Theo and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie has got nothing on this Seattle chocolate factory! Sometimes while wandering Fremont, we are nearly bowled over by cocoa aromas bitter and rich wafting down the street, and then we are rest assured that something good is in the works.

Since 2006, Theo has been producing high-quality caramels, bars and other confections from some of the globe’s best cocoa beans, grown in highly sustainable ways. Those with a sweet tooth rejoice at the factory’s Phinney Avenue retail shop; here samples are aplenty, and gift-giving has never felt so sweet. Visitors can purchase individual bars of flavors like salted almond dark chocolate, spicy chile and toasted coconut, or select “libraries” that offer a variety of flavors. “Fantasy” bars include unexpected tastes like bread and chocolate, coconut curry and chai. Other temptations at the shop range from cookbooks and Caffe Vita gift sets to “Taste of Washington” boxes.

Shoppers can even go behind the scenes on daily factory tours to see where the magic happens. In our opinion, life’s too short to not indulge.

Theo Chocolate 
3400 Phinney Ave N
Seattle, WA
www.theochocolate.com

Getting Comfortable In Your Own Skin

We admit it can be daunting to see the words “face” and “peel” side-by-side. But spend just a few minutes with the kind, serene Hari-Prakash Boyd (who happens to have impeccably flawless skin), and your fears and preconceptions will be quickly washed away. The self-proclaimed “clinical holistic esthetician” hails from Bend, Oregon, and has been fascinated by herbs, aromatherapy and skincare since she was 14. Boyd loves researching ingredients found in commonly purchased products and finding effective yet natural, non-harmful alternatives to help others overcome challenges like acne and hyper-pigmentation.

Boyd opened her own skin boutique a year-and-a-half ago and recently relocated to a tranquil corner office on Stone Way where soothing light filters through glass-cube windows. Here, she offers free skin health analysis plus holistic skin treatments, plant-based chemical peels (with names like “blueberry smoothie”), waxing, tinting, even face massages. In her boutique, she also sells CosMedix products, used for her treatments, and items from Colorado-based company MyChelle.

Although we all know our beauty is far from skin deep, Boyd will show you that this is certainly a good place to start.

Grace Face Body
4037 Stone Way N
Seattle, WA
206.307.6952
www.gracefacebody.com

The Art of Gifting

We’ll admit that giving gifts in this day and age can be tricky. What to give those who whip out the credit card the second they spy something they want? Our experience tells us that there are few better places for finding unique, thoughtful presents than museum gift shops.

At the Bellevue Arts Museum, an inspiring institution that focuses on art, craft and design, creativity spills onto the shelves of the splendidly-stocked gift store. Find delightful items for the home range like “Rippled Sapphire,” a handwoven basket by Dorothy McGuinness, or Sea Life Goblets by Carol Gouthro. For kids, find design-it-yourself placemats, “Ugly Doll” mugs and hats and Folkmanis puppets. For art-minded adults, find exhibition catalogues like the American Tapestry Biennial Six, Edge of the Sublime: Enamels by Jamie Bennett and Gord Peteran: Furniture Meets Its Maker. Treat yourself (or others) to funky scarves by Chirstine Chaney, nature-inspired necklaces by Iris Guy Sofer and notecards by Nikki McClure.

In our opinion, being a bad gift-giver is one of the worse offenses. Let the Bellevue Arts Museum make you a star.

Bellevue Arts Museum Shop
510 Bellevue Way NE
Bellevue, WA
www.bellevuearts.org

Rain and Shine

Don’t let the sun fool you. Mom’s going to need her stylish raincoat any minute, and all Hillary Day coats are 50% off, online or in the studio. But you have to hustle before these gems are gone! These fetching raincoats bring sunshine to a cloudy day…yay!

What: Hillary Day 50% off Outerwear Sale
When: Now Through May 31st
Where: Shop Online at www.hillaryday.com
Contact: 503.913.0933