One does not take a trip to Haiti lightly, especially when the itinerary includes volunteering for 10 days at an orphanage. But all the bracing in the world could not prepare 28-year-old Katlin Jackson for the impact of her 2011 trip—an intensely complicated and emotional experience that moved her beyond outraged intention to direct action….

“What is creativity and how does it work?” That’s the question Ken Mitchell, a former marketing and product development guy for Fisher-Price Toys, likes to explore in his new microshop, The Aviary, which opened in the former Blackbird Candy Shoppe last November. Mitchell stocks the tiny angular space with notebooks and pens, Lomography cameras—analog cameras…

Alderbrook is a magical resort and spa on the shores of Hood Canal—a northwesty haven only two hours from the city. If you’re aching for a getaway you might want to consider heading there next Friday, March 22 for their Good Clean Fun event from 7:30 to 10 p.m. In addition to champagne and snacks,…

My friend Francisco Hernandez is an incredibly talented designer with a wonderfully generous spirit. His seven year-old line, Built For Man, provides comfortable, wearable, sexy and unique clothing for men, in part made by artisans in Peru, for whom he provides a living through their traditional looming techniques. On Tuesday, March 19 from 7:30 to…

The beauty of a classic, traditional line like Faconnable,a French line started in 1950s, is that they offer something for practically everyone. Even the hippest it girl or punkest punk girl can appreciate a crisp white blouse, a cotton v-neck sweater and a black leather pencil skirt. What they do with those classics is up…

Perhaps the greatest, most under-the-radar shop has one of the greatest under-the-radar super sales each year and I’m here to daylight it. Tatters, a Mercer Island shop that is home to chic, avant garde and often exclusive labels, will be at the Stroum Jewish Community Center, also on Mercer Island, on Sunday, March 17 from…

I’m in to the “barely there” makeup look. It’s good day when I have a second to layer on mascara and apply some Burt’s Bees chap stick. But when I do take the time to actually go for more of a focused, deliberate “barely there” look, I turn to Koh Gen Do, a high-definition Japanese…

With just about five weeks to go on my Earth Day 5k training, I’m racking up the miles. Just kidding, I’m kind of behind on my Couch to 5k schedule, but anyone who knows me well, knows that I rally like a boss. So, this week’s breakthrough has been in my calf (or gastrocnemius) area. Where…

Carmilia’s, West Seattle’s most demure boutique, regularly filled with an inventory of imminently wearable clothing from lines like Velvet, Ella Moss, Michael Stars and some gorgeous jewelry from local designer Jules Accessory Designs (whose chunky semi-precious gem stone rings are covetable and affordable, such a nice combo), is hosting a vintage pop up shop on…

I’m obsessed with Instagram, and Jenny at Far4 (@far4ing) is one of my fave local Instagramers to follow. She’s got a great eye and fantastic style and stocks her downtown store will the most amazing, unique and (sometimes) challenging jewelry, art and porcelain. If you’re into Instagram, or have been thinking of signing on, now’s…

Mario’s, whose stores in Seattle and Portland have been keeping stylish Pacific Northwesterners sharply dressed for decades is celebrating “the cosmic coincidence that Mar 10 spells Mario” on, you guessed it, March 10. (Ok, and March 9, officially as well.) Expect a festive atmosphere of shopping and prizes, including a roulette wheel, and raffle tickets…

If you’re a label-loving bargain huntress (or hunter), then head to the U District Goodwill on Friday, March 8 and Saturday March 9 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., for their Designer Accessory Sale, which will include shoes, handbags and other accessories from coveted brands like Dooney & Bourke, Coach, Betsy Johnson, Marc Jacobs, Steve…

U Village and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center are teaming up March 15-17 for Shop to Make a Difference, where your shopping dollars go towards supporting a great cause. Buy a Cure Card for $25 now and save 20 percent that weekend at participating shops and restaurants (full list here), which include Williams-Sonoma, Margaret O’Leary,…