Last month, James Gardner, Senior Editor for Seattle Metropolitan Magazine interviewed Founder Darnell Sue about Girl Power Hour. Check out the article in the March issue, which hit stands last week, or, check it out on the Seattle Met homepage!
“…Nearly a hundred women queued up along the sidewalk on Western Ave, a high-heeled throng anxious to enter the furniture boutique–turned–party pad. Only the first 50 inside would get a swag bag brimming with cosmetological pirate’s booty: makeup, lotion, teeth whiteners, and secret items from the Babeland sex shop…”
Check it out here.
The Power Team wishes to sincerely thank everyone helped make last week’s “Love, You: Boost Your Wardrobe, Boost Your Biz” fashion show event such a success! We were delighted by the turnout and so impressed with everyone who participated in the fashion show. In case you missed it, here are the seven shopping and style tips we shared at the event!
Shopping tips for looking your best
By Darcy Camden, GPH Style Director
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Darcy is a professional personal wardrobe stylist and owner of Styled.Seattle. For more information or to schedule your own makeover, visit styledseattle.com
Last week, we selected the 10 lucky winners of our makeovers for this Thursday’s “Love, You” event at downtown Seattle’s Banana Republic. First and foremost, thank you to ALL who applied. We had more than 150 applicants; the response was both exciting and overwhelming. We took the time to read all your applications…it was a difficult decision, and we wish we could give away makeovers to each one of you!
A big shout out of Congratulations goes out to the following women:
Amber Wilson
Karen Schaeffer
Tysen Gannon
Lucy Bang
Patricia Bates
Chelsey Olsen
Cheryl Crow
Kara Lawson
Anushka Rehn
Tonni Best
We hope everyone comes out on February 18th to see the dramatic transformations on the runway!
The response to our “Love, You” makeover event has been overwhelming! We selected the lucky winners last night, and want to give a big thank you to all who took the time and effort to apply. In preparation for our event next week, (which we’re super excited for), GPH would like to introduce the amazing ladies who have volunteered to work personally with our makeover winners. On February 18th, this team of style experts will work their magic on 10 deserving local business women, all of whom will show off their new and improved style in the “Boost Your Wardrobe, Boost Your Biz” fashion show. Don’t miss it!
Darcy Camden, GPH Style Director
Owner of Styled.Seattle: Your Personal Wardrobe Stylist
Darcy has worked as a wardrobe stylist, fashion editor and image consultant in the Seattle area for over 6 years. She created Styled.Seattle (styledseattle.com) in 2006 with the goal to help every man and woman harness the power of personal style. For three years, Darcy was the featured fashion correspondent on KOMO-TV’s Northwest Afternoon talk show and was dubbed “Seattle’s Stacy London” for her work as the clothing stylist on the show’s recurring Ambush Makeover series. Her style advice has been featured on The Style Network, The Luxury Explorer TV network, Q-13, King 5 and various local and national magazines; Darcy is currently working on a new reality makeover reality show called “180: Life and Style Makeovers” set to air nationally in 2010. Darcy will be joined by her Style Assistant Dana Schroader.
Janet Tinsay
Executive Director, Seattle Fashion Week
Janet is an experienced entrepreneur who started her career planning and producing special events and fashion shows for various organizations. She founded her own company 5 years ago specializing in event planning, promotional staffing and marketing with various Marketing Companies in the US. Her love for music and passion in fashion has been a strong influence in her creative vision for Seattle Fashion Week (www.seattlefashionweek.net). She believes that fashion and music will always have an influence and impact in people’s lives and she is passionate about helping others achieve their dreams. Janet will be joined by Seattle Fashion Week’s Grace Kelly.
Rachel Kim
Fashionista, style expert and author of Vuesociety.com
The voice behind VueSociety (www.vuesociety.com) a fashion blog for the Eastside is Rachel Kim. Rachel was born and raised in New York then Sammamish, WA (AKA: the ‘plateau’) worked in fashion in NY post college and
is now back to call Bellevue her home where she wants to take part in this fashion culture that’s moving as fast as the growth of the city. Rachel believes in dressing to express one’s self. She says, “if you look good, you feel good and you perform better.”
Tiffany
Fashion photographer, style maven and author of I am Style-ish blog
Tiffany can’t remember a time in her life when she wasn’t smitten with fashion. Human Resources consultant by day, Tiffany found the perfect outlet to share her love for fashion on her personal style blog, I am Style-ish (www.iamstyle-ish.com). I am Style-ish is a source of daily inspiration for readers worldwide who have become addicted to Tiffany’s lookbooks and fresh, approachable style tips. Photography is also a huge passion for Tiffany, who alongside her husband, is a talented wedding and portrait photographer. Check out their work at style.ish photography www.style-ish.com.
Mayna Sgaramella
Wardrobe consultant and owner of Closetfly
Mayna Sgaramella is a Wardrobe Consultant and Personal Stylist with Closet Fly (www.closetfly.com). She specializes in educating men and women on dressing for their body type, choosing the right colors for their skin tone, and teaching them how to maintain a wardrobe that works for their lifestyle. Her mission is to help you look your best while doing more with less. Mayna is also a volunteer for Dress For Success Seattle, dressing disadvantaged women in donated professional attire.
Sydney Chavez
Fashion Industry expert and author of SydneyLovesFashion.com
Sydney is a Seattle fashion insider who has her finger on the pulse of all things fashion. She works full-time in the industry going Global Sourcing & Production for the Menswear Private Label lines at Zumiez Inc., and serves on as the PR Liaison for Seattle’s Fashion Group International. Sydney also has several fashion blogs including SydneyLovesfashion.com and Seattleboutiqueblogspot.com.
Don’t miss the “Love, You: Boost Your Wardrobe, Boost Your Biz” fashion show, featuring dramatic makeover reveals, as well as easy and affordable style tips from the experts on our Style Team.
When: February 18, doors open at 6pm (fashion show starts at 7pm)
Where: Banana Republic, 5th & Pike, downtown Seattle
Tickets: $20 advance/$25 door
Q & A with Urban Yoga Spa owner, Kathy Ferguson
Kathy Ferguson is the owner of Urban Yoga Spa, Seattle’s only hot-yoga studio and full-service spa. The Urban Yoga Spa is the ultimate urban destination for the ongoing maintenance, improvement and connection of your mind, body and self through the practice of Hot Yoga and Spa Services, in the convenience of one location.
Q. Kathy, how long has Urban Yoga Spa been open?
A. Just 1 year as of February 4th.
Q. Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary! Tell us what you did before you opened Urban Yoga Spa?
A. I was with Nordstrom just shy of 30 years. I served in Leadership Roles most of this time. I started on the selling floor and from there went into buying, managed the Southcenter and Bellevue Nordstrom Stores, Corporate Merchandise Manager, General Manager of the Washington/Alaska region, Director of Strategic Planning and then VP/General Brand Manager for Women’s Apparel in the Nordstrom Product Group Division.
Q. What was your inspiration behind starting UYS?
A. I started practicing Hot Yoga (both Hot Hatha and Power Vinyasa) 10 years ago. I experienced the benefits of my Yoga practice in many ways: both physically and mentally. The amount of stress released from my practice was amazing! I began to be much calmer in every part of my life. I worked through issues in a more balanced way, and I didn’t get stressed out easily. I became way more patient with others, more open. Physically, my posture improved and I became more focused, and my life became more balanced. I also became stronger, physically and mentally. I decided this is the way I want to live my life, so my Yoga Practice became a part of my lifestyle…….part of my day. My husband joined me in my practice 10 years ago as well. He realizes the same benefits from his practice. We love practicing together! When we moved to downtown Seattle, there was no Hot Yoga studio in the city. We really wanted to create a space in the heart of the city, so other Urbanites could enjoy this practice, and realize its benefits, as well. It had to be in a convenient and easily accessible location for many. When our space @ 4th and Stewart was up for lease, we decided to make this dream of ours a reality.
Q. UYS is a very unique space. What sets your business apart from others in your industry?
A. Urban Yoga Spa is the only Hot Yoga Studio that also has a full-service spa. This is for convenience: one space to take care of your mind, body and self. Everyone is so busy…..we want to make it convenient for others to do Yoga, then get a mani/pedi, massage, etc in the same space……anything to eliminate a commuting step! As well, we offer accommodations for our guests such as lockers & showers. What I believe is a key difference is our incredible team of people: Our Yoga Instructors, Front Desk and Spa Teams are fantastic, and committed to giving our guests a fantastic and rewarding experience when they visit the Urban Yoga Spa. I would also add that we have created a very minimal and neutral environment in our space, where our guests can begin with a blank canvas and create what they choose. A regular Yoga Practice enables you to get back to your creative self……..and get on with your dreams.
Q. What advice would you give to women wanting to start their own business?
A. “The best way to predict your future…..is to create it”. Follow your dreams and find a way!
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Thank you so much to Kathy Ferguson for taking the time to sit down with us. We’re looking forward to hearing and seeing more of UYS. You can also catch UYS at the upcoming GPH event at Banana Republic on February 18th.
Catch up with Urban Yoga Spa online!
Web: www.urbanyogaspa.com
Twitter: @UrbanYogaSpa
Facebook: Urban Yoga Spa
KOOZA by Cirque du Soleil will be hosted under the Big Top at King County’s Marymoor Park starting June 3.
Love is all around this Valentine’s Day with Cirque du Soleil. Special offers from Cirque du Soleil to show your love!
Friendship. Romance. Passion. Sensuality… Celebrate the many colors of your love this Valentine’s Day. And share tickets to a Cirque du Soleil show – for less! Our seasonal offers mean you enjoy up to two-for-one savings. Plus – With so many gifts to say ‘I love you,’ visit our online boutique for added inspiration.
Treat your loved one to something special this Valentine’s Day. Buy one ticket for a select performance and get the second one free! Act fast, as the offer expires February 14!
Discover special offers at:
www.cirquedusoleil.com/valentine29
*Win one of 3 pairs of tickets to Kooza at an upcoming Girl Power Hour!
Girl Power Hour Contest Rules
Rules and Regulations
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF WESTERN WASHINGTON, AGE 21 AND OVER.
ENTRY:
To enter our contest, log onto www.girlpowerhour.com for details. Send photo and entry to info@girlpowerhour.com by or before February 11th. All entries must be received during that period to be eligible to win a prize. Only one complete entry per person per household sharing the same email address is eligible. Girl Power Hour and girlpowerhour.com are not responsible for failure to receive entries due to transmission failures and/or other conditions beyond its reasonable control.
ELIGIBILITY:
You must be twenty-one or over to enter and win, and a legal resident currently living in western Washington. Employees and their immediate families of Girl Power Hour, its parent, affiliated companies, advertising and promotion agencies, the sponsors and prize donors (collectively, “Sponsors and Administrators”) are not eligible. Only one prize per household, email or street address will be awarded. You may win only one contest every 60 days at Girl Power Hour events and on girlpowerhour.com. By entering, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules, and agree to release the Sponsors and Administrators from any and all liability for injuries, losses or damages of any kind resulting from participation in this drawing.
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
Void where prohibited. Illegible, unintelligible or incomplete entries or responses will be disqualified. Girl Power Hour and girlpowerhour.com, Sponsors and Administrators are not responsible for any lost, misdirected, stolen or undelivered entries. Girl Power Hour and girlpowerhour.com, Sponsors and Administrators are not responsible for technical, network, electronic, computer, hardware or software failures of any kind, including any injury or damage to entrant’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in or downloading any materials in the on-line giveaway. Girl Power Hour and girlpowerhour.com, Sponsors and Administrators are not responsible for incomplete, garbled or delayed internet/email computer entries. In the event that technical or other circumstances compromise this drawing, Girl Power Hour and girlpowerhour.com reserve the right to cancel the contest, and select winners for prizes from all eligible entries received prior to the cancellation. Girl Power Hour and girlpowerhour.com, Sponsors and Administrators are not responsible for typographical errors in the contest site or these rules. Girl Power Hour and girlpowerhour.com reserve the right to share entry information with Sponsors and Administrators.
WINNER SELECTION:
The prizewinners will be selected by the Power Team based on all eligible entries. All drawings will be conducted and judged by Girl Power Hour whose decisions and interpretations of these Official Rules shall apply and be final. Winners will be notified by email and/or telephone. If winners do not respond within two (2) business days of contact, Girl Power Hour reserves the right to randomly select an alternate winner from the names of all entries that did not win a prize. In order to receive a prize, winners may be required to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity Release, and any additional information, waivers and releases that may be required. Winners will have five (5) days to execute and return the Affidavit of Eligibility and/or Liability/Publicity Release, releasing Girl Power Hour and girlpowerhour.com, Sponsors and Administrators from any claims, losses, injuries or damages of any kind resulting from participation in the Sweepstakes or the use or receipt of any prizes. Failure to comply with the foregoing, or the return of any prize as undeliverable, may cause the winner to forfeit their prize and Girl Power Hour and girlpowerhour.com reserve the right to select an alternate winner.
Except where prohibited by law or regulation, winner’s acceptance of prize will constitute permission for Girl Power Hour and girlpowerhour.com, its affiliated companies, sponsors or prize donors to use winner’s name, likeness, and statements for any purpose in reference to the Girl Power Hour and girlpowerhour.com on-line giveaways without additional compensation, consideration or consent. Winners must be present at the event and agree to a makeover.
PRIZES:
Number of winners selected depends on number of prizes received for each giveaway. The number of eligible entries received during the entry period determines the odds of winning a prize. Girl Power Hour and girlpowerhour.com reserves the right to change or replace the prize at any time with a prize of equal or greater value. The prize is not transferable, assignable nor redeemable for cash. All Federal, State and Local laws and regulations apply. Winners will be responsible for all Federal, State or other applicable taxes in connection with the receipt of prizes.
OFFICIAL RULES AND WINNERS LIST:
For a copy of these Official Rules, please send a self- addressed, stamped envelope to Girl Power Hour contests, (2550 3rd Ave #425, Seattle, WA 98121)(WA residents only may omit return postage). For a list of prize-winners, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Girl Power Hour (2550 3rd Ave #425, Seattle, WA, 98121) All requests for a list of prize winners must be received no later than 45 days after the above mentioned end date of the contest.
Minh- Hai Tran is a Guest Blogger for Girl Power Hour.
I eat chocolate almost daily. Milk chocolate. Not that bitter 85% cacao nastiness. Sure, dark chocolate is higher in antioxidants and blah blah, but I eat chocolate because I love its TASTE. The difference between me and some other chocoholics, is that I don’t feel guilty eating chocolate, or any food for that matter. Ironically, excessive food guilt and rigid food rules can lead to overeating (“Well, I really blew it with this meal so what the heck…I’ll start clean tomorrow”). Maximizing pleasure in foods is an often overlooked component to promoting health (only problematic if food is the ONLY source of pleasure in your life). Balancing BOTH nutrition and taste preferences allows food to really do its job, which is to nourish and satisfy you. It often takes less food to satisfy when you take both factors into equal consideration.
I don’t have the magic meal plan. And I don’t believe anyone does. It doesn’t exist. “Meal plan” is a euphemism for “diet” and there’s mounting evidence that diets not only don’t work, they can make you fat. According to a recent study from psychologist Traci Mann at UCLA, dieting is a consistent predictor of weight GAIN. After reviewing 31 long-term studies of nearly every kind of diet, Mann’s team found that up to two-thirds of dieters gained more weight than they lost within five years. Any diet can lead to short-term weight loss but that often comes at a heavy price (pun intended).
Of course I believe in the power of nutrition for optimizing health. Healthy eating is not simply the lack of a diet. In my nutrition practice, my clients learn how to integrate sound nutrition information and science with their own unique internal cues – such as mood, hunger and fullness – in order to find a way of eating that works best for them. Read more
Events are held on the third Thursdays of the month in Seattle and on the first Thursday of the month on the Eastside, unless otherwise noted. Event themes and details are subject to change but please save the date for several exciting events in 2010!
February 18, 2010 – Boost Your Wardrobe, Boost Your Biz at Banana Republic
Banana Republic will be shutting down the entire store for this special event hosted by Q13′s morning news anchor, Lily Jang. Nominate yourself between January 25th and February 11th to win a makeover worth over $1000 courtesy of Gene Juarez, Urban Yoga Spa, Decleor, Divine Airbrush Tan and more. 10 deserving business women will reveal their new look at the event as part of our style trend fashion show. Enjoy appetizers from Il Fornaio, cupcakes, O Wines and Pearl Cocktails. Swag bags for the first 50 through the door and Door Prizes from Cirque de Soleil. Sponsored by Market Optical.
March 11, 2010 – A Perfect Pair at Willows Lodge
Celebrate Women in Wine Month with wine pairings from O Wines and special appetizers from Willows Lodge. Door Prizes will include things that come in “pairs” including a pair of diamond earrings from Diamond Wave and a pair of jeans from DNA 2050. Bring a pair of new or gently worn shoes to support our 3rd Annual Soles 4 Souls shoe drive.
April 15, 2010 – Event TBD
May 20, 2010 – emPOWER Your Inner Rockstar at The Hard Rock Cafe
Walk the red carpet into Seattle’s newest hotspot. More details to come!
June 17, 2010 – Girl Power Hour at PNK Ultra Lounge in Pacific Place
Seattle goes posh with an ultra lounge like no other and Girl Power Hour takes you there. Prepare to sip designer cocktails and nosh on savory bites at the most stylish locale around. Word on the street has it that this place spares no expense when catering to the “female demographic.” Sounds like our kind of place!
July 21, 2010 – Savor Summer in Seattle!
Every Summer we like to slow down a little bit, head outside and enjoy the weather. Last year we hosted an event on the back deck of Salty’s on Alki. Expect more of the same this year at a “hot spot” yet to be announced.
September 23, 2010 – Glambition 3 Year Anniversary Party. Prepare for Social Glam!
The Girl Power Hour Anniversary party is not to be missed. It’s the one time we allow men to attend our events and every year it gets bigger and more Glam than the year before. Last year we removed all the furniture out of FOX Sports Grill, brought in intelligent lighting, lounge furniture, a 25 foot pink carpet and an entire lounge filled with over $140,000 worth of jewelry, accessories and hand bags from Avelle – The New Bag, Borrow or Steal. Stay tuned for more info on what’s sure to be one of the most stylish events of the year.
October 21, 2010 – Pink Power Hour Masquerade for Breast Cancer Awareness
This will be our 3rd Annual Breast Cancer Awareness event. As women, we feel that it’s important to highlight the fight against something that could affect any one of us. We’ve worked with The American Cancer Society and Get Hitched Give Hope over the past two years to support this cause.
October 28, 2010 – Eastside Event, TBD
December 2, 2010 – Eastside Event, TBD
December 9, 2010 – Christmas Cocktail Party and Gift Drive for Jubilee Women’s Center
In 2009 we held our first ever Christmas Party and Gift Drive for Jubilee Women’s Center. It was such a success all-around that we’ve decided to do it again this year. Save the date!
