Backyard Boutique : West Seattle Style

Shopping, Champagne & Shade!

Shop Local and enjoy a nice summer's day.

West Seattle based artists and crafters will be selling their wares at the home and studio of Starjuice Aromatherapy.

Shop for lovely handmade goods such as jewelry, aprons, body scrubs and more!
Have a snack, a glass of bubbly, and relax in the shade of the old cedar tree.

Ever dreamed of having holiday shopping done by September?
Here's your chance, or just a treat for yourself.

When: Sunday, August 23rd, 1-4pm
Where: 8822 11th Ave SW, West Seattle, 98106


In the Backyard!

Here's the Vendors joining us:

Glass Beach - Maia Low

Maia designs and creates handbags and accessories from her sewing studio in West Seattle.
She especially loves to work with cotton fabrics, happy colors and quirky combinations.









Alizah's Jewelry - Alizah Olivas
Alizah Olivas is a West Seattle native who enjoys all things small and shiny. Making jewelry for 5ish years, she has been focusing the last couple of years on forging fine silver and working with semi-precious stones...sometimes combining the two. New obsession...turning her photos into pendants.





Go2Girl Design - Sandra Watson

Sandra loves to create custom aprons and entertaining accessories for the kitchen. Obsessed with fabric from a young age, she loves to design quality, one of a kind creations. Here's her 'kitchen philosophy' :


Every girl wants to feel flirty, sexy and in control. Whether you're slaving over a hot stove, plating a gourmet meal, or shaking up some signature cocktails.....Put yourself in the 'Power Position' with a custom designed apron that pulls your outfit together, and puts you at the Head of the Table.

Art by Lonjina

West Seattle artist and mom, Lonjina’s creative career includes graphic design, mixed media, textile design, and interior design, that consistently imparts her point of view with brilliant colors and playful shapes. Inspired by her children, her first collage was created for her daughter when that affordable and unique piece couldn't be found. Working with multicolored papers in her collage creates layers of texture to each piece and are representative of her own aesthetic of contrasting colors, organic shapes and abstract designs.

Times Two Jewelry - Else Perez

Elsa is originally from El Paso, TX, and currently working out of Seattle, WA. While in El Paso, she graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design with a minor in Metals.“I let my backgrounds influence each other to create different designs and wearable visual art. I enjoy creating jewelry that will offer some form of interaction or versatility depending on the personality of the wearer."




















Starjuice Aromatherapy - Darcey Pickard

Starjuice Aromatherapy, holistic care for the 21st century - offers fun & fresh handcrafted aromatherapy products for holistic wellness of body and personal environment. All-natural products like stellar spritzers, yummy cosmic sugar scrubs, and rocket snifters, are handmade in small batches, with the highest quality ingredients. Starjuice is the creation of Darcey Pickard, full-time mom, Certified Aromatherapist and Massage Therapist. Darcey lives in West Seattle with her husband and 4 year old.
Darcey’s vision? To provide people with high quality, fun, hip products rooted in the history and tradition of aromatherapy.

Backyard Boutique is happening 8.24.09

Backyard Boutique is not to be missed!

A casual atmosphere filled with Indy Crafter goods in West Seattle.

8.24.09

1pm -4pm

Details + Vendors to follow!

Stay tuned for more details.

Nouveau Wedding Style: Shoes at Clementine

Are you looking for an alternative to tradition, but crave quality & flair?

Clementine in West Seattle has the shoes for your Big Day.

Check out these 2 gorgeous pairs recently found by Bridetiquette!

Giraudon "Snoflake" $268

Giraudon "Jackal" $288

Available for purchase online or in person:

Clementine

4447 California Ave SW

Seattle, WA 98116

#206.935.9400

Located in the West Seattle Junction

Vendor Spotlight :: Starjuice Aromatherapy

Scent recalls a memory in real time. Whether we realize it or not, we tie emotions to scents we love, and those we wish to forget!


Darcey Pickard is a Certified Aromatherapist, and an expert on the Power of Scent. Her phenomenal line of products are professionally blended in her workshop, where she's always mixing up new things!

Bridetiquette had the recent pleasure of sitting down with Darcey to get the scoop on scent!

Tell us a little about yourself…
I hail from the East Coast and proudly consider myself a Seattlite- after living here for 12+ years.

I live in West Seattle with my husband and our very busy 3 1/2 year old son.

In my spare time I like to make great products, garden, practice yoga, eat good food with great friends, and get massages & pedicures. (Oh, if there was only more spare time!)

What inspired you to start Starjuice?
I'm a Certified Aromatherapist and have been blending since 1991. I've also been a Licensed Massage Practitioner for 10 years and started creating products for my practice.

It was out of this that Starjuice Aromatherapy was born!

My vision? To provide people with high quality, fun, hip products rooted in the history and tradition of aromatherapy. I've always believed in holistic health—treating the whole person and unlocking people's innate power to heal themselves. Starjuice enables me to share this philosophy.

Where are you located?
West Seattle, USA

What special things do you create for weddings?
I have products like spritzers, snifters and sugar scrubs perfect for favors, bridal party gifts, shower gifts - or things brides can use to nurture themselves.

I also create custom blends. I can work with a bride and create a signature blend for your wedding to give out to guests or wedding parties as a spritzer, massage oil, perfume oil, etc.
We can create a label with your names and the date, or whatever you want to have.
Scent is our strongest memory.

It's great to have a scent associated with such an important day. Every time you smell it you'll think of your day.

What's unique about your product?
Starjuice is a fun and modern line - perfect for the urban bride.

My products are all natural and handmade in small batches, using the highest quality ingredients. Also most lines aren't created by Certified Aromatherapists- you're getting a quality product made with intention.

What advice can you share for all of the brides getting married this year?
Take care of yourself. Wedding planning for me was one of the most stressful times of my life!

It's so important to put yourself at the top of the list- and I don't just mean exercise so you can get into that dress. Take time to focus and center yourself, get massages, use aromatherapy at home, stretch, take a walk outside - whatever calms and nurtures your spirit. It's important to do those things for ourselves all the time - but crucial in times of high stress.

Where can we purchase your product line?
http://www.starjuiceonline.com/ + starjuiceonline.etsy.com

What inspires you?
Colors, flowers, trees, parks, smells, food, art, music, design, aesthetics, Seattle... I live in a beautiful city and seeing the mountains when I'm driving in my car still takes my breath away. Getting a great massage and being able to go inward and feel refreshed. I feel supported by my community. I'm also inspired by the amazing women I know in mom's groups and business, the love of my husband and son and being a part of a child's world. That's a trip.

What price range does your product line fall into?
$6.50-$30
Custom orders vary

What do you bring to the industry that sets you apart?
A thorough knowledge of what it is I'm selling. People ask me " does this aromatherapy stuff work?" And I can answer "Yes!" AND tell them why.

I have years of personal experience with oils and take great pride and care with my creations. I use everything that I make. I talk the talk and walk the walk.

Where can clients contact you?
darcey@starjuiceonline.com

Thanks to Darcey for her wonderful interview :: Authenticity always smells sweet!

Expert Spotlight :: Farris Law PLLC

Valerie Farris isn’t some ‘Made for TV’ attorney. She’s personable, gregarious, funny & well-versed. She creates an environment of comfort – whether over a cocktail or drafting a will – by sharing her knowledge with confidence + clarity.

Oh, and did I mention…She speaks four languages, and is a Seattle University graduate?

Bridetiquette recently caught up with Valerie, to get the inside scoop on how to prepare for the Legal Institution of Marriage.

__________________________________________________________________________

Tell us a little bit about yourself.......
I was born in Detroit, and moved to Washington State when I was 10. Seattle really is home for me - I’ve lived here for the better part of 14 years, with over half of that time being in West Seattle. My family is very close, so I was raised to value people + relationships above everything else. As a result, one of my strengths, personally + professionally, is to cultivate and build strong relationships.
I’m also a huge Seattle sports fan, love to salsa dance, bake killer brownies + chocolate chip cookies, and simply adore my niece and nephews.

What inspired you to start your business?
I grew up in a small business, always surrounding with the example of ‘sweat equity’ and hard work. I started my law career with a small firm in Seattle, and then began to build my own practice under the umbrella of another. This allowed my own launch to happen with much less stress, as I already had a small client base in place. I started my firm on October 1, 2008, so I’ve been in business for a few months now.

That’s the practical side of things though. The less concrete stuff includes my love for learning new things, and helping clients achieve their goals with a minimum of expense and headache. Having the freedom to get creative and try different things, thinking outside the box and looking for the best client solutions were big motivating factors in my decision to strike out on my own.
The best part is that I’m able to focus my law practice where my passion is: small business owners and their families.

What special services do you offer to newlyweds?
Estate Planning is the main legal service I offer newlyweds.
Most Americans don’t even have a will, but Estate Planning is about much more than that. It covers all sorts of contingencies: what happens if you disappear while traveling, if you become incapacitated or end up in a persistent vegetative state, or if you should pass away.
For newlyweds, getting this taken care from the start clears up the ‘what ifs’ from the beginning. Your wishes are spelled out in black + white, so your spouse and family won’t have to deal with more pressure and stress if the worst does happen.

Here are some tips for those getting married in 2009:
· Talk about your individual financial lives, so you’re well equipped to blend financial + legal lives once you’re married.
· Change the beneficiary names on any insurance policies or retirement plans once married.

What do you bring to your law practice that sets you apart?
My background and absolute commitment to customer service, as well as the small business environment in which I was raised, sets my practice and approach apart. When I decided to start my own firm, I realized that I am my brand. I don’t do anything magical in terms of the nuts + bolts of practicing law.

What sets me apart is how I practice. I don’t bill clients unless I’m actually working directly on your behalf, and I pride myself on keeping clients informed of changing cost projections every step of the way. Most of my work is on a flat-fee basis, which provides clients predictability, and a certain level of control over what their legal needs will cost.

My clients know that an email message or voicemail will nearly always be returned the same day. I inform clients with active cases when I’ll be unavailable for longer than 1 business day, and always have a colleague that clients may contact about urgent matters when I’m out of town.

The bottom line is this…..I communicate with my clients. They walk away from the experience of working with me knowing that they had a GREAT lawyer who cared & was responsive to their legal needs.
It’s not completely altruistic on my part either – happy clients are the best advertising! I receive 80% of my business via word-of-mouth. Superior customer service really does pay for itself.

What price ranges do your services fall into?
This is a tough question, as I customize pricing to fit the needs of each client. My hourly rate is $200, though most of my work is done on a flat-fee basis.
Estate planning for couples ranges from $1400 - $2250, depending on the complexity involved in crafting all the legal documents.

I offer a 30 minute initial consultation, where clients have a chance to meet me, learn about my work style, and discuss fees + payment arrangements.
I encourage people to take advantage of this offer!

Where can we contact you + learn more about your services?
Please visit my website,

http://www.farrislawpllc.com.
My direct email is: valerie {at} farrislawpllc.com, and my direct phone #206.588.2930
Please visit my Biznik profile, http://www.biznik.com/members/valerie-farris, to learn more about me.
I also have a profile on Linked In + Twitter under the name seattlelawgirl.

Where are you located?
I’m located in West Seattle. I have clients from Edmonds to Federal Way, and will travel to meet clients if there’s an urgent need. We can meet in a formal office, or even a coffeehouse. My clients tend to prefer the more casual, laid-back meeting places!

What inspires you?
I love this question! The answer isn’t simple – so many things inspire me in life and in my work! The beauty of nature is a huge inspiration to me. Hearing peoples’ stories is something that fills me with the desire to do better in my own life. Spending time with my niece and nephews, and the rest of my loved ones. A challenge – I love to take on a serious challenge, so setting lofty goals (like the one I have to run a half marathon in 2009) is a huge motivation for me.
Faith, hope, love, joy – I could keep going, but I’ll leave it at that.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thanks to Valerie for her candor + great legal advice for all the Brides to Be!

Are you a Two - Timer?

You're certain that you've found 'The One' - the one Wedding Day dress I mean.

But, during the continual hunt for all things Bridal - at shows & shops - you've weakened a bit, and noticed another.

It has even filtered into a dream sequence, and you're feeling more and more vulnerable.

What's a girl to do?

Buy 2 dresses.... Problem Solved.

This may seem completely unfeasable when you look at your slim budget.

Alas, there are plenty of options. Think Consignment, Thrift, Gently Used, Recycled - whatever you'd like to term it.

It's the perfect option for Brides on a Budget, and also allows you to be Green in a big way.

Here's some great Online Options


The Bride's List - one of the originals, and you could even score some cheap candles too!




Bravo Bride - an online marketplace newcomer, with some amazing stock to choose from!






A Grand Wedding offers Buy, Borrow or Share - where you & another bride can get get your dream dress as a team!


And, for those of you in the Seattle area, and desperate to try things on before you buy.....



Finder Keepers Bridal - Great Consignment shop in West Seattle.
Try on a dress and a veil!





Champagne Taste - Fabulous Formal Consigner in Kirkland - #425.828.4502


Here's to Stylish Sanity!