The benefits of yoga are well documented -- better flexibility and
balance, a sense of calm and well-being, stronger, leaner limbs. But
for those of us who are not perfectly proportioned, the struggle to
find well-fitting yoga gear can be more difficult than a backbend --
and can make yoga's rewards seem out of reach.
By Jen Harper | March 20, 2008
Fashion, philanthropy and a chance to get into Justin Timberlake's jeans. If that sounds like a dreamy combination, then it's time to dump your winter wear, shimmy into something springlike (even if the weather doesn't cooperate) and head to the second annual Thaw fashion show, May 1 in Sodo.
By Jen Harper | April 28, 2008
Mother's Day isn't all about flowers and cards, and certainly mom could use a break from perfume and bubble bath. So try tempting her sweet tooth this May 11 with a variety of offerings from Seattle chocolatiers.
By Jen Harper | April 30, 2008
Your dog or cat is as much a fixture in your home as your sofa -- and
so is the hair-covered dog bed or the always-in-need-of-cleaning litter
box. For those concerned with appearances, Bellevue pet-furniture
company DenHaus offers a stylish alternative for the more unsightly aspects of pet ownership.
By Jen Harper | May 8, 2008
I always get nervous before a big sale -- like I should've trained harder, stretched more, recruited more friends to help fend off crazed shoppers. But the Crave Spring Market Party, from noon to 4 p.m. June 1 at Seattle Center's Fisher Pavilion, is nothing to stress about, particularly since there will be plenty of opportunities for pampering.
By Jen Harper | May 23, 2008
I used to think that my dog Marley was just pretending to have fleas. She would scratch incessantly, but I couldn't find any tiny insects in her fur. I finally realized that dry skin was the culprit. In searching for relief for Marley, I was intrigued to see that Bellevue organic chemist Adelia Ritchie offers natural remedies for dogs with dry skin, hot spots, mange and other skin afflictions.
By Jen Harper | July 29, 2008
Nothing beats a little retail therapy, taking the time to peruse local shops with an iced latte in hand, but if I'm pressed for time or just don't feel like leaving my sofa, I'd rather let my fingers do the shopping. And now that some local boutiques have made the jump from bricks and mortar to the Internet, it's even easier to shop online while shopping local.
By Jen Harper | July 30, 2008
I hate goodbyes, but alas, it's time to say farewell to yet another favorite boutique -- downtown's La Rousse, which will close its doors Sept. 30. Thankfully, shoppers will be forced to bid adieu only to the brick-and-mortar shop, as owner Amanda Rosenthal plans to move her three-year-old store online.
By Jen Harper | August 15, 2008
Wearable art for me used to consist of neon-colored puff paint on a hair bow, or an airbrushed T-shirt with my name on it, accompanied by the words, "Panama City Beach, Summer of '87." But new Ballard boutique Monster Art & Clothing lets those days fade to a distant memory.
By Jen Harper | September 12, 2008
This is the way I usually "educate" myself about the chocolate I'm about to consume: "Looks like chocolate. Smells like chocolate. Mmm, tastes like chocolate." So a recent trip to Ballard's new Claudio Corallo Chocolate proved to be an enlightening experience.
By Jen Harper | October 9, 2008
