So, you’re getting married? Congrats! You need to spread the word and invite all of your friends with custom designed and printed invitations. Speaking of, wedding season is right around the corner. Surely, you’ve already received a slew of invitations. What to bring? The Divas recommend coordinating his and his accent pillows from our new favorite pop up design and print shop Cellar Door Mercantile!

A night on the town? Stand out with a unique and fetching Vixen or Narwhal tee-shirt. A touch of glitter makes the outfit.

Witty tees with beautiful prints are always well-loved.

How are you going to dress up the bare walls of your new Diva Dwelling? Don’t panic. A screen-printed poster will look fantastic.

Where are you going to turn for all these special and amazing items? Cellar Door Mercantile, of course!

Cellar Door Cards

Diva Dwellers and partners Justin Allan and Adam Spencer started Cellar Door Mercantile in 2011. With over twenty years design and art experience between them, they figured it was time to put their skills to work and go into business for themselves.

Justin and Adam decided to focus on their passions and skills; design and printing. Cellar Door Mercantile is a short-run screen-printing and design studio specializing in environmentally friendly printing techniques and materials.

Screen Printed Goods

Cellar Door Mercantile is a true partnership, driven by Adam’s ingenious and keen artistic eye and Justin’s quirky design sensibility. Justin can be found at the sewing machine while Adam is hard at work printing the latest design.

Thanks to a little ingenuity and creative organizing, the business HQ is located in their 650 square foot condo. An open and versatile layout allows them to print tee-shirts in the morning and host a smashing party in the evening. Guests are surprised to learn that the dinner table serves double duty as the main cutting table.

Cellar Door Mercantile Hand Pressed Cards

Look for Cellar Door Mercantile goods online at www.cellardoormercantile.com and at local flea and farmers markets. For the latest, follow the boys on twitter (@CellarDoorMerc) or www.facebook.com/cellardoormercantile.

Interested in small-scale custom design? The boys are happy to meet with you and discuss your project! Contact them at human@cellardoormercantile.com or 206-324-4790.

16th Annual BIG ArtWalk in Phinneywood

This Friday, May 13th the Greenwood and Phinney Ridge neighborhoods will be hosting their 16th Annual BIG ArtWalk. Over seventy local businesses will be participating in this neighborhood event, including Diva Deals partners, Hip Zephyr and Tasty. Join Team Diva Real Estate in supporting the Phinneywood community, and the over 150 participating ArtWalk artists. Hope to see you there!

Event Details

What: 16th Annual BIG ArtWalk Event
Where: Phinney + Greenwood Avenues (between 60th & 85th)
When: Friday, May 13th, 6-10pm

Diva wine deals from Vino Verite

This Diva is ready to be honest about her addiction. I am a hoarder.

Now, some girls hoard shoes, some purses, some vintage designer jewelry. I – Diva Kim – hoard wine. I can spend hours perusing the isles of my favorite wine stores in search of Walla Walla Reds, Russian River Zins, French Chablis - and let’s not talk about Champagne. But, like everyone else, the recession has put a bit of a damper on my wine hoarding. On top of that, us Divas love to entertain, which means there must always be a hefty stash of decent wine on hand for any and all occasions. This calls for desperate Diva measures – budget wine shopping!

OK – I know we all have stocked up on cheap discount wine from  Trader Joe’s and Costco when need be. But, for us wine geeks who are used to scouring the K & L website for the most obscure bottle of Pomerol or “must have Cali Cab”, there is no thrill or joy in picking up a case of Kirkland’s Signature (insert wine varietal here)  just so you fill some thirsty wine glasses.

Basically – it is now all about “the hunt!” Where can I find the best $6.99 Malbec or $8.50 Cab? I spend hours picking the brains of my fellow drinkers for their favorite cheapo wines and combing the isle for every good deal.  Let’s be honest – taste is subjective. One person’s “must have” could be another person’s “two buck chuck.” Bottom line – cheap does not have to mean boring or mediocre. If you know what you like, where to shop and what to ask for,  you will become a Diva of Vino in no time. There is a plethora of fabulous inexpensive wines out there waiting for you to enjoy that are are way more quaffable than those Alice Whites and Charles Shaws. Let’s go find a bottle or two!

I stopped by to chat with one of our fav local wine folks, Dave, co-owner of Capitol Hill’s Vino Verite. Here are some of his top picks for wines under (or around) $12 a bottle.

Dave’s Picks

Summer is just around the corner so let’s start with a nice Rose. Dave’s suggestion: 2010 Domaine Sorin Terra Amata Rose – $12.50. A lovely fruity selection from the Cotes de Provence. I think of Provence as the mecca of delectable Rose. This wine is refreshing and perfectly balanced with floral and herbal hints. Delightful for a sunny afternoon of drinking.

Although I know most of y’all are red drinkers – there is always room for a good cheap white around the house. Dave found us this lovely wine from South Africa – Arabella 2010 Chenin Blanc – $7.50. In my book any wine that can be enjoyed for less than a latte and a scone is worth at least trying. This is a juicy wine with great acidity and crisp fruit – very easy to drink.

On to the reds. My new favorite – Capitol Hill Red at $12. The folks at Vino Verite have this wine made especially for them by Bonair Winery in Zillah, WA. Full-bodied, funky, bold, plummy and down right yummy! Scrap the Yellow Tail and pick this up the next time you need something to bring to a party.

Last on the list (for now) is a doozy of a wine from the Duoro in Portugal: 2007 Charamba Vinho Tinto – $8.50. Dave describes this wine as “interesting” – in a good way. Made from grapes that are most commonly used for Porto, this wine is young but easy to drink and finishes well with nutty vanilla notes. I have yet to try this one but I am adding it to the taste test list for sure.

Kick the cheap wine doldrums and pick up one or two of these great buys for your next event, dinner party or late night get together. The folks at Vino Verite are always happy to help with wine selections and they have tastings on Thursdays & Saturdays.  The tastings are now $5 but – if you buy wine at the tasting it will go toward your purchase and even better, all the money they make from the tastings will go to a different charity each month. This month and next month the money will be donated to the Red Cross efforts in Japan.  Stop by for a chat and  some wine sometime and tell them Team Diva set you!

Join me – Diva Kim – on my next wine hunting adventure when we explore the back room at Esquin Wine Merchants in the SoDo District.

Ciao for now and happy wine hunting!

Hip Zephyr - fun & fashion forward styles for every Diva!

Phinney Ridge boutique and Diva Deals partner, Hip Zephyr, will be hosting a Girls Night Out event tonight, Thursday, April 14th at 6pm. Join Diva Kaz in supporting one of our favorite local businesses. Meet and mingle with other fabulous women, enjoy some champagne and find new Spring/Summer fashions for your wardrobe.

Yummy linen jacket by Michael Stars

I’m coveting this jacket – will definitely be trying it on!

Soiree Details

What: Girls Night Out
Where: Hip Zephyr - 6421 Phinney Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98103
When: Thursday, April 14th, 6-9pm (or until everyone goes home)

Join Tasty Delectable Collectibles and Team Diva at the opening night to “Tickled Pink,” an art show featuring art by women only.

Winner of Team Diva’s “2010 Best New Local Store Opening” award, Tasty Delectable Collectibles offers a fabulous mix of unique art, jewelry and collectibles. Find that painting that will finish your room perfectly! Get that piece of jewelry that no one else has but everyone wants when they see it!

Bring your Diva Deals card to get 10% off amazing hand crafted art, clothes & other local Diva-licous items!

Event Details

Day: Friday, February 11th

Time: 6:00pm – 10:00pm

Location: 7513 Greenwood Ave N – Phinney Ridge

New Years Eve at the Space Needle

I know many of you have heard me say numerous times that we do not have a crystal ball to predict the future of the market. OK – I lied. We actually do have a magical crystal ball and we have asked it many questions to help us forecast what may be coming down the pike in 2011. So – without further ado – here are our Diva Predictions for 2011:

Food: Tempting your meat loving friends with vegan Thai food and/or Converting your devout veggie friend with a lovely bit of leg o’ lamb.

Fashion: Bye Bye Recessionista – Hello new locally designed signature pieces!

Winning Color: Purple (like the artists formally known as Prince)

Economy: Seattle is on the way up and that’s the way we like it.

Social Scene: Drinking high brow booze in a hole in the wall bar in your new on sale Prada shoes.

Housing Prices: Condos down (sorry folks),  single family homes up about .5%  and a 10-15% increase in a few hoods (Montlake, Bryant & North Capitol Hill to name a few).

Art/Theater: Our friend Brett Love’s must see list of 2011 includes Variety Show at Spectrum Dance Theater, In the Next Room, or the vibrator Play at ACT Theatre, Paul Budraitis at On the Boards and last but not least The Playboy of the Western World at Intiman Theatre. Brett sees over 80 shows a year – trust the list!

New Buyer Trend: The rise of the first time investor – aka – I know a good deal when I see one.

Listing Home Trend: All Diva Dwellings sell fast, for top dollar and to awesome folks!

New Band Name: Fantasy Lens

Diva Business: We hustled out 50% increase in biz 2010. So, we are busting some diva bootie for another 30% increase in biz this year with a little help from our fan club!

Glimmer at ACT Theatre

The remaining hours of 2010 are upon us and as we look back we on this fabulous year, we thought it would be fun to share the Divas “Best of 2010” with you. We were overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of great arts performances we experienced this year. Also, although we were sad to see some small local stores close down, we were impressed with how many new great local boutiques and restaurants opened this year. So as we raise a toast to the end 2010 – here is our favorites things we will be honoring in 2010. Hopefully some of these will become your favorites as well.

Best Performance of 2010: Glimmer at ACT Theatre

Best Dance Piece: La Valse at Spectrum Dance Theater

Favorite New Travel Discovery: Casa Guacamole in Puerto Vallarta

Best Theater Performance: ROBOPOP! at Washington Ensemble Theatre

Best Home Trend: I can fit a vegetable garden anywhere!

Best New Local Store Opening: Tasty in Greenwood

Best Home Remodel: The $5,000 Kitchen Refresh

Best At Home Fun With Friends Night: Astrology Salons with Stephanie Gailing

Best New Abandoned Lot Trend: Small Neighborhood Parks

Best Banking Trend: People Abandoning BOA and Chase for Small Local Banks

Best New Design Trend: Color – The Beige is Gone!

Best Burlesque Queen: Miss Indigo Blue

Best New Way to Eat Pork: Fried Pork Rinds with Pickled Shallots at La Bete

Best New Diva Client Party Item: Pimm’s Cup Cocktail at St. Clouds in Madrona

Best New Hangout: Arabica Lounge on Capitol Hill

Favorite New Art Studio: Local 1520

Best New Diva Hood Restaurant: The Spice Room in Columbia City

Best Home Search Trend: Clients Who Want a Pool – to Use!

Best Fashion Trend: Shopping at Your Favorite Local Boutique

Wishing you and yours a fabulous New Years!

Local 1520 - Capitol Hills Up & Coming Artist Collective

Shop Local Art – This Thursday
Local 1520 is hosting a soiree for our Diva Dwellers. Local 1520 is creating a group of easy to buy and give memorable pieces of art for our Team Diva Real Estate Diva Dwellers. Sure you can give your lover a sweater from Macy’s but we all know it will go out of fashion in a couple of years. Why not give them something that is hand crafted and truly unique – a piece of art. Join us this Thursday for one fantastic show!

Local 1520 is a small artists studio on Capitol Hill. The artwork emerging from this studio is indeed intriguing and by all accounts these kids are going to be super stars. Collect something now while they will still deliver it to your house and hang it for FREE!

The folks at Yes Magazine published an article several years ago about the direct impact of spending your money locally. We are at a turning point in Seattle for many small businesses. This holiday season is critical for many local businesses to move beyond just surviving and start thriving.

Just take a moment to think about it – $1.00 spent here in Seattle at a small business keeps $0.45 right here in our home town. Now that a deal if I have ever heard of one!

Read more about the Local Multiplier Effect at Yes Magazine after the jump>>

Urban Craft Uprising Dec 4-5th

The holiday shopping is in full swing. Be sure to swing by Urban Craft Uprising at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall (right below Pacific Northwest Ballet) this weekend. In the past The Divas have coveted handmade jewelery, Pressed Stationary, weird looking stuff animals for the nieces and so much more. This year will prove to be equally as amazing. Over 120 crafters and artisans creating unique one of a kind locally made items for you and your loved one.  Look forward to seeing all of our Diva Dwellers at the 2010 Urban Craft Uprising!