Pagliacci Seasons Greetings

These little poinsetta flowers at Pagliacci are self watering... How festive.

I'm off to Bend, Oregon for the long weekend. Have a great Christmas!

Holiday Shopping: Pepper Vodka

Store: Washington Liquor Store #42 (400 Broadway E)

Pick up some cheap vodka from the Broadway liquor store and infuse it with some hot peppers. (This is a good recipe.) Once it is done infusing, strain it and pour back into the same bottle or a fancy one you might pick up from one of the many import stores on the hill.

This takes a little prep work, but there is still time to make a few batches of these before Christmas. At the very least, it would be ready for New Years.

Alternative gifts from the liquor store:

• Baileys wtih a bag of Vivace coffee
• Peppermint schapps and hot chocolate mix
• Airplane bottles of vodka for the stockings!

Mmmm! Is it the weekend yet?

Holiday Shopping: Movie Lover

Store: Broadway Market Video (813 E Republican)

There's something nice about supporting your local video store. I like the idea of tucking one of these passes into a stocking or coupling it with a popcorn popper.

Holiday Shopping: Chocolate stocking stuffers

Store: Dilettante Chocolate (416 Broadway E)

Dilettante has a selection of Christmas themed chocolates that would be great for stocking stuffers.

What to buy:

• Assorted chocolates from the case.
• Truffles in a pre-wrapped box. (I think these were $11.50.)
• Bags of foil wrapped chocolates.
  
• Chocolate Santas from $5 to $55. Biting off the head of a chocolate Santa is bad enough when it's small. The large one was almost the size of a baby. Imaging breaking that open and eating it...

Holiday Shopping: Hostess gifts at QFC

Store: QFC

While buying cookie making supplies this weekend I noticed that QFC has some decent hostess type gifts for the holidays. These could also double as gifts for your families, friends, coworkers, or neighbors if you're in a pinch.

What to buy:

• StellaMare candles: Soy candles with nice scents around $10.
• Wine: They have a decent selection PLUS some nice accessories to make it look like you didn't just go and grab any old bottle of wine. Check out their velvet wine bags ($5) and wine tags ($2/4) in their gift wrap and/or Christmas section.
• Burts Bees: Yummy body butter, lotion and hand soap options.

Holiday Shopping: Last few days to send packages!

The UPS Store (410 Broadway E) has extended hours this week. They are open 8am to 7:30pm, adding an extra hour to their regular weekday and Saturday schedule. They are also open on Sunday.

Believe me the lines are much shorter with UPS... they also offer regular USPS options.

It's now or never to get those packages out the door!

Holiday Shopping: Loveless Building

I rarely venture to the far end of Broadway, but was tempted by the Joe Bar's crepes yesterday morning. The Loveless Building holds 5 somewhat higher end shops, and is completely decked out in holiday lights right now.

Kobo Shop & Gallery: The theme of this shop is generally Asian inspired, although there's somewhat of a mix. I enjoyed their tea cup selection, jewelry (pictured) and array of design books. I purchased some silver leaf ornaments to adorn some jar candles I'm giving to girlfriends. [website]
Massage Sanctuary: Gift certificates are available for all of their services seen here. A great stocking stuffer idea.

Magnotti Jewels: I had no idea we had a super fancy, custom jeweler on the hill. They have a picture of Jessica Simpson in their front window, holding a huge ring. [website]

Presence: Art of Living: Clothing and accessories for men and women. I really liked their selection of hats for men.

Adventure Travel: I could use a vacation right now! [website]

While you're thinking of the Loveless Building and the far end of Broadway, check out the Joe Bar's TV commercial.

Holiday Shopping: A book for everyone on your list

Store: Bailey & Coy (414 Broadway Ave E)

I love Bailey & Coy's selection. You could fine everyone on your list a book that they would enjoy. They also have a small, but very good selection of kids toys. Journals. As well as Christmas cards and wrapping.

What I bought: I can't say. But below are some good options.

Bailey & Coy carries the Rat City Roller Girls 2008 calendar called "The Year of the Wenches". Proceeds go toward the league. $20. (You can also buy it directly through RCRG here.)

A selection of recipes that my mother's mother probably made.

A book for your urbanite friends...

And something educational for the kids. This is the second book in the series. It goes through lots of different kinds of art. Very approachable for someone in 2nd grade and up, I'd say.

Holiday Shopping: Stocking Stuffers

Store: Bliss Soaps (619 Broadway E)

Bath bombs, soaps, lotions... great stocking stuffers. Their holiday offerings include:

• Wreath shaped bath bombs
• Bath bomb / body wash combo in the shape of snowmen
  
• Mistletoe, peppermint, hot buttered rum, cranberry scents
• Glittery bath bombs
  

What I purchased: I bought a hot buttered rum bomb for myself. It's not going to be around long enough to make it into my stocking though.

(Photo from Yelp.com.)

Holiday Shopping: DIY Jewelry

Store: World Beads (621 Broadway Ave E)

Make your own jewelry (or other fun beaded stuff) for your girlfriends, sisters, moms... I love that this little bead store actually survives on Broadway. They have all of your basic supplies and a nice selection of beads.

What I purchased: Seed beads to make some wine glass charms. I'm thinking boss and other ladies at work. (Note: The beads in the photo are not the ones I bought from World Beads. :))

I wish I were this talented: Lucille Ball Bracelet

Holiday Shopping: Arty Sister

Store: Aprie (310 Broadway E)

I like Aprie because it seems more affordable than your run of the mill Belltown boutiques. They have unique clothing and jewelry... great for the little sister who is in art school.

What I purchased: Nothing. Unfortunately I already purchased my little sis' Christmas gift. What I would have purchased though... A navy blue Free People henley, on sale for 25% off.

Holiday Shopping: Work Party Gift Exchange

I figured I'd post some Broadway holiday shopping ideas here over the next little while. I'm an over achiever (and an online shopping guru) and pretty much have my Christmas gift list completed. That doesn't mean I won't continue perusing the fun shops on Broadway though.

So, to start...

Store: Urban Outfitters

Lots of funky, random, fun items. Perfect for work party gift exchanges.

What I purchased: A make your own snow globe (with the intention of putting an incriminating photo of a coworker in it, but I ran out of time) and a gold mini piggy bank.