I Want That: Donna Ashley

I found this great new designer. Her name is Donna Ashley. She makes clothing and jewelry. Her designs are edgy and fun. Affordable too! How much do you love this take on the feather fad? And I thought I was getting sick of feathers...



And then she goes conservative with these refined bracelets.



Back to funky with this talon ring. Love!



And some lucite and chain action.



Which would pair great with this yellow, one-shouldered dress... So very Bon Lemon!



And I love this stretch satin one too. We are are considering Donna Ashley for Bon Lemon. What do you think of her pieces?

Something Tasty: Q Tonic

Although, summer is about to bid us farewell, I am not going to stop drinking gin and tonics, the quintessential sumemrtime drink, anytime soon. Not since I (and by I, I usually mean my ever-more-informed mother) discovered Q Tonic.



Q Tonic is, in their own words:

"dedicated to making the world’s best tonic water - a clean, crisp, completely ungeneric beverage that enhances the finest spirits or stands proudly on its own. We’ve used the best ingredients we could find. We went to the slopes of the Peruvian Andes for hand-picked quinine and to the Mexican countryside for organic agave, a sweetener better than honey with a gently rounded sweetness. We meticulously refined our recipe with both food scientists and mixologists. Then we worked with one of New York City’s best design shops to develop a bottle as beautiful as the liquid it holds. We think we’ve come up with a superior tonic water. One that’s good enough for the gin, vodka, or rum you’d choose to mix it with. And good enough to change the way you think about tonic water."

Q Tonic is, in my words:

"YUMMY!" "And I love the bottle." (I am a marketing execs dream.)



It has a sophisticated flavor, less sugar and calories, and is great to bring to a cocktail party. It is seriously good. The ginger is delicious too!

Available in Olympia at Drees, in Missoula at The Good Food Store, in Bozeman at The Co-op, in Billings at City Vineyard, online at Amazon.com, and at a variety of other places. Check their website. If you are a daily drinker (not that I would know anything about that), it isn't very budget friendly, but it is a great way to celebrate. (Skinny Girl aint got nothin' on this stuff.)

I Want That: Bri Seeley Designs

So... I am in bed last week, thumbing through Seattle magazine. They were announcing the Seamless in Seattle winners (a contest featuring budding Northwest fashion designers.) My Tuesday night entertainment is looking up!



After turning to the page, first, I see one of my high school classmates has topped the list. (Way to go Malia and Lady Konnyaku.) And then I see Bri Seeley of Bri Seeley Designs, the winner of Best Coat, is from Olympia. How exciting! I must get more info.



I promptly got on Bri's website to check out her designs. (No, I do not sleep with my laptop. That would be weird.) Bri's website has a spattering of great stuff. I was instantly impressed by her cocktail dresses, everyday ready-to-wear pieces, and the quality of her photography. (Tres chic!) Bri was in the process of getting her online store up and running (It is working now! Click here to shop.) I wanted more info, so I contacted Bri to see where her fashions are available.



Bri was so super nice! On top of admiring her fashion sense, I totally want her to be my new friend. We have plans to meet for coffee and talk about a custom dress for the upcoming Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington Auction (have you purchased your tickets yet?). I am so tickled to get to meet her.



I think it is only a matter of time before we will see Bri Seeley Designs on the front page of fashion magazines. Get her designs while you can...



I especially like the award winning coat. Both colors? With statement earrings and a chunky Bon Lemon bracelet? Mmm. Hmmm.



I Want That: Bri Seeley Designs. (All of them.)



P.S. This is her. Doesn't she look fun? Love those feathers!