|
Check out yourpartybus.com
I've used them for large special events before and been very pleased with their service. Their pricing is reasonable, considering they're shuttling around 20 to 40 of...
Check out yourpartybus.com
I've used them for large special events before and been very pleased with their service. Their pricing is reasonable, considering they're shuttling around 20 to 40 of your friends at a time. I saw their 40-passenger bus recently, complete with disco lights and music and dancing passenger---looked like a lot of fun. (Though they also have more low-key rentals.)
Hope this helps!
Hide
|
|
When I visited the Seattle Sculpture Park in Downtown Seattle, I noticed the wonderful public building/museum space on the grounds and immediately thought, "That's where I want to get...
When I visited the Seattle Sculpture Park in Downtown Seattle, I noticed the wonderful public building/museum space on the grounds and immediately thought, "That's where I want to get married!"
Sure, I lack both an engagement ring or a finance, but after 27 years, I've finally got an inkling of what kind of wedding I want (most girls figure this out by age 12).
The building is big enough to fit 50-ish people, and has an open floor plan with glass walls that look out on to the Seattle skyline and waterfront. With a peaked roof and vaulted ceilings, the place has an airy, modern, almost cathedral-like feel. Plus, it looks like one could set up a lovely wedding there and quickly convert it to a reception hall as well.
The building can be reserved through the Seattle Parks Department. You'd have to check with them on rental fees, however, SPD rental fees are usually very reasonable.
Bonus points for the space: Plenty of near-by street parking, hotels, restaurants, and activities for your guests. Load-unload area is available. You'd have spectacular (and unique) wedding photos. If your guest's kids get noisy, they can always go play in the park while still in view of their parents at the reception.
Hide
|
|
After being overcharged at another vet, I found Cat Clinic of Seattle. Their prices were lower, they were willing to work with me on things--doing a few tests, not a whole battery of 'em, and were...
After being overcharged at another vet, I found Cat Clinic of Seattle. Their prices were lower, they were willing to work with me on things--doing a few tests, not a whole battery of 'em, and were really good with my cranky old cat.
They showed concern, even when my cat came in for a "psyc" visit (she screams like a rooster at sun up and sun down--no joke). While Cat Clinic isn't dirt cheap, generally, if you say up front "Look, here's my limitations..." they work with you.
Dr. Johnson is esp. good with freaked out cats, calling them "Baby...ohhh....little friend...every things going to be OK...." and just cooos at them. I appreciate that they send my prescriptions to be compounded (my cat HATES pills), and took the time to do a quick re-teach on giving fluids (I was freaked out--poking my cat with needles was NOT OK with me).
Be sure to bring your cat in a carrying case of some sort, as they're required in the waiting room.
Hide
|
|
Oak Harbor isn't exactly known for high quality, fashionable clothing (being a Navy town where Wal-Mart's a favorite), but the Casual House is a really pleasant surprise. I've been coming back for...
Oak Harbor isn't exactly known for high quality, fashionable clothing (being a Navy town where Wal-Mart's a favorite), but the Casual House is a really pleasant surprise. I've been coming back for years, when I'm in the area to see family.
It's a family-owned clothing store that's been in business for over 40 years, I guess they've recently remodeled it, and brought in lots of new lines. Prices are in line with what you'd find at the Gap or at Nordstroms, with inexpensive (and cute) gifts, and mid-priced shoes. (Pair of nice heels--between $60 and $90.) Prices were pretty reasonable for high-quality stuff. Sure, it's higher that Wal-Mart, but you can wash stuff from here and it won't fall apart like Wal-Mart stuff does. The Casual House clothing I have has lasted me for years.
They have lines that range from Eliene Fisher to Worn Jeans, Kenzie (great for teens and young women). I like the Soft shoes and BCBG Girls shoes they have.
The staff is really nice, and they're really helpful in finding stuff. While I was there, I saw them help a middle-aged, worried husband find the sweater his wife really liked, for her birthday. He was out of the store in a couple minutes, looking much-relieved.
The store is located in downtown Oak Harbor, next to a few other cute home furnishing stores and a cafe. When I'm back in Oak Harbor, I'll come back.
Hide
|
|
I wanted to surprise my boyfriend with a bouquet of flowers at work, and placed an order with City Floral just before flying out of town for a week. When he sent me a text message with an image of...
I wanted to surprise my boyfriend with a bouquet of flowers at work, and placed an order with City Floral just before flying out of town for a week. When he sent me a text message with an image of the flowers, I was shocked---the bouquet was nothing but four gerber daisies and four sad tulips---and a LOT of greenery. I had asked for a $45 dollar arraignment, they said there was free delivery. When I mentioned that I wanted a full arrangement, the staffer said a $45 one had "more flowers". How could a bouquet have any less than what he got?
The flowers were small and faded, in a tacky vase. From their website's photos, it seemed that I could get a nice vase with a full display (12+ of blooms for $45). Not so. When I called about this problem, and stated how embarrassing it was to have just spent $50 on a less-than-OK bouquet, the staffer offered to resend flowers. No, the moment had passed, I wanted a partial refund. She said she'd get back to me, but never did.
I called a week later, asking to talk to the manager, and she said that she was unaware of the problem. I asked for a partial refund, and she responded that she'd refund $5. When I stated that on their website it guarantees a full refund if contacted within 10 days of the sale. She said that they only do that if the flowers are still in a resaleable condition. (Flowers, resaleable after 10 days??) She refused to refund me the whole amount. I restated City Floral's guarantee, and she said, "What do I have to refund you to make sure you don't call back?" I said out of exasperation, half of the purchase price.
So, I'm supposed to get $20 back. -She was so rude, so unresponsive, and she didn't honor their store guarantee. I will never order them again--their merchandise is not delivered in the condition as promised, they are unresponsive and rude when addressing customer complaints, and do not honor their guarantees to customers.
Hide
|
|
If you're willing to splurge, and want a REALLY good cake, I highly suggest Whole Foods' bakery on Roosevelt. They've done a great job for me on custom cakes before. They're esp. good if you love...
If you're willing to splurge, and want a REALLY good cake, I highly suggest Whole Foods' bakery on Roosevelt. They've done a great job for me on custom cakes before. They're esp. good if you love high quality chocolate cakes or cakes for those with special dietary needs. The staff are always helpful, and if you give them a few days or a week's notice, they're able to whip up something extraordinary.
Hope this helps!
Hide
|
|
DiVino
Category:
Food & Dining
5310 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, Washington 98107
(206) 297-0143
My boyfriend and I used the 20% off coupon from Judy's Boook at DiVino the other night.
While DiVino was out of a couple things-- a type of wine and watercress-- the things we could order were...
My boyfriend and I used the 20% off coupon from Judy's Boook at DiVino the other night.
While DiVino was out of a couple things-- a type of wine and watercress-- the things we could order were very good. We enjoyed the wine we ordered, and the nicely shaped glasses they were served in. --The glasses easily allow the drinker to create a "vortex" in their wine by spinning it, without spilling the wine out.
To start, we ordered a cheese plate with three interesting and tasty cheeses on it, a bowl of bread, and olive oil with balsamic for dipping. I ordered the arugala salad, which came nicely dressed with shaved cheese. The figs that were supposed to be on the salad were missing---apparently, out of season, but no discount was given on the salad. My boyfriend ordered the watercress salad, and was given the arugala instead. He sent it back and got the bread salad instead---be warned, there's a lot of toasted bread in it, so if you're looking for something "fresh" this salad isn't it. Despite that, he enjoyed the salad.
We ordered a riesling and cannoli for dessert---both of which were very good. The cannoli was crisp with a smooth, barely sweet filling. Our total, after the 20% discount was $48. A little more than we were hoping to spend for such a light meal, but we *did* have a good time. Our waiter was friendly and attentive, and seemed to be compensating for the management and kitchen's lack of planning (missing food and drink items).
We'd go back again for a nice but casual night, but probably not for a night where we're trying to impress clients.
Hide
|
|
I'm in my first week with Clearwire service. I was a little disapointed at first because I realized that though I was just 1,000 feet from a tower, my windows face west and the tower was south of...
I'm in my first week with Clearwire service. I was a little disapointed at first because I realized that though I was just 1,000 feet from a tower, my windows face west and the tower was south of me. So, the Clearwire technical support staff had me face the receiver to the south and still, I only had 3 bars out of 5 on the router showing (so, a 3/5 of signal). They called out a Clearwire tech to come to my location, which was free. He tested the "line" and it turned out that I had about 3/4 of my connection in upload and download. If I open my window, I get 100% of my upload and download connection. So, while the connection seemed a little iffy, it is very functional.
Here are some relatively minor things to consider when shopping for Clearwire:
-They offer MUCH better deals on their website, esp. if you sign up for 2 years. I didn't do either, I took a one year deal on the phone. No discount for me beyond 3 months at $19.99 (as opposed to $40 per month).
-Clearwire may be affected by weather. When I first got it, I was getting a lousy connection. Just one bar out of five. --But it was snowing like crazy that afternoon and the technician later explained to me that there might have been snow on the tower disrupting my signal. However, 4 days later when it snowed again, I had no problem picking up a signal.
-If you have speakers in your home that seem sensitive to your cell phone being pinged (that static sound you get on the radio or speakers just before you get a cell phone call), you will probably hear (much more faintly) static with every download or upload your internet activity. Check email "chzzzz. chzzz. chzzz." Surf to Judy's Book, "chzzzz. chzzz. chzzz." Apparently, you can buy speakers that aren't sensitive to this. Mine are mid-priced ones from the Apple store and pick up a lot of pings.
-They require a credit check just to see if you're eligible for the service.
-You are under contract unless you move out of their service area, or there is a $150 contract break fee.
-You can use these nifty things called Clear Plugs with Clearwire. Your Clearwire router is only plugged into an electrical outlet and is able to transmit your internet connection THROUGH the electrical line in your office or home!! You just need another Clear Plug to pick up the "signal" on the other end---which is just as strong as what a user would have at the router. Plug a DSL cord into the router and you're in business.
All in all, I'm glad I made the switch. Though I'm still a little concerned if I'm getting the whole connection I'm supposed to be, I do have a lightening fast connection (faster than my DSL used to be).
And, if you decide to sign up for Clearwire, please mention my review by telling them customer 399987 referred you. Every referral that cites me, $15 goes back into Knowledge As Power, a non-profit I founded. (www.knowledgeaspower.org.) Thanks!
Hide
|
|
So, the Kasala Outlet moved to just behind the Sodo Starbucks and Krispy Kreme (really, drive between the two buildings, take a right down the alley, and on your left is a tan building with the...
So, the Kasala Outlet moved to just behind the Sodo Starbucks and Krispy Kreme (really, drive between the two buildings, take a right down the alley, and on your left is a tan building with the Kasala logo on it).
I was skeptical when I came in...maybe I wouldn't find anything for someone like me. And by me, I mean someone looking to furnish my apartment with functional modern pieces that clock in under $50 each. And maybe something to "splurge" on in the, uh, $200 range. By range I mean under $200.
Lucky me, I was in the right place. Which is not to say that the Outlet is populated by tons of fab-u pieces under $50. It just means, I was in the right place at the right time. I picked up a cool, very comfortable, and otherwise VERY expensive chair of great construction. Except that the swivel base was a little jiggly. I bought it for $50. If I told you the retail, you'd say, "NOOOOO! You got THAT chair for $50??!!?!!?! NOOOOO!"
Yes. I got it for $50.
Next: Two silver barstools that normally retail in the hundreds of dollars. Minor cracks. Fully functional. $49 each. Next, lighting. Gorgeous 3-lantern lighting $199. One modern red lighting piece: $35, a silver modern table lamp: $14.
Other items like really gorgeous couches were a steal at 1/2 price, sure, they're $1,299 but they're the best couch you're gonna find for $1,299. Other fun items include reasonably priced ottomans that double as side tables (the top flips open to reveal storage and a hard table-top) for $99.
Also, they deliver for $75, but you may have to schedule WAY out.
Worth noting, I went back a couple times over a week to buy/pick up stuff and their staff remembered my name, was very nice, and very helpful. Dorian, on staff, is great and a lot of fun.
When I want furniture again, they're the first place I'll go. My apartment looks incredible.
Hide
|
|
I was an early convert to Pro Sports Club's Seattle location. Peaceful, spacious, rarely crowded. Good locker rooms with key-less lockers (you set the lock code). I loved the massage therapists...
I was an early convert to Pro Sports Club's Seattle location. Peaceful, spacious, rarely crowded. Good locker rooms with key-less lockers (you set the lock code). I loved the massage therapists there, esp. Jen---who is INCREDIBLE. You want a knot in your back gone? Go to her. Tip her well. She's worth what you're paying for.
Despite these experiences, I grew tired of the unresponsiveness of Pro's management to member suggestions, or even requests to pause membership while working out of town for several months (this is something that many other high-end clubs in Seattle do for members--common in a town where there's a lot of fisherman away at sea).
The treatment and stories I heard from staff also made me concerned about how I was spending my money at Pro. Every few months, the young front desk staff would change---so I wouldn't be recognized by anyone by name for another 2 months, or would get asked "did you check in yet?" when I'd been there for an hour. Pro's money is in personal training, and they do have some good personal trainers, but the good ones are dreaming of a day when they can be out of Pro, away from the pressure of converting to a conservative evangelical church, and finally getting health insurance (trainers tend to vent when you're on the treadmill). The nutritionist I saw there, when given my diet journal and all the information she requested days in advance, didn't reflect on any of it in my appointment. $75 to be handed copies of recipes and told to keep my diet under 1,700 calories a day-- a waste of money.
Unlike other high-end clubs in Seattle, Pro Seattle didn't have social gatherings for their members, so if you're looking to meet new people or do networking (I'm not talking about meat markets, rather, building friendships) you won't have opportunities.
There are other great gyms to consider in Seattle--- Rain, Olympic, WAC, Seattle Athletic Club. Find the one that fits you best and reflects your values.
Hide
|