to check out Nouvelle Nouvelle in Gastown. From Gastown you can walk or take the Sky Train to Yaletown. The Yaletown area offers a young, hip vibe and is popular with young successful people. There you will find My Sister's Closet (new and vintage clothing; sales support battered women and children), Hollywood Boutique and the adorable Finland designs of Marimekko.

Eat
Pear, blue brie, prosciutto, oil & vinegar on a fresh baguette - need I say more? It's a bit spendy for a sandwich, but I love the Finch Tea House in Gastown. Go early to get a seat, it fills up quick and they only take cash. Other great eating options in Gastown include the Water Street Cafe and La Casita. Yaletown offers good eats at the Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar and Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill.

Read more Play.Shop.Eat posts.

Photo: CopyStrands

Doubled Over Hairdo

2011-01-25T15:28:00.000-08:00

Photo: This is Glamorous

Saw this how to tuturial on how to double knot winter hair. So pretty, had to share.

Wire Tree Coat Rack

2011-01-19T15:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: Design Sponge

I adore this coat rack by designer Louise Hederstrom. How cute would this look in the entry of a home?

The Living Kitchen

2011-01-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: This Tiny House

Saw this post over at This Tiny House and loved the sustainable kitchen idea by Studio Gorm. The idea is that water from a dish rack drips on herbs and edible plants growing in planter boxes below the rack. The counter top has a built in waste bowl that can be tipped into a composter below the counter, which in turn can be used to re-nuture your plants.