Nike Running Seattle Lands in the University Village

In all of my years of blogging, I don't think I've ever been this excited to attend a media preview as I was last night for the Nike Running store in the University Village. Being a fitness fiend, former NikeTown visual merchandiser and Nike fan 4 Life, the stars aligned and my favorite brand on earth set its sights on Fresh Jess! I could barely hold my shh together all day yesterday in anticipation.

Nike Flash Pack
Nike Flash Pack

To prep us for the highlight of the evening - a 2.5ish mile run through out the University of Washington campus and University Village - Nike sent us the Flash Pack: the iconic Pegasus shoe in Pegasus+ 30 Shield and the waterproof, breathable and extremely reflective Shield Jacket. Seriously - the entire lower panel of the jacket and half the sleeves are purely reflective. Perfect for runs literally anywhere in Seattle, at any time. 

HELLOOOO NIKE RUNNING! YOU'RE PRETTY!

Nike Running Seattle
Nike Running Seattle
Nike Running Seattle
Nike Running Seattle
Nike Running Seattle
Nike Running Seattle

Nike Running Seattle is the 15th of its kind in the country. Keeping true to the essence of the Northwest, much of the 6303s.f. store is made of recycled or reclaimed materials. Designed to optimize energy efficiency, is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council and is anticipating LEED® Gold Certification. It reminds me a lot of what NikeTown looked like when it first opened - carefully edited merchandise intermixed with artifacts of Nike's rich history in running. 

Nike Running Seattle
Nike Running Seattle
Nike Running Seattle
Nike Running Seattle

This store also includes beautiful black & white photography of popular trails in the area. I loved the #WeRunSeattle corner, complete with Run Club lockers and an interchangeable route map and board for upcoming runs and events.

Their Run Club meets every Wednesday night at 6:30p.m. in case you're interested in a group run!

There's a Nike Plus interactive experience holding court in the middle of the store where you can explore the Nike FuelBand and Sport Watch. Runners' services such as digital gait analysis are available, and ladies can receive specialty services such as pant hemming, custom bra fitting and styling. 

Nike Running Seattle
Nike Running Seattle

Getting schooled on the new Nike+ FuelBand SE. The SE is a sweet update to the original model, now with the ability to start and stop sessions (so you can track a specific workout, other activity, and most importantly - SLEEP.) You can also get social with it and track the NikeFuel activity of your friends.

ALSO, HAVE YOU SEEN THE ROSE GOLD FUELBAND SE?!? I NEED IT IN MY LIFE LIKE YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW! OMG

Nike Running Seattle
Nike Running Seattle

Nike Shield styling with Ashley (The Style Umbrella) and AlixRose

Nike Running Seattle
Nike Running Seattle
Nike Running Seattle
Nike Running Seattle

L: The marathon bib wall, which you can add to with your latest and greatest bibs

C: All of the Flyknits. ALL OF THEM!

R: More gratuitous shoe porn

Strawberry Moon juice
Strawberry Moon juice

Super special shoutout to Strawberry Moon for being our drink of the night. By far the most Glow-worthy beverage I've had at a media event!

The family that NikeFuels together, works hard for those Fuel points together!

Thanks so much Nike for having me!

Nike Running Seattle

is now open in the University Village in the new South garage building complex. Mon - Sat 9:30a.m. - 9:00p.m.; Sunday 11:00a.m. - 6:00p.m. and Wednesday Run Club 6:30p.m.

Nike Running Seattle
Nike Running Seattle

Aces Interview: Jeanine Pesce

The Create + Cultivate Portland event brought a lot of new badasses into my world. My two favorite speakers from the day were Emma McIlroy of Wildfang, and today's Aces interview, Jeanine Pesce.

It's refreshing to know Jeanine Pesce is somewhere out there being awesome. I can tell you right now that the answers you'll read below are so close to how I would answer these questions, it's scary. Kindred spirits indeed! She automatically became one of my favorites at C+C just because she and I were the only ones there wearing Nike FuelBands. I just don't come across sporty West Coast girls with a soft spot for dirty south hip-hop and an affinity for fashion and business to boot. Jeanine left the NYC fashion world for San Francisco and her own business. Range focuses on trend forecasting and daily inspiration for the active, sport and lifestyle markets. It's a perfect fusion of her love for outdoors with a keen sense for bringing the creative eye to sports and active lifestyle marketing. I think what she's doing is super rad and I hope you do too. Enjoy!

What's on your playlist right now?

I love gully rap music more than anything else in the world, I tend to stick to East Coast and Dirty South more than West Coast though. Sorry Pac.

  • Gucci Mane

  • Rick Ross

  • Waka Flocka

  • T.I.

  • Dipset

  • Weezy

  • Meek Mill

  • 2 Chainz

  • A$AP Rocky

  • Biggie

  • Big Pun

  • Three 6 Mafia

In addition to that, I've been pretty much been listening exclusively to records for the last few months, I have a pretty amazing collection of vinyl that I inherited from my parents that just found it's way out of storage and back into my life. It is an interesting mix of Motown, classic rock, movie soundtracks and instrumentals with a touch of '80s bangers. I would say my favorite of the bunch are:

  • Diana Ross

  • Marvin Gaye

  • Al Green

  • Stevie Wonder

  • Prince

  • David Bowie

  • Fleetwood Mac

  • Phil Collins

  • Hall & Oates

  • Neil Young

  • Tom Petty

  • Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd

  • Edith Piaf

Describe your style.

As I get older my style has changed dramatically. It also probably has something to do with the fact that I moved from NYC to California three years ago and have successfully shed most of my fashion-slave layers. If I had to try and nail it down I would describe it as "funky art-aunt goes to the mountain".

You know those ladies that are wearing something super swaggy, but it just looks like a sack? That is how I envision my future self.

I love tent dresses, tunics and rompers and I own more pairs of sport sandals, hiking boots and Birkentsocks than anyone you probably know in real life. I wear tons of performance apparel and natural fibers (like merino) because I am a huge nerd and I obsess over technical materials, plus I am usually outside either camping, hiking, running or getting ready for snow season, so I need clothing that functions and works with the body. I have not totally lost my taste for fashion though, so if I do buy a new piece, I try to make sure it is something timeless like Dries, or a simple basic from A.P.C. or Theory.

Who inspires you?

People that takes chances and strong, independent women. I grew up in a seriously hard-working household and I can only really relate to other people that have a similar work ethic. It is really a double-edge sword for me because I yearn for the freedom associated with being a dreamer, but my genetic makeup is firmly grounded in reality, so "taking a chance" and leaving my career to start my own business for example, wasn't something that came naturally (or easily) to me. I think that is probably why I spend so much time outside. Nature gives me the ability, both literally and figuratively, to get lost in the moment and experience guilt-less bliss. I truly admire the mothers of the world with full-time jobs that weren't willing to sacrifice their dreams of having children for a title and the entrepreneurs that have had the balls to carve out their own path or vision regardless of the outcome.

What are you reading?

Lately, I have been trying to do all my reading off-line, just to give my eyes a little rest from the glowing screen of my computer. I always read New York Times on Sundays with my fiance Cooper, it is a little bit of a tradition for us. We get a coffee and sit around the house passing the sections back and forth. There is something so nice about holding an actual, physical newspaper. Magazines that you will ALWAYS find on my coffee table are -> Kinfolk, Outside Magazine, Frame, Mark, The New Yorker, Sunset Magazine, The Surfers Journal and The Plant (Journal). My guilty pleasure is the Game of Thrones series by George R.R. Martin, I just can't get enough of it and I can always use a little escape from reality.

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

Growing my business and taking on new challenges, wild adventures that involve tents, boards and bikes, and marrying my best friend in front of all the people that I love in the spring.

Thank you Jeanine! Find her at This is Range and JeaninePesce.com.

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

Philippine Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda: How You Can Help

This is a running list of ways you can help or keep up with typhoon relief efforts in the Philippines. If you have anything you'd like to add to this list, please comment, tweetFacebook or email me at info(at)freshjess(dot)com. Any and all help go a long way! 

Keep up on efforts on Twitter via: 

Search for missing persons via Google Person Finder

Donate:

The Art of More

[My Facebook status update yesterday]

It's funny how we can know so much about what to do and not do to be productive, and yet let ourselves get distracted to avoid actually doing them. The path to making things happen is so much easier said than done.

Between the Seattle Interactive Conference (recap and thoughts coming soon) and today's Creative Mornings Seattle talk, I've realized more than ever before that I need to keep myself around other creatives as much as possible. Working for yourself means you're by yourself a lot, and when I'm in the zone working, I need space and solitude to get things done. That's fine in moderation I guess, but I definitely let that become the norm and don't give myself enough time to just do.

Chase's talk today centered around "The Art of More" - of giving and sharing more of your work; of putting more of yourself out there. The abundance of will(ing): to share, to fail. It was the kickstart I needed to look at my blog anew again. Blogging is like working out; once you fall off the wagon, the battle is not just in getting back on that wagon, but getting a groove going again. The writing I do here is my creative outlet, and it gets put on the back burner way too much. I chose the freelance life so I could blog more. Chase's perspective was a great reminder to me that I need to get back at it.

He also talked about bravery in imperfection. I loved this point, because I let myself think that careful, edited blogging is better than blogging about things that give me life, no matter how often that might be. "I don't blog unless I have something meaningful to say." That became a crutch instead of a helpful perspective for me. Create something and just put it out there. Just write, Jess, and put it out there.

This morning's talk was so moving to me (obviously) and drove me home to absorb more at Chase Jarvis Live and Creative Live. Special thanks to my friend Imei, who interviewed Chase after the event and shared these clips with me:

Tonight I watched his Live episode with Mark Ecko, another current fascination of mine. 

If you're interested in watching Chase's talk, it should be up on the Creative Mornings Seattle Vimeo channel soon. If you're in the city, you should definitely check out one of their events sometime for some serious inspiration! Follow them on Facebook.

Fresh Faves: RPM West

RPM West is a new innovative denim company out of San Francisco that strives to bring you the best fitting and best-priced pair of denim you have ever possessed. They use Japanese fabrics, but the denim is made here in the United States.

RPM West
RPM West

I got a chance to have a Google hangout with the man behind RMP West, Manuel Rappard. He's been a denim enthusiast since the age of 12, when he first convinced his mom to buy him a pair of Diesel jeans. Since then, denim has been a passion of his. Manuel grew up in Germany, moved to Michigan, and then attended NYU. After school, he began working for Google, but is now pursuing his denim dreams. His main goal is to sell the best jeans in the simplest way possible.

RPM West
RPM West

RPM West started out as a Kickstarter campaign that got over $104,000 contributed to their project in 40 days. The growth was very organic, and spread via word-of-mouth and blogs. 36 hours after launching, they met their funding goal.They have currently fulfilled 1500 Kickstarter orders, and will be making the denim available to the public soon.

What makes RPM so unique is that they are introducing their Home Try-On Program. The Home Try-On Program will let you choose 3 denim styles or sizes, and you keep the one you like the most, and then send back the 2 you do not want free of charge.

RPM West
RPM West

RPM has decided to keep their denim at wholesale price so that the consumer can get the best price possible.  RPM West eventually wants to have a full product line in the next coming months.

RPM West
RPM West

You can sign up to their website here to learn more, and to join RPM West as they begin their journey. I encourage you to check them out, and follow them @rpmwest on Twitter and Instagram.

Side note: If you have a boyfriend/husband/brother that does not like to shop for denim, this is the perfect solution for you!

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My name is James Kim and I am 22 years old. I am from Tacoma, WA. I work at Urbanity in Seattle. I co-own a screen printing company called Saltwater Graphics, and am working on my own line with some friends called FAM apparel. I am also a youth group leader at my church, and enjoy doing that a ton. Fashion, sports, and movies are some of my favorite things. I love playing sports, and spending time outside, especially when we have nice weather here in Seattle. Looking forward to getting to know the readers!

Find James on Twitter.

30. Now.

It's been just over six months since I turned 30, and so far it's been the greatest ride. Most years, age is just a number, and for some of you, 30 might not have meant anything. For me, 30's been a period of so much growth and awareness in every aspect of my life. Life feels even more intentional than it was before - maybe because now I'm so quick to own my feelings, my opinions, my convictions. If there's an idea, thought or emotion strong enough for me to need to express it, I will. It never used to come so easily, but now I'll just lay it all out there!

It definitely hasn't been all rosy. I am grateful for all of the opportunities that have come my way, but I'd be lying if I said they just came to me by chance. I work hard and am always pushing myself to do more; to be more. I don't just want to blog for the sake of blogging, or do things a certain way because everyone else is doing it. I want all of the work I produce to be me, 100%. A lot of that ownership comes with truly being comfortable in my own skin, and understanding what 'being me' looks like. Then being okay with it, all the time.

I re-read The 4-Hour Work Week a couple of months ago, and the section on time management resonated with me really strongly. The tips he gave and the issues he pointed out that keep us from doing what we want added so much dimension to my perspective on how I manage my time (also known as my constant struggle.) One specific question he asked us to consider now sits on a Post-It inside my daily to-do notebook.

"Are you inventing things to distract you from what's important?"

I am the #1 offender of this, although I know it's common to have this problem. I focus so much on my tasks that the big projects - the meaty ideas that need to come to life, or the juicy brainstorming/creativity sessions that need to happen for me to take things next-level - those things sit forever on my list and never get done. I am also a die-hard for writing things down on my list, so much so it becomes detrimental to me actually doing anything about it. I see one thing juxtaposed against the 5 million other things I have to do, and all of a sudden I don't have any time for it. That's my struggle, and that's why this Danielle LaPorte truthbomb is a gentle reminder to me to do things now. Do it now. Don't wait until it's been sitting on your to-do list. It's something I work towards every day.

Concert Recap: Jojo & Leah Labelle

Ever been on Cloud 9 after a concert? My inner 13 year old just about died and went to heaven after I got to see Jojo and Leah Labelle live in concert last week. It has literally been a dream of mine to see Jojo perform and 10 long years later, it has finally come true. Jojo came to the Crocodile along with another soulful singer and a Seattle native herself, Leah Labelle.

Photo credit: Leah Labelle's Instagram

Simply put, these ladies are crazy talented. Jojo is my girl. The one I grew up with, the one who sang songs that reflected how I felt in middle school and the one who sang about liking that boy, but not knowing what to do about that boy.

You know we all had that one artist who got "us" like that.

Quite frankly I could go on and on about how amazing the concert was. It was nothing but, good music and good vibes with good company. I can't wait till they come back to town again!

Mentionable Concert Moments:

- Jojo performed her infamous "Marvin's Room" remix to which she confessed, "I wrote this when I was hella hungover."

- Leah Labelle had a special and emotional moment on stage. She was finally performing in her hometown in front of family, friends and fans. I absolutely loved it.

------

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.

Fall Style Guide with Courtney Liu

Seattle has seemed to skip over the crisp air that fall typically brings and jumped straight to the bone-chilling wintery weather—even though it’s still October…

This means one thing: breaking out the down jackets, boots, woven hats and knitted sweaters. In the past, I know I’ve been one to complain about how it’s impossible to look cute while still trying to maintain body warmth but after living in Seattle for nearly three years, I’m here to show you several ways to play it smart in cold yet still be stylish!

Turban Outfitted – Pair a turban with a black leather jacket like for an edgier look this season. The color of the turban model, Katy, is wearing is perfect for fall and was purchased from Urban Outfitters. It serves the same purpose of a beanie – keeping that head warm – but in a uniquely fashionable way.

Turban Outfitted
Turban Outfitted

No more North Face? – People in Seattle are known rock the North Face jackets to beat the rain but let’s be honest, it’s nearly impossible to look cute if you have to cover up your outfit with a black rain jacket. Take a look at stores like Ross or T.J. Maxx for designer jackets at really low prices! The Kenneth Cole rain jacket Katy is wearing, will surely keep you dry and I purchased it at Ross so you know that it didn’t break the bank!

Side note: Since rain jackets aren’t worn for warmth, pair your rain shielder with a knitted printed sweater underneath, to add pizzazz to your look.

Raincoat
Raincoat

Leopard Grunge – When is it really the right time to bring out the animal prints? This season, keep warm in an animal-printed (leopard, zebra or giraffe prints all work) jacket. Be bold and match your favorite animal print – mine is obvi leopard—with a colored jean and combat boots! Try a raspberry or plummy-colored jean since both shades are popular for fall.

Side note: If an animal-printed jacket is a little too much on the “wild” side for your taste, go for an animal-printed accessory such as the leopard beanie, which I’m pictured wearing (it’s from Free People) with a neutral-colored sweater and a chartreuse over-the-shoulder purse for that pop of color.

Faux Fur, Duh! – When you think of fur you probably think bougie, huh? But who says it has to be? I purchased this H&M faux fur vest for $12 at Crossroads…what a deal! You could either pair a faux fur vest with a long sleeved dress or as shown on Katy, with a simple knitted sweater and leggings. You’ll be sure to stay snug in this simple yet trendy get-up.

(Girly) Military Mayhem – There’s two looks if you enjoy the military look. You could go more literal with a camo jacket or you could go for the subtle military look with an olive green jacket and leather accents.

Camo jacket: Pair your camouflage-printed jacket with a ripped jean and a colored hat (see how raspberry color appears again in the beanie!). Since camo is usually a combination of neutral colors, it’s nice to throw a bright color into the ensemble. Side note: It’s cool to mix prints these days! Don’t be afraid to wear your camo jacket over a printed sweater like the one on Katy, which is tie-dyed. Olive green jacket with leather accents: Similarly when wearing this jacket, because the color is very neutral, try adding a colored hat (in this case, Katy is pictured wearing an ox blood-colored beanie). Also to keep with the rough look, wear a pair of black booties with buckles.

Cozy Chic – After a long day at work or school you just want to curl up in bed with a good book but instead of throwing on some sweatpants and a big T-shirt like you may usually do, try putting on a soft, pastel sweater; leggings and bright, fuzzy socks!

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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.

Seattle: Get Fresh with the Microsoft Surface 2 (Event & Giveaway!)

Hey Seattle! Want to win a Surface 2? Then meet me at the Microsoft Store in Bellevue Square for the Surface 2 launch event, tonight from 10:00p.m. - midnight!

A year ago almost to the day, I traveled to NYC with Microsoft for the launch of their pop-up store in Times Square along with the launch of their first Surface tablet (Reminisce here!) It's follow-up, the Surface 2, is faster, thinner and lives longer (battery-wise) than its predecessor. The Surface 2 is touted as a powerful laptop packaged neatly in a tablet, and the buzz is already starting around its improvements. I'm excited to check it out tonight, and so pleased to share the fun with you! 

Microsoft-Surface 2-Fresh Jess
Microsoft-Surface 2-Fresh Jess

I'm hosting a launch event scavenger hunt to give away this Surface 2. This is all going down on the social mediaz, so you MUST do these two things in order for each of your entries to count in the contest:

Here are all the different ways you can win:

  1. Tweet us a Surface selfie! This can be you in line for the launch, in the store with a Surface 2, whatever. Show me you're there!
  2. See a cool pair of shoes or a smart shirt at the launch event? Tweet us a photo showing some Surface launch event style.
  3. Tweet a way a new Surface device can help you stay productive.
  4. Meet someone you don’t know and find something you have in common. Make sure to mention their handle in your tweet!
  5. Answer this trivia question: How long is the Surface 2’s battery life?
  6. Check in on FourSquare at the event, and share it to Twitter.
  7. Share this blog post on Twitter! Tweet #FreshSurface
Microsoft-Surface 2-Fresh Jess
Microsoft-Surface 2-Fresh Jess

So how can you do more with the Surface?

Here are some of the key features of the new Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2:

  • A 10-hour battery life that keeps you charged throughout the day.
  • Ultra lightweight, at less than 1.5 pounds and just 8.9 mm thick.
  • A more powerful, always-on processor, so it’s ready to go when you need it. 
  • Office 2013 RT is pre-installed with touch-optimized versions of Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint and OneNote - so Surface 2 can go from plaything to workhorse right out of the box.
  • The Docking Station for Surface Pro delivers the power you need so you’re ready to go at a moment’s notice. Charge your Surface Pro and a cell phone, and run your external hard drive while making a Skype call on your USB headset, and you’ll still have plenty of power to work with.
  • Whether you’re a business executive needing to power through important business or a student looking for the ultimate portable device to tote around campus, there’s a storage option to fit your needs.
Microsoft-Surface 2-Fresh Jess
Microsoft-Surface 2-Fresh Jess

What's happening at the launch event, you ask? Well...

  • There'll be a DJ, food & beverages and swag giveaways (hats, tees, gift cards, etc.) throughout the night;
  • Microsoft Store will also be hosting a series of challenges for a chance to win a trip to the Orlando store opening, complete with a live performance by Pitbull
  • The winner will be whisked away the following morning (10/22) for VIP treatment at the event, including a meet and greet with Pitbull. 
  • Seattle Seahawks' All-Pro Cornerback Richard Sherman will be also be in attendance to meet and mingle with fans. He’ll also be giving out autographed photos to the first 150 guests at the event! 
Microsoft-Surface 2-Fresh Jess
Microsoft-Surface 2-Fresh Jess

RSVP on Facebook. Good luck!

This is a sponsored post, though all opinions and editorial direction are my own. 

Read the official rules for the Microsoft & Fresh Jess Surface 2 giveaway.

Microsoft & Fresh Jess - Surface 2 Giveaway - Official Rules

MICROSOFT AND FRESH JESS SURFACE 2 SWEEPSTAKES
OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

COMMON TERMS USED IN THESE RULES:
These are the official rules that govern how the Fresh Jess Surface 2 Sweepstakes promotion will operate. This promotion will be simply referred to as the “Sweepstakes” throughout the rest of these rules.

In these rules, “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Microsoft Corporation, the sponsor of the Sweepstakes. “You” refers to an eligible Sweepstakes entrant, or the eligible Sweepstakes entrant’s parent or legal guardian who must agree to these Official Rules.

WHAT ARE THE START AND END DATES?
This Sweepstakes starts at 10:01 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) on October 21, 2013, and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on October 21, 2013 (“Entry Period”). Entries must be received within the Entry Period to be eligible.

CAN I ENTER?
You are eligible to enter this Sweepstakes if you meet the following requirements at time of entry:
• You are present at the Surface 2 Midnight Launch (“Event”) taking place at Microsoft Store Bellevue Square Mall in Bellevue, Washington for at least five (5) minutes during the entry period.
• You are a legal resident of the 50 United States and District of Columbia, and are 13 years of age or older.
• If you are 13 of age or older, but are considered a minor in your place of residence, you must ask your parent’s or legal guardian’s permission prior to submitting an entry; and
• You are NOT an employee of Microsoft Corporation or an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary; and
• You are NOT involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Sweepstakes; and
• You are NOT an immediate family (parent, sibling, spouse, child) or household member of a Microsoft employee, an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary, or a person involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Sweepstakes.
This Sweepstakes is void outside of the geographic area described above and wherever else prohibited by law.

HOW DO I ENTER?
Follow @MicrosoftStore and @JessEstrada and participate in Fresh Jess’s scavenger hunt using the #Surface and #FreshSurface hashtags.

To enter, you must do all of the following within the Entry Period:
1. Be present at the Event at Microsoft Store Bellevue Square Mall for at least five (5) minutes during the Entry Period.
2. Register for a free Twitter account at Twitter.com or if you have an existing account login to your Twitter account.
3. Follow the links and instructions to become a follower of @MicrosoftStore and @JessEstrada.
4. From your own account, post a message that answers a prompt from the Fresh Jess Scavenger Hunt. To be eligible for Entry your message must include the hashtags #Surface and #FreshSurface.
By posting a Tweet with the #Surface and #FreshSurface hashtag, you will receive one (1) entry into the Sweepstakes drawing.

There is no entry limit per Entry Period. We are not responsible for entries that we do not receive for any reason, or for entries that we receive but are not decipherable for any reason. We will automatically disqualify any incomplete or illegible entry.

WINNER SELECTION AND PRIZES
On October 22, 2013, the after the close of the Entry Period, we will randomly select one potential Grand Prize winner from among all eligible entries received.

Grand Prize. A Prize Package consisting of one (1) $550 gift card to the Microsoft Store. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $550.00.

The total Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of this Package is $550.00.

If you are a potential winner, we will notify you by sending a direct message to the Twitter account used to enter the contest or the email address (if any) provided at time of entry within seven (7) days following the random drawing. If the notification that we send is returned as undeliverable, or you are otherwise unreachable for any reason, we may award the prize to an alternate, randomly selected winner. Only three (3) alternate drawings will be held after which the applicable prize will remain un-awarded. If there is a dispute as to who is the potential winner, we will consider the potential winner to be the authorized account holder of the Twitter account used to enter the Sweepstakes. If you are a potential winner, we may require you to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability/Publicity Release and a W-9 tax form or W-8 BEN tax form within 10 days of notification. If you are a potential winner and you are 13 or older, but are considered a minor in your place of legal residence, we may require your parent or legal guardian to sign all required forms on your behalf. If you do not complete the required forms as instructed and/or return the required forms within the time period listed on the winner notification message, we may disqualify you and select an alternate, randomly selected winner. We will only award one (1) prize(s) per person during the Entry Period. Only three (3) alternate drawings will be held after which the applicable prize will remain un-awarded

If you are confirmed as a winner of this Sweepstakes:
• You may not exchange your prize for cash or any other merchandise or services. However, if for any reason an advertised prize is unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value; and
• You may not designate someone else as the winner. If you are unable or unwilling to accept your prize, we will award it to an alternate potential winner; and
• If you are otherwise eligible for this Sweepstakes, but are considered a minor in your place of residence, we may award the prize to your parent/legal guardian on your behalf; and
• Unless otherwise noted, all prizes are subject to their manufacturer’s warranty and / or terms and conditions.

WHAT ARE YOUR ODDS OF WINNING?
Your odds of winning this Sweepstakes depend on the number of eligible entries we receive.

WHAT OTHER CONDITIONS ARE YOU AGREEING TO BY ENTERING THIS SWEEPSTAKES?
By entering this Sweepstakes you agree:
• To abide by these Official Rules; and
• To release and hold harmless Microsoft, and its respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees and agents from any and all liability or any injury, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with this Sweepstakes or any prize won; and
• That Microsoft’s decisions will be final and binding on all matters related to this Sweepstakes; and
• That by accepting a prize, Microsoft may use of your proper name and state of residence online and in print, or in any other media, in connection with this Sweepstakes, without payment or compensation to you, except where prohibited by law.

WHAT LAWS GOVERN THE WAY THIS SWEEPSTAKES IS EXECUTED AND ADMINISTRATED?
This Sweepstakes will be governed by the laws of the State of Washington, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of Washington for any disputes arising out of this Sweepstakes.

WHAT IF SOMETHING UNEXPECTED HAPPENS AND THE SWEEPSTAKES CAN’T RUN AS PLANNED?
If cheating, a virus, bug, catastrophic event, or any other unforeseen or unexpected event that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled, (also referred to as force majeure) affects the fairness and / or integrity of this Sweepstakes, we reserve the right to cancel, change or suspend this Sweepstakes. This right is reserved whether the event is due to human or technical error. If a solution cannot be found to restore the integrity of the Sweepstakes, we reserve the right to randomly select winners from among all eligible entries received before we had to cancel, change or suspend the Sweepstakes.

If you attempt to compromise the integrity or the legitimate operation of this Sweepstakes by hacking or by cheating or committing fraud in ANY way, we may seek damages from you to the fullest extent permitted by law. Further, we may ban you from participating in any of our future Sweepstakes, so please play fairly.

HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT WHO WON?
The name of the Grand Prize winner will be posted online at FreshJess.com. This list will remain posted at least one month after October 22, 2013.

WHO IS SPONSORING THIS SWEEPSTAKES?
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052

Fresh Style: The Perfect White Shirt

Are you looking for a classic white shirt or two to add or refresh your wardrobe?  "Well look no further, ya found 'em!" (Clayton Bigsby voice)

When InStyle reached out to me about their new Perfect White Shirt collection, I was drawn in by the promise of a perfect fit. I have never met a white shirt that fit my petite frame just right. This InStyle Essentials collection uses TrioFit Technology; a patented sizing system that allows us ladies to shop by bra size - not our dress size - for a nearly custom fit. These tops are only $59.99 and available in 30 different sizes - from 32B to 40H! They're also nicely tailored around the waist, paying homage to our natural curvature instead of hiding them underneath your usual crisp white shirt in a boxy style.

I styled the Weekend Tunic with printed trousers and booties for a relaxed look, and paired the adorable Bow Blouse with my favorite leather skirt and leopard heels for a more polished feel. You can go a million ways with these shirts, depending on your personal style and flavor. I'm stoked to have classic shirts that fit me just right. I never imagined I'd be so pleased or hyped to style such a timeless basic!

InStyle Essentials-TrioFit-Bow Blouse
InStyle Essentials-TrioFit-Bow Blouse
InStyle Essentials-TrioFit-Bow Blouse
InStyle Essentials-TrioFit-Bow Blouse
InStyle Essentials-TrioFit-Bow Blouse
InStyle Essentials-TrioFit-Bow Blouse

InStyle Essentials' Bow Blouse / Vintage leather skirt / Anthropologie beaded belt / J. Crew leopard pony hair heels via Poshmark

InStyle Essentials-TrioFit-Weekend Tunic
InStyle Essentials-TrioFit-Weekend Tunic
InStyle Essentials-TrioFit-Weekend Tunic
InStyle Essentials-TrioFit-Weekend Tunic
InStyle Essentials-TrioFit-Weekend Tunic
InStyle Essentials-TrioFit-Weekend Tunic

Seattle: Lost Bulldog Alert! & Latest from Bulldog Haven NW

Hey Seattle, need your help! Please spread the word on a lost english bulldog, Deuce! Check out the photos & info below. If you have any tips on want to share on Facebook, go over and like the "Bring Deuce Home" Facebook page. Any and all help appreciated!

While we're at it, here's the latest round of bulldogs currently available for adoption from Bulldog Haven NW. I am really trying to help get these sweet faces into their "fur-ever" home! As regular Fresh Jess readers know, I am a big supporter of Bulldog Haven NW & PAWS, with one bulldog angel in the sky and one adopted from BHNW. 

An up-to-date 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!

Bulldog-Haven-NW
Bulldog-Haven-NW

Fresh Style: Alki Overall

These photos are really making me sad that summer is gone! The day Sarah and I shot these, the clouds parted for what turned out to be a mild but beautiful summer day. One of my favorite things about Alki is that no matter what the weather's like, the views will always be amazing. That day, they stuck to a monochrome palette, shining in various shades of blue. The water was at low tide; lower than I'd ever seen before, so we took advantage and kicked around for a bit! My city. My playground.

Ridin' Fresh in the Toyota Corolla 2014

Never in my life would I have guessed I'd be test-driving cars for a living. Okay, maybe not for a living, but I did get to take the new Toyota Corolla 2014 for a couple of weeks ago for my blog and that's almost the same thing. Toyota hosted a regional preview of the latest editions of the Corolla family here in Seattle, and I spent the better part of two days mingling with auto bloggers and media contacts, many of whom I would never have otherwise.

The Toyota team treated us to quite the Seattle experience, with an evening at the Chihuly Glass Museum and dinner at the Experience Music Project. At the EMP, Toyota pulled out all the stops for a full visual presentation of the new Corolla, highlighting all of the updates, revisions and additions to the S, L, LE and LE-Eco models. I learned more about the many pieces that make up the Corolla than I've probably ever learned about any car in my entire life.

Though it was borderline like a foreign language, it was clear Toyota pushed itself to improve and elevate the Corolla in every way possible. It could easily have just coasted by on Corolla's reputation as one of the most reliable, solid cars out there, but there was a lot of work to keep it at the head of the pack with its latest model. Improved fuel economy with its CVTi-S and Valvematic systems; the expanded and readjusted leg room and airbag configuration; the updated Entune app suite and connectivity with your iPod, Bluetooth, USB or auxiliary tunes are just a few of the updated features that stuck out to me.

What also stuck out to me was Toyota's shift in target demographic for the Corolla. While you and I have probably always thought of the Corolla as the decent car a family member or three owned, there's a clear effort to appeal now to the Gen Y / millenial market. I definitely heard the words "young entrepreneur" mentioned more than once. With all of your (stock) choices under $20k, this is definitely a reasonably affordable bang for your buck.

The first night was capped with a sweet dinner and viewing of the EMP's latest exhibits, "Women Who Rock" and "Hendrix in London." If you haven't been by recently, I highly suggest you do! I went home with a sweet swag bag that was all the way Seattle.

The next morning, I met the group at the Alexis Hotel for our test drives. Toyota had a fleet of the Corolla 2014 models.

Sue Frause, a fellow writer and cool lady who resides in Whidbey Island, was my traveling buddy for this driving excursion. I'm not gonna lie, I was super intimidated by the auto media who do this kinda thing all the time, so I was really happy to have Sue as my driving partner. She and I were super laidback about the whole experience. We started with the standard L model Corolla. I wove through the Seattle waterfront up through Magnolia and Discovery Park before Sue took the reins the rest of the way to Snoqualmie Falls

On the way back to the Alexis, I had the fortune to drive the Corolla LE-Eco, which was especially appealing to me (I drive a Civic Hybrid.) Both cars were such a smooth drive, but with the Eco I drove so much faster than I thought I would. It's got a lot of power for a hybrid vehicle, but with the quiet purr I'm used to from a hybrid. The technology in the dashboard might be a little overwhelming for someone who's not normally used to a lot of that, but I didn't find it too distracting, and the steering panel itself was mostly old-school anyway. 

My travel buddy! Photo via Sue Frause

All in all, I had a lot of fun after the initial anxiety of driving a car that isn't mine. The whole experience was a blast and I'm definitely looking forward to doing it again. Thanks Toyota and team!

If you're in the market for a new car, the new Corolla's base MSRP (stock models) range from $16,800 for the Corolla L to $19,000 for the Corolla S. There's a Toyota Corolla iPad app if you want to explore the new Corolla more, or you can visit the website for more information.

What I Learned on My Sugar Detox

Last month, I did a two-week detox to remove sugar and candida from my body. After a hectic summer full of "busy" and on-the-go eating (read: bad choices) and some laziness in my diet discipline, I felt like I could use a good reset. You might remember I did a detox earlier this year for the Resolution Challenge. I thought I'd be a pro after that and that this time would be a breeze. Turns out I couldn't have been further from the truth!

Quite possibly the hardest thing I've ever done.

This detox was so much stricter than the first; because we were weaning off of sugar, I couldn't even have apples or berries, which are among the fruits with the lowest amounts of fructose! I had a lot of tomatoes, avocados, bell peppers, and greens of every kind.

The first few days were really difficult. They say the body craves what it's just had, so coming off of a summer of indulgences meant my body was only thinking of all the things I couldn't have. After the initial hump, I thought I'd be fine. Meal-wise, I was. It wasn't that I didn't like what I was eating. In fact, I discovered Alvarez Organic Farms' booth at the Ballard Farmers Market because of it. Thanks to the Alvarez family I will never look at cherry tomatoes the same again. Seriously, their tomatoes taste like candy. They were my 'candy' / treat during my detox!

Tomatoes like CANDY

Tomatoes like CANDY

The true battle for the rest of the detox was the one I fought with myself, in my mind at every moment. It was so revealing to realize how much food played (plays) a part in so much of my typical days, and in my interactions with people. Family parties. Coffee coworking dates. Client meetings. Catching up with friends. I've never had major allergies or diet restrictions that kept me from ordering whatever my heart or eyes desired. Until the detox, I'd never had to think so carefully about what I consumed. What a wake-up call for me. Thoughts about food utterly consumed me during the rest of the detox, even if I didn't want it! I knew I didn't need most of it, but the act - the experience around consuming food - was what was getting to me.

I reached the end of those two weeks like crawling on all fours to the finish line - I felt like I didn't even know my real life anymore, but I was there and I did it. I lost about 6 pounds but looked like I'd lost even more than that. Weight loss wasn't what it was about for me, so even though I felt better and lighter, I knew I needed to put a little bit of that back on to feel 100% again. I like my curves! More than that, I learned loads about myself, about discipline and commitment. What are some of my favorite lessons learned, you ask? Well...

Skinny mini

Skinny mini

Make sure you have supervision!

I know detoxes (especially this one) might sound like your idea of personal hell. I don't blame you, it kinda is! As nutty as it might sound, I absolutely recommend doing a detox once or twice a year to help get you back on that healthy eating track. I know there's a whole industry around juice, powder and pill cleanses out there, but I steer clear of any of that. All of it seems like a 'quick fix' before you're right back to eating like caca again. This has always been a conscious lifestyle choice for me, and because of that, superfood cleanses and detoxes are the only ones I'll take part in. I wouldn't recommend doing something like this alone, off of a program you found off the internet. We're talking specifically about nutrients that go into your body. I felt feverish the first time around, and was noticeably weaker during both detoxes. You gotta pay attention to your body, and have someone you trust you can talk to and know that what you're experiencing is normal.

Don't listen to the haters.

This is pretty much advice for life, but it especially rings true during a detox. Even the most understanding, supportive and sympathetic of friends will try to get you to "not be so hard on yourself" or tell you that you "deserve" that happy hour cocktail. Nah girl. I deserve the healthiest body and mind I can possibly make for myself. It's going to be so hard, but no matter what, you can't listen to anyone or anything that tries to deter you from your detox. Your mind is already full of excuses trying to tempt you to quit - you don't need their excuses weighing in on you too.

You have to want it more than anything else.

Commitment is the true name of the game with detoxing. Temptation will be awaiting you around every single corner, and you'll have to flex your mind muscles harder than ever to remind yourself that you don't need that. That you came this far and have just a little longer to go. That one donut isn't worth ruining days worth of hard work. Just because it's there, doesn't mean you have to consume it. You are stronger than that. You can do it!

Aces Interview: Simon Doonan Talks The Asylum & Bon Qui Qui

Last week, the inimitable Simon Doonan stopped by Barneys New York Seattle to talk shop and sign his new book, The AsylumA Collage of Couture Reminiscences...and Hysteria.

What a treat and a rarity to have Simon in our midst twice in one summer! I had the opportunity to talk with Simon at his book signing, and kept it short and sweet so as not take up too much time from other stylish fans in the building. We spent a few minutes on our shared love for Anjelah Johnson and Bon Qui Qui before diving head first into business.

Simon Doonan-The Asylum-Barneys New York

Simon Doonan-The Asylum-Barneys New York

I was so hyped he remembered who I was from the media breakfast earlier this summer, and he was just as charming, personal and hilarious as ever.

Simon is by far one of my favorite celebrities I've interviewed so far! Enjoy:

You guest-starred in Alexander Wang's spring '13 video trailer with Anjelah Johnson, who reprised her famous 'Bon Qui Qui' character role for the video. What was it like working with Bon Qui Qui?

Alexander and I have been pals since he started. When he was concepting the video, he sent me a link to her (Anjelah)'s work. I loved it. She's a real talent. Brilliant. Clever. Very impressive. She's very serious, but you have to be to be that creative. I'm unoffenable. When we met, she was already calling me "Osh Kosh b'Gosh, lookin' like a wallflower with that shirt." By the end of the day, she was imitating my accent really well!

(Simon also kept saying "SECURRRITY" in Bon Qui Qui voice. I couldn't stop giggling :))

I saw the press release but want to hear from your own words. What is The Asylum about?

It's my love letter to the fashion world!

I've had a very stimulating career in the industry, and a lot of memorable stories to tell. People love stories. It's very funny :)

Simon Doonan-The Asylum-Barneys New York

Simon Doonan-The Asylum-Barneys New York

You already know, Simon!

What are some of your favorite stories in the book?

  • The time I auditioned for Devil Wears Prada

  • The time the ceiling fell in at the Michael Kors show and Anna Wintour remained totally calm about it, and

  • The time Tom Ford gave me a wedgie.

Haha! Well there you have it, folks.

Check out Simon Doonan's The Asylum for your next fall read.

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

Fit & Fresh: Taking It Indoors w/ adidas

Last Friday, we ended our summer season of 6:00a.m. workouts in the Sculpture Park. While getting up and getting to class has been supremely difficult lately, I'm definitely going to miss the early-morning butt-kickings in the beautiful (almost) waterfront setting. What's a girl to do now that the temps are dropping and her outdoor workout sessions are over? These days I'm all about looking for ways to refresh my indoor workout routines.

I froze my gym membership because of my group workouts, and going back there is the least interesting option to me. I can do most of what I'd do there, in my complex's gym or at home. How else can I work out? In a year full of new (read: healthy, fit) lifestyle changes, it only seems fit to explore other ways I can work up a sweat. Here are a few of my favorite indoor workouts I've been doing more of this year:

If you're following me on Twitter or Instagram, you know I've become a big fan of Zumba this year. This is entirely due to the fact that my best friend is a certified instructor and also my favorite dancing buddy. I never thought I'd be into Zumba, but when I'm dancing and doing high knees to Major Lazer, time flies and I'm having the time of my life! I try to go as often as possible, and now that it's colder outside, I'll be Zumba-ing my days/nights away a lot more often.

Hot yoga is the best compliment to all of my other workouts. Nothing like a good set of stretches in some serious heat to center you, challenge you and relax you - AT THE SAME TIME. I wish I could do it more, but, well, there's other fun workouts to do too. 

I traveled a lot this summer and thus needed to get my workout in by any means necessary. I wanted to run this trail that ran across the river adjacent to my hotel, but I couldn't figure out how to get on it from the hotel! Haha. So I took to the treadmill, weights and mat for some good circuit training before work.

I have Flywheel, CrossFit, kickboxing, aerial something (trapeze, yoga, etc.) and so much more on my list to try. Follow me and adidas in our quest to refresh indoor workouts though the #NeverHibernate  hashtag on Instagram!

Are there any indoor workouts you're looking forward to trying soon?

Special thanks to adidas for hooking me up with all of this fly gear to keep me fit & fresh! I've been wearing my adipure 360 trainer shoes all summer. They work so great on pretty much any surface, whether that's hitting the pavement for a run, hiking to Mason Lake or getting a good round of Zumba in.

adidas Women designs innovative performance products to help women commit to their best self and conquer their fitness goals. We inspire women to look and feel their best - be pretty, be tough & be confident.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by adidas via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of adidas.