NWsource | Holiday 2007

Origami Bjiou jewelry turns over a new leaf

Natalie Bow — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:32:17 -0800

Origami artist Cindy Ng, who built her business, Finger Magic, on whimsical, three-dimensional forms made out of paper, has now upgraded from paper to fine metals with her new line, Origami Bijou. With deft and delicate fingers, Ng transforms thin sheets of silver into everything from frogs and bunnies to fortune cookies and castles.

Sleep merrily in Essenza's pretty new PJs

Kathy Schultz — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Sleeping beauties will love Essenza's new collection of pretty PJs. The eponymous line from the Fremont boutique was designed by owner Becky Buford and her sister, Wendy Fink. After selling luxury nightwear for years, the sisters knew what women wanted. "We've had so much feedback on sleepwear from our customers, and incorporated that into our designs," says Buford. "We paid particular attention to comfort, fit, length and the weight of fabric."

Behind every dog is a gift-loving human

Lisa Wogan — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Before you buy another squeaking busy bee or hand-knit puppy vest, consider, for a moment, the other end of the leash. There stands a perfectly generous human who regularly showers her pup with the best treats and toys money can buy. While she would not begrudge her furry sidekick a thing, the sight of his holiday payload -- plush bed, bakery-fresh cookies, couture luggage -- is apt to make her feel a little left out.

Pick up a food book to learn a lot and dream a little

Nancy Leson — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

An astonishing number of new food-related books kindled my interest this year. I read — and reveled in — a stack that melded entertainment with enlightenment, offering an extra-big helping of history, geography and cookery. Among the highlights were the following giftables that delved into everything from food politics to food snobbery, kabocha squash to kumamotos.

Pulp Lab experiments with holiday shopping

Marika McElroy Cain — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Ballard's latest and greatest concept in shopping is Pulp Lab, a small, gallerylike space that hosts limited-run shopping events. At any given time, Pulp Lab may showcase sale items from local boutiques, artwork, clothing and jewelry from independent designers, or any other cool consumable that strikes the proprietors' fancy.

The top 10 records of 2007

Geoff Carter — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Let's begin with the disclaimers.

First and foremost: Your favorite album of 2007 is probably not on this list. These "top albums" lists are silly and subjective, and they exist only so music snobs can skim them with pursed lips, shake their heads and mutter derisively, "This guy's an (expletive) idiot." Let's just do that now, to get it out of the way.

Tiny bubbles are a big hit during the holidays

Natalie Bow — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

The most celebratory of all beverages, champagne and sparkling wine shine during the holidays, whether they hail from France, Napa Valley or just across the bridge in Woodinville. We've compiled (and taste-tested) some of the best bubbly available locally, to serve at your next party, give to your favorite hostess or order at your preferred watering hole.

Best bubbles to pour at a party

Shop early, shop late at local malls

Natalie Broulette — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:20:09 -0800

If, like most of us, you didn't get an early start on your holiday shopping, and you now find yourself swamped with office parties, family dinners and making a snowflake costume for the school winter spectacular, fear not.

From now until January, just about every mall and outlet center in Seattle and beyond opens early and closes late. Check the list below for information on extended holiday hours.

DOWNTOWN

Pacific Place Mall (Downtown)

Getaways Gift Guide: Local notions for wish lists

Greg Johnston — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

We've always thought locally, ever since we were tiny and Seattle was just a hick port town with no tall buildings and no recognition beyond the little company that made flying craft. Now it's known for coffee, software, raging real estate, dead rockers -- and the great outdoors.

Give it to 'em: knockout gift ideas for the outdoors-minded

Dan A. Nelson — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

If you have an outdoors enthusiast on your gift list, you need help. This is an unusual breed with strange ideas of what makes a good gift.

After months of poring over catalogs, testing out demo units and prodding countless products on store racks and shelves from Seattle to Salt Lake City, we've zeroed in on these suggestions for peak-experience gift-giving:

Tarma Designs jewelry, $19-$30