queen anne | What Jenn Wore

Support Your Community, Shop Local

November 26, 2016

“Small Business Saturday” has officially become a thing (I even recently saw a celebrity packed PSA). I love the creed of supporting small business owners and, even more, I enjoy participating by shopping local businesses that create my community. As such, I’m sharing my favorite Seattle shopping haunts, and many are found in my neighborhood! So if you find yourself with some free time this rainy Seattle afternoon, come up to Queen Anne. Enjoy a cup of coffee at El Diablo Coffee (their cafe con leche is a special treat!) and wander down Queen Anne Avenue to find many special items for your gift list.

Queen Anne Frame

Last year, Kirsty and I shared a gift guide inspired by shopping around Queen Anne. Little did we know at the time that, within just a few short months, her family would become the proud owners of one of the stores we featured! Queen Anne Frame offers excellent, quality framing services and the gift shop houses all sorts of unique treasures; including pieces from other Seattle companies such as geometric scones and decor by Handmade Sam Made and delicate handmade jewelry by Fresh Tangerine. Stop in today to sip bubbles and enjoy fresh macrons made by Trophy Cupcakes while you shop. Also, another local treasure, Morning Song Farm, will be having a pop-up shop from 11-2 selling beautiful wreaths to adorn your doors this holiday season!

Queen Anne Dispatch

My favorite local boutique to discover stylish and unique finds for your wardrobe, home, and gift list. Owned by sisters who grew up in the Queen Anne neighborhood, the ‘Dispatch’ has become a place for friends to gather as well as shop due to the fun parties they host throughout the year. I’m shopping here for special holiday attire, cozy knits, jewelry, and candles and fragrance for hostess and teachers gifts…and socks! Shop today and buy 2 SmartWool socks for the price of one. Their “hidden socks” are seriously a game-changer; they don’t slip and keep my feet warm while hidden under my sneakers and boots (you can see more here).

Kari Gran

One of my favorite green beauty products happens to be lovingly hand poured right here in Seattle! Shop this weekend and receive 15% off Kari Gran’s entire product line of organic skin care (including an amazing sunscreen) and mineral makeup. My most favorite Kari Gran product is their lip whip; a moisturizing, all-natural lip balm that comes in a variety of beautifully saturated colors (the new ‘Suji Red’ is already in my shopping cart!). You can also stop in and try their products for yourself at their newly renovated retail space located across from Lake Union at 1735 Westlake Avenue, open Saturday from 12-4pm.

Buki

A ‘Wardrobe Revolution’ is being created right here in the Emerald City. Buki is a sportswear line designed for the stylish man and woman on the go. Buki’s breathable, fiber technology offers thermoregulation to keep you comfortable from the boardroom to boarding a plane (did I mention this knitwear does not wrinkle and is machine washable?!). You can see more of my reviews of Buki in my previous posts (here and here) and visit their Pop-Up shop located in downtown Seattle, just north of Nordstrom on 6th Avenue.

One Seattle small business is particularly close to my heart. If you happen to be in need of motorcycle repair, come visit my family’s business Moto Shed, where you can “wrench on your bike” or have one of our professionals do it. Motoshed is located in lower Queen Anne off of Nickerson; offering motorcycle service and storage. Coming soon, you can even grab a cup of coffee at the cafe!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend. As always, thanks for reading! ~Jenn

Extending Summer

August 25, 2016

I’m going to be honest here, and I realize this may be very unpopular, but…I hate fall. No really, I do. Yes, fall fashion is awesome and I’m always excited to switch things up in the wardrobe department. But even then, I would waaaaay prefer jeans and a tee over a nubby sweater. Because, in Seattle, you really need the nubby sweater, and usually under a coat!

In my mind, fall is a very slippery slope into winter. And winter in Seattle seems long. It’s dark (did you know it get’s dark around 4:00 during the winter months…yes, we’re that far north). It’s wet. Do I need to go on?? I don’t even like pumpkin-flavored things. Enough said.
Therefore, in the spirit of wishing for an eternal summer, I’m sharing how I plan on wearing a favorite summer staple into early fall. That staple: this flowing, silky tunic. I love the lace detailing and the fluttering, ruffled edge. It has been perfect paired with jeans and sandals (which is actually how I was wearing it on this 80+ degree day). But I’m already in a seasonal funk, so why store away your favorite pieces just when you’ve finally gotten a chance to wear them? Reimagine this top with the same jeans (easy), then paired with booties and a oversized cardigan during early fall. Add some swinging accessories and it’s almost like your still dancing in that summer sunshine!

{outfit details}
tunic: Anthropologie
cardigan: Rag & Bone
jeans: Madewell (similar)
booties: Rag & Bone
earrings: Anthropologie
tote: Queen Anne Frame

Here’s to eternal summer weather. Even though it’s not realistic, I’m ignoring the already changing color of the leaves and the darker mornings…at least for now. When my kids return to school in a week, there will be no more denying fall. But in the meantime, I’ll do my best!

Thanks for reading. ~Jenn

PS. Are you following along on my Instagram (@whatjennwore)? If not, you’re missing out on all kinds of fun. Like the shenanigans below…

What I’m Lovin: Shop Queen Anne

December 2, 2015

In support of buying locally and in an effort to prepare for holiday shopping, Kirsty and I spent a leisurely morning visiting stores in our neighborhood of Queen Anne, Seattle. If you’re in Seattle, come up “the hill” this Friday night and enjoy the annual tree lighting tradition, complete with Santa at HomeStreet Bank. Not in the Pacific Northwest? Many of these businesses ship!

After starting the morning with a café con leche at El Diablo Coffee Co., be sure to check out Queen Anne Book Company for a great selection for everyone on your list. In particular, a vast assortment of cookbooks and an awesome children’s book section are worth making the trip for.

Queen Anne Olive Oil Company is owned by Seattle brothers Gary and Larry. Everyone working in the family-owned store is very knowledgable on their huge, seasonal selection of olive oils and vinegars. Create your own oil and vinegar pairings perfect for holiday hostess gifts, or simply come in and sample their blackberry ginger vinegar.

Avenue Arts is not your basic frame store. If you haven’t ventured in, your missing out on a fantastic selection of unique gifts and special finds. In particular, we love their fun jewelry and were enamored with the holiday socks.

Popular among Queen Anne’s youngest residents, Once Upon A Time is a specialty toy store offering handmade and finely crafted toys, children’s apparel, games, and crafts. You can find felting kits, fancy princess dresses, and fairy tale floor puzzles for every child on Santa’s “nice” list.

Need a break from shopping? Stop in for a mid-morning Kouign Amann pastry (pronounced Queen Iman) at Le Rêve. Their macarons are also worth your time, and the lunch menu is fantastic…I recommend the Croque Monsieur with side salad.

In need of holiday decorations, or at least some holiday inspiration? Look no further than Three Birds, my favorite stop on “the ave” for special home decor and unique gifts. Etched glasses perfect for entertaining, glittering tin ornaments to add sparkle to your tree, and delicious holiday treats that make excellent stocking stuffers can all be found in this charming boutique.

Blue Highway Games offers games and puzzles galor sufficient to motivate your family off the couch and away from their screens. They also host special events in their gaming space – something can be found for kids of all ages here!

Nancy’s Sewing Basket is not to be overlooked as you venture down Queen Anne Avenue. Their ribbon room is chock full of special finds sure to make your gifts stand out under the tree!

My favorite neighborhood boutique, Queen Anne Dispatch offers far more than women’s apparel (of which you have seen both Kirsty and I post about frequently). Cards, candles, a great kids’ art and book section, and unique home accessories are also worth checking out here. Also, consider your NYE party attire when browsing their fantastic dresses and sparkling accessories.

Exhausted from a day of shopping? Congratulate yourself on a job well-done and treat yourself to an Eggnog Snickerdoodle cupcake at Cupcake Royale. More of a DYI cupcake aficionado? Cupcake Royal offers both a mix and their frosting for you to bake-up at home!
More information on the Queen Anne Tree Lighting plus local retailers offering special promotions can be found on the Queen Anne View.

What are your favorite local shops? Seattle hotspots? As always, thanks for reading! ~Jenn (and Kirsty too!)