Jass and Meen: Little Black Book---Seattle

If your idea of a relaxing long weekend doesn't include skiing, kayaking or mountain biking, and you live in a city like Vancouver, it can be hard to get away from it all for a couple of days. Whistler might be a nice escape and a lovely drive away, but the fun stops after the first hour or so when you start feeling like an outsider for not wearing alpine ski boots and goggles out to lunch. And as much as the idea of going to the Okanagan Valley sounds appealing, it doesn't take too long to realize that a) it's actually really far to get to from Vancouver, and b) there isn't much to do around there at all!

That being said, the United States border is only a short ride away from my house and if you keep driving south a little longer, you will reach a place that I have grown quite fond of over the last five years: Seattle. It wasn't love at first sight when I visited the city, but with a combination of a little research, a few recommendations and the right traveling companions, it won me over. As I am getting to know it better, I learn to appreciate it more for its culinary scene, one that always seems to leave me with a new addiction due to bring on sudden, uncontrollable cravings a few weeks, or even days later (aka the pizza at Serious Pie and Delancey, the sage butter tajarin at Spinasse and the celeriac salad at The Walrus and The Carpenter).

I am also impressed with the number of home decor stores that I have come across. Being a Vancouverite, albeit a transient one, I find myself drawn to architecture that has a little more history and objects that have a past and lots of character. Mind you I can appreciate a good contemporary piece as much as the next person, but seeing how ruthless Vancouver is towards anything that has a history makes me crave it even more. "Out with the old, in with the new" is an expression that describes the general attitude around here all too well. This explains why I am pleased to run around Seattle looking for what my fellow habitants would label as junk. It seems like the city is filled with vintage finds, antiques and salvaged pieces, and most importantly, they're cheap! Note to self: when remodeling future home, make Seattle the first stop for standout pieces.

Without further ado, a small list of stores worth checking out. I promise that it will grow as my excursions become more frequent.

Kirk Albert Vintage Furnishings (Formely Great Stuff)

5517 Airport Way

http://www.greatstuffseattle.com

Second Use

7953 2nd Ave

http://www.seconduse.com/

Earthwise Salvage

3447 4th Ave South

http://earthwise-salvage.com/

Deluxe Junk

3514 Fremont Place North