Smiling Bright with Phillips Sonicare PowerUp (Sponsored Post)

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client.

Everybody wants to look their best all the time, but especially in the summer, right? We're out all day, enjoying the sun and preferably looking and feeling amazing, right? Working out is usually the biggest priority, followed by eating well and staying hydrated. What about that beautiful smile of yours? If your friends and family are anything like mine, you're spending the summer constantly documenting every barbecue, picnic, camping trip, vacation, spontaneous road trip or water excursion via photos and video. Keeping your smile fresh is also key in maintaining good health and appearance.

I'd never had a power toothbrush before, so I was excited when I got the chance to review the new Philips Sonicare PowerUp battery toothbrush. My trusty manual toothbrush became part of my cleaning toolkit for the house - for scrubbing the grout between tiles and such - and the Sonicare PowerUp took its place on my bathroom counter.

Philips-Sonicare-PowerUp-toothbrush

Hey there, new friend!

I've been using the Sonicare PowerUp for just about two weeks now, and I've definitely seen a big improvement over my old toothbrush. The sensation definitely took some getting used to the first time around, but my teeth and gums felt SO much cleaner after just that first go 'round - and has obviously improved worlds overall since. 

Philips-Sonicare-PowerUp-toothbrush

Getting ready to use my Sonicare PowerUp toothbrush for the first time!

What was most refreshing, however, was that the PowerUp delivered on what it promises ("more brush strokes (expected over my manual one)" "improved gum health," etc.) but isn't a huge hit on your wallet. While there are great, expensive options out there, the PowerUp gives you Sonicare high quality for under $20. Such a steal if you ask me! I was never hooked enough to spend cheese on a powered toothbrush before, so that's why I stuck with manual toothbrushes for so long (Philips probably could've cast me in their "Odyssey of the Manual Toothbrusher" short vid LOL) The Sonicare PowerUp's affordable price point should definitely appeal to those on a budget.

Philips-Sonicare-PowerUp-toothbrush

Smiling bright on a sunny Lake Union boat ride!

Catch my smile along with a few of my fellow Social Fabric® Community members over on Instagram and Pinterest! Just look for the #PowerUpUrSmile hashtag.

How are you staying fresh and healthy this summer?

Quality Control

I've had a lot of conversations around the topic of 'quality control' lately (thanks David and TigerBeat!) Maybe it's because I'm getting older; maybe it's because I'm getting wiser - but in all aspects of my life, it's become a priority - a NECESSITY - to demand the best of myself, for the situation I'm in and for those around me. I've alluded to some of this on Fresh Jess through my health and fitness posts, but I've been working hard on applying this in my professional endeavors and personal life too.

When you up the bar on yourself and make a commitment to (TRULY) do better every day, you find yourself alone in your own mind a whole lot. Practicing your craft. Learning new skills. Researching. Journaling. Jotting ideas down so you can try and capture them as quickly as they come. Writing EVERYTHING down. Mind-mapping. Brainstorming. Trying things and failing. Trying again. Trying new things. Reading and absorbing the words of people you want to learn from; who inspire you. Who don't necessarily make you want to be like them, but who make you want to do better.

So where does that leave room for family, friends and acquaintances? Family's easy, because I will always have (or make) time for them. Acquaintances are even easier, because they are more than likely 'acquaintances' for a reason. You have a really loose tie in common, but other than that your personalities or interests don't mesh well enough for y'all to hang out on a regular basis. Friends are where it gets tough. When you're on a warpath and going absolutely 100 on chasing your dreams, you'll discover which of your friends are genuinely supportive of you, and which aren't. It's a tough pill to swallow to discover a friendship's reached its expiration date, but necessary to wish them well and move on with your life. Your people should never make you feel bad or guilty about doing you, because they never see you or hear from you. They should know not to take it personally. Treasure those who uplift you, challenge you and make you stronger.

Quality control.

Image via Rachel Roy's Instagram

Over time (and over social media), it's getting easier and easier to weed out the people whose energy I need and want in my life, and those whose energy is just toxic. If you have time to tweet or update your Facebook criticizing how people dress, talk or live their life, I ain't got time for you. Social media is amazing, but it's also made it real easy for people to (passively) complain, criticize and throw shade. I can think of a handful of people who've taken indirect jabs at me personally, but I find solace in the fact that while you spent time thinking about me, I spent it working hard. Unless you're a professional comedian or writer making money off of your sarcasm, I'm hitting that unfollow, unfriend or hide button on ya. Turn that energy into something positive for yourself - or better yet, for your community.

Quality control.

I used to blog about every news article, Seattle event and new, cool, shiny thing that caught my attention. When I posted 5 things a day, no one read anything. Now I try to only post when I have something truly meaningful to share or talk about, sprinkled in with sponsored posts that are a necessary reality for someone who wants to make something out of their blog. I pay painstaking attention to my traffic patterns and other analytics, constantly staying on the pulse of what people like and don't like to read here on Fresh Jess. I wrote an article for IFB this week called "The Mid-Year Blog Check-In" about taking time to take stock of your blog and see how you can do better. A fellow IFB member left a comment saying she'd redesigned her blog 6 months ago and didn't think she needed to change anything about what she was doing. No disrespect to her, but IMHO, you should ALWAYS be on your toes, changing, taking risks and trying new things. Doesn't have to be big things, but little tweaks can always be made to make your blog supremely great over time.

Stay hungry. Quality control.

I've been blogging a lot this year about my adventures in mind, health and fitness. I am definitely not perfect, and have a long way to go, but there's a definite shift in my life around the food choices I make and the way I spend my time. i.e. More of my time is spent working out, and with others who like to eat healthy and are active too. Trading happy hours and excessive time sitting down for walking meetings and getting fresh air has been one of the best resolutions I've made - and stuck to - this year.

Quality control.

I am always seeking new opportunities to flex my skills, writing, guest blogging, doing press and sponsored brand campaigns. I share my successes and those of my peers and Aces on social media all the time. I work in social media, and it's pretty much in my nature to share, so I'm just always online sharing, period. I've lost followers and Facebook friends for one reason or another, but that won't ever stop me from seeking more doors to kick open, new friends to meet and more resources and celebrations of success to share on my social media profiles. I'd rather do that anyway than complain about my life. I don't have much to complain about!

Quality control.

As I get older, I get bolder with owning my opinions. If there's anything I've learned about social media, it's that everyone wants to share their opinion, but they're never ready to see people opposing their beliefs and a lot of times, don't care to see others' opinions in the first place. I have a lot of respect and patience for the opinions of my friends, digital and real-life. I'm just better now about demanding respect for my own.

Quality control.

I know this is a long post, and thank you for letting me wax poetic on it. This has been on my mind for weeks, and I've written this about ten times and deleted or abandoned it every time. It can be tough to own convictions when they get strong, but that's when we need to own them the most.

How are you practicing quality control in your life?

Happy birthday, Spike & Meatball!

Happy 4th of July to you! Hope you're somewhere sunny and warm eating good food with family and friends, celebrating all that we are blessed to have in this free country. I'll be with my family today, and I'm whipping up a few superfood recipes to balance some of the other food we'll be eating.

We're also celebrating our babies' birthdays! Yesterday was Spike's birthday, we think. Haha! When we adopted him, we got all his papers; read through all of his medical records and found four different birthdates. Awesome! We decided July 3rd would be the one since today is his big brother in heaven Meatball's birthday. Spike is now 6, while Meatball would've been 8. Time flies and so does bulldog slobber!

Spike reflecting on life as the sun sets on Alki - one of his favorite drives.

Yung Meatball in my tiny studio apartment back in my UW days.

Spike trying to get to the Ministry of Magic :)

Meatball inspecting his birthday cake, which he decided not to eat.

Spike practicing butterfly guard with dad

Meatball was Georges St. Pierre for Halloween one year.

Hanging with my boo Spike at Greenlake.

Meatball getting some quality time with dad.

More about Bulldog Haven NW:

A list of available dogs can be found at Bulldog Haven NW's adoption page.  If you're interested in adopting one of these bullies, please look over their information carefully and fill out an application at BulldogHavenNW.org.

Not wanting to adopt, but still want to help out? 

BHNW welcomes donations at anytime! Visit their homepage for benefit online auctions too.

For the most up-to-date info on BHNW, check their Facebook page!

Want to talk more about adopting a bulldog from someone who's been there? Email me at jess(at)freshjess.com!

Bloggers Know Best: Featured in Styled Right Magazine

Last month, I had the honor of being a part of Styled Right Magazine's "Bloggers Know Best" feature. Seattle's inimitable stylist and power girl, Darcy Camden enlisted the help of Swink Style Bar and photographer Nicole Firestone to make us look so fly. We met up at University Village on a beautiful weekday for these shots, then answered a few questions about our personal style and why we blog. I had a wonderful time getting dolled up for the event (Swink did my hair but I did my own makeup - a very big feat for me!) I think Darcy did a great job pulling together four women with distinctly different styles, who are all very much Seattle in their own way. 

Thanks again for letting me be a part of it!

Peep the top shots and the full issue below:

L to R: Dana of It's My Darlin, Mollie of MollieinSeattle, Kate of All Things Kate and moi

Zara bag, heels and tank; AllSaints sequined skirt via Poshmark (similar); Aritzia's Wilfred Free satin bomber jacket (fun print option here); vintage Alexander McQueen denim jacket (pictured above & below)

Subscribe to Styled Right's quarterly magazine on iTunes.

4th of July Denim Fresh w/SearsStyle

Woo! Hope you're all staying cool in this wonderful, hot weather!

As part of a sponsored post for Collective Bias®,  I trekked down to Sears for some 4th of July denim affordable fashion ideas. My challenge was to find some summer Sears style with denim that wasn't jeans - easy peasy when chambray, denim vests and jackets, and printed or floral denim is all the rage right now (you can peep my shopping experience at Sears on Google+.)

I scoped out my denim non-jean options on Shop Your Way before heading into the store, but it didn't take long to decide that a simple, classic denim vest was the choice for me. This cropped style from Bongo goes perfect with all of the black, white and geometric styles I've been wearing a lot this season, and adds some sass while still allowing me to keep cool. I took it with me on our family retreat to Portland this weekend (these pics were shot in the beautiful "secret" garden in the backyard of our rental home!) I'll definitely be wearing it this 4th of July as I host my family for some BBQ and fireworks.

Peep more summer fun from Sears and other brands in LiveSoFab's Summer Digital Magazine:

Bongo juniors' dsitressed denim vest

courtesy of Sears via Collective Bias / Zara culottes & tank top / American Apparel striped bandeau / Dolce Vita sandals

Let It Go

This phrase has been popping up a lot in my life lately. So much so that it's stuck with me, like it's asking me to reflect on it. It's definitely been a busy and stressful few weeks full of changing times. Wrapping up work with my biggest client, figuring out what's next, working out a lot and trying to adhere to a superfood diet. I take on a lot and I know it. (See also: Jessie Spano moments.)

My reiki teacher/friend Rachel taught me that sometimes the pain and sickness we bear is a manifestation of imbalances in our lives. I often will get pain in my shoulders and neck, which usually means I'm taking on the 'weight of the world' (a.k.a. doing too much.) I've been under the weather this week with that familiar shoulder pain coupled with major sinus pain. I know some of this is due to seasonal allergies, but I also have no doubt that my body's giving me a little nudge to do some reflection.

Image via Pinterest

While I've had amazing consulting clients so far who've taught me worlds about...everything, I find myself itching to do something different. LUNA events will help, but I'm yearning to take on more writing gigs too. It's not the end of my consultant days by any means, but it is a clear sign to remember to focus on only doing the things I truly, truly want to do. I also still struggle with being rigid about saying "no," especially when it comes to stuff I'm pitched as a blogger. I always want to help however I can, which isn't great for discerning what's best for me and what works for Fresh Jess.

It's time to let go of taking on too much.

Let go of the fear of not being enough or having enough to change my course.

Let go of negative thinking.

Let go of thinking I don't have what it takes to pursue my dreams.

Let go of excuses.

Let go of the paralysis that comes with having too many tasks on my to-do list and not enough mind space to devote to the big picture of things.

Let go and get out of my own way.

Let go and get it!

Oh Beyonce, How I Admire Thee!

I was scrolling through my Instagram a couple weeks ago and saw this post from Dimepiece LA. I immediately fell in love with it and knew I had to share it with Jess, cause we all know she loves herself some Queen B!

It wasn't until this past weekend, that this quote really resonated with me. In the midst of all the exciting things that were happening and yet to come, I found myself uninspired, void of passion and in a rut. I realized I was at a point where I needed to make a move whether it be a career change, exploring internships, trying a new activity or even taking a vacation.

Random thoughts and personal goals had been weighing heavily on my mind and I thought to myself, "what's next and how can I possibly achieve it?" I looked back at this quote and it hit me.

I've got the same 24 hours in a day as Beyonce and look at all she's accomplished and done so far! With that time, I'm going to knock things off my list and continue to make things happen. Here's to getting back on track, staying inspired and focusing on what I love!

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Sarah Basto is a born and raised Seattleite. She’s a former merchandise marketing student of The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and is currently working as a marketing manager at a local nanny agency and serves as the PR & marketing intern for local luxury swimwear company Adicora Swimwear. She’s obsessed with all things Seattle and is interested in just about everything – this explains why she considers herself an entreprenista in the making! Outside of work Sarah loves spending time with her family and friends, baking, exploring the city, and being a full-time happy hour guru.

Find Sarah on Twitter, and view all of her posts here.

Fresh Style: Le Voyager Coquette Raincoat by Elizabeth Roberts

The reason I mention Seattle weather so much is because it's so variable, you really never know what to expect on any given day. Earlier this spring, I was gifted with this amazing raincoat by local designer Elizabeth Roberts. I figured it'd be cloudy and possibly rainy the day I chose to take these photos (in early April) but of course, the weather gods decided to throw a beautiful sunny day our way instead. 

Elizabeth Roberts designs for the quintessential Seattle style-conscious in mind. She combines functional elements that are very tech-friendly with attention to detail and fabric that rivals the most coveted couture lines. This particular style, "Le Voyager Coquette," features a hidden hood, deep pockets that fit EVERYTHING, midi mitts, a forearm pocket and waterproof, breathable fabric. All of Elizabeth's jackets protect wearers from the invisible but real dangers of electromagnetic frequencies from cell phones via Elizabeth’s exclusive SMARTSHIELD pocket linings.

A native New Yorker now living in the Pacific Northwest, Elizabeth says:

“What I want more than anything, like so many women, is more time, so I created the first jackets to minimize the transitions in a woman’s life. Designs that could take me from a morning walk to midday meetings to a night out on the town, from nonstop rain to bright sunshine and everything in between. The result is what I call high yield, scalable fashion.”

Like so many others I enjoy writing about, Elizabeth also fuses style with philanthropy, focusing her efforts on the Landesa Center for Women’s Land Rights, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and early learning.

Special thanks to my aunt Penny for taking these photos! She's second from right, and we're here with my mom and sister.

Elizabeth Roberts 'Le Voyager Coquette' raincoat / Duro Olowu for JCPenney dress (similar) / Report Shoes coral wedges (similar) / TOMS sunnies

Aces Interview: Eddie Borgo via Nordstrom

Eddie Borgo recently launched his latest collection at Nordstrom with an appearance in their Downtown Seattle store. I love Borgo's aesthetic and style and was delighted to get some insight on the inner workings that eventually become fuel for his designs. Read on:

Who or what inspired you to be a jewelry designer?

I am specifically interested in the jewelry and adornment that we attribute to the different realms of NYC subculture; how and why a padlock around someone's neck can immediately establish their identity. My collection plays with the ideas we have of subculture, and then how those points of view trickle up into the luxury fashion market. My aesthetic has to do with this idea; it is high-end meets street.

What's your favorite piece you've designed so far?

Our cone bracelet; it has really become such an instantly recognizable piece for our brand - and also within the jewelry space today.

Who are some of your modern-day muses?

Our ad campaigns reflect who we see as modern-day muses. Each season, we photograph our friends as models. Past campaigns have included: Vanessa Traina (fall/winter 2009); Lauren Santo Domingo (spring/summer 2010); Kate Lanphear (f/w 2010); Giovanna Battaglia (s/s 2011);  Tabitha Simmons (f/w 2011); Cecilia Dean (s/s 2012); Alison Mosshart (f/w 2013); and Anja Rubik (s/s 2013.)

What's one of your favorite highlights in your career so far?

Winning the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, being awarded the CFDA/Swarovski Award for Accessory Design, and being awarded the Tiffany & Co. Development Grant - all within months of each other.

What's on your music playlist right now?

• David Bowie

• Iggy Pop

• Lou Reed

• The Rolling Stone

• Patti Smith

• The Kills

Describe your personal style.

Uniformed.

What are you reading?

I always seem to be reading a few books simultaneously. I recently started I Dreamed I was a Very Clean Tramp by Richard Hell and it's great!

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

We always have special projects in the works at the studio - I continue to be excited and inspired by the innovate, progressive development processes our team consistently realizes.

My concentration for the time being is spearheading our fine jewelry division.

Thank you! All images and video courtesy of Nordstrom, via The Thread blog.

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

Aces Interview: Ray Page

The Aces interview series are a little look into the lifestyle of people I admire who are doing amazing things for their community and world.

Today, please meet Ray Page!

In the social media & tech scene here in Seattle, there are people who are at every meetup, Ignite talk, SMC event and more. Then there are others you never see, because their job has them being a full-time badass here, there and around the country.

Ray Page is the latter. Like so many others, I met him on Twitter and then in real life over happy hour with our dear friend Carrie. All I remember was laughing as hard as I've ever laughed before at the most random jokes the three of us were telling each other. Getting to know Ray since then has shown me he is every bit as creative, curious and passionate as he is hilarious. Anyone that knows Ray knows that he's incredibly fucking good at what he does (he's executive creative director of POSSIBLE's Seattle office.) I am personally grateful to Ray for believing in my future. He was one of the most instrumental figures in helping me find the confidence to pursue my dreams. Read on to see what inspires him:

What's on your playlist right now?

• Del the Funky Homosapien

• Kitten

• The National

• Pavarotti

• Biggie Smalls

• Nas

• Daft Punk

• Wu-Tang

• Rufus Wainwright

• Dinosaur Jr

• The Cure

• & The Smiths.

At any given time, these get me through the week. However, when I need to crank out a presentation deck or ideate around a concept, it’s continuous hip hop every single time.

Describe your style.

Understated, with clean lines. Simple, with mostly solids. I’m a sucker for details, so moods of norway, scotch & soda and nau are my sweet spots. I will never wear pants that resemble salt water taffy. Men, please stop that.

Who inspires you?

I have many, but they have shared traits.

I’m inspired by individuals who fearlessly pursue their passion.

The extremists. The makers. The ones who live without balance. The ones who go against the grain without any other objective except to be the best at what they do. The ones who are motivated only by their internal dialog and not by financial gain, awards or recognition.

Great dads inspire me. The ones who blossomed as people because of their kids. Those that get giddy recounting weekend stories with their children. Yeah, those guys.

What are you reading?

I mostly stick to industry publications; Monocle, Contagious, IDEA, CommArts and various websites. I’m currently reading Present Shock by Douglas Rushkoff, where he introduces the phenomenon of presentism. He shares thoughts around how the “future” we used to talk about pre-Y2K is happening now. And, frankly, how we’re not hard-wired to deal with living in the present. It impacts global economics, social economics and everything in between.

The next book in the cue is Finding Ultra by Rich Roll. He’s the epitome of one of the inspirational types described above. An extremist, who in 5 years went from an overweight middle aged man, to one of Men’s Health Magazine’s top 25 most fit men in the world.

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

My 6 year old daughter choses not to pick a favorite of anything. She loves too many things. So, I’ll take her lead and mention all the things I’m excited about in the coming months.

Summer in Seattle. Zanny. The final episodes of Breaking Bad. Decatur. My daughter’s dance recital. Home renovations. raygr. Continued badassery the creative department produces. Dinner with friends. The Perfect Bite. Tennis lessons / tournaments.

Thank you!

Read all of my  Aces interviews here.

Kube 93 Summer Jam RECAP!

Have you ever found yourself just wanting to relive an amazing weekend? As I write this, that feeling has been running through my body since Saturday - the night of KUBE 93's Summer Jam. I couldn't have asked for a better venue, weather, line-up and group of friends to go with! (well, if Miguel was there it would've been perfect!) My friends and I decided to escape the city for a weekend in Eastern Washington and to enjoy the talents of Drop City Yacht Club, Wale, J.Cole, 2 Chainz, Trey Songz and the King, TI.

The whole day consisted of dancing, drinking a few cocktails and singing at the top of my lungs - my voice is shot by the way. This was by far one of the best outdoor concert experiences I've had! I want more!

A couple Summer Jam tidbits I'd like to share:

1. My left side of the body is darker than the other.

2. 2 Chainz has been in heavy rotation on my car playlist.

3. Crop tops and jean shorts were the "unofficial" outfit of Summer Jam.

4. Trey Songz is undoubtedly amazing live.

5. I wish I knew why 2 Chainz wore a long sleeve sweater in 85 degree weather.

I've posted a few pics below to recap the night!

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Sarah Basto is a born and raised Seattleite. She’s a former merchandise marketing student of The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and is currently working as a marketing manager at a local nanny agency and serves as the PR & marketing intern for local luxury swimwear company Adicora Swimwear. She’s obsessed with all things Seattle and is interested in just about everything – this explains why she considers herself an entreprenista in the making! Outside of work Sarah loves spending time with her family and friends, baking, exploring the city, and being a full-time happy hour guru.

Find Sarah on Twitter, and view all of her posts here.

Aces Interview: Jaclyn Johnson

The Aces interview series are a little look into the lifestyle of people I admire who are doing amazing things for their community and world.

Today, please meet Jaclyn Johnson!

L.A. is home to most of my favorite fashion bloggers. One of those is Jaclyn, whose Some Notes on Napkins blog I've been following for a couple of years now. The graphic design in her posts drew me into the blog, so it was no surprise to find out she'd founded a creative agency, There is No Subject. The hustlers who use their blog as the gateway to pursue their dreams are the best kinds of inspiration to have. Read on for what's lighting up Jaclyn's life right now:

What's on your playlist right now?

The new Jai Paul album is amazing. I also love Night Time Sound Desire, RHYE and Lorde.

Describe your style.

Consistently changing. Some days I feel like a good drop crotch and others a baby doll dress. I tend to stick to earth tones and simple silhouettes. so ever changing simplicity, maybe?

Who inspires you?

People who are loyal. There are very few people in this life that can pick you up when you are down and generally be on your team. I am lucky to be surrounded by amazing hard-working women and business owners that all lift each other. To name names, Alisa Leonard (French BK), Jasmine Takanikos (Jas Consulting Group), Geri Hirsch (leaftv), Jeanine Pesce (We Are Range) - they all have businesses but are creative geniuses as well and they consistently inspire me.)

What are you reading?

I just finished Contagious by Jonah Berger which was a great read. I also finished Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In between flights to NYC-- a must for any lady getting her hustle on.

What are you most excited about in the coming months? 

Create + Cultivate, my company's creative event series is hitting the road! We are hosting our first one in Portland on July 27th and another one in Brooklyn in late August. I am so excited for Portland as we are working with super dope brands like WildFang, Betsy and Iya and more! Plus the space we are hosting it in is like a creative playground.

Thank you!

Find Jaclyn at Some Notes on Napkins (her blog), There is No Subject (her agency) and Create + Cultivate (the event.)

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

Fit & Fresh: Tmber, The Pacific Northwest Hiking Guide

Living in the Pacific Northwest, you can't help but get outdoors and into nature for a good workout. Hiking in the many beautiful trails is one of the most popular outdoor workouts, with a plethora of options just a short drive out of Seattle or Portland. If you've been hiking in this area, you know how hard and time-consuming it can be to find a good trail. State and national park sites are text-heavy and hard to navigate, and most other trail-finding sites are just plain boring and uninformative. 

Enter the hiking guide & community for the digital natives. Hey Tmber!

Tmber caught my eye when they started following me on Twitter. A few weeks later, my boyfriend wanted to try a new trail with some water, scenery and challenge but that wasn't too far away from Seattle. I went to Tmber to peruse some routes and immediately fell in love.

Tmber is centered around making your entire hiking experience enjoyable and not a complete mystery. They know over 63% of the 2.7 million people who hike in the Pacific Northwest research routes online before heading out into the wilderness, and they've created a site and community that answers all the questions you might have (source.) Most sites will tell you how long, how far away and how challenging a trail is, but Tmber will also tell you if that trail is good for kids, what to pack, the nearest place to get some fuel after the hike (both for your body & your vehicle) and what to expect.

The absolute clincher for me was the fact they've got short, 90-second videos of their people hiking specific routes, and describing their experience along the way. Peep the one on Franklin Falls - that's the one we chose. So simple, yet so incredibly helpful! Now I won't feel like I'm wandering lost into the wilderness next time I want to try a new route.

Peep Tmber's site, but check out their fun Pinterest too. Tons of helpful resources for hikers everywhere.

How are you getting fit & fresh this summer? Any favorite trails you like to hike - in the Pacific Northwest or beyond?

Court’s Summer Essentials for 2013

EOS (Evolution of Smooth) lip balm

I am absolutely OBSESSED with this lip balm that I just got for my birthday! In general I cannot go a day, let alone an hour, without applying lip balm to keep my lips moisturized. I absolutely hate chapped lips, especially in the summer. It’s a must-have to protect your lips from the sunshine! Pick up this no-mess lip balm in a variety of flavors (mine is “Honeysuckle Honeydew”) from your local drug store for just $4.

Dolphin shorts

This is one of my favorite latest trends! This style of shorts is very casual (with its slightly athletic flair), yet stylish. I just picked up my first pair from the Buffalo Exchange in the U-District for only $10! But you can find dolphin shorts in an assortment of prints at Forever 21.

DIY crop top

Crop tops are an essential for summer – need I say more? How can you possibly go through summer in the sweltering heat without rockin’ a crop top?! I recently purchased a graphic tee (a white T-shirt with a black and white graphic of Tupac) off of eBay. I then DIY’d it so that there was a bow-like design on the back and I also fringed the hem of the shirt. Pair your DIY crop top with dolphin shorts for a chic summer look!

Simple bangles

All the celebs are workin’ this trend, from Kim Kardashian to Rihanna! This is such a simple look that all ladies can pull off this summer. Wear multiple bangles together and remember that the colors can be contrasting! Pair a couple of gold bangles with a rose gold one! I purchased a few open double-skull bangles on eBay and I also found a simple rose gold bangle from H&M.

Something neon

Neon has become so trendy rather than tacky – from a chartreuse-like neon green to a neon, highlighter pink! My favorite is the neon green look. Neon colors are so necessary for summer because of the shock factor that it brings to any look. I recently picked up a textured, chartreuse skater skirt from H&M (for only $17.95) that I am completely in love with! I paired my neon green skirt with a cream lace top to balance out the brightness.

(Almost knee-high) Gladiators

These sandals have been an on-and-off trend over the past couple of years but they’re back for this summer and you should all get a pair! The style that I’ve really come to love is the grid-like patterned, almost knee-high gladiators, which celebs such as, Kourtney Kardashian, have been seen wearing ‘em.

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Courtney Liu is a Hawaii native in the journalism program at the University of Washington. She loves clothes and styling herself and her friends. She hopes to pursue a career in public relations or in the fashion industry.

Find Courtney on Twitter, and view all of her posts here.

Aces Interview: Jessica Piha

The Aces interview series are a little look into the lifestyle of people I admire who are doing amazing things for their community and world.---

Today in Aces, please meet Jessica Piha!

When Jess agreed to do an Aces interview for me, it felt right to either begin the month or end it with this pint-sized power chick. Jess and I met two years ago at an event. A few weeks later, we went out to lunch to talk blogging and PR, and our friendship's been flourishing ever since.

If you have the pleasure of knowing Jessica Piha, you'd join me in singing these same praises about her. Jess is one of the most supportive, giving people I have ever met. She's nice and sweet, sure, but don't underestimate her ferocity. We both started our own businesses last year, and though she had the skepticism and fear we all have when we're about to do something scary - she leapt right off into the world of entrepreneurism and hit the ground running. She's now one of the busiest publicists I know, and yet she always has time to spend with and be there for her support system. Life as an entrepreneur is much sweeter when you have a friend going through the same things. Thank you for always being a light and a friend, Jess.

What's on your playlist right now?

Country music. Rascal Flatts and The Dixie Chicks have really good break up songs. ;-)

Describe your style.

Pretty classic. 90% of my closet is Banana Republic and J.Crew. I generally wear a lot of stripes and nautical colors. Have taken a recent liking to C.Wonder. Minimal makeup (just mascara and Kari Gran lip whip and I’m ready to go) and I can’t enough pairs of Tods flats.

Who inspires you?

People who live with purpose and passion. My best friend Whitney, my friend Aimee, my client Marci Zaroff, every single female entrepreneur who is following their dream.

What are you reading?

The Rise & Fall of the Third Reich (book) and always my weekly New Yorker.

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

Continuing to excel in my work and grow my business and personal brand, quality time with my incredible family, friends and dog Figgy, vacations to Napa Valley, Walla Walla, and my family summer home on Lopez Island, summer walks around Greenlake and dare I suggest, a little romance?

Thank you!

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

Aces Interview: Sayra Morán

The Aces interview series are a little look into the lifestyle of people I admire who are doing amazing things for their community and world.

Today in Aces, please meet Sayra Morán!

One of the reasons I decided to continue the Aces series after 30 Fresh was so I could feature and also get to know people I admired but didn't know very closely already. Sayra was one of the first people to come to mind. We met almost two years ago at a Seattle event for Miir bottles but have only kept in touch over Twitter. We have a lot in common, which made it easy for me to think of her when I wanted to do more interviews. We have a shared love of sports, Georges St. Pierre, philanthropy, music and so much more. I'm looking forward to getting to know her more in the future!

What's on your playlist right now?

My playlist right now consists of Coachella sets and as usual, music to dance and work out to. A lot of:

• Eric Prydz

• Pete Tong

• Daft Punk

• Macklemore

• Calvin Harris

• Above and Beyond

• and Phoenix to name a few.

Describe your style.

I can always be found in skinny jeans or a skirt and tights, that I love to pair with print/screen tees and a colorful blazer. I love to wear black so I try to balance that by adding pops of color and statement jewelry. Can't wait for spring to start wearing dresses, shorts and tanks regularly though!

Who inspires you?

Tough question for me as I feel so many people in my life inspire me. My mom. The extremely-gifted author Paulo Coelho. My friends and family are all huge inspirations to me. I love to surround myself with people who are moving and shaking things up in their life, traveling, learning and loving, people who have passion and the drive to experience life and meet their goals.

What are you reading?

I just read the book Tuesdays with Morrie and loved it. The Prophet by Khalil Gibran is a recent read too and I was floored by its beauty. Next book on my reading list is The Manuscript Found in Accra by Paulo Coelho. I am an article and blog post collector and am constantly perusing Twitter for new content to favorite and read in my down time.

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

I'm really excited about my job that is constantly challenging me and pushes me to be a better businesswoman, traveling to Utah next month to see my family and friends, the new Daft Punk album and in keeping the positive energy going! 2013 has been a great time already and I'm excited to see what else comes my way.

Thank you! Follow Sayra on Twitter, Instagram and sporadically blogging at SayraGrissel.com.

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

Get Scattered.

I had the opportunity to check out a screening of Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s. For someone who has gone to fashion school, I’m almost ashamed to say that I was never really familiar with Bergdorf Goodman. The only assumption I had was that it was a New York Department Store on 5th Ave that sold expensive things to rich folks. 

The documentary consists of collected footage that spans over about 1 ½ years. It includes a look into the store itself – the history, the employees, and the culture. Mixed in were numerous and hilarious interviews with designers that I absolutely adore; Marc Jacobs, Marchesa, and Karl Lagerfeld just to name a few. They shared their story of how they got into Bergdorf Goodman and how the road in wasn’t easy, in fact some designers still aren’t in yet! I was fascinated by all the stories shared and how iconic this store is and how it will be forever.

Although the film does jump all over the place, behind all the footage, there was a little story! It focused on the work of the Visual team at BG. (I feel so cool now saying BG, just like a true Nordstrom shopper says Nordys.) Viewers got to see the behind the scenes planning, preparation, and unveiling of their Holiday window displays. Unbelievably gorgeous! 

To sum it up, I now know Bergdorf’s is the best of the best! I would love to make a trip to NYC to see it for myself. If you want to get a dose of fashion or get a look into the BG world the film starts playing this Friday, May 24th at the Varsity Theatre in the U-District! 

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Sarah Basto is a born and raised Seattleite. She’s a former merchandise marketing student of The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and is currently working as a marketing manager at a local nanny agency and serves as the PR & marketing intern for local luxury swimwear company Adicora Swimwear. She’s obsessed with all things Seattle and is interested in just about everything – this explains why she considers herself an entreprenista in the making! Outside of work Sarah loves spending time with her family and friends, baking, exploring the city, and being a full-time happy hour guru.

Find Sarah on Twitter, and view all of her posts here.

Aces Interview: Jammie Chasteen

The Aces interview series are a little look into the lifestyle of people I admire who are doing amazing things for their community and world.---

Today in Aces, please meet Jammie Chasteen!

Jammie's whirlwind story brought her to Seattle for a short while. We met at another blogger's shopping party at Banana Republic, and kept in touch over Twitter. It wasn't until the week before she made a big move to L.A. that we finally sat down together for something longer than a passing conversation. All it took was a little happy hour to know that she and I would have a long-lasting friendship. Now, she's at the top of my list for people I absolutely have to see every time I'm in the City of Angels!

I adore Jammie's resilience and good spirit. I respect and admire Jammie's ever-evolving relationship with God and how it shapes her life. Though I am not very religious myself, I am a big believer that you should always be nurturing your spiritual self. Your spirit and energy are huge driving factors in your life, and how you deal with what happens to you. Jammie's got the strength and persistence of a true hustler, and I'm a fan of hers for that. Long story short, Jammie's move to L.A. was a fresh start to her next decade, and I am grateful to be her friend throughout a year or so of successes and lessons learned.

What's on your playlist right now?

Right now I have three in constant rotation:

• I'm obsessed with Maroon 5 after seeing them live.

• I listen to Hillsong United pretty much every morning.

• I'm a huge Frank Sinatra fan and love anyone in the jazz/easy listening/big band genre. Rain + wine + cooking + this playlist = perfection.

But generally, my music taste is all over the board and my playlist making skills are subpar. So I’m very thankful for Spotify and the fact that I can rely on playlists- not made by me.

Describe your style.

I'm a little New York and a lot L.A.

Give me a maxi dress and some sandals or yoga pants, flip flops and a tank any day. That's the basis of my wardrobe, especially since moving to SoCal. My style is definitely a reflection of my personality. Although I can be the easy- going/soft-spoken type, I also have an adventurous side and an unexpected edge. Cue my love of all black everything, studded anything and the highest of heels.

When I travel I am so inspired by my surroundings and the locals. I love layering when I'm in Seattle, dressing to the nines in Paris (I say that like I’ve been more than once), buying colorful jewels and scarves at the marketplace in Israel, and my studded over the knee Stuart Weitzman boots go with everything I pack for New York. When in Rome...

Overall, I have fun dressing for the occasion. I don't take fashion too seriously and I almost always wear a bright pink lip. It's my “signature”. Or something like that?

Who inspires you?

My friends and family, I am surrounded by amazing people and I try to learn something from each one of them. My parents taught me the power of love. They've been married over 30 years and raised 7 kids. If they know how to do one thing in life, it's how to love. Side note: I just sang the Lil Wayne song while typing. Guilty. I digress… My siblings have taught me to laugh more, be me, and not take myself so seriously. My friends have pushed me to be better all around. Some setting examples of healthy living, some live so full of faith it just amazes me, some living their dreams and making things happen, others are such selfless humans who would give anything to anyone who needed it. My friends who take risks, my family who has taken me in when I needed to start over in life and everyone who lives life to the fullest. My best friend, Melissa, has lived out the definition of a true friend. I really don’t know if there’s anything much more inspiring than that. And you, Jess, are an inspiration to chase dreams, make your passion your work, and keep on hustlin baby.

What are you reading?

As with the playlists, my ADD brain cannot grasp the concept of reading A book! I've always got at least 5 on my iPad. A mix of learning and fun reads. Right now a few are: The Great Gatsby, Jesus Is ____., and Super Rich (for the second time). If you tell me that you are going through a hard time in life, chances are that I will recommend a book to you. I’m THAT girl. Got a problem, need advice, going on vacation? There’s a book for that!

I can't get enough of the TED talks. They really come in handy during my morning commute. L.A. traffic is much more bearable when listening to these passionate, positive and driven speakers. My most recent favorite was Aliza Licht, aka DKNY PR girl. She played a major part of my Twitter story and how I became a stylist.

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

I’m just REALLY excited for life in general. It’s been a roller coaster since turning 30 (see her 30 post here.) The past few years have been rough, yet character refining. You find out who you are in the valley and now that I’m closer to the mountaintop I’m ready to live life 100% authentically for the first time in a long time. I’ve accumulated the best group of friends and gotten closer to my family. Now I’m enjoying just doing life with every single one of them. Since moving to LA, everything has been an adventure and I never know what will happen next. One moment I’m styling for an editorial shoot and the next I’m riding to lunch in a helicopter, front row at a concert or just chatting over coffee with a celeb… no big deal. My new favorite saying is: Only In LA! I’m so thankful for everything happening and my heart is so full of love it could burst. I hope to get back into blogging and styling within the next few months, so that’s exciting too. But whatever happens happens and I’ll be here to make the best of it.

Thank you!

Read all of my Aces interviews here.