Fresh Eats: The Walrus & The Carpenter

My boyfriend and I are busy little bees. I know - everyone is busy - but when we're both at work all day and he goes to mixed martial arts training while I work out/blog/attend events, it can be difficult to carve time for one another. It's quite the treat, then, for us to go out somewhere great for drinks or dinner. The day the DList Magazine Young Northwest issue was released, he took me out to celebrate. I always like to choose new, interesting places, and so The Walrus & The Carpenter in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood was our destination for celebrating.

Take one look at the press page for The Walrus & The Carpenter and you'll get an idea of how easy it is to fall in love with this place. Tucked away in the Shilshole side of the Kolstrand building on Ballard Ave is this sweet gem of an oyster bar. The brainchild of Boat St. Cafe's award-winning Chef Renee Erickson, with Jeremy Price & Chad Dale, The Walrus has caught the eye of (and "best restaurant" nods from) Bon Appetit, New York Times, Mr. Porter and GQ Magazine, not to mention all of the local publications.

While you should come here simply for the most extensive oyster menu around, the cocktails here are absolutely amazing. Definitely a new favorite for the mister and I!

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Recap: DList Magazine Young Northwest Party

Here's a quick photo recap of DList Magazine's Young Northwest honoree party. I'm so grateful for all of my friends and loved ones who came across the bridge to Bellevue to support a lady! I couldn't have asked for a better group to hang with that night. Wish I'd gotten more pictures with the other great nominees like Dhruva Mikkelsen, Osiris Navarro, Casey Carter & Sasha Pasulka. 

Enjoy!

Photo credit: Danielle Bortone-Holt

Photo credit: Danielle Bortone-Holt

Photo credit: Danielle Bortone-Holt

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Giveaway! Gilt City Seattle Vince shopping event at Mario's

Mario's is hosting a Vince private shopping event on Thursday October 6th exclusively for Gilt City Seattle - and I've got two tickets to give away to one lucky winner!

The beautiful Mario's Seattle foyer

This event with Gilt City Seattle features the latest women’s fashions from Vince on October 6, 2011, from 6:00 – 8:30p.m. Tickets are $35 through Gilt City Seattle's current deal, which you can get here. (Not a Gilt City member yet? Join with the Fresh Jess invite code and enjoy a sweet 40% off your first purchase!)

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IADT Seattle presents IMAGINE Fashion Show - this Friday

The International Academy of Design & Technology-Seattle’s (IADT-Seattle) 2011 Red Carpet IMAGINE Fashion Show is coming this Friday at Benaroya Hall - and you're invited!

The annual IMAGINE showcase draws from the college’s fashion, graphic and digital media departments and incorporates teamwork, community and a night of fashion designed to create a buzz among Seattle-area fashionistas. The glamour-packed evening will be filled with fun and excitement from the moment one steps onto the red carpet!

IADT IMAGINE Fashion Show

Friday, September 30th

8:00p.m.

Benaroya Hall (200 University St, Seattle 98101)

VIP (prime seating, swag bag & afterparty admission) $50, General Admission $25, students/alumni/seniors $20, standing room $10

Buy tickets here or at IADT

The International Academy of Design and Technology offers students a hands-on education in the design and technology fields. The Seattle campus (IADT-Seattle), which opened in 2004, offers degree programs in fashion design, interior design, graphic design, digital media production, fashion merchandising and game production.

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ZebraClub Boudoir Fashion Show - this Friday

There's a lot going on for Bellevue Fashion Week, which starts on Wednesday with the Girl Power Hour 4th Anniversary Party. If you want another option during the Vogue Fashion Show, Seattle & Bellevue staple ZebraClub along with co-host Piano Bash will be hosting its Boudoir Fashion Show at Munchbar this Friday night.

The inspiration for the show came from a 'boudoir'; a term coined by the French meaning “a women’s dressing room,” and highlights the intimate and sensual moments a woman has trying on different looks. A series of vintage scenes, with a modern twist will be displayed on two-dimensional sets throughout the show.

Special live performances will be featured on stage by Seattle’s premier musical artists including the talented Jaymes Mcfarland, The Physics, Fresh Espresso and Eldridge Gravy & the Court Supreme. Attendees will experience an exhilarating blend of Hip Hop, Soul, Indie Pop and Funk genres that will compliment fashion ensembles.

Zebra Club featured brands include: 

Obey, G-Star, Nudie Jeans, Vanishing Elephant, Stussy, Palladium and QSW, along with local favorites: Casual Industrees, GNRL QTRS, Suzabelle and Spacecraft. 

 VIP tickets: $50 ($75 day of)

 Includes: entrance to the show, an exclusive "Boudoir" swag bag and free entrance to the afterparty.

General Admission tickets: $20

Includes: entrance to Munchbar where guests can view the show on the many HDTV's located throughout the venue. 

Tickets are on sale now at both Zebra Club Seattle and Bellevue locations, as well as at Munchbar and Piano Bash Bellevue locations. 

Doors at 8:00p.m., show starts at 9:00p.m.

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Back to it

Sorry for the lack of posts last week! I don't normally cross-pollinate work & play, but Facebook's big announcements for the impending major changes they'll be making took up a lot of my time - not just at work, but in getting myself situated with the new Timeline/profile design.

If you haven't seen it yet, it's pretty sleek. I have a feeling many users will be just as distracted as I was with choosing the perfect cover and re-organizing my settings to display what I want on my Timeline.

For a quick snapshot guide on Facebook's changes, check out the post I wrote for my firm.

My new profile!

Back to our regularly scheduled programming this week :)

xo
Jess

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Meet the DList Magazine Young Northwest 2011 Honorees!

You know how I said I was finally inspired to pick up blogging again in July? Well, that's because my dear friend Jen Joyce nominated me for Seattle lifestyle magazine 

DList's Young Northwest 2011 issue for Blogger!

For the first time, DList took to Twitter to see who might be a good candidate for the various categories in its Young Northwest honors. Although tweet votes were just one criteria in choosing each honoree, it helped the magazine find talent they might not have otherwise considered.

I have Jen and lots of dear friends to thank for putting me in the running. I write this blog to share information and personal insights with you, and I am incredibly humbled to have this year's Young Northwest honor. 

THANK YOU!!!

This sweet photo was taken in Olympic Sculpture Park by the talented Brian Oh, also the official photographer for Moe Bar Mondays :)  

Dimepiece Designs dress / Vintage bracelet / Ring from Nasty Gal / Hair & makeup by Dior Calloway

If you're in the Seattle area, I'd love to see you at the Young Northwest Party this Friday at Munchbar in Bellevue! You can meet all of this year's Young Northwest honorees. I'll be live tweeting using #DListYNW & blogging at the party, and I hear Report Shoes will be in the house! 

Band – Eldridge Gravy and the Court Supreme

Entrepreneur – Dhruva Mikkelsen, Shocking Goat 

Jack of all Trades – Andy Karuza, Brand Buddee

Trail Blazers – Josh Berman & Ramel Williams, 4Evergreen Group

Blogger – Jess Estrada, Fresh Jess & Banyan Branch

Writer – Sasha Pasulka, Red Magnet Media Agency

Chef – Jason Stratton, Artusi

Mixologist – Ricardo Hoffman, Zig Zag

Photographer – Alvin Nguyen, Alvin Nguyen Photography

Socialite – Casey Carter, MissCaseyCarter.com

Artist – Adam Jackson, Adam Jackson Art

Filmographer – Zia Mohajerjasbi, Love & Shoestrings

Stylist – Osiris Navarro, Osiris the Great & Treats Club

Philanthropist – Michael Henrichsen, Play My Birthday Billy Idol

Congrats to all of the honorees, and thank you DList Magazine!

Read the issue online below!

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Nicki Minaj in Glamour Oct '11 Issue

Killin!

"I appreciate someone who knows what she wants, who sets realistic goals and achieves them."

Louis Vuitton coat / Galaxxxy leggings

Mark Fast dress / Brian Atwood booties

 See the full article at Glamour.com

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Into the Deep

Jotting down my thoughts! Instagram pic by Anisa

In July, I was FINALLY able to get back on a regular blogging schedule. After over a year of being extremely busy with work and life changes, with a borderline loss of interest in even continuing with the blog, I am so happy to be blogging on the regular again.

While I am still focused heavily on two big parts of my life (style and events), I want to dive more into other aspects as well. More of the restaurants I eat at, books I read, people who inspire me to be more. More of the non-profit work that stirs my heart alive and keeps handsome Meatball's memory fueling me.

Most of all, I want to be able to share thoughts and observations I'm having in this crazy life. I don't think any single post on FreshJess has resonated with people quite like when I write about my beloved Meatball. Posts like that are so easy for me to write because they come purely, truly and honestly from the heart.

While I have my focus on expanding the kinds of posts I do, I'd love to ask you, my lovely and amazing readers:

What do you want to see on Fresh Jess?

Is there a specific question or topic I should cover? More of something you've already seen? Please leave me a comment and let me know!

I can't say enough how much I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog. Thank you!

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Paper Crown Pre-Spring 2012 Collection

Seattle, did you miss Lauren Conrad at Bellevue Nordstrom this week? Not to worry - you can get a look at her Paper Crown pre-spring 2012 collection here!

Paper Crown is Conrad's modern take on classic style, with emphasis on fit and fabric quality. She creates pieces from ultra romantic maxis and chic cocktail attire to menswear-inspired, tailored basics.

For this collection, designer Lauren Conrad used a palette of cream, mustard, feather grey and navy with pops of apricot and sage green, as well as several prints with a nautical floral feel.

All of the dresses are offered in both maxi and shorter versions in an assortment of colors and prints. Lightweight cotton and linen wovens, striped boatneck knits, pleated skirts in both flirty mini and ladylike midi lengths and romantic flowy chiffon blouses round off the assortment. Aspaced floral caftan, metallic knit top, and beautiful feather grey lace ruched dress are special items perfect for the resort season.

Fiji Mini Dress

Mallorca gown

Read more...

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Seattle Style: Sayra Morán

Believe it or not, there are a lot of style mavens roaming the streets of the Emerald City. Seattle Style is a new weekly feature on FreshJess, giving you a look at some of the city's most stylish - who they are, what they do, and some of the very best out of their closet!

This week, meet the stunning Sayra Morán:

H&M dress / Forever 21 sandals

What do you do?
I do marketing and client services for a legal support company, model for Seattle Models Guild, and direct a non-profit organization that sponsors orphaned students.


How would you describe your style?
I would describe it as comfortable, class and colorful. I wear high heels almost every day and I love pops of color!

Shirt from Nordstrom Rack / Express jeans / Steve Madden pumps

What are your favorite shops?

H&M, Express, and Nordstrom.

What's your favorite thing about Seattle?

I love how diverse and busy it is. There is always something going on and every neighborhood/area is different from the next.

Thanks Sayra!

Find her on Twitter.

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Girl Power Hour's Glambition: G4 Anniversary Soireé

Once a year, the popular Girl Power Hour events open up their doors to members of both genders for the most stylish social networking event in the Northwest. Get ready for Glambition: G4, GPH's fourth anniversary party!

The GPH power ladies are working hard to pull out all the stops for G4. Attendees can look forward to tons of giveaways, fall trends preview, the Seattle Met photo lounge, DJs, a beauty bar, and a sweet pre-party in the Verizon Lounge for VIP ticket holders.

Cocktail attire is required, so make sure to bring your style A-game!

You can support The Ruby Room by signing up for Celebrated Chefs at the event, or bring old phones, chargers and/or phone batteries to donate to Hopeline for Verizon, benefiting domestic violence victims.

Girl Power Hour's Glambition: G4 Anniversary Party

8:00p.m. - midnight

Hyatt (900 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue 98004)

General admission: $50 ($40 for GPH members)

Premier: $75

VIP: $100

For more information and to buy tickets, visit GirlPowerHour.com

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Recap: Fashion's Night Out in Downtown Seattle

Fashion's Night Out in Downtown Seattle and Capitol Hill were such a blast. The night was filled with special, limited edition offerings exclusively for FNO, music, cupcakes, champagne, photobooths & fun. It was the first year for the two neighborhoods, and they can only grow from here. I'm looking forward to a cohesive, concerted effort from Downtown retailers next year!

Here's my picture roundup for all of you. First up, the outfit. I kept it casual and cool, with lots of accessories to spice things up:

Hurley oversized sweater / Crochet tiered knit shorts from Strut in Austin / Julian Louie for Aldo wedges / Gold sequined vintage envelope clutch / One earring from Melrose Trading Post / Shell cuff from Philippines / Vintage bracelets

Put my hair in a bun later in the night. Vintage black sequined headband from Sustalux

Julian Louie for Aldo wedges

Read more....

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Seattle: Isabella du Graf at Tula's - tomorrow night!

It's a rare occasion when a gorgeous girl has the confidence to come up to another and tell her she's beautiful. This is what Isabella du Graf said to me when I was out dancing the night away with friends, and her positivity and niceness stuck with me! Little did I know that Isabella was an audio force to be reckoned with. She's got an amazing jazz-trained voice that's filled with soul and energy.

She will be performing at Tula's tomorrow night. If you're looking for a chill night out on the town, go check her out!

RSVP on Facebook

Find Isabella on Twitter, Myspace, YouTube & on her blog.

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Live Aloha at Seattle Center - Today! 11am - 7pm

One of my favorite Seattle Center festivals of the summer! Head down to Seattle Center's Fisher Pavilion today for a dive into Hawaiian culture - music, food, crafts, lei-making workshops, dance, history and more. I might see you there!

Live Aloha on Facebook

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Thanks for supporting Team Meatball!

Just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone who supported Team Meatball at PAWSwalk! We raised $705 & counting - and our goal was just $500! Woohoo!

This is my first post using Blogger's official iPhone app. Excited to have it!

Happy Saturday,
Jess

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Fresh Style: Vintage Polynesian Swimsuit

Because sometimes the vintage gods love you and put a perfectly-fitting Polynesian swimsuit from the 1950s - complete with bloomers - in your life. It makes for the sweetest little romper for another beautiful day in the Emerald City:

Worn with customized TOMS, In God We Trust necklace & shell cuff from the Philippines. 

Discovered by AlixRose at Golden Elephant Vintage after our trip to the SPUN Sample Sale

Mexican Coke in the back because that's what I drink when it's sunny/rainy/cloudy...

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Your Guide to Fashion's Night Out 2011

Need to figure out where to go for Fashion's Night Out in the Seattle area this Thursday? Check out my Guides to FNO for:

Downtown Seattle

University Village

Bellevue

Capitol Hill

And for a great roundup of FNO NYC, check out the Independent Fashion Bloggers' post.

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Seattle: Frtizi's Vintage Yard Sale this Fri & Sat!

When I'm in the mood to shop estate, yard or garage sales, usually I just pick a neighborhood and wander around. It's rare that one is worth planning to attend, so when that sale comes, you know its special.

Enter Fritzi's Vintage yard sale, coming this Friday (tomorrow) & Saturday!

Who's behind Fritzi's? It's a group of women - family and friends - who share a love of roaming the city for vintage furniture, housewares, accessories and more. Most of their finds also end up as DIY projects, whether that means a shiny coat of paint in the most vibrant colors you can find or a brilliant new patterned contact paper to breathe new life into an otherwise old piece of discarded wares. With Fritzi's everything vintage, thrifted, salvaged or straight junky is new again.

 

I went to their first sale just over a year ago in Northgate and made off with some amazing, AMAZING finds. All of the Fritzi's ladies were so sweet and nice, too!

See that aqua stool? Sits in my apartment now

This black table is now the coffee table in my living room. One of those mirrored dishes holds all of my bracelets!

Look closely to the bottom left. That's yours truly making off with the black table, aqua stool, yellow end table & a bunch of other sweet & pretty things

For more pics of what Fritzi's will have on sale, check out their blog, Facebook and Twitter.

I'm gonna try my hardest to make it this weekend in the midst of PAWSwalk and Identity Fest. Hopefully I'll see you other vintage lovers there!

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Rene Ropas: Dress Up & Dollhouse Prom Discount

In the days leading up to the Rene Ropas Dollhouse Prom, designer, creator and lead dreamer Morgan Carson and team aren't wasting a single moment. Morgan invited me to her Belltown studio last week, where I had a ball playing dress up and getting to learn all about the beautiful method behind the madness.

Morgan's inspiration comes from her childhood best friend, Ashley. After years of being inseparable, cancer would inevitably claim Ashley in May 2010.  Before her passing, Morgan made a promise to Ashley to never give up on her dreams of becoming a full-fledged fashion designer. Ashley studied Spanish Literature in school before her passing, so Morgan chose to name her line after Ashley's passion. "Rene" from Ashley's middle name, and "Ropas," the Spanish word for 'clothing.' Rene Ropas captures Ashley's spirit and Morgan's commitment to using only recycled fabric for her collections. Morgan takes this literary translation to heart; with every collection and every client, she uses fabrics to design one-of-a-kind pieces that are true expressions of the person they're designed for.

More pics and info on the Dollhouse Prom (including discount & free tickets!) after the jump...

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