Recognize World AIDS Day

December 1 is World AIDS Day.

My collaborative Color Systems project with Abbey, with the first half all spiffed up, but the second half could use some polish...

Things I Like

Melvin Dixon's Vanishing Rooms is a pretty decent book that I think you should check out sometime. It was published in 1991, and it's all about Jesse Dixon dealing with the events of his life after his lover is brutally raped and killed. Good stuff.

Things I Like

Beautiful coincidences! One of my favorite songs, Boy Least Likely's "Be Gentle With Me," has an awesome video that I just discovered (I'm rather behind, I know). What makes this video all the more wonderful is that the girl in it is Rashida Jones, one of the lovely new additions to 'The Office.' Check the video out here.

Seattle Shopping ABCs

Where to find the brand you want in Seattle? Look here for updates!

A - Alexander McQueen
Nordstrom Downtown (handbags and ready-to-wear)

B - Balenciaga
Nordstrom Downtown (ready-to-wear)
Barneys New York (handbags, shoes and ready-to-wear)

C - Chanel
Nordstrom Downtown (handbags, shoes, ready-to-wear)
Also check Saks Fifth Avenue in Portland for a tax-free selection. If you can't find what you want at either place, the Chanel Boutique at 900 West Georgia in Vancouver, BC, might do the trick.

The Best Women's Stores In Seattle

Considering how few designer boutiques there are in Seattle, it's surprising to note that virtually every worthwhile designer brand is available somewhere in the area. Here's my first installment of the best shops for women in the Puget Sound region:

1) Barneys New York - downtown
Everybody knows Barneys. While not a flagship location by any longshot (it's a measly 20,000 square feet), it's certainly not short on style. Every chic girl in Seattle can find something to satisfy her cravings. Fashion includes Lanvin, Prada, Jil Sander, and Dries Van Noten in the designer section, while the co-op features Diane von Furstenberg, Hanii Y, Wyeth, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Trovata, with a glorious selection of denim. Particularly of note are the shoes and handbags, most of which aren't available anywhere else in Seattle. Balenciaga reigns supreme, as does Lanvin, Marc Jacobs, Mulberry, Prada, and Miu Miu. While Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik are both available elsewhere (namely Nordstrom downtown and Mario's), the selection are Barneys is unique.
Rating: 7.5/10

The Best Men's Stores In Seattle

Where are the best places for guys to shop in a city more traditionally known for flannel and Birkenstocks? I'm starting to compile a list of my favorite places and the labels they carry:

1) Nordstrom - multiple locations
Yea, this seems like an obvious choice for any Puget Sound male. But of particular note are the downtown and Bellevue stores, which carry a better selection than the rest. Bellevue features sweet suits and dressier attire from Armani Collezioni and Burberry, but they really shine in The Rail department for young men. Highlights include a wider selection of denim (from Kasil to 575 to Earnest Sewn) and a whole slew of shoes. The downtown flagship takes it all one step further, featuring a men's designer department, often overlooked, but stocking some of the sharpest brands available in the city, including Marni, Marc Jacobs, Neil Barrett, dsquared2, and Mason's. The Rail department has a hoard of denim, the accessories department stocks sunglasses from virtually every designer brand you can imagine, and there's plenty of Gucci accessories that seem to sell well with Asian tourists. The shoe department also carries Gucci, as well as Prada, Ferragamo, and more. All in all, more amazing style than you would ever think Seattle men could handle, all with an amazing return policy and (usually) exceptional service.
Rating: 9/10

Eurydice Falls

Another project is up, hurrah!

Obsessed With Dresses

Some new stuff is now up, with more to come soon.

Breaking down the mass-retailer designer collaborations for the season!

1) Behnaz Sarafpour for GO International at Target: Predominantly lace-trimmed, youthful and sophisticated clothes, from cardigans and tees to skirts and bags. All in all, a pretty decent affair. But I'm still more excited for the Proenza Schouler collection coming early next spring.

2) Viktor & Rolf ♥ H&M: Slick collection for men and women, with dressier work-appropriate attire - think blouses and suits, dresses and shoes, all with the same romantic aplomb and slightly quirky details typical of Viktor & Rolf. The wedding dress is of particular note (and only $350!)

3) Roland Mouret for Gap: Ten plain dresses. Yay. But really, the three red dresses support the (RED) initiative, so that's all for a good cause. They're very basic, very simple and clean, very watered-down Roland Mouret.

4) Rafe for Target: Horrifically cheap looking PVC bogs down these otherwise wonderful accessories. The clutch isn't bad, but the scale of the big totes just emphasize the low-grade material.

I bet you can't guess what Washington destination has the most visitors every year. Here's a hint: it has as many visitors than Pike Place Market, The Space Needle, Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains. Combined. So, yeah, that's a lot of visitors. What's the answer? Bellevue Square, silly!

From Migratory Habits

Some new art is up on my Picasa web album.

I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that the new Four Seasons Hotel & Residences will be built next to The Lusty Lady in downtown Seattle. Upscale condos (from $2 to $10 million!) next to, well, you know...

I know everybody has already heard it, but I'm still astonished by how ridiculous Bellevue is, most especially the infamous Lincoln Square condo that sold for $1.8 million, then sold again a month later for $2.5 million. And it's only 2,500 square feet! Holy Mahoney!