Category Archives: Shopping

Favorite Fiction & Non-Fiction of 2020 + a new way of reading I’ve discovered I enjoy

Posted in Free Events, Giveaways & Special Offers, Miscellaneous Awesome, Shopping, Staying in by

Here are some of my favorite reads of 2020!
Reading is one of my favorite hobbies. This year I was lucky enough to have the time to read 35 books/audiobooks. Note: I use the term “reading” and “books” in this post to also include “listening” and “audiobooks.” This year, I used Scribd,* the Libby App & Seattle Public Library, bought a few, and got gifted some as presents and via my local Buy Nothing group.

Details on all the books can be found on my Goodreads page.

My 2020 Top 5 Favorite Fiction Books:

(Honorable Mentions go to The Hate U Give, The Nickel Boys, and Kindred.)

My 2020 Top 5 Favorite Non-Fiction Books:

(Breath, Burnout and Upward Spiral are all books I draw from in my upcoming “Worry Less & Manage Stress” Program. Honorable mentions go to The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel K. van der Kolk and Between the World and Me By Ta-Nehisi Coates)

Find these books and everything I have read on my goodreads page at goodreads.com/keridwyn.

Continue reading →

Call for submission: experiences and products in Seattle

Posted in Arts Events, Charities & Benefits, Food & Drink, Free Events, Health & Wellness, Inside Pockets, Kid Friendly, Miscellaneous Awesome, Networking Events, Organizing & Decluttering, Pick Pockets, Shopping, Staying in, Travel by

Thanks for being a Seattle Pockets reader! I’m so glad you enjoy following along with my blog.

I’m going to start a weekly round up series, listing a mix of events, experiences (both in Seattle area and things to do at home like books and podcasts), and products.

If YOU have something you want me to consider sharing in a future round up, let me know!

Maybe you’re associated with the org or shop providing the experience or product, or maybe you’re just a big fan and want to spread the word!

Drop me a line via my contact form, message me on Facebook, or post in the comments below.

max-anderson-VIF1-szxZlQ-unsplashPhoto by Max Anderson (thanks for sharing, Max!) 

Giveaway: Light up your nights with this perfect gift from Lumio Designs

Posted in Giveaways & Special Offers, Kid Friendly, Miscellaneous Awesome, Shopping by

By Keridwyn Deller

It’s the perfect time for a giveaway from local Seattle business, Lumio Designs! It’s been such a joy to see this local business grow, helping to bring joy to so many. Lumio Designs owner Liz Larsen has a sparkling personality, so it seems so natural that she would create a line of reusable wearables and accessories that light up the night and encourage others to shine. While Lumio Designs are fun to wear year-round, they are extra delightful this time of year when it gets dark so early.

Read on to learn more about the company (including how they work with Refugee Artisan Initiative, helping to empower women refugees in Washington State). You’ll have the chance to enter to win one of Lumio Design’s fun light-up accessories.

Screenshot 2019-12-16 at 12.31.18 PM.png

My favorite accessories from Lumio designs include:

Their light-up scarf/boa. I treated myself to one of these beauties earlier this year and it kept me warm at night at my favorite festivals. I was delighted to find out that the scarf is washable and you can put different types of lights in the scarf for different looks. One of the things I love most about Lumio Designs is that they are reuseable lighted gifts (just change out the batteries when you need to). It’s been a lot of fun to wear this warm and cute scarf around Seattle. You can imagine that people smile and make eye contact a lot more when you’re glowing! I love seeing smiles on other people’s faces as they walk by when I’m wearing this scarf.

The Lumio Designs accessory that is the most recent addition to my collection is the darling feather collar. This collar comes in white or pink. I’m going to be sporting mine this weekend at a holiday party and look forward to wearing it out dancing in the coming months as well. I think it may be a great addition to my traditional New Year’s eve outfit too.

Check out the light-up hats, scarves, gloves, cat ears, and much more on Lumio Designs website or Amazon Prime page. Use code LumioHolidays for free shipping on their website right now.  You can also visit the Lumio Designs booth at Enchant Christmas in T-Mobile Park now through December 29th, 2019.

These unique holiday gifts will be sure to delight many folks on your wish list (I fully support getting yourself something too). Not only are you supporting a local business (one that reduces waste with rechargeable battery packs), you’re also supporting the work of Refugee Artisan Initiative, a Washington State organization that creates jobs that pay a living wage.  The feather collars are specifically created by women through RAI! And I’m giving one away now!

To enter to win a Lumio Designs Feather Collar:

  • Post a comment on this blog post
  • To enter via Facebook, check out the giveaway post on my Seattle Pockets Facebook page at fb.com/seattlepockets.
  • To enter via Instagram, check out the giveaway post at instagram.com/keridwyn.

You can enter via Facebook or Instagram or both. If you don’t have social media, that’s ok – your comment will enter you into the giveaway.

In the meantime, the holidays are coming so be sure to buy those Lumio Designs gifts now for everyone on your list.

Lumio at Cascadia-9

 

Screenshot 2019-12-16 at 12.35.55 PM.png

 

Photos via Lumio Designs.

Don’t miss these makers at Seattle’s Urban Craft Uprising indie craft event this weekend

Posted in Kid Friendly, Miscellaneous Awesome, Shopping by

By Keridwyn Deller

The largest indie craft event in Seattle returns this weekend, December 6 – 8, 2019! Urban Craft Uprising “was founded in 2005 to showcase the work of independent crafters, artists and designers — to provide a unique, high quality, hand-crafted alternative to “big box” stores and mass-produced goods.”
Going to #urbancraftuprising at Seattle Center is one of my favorite holiday traditions. I always find great gifts for people on my list (and take home something extra special to keep for myself). Bring a friend or two and enjoy marveling at all the spectacular items as you pick up gifts for everyone on your list.

Admission is free ($1 suggested donation) on Saturday and Sunday (if you want to attend the preview night on Friday, it’s $10.). This truly is one of the most wonderful shopping experiences you’ll have in Seattle.

Here’s a few makers I think you will want to check out:

 

The earring maker I am most excited to check out is Light Razor Design. Gorgeous earrings and wearables handcrafted from hand-dyed leather, finished hardwoods, and engraved acrylics caught my eye online and I am looking forward to seeing them in person. Ryan (who is based in West Seattle) also crafts wall hangings and planters that would also make great gifts for those on your list who don’t wear jewelry. Check out their Instagram and Etsy shop. Ryan writes: “Every piece is custom conceptualized, designed, cut, engraved, hand-dyed, finished, & assembled by me alone. I utilize computer software and a laser as tools to create each piece, which are then crafted, finished, assembled, and handled one at a time. There is intention, focus, time and special care invested into every item I create.” Light Razor Design wearables are crafted from hand-dyed leather, a variety of acrylics, and hardwoods that Ryan sands and finishes by hands. A few photos:

Screenshot 2019-12-05 at 8.51.34 PM.png

il_794xN.1843771631_2qkk

il_794xN.1890496807_2oqn

Another crafter I’m excited to see in person is an artist whose work graces one of the walls in my guest room/office at home! Collectanea, by Sarah Frost, features a collection of fiber, wood, and paper goods with a fantastic mid-century vibe. I mean, truly, how cute is this mountain wall hanging?

Screenshot 2019-12-05 at 9.02.25 PM.png

I have a triangle-shaped wall hanging (also white) that adds a perfect amount of texture to its area of the room. Check out her instagram to check out more of her work.

Another booth I’m looking to check out is Saku Tea (from Bellingham, WA – my college town)! These “superfood latte blends” can be mixed with your favorite milk and served iced or hot and the flavors really intrigue me. From Ruby Cocoa (cocoa, beetroot, cinnamon, and more) to Golden Chai (with tumeric and cardamom and more) to Vanilla Maple Jade (with matcha, vanilla, and more), all these blends really intrigue me. I really enjoy finding non-alcoholic options to mark the end of a long day and I’m excited to add some of their blends to my pantry. You can find them on Instagram here.

Screenshot 2019-12-05 at 9.09.37 PM

Screenshot 2019-12-05 at 9.19.32 PM

RSVP to the FB event page here.

Have you been to UCU in previous years? Are you going this year? What makers are YOU excited to see in person?

Check out the full vendor list here.

 

Don’t miss these delightful makers at Urban Craft Uprising this weekend June 22 – 23

Posted in Arts Events, Free Events, Kid Friendly, Shopping by

By Keridwyn Deller

The Urban Craft Uprising summer sale is this weekend June 22 and 23 from 11am – 5pm at Seattle Center. Admission is free (suggested donation $1) and this is one of the most wonderful shopping experiences you’ll have in Seattle.

Check out their vendor map as well as their full vendor list where you can sort by category.

Here’s a few makers I think you will want to check out:

The Little Grimlings: A collection of curious monsters, mushrooms, and other creepy whatnots. These creatures are SO delightful! I love her affordable art stickers (art stickers are fun to include in birthday and thank you notes!)

Not sure which is cuter:

this pride monster

Screenshot 2019-06-20 at 8.15.39 PM

or this “Hmph Doodle” monster

Screenshot 2019-06-20 at 8.17.24 PM.png

She’s even got a monster sticker made especially for wookie fans. 😉

Be sure to welcome the grimlings’ creator, Elizabeth, to town! She recently moved to Washington after driving across the country from North Carolina “with her entire zoo of creatures in the back seat.”  I really love what she shares on her instagram at @for_the_birds – some fun behind the scenes of the making of the grimlings! The Little Grimlings also offers charming figures, such as this “Fur Nubloom.” See them in person at booth 132.

Screenshot 2019-06-20 at 8.08.55 PM.png

 

Another vendor you’ll want to visit is Collectanea. Sarah has been doing macrame a little over a year and her work stopped me in my tracks during the last Urban Craft Uprising event I attended. I got a chance to hear a bit more about her work and plans for the future. She shared, “I love to mix the architectural/geometric wood shapes with the soft cotton cord. I started out doing boho style macrame but realized that’s not what I would hang in my house so I redesigned with a mid-century inspired aesthetic instead! Soon, I hope to incorporate some cards and posters, macrame jewelry, and wood burned pieces as well!” Not only does Collectanea have one of my favorite logos ever, the work is beautiful and is the type of art that I can picture in so many of my friends’ homes. I love how many shapes offers, from triangular wall hangings

Screenshot 2019-06-20 at 8.26.20 PM

a great gift for the mountain-lover in your life

Screenshot 2019-06-20 at 8.27.15 PM.png

to plant holders

Screenshot 2019-06-20 at 8.28.32 PM

and much more. You can follow @Collectanea on Instagram. Be sure to stop by 29 to see the work in person!

In UCU’s own words: “You’ll find cosmetics, watches, candles, books, games and puzzles, clothing, beautiful artwork, cross-stitch kits, ceramics, jewelry, garden decor, skin care and more – we have it all!  There’s a little something for everyone, whether you’re shopping for gifts, some stylish new additions to your home, or treating yourself to some handmade goodness, this show is so well rounded and will be exciting for the WHOLE family! ”

Other makers you may want to visit during the craft show include foransuon, ryan berkley illustration, oddfauna, itscathywu, mcreativej, and jonboy caramels.

Invite your friends to the Urban Craft Uprising Facebook event page here.

 

Pocket Potpourri: Jen Kirkman, Light installations, #SAMRemix & Guacamole

Posted in Arts Events, Food & Drink, Free Events, Kid Friendly, Miscellaneous Awesome, Shopping by
Here’s an early-August edition of “Pocket Potpourri” My way of sharing a bunch of fun tidbits with you in one fun blog post.
Here are some pockets of fun you might like:
The Guac Stop August 9 – 13
What’s better than guacamole? FREE Guacamole! The folks at Wholly Guacamole are going to be at Seattle Center this Wednesday – Sunday with a pop-up “Guac Stop.”
There will be a free guac bar where you can customize your guac with mix in flavors plus some fun activities such as live music, macramé classes, hula hooping, avocado facials, and more.  The Guac Stop opens at 11am daily and ends at 7pm Wednesday & Thursday, 8pmFriday and Saturday, and 6pm on Sunday at The Next 50 Plaza in Seattle Center (between the Armory and Memorial Stadium). eatwholly.com/guac-stop
Screen Shot 2017-08-08 at 11.21.23 AM
#SAMRemix  – August 11
This late-night event happens only a few times a year—and only once a year at Olympic Sculpture Park! Advance tickets are sold out but a limited number will be available at the door. I’m excited to dance and take part in art activities led by local artists Tariqa Waters, Eve Sanford, Sensebellum, Neon Salt Water, and Lion’s Main Art Collective. visitsam.org/remix
 
Lusio: A Night to Awaken  – August 12
Walk through Volunteer Park after dark to witness fun light and sound installations during this free, family friendly event. Be sure to bring a flashlight or headlamp as the ground is uneven and wasn’t well lit last year. The art is delightful, plus you’ll be able to shop for fun LED costume pieces from locally owned Bright Costumes! facebook.com/events/291152831301300
lusio.jpg
Comedian Jen Kirkman – September 8 
I was first introduced to Jen Kirkman through her stand up on Netflix. I was reading her book I Can Barely Take Care of Myself last week when I heard she’s back on tour this year, with all new material. Her show “All New Material, Girl” about “her year of seeing fraudulent spiritual healers, holidays without family, being accused of not being “woke” by young people, and tales of when she was a young obnoxious third party voter, and pretentious hater of pop culture” comes to the Neptune Theatre September 8. jenkirkman.com/tour-dates
Screen Shot 2017-08-08 at 10.39.08 AM
Planning on attending one or more of these events? Let me know in the comments or message me on Facebook!

My journey in decluttering & organizing for a happier and less consumerist life

Posted in Organizing & Decluttering, Shopping, Staying in by

Slowly over the last two years I’ve been decluttering and trying to organize the stuff in my life. I’m now diving in and making it a top priority for many reasons but here are the top two:

  1. I believe I will be happier, more content, and more at peace when I have less “stuff.” I want to choose to have only things that bring me joy and what I truly need. Creating space and order will give me peace of mind that will help me be happier in other areas of life.
  2. I want to be less of a consumer. I want to stop buying for the rush that buying something new can give us. I want to quiet the part of the mind that has been affected by marketing telling me I’ll be happier if I have this THING. I want to have more financial freedom to DO more because I buy less (and make choices that are better for the environment and my personal “environment.”)

There are a host of other reasons why I want to get rid of more and have a home for everything I own. But those are the big two. To be content, happy, and at peace and to buy less.

I’m going to document this journey on Medium as I’ll likely be posting more often than my Seattle Pockets audience would enjoy. At medium.com/@keridwyn, I’ll share my thoughts, achievements, setbacks, and tips I learn along the way. Some of it might be quite specific but hopefully I’ll be providing value to some of you who are looking to do the same thing in your lives.

Read my first posts:

My Day One of Apartment Therapy’s “The Cure” free daily task challenge that you should participate in with me.

10 Organizational & Decluttering Tips we should all learn from.

Do you have tips, links, websites, podcasts, blogs, or books on this subject I should know about (or do you blog about your journey as well)? Share these with me in the comments below!

little-miss-sunshine-psd12640

Giveaway: Seattle Chocolates + how you can help feed the hungry

Posted in Charities & Benefits, Food & Drink, Giveaways & Special Offers, Kid Friendly, Shopping by
Join Seattle Chocolate Company in the fight against hunger! Did you know purchasing Seattle Chocolates will help generate donations to local food banks? It’s true!  Purchase a Seattle Chocolate holiday bar or jcoco chocolate bar now through December 31 and Seattle Chocolates will donate a serving of fresh food to a food bank!
You can also share a photo of their chocolate on Instagram or Twitter with hashtag #chocolategives and Seattle Chocolate will donate a serving of food.  With our help, Seattle Chocolate Company hopes to donate 500,000 servings of food this holiday season.
You can find Seattle Chocolates at local retailers including QFC and (one of my favorite places for stocking stuffers) Bartell Drugs or online.
Be sure to check out their holiday flavors this year. They feature beautiful wrappers and delicious flavors, including my favorites: Holiday Cheer Egg Nog and Candy Cane Crunch.
Their jcoco flavors are fun for people who like adventurous, off the beaten path chocolate flavors, including black fig pistachio, edamame sea salt, cayenne veracruz orange, agave quinoa sesame, and more. Perfect stocking stuffers or a gift on its own.
Giveaway!
Want to win a box of Seattle Chocolate Company holiday bars and jcoco chocolates?

Enter via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or all three here.

screen-shot-2016-12-16-at-2-10-34-pmscreen-shot-2016-12-16-at-2-09-55-pmscreen-shot-2016-12-16-at-2-09-34-pm

Images via @seattlechoc on Instagram

Five Pockets (Fall trends, Block Party, Summer tunes, Happy Hour & a great book)

Posted in Food & Drink, Free Events, Giveaways & Special Offers, Shopping by
Here are five “pockets” that I thought you all might enjoy:
South Lake Union Block Party
slubp
Save the date for the South Lake Union Block party on Friday, August 12! Enjoy live music, “best burger in SLU” competition, Brave Horse Tavern beer garden and more. Facebook event page here.

Fashion trend: Geometric Jewelry! 

etsy

Jewelry by bonnyrabbitboutique on etsy

We still have plenty of summer to enjoy, but fall fashion trends are coming out. I’m excited to see more geometric jewelry around—a look I can’t get enough of. Fashion trend forecasts expect to see more 80s comebacks, silvers and golds, and nautical overcoats (that reminds me, I need to find a good fall coat).

Chef Andy Ricker’s Pok Pok Vietnamese Wing Happy Hour
Pok Pok Image
Legendary Portland chef (and two-time James Beard award winner) Andy Ricker (who I first was introduced to at Matt’s in the Market “Planes, Trains & Traveling Chefs” dinner) will be at Whole Foods in South Lake Union on August 5 from 5–7 pm. Enjoy Pok Pok’s sticky-sweet jumbo wings at $6 per order of three wings (first 250 orders will receive a free Pok Pok Som Soda.)
 
Summer beach playlist
This summer is all about beach days for me (mostly Madison Park Beach and Alki). Check out some great beach tunes here and add your own!
Recent Read
harriet
I thoroughly enjoyed “Harriet Wolf’s Seventh Book of Wonders,” a novel told from the perspective of different women in three generations of one family. What great books have you read lately? Check out my latest reads on Goodreads.

Five pockets (Giveaway, figs, duets, organization & guns)

Posted in Food & Drink, Free Events, Giveaways & Special Offers, Inside Pockets, Shopping, Staying in by

Here are five “pockets”  that I thought y’all might appreciate this week!

Swink Style Bar & Susan Grace Skincare free event + giveaway

giv

My client Swink Style Bar is co-hosting a free event with Susan Grace Skincare on June 2 + they’ve launched a giveaway for a free blowout and a trio of skincare products to celebrate. You can enter to win via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or all three.

—

Blue Ribbon

My Mom, Dad, and fiancé had an incredible tasting with caterer Blue Ribbon Culinary Center this week. We’re going to try some more potential caterers for our wedding in Seattle, but this place really impressed us and is definitely on our list. The port-infused goat cheese and fig bruschetta was one of our favorites.

Screen Shot 2016-05-26 at 7.14.14 PMScreen Shot 2016-05-26 at 7.13.58 PM

“Tonight You Belong to Me”

I rediscovered this gem on youtube this week of a dad and daughter singing a duet.  Still one of the cutest things on the internet:

OneTab

OneTab

This is one of my favorite google chrome extensions. One of my bad online habits is having too many tabs open at once. With a click of a button, OneTab collects all your tabs onto one page for you to easily delete what you no longer need to view and keep the rest on the list to reference later.Total game changer!

Everytown for Gun Safety

The “Inside Amy Schumer” show introduced me to an organization called “Everytown” an organization focused on bringing together Americans to end gun violence and build safer communities. Every day, 91 Americans are killed by gun violence. Let’s work together to educate the masses and make a change.

(For a bigger version of this infographic, click here).

gun violence