Birdie Royale

This Bird's Working It Out

2011-11-23T22:16:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, the greatest food focused holiday of the year. I cannot wait to have stuffing and wine and slowly slip into a long weekend of shopping, sleeping and starting to count down the days until Christmas.

As I write, I'm waiting for the timer to go off for the pumpkin pie that's in the oven and thinking about some recent changes in my life. Mainly, my leap into the world of this thing they call getting into shape. You may have read my post titled 'Diet Cleanup On Isle One' - the one where I told you I'd post on my planned successes with eating cleaner. Well, my update wasn't posted because with the stress of daily life at the time, and my inability to stick to the commitment of shopping for food, cooking, repeat during the week, I fell back into devouring what was available immediately or free at work instead giving some real thought to what I was doing.

Fast forward to the end of October - I was waiting on another contract to start up and found myself with lots of free time. The previous gap I had between contracts lasted longer than I'd like to admit, and yet I made every excuse to not get off my butt and put the focus on myself as much as I was focusing on finding new work. My friend S works at a gym downtown and I must have mentioned signing up to her at least 6 times - followed by 'I'm just not a gym person, you know?' A close friend of mine, M, had started up a serious workout routine and guess what, she wasn't a gym person either. In fact, the first time she told me she had been going it was with a punchy line close to 'I've been doing this crazy thing called exercise!' M is a beautiful woman, and by no means in need to lose weight, but she made a commitment to herself to take on this new experience and it inspired me to stop making excuses.

As I'd mentioned in my other post, it was important to me to never feel badly for eating something that wasn't perfectly good for my body, we all deserve indulgences sometimes. It was also important to me that I wasn't basing my success on weight loss - because weight loss doesn't always reflect a healthy person.

I signed up to start November 2nd. I wanted to start before January 1st, as all too often the pressure of the typical New Year's resolution sets us up for failure. I figure having a routine in place before the year turns over would be my best chance to keep things going in 2012.

I arrived at the gym to meet with a trainer - running on only a few hours of sleep and an empty stomach. I assumed before arriving she was going to beat me up (she's 5'3) and that she was going to scream at me (she didn't appear to be a yeller), but instead of jumping into a kick-my-ass-and-make-me-cry-routine, we spent a good 45 minutes talking about why I was there, what I wanted to accomplish and assessing where I was on a scale of healthy to could use a little work...

I made a list before I went and recited the answers to the questions I thought I would be asked.

Why are you here?

Well, I feel like crap.

My job often means not having time to put thought and effort into taking care of myself.
My body doesn't bounce back as easily when I overeat, spend time going without exercise, or generally don't look out for my health.
My family has a history of being overweight, thyroid issues, cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol - It's a fact some of this is preventable and not doing something about it feels irresponsible.
I have a hard time controlling why and when I use food for other reasons that sustenance.
I am uncomfortable.
I have trouble opening orange juice, tomato sauce jars and have the upper body strength of a kitten.

(Losing weight, working out suddenly felt more emotional than I had anticipated after making this list.)

What do you want to accomplish?

I want to feel stronger.
I want to feel less puffy, bloated, tired.
I want to plan a preemptive attack when I have deemed "Holiday Baked Good Bootie"

Do you care about getting down to a certain clothing size or number on the scale?

Now, this one took some thought. And after much consideration, I realize how much I tell women around me - don't look at the number on the dress you're buying as a reflection on your looks. Clothing makers use all kinds of measurements that change from designer to designer, and you should wear what fits and flatters you. You are not the number on the tag.

No, I don't have a dress size I want to be at. However, if being healthy, more comfortable and less sedentary means knocking off a few pounds on the scale, I'll take that as a positive reflection of my hard work.

So it's been about 20 or so days, and I feel better. Improvements have been slow, but it's good to know that I'm doing something for myself - putting aside time every day to make a conscious decision to take care of my body by working out and eating better. I still don't always enjoy working out - but it's a necessary evil and I always feel better after.

I have a realistic idea about what I want and can achieve, which is a nice change from expecting huge changes quickly. I think if I had started this routine in my early twenties it would have been about vanity, now I think it's about maintenance and prevention. And hell, if I look better in my clothes that's a great benefit, too. My 30th is coming up in February and this is just one small step in the direction of paying better attention to what's good for me and growing up.

What role do you think nutrition and exercise play in your life?

Wishing you all a happy start to the holiday season.

Cheers,

BR

Even Zombie Housewives Have to Make Dinner - Happy Halloween!

2011-11-05T13:52:00.000-07:00

Every year brings a new challenge to create something unique for Halloween - this year I skipped the sewing and tried getting zombified! A happy little platter of brain and finger food, a cute apron, some high victory rolls and off I went to celebrate my most favorite holiday.

Getting ready... or decaying?

Brains for dinner again?

Mom would be so proud.

Birdie Royale shows off her domestic zombie skills in this tutorial on how to cook a brainloaf:

(Or, view hi-res version here!)

Hoping you all had a wonderful Halloween!

Cheers,

BR

Mitsy Meringue Goes to BurlyCon

2011-10-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

Every so often, you'll catch a little glimpse at my shiny collection of friends. I'd like to think I've bonded with some of the most stylish, witty and clever girls in the city and recently realized what great contributions their stories and experiences would make to the blog. With that being said, I'd like to happily introduce you to Ballard beauty, Miss Mitsy Meringue. A recent attendee of BurlyCon, she shares with us her experiences as a first time participant and a little tease of Seattle's colorful burlesque culture.

Enjoy!

Last week, Seattle got Glitter Bombed and I bet you didn't even notice. You might not have caught on to the commotion down in SeaTac, but you'll see the ripples all year.

On Thursday morning, some of the best and most legendary burlesque performers in the world fluttered into Seattle not to shine and strip like we so love to do, but to learn, teach, nurture, and network. Sunday night all returned home, leaving a trail of ostrich feather droppings, Swarovski crystals, and a myriad of new connections, skills, and partnerships that will no doubt shape the next year of burlesque performances and new troupes that I'm sure you're just dying to go see!

Now in its fourth year, BurlyCon is the only event of it's kind; focused on education and community building rather than performance or competition. Attendees included performers (and performers-in-training), producers, stage managers & crew, not to mention enthusiasts, historians, and pastie-peddlers.

It was my first year as an attendee, and I am, in a word, overwhelmed (Glitter-pated? Dazzle-dazed?). I only did three days of classes and networking, and absolutely collapsed at the end of each day. Although I did take one dance class (Classic Fans with Jezebel Express, where I borrowed fans from THE Miss Indigo Blue, reigning Queen of Burlesque), I found the panels and practical application classes more to my taste.

The "Balancing Burlesque with your Day Job" panel discussion was particularly poignant. One speaker shared that she's a professional therapist who would likely lose her license if her burlesque activities were revealed. Another woman told the panel that while she was embroiled in a court case, her former business partner announced to the courtroom (including her parents) that she was in fact, a stripper. Of course, you, Birdie Royale, and I all know that there's a big difference between stripping and theatrical striptease, but try telling a judge and jury that in a court of law when you thought you were there to talk about who's getting the office furniture. It sure made my life of advertising diva by day and tassel-twirler come sundown seem simple as cakepops.

Burgundy Brixx's "Producing 101" class was like getting a drink from a fire hydrant. Just the soundbites alone were worth the hour and half I spent listening to her tell cautionary tales of sound disasters, lighting woes, overly-frisky audiences without security. For example: A bar wants to make money and doesn't give a shit about your art. A theatre, might want to see your art and doesn't care about money. A private show is probably not going to think about the fact that a "dressing area" is not a public restroom OR that a PA system is not a clock radio- unless you put it all in writing beforehand.

Getting prepped for the Northwest Tiki Social.
Thanks to Gorejess Gals Burlesque for sharing their hotel room and vodka.

Part of the sheer delight of Con was the diversity of the attendees and they're willingness to help each other out. If you're involved in the burlesque community in any way (Vintage fashion? Theatre background? Millinery? Marketing?) I strongly encourage you to bring your experience to next year's BurlyCon.

Tickets are on sale for next BurlyCon 2012. Through December 15th, they're only $125 (at the door, they'll be $375).

Mitsy Meringue is a burlesque dilettante, professional marketing project manager, and glamorous gal about town.

Celebrating Autumn - Pumpkin Picking

2011-10-10T00:40:00.000-07:00

Growing up in the Midwest, one of the things I miss most is the autumn season and all the activities that were a part of it. We'd make multiple trips to the cider mills that were close to my home, and I always enjoyed a long drive to look at the changing colors.

While still my favorite season, autumn in Seattle isn't always the same and I haven't made a trip to the pumpkin patch or cider mill during the four years that I've lived here. I was so excited this last weekend when a friend of mine mentioned they were making the drive to Carnation so I gladly decided to tag along. Such great weather and so much fun to celebrate fall with friends!

Hoping you've been able to start your fall festivities, too!

Happy pumpkin picking,

Birdie Royale on FreshJess

2011-10-09T23:18:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Jess Estrada of FreshJess for giving me a lovely nod on her blog and for those of you who have reposted! Jess is Seattle's go to girl for events, parties, style and shopping and a great example of how to put social media to work.

I'm so glad that Jess has decided to do this monthly feature. I think oftentimes Seattle is overlooked as having unique, stylish ladies and as a place where fashion can thrive. With so many great small boutiques, designers and people interested in Seattle having a larger presence in the fashion world, it's great to get the word out.

The photos on the blog were taken by Andy Westbrock, who was a former Art Director I worked with while at Sedgwick Rd and a great friend. You might have also seen his photos pop up on the BR blog for the Mad Men Casting Call, he's always been great about lending his aesthetic and art direction talents to any photos we have shot. You can find more of Andy's photography here.

A Pink Champagne Fête

2011-10-09T18:52:00.000-07:00

Cake, burlesque and champagne just seem to naturally go together.

A few more photos of the oh so pink treats created for Caitlin's Pink Champagne themed birthday party:

(Clockwise)
✳ Tiered buttercream fondant strawberry & vanilla cake
✳ Chocolate dipped Oreos
✳ Strawberry,vanilla and chocolate cakepops

I'd say the night was a sugary success thanks to JoJo Stilleto's party planning skills and a little surprise entertainment by the Shanghai Pearl who performed for us by wiggling out of a pink guerilla suit!

Cheers,

BR

A Sweet Celebration - Cakepops!

2011-10-03T22:11:00.000-07:00

cakepop: (keyk-pop) noun

1.) happiness for under two dollars

2.) a unicorn's favorite snack

3.) newcomer to sugary indulgences category

4.) a useful tool during celebration, consoling the departure of a mean boyfriend or bribery

This week we are getting ready to celebrate another friend's milestone birthday. For me, that means more time in the kitchen!

While I've posted photos of my homemade cakepops before, I thought I'd give a little step-by-step photo collection for those of you curious about making these adorable little treats yourself.

Step 1

Start with your favorite batter. My go to recipe when strawberries are still readily available can be found here, but any preferred flavor will do.

From here you can proceed one of two ways:

Using a press:

If using a press, fill a pastry bag (or disposable plastic bag) with batter and snip the end to allow easy distribution into the concave mold. Follow the press instructions and set aside your little rounded cake balls to cool.

Using a press allows you to create your cake balls without having to combine them with frosting to ensure they keep their shape. As a girl who is a bigger fan of the cake than she is sugary frosting, this is a great way to go!

Don't have a press?

There are lots of resources that explain how to make cakepops sans a press (click here to see CakeBot show you how.) Generally, this method uses a fully baked cake and a bit of frosting for binding. Once combined and chilled, the steps are very similar on how to dip and decorate.

Step 2

After cooling, it's time to add the lollipop stick. I generally use these with Wilton Candy Melts and add coloring as needed or buy the pre-colored variety and alter to the color I'd like to achieve, warming per the directions and keeping an eye on the chocolate so it doesn't burn.

Warm up a bit of chocolate in a microwave safe bowl, double boiler or warming pot. Each lollipop stick should take a dip and a swirl in the chocolate and be inserted 1/2 to 3/4 of the way into the cake ball.

Once all the cakepops are assembled, let them have a sit in the fridge to allow the chocolate to bind to the cake and the lollipop stick to ensure everything will stay intact when you go to dip them.

The Wilton website or JoAnn Fabrics are great resources for both the lollipop sticks and chocolate that melts easily and evenly.

Step 3

After heating the chocolate in a deep bowl (the deeper bowl will work better than trying to swirl the pops in a shallow dish), work one by one from the fridge to dip you cake pop into the chocolate, giving a quick swirl and tapping or spinning to remove the excess chocolate. Cakepops should be cool, but not freezing when you start this step as a cakepop that is frozen may result in the warm chocolate cooling improperly and cracking.

If you plan on using sprinkles or dragees, add them while the chocolate hasn't set. Piping or edible painting can be done after.

There are several baking brands that make great cakepop holders to keep the cakepops separate while decorating and drying, but a sturdy piece of styrofoam with a layer of plastic wrap over the top works just as well for larger batches.

And, of course, the presentation! Endless ways to decorate and present these treats, but I had a special request from the birthday girl for lots of pink. And sugar. And sparklers - maybe those will go on the cake if it wont end up with the fire chief coming after us.

Interested in ordering cakepops for a party from Birdie Royale? I am happy to create quantities between 30 - 250 for all kinds of occasions - contact me here!

Happy baking little birds!

Post script: Craving cake but live in the mitten state, not the emerald city? I'm not the only member of my family who loves baking - pop over to Kakes by Koko where you'll find lots of specialty cakes, cookies and pastries for order created by my cousin Nicole.

Let's Keep Those Assets On The Up & Up - Bra Buying

2011-09-25T01:00:00.000-07:00

It's not every Saturday I get felt up by a woman twice my age with a Spanish accent.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I had several boxes of clothes ready for Salvation Army donation pickup. These boxes are full of things I will not wear, haven't worn or shouldn't wear and I'll be happy to have a little more space for the items that have a worthy place in my modestly sized abode. After rifling through my clothes, I thought it was time to move on to the smaller things - sifting though all of my undergarments and seeing what fit, what didn't and what needed replacing. An hour later, and a woeful glance at my 'this no longer fits' pile sitting on the bed, it was that time again to go bra shopping.

Ever worry about drowning in Puget Sound? Just
remember to wear the bra with floating action!

It had been about two years since I was properly measured, and in the interest of gathering good post content, off I went to the stores to have a stranger cop a feel and provide some sage advance about my assets.

I approached a woman in her 50s, let's call her Rosie, and requested she help measure me and provide some suggestions for new bras. A quick measure around the rib cage and above the fullest part of my bust, and off she went to pull a armful of bras that needed trying on.

Rosie - "Ok Miss, here you are. These should be a good place to start knowing your correct size."

I flipped over the tag on the first bra.

Wait, this isn't my size. This is an whole cup size different than what I have worn for the entire time bras have been on my body. Rosie gave me a reassuring nod that yes, that was my actual size, and yes, I had been wearing the wrong size for years.

Now knowing that my weight hasn't been all that different over the last 5 years or so I found this a hard fact to deal with. Ok, I'll ignore what those little tags tell me and try on what the nice lady has gathered for me. With an almost certain belief not one in the pile was going to fit, I stood in the mirror, examined the first and against my initial assumptions - Rosie put me in the right bra size. No bumps, lumps or spillage and the girls looked happily situated. I picked up a few more in the same size and Rosie informed I had to try them on before considering purchasing as sizes and fit can differ from brand to brand.

Well done Rosie, I'm sold. With three new bras, I happily went up the counter glad to have had some help from expert saleswomen and confident that I wasn't going to make a purchase that would later have to be returned.

But wait. I wanted to know, how could I have been wrong on my size all these years? Like a bad boyfriend who appeared to be pretty great, only to find out he didn't fit - I had more questions.

So at the risk of being the awkward girl at the store asking things we all should have figured out by now, I pressed the intimates saleswomen for answers to those lingering questions. If there are other women's breasts trapped in a state of ill fitting complacency, they deserve to know the truth.

How many women come in are wearing the wrong bra size?

The saleswomen all answered with certainty that at least 6 out of 10 woman coming in to shop for bras are wearing/intending to purchase a size that isn't right for them.

In fact, I've spent some time today looking for these stats online and that sounds like the consensus (my Google search history gets more interesting by the minute.)

Wow, all that wasted money on a poor fit!

Do you often encourage woman to get fitted when you notice they are wearing or about to buy a size that's incorrect?

These saleswomen can spot a spillover or lumpy bumps from across the sales floor, and with a gentle nudge, try to advise their customers to be measured before making purchases. The ladies said often women think the size they have been wearing for years is still right for them, or are too embarrassed about getting measured.

How often do you recommend women get measured?

Rosie and her team of perfect fit bra gurus suggested women be measured every two years or so - or when they have lost or gained a significant amount of weight or have had a child.

And Rosie's last piece of advice before I left the store...

Just like clothing, the size you normally associate with fitting you can change by brand or type. Try everything on to not risk having to make returns.

Ladies, studies say we spend on average $4,000 in a lifetime on bras. Let's make sure they fit.

DailyCandy cares about you having the right lady lift, too. Check out this video on how to find a perfect fit.

Linda might be the snarky fairy godmother of ta tas. I imagine her running around the streets of New York telling women their breasts are too close to their elbow.

So after you've made the purchase, what are some options for caring for your new found bras?

One simple suggestion is with a newly purchased bra, use the hooks on longest part of the strap, and work your way to the tightest hooks as your bra gets a little older.

Some lingerie experts also suggest not wearing the same bra for more than two days in a row. Lycra needs 24 hours to fully cool, so the break between wear allows the bra to keep a better shape and avoid permanent stretch.

Hand wash in luke warm water with a mild detergent. Woolite is a great, trusted option for all those delicates, but specialty detergents just for your undergarments are available that promise to clean and play nice with your bras, panties and stockings.

The Laundress Delicate Wash, $19 for 16oz.

Wash on gentle/delicates in a wash bag, Woolite Bra Wash Bag

Fancy new contraptions that ensure shape wont be lost in the wash, BraBABY Washing System

So, as always, before you spend - ask questions, try things on, ask salespeople totally uncomfortable questions in order to be a better educated consumer!

Hoping your next bra is the one.

Cheers,

BR

Diet Cleanup On Isle One

2011-09-18T14:53:00.000-07:00

I've wanted to write this post for some time now, and while it's less about a lifestyle overhaul and more about consciousness regarding what I eat, let's be clear this isn't about weight loss.

A few sleepless night lately watching documentaries like Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead and Forks Over Knives have left me wondering, how much do we buy food out of convenience and are those convenience foods seriously impacting our quality of life? I'll admit most days I'm so exhausted after work I just want to pick up something quick, eat, shower and pass out. I can only imagine for Americans who have families or work two jobs - considering cooking every night has to be daunting, not to mention expensive, for those on a budget when fruits and veggies cost more than drive thru cheeseburgers.

When I was young, our family was on the go a lot. Tennis, swimming, dance - we often just grabbed something on the way from point A to point B to make sure at least we were fed. When I was on my own and had the time and ability to make food for myself, I fell into old habits of just purchasing rather than cooking for the sake of convenience.

I usually give a bit of an eye roll when a friend complains about their weight, especially while out for dinner. I always think women have the ongoing habit of being critical about our weight and there are more worthwhile topics to discuss- but maybe we should pay more attention to what we eat and how much it has been processed. Not quantity, but if it's healthy for us, if it is nourishing, and if it could have any impact on our long term health or aid in preventing adult diseases. People should enjoy food and not put unreasonable restrictions on themselves, but perhaps learn to enjoy treats in moderation and incorporate healthier choices. This is what I'm aiming to work on.

For me...

I really love food. I love trying new foods, I love the socializing around food, I love baking food for others (see post directly below this one.) Did I mention I love food?

I am Midwestern. Which means, completely true to the stereotype, I love just about everything that's awful for me. Salt, sugar, carbs, oh my.

I've had my share of health issues over the years and would not be surprised to learn that some of the issues are associated with foods I eat/the quantity of certain types of foods I consume.

I work in advertising, and for many people with office jobs, sometimes this means grabbing what's available versus what's best for us.

I have a hard time sticking to a workout routine. My hours at work are sometimes varied, gyms that I have access to in my neighborhood just aren't open late enough to make the trip after work (insert additional excuses here.)

Sound like a typical late 20 something female?

I've had a lot of friends start raw diets, partially raw diets, green diets (does it ever seem like dieting needs its own section of the dictionary?) and while I admire their willingness to make these major life changes, I also know a totally raw diet or green only diet just isn't something I see my self sticking to for a long period of time. Changing my eating habits will have to be something I do slowly and with a lot of conscious choices.

So here's my plan for the next three weeks in an effort to pay more attention to what I consume. Not a diet, but a cleanup:

Less bread, pasta, white foods - whole grain pastas only, and sparingly.
Less sugar, which for me means less fruit juices and sugary snacks.
Cut out dairy. This means ending my weekly love affair with cheese.
No aspartame, those two diet cokes a day have to go. Check out ArryInSeattle's post on that nasty additive.
Greens. Greens. And more greens. Double the amount of leafy greens and broccoli.
Swap normal snack with healthier options. Almonds, strawberries, carrots.
Cook as much as possible on Sunday to prep food for the week.
Stop using the no gym excuse, and make the effort to get outside for at least 1hr 5/7 days a week.
And the biggest change, no more dining out during the week. Normally lunch and dinner are something I spend on at least 5/7 days a week. I'm hoping not only will this help me watch what I eat if I have to now make it for myself, but should also help by budget.

While these may not sound like big changes, they are a difference in living for me. Like I said at the beginning of this post, this isn't about weight loss, it's about feeling healthier, better. I will report back on in three weeks to let you know how my eating cleanup is going.

What do you think? What challenges do you face when choosing healthy foods? Do you think making healthier choices in your diet could benefit your overall health in the long and short term?

Cheers,

Baking for Autumn

2011-09-05T17:44:00.000-07:00

Autumn is easily my favorite season, and I always look forward to making my favorite fall recipes using pumpkin, cinnamon and squash.

While it's somehow staying at 80+ degrees in Seattle, I had a free evening and made baked a triple batch of pumpkin gingerbread muffins to bring to work with me tomorrow for a post holiday weekend treat and to freeze for breakfast this week.

PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD MUFFINS

Learning how to properly swirl icing on these
muffins and cupcakes!

✳ 3 cups sugar
✳ 1 cup vegetable oil
✳ 4 eggs
✳ 2/3 cup water
✳ 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
✳ 2 teaspoons ground ginger
✳ 1 teaspoon ground allspice
✳ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I at least double this amount!)
✳ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
✳ 1 teaspoon ground cloves
✳ 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
✳ 2 teaspoons baking soda
✳ 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
✳ 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

• In a large mixing, combine sugar, oil and eggs; beat until smooth. Add water and beat until well blended. Stir in pumpkin, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, and clove, vanilla.

• In medium bowl, combine flour, soda, salt, and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and blend just until all ingredients are mixed.

• Bake in preheated oven until toothpick comes out clean, about 20-30 minutes.

These muffins freeze well or are excellent with a cream cheese frosting for a little cupcake/muffin hybrid.

One of my other favorite fall recipes is fall vegetable pizza, courtesy of Martha!
We made this dish as part of some light snacks at my Halloween party last year and was devoured so quickly! A good tip is to make lots of the roasted vegetables for other dinners during the week or a quick snack. I swear we took a photo of the pizza but it's has been misplaced! So we'll show you Martha's final product.

FALL VEGETABLE PIZZA

✳ Olive oil, for baking sheet and drizzling

✳ Flour to prevent dough from sticking

✳ 1 pound store-bought pizza dough- Purchased at Trader Joes

✳ 8 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated (about 2 cups)

✳ 6 cups (about 1/2 recipe) Roasted Fall Vegetables, drained and coarsely cut - potatoes, carrots, garlic and squash were used the last time we made this and, as mentioned, we tripled the quantity because the veggies were so yummy on their own

✳ 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

✳ Fresh rosemary leaves

✳ Sea salt and ground pepper

• Preheat oven to 475 degrees.

• On a lightly floured surface, roll and stretch dough into a 12-by-16-inch oval (or as large as will fit on baking sheet); transfer to sheet covered with parchment paper.

• Sprinkle dough with half the mozzarella. Scatter vegetables on top, and dollop with ricotta; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and, if using, rosemary. Drizzle with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Bake until bubbling and golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve.

For the veggies, we also added a little bit of cinnamon to the salt and pepper which gave them an awesome savory flavor. Yum!

One more fall favorite, Mexican chocolate with chili powder - amazing. You can find the recipe here.

Wishing you a happy start to the fall season!

Cheers,

Spending in the City

2011-08-31T21:04:00.001-07:00

Money. Yep, that great big necessity that can cause sleepless nights and complete panic when not enough of it is available. Lately, I've been admiring people's ability to stockpile savings more than coveting their shoes.

I want a Canon 60D, to go back to Ireland, a few new hat blocks - but really I want to be comfortable financially and able to save a few pennies before the end of the year.

I'm certain at some point everyone has to worry about budgeting and saving, but I had dose of reality lately that smacked a bit of sense into me and had me desperately wishing I had a 'how to be an adult' handbook - more about this later in another post.

For those of you who don't know, the last year has been a jumble of freelance work for me after being used to full-time employment which means 1) I had to venture into sole proprietor land 2) my taxes and filing have completely changed and 3) it's been a lot more difficult to budget and plan when you're not sure about having a steady stream of work/income.

So, I thought I'd share some learnings with you about this year's adventures so far in spending, saving, and plans for the future when it comes to money.

Mind you, this is what I've learned, not advice. Advice from me is more appropriate for cupcake making and the best way to pin curl your hair.

I started a small business, should I shell out some clams for an accountant?

In my opinion, if you're running a small business/ working freelance, this will save you so many headaches and take the guesswork out of taxes. While getting ready for my first quarterly payment this year, I thought I did all the research I could do - spoke to other entrepreneurial friends about their payments, spoke to my Dad who was a Financial Manager for major corporation for some time, scoured government websites and even asked other people in the 'service' industry about their taxes. One 1.5hr phone call to IRS later, I had given up. Send me to jail, I cannot figure out my taxes.

A few deep breaths and a few days later, I asked some of my small biz friends for their recommendations for an accountant and had two recos that matched from people I trust. I gave the woman a call and got everything ironed out straight away. Without pain or frustration. While the internet, friends and even parents can provide some information - sometimes it is just best to go to a professional and take the weight off of your shoulders.

Hiring professional help will also help confirm what you can write off at the end of the year - internet, cell phone, even a portion of your rent or house payment. Savings that can be missed if you're not aware they can be considered a business expense (and hey ad ladies, learn what you can write off - often this includes industry pubs and meetings with prospective clients.)

I'm meeting with this wonderful lady again in September, will update then what changes our conversation might have on my spending and saving.

When you're in a place to do so, pay down those debts.

If you're rolling your eyes because this is the obvious one, here's a little snag I encountered. I had the same balance on my credit card for years and while it wasn't that much, the math on what it added up to on top of the balance after a few years was so very irritating. So, when I was able to pay it off and still keep some savings, I was more than happy to do so. While good news, the more knowledgeable sources say if you're working for yourself, split your money between paying off debt and building an emergency fund in case that contract or project falls through. I'm slowly trying to get this buffer back to where I'd like it to be should I be out of work between contract projects.

Have a go at spending less on:

Coffee, magazines, cocktails - The biggest struggles for me are these little indulgences. While at the moment they are gratifying, they can add up to a lot of spending at the end of the year. Find happy hours around town that will help trim after work spending with friends, look into free events on the weekends or do a glass of wine or two at the house before going to spend at the bar. My goal is to cut down where I can by making a more conscious effort to track spending on my little habits.

Other people - Adding up baby showers, bridal showers, weddings, holidays, house warming parties and the rest of it can be daunting. While we all want to celebrate each event in our friends lives, those gifts and plans still have to fit into our budget. Believe me, your friends would rather you pay rent than get them a new punch bowl if it really came down to it. Plan ahead, if you can, on what you can spend on other people for the year - can you cut down your costs by getting creative with gifts? Will your friends go in on a gift together so you can buy something both of your think would be great for the guest? Can you offer to help with decorating, baking, planning or cooking as your contribution to a party? Get crafty. There are many ways to express your excitement for the event without breaking the bank.

Your internet/mobile provider - After working for a major telecommunications company I was astounded by how many people were overpaying on a plan that wasn't right for them. Look into your usage, get familiar with where you're netting out every month, and ask if the provider can lower your rate. One call to AT&T and I was able to knock $20 off of my monthly. Not too bad.

How do you save and what are your thrifty tricks for still being stylish on a budget?

Cheers and happy saving,

A Wonderland Fête ❤

2011-08-29T21:17:00.000-07:00

What's better than celebrating a milestone birthday with a great group of friends? When those friends are some of the most creative and talented people you know, it's having them come up with their best ideas for a costume party. We recently celebrated Miss Mitsy Meringue's birthday at The Cellar in Ballard. Guests came in their wonderland attire to show off what they'd wear when down the rabbit hole. Enjoy some of the photos captured from this fantastic night!

{all photos by Birdie @Bonne Vie}

The birthday girl wearing a Birdie Royale custom Queen of Hearts tilt hat with silk and ostrich feathers.

Miss Katie ready to paint the roses red.

Tea cakes with Birdie Royale 'Eat me' tags.

Each wine bottle from a guest was given a Birdie Royale custom 'Drink me' bottle tag.

Any my new favorite thing to make, candy colored cakepops!

This bird is looking forward to the next big party in the works - and our birthday girl insisted on a pink champagne theme. Look for photos to be posted in October!

Cheers,

Interested in ordering any of the Down the Rabbit Hole party items, cakepops or costume accessories? Birdie Royale is taking orders now!

Gratuitous shopping post – getting ready for Autumn.

2011-08-19T13:47:00.001-07:00

Six boxes of clothes, bags, bedding are my kitchen waiting to be picked up by Salvation Army for donation. Whew – that’s a lot of stuff for one tiny apartment.

I’ve been trying to weed out the bizarre, ill fitting or just plain out of style items that have been taking up space. This is Part 1 of getting a bit more organized – a first pass at least at things I knew were not benefiting me by having a place in my closets. I did allow myself to purchase a few more items for the fall season. I’m making an effort to find pieces that easily transition from season to season by adding a few layers – which is fairly easy to do in Seattle as the weather doesn’t change so drastically that it warrants multiple seasonal wardrobes.

The goods – two dresses, a pair of mustard yellow oxford boots and an amazing pair of earrings from ModCloth. I was a customer of ModCloth’s early on and had a hit or miss relationship. Some things fit like a glove, others weren’t up to par as far as quality or were so ill fitting they didn’t feel worth the spend. However, in the last year I really do feel that their buyers have done an excellent job in purchasing items that are stylish, affordable and well made. Both dresses I ordered fit like a glove and have already received loads of compliments, the shoes from Poetic License are a quirky cool addition to my fall shoes and those earrings – everyone should buy them. For under $20, the quality is amazing and they are going to be my staple gold, estate style earrings for the fall.

One other little note – those dresses were not purchased without a quick read of the reviews left by other customers. I have come to realize just how much customer reviews have become part of my online purchase check list. Both dresses would have been purchased at my normal size versus a size down if it weren’t for reviewer feedback. Knowing how much I’ve come to value their input, I remembered to go on ModCloth and leave my comments with the hope doing so will aid in other’s purchase consideration. Many sites let you leave you comments + upload your information (size, style, measurements and even a photo) which is incredibly useful when ordering online. No one likes admiring a piece, purchasing with the assumption something is going to fit, then having the letdown when something doesn’t work out. While reviews have been around for ages, it seems as if people are using each other to feel out a worthwhile purchase more than ever, taking the guesswork out of what might work or not work for other customers. How great is that?

Cheers,

lh

Preview of the 'Down the Rabbit Hole' Party

2011-08-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

I've promised on Twitter that some new photos would be popping up of a party I recently helped with - and of course the lovely Melissa Shdo wearing a Birdie Royale 'Queen of Hearts' tilt hat. A new post plus loads of photos will be coming soon, but for now you can be in awe of the queen at her best.

Favorite Places: Downtown Seattle

2011-08-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

One of the benefits of being in a city for some time is discovering places that end up being personal favorites. I can’t help but appreciate the tiny, tucked away spots that are off the beaten path for tourists and non city dwellers.

I thought I’d share a small slice of my favorite finds and repeat destinations with you to pass on the good city karma.

de Medici Ming Fine Paper

I cannot count the number of times I’ve strolled right by this store without stopping in. A friend recently mentioned how lovely it is, and since it was just right up the street from work I popped in. My gosh, if you are a person who appreciates color, atmosphere and a whole lot of amazingness packed into one small spot I recommend you make the trip. Situated right by the SAM, this tiny store features loads of fine paper, journals, postcards and just so much inspiration.

I left with a bit of crimson and ivory printed paper, an adorable postcard I used as a birthday card and some golden/olive ribbon – all used to perfectly package up a birthday gift for a friend that evening. I intend to stop in soon again to shop through the bigger bolts of paper for a little DIY project.

Watson Kennedy

This store easily lends to creating a feeling in your home that conveys ‘Oh yes, I have been collecting all of these unique, beautiful pieces for years and years to achieve just that look.’ A lovely place that showcases gift and home collections that make it hard to go in and not fall in love with something upon each visit. I’ve personally be eying a sea foam green cake stand that would look just lovely in my kitchen.

Kudos, too, for a well designed, user friendly website that will tempt you even more to make that first visit.

Antiques at Pike Place

While not so small, it’s been my go to antique shop since moving here. I’ve purchased everything from emerald colored earrings to fur coat collars here and make an attempt to pop in whenever I’m near the market for a quick look through the new arrivals. The outside the store looks tiny, but once inside you realize you could spend a good portion of the afternoon looking through all of their goods.

Have a free Saturday? Head down to Antiques at Pike Place for a little browsing, pick up a gift for a friend (or your mom- she likes gifts, too) at Watson Kennedy, drop by de Medici Ming for the perfect gift wrap and special letter pressed card and wrap up your day with a stop by The Diller Room for a sidecar and a pizza.

Cheers,

Deco Modiste & Birdie Royale - Oh La La

2011-06-30T15:36:00.000-07:00

From time to time you'll hear me mention what a big fan Birdie Royale Adornments is of Deco-Modiste. Local designers Kimberlee Iblings and Shawna Bird Proske (also of Bonne Vie) consistently produce charming, timeless, flattering pieces I'm always happy to wear.

A recent Sunday had several of us birds meet up for a mini photo shoot to show off some of the Spring/Fall 11 pieces. We captured a few moments for you between mimosas and frolicking.

Video shot by one of our favorite New Yorker's - David Van Keuren and edited by Miss Royale.

Deco-Modiste is also sold locally at Velouria.

Service At The Shop

2011-06-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

Recently I reentered the world of the properly compensated – as in, those jeans that desperately needed replacing could be purchased in a guilt-free manner. Thank goodness. So out to the shops I went ready to put some of my income back into the economic flow...

I promise I have disposable income, really!
More work (both personal and at the agency) meant less time, or desire, to actually get dressed in AM. That extra thirty minutes of sleep is sometimes just a bit more important than eyeliner or lipstick. I try to never make my appearance a consideration when going out to shop – after all, when I have the time or need to do so, that’s when it’ll happen. Which leaves me wondering – how much does appearance impact the response you get from salespeople?

Oh Nordstrom, you’re a shining example of goodness in customer service but one of your employees needs a kind reminder that all customers are valuable. Upon approaching one of the makeup counters I was outright ignored in my trainers and jeans. When I was finally addressed, I was quickly scoffed at when inquiring about an auburn brow pencil being available and then given the cold shoulder (perhaps she was a ginger hater?) Thankfully, another shop girl at the same counter overheard and said, ‘We absolutely sell those, let me grab one for you’ (yes, they do. I’ve been buying the same one for 4 years now.) A nice response from one employee kept the whole exchange from going sour, but I was still a bit appalled by girl number one. While minimal, it did change my perception of the brand, the store and their employees for a short time.

The stresses of spending:
Now, this isn’t a rant about bad customer service but rather acknowledging the implications of a bad experience. Let’s face it, woman walk into a lot of stores with some hesitation about what will fit, look good, and really – asking for help. Shopping can be incredibly intimidating and stressful. I have a whole slew of friends who shop online to avoid the in-person experience they would have to encounter.

After working several years in shop service, I had a huge range of customers. People looking for as much advice and assistance as possible who were grateful for help, and women who treated shop girls like they were worthless and acted demanding instead of respectful. You can likely guess who received the most help. I’d gladly spend a lengthy amount of time with a customer who was friendly, respectful and pleasant to be around vs shopzilla.

I had a few conversations about this topic with some avid Seattle shoppers and arrived at the following for advice:

Find your ‘person’ at the stores you normally frequent. I have friends that will not shop at a store if their go to isn’t working that day. The pros: they can provide you with recommendations, inform when new items come in that might appeal to you and put you at ease to ask questions without feeling pressured or intimidated.

Never let a salesperson pressure you into a purchase you don’t want to make. It is your money, and if you don’t want to buy, don’t.

Know your store’s return/exchange policy. Naturally, if something isn’t right for you once you get it home, there’s no benefit in you keeping it. Knowing the policies of the places you shop prior to making an exchange can help you feel more comfortable requesting the return if you can reference their information.

Ask for a manager if things go south. Something I should have done in the example I mentioned at the start of the post is flagging a manager if an employee was rude or not willing to help. I try to think about it like this: If I were as rude or disrespectful as the girl I mentioned at work, you bet my boss would hear about it right away. Managers hire helpful people for a reason, and if one of my employees wasn’t living up to expectations expected of her I’d want to be made aware and remedy the issue.

You’re my favorite, you know:
Myself, and my friends, are incredibly loyal to our stylists, colorists, estheticians, and so on. Why? Because they have always provided us with incredible service, respect and we depend on them regularly for their amazing talents. Sometimes finding those people who can provide spot on service is like dating – you have to go through lots of people before choosing to settle down and commit.
What does good shop service mean to you?

Cheers,
BR

Ageless Beauty

2011-03-15T13:46:00.000-07:00

I was wandering the drugstore skincare isle the other day and rather than reaching for my normal go tos and making my way to the checkout, I stopped to look at the expansive isle of anti aging creams, serums and magic potions lined up neatly for customer consideration. While not a life altering decision, choosing these products can be completely daunting and spending disposable income on products that don’t work feels like such an enormous waste. Like many women in their late 20s I’m somewhere between the occasional teenage breakout and becoming witness to those little lines popping up near my eyes and mouth that I’m positive weren’t there two years ago. If I told you the Britney Spears song ‘Not Yet a Woman’ actually came on while perusing products in this isle would you believe it? It did. And it made me want to stomp my foot in angst. Seems like my skin is just as confused as I am.

I see those late night informercials that make promises to sleepless viewers that their pores will be smaller, their skin will regain that youthful glow and they’ll look ten years younger (I’m nearing 30, so the ten years younger claim has now started resonating with me.) As a person who never seems to drift off easily, I often find myself in front of that glowing screen wondering how many people are reaching for their phones to order these products. Then I got to thinking, if these skincare wonders do work, does that improve our lives? How much does aging really impact our confidence and self perception when it comes to beauty?

We spend so much time and money trying to rewind the clock only to say, 'Gosh I really looked pretty good when I was (insert age here), I wish I would have been more aware of it.' Perhaps we start realizing our appeal in the moment we are in and stop reflecting on when we were younger. I'm not saying don't use your products - rather, use them, be realistic about what kind of impact they will make and move on with your day.

Please make me read this again when I'm 40.

Sunday Thrifting

2011-03-10T11:54:00.000-08:00

Thrifting in cities where residents actually scour stores regularly can be difficult. Often, most things are picked over or the owner of the store is very aware that for certain items pricing high is OK because someone will justify the spend. For this reason, I try to avoid some of the more well known upscale thrift stores or antique shops unless I happen to find something I cannot live without. I also tend to pick what I like or what fits well vs something I know is valuable only because of brand.

Two weeks ago I was running errands in Queen Anne and saw lots of clothing being hung in the window of storefront and popped in to check out what they had. It turned out to be a neighborhood rummage sale that wasn't open yet, however the lovely ladies there let me browse before opening for public shopping. I purchased these two dresses with the intention of resizing them and wearing them for Spring.

My favorite find there is actually being sent to a certain New Yorker for his birthday. This vintage military officer's coat was in fantastic condition and I couldn't pass up giving it to a war history buff.

To those of you patient enough to sift through stores to find something special, happy thifting!

Such a Colorful Personality

2011-02-14T11:23:00.000-08:00

This weekend I had the chance to meet up with some old advertising friends and attend a ‘Bigwigs’ pub crawl. Mandatory wig wearing sounded like a great way to spend a Saturday night to me. Rather than spending loads of money on a well-made wig that would be useful for years, I purchased a cheap little black 1930s style bob from the local costume shop. One seriously tight wig cap and 46 bobby pins later, and voilà! Instant short hair. Granted this wasn’t the most realistic looking wig, but my appearance changed quite bit and it worked for the event. I am even considering sticking with this look sans wig, if I can make the huge leap to cut and dye my locks again.

While at the party, I had a funny chat with girl who had chosen a yellow blonde wig, complete with bangs and flipped ends, about what our hair color says to the world. I think it’s fairly obvious that certain things are assumed depending on what hair color you wear. My question to you isn’t if these implications are true, but when so many women are dying their hair and changing their natural color, are they doing so with a purpose? Does choosing to change your color make you feel you are able to act differently? Appeal to men/employers/friends in a different way? How much identity do we place on our hair color? I read an article that women spend between $40,000 - $50,000 on their hair maintenance in their lifetime (cuts, colors, shampoos, conditioners.) While this number seems high, it does imply the serious investment we put into our manes.

I have been every semi-natural color under the sun (I just don’t have it in me to be properly punk.) After being a blond for five years in my high school and college days, I went back to a darker brunette. My mother said I looked so much more bubbly as a blond. My stock with boys plummeted. But, I wasn’t shelling out an exorbitant amount of money every couple weeks to stay a shade of light wheat. Several years and several shades later, I stopped trying to cover up my auburn. I embraced it, brightened it, and it’s become my favorite shade yet.

What does your hair color say about you? Do you feel it’s an accurate reflection of your personality?

Happy trimming, dying and styling.

+ 1

2011-02-09T10:41:00.000-08:00

The last couple of weeks have been extra stressful as I've encountered some big personal life changes. Couple this with a (first time ever) seriously sour attitude about turning one year older and this bird's been a little on the gloomy side.

I love holidays. I love birthdays. I love planning parties. What happened this year? Too many 'Ma'am's versus 'Miss's from the teenagers at the grocery checkout, too little money in the bank account, confusion about career path and all those things that make you question your worth - I think I found myself saying 'At this age, shouldn't I have (insert money, larger dwelling, husband, better job here)' more often than I have ever said those things before and was experiencing lots of dreaded insecurity. I was at a party a recently and was surrounded by successful girls who were tall, svelte, graceful and wearing enormous engagement rings. They were quiet, conservative, calm. Their soon to be husbands looked like urban Kens. Talk turned to travel, status and climbing that corporate ladder. I cowered and questioned my priorities and personality - wondering why I was so very different from these girls. Nothing like tacking on another adult year on to your life to make you reevaluate your standing in life.

As for my birthday, I cobbled a party together, a sweet friend of mine offered to set up a pre-party dinner and I found a dress that worked. Off I went to make a solid attempt at fun. And you know what, it was. Genuine, lovely fun. The occasion did the trick of reminding me that although many of my dearest and most missed friends have left this city, the people I surround myself with are interesting, passionate, stylish and I'm glad to have them in my life. I have chosen them and they have chosen me. I woke up the morning after and read through the cards friends had given me the night before and was warmed by the compliments. Appreciation of my creativity, style and genuine self. A friend telling me to remember I am still capable of doing amazing things even through this year delivered a series of huge blows. Amazing, just what I need to hear.

I'm one year older. I'm still figuring things out. I'm not your run of the mill girl and I'm trying to learn to be OK with that. I'm going to make more mistakes, but I'm hoping I get to love more, laugh harder and carve my little sparkly spot in this world.

Cheers,

Party with the Bird

2011-02-01T12:43:00.000-08:00

Come celebrate this Saturday with the bird and her flock!

WHEN:

Saturday, February 5th

TIME:

9PM -10:30/11PM- The Diller Room

11PM-1AM- The Alibi Room

Late night- The White Horse

FB Invite

The Genuine Social Identity

2011-01-31T11:05:00.000-08:00

(Continued thoughts re: Response to ArryinSeattle's 'Disengaged & the Absent-Present' )

I am cautious of social media and how it impacts my personal life. Are you?

I blog, I use multiple social media platforms, my day job is a Web Producer. Ignorance is ignoring the huge benefit technology adds to our lives and the expansive network of people it allows us to access, but it is also ignoring when it’s replacing normal social interaction and intimacy. This last weekend I went out with a few different groups of friends and had multiple conversations with those who are in the tech and blog world. I began to take stock of my presence on Twitter, how often I post on this blog and if I’m really using Facebook properly for self and brand promotion. And what did I find? For as much as using technology aids in creating a presence for myself and Birdie Royale, real personality and an accurate slice of someone’s character is viewed and validated only face to face. While online tools offer us a platform to express ourselves, they shouldn't be the only way we show who we are.

Share Then Retract:

Have you ever actively followed, conversed and watched someone’s life via SM only to meet them in real life and felt…. awkward? Have you ever compared this ‘getting to know you’ process online vs offline? There are many valuable relationships that have come out of SM for me, but for as many genuine people I now call friends that I met through online networking, there are just as many who ‘turn off’ when it comes to having a face to face meeting. Yes, meeting people in person can be awkward in general as there’s always a sense of feeling each other out. But, when the person has made a constant habit of updating their personal details, it’s hard to meet and ignore all those things you already know about them. I think this is the ‘I think I know you’ complex. If you’re not experiencing someone in real life, you’re not yet seeing the whole person.

Hello World, It’s Me and I’ve Published My Life:

Another recent article had a speaker addressing oversharing and overexposing one’s personal life as a topic for college and high school students. I was amazed to find out just how unaware these kids are of the visibility their tweets, posts and blogs have beyond just their personal network. Even with privacy settings, the impact of their sharing didn’t register with most of the students attending the discussion. Scary to think this next generation in queue to be functional adults seem to be so comfortable broadcasting their personal lives online with a limited filter and consideration to impact. What does this mean for future in-person collaboration, networking, and relationships?

I think more thought has to be put in to what we send out into the world. There are still consequences. People still read content and process, internalize and consider what you’re saying. While I think blogging is an amazing outlet and platform to hear commentary and input from others, be aware you now have an audience. They have opinions, they have the ability to respond and their point of view may be drastically different than yours. If you’re publishing your life, be prepared that there are some editors out there who are happy to whip out the red pen.

If it’s a brand, be careful not to say anything that you wouldn’t say in front of a client. If it’s your life, the content you share is a reflection on you. Simple, but easy to forget.

Comparison 2.0:

I recently read an article about the added stress we experience solely as a response to other’s posts on Facebook & Twitter. And no wonder - we get the shiny, sparkly, social version of Person X and assume that is a proper capture of their life. I’ll admit, when I’m having a hard time, it’s hard not to hide those posts about weddings, babies, promotions, vacations. It’s an immediate check against your own life, and an instant (possibly inaccurate) evaluation of how you measure up to your peers. We are constantly bombarded by other’s accomplishments and successes that can often minimalize or trivialize our own. Be better, do more, share with everyone so it’s validated.

I’m not writing this say that social media isn’t incredibly valuable. If you have read this post and feel that is what I was trying to convey, I’d like to leave you with this – Not everything I post online is impactful, ground breaking or purposefully influential. But it is never done with misrepresentation. I think while communication is evolving online and providing huge benefits, we need to work just as hard to put all that time and effort we spend sharing about ourselves and reading about others online to use in real life. There has to be a balance between the identity we show online and the one we show in person, being genuine is as important in both worlds and social media shouldn’t be a veil for who we are.

If you value someone's opinions, interests and character online make the effort to connect with them face to face.

What do you think? How do you balance both on and offline relationships?

Have a wonderful start to the week,

Resolve, Renew, Improve

2011-01-16T20:42:00.000-08:00

I had mentioned in an earlier post how resolutions are funny things. I imagine people feel obligated to make adjustments at the start of the year - promises to themselves to change bad habits, be more proactive and try harder at, well, life. Interesting thought when January 1st is often spent scrambling to find a decent breakfast to cure the overindulgences from the evening before.

I was recently out with the beau in Michigan while visiting family and the subject of resolutions came up. When he asked what mine were, I immediately responded that I would not disclose them (because they are like birthday wishes, right? You’re not supposed to share those.) A little more thought on the trip home and I’ve decided some of these resolutions can be, and should be, shared to keep myself honest- let’s instead call them goals and efforts, ‘resolution’ sounds as if I spent weeks in detention having to make up for all my wrong doing. Miss Royale, you’ve been eating cupcakes for dinner, let’s resolve to eat something that isn’t cake based then try to pass it off as dinner this go around.

So, here are a simple few that are on my list:

Dedicate more time to my passions, including Birdie Royale. This year I will try to remind myself that it's OK to do things for me, even if they are silly, time consuming or require a little spending.

Talk less and listen more. And in doing so, think harder before asking questions that I can likely figure out myself if I take a little time to do so. Listen to friends with more sincerity and focus. Roll my eyes less.

Read! Books, blogs and creative content. Because it used to be such a relaxing hobby and I haven’t made as much time for it as I’d like. This year so far I’ve finished Brave New World, and I just purchased Nineteen Eighty-Four and Antic Hay. Maybe not the happiest of book selections, however, it’s nice to dive into something that requires thought on the commute to work.

Post! I’m attempting to get a new post up at least every two weeks. This feels like a challenge because new ideas aren’t always top of mind when I do have time to write. I have been encouraged by friends to keep a running list of topics that pop up to have on hand when I do feel like writing.

Be a better adult. What does this mean – I got back into town and made all the doctor appointments that I put off last year because of money, scheduling and all kinds of other excuses. I had a realization that taking care of yourself often requires a significant amount of money, but not doing so can have much worse results in the long run.

Take my vitamins - Seattle, make sure you're getting all the Vitamin D you need!

Keep better records of my spending, cut down where I am able. I am always shocked by the money I spend on coffee!

If I have laundry, dishes or any other household mess that can be done at the time it’s created, it should be taken care of then – not later. Household efficiency needs to be in my life or else everything falls apart. Ever notice how much more productive and willing to work you are when the abode isn’t a complete mess?

Sleep more. Now, I’m not saying be less active, but I need to put a stop to staying up all hours of the night doing nothing productive then feeling like a hot mess in the morning. I think we could all use more rest.

Call my mother, grandmother and East Coast friends more.

There are of course many more on my personal list, but just as important as it is to recognize improvements we can make in our lives, it's just as important to remember change takes time, routine and commitment.

Did you make any resolutions (goals, life efforts) for this year? What are your thoughts on resolutions in general?

Wishing you all a safe and happy start to the new year!

Why So Serious?

2011-01-09T20:25:00.000-08:00

Basic black at a NYE wedding? This bird did a 1930s style dress and faux bob to ring in new year's nuptials with friends!

I often get asked why I throw so many costume parties and enjoy creating costume pieces. I usually answer it's the same reason I choose to work in a creative industry, enjoy burlesque and gravitate toward colorful people. With all the things we have to worry about every day, the choices that we are forced to make and the stresses we encounter, I don't see why getting a little creative with our attire every so often is anything to frown upon.

So ponder this - Are we taking our appearances too seriously?

Now of course, there's a time and place to be conservative, to acknowledge that the way we dress ourselves instantly provides some slice of information to those people we meet. But, on the rare occasion we're invited to a party (costumed or otherwise) isn't it wonderful to be able to show some real creativity and personality?

So, this short post is encouraging you to remember those days of digging through the dress up bin as a tot and apply your creativity to your wardrobe. You can make classic unique, and individual tasteful with a little bit of thought.

Wishing you all a safe and happy start to 2011. Happy New Year, sláinte!

The Bird Heads East: Travel During The Busy Season

2010-12-07T12:05:00.000-08:00

Mary knows it's never too early to serve bourbon to her passengers when traveling to the in-laws is involved.

I am so very excited to head home this Christmas. It's been the most tumultuous year and am thankful it's nearing an end. I'm hoping to have some long, lazy hours to spend on my parent's couch drinking hot chocolate in cozy pajamas - in between the visits with the relatives, a bachelorette party, high school reunion and a NYE wedding. What am I not looking forward to is the potential for travel chaos. For as much as I enjoy people watching at the airport, I dread being late for flights, short layovers that create risk of missing flight number two, lost luggage....

Having lots of friends who work contract, I envy their ability to hop a flight whenever the need calls for it and not seem to be impacted by jet lag or frazzled by the all the necessary pre-flight to dos that usually plague me the night before a trip out of town. I considered scouring the web for travel tips and tricks, but quickly discovered if you're not jetsetting to tropical destinations, the suggestions aren't as relevant (ladies, if you can pack only your sunglasses, sarong and one bikini and feel secure in that decision, God bless your easy going personality and financial ability to travel to warm locales.) So for the rest of us, I have gathered a short list of things I have begun to do as my travel has increased and those tips I've read that seem to be more practical for those of us who are visiting family vs being whisked away to Cannes. We all know the basics of what to pack, but it's nice to have a check list for those little extras that make travel more bearable.

Before the trip:

❄ Check in online, especially if you are only bringing a carry-on. This means you can skip a potentially long line to pick up your boarding pass.

❄ Many airlines offer the option to have email or text alerts sent to your phone that advise on gate changes, flight delays and any other information that may impact your flight. You can also have these alerts sent to others who may be tracking your flight which can help avoid people arriving too early to pick you up.

❄ If you have the time and are looking for scenic route, take a train! We're all trying to save a little money and the trips can be beautiful this time of year.

Packing:

❄ When choosing pieces to wear, I often make a list of events and occasions I may be attending. I lay out clothing for each event and try to consolidate additional items to things I can wear more than once and always include layered items like paper t-shirts and a neutral colored cardigan.

❄ For items that have the tendency to get squished or easily wrinkled, I make an effort to wrap them in tissue paper prior to packing them. I also wrap heels that are satin or suede in fabric or paper to ensure they will not be scuffed.

❄ If it's anything you know you could not replace, try to pack it in your carry-on. This goes without saying for vintage pieces and any jewelry with value.

❄ Bags take up space. Bring one carry all purse that can be used for everyday needs during the trip, and pack a clutch or two that will work with multiple outfits.

Small items that I always include:

❄ Individual packages of detergent - especially if I know I need to pack light and will not have access to a washer dryer. The tub or sink may provide you the opportunity to wash clothes when needed.

❄ Hemming or double sided tape - something I try to carry regularly anyway, this can be a quick save if something comes undone on your trip until you can take it to be repaired.

❄ Blister block - Because people have a tendency to buy new items prior to going on vacation, they sometimes slip on new shoes only to find they have inflicted damage to their feet. If you're going to an event or a vacation where you'll be walking a great amount of the time, this little stick can prevent you from being in misery.

❄ Colgate Wisp mini toothbrushes. If my toiletries are packed away in my checked luggage, I pack these which are quick and convenient.

Things I sometimes bring to keep me warm and sane:

❄ Piece of Mind by Origins- Origins makes a great little bottle of peppermint scented serum that helps with headaches stress. It's small enough to be TSA friendly and can banish that stale airplane smell we're all so fond of.

❄ Wool or cashmere socks-Because I am always cold on planes and seem to consistently be seated next to someone who likes to keep the cold air on.

❄ A pashmina or wool wrap- I bought one years ago that I refuse to travel without. Much more comfortable that the backwards coat.

❄ Packages of miso soup- I tend to pack snacks when traveling and often include soup packages to which I can just add hot water.

❄ Hooray for Starbucks VIA, because it's usually a step up from airline coffee.

What do you bring with you on your travels? Wishing you all safe and pleasant trips this holiday season!

Compliments: Smile, Accept, Appreciate

2010-11-23T14:24:00.000-08:00

'Why yes, I did make this dress and drape the netting decor myself, thank you for noticing.'

For those of you who decide to participate in the annual tradition of New Year's resolutions (yes, it's November 23rd and I used the 'R' word), are they the usual promises? Visit the gym more often, eat better, drink less bourbon. OK, that last one is personal, but I'm sure we all have similar resolutions that are ultimately meant to improve the year to come.

Aside from making body and career resolutions, what about those things that are part of our personalities that need a little attention, too? No, don't worry this isn't going to turn into a self-help blog, but I have marked a particular little habit as something I plan to tackle - or at least improve upon.

What is this fatal character flaw you ask? So many of us are guilty of it and yet without acknowledging we do it, it's never going to change. Accepting praise and compliments from peers, suitors and strangers. While I happen to know a few women who accept compliments gracefully and with the perfect amount of modesty, so many of us shoo them away with the same indifference we give to negative compliments.

I have been stricken with the awful habit of uncontrollable laughter in uncomfortable situations (weddings, funerals, you name it - I seem like the most imperfect Catholic.) A compliment for me usually results in the following - '(Giggle), oh this dress? Well I have it for ages. It's old, and not vintage old, just old.' Or, 'My smile? Oh thank you, but it took years of braces and an overwhelming orthodontic bill (giggle.)'

Why is it so hard for women to accept compliments? Well there are a few obvious reasons that come to mind - certain people's compliments are insincere and have intent that we have no interest in. Lady friends and I often have this conversation, it's unfortunate that these 'compliments' from people who don't actually mean them ruin it for the rest of the lovely gentlemen (and women) who actually do appreciate something about you. Keep in mind, if someone seems genuine, it's not fair to shoot them down for telling you something kind, nor is it appropriate to brush off the comment because of your momentary insecurities. Say thank you. And if there's something kind worth saying back, do so.

Ladies need to get better at appreciating sincerity and understand that we all need those positive comments. Beyond that, we need to not be rude to a man holding a door for us because we see it as demeaning (come on, ladies,you're begging for chivalry, don't smack it in the face because you're worried you'll appear less independent.) The more you encourage sincerity and accept compliments gracefully, the more likely that is to spread to other people. How great, a city of folks walking around complimenting one another, spreading and accepting sincerity. Sounds like a good resolution to me.

Cheers,

BR

Post script - Have a safe Black Friday if you're bundling up and searching for those deals. Remember, a discounted fur stole isn't worth a broken arm or months spent wearing an eye patch.

The Holiday Hustle

2010-11-16T19:24:00.000-08:00

The room was full of holiday cheer until Uncle Leo informed they were completely

out of eggnog.

We all know the holidays can be a big source of stress. The to dos, family visits, and spending all combine and can be overwhelming. I'm trying to ease into the holiday season a bit more gracefully this year and making an effort to keep in mind what makes the season truly enjoyable for me. This means right now I am attempting to get as much done as possible before those crazy couple of pre Christmas weeks. The cards are coming with me to Saturday morning coffee this weekend so I can put actual thought into them and enjoy myself while doing so. My Christmas shopping list is being completed partially online and I am shipping gifts where they need to go without an extra trip to the post office. I know how much stress I've caused myself procrastinating during other years and I'm doing everything I can to keep myself from going Grinch.

So what can make the holidays less chaotic? This little list helps me keep things in check.

❆ December isn't the only month to shop for Christmas. No, I promise I am not the elderly women who hoards items during the year than wraps them up as holiday gifts. We have some time before that starts happening. However, if I see something in the autumn months that I think would make a good holiday gift, I will likely pick it up if I think it wont be available during December or I will keep a little note that it would be a lovely gift for someone. This also helps to avoid a huge amount of spending from happening all in one month. Not to mention, you avoid busy shopping areas and save yourself some sanity.

❆ If you're sending cards, start early. Sometimes a long list can be daunting, try if you can to break writing into weekends so you aren't stuck writing last minute holiday greetings that sound insincere.

❆ If you're having guests try making treats that can be frozen until they arrive. There are a variety of things that can be made ahead of time to save the rush (or prevent time away from company because you're stuck in the kitchen.) See what you can make that requires minimal prep during the actual visit.

❆ RSVP to parties you're likely to attend, but leave some weekend time to manage errands and holiday loose ends. You wont be in the mood to celebrate with others if your mind is on all of the things left to do.

❆ Make sure when buying gifts, you keep the person you're buying for in mind. It may sound silly, but we often purchase things we'd want for ourselves or resort to a thoughtless gift instead of thinking through what a person would really appreciate or that may be particularly useful to them.

Has the year left your bank account nearly empty? Budget-friendly gifts can be just as thoughtful and personal as spending all those pennies. My pre-holiday recipe and gift search always includes marthastewart.com. The site is so full of ideas that it's a huge source of inspiration when planning baking and holiday crafting. I've included some ideas found on the site below.

Food & Alcohol:

It wouldn't be the holidays without either. A decent bottle of wine or two is an easy way to please your holiday hostess without breaking the bank and everyone loves holiday desserts. Target carries a great bunch of inexpensive baking accessories that are really helpful in making your lovingly baked treats look well packaged and chic.

Try:

❅ Easy Peppermint Brittle

❅ Chocolate-Peppermint Tarts with Currants & Berries

Look, I made this for you!

Except I am not five and my crafting skills have gotten a little better. Use your crafty talents to make personalized gifts for friends and family. I was set on teaching myself some movie making software and the beau received a couple of fun stop motion movies (not those kinds of movies) that were reflective of our interests: love for little films and all things creative.

Try:

❆ DIY Fabric Clutch

❆ Cozy Cowl

❆ Holiday Apron

❆ Teacup Saucers

❆ Business-Card Cases

Enjoy the time getting ready for the holidays because they are here too quickly and gone too fast. More holiday goodness to come!

The Beautiful Effort

2010-11-04T20:10:00.000-07:00

I stopped and looked in the bathroom mirror at work today and observed the following: Puffy eyes, little makeup, predictable cardigan with jeans and the mane stacked in a messy loop on top of my head. I've hit a new low these last couple of weeks adjusting to my now very early schedule.

For years I haven’t been the person that can crawl into bed, close her eyes and be out like a light. In fact, it’s been much different than that - hours of tossing and turning, worrying about the next day’s to do list and casting sad glances at the clock wondering how much time I would ultimately have in dreamland before the next day began. One of the things that constantly amazes me in the morning is when ladies pop onto the bus looking oh so poised and put together - their faces and ensembles not reflecting any sign of lack of sleep. Being an Ad girl, there are certain expectations for the industry, but my goodness, you PR girls win at this. I know many of you personally and still have no idea how you pull it off.

Are these women naturally immune to sleep deprivation? Do they have amazing plastic surgeons and fridges full of Red Bull? Do they secretly not work and instead take the bus to Nordstrom and the spa?

Let’s go back to the early career days for this bird – I started out at a big name agency where seriously kept appearances were appreciated and I had a great deal of interest in looking put together in front of clients. It was part of the culture and, even though this sounds a bit silly, made me feel just grown up enough to step in front of automotive clients twice my age to pretend like I wasn’t someone just out of school with no industry experience (they knew better, of course, but there was an attempt at faking confidence.) Three or so years later and I ended up in Seattle and have bounced around to a few agencies who cared less about dress code and had such laid back attitudes that sometimes it was easy to forget people are still judging you by your appearance. Just recently I went from a client facing role to one where I spend the majority of the day with my face a few inches from the screen. I could come to work in a Slayer t-shirt and rhinestone pumps and the only people to see it would be my tiny team (although I don't actually own either of those items.)

I’ll openly admit these last two years have had me worrying less and less about what brand of heels I was wearing and if my foundation was on correctly. It’s not that I’m attempting to pretend I don’t care about my appearance, I just found myself with so much less sleep and a smaller budget which meant that my priorities had to change (… I need more sleep because I’m getting older and I cannot always justify $70 foundation. Le sigh.) Not to mention, I've begun to enjoy styling other people so much I sometimes forget to remember what I am wearing is important, too.

So here’s what I’ve determined – I love dressing up, but it has to be when I have time to do it, when I’m not spending daytime hours in something horribly uncomfortable and when I'm in a mood to shine. I have two extremes in my wardrobe and my weekend versus work persona are as different as can be. I know that I can put on something I’d feel wonderful in at night but if it was worn to work with poorly applied makeup and not an ounce of effort put into my hair, it just wouldn't feel the same. In other words, the ritual of getting ready to go to dinner, drinks, events is so feminine and enjoyable for me when I want to do it, 6:30AM just isn't my inspired time. So work gets the girl with a little bit of mascara and flats, while Saturdays get my best.

What do you think? For those of you who work creative jobs do you feel more compelled to put effort into your wardrobe selection on the weekdays? How important do you consider your appearance at work?

And to that charming girl who sneered at my Pumas on the bus today, my extra half hour of sleep this morning was lovely, thank you.

Cheers,

The Circus That Is Halloween

2010-11-02T20:02:00.000-07:00

October proved to be one of the busiest months of the year so far and this last week had me staying up late every evening trying to finish costume pieces and squeezing in more errands that I thought was humanly possible. But, it ended with a wonderful visit from my favorite New Yorker, dinners and drinks with friends downtown and a small kitchen disaster when I was a little too generous with the olive oil. It was a lovely time and the gathering at my house before a night out turned out to be a great success and less stressful than anticipated thanks to an amazing helper.

What did I learn over the last week? Gluing is never ideal, but when sewing is taking too long my glue gun saved me from being costumeless. No matter how much pre-planning you do in anticipation of guests, there will always be something you forgot, people will show up that you didn't expect to attend and the best thing to do is just relax and try to enjoy the evening. The lion tamer costume managed to stay together all evening even though the time and love it deserved were cut much shorter than I would have preferred.

Although Halloween is my favorite holiday, I am a tiny bit glad it's over and I can focus on some personal projects in my free time and get back to non-costume pieces. Oh and sleep... lots of sleep.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend celebrating Halloween!

Cheers,

Trial & Error: When Beauty Goes Bad

2010-10-02T23:12:00.000-07:00

I'm spending this evening curled up in bed with hot cider fighting off a dreadful sinus infection. I resort to the same rituals to end each cold as soon as possible and like to think I know what works (oh what we tell ourselves...)

My typical efforts to overcome the inevitable early fall sniffles made think about trial and error during our lives - how we learned to take care of ourselves and avoid what isn't good for us. For this blog post, particularly what we learned as we gained more years in our experiences of being women. So as I'm feeling a under the weather and am fully aware this is poking a bit of fun at myself, I thought I'd take a look back at the miserable disasters that my years with beauty remedies, tricks and 'sworn by' rituals have produced.

Perfecting pin-curls takes practice!

Disasters (In order of occurrence)

Sun-In

Remember when this sounded like a good idea? When Tiffany from your science class had golden locks that would rival your five year old virgin hair? All you wanted was to have those gilded strands and not the mousy dishwater blond mop. What genius decided dishwater blond was OK to use as a color description? Result: Orange, brassy, not for public viewing locks. A trip or two to the salon to have color correction at a very young age and a mother who was furious that I'd put such faith in a cheap little bottle of promises.

Perms

Now I believe on a whim it was only a semi-perm. I was gifted with an unbelievable amount of half curly, half straight hair that I didn't learn how to manage until my early twenties. There are still days when I am unable to deal with it. For some women I'm sure perms were an option that freed them from daily styling issues and really reflected what was considered stylish at the time (I'm fine if you take a second and Google "Glamour Shots" right now then come back to reading.)

Lesson? It's 2010, not even sure I have to say this - skip the perm. Brazilian straightening, or relaxing with a real professional stylist or the use of good styling tools are much better avenues.

Choosing the wrong stylist

Two potential occurrences come to mind when thinking about this topic - One, a stylist that will not listen to your requests, concerns or boundaries when it comes to what you want to do with your hair and pursues their own 'vision' of what you should look like in the end. My lovely friends in Michigan sent me off to Seattle with a gift certificate to a salon/spa downtown to have some services done before I started a my new job here. Lovely gesture, but the young lad with whom I was booked ignored all my requests and comfort levels and before I knew it - blue black pin-up girl hair that made this lady look like a washed out mess.

Two, a stylist who doesn't have the experience to do what you're asking. It happens. We all want to be good at our jobs and be able to take on any request. As hard as it may be, it's important to admit when we do not have the training or skill level to complete a task. My years as both a blond and a redhead have been interesting. They are both tricky colors to pull off, maintain and make sure are flattering on each client. Make sure you find a stylist that is capable of working with complicated color.

Hair removers, lotions, cheap waxing salons.

Having fair, sensitive skin I've been through my fair share of hair removal products and bad waxing appointments. I have finally learned that it's more important to spend a decent amount of money on a product or service instead of going for the less expensive options and dealing with the consequences.

What to do instead: Ummelina in Seattle is a wonderful place for waxing. While a bit on the pricey side, remember exactly why you're spending that kind of money. Hair removal on the cheap can be a painful affair, pay a little extra for less suffering and better results.

Styling Lotion/Setting Lotion

Now, for those of us ladies who like to use these products to recreate authentic waves and curls, these lotions can be amazingly useful. But not knowing how to use them can be potentially awful. Remember that scene in Mommy Dearest where as a child Christina attempts to use setting lotion on her hair? A similar experience occurred with my early use of these products (minus Joan Crawford taking a pair of shears to my hair while having a mental breakdown.)

Instead remember the following: Dilute, dilute, dilute.

There are so many more I could post, but I am happy to be the age I am and getting to know what really works for me - although I sometimes secretly want to put stickers on the Sun-In boxes that say 'Warning: Carrot colored hair flatters very few.'

Response to ArryinSeattle's 'Disengaged & the Absent-Present'

2010-09-18T00:17:00.000-07:00

"Hello, Ethel? The Twitters tell me you have accepted a new job, I'd love to hear about it!"

Quick commentary on ArryinSeattle's post Disengaged & the 'Absent-Present.' Please check out her post and share your thoughts. I had the opportunity to meet with her today and keep the discussion going... gasp!... in person.

For many of us, our childhood years meant our families and friends were close to home and therefore easily accessible. Now, so many of those dear to us aren't on the same time zone, let alone reachable by a walk or short drive. I am grateful for things like Skype and GChat video, which I use fairly regularly, and obviously email, text and all those other connecting technologies we have available to us. These tools help to keep the bond between myself and people I would have less communication with otherwise. Our social lives, career networking and personal brand rely so heavily on what our presence is online. We are given the luxury to easy disseminate our thoughts and opinions to a virtually endless audience (in our pjs, at home, with limited risk of judgement.) What I have recognized lately, especially in the freelance/entrepreneur lifestyle, is a tendency to hide behind communicating using my computer instead of picking up the phone and calling the person with whom I want to speak or scheduling an in-person meeting. I get into extended email conversations with friends who could probably benefit from having a familiar voice on the phone and not having to infer my interest or emotion while reading text. I make connections on Twitter and begin following other's lives and events in a social feed and rarely make the effort to meet and be inspired by their words in person.

I think we all need to look at the time we spend connecting using social media and apply just as much interest and effort to our offline lives.

So here is my challenge for those reading this:

✵ As Arry suggested, give your full attention to those who are currently in your personal radius. Put the phone down or away at dinner. Excuse yourself politely if a call is absolutely necessary.

✵ Send a handwritten letter to someone. Think your words through. Be genuine and remember why that person and you connected in the first place.

✵ Make a date with a person who has inspired you online and connect with them face to face.

✵ Call your grandmother, I'm sure she'd be happy to hear from you.

After all, doesn't it feel amazing to have a chat with someone who you feel is genuinely listening to you and giving you their full attention? Don't you feel so special getting a hand-written note in the mail?

Thank you, Arry, for the intriguing post!

The BR Blog & Beyond

2010-09-14T01:56:00.001-07:00

As new posts appear on Birdie Royale and more business cards are dispersed through the city of Seattle, I find myself being asked questions about what my goals are for the Birdie Royale Adornments brand, blog and pieces. After conversations with two women who are both bloggers and entrepreneurs (not to mention smart, successful, and worth knowing) over the last couple of days, I've started on the process of defining what my goals will be through the end of the year. I do this both to give more information about what's to come, and to give myself a little nudge to dedicate to Birdie Royale the time it deserves.

The Brand & Blog:

Birdie Royale has been a place to house all of the era fashion ideas, photos and inspirations I've encountered that make me want to create and have inspired conversation. So many friends and fellow bloggers focus on trends and what is next or the happenings in high fashion and are amazing at doing so. I admire their ability to be so fluid with fashion and how they adapt those cues to their own personal style. For me, and for Birdie Royale, inspiration is generally drawn from the past. Although blog posts may appear about trends that strike my interest, at the heart of the brand will be what has inspired women through history- identifying what is classic, timeless and worthy of continuing.

The Goods:

Yes, inventory is in the process of being created. I have decided to get over my fear of using Etsy and hope once I have sufficient inventory that I feel is worthy of public sale it will be available in my online shop by the end of the year. I will admit that I am a bit ancient in my buying process. I love being able to feel fabric, see the color outside of a computer screen and, of course, try things on to ensure it's a purchase I want to make. After recent successful online purchases that obviously required bypassing these traditional steps, I am easing up on my concerns and hope those who choose to order something will have the same sentiment about the item as they would purchasing it in person.

I'd love to know people's thoughts on Etsy, do you buy there? What would make your shopping process easier when it comes to looking at individual shops? What has been your biggest issue when making a transaction?

Thank you to those who have expressed encouragement and have been loyal readers. There's more to come for Birdie Royale, and I can't wait for you to be a part of it.

Cheers,

Who are these fantastic women I mentioned? Be sure to add them to your feed!

@ArryinSeattle - Blog: ArryinSeattle & @GracelikeKelly - Blog: GracelikeKelly

Dressed For The Elements

2010-09-11T21:44:00.000-07:00

"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat down upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby." - Langston Hughes

I have loved living in places where the weather is distinct to the season. Of course multiple feet of snow in Michigan made driving less than enjoyable, but it was a small price to pay for white Christmases and a reason to have a fire and cocoa in the living room while watching fluffy white flakes fall (insert sentimental sigh and gaze off into the distance here.) Moving to Seattle wasn't much of a climate adjustment, as things here are just bit milder and we do not have as distinct of seasons as the Midwest. I still have a laugh when people complain about the rain here. I imagine when most people are considering a move here on some level they associate Seattle with rain. Maybe Microsoft, Starbucks or Frasier depending on who you are asking.

Having braved Midwestern snow and Seattle rain, you'd think I'd have a proper collection of items to manage traveling in the elements. I think most people are faced with the same issue - wear things that are completely functional but lack any sort of style, or ruin items that had no place being worn in bad weather. I have been on the hunt for items that manage to do the job of keeping the weather out but that still reflect individual style, as well.

Umbrellas:

Short of resorting to the Nubrella, a good sturdy umbrella makes for less of a soggy, cold season. This year alone I have had 5 umbrella casualties. Photo examples aren't here because you would get a pretty show of things that are likely completely impractical. When I find the reliable umbrella this year, I'll be sure to post it.

Boots:

I am so glad to see stores carrying rain boots that are not only stylish, but also in an affordable price range which is great when splurging on Hunters isn't an option. Target has a huge collection this year, and I plan to pick up a pair of the Zettas soon.

{Hunters, Banana Republic, Anthropologie, UO, JCrew}

Coats:

Being small in stature, the puffy, hooded, shin-length coat that so many tall women sport in the colder seasons just wont work for this girl. Better options for us petite ladies are trenches and car coats that are much more flattering than looking like a roaming marshmallow.

{UO, ModCloth, ModCloth, JCrew}

What is my 'must find' list for the colder seasons?

✵ An umbrella that will not collapse, break or leave me drenched.
✵ A chic pair of wellies that pair well with most coats in my wardrobe.
✵ A classic trench or raincoat that is cold weather friendly, but not overbearing or lacking in shape.

As the rain and chill rolls in, I'll be posting more finds for this fall and winter. I hope everyone is welcoming the autumn season and the traditions that are part of it. Personally, I've been a little under the weather and consuming large quantities of miso and delicious Mexican hot chocolate:

Mexican Hot Chocolate

3 Tablespoons sweet ground chocolate
1/2 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 Pinch chili powder
1 Cup milk

Enjoy!

Confessions From The Kitchen

2010-09-06T01:11:00.000-07:00

"You can never use too much butter, Betty!"

{photo from flickr user Christian Montone}

I apologize if this is a bit off topic from the usual subjects here, but it was a part of a conversation I had recently and I thought it was worth a post.

I love food. I love looking at recipes and watching cooking shows. I do not consider myself a foodie in comparison to many other Seattle residents who give themselves such a title. However, the reason is I equate being a foodie to not only being educated on what to order, where to go and what makes a good dish, but also the ability to cook in their own kitchens. I use Yelp for reviews on where to go, but I don't write them. I am always in awe of friends who can pull together a dinner party and not look completely disheveled after doing so.

You may see me post about my adventures in baking and my love for sweet Parisian pastries, but outside of my baking cookbooks you'll rarely find me boasting about the amazing dinner I made on the weekend. Baking is simple and calculated, follow a recipe and things usually turn out just fine. A second try at a recipe is the only time I allow myself to make adjustments. The truth is cooking scares me. I am constantly afraid I will set my apartment on fire or cause another person stomach distress. I am always certain I have undercooked meat and end up overcooking everything. I have had multiple friends and a certain Italian beau comment on my lack of quality knives and cookware (dresses for me are more a priority than buying these goods outside of IKEA.)

What I realized recently is that my fear of incorrectly cooking something has lead me to more takeout (more spending) than at home cooking. Also, that I assume every place I order from is so much more competent at following a recipe than I am. I've made it to my late twenties without causing myself deadly food poisoning or charring my kitchen. So, I have started compiling a list of recipes that I will be trying out in the weeks to come. No longer will this cupcake kitten be tied only to success with sugary pastries.

Have a favorite recipe? Please share with the Bird to aid in her attempts to achieve a more well rounded domestic education.

"I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate." Julia Child

Birdie's Favorite Bars: Seattle

2010-09-01T18:17:00.000-07:00

"Let there be dancing in the streets, drinking in the saloons, and necking in the parlor." Otis B. Driftwood (Groucho Marx) -A Night at the Opera

I'm a creature of habit. I also tend to like drinks grandpa would enjoy and steer clear of most things not involving bourbon, gin or brandy. It seems like every few weeks a new bar or restaurant pops up in the city, and at one point in time I found myself rushing out to try every new spot. After a night of the unfamiliar, I'd always find myself back at my favorite places, usually drinking the same order as the week before and feeling content that I know a fair share of the bartenders and often many of the patrons.

I've decided it's time to give some of my favorite birdworthy haunts in Seattle a nod and spread the word to those like minded friends who read this. Please know if you're looking for expert knowledge of hot spots and alcohol, this may not be the post for you. This is based solely on my personal preferences and my repeated adoration of these establishments.

Favorite Pub

The White Horse Trading Co.

I would say at one time or another I have taken most friends and co-workers to this bar. It's is the one pub I frequent most and has become my 'go to' in the city. Friendly staff, a cozy English lodge feel and a fabulous cask ale.

(Photo: Melodie J on Yelp)

✵ This bar limits offerings to wine, mead, cask ale, cider, Pimm's Cups and Samuel Smith's Pale, Porter, Lager and occasionally Stout depending on availability. Avoid walking in and ordering a gin and tonic.

✵ It's a small bar, so limit the number of guests you invite along. This atmosphere is best for a date or small group of friends.

✵ Introduce yourself to Joe, the owner, and Jake. They have an amazing knack for remembering faces, drinks and details.

✵ Prepare to meet other locals and tourists and engage in conversation.

✵ Consider having dinner across the way at Pink Door and pop in here for a pre dining cocktail.

✵ The cask ale and Pimm's are stronger than you think they are. Consider yourself advised of this fact, many large men have ignored it and suffered the consequences.

✵ The Bird Likes: Cask ale, stout or cider.

Where else?

Smith

Favorite Cocktail Bars

Tavern Law

I do not frequent this bar nearly as much as I'd like to. I see it as a special treat when visiting friends in Capital Hill. This bar is considerably different than most bars that come to mind when Capital Hill is mentioned- this is a good thing. Knowledgeable bartenders, charming atmosphere reminiscent of the prohibition era speakeasys and an extensive list of tasty drinks that do the trick.

(Photo: Seattle Weekly)

✵ Space is often limited depending on when this bar is visited.

✵ Make reservations if you plan to visit Needle & Thread, the speakeasy style lounge upstairs.

✵ If you prefer classic drinks that are made correctly, this is the place to go. Order a sidecars and old fashioned- they are always spot on.

✵ I haven't had the opportunity to have dinner or bites here yet, but the local CH residents I rely on gladly give their recommendation.

✵ The Bird Likes: Bourbon sidecar

Bathtub Gin

Belltown and I have a tumultuous relationship. I go back to it every few months and almost always regret doing so. That is, with the exception of a visit to Bathtub Gin. This small speakeasy style bar is tucked away in an alley and is perfectly small enough when the evening calls for an intimate setting.

(Photo: Melodie J on Yelp)

✵ Tricky to find if you're not sure where to look, which keeps out most of the Belltown regulars.

✵ Although there are two stories,the place is tiny. Best for a date or small group of friends.

✵ The Bird Likes: Moscow Mule (and a variety of other gin drinks.)

Where else?

The Zig Zag Cafe

The Knee High Stocking Co

Favorite Dive:

Cheap, divey and full of entertainment. Every so often a girl wants eggs, whiskey and arguments about Velvet Underground's credibility. This would be the place to go.

(Photo: Lisa F. on Yelp)

✵ Order the #7 on the breakfast menu. The bacon is life changing.

✵ Don't ask for milkshakes.

✵ The Bird Likes: Double bourbon.

Where else?

Sorry birds, there's only one Mecca.

Where does Birdie Royale spend her time imbibing with the locals while home in Detroit? Look for a post to come soon!

Have a favorite place in Seattle? Please share the knowledge! Have a safe holiday weekend full of lovely company and delicious spirits!

Birdie & The Boys' Club

2010-08-31T23:48:00.000-07:00

I'll admit it. I occasionally have male wardrobe envy. I'm should mention up front, this refers to those occasions that are special and require some well styled presentation by our male counterparts - not Sunday football viewing. It's not because their suits and ties are so much easier to coordinate than a woman's ensemble. It is because classic elements of their pieces and the fabrics that are mainstays after so many decades make me think of things I love: the look and feel of old worn books, a good brown liquor and cigars. They evoke a certain feel of history and dignity. It takes a very special piece to create the same feeling for me with women's clothing and with so many trends, classic looks often go by the wayside.

With good tailoring, strong fabrics and rich colors in mind, designers have taken a cue from classic men's fashion this fall and brought it to the women's department. We see a nod to schoolboy style blazers layered over femme dresses and lighter fabrics, sturdy worn leather boots, serious vintage style frames, and accessories created using herringbone or tweed. The result is an appropriate dose of strong, classic male fashion softened by feminine details.

We've all been guilty of borrowing a beau's sweater (on an extended basis) or slipping into the men's side of the store to see if there's anything cozy to find in a small size for us. I usually make my way to the men's department to at least look at boyfriend cardigans and hats during the fall season. What to search for or borrow this fall? Amazing bags in beautiful neutrals, a classic over sized watch that looks chic on a woman's wrist, skinny ties echoing 1960s style and suspenders (great with heavy weight skirts and wool shorts with tights.)

What is this bird hunting in preparation for autumn? A pair of knee high boots to wear with everything that will only look better after months of use. Slouchy cardigans to wear with simple frocks. Caps, and lots of them, in all kinds of classic autumn fabrics.

Here's to pouring a bit of bourbon and flipping through those September issues (or surveying your resident male's closet for new fall additions.)

The Vintage Bride

2010-08-30T23:16:00.000-07:00

{Photo by Raishawn Wickwire}

At the core, weddings are about love, commitment and those closest to the couple celebrating a new union. There are so many traditions that come along with weddings that sometimes the event doesn't always reflect the personalities and uniqueness of the couple tying the knot. Anyone who knows me well will tell you I do love tradition, but I feel there's so much room for expression at weddings and so many vendors who are willing to accommodate individual requests that it's a wonderful time to express the bride and groom's personalities.

This weekend we celebrated the wedding of Shawna Bird (of Bonne Vie) and Jared Proske. I was lucky to be able to help with some coordination of the big day and see all the fun details they had planned to make the event uniquely theirs including a reading from The Little Prince, a beautiful piece played by the groom for the bride, piñatas and lanterns to light the night. Always gracefully stylish, the bride wore a stunning vintage inspired dress and was an example of bridal vintage done perfectly. Kimberlee Iblings (of Deco Modiste) designed the bride's ceremony dress, reception dress and all the stunning royal blue dresses for the lovely bridesmaids. The bridal party all wore small cocktail fascinators and fit the vintage look perfectly. Those planning a vintage inspired wedding, take note - the ladies at this one were spot on. The bride was the shining example of identifying a look that works for you and staying true to it.

To the wonderfully talented, creative and adorable couple- thank you for letting me be part of the event, wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness!

Now you can follow Birdie Royale with bloglovin'!

2010-08-25T15:28:00.001-07:00

Follow my blog with bloglovin

Mad About Tweed - Mad Men Casting Call

2010-08-03T22:18:00.000-07:00

For those of you following BirdieRoyale on Twitter and the Facebook Fan Page (you lovely, devoted fans, you!) you may have seen some shameless self promotion pop up over the last few days - well, more than usual anyway.

Last year, yours truly entered the Mad Men Casting Call which is a Banana Republic & AMC contest to win a walk-on role for the style laden show. A quick discussion with the friend who shot last year's photos, and we decided to try it again - this time armed with multiple cameras that would do the trick of providing the right look for the era.

Love the orange tweed Anthropologie dress? It's from last year and you can see more photos from our mini shoot at Pike Place Market featuring this lovely find on Andy Town USA - the blog for the talented Art Director & Photographer, Andy Westbrock.

As someone who has worked in the advertising world for a number of years, I can say owning the wardrobe featured in the show would make handling the chaos that naturally comes along with managing accounts a little less painful and a little more glamorous!

If you visit the contest site, please vote daily and know your support is appreciated!