Things we are into right now... Seattle Edition

Seattle is one of our favorite places that we are fortunate to visit each year, so writing this was so both fun and hard too, since it made us sad that we'll have to wait a whole year to go back and experience this all again. We had an amazing time at Flatstock 22 and Bumbershoot this year and we will be posting photos soon, but until then, here are some things we like in Seattle. - Beth & Mark

Pike Place Market
It is hard to think of Seattle and not think of the Pike Place Market. One of my favorite places in the entire world. It is THE best farmer's market you will ever go to and if we weren't flying home, I would try to buy one of everything to take home with me. With fresh produce, flying fish and beautiful flowers everywhere, this bustling indoor/outdoor market has over 200 year-round vendors, there is definitely something for everyone there. We make the trip to Pike Place yearly and as part of the trip, we also make a visit for lunch at Lowell's. A three floor restaurant and bar that overlooks the Port of Seattle. Lowell's has some of the best seafood I have ever eaten in my life, and a couple years ago that is where I tried my first fish taco! YUM!

Bluebottle Art Gallery and Store
After our yearly trip to Pike Place and a filling lunch at Lowell's, we decided to do some walking so we didn't all pass out. Our best pal and traveling partner, Strawberryluna asked if we could stop by a gallery/boutique that carries her work. We walked to the Capitol Hill area and stopped into Bluebottle Art Gallery and Store. It is small, quaint and it instantly made me happy. I saw artwork from some of our very talented friends, like Strawberryluna, Tad Carpenter, Eleanor Grosch and also work from some of my other favorites, Amanda Visell, Drake Brodahl, Julie West and so so many more. Bluebottle is owned by husband and wife team, Andrea and Matthew Porter. Bluebottle serves as headquarters to Matthew, who is an artist and Children's Book illustrator. I am a big fan of Matthew's illustrations, I bought his alphabet book last year as a gift for my nephew, Noah, and wanted to buy it again this year for my brand new niece, Teagan. Matthew was manning the register at his lovely store and was kind enough to sign both books that I bought. This store had so much stuff I wanted to buy, I really had to hold back.

Dick's Drive In
One of the greatest things about living in a free society is fast food. The idea that you can simply pull into restaurant, cough up two bucks and be on your way with a burger, still blows my mind. So, I try to exercise this right as much as possible and thank my lucky stars that I live in the glory of freedom and not a communist country like Europe. Needless to say, nothing symbolizes my right to choose like a fresh bag of Dick's! With a overly simple menu and even simpler pricing, they turn it over quick. I prefer the simple burger and not the fancy one. I also always have the strawberry shake, which sometimes I pretend is Pepto Bismol, so I don't feel like I'm stuffing myself too much. Sure, the skeptics will complain that you have to pay for ketchup, but I say, ask any European if they'd pay a nickel to be free! Hero Fun Fact No. 238: I (Mark), have never spent over 24 hours in Seattle without putting some Dick's in my stomach!

Easy Street Records
It's easy to see how Seattle keeps such a great music and design scene. With Easy Street sitting proud to nurture the ears and eyes of Seattle. It's big but not overwhelming. It rocks, but not too loud. It lets you be, but is friendly if you need help. It's everything that is right about an indie record store and everything that is missing when buying a track off iTunes. For the kids at Hero, it's our second favorite record store in the world! Number one being ear X-tacy in Louisville, of course!

The Mecca Cafe
The Mecca is a fabulous 80 year old dive diner/bar up the block from the hotel that we stay at every year. Complete with vintage vinyl booths, a jukebox and most of the original decor from it's beginnings in 1929. We love to hit the Mecca up for breakfast, we love their super delicious unpretentious coffee and the Salmon Saute is pretty much the most amazing breakfast, with the freshest salmon you could ever imagine. Oh and I have three words for you, THICK CUT BACON!!! (see above photo) Probably the best bacon I have ever eaten. The Mecca is also a great watering hole, but most times we are drinking on the rooftop of our hotel with the fabulous view of the Puget Sound.

Area 51
On our day off while walking, we stumbled on this great furniture and housewares store, Area 51. A huge space filled with new and vintage, modern furniture and housewares. So many beautiful mid century modern pieces that I would die to come across in a thrift store or at a garage sale. Obviously, these items were all carefully selected and far out of my price range, but I could have spent all day in there. They had the largest collection of over sized sign and marquee letters I have ever seen in person. I had to fight wanting to walk out with one.

Things we are into right now... NYC + Renegade Edition

BETH

Brooklyn
Since the Renegade Craft Fair was at McCarren Park in Brooklyn we decided to stay right in Williamsburg and really enjoy Brooklyn to the fullest. Whenever we go to the city we stay somewhere in Manhattan and this was surprisingly far more enjoyable. We were a VERY quick subway ride (less than 15 mins) away from the East Village and SoHo, it was significantly cheaper getting a hotel room, there are tons of great restaurants and shopping and it is just so much more relaxed. We didn't get to enjoy and explore Brooklyn as much as we would have liked since we were working all day Saturday and Sunday but the overall vibe of the people and the neighborhoods were so chill and we can't wait to go back. The Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn was a great time, super well organized and a lot of amazing talented artists from all over. We can't wait for next year - until then check out all the other Renegade Craft Fairs held all over the country.



Talking Squid
A fellow vendor at Renegade Brooklyn, that has been stylishly recycling t-shirts since 2006. Their products are beautifully well made and all are made from 100% recycled t-shirts. Super modern, trendy, clean and simple and do not look "recycled". I purchased one of the fringe necklaces in a green palette (as pictured above) and I love it. Can't wait to buy more of the necklaces and I really want one of the clutches. Check out all the other great handmade goodies from Talking Squid, including headbands, rugs, totes, handbags and more here.



BabyCakes
In a city with no shortage of bakeries and cupcake shops, this one shines above all the rest. BabyCakes offers all-natural, organic and delicious alternatives free from the common allergens: wheat, gluten, dairy, casein and eggs. They also use agave nectar to sweeten their products instead of refined white sugar or toxic chemical sweeteners. Whether or not you are vegan, gluten intolerant, dairy intolerant, etc., these are the best cupcakes you will ever eat. We stopped by at the end of the night one night while in the city after eating in Little Italy, and I grabbed a couple cupcakes to-go since I was so full from dinner. Once I finally sat down and ate one, it was like a party in my mouth, since I have all but given up on really enjoying baked goods anymore. Check out BabyCakes new cookbook that just released last month, featuring a variety of vegan, gluten free and (mostly) sugar-free recipes from the bakery. Coming soon BabyCakes LA.



Holly Hue
This is a special review since Holly Hue is actually a Buffalo-based business that was a fellow vendor at Renegade this weekend as well. I have purchased 3 or 4 of Holly Hue's items in the past, but ran into her work again at the craft fair this weekend. I popped in her booth and fell in love with this new dress, but was far too tired to think about sizes and colors, so I am looking forward to contacting her, trying some on and hopefully getting one. Holly Hue's creations are made from 90% recycled materials and each item is a one-of-a-kind. She searches the aisles of thrift stores, gets items from friends and repurposes them, creating non-conventional hoodies, dresses, and other accessories. Each item is a truly unique piece that no one else will have.



Kidrobot HQ
We had a meeting with our pals over at the Kidrobot main offices while in the city, and I wish I could have taken tons of photos of the offices and all the super rad toys throughout their space for you to see. But alas, I have some level of class and wouldn't be "that person", but boy did I want to. After meeting and chatting about all kinds of good shit and seeing some of the new stuff that will be coming out in the upcoming months, etc, we got a gift from our pal Shannon and it is so fabulous. We were given the cyan flocked Smokin' Joe Dzhugashvili Stalin Bust by Frank Kozik, only 50 were ever made and wow is that gonna look great in our collection. We didn't have time to hit the Kidrobot store in SoHo this trip, but after being in their head offices, I'm not sure it could compare.



Risotteria
Yeh, so what, I am a fatty and 1/3 of this post is food related, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that part of the fun of NYC is all the great food, it really is a foodie's heaven. Risotteria is a super yummy Italian restaurant located in the West Village on Bleeker Street, and they are also one of the best known gluten free restaurants in America. The last time I was in the city I went there and it was one of the best meals I have ever had. They serve gluten free Italian food including pizza, breadsticks, panini, risotto and even a variety of gluten free beers and baked goods.

Have no fear about dragging a friend (or in my case my husband) to an "allergen free restaurant", they offer quite a few non-gluten free items as well and all gluten-free items are clearly listed with a "g" next to them, and to be perfectly honest their gluten free items are so good most people wouldn't know they were if they didn't look at the menu. Mark got a gluten free pizza (what a great husband) and I got a gluten free panini so we could split and try both, both were super delicious and Mark even commented that you couldn't tell they were gluten free and he enjoyed both very much (not to mention he ate a TON of the GF breadsticks).

This restaurant by far has the most gluten free choices out of any restaurant I have EVER been to and you can even buy frozen items to take home or dry mixes for the bakes goods, I grabbed a bag of the gluten free pizza crust / breadstick dry mix to make at home.

Things we are into right now...

Beth

Pandora Radio

OK OK, so I know I am VERY late to this party, but I set my account up in 2006 and messed with it for a day or two, got bored and never touched it again. So, recently I revisited Pandora, set up a few new "stations" and have been loving it ever since. Even better, Pandora is available on the iPhone over the network or a WiFi connection and it's a great way to listen to music when you are sick of the limited amount on your iPhone. Probably my favorite is my "Iron Maiden" station, there are so many gems in there!! Another good one is my "Grandmaster Flash" station inspired by my favorite lady, the talented, Strawberryluna.



Gluten Free Girl: How I Found the Food that Loves Me Back...And You Can Too.

This wonderful book by blogger, Shauna James Ahern is one of the best things I have read in a long time. I have celiac disease which means I have an intolerance to gluten. Gluten is most commonly found in wheat, barley, oats and rye, but it's hiding in so many common foods, the only cure for celiac disease is to avoid gluten entirely. I have known for over 4 years now and there are times that I feel like there is absolutely NOTHING that is truly safe for me to eat. I love to cook and do it often, which makes it most easy to manage and control, but hearing about someone else's struggle with their love for food and having to deal with a gluten free life was inspiring. This memoir is Shauna's story and about how she learned to love food again after her diagnosis. She even touches on the need for more fresh, natural and organic foods, in our diets and more importantly less processed and "boxed" foods.

Whether you have avoid certain foods or not, this book will teach you more about the foods we consume, experimenting with lesser known ingredients, tips on dining out, recipes for cooking at home, and living with the need to avoid certain foods.



Phoenix - Wolfgang Amdeus Phoenix

I have been a fan of Phoenix for sometime now and was very much anticipating the release of Wolfgang Amdeus Phoenix, so much so that I had to download the iTunes only EP they released just last month after their SNL performance. Simply said, this poppy gem is probably my favorite album right now and since I could go on and on about this album - just go out and buy it, you will LOVE it, trust me!



Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

Full of many layers, absolutely beautiful harmonies and an undeniable folk feel, Veckatimest does not disappoint. As crazy as this may sound, at points there is almost a Beach Boy feel on some of the tracks. The album takes it's name from an island off Massachusetts where they recorded half the work, the other half was recorded at a church in Brooklyn. This quite possibly will be one of THE best albums of the year and some of the best shit you have heard in a while, you can quote me on that.




Nick


Passion Pit - Manners

This band started out as a birthday present for the lead singer's girlfriend, a couple of friends heard the songs joined the band and made an EP. Now they are selling out shows all over the country. I am not hard into Electro (unless I am getting my white boy groove on). But these guys are pretty rad. Their video for "Sleepyhead" is pretty creative too. GET YO JUICES FLOWING!!



iPhone

I had my Motorola Razr for two years and in that time I was basically a dead beat dad to my phone. So, when it was time to finally get a new phone, I picked up the iPhone and now... only maybe a week later I am slave to it. Good reception, good size storage capacity, and Apps ranging from twitter to a level!? That's right a level. I will be in my glory when they find an application where it could grow legs and arms and be my personal butler.



On the Road - Jack Kerouac

I haven't read this yet, I am trying to look for it used at local book stores and thrift stores so if any one wants to let me borrow it, you know where Hero is!! But I have always found Jack Kerouac's life pretty interesting and I have read passages from his other books, but I don't want to go through out life not reading this book.

Things we are into right now...

Ryan

Transformer - Lou Reed

I've always been a big fan of Bowie's time spent in Berlin and the records he recorded while there as well as those he produced. Lou Reed's second solo record is a classic that is a favorite of mine from that period and one that I've already listened to dozens of times. For some reason though, I have listened to this at least once every day for the past 3 weeks, and plan on listening to it again tomorrow as I work. I have problems.

Deadwood

Here at Hero we like to always give our clients 110 %, so when they insist that we watch an acclaimed TV series as project research, who are we to say no? After watching the first season as "research," I can't wait to watch the next two. One of my new favorite TV shows.


Night of the Hunter - Davis Grubb

Having been a big fan of the 1955 Charles Laughton film, I was excited to find a copy of the original 1953 novel it was based on at a local thrift store a couple of weeks ago. The southern gothic style of the novel is just as great as the noir stylings of the film, but it's hard to get Robert Mitchum's interpretation of the "Preacher" out of your head as you're reading it. The edition has some really great illustrations in it too, especially of "the hands of Love & Hate". Well worth the $0.79.

Nick

Friendly Fires

Friendly Fires is a UK band out with their first self-titled album that dropped in 08. Although it's a relatively old album out there, I have been pretty into listening to them lately. I am sure Ryan has viewed me across the room popin' and lockin' (they make you wanna dance) all over the place. Songs to listen to Skeleton Boy, Photobooth, White Diamonds. Gnarly indeed. And their video for Skeleton Boy is pretty spectacular, check it out.

Sirens of Titan

Kurt Vonnegut is gold. I have been reading his books since high school. I am reading "Sirens of Titan" right now and so far so good. Its basically a satire asking the question of the meaning of life and answering it at the same time. Ballsy for sure.

Rescue Me

Although I have just started to get into this series its pretty amazing. So while watching series 5 I also have to catch up with the other four episodes (blockbuster here I come!). If you haven't watched this series it stars Dennis Leary as a NYC Firefighter deal with Post-Traumatic Stress (and is basically going crazy) after the events of 9/11. Although season six has been secured for 2010, there has been some speculation that it might be the "Curtain Call" after that, keep your fingers cross folks!

Things we are into right now...

I am always posting things I find on my internet lurks that peak our interest, but there is plenty we are already in LOVE with, so we're gonna try to start posting things a couple times a week.

So here are just a couple of things we are into right now...


Beth:

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "It's Blitz"
This is Yeah Yeah Yeahs third full length album in six years and this one has a little more synthy disco glitter pop and a little less gritty guitar rock, but it really works for me. There is an upbeat, get ready for the day feeling, right out of the gate with the first track "Zero". I listened to this album on my walk with Derby this morning, and it kept both of us moving a lot faster, but just when you get your blood moving you get hit with a couple of mid-tempo ballads, if you can call them that. My experiences are, that you either love Karen O or you don't, and I personally love her nonsensical lyrical ramblings and her magnetic voice. This album may not have a lot of depth within the songs lyrically, but all are very well organized and insanely catchy, and let's be honest, who doesn't love a good electronically-infused album?

Bat for Lashes - "Two Suns"
This is Bat for Lashes second album and it is a great follow up (and in my opinion a step up) to Fur and Gold. Complete with special guests, Yeasayer, Scott Walker, and even Natasha Khan's alter-ego "Pearl", the sound is full, delicate, dark and her voice is just as haunting as it is beautiful. I personally LOVE the duet with Scott Walker on "The Big Sleep", and although there is an undeniable "Broadway Musical" l feel to it, there is something so brilliantly creepy about that track, and I am always a sucker for the simple use of nothing but a piano.

Black Box Wine
I am a drinker, Mark is not. I love red wine but I am a bit of a snob in that I can only really enjoy it the day it has been opened. I have tried every kind of vacuum sucker, keeping it in the fridge after opening and it doesn't matter, I like my red wine freshly uncorked. So rather than wasting wine or sucking a bottle down every time I want a glass, I have fallen in love with Black Box Wines. I know it sounds ghetto, but I promise these vintage dated wines will impress you. So far the Shiraz is my favorite, but the Cabernet Sauvignon is great too, and I have a box of Merlot waiting to get opened. The 3 liter bag-in-box stays fresh for at least 4 weeks after opening. Thanks to Steve of Squad 19 for the great recommendation.

Mark:

V-Moda Headphones
Sound like a super hifi stereo lives in your brain, and with the thicker headphone cable they don't tangle in your pocket. Thanks to Chao and Holly for their help picking these out.

Terminator The Sarah Conner Chronicles Season 2
Even though the middle got really weak and ultimately pointless, with story lines and introductions to worthless characters. The last two episodes we're EPIC and everything that TV SCI-FI should be. If you dropped out in the middle grab the last two episodes from iTunes, Hulu or FOX. Who knows if enough people watch, maybe we'll get blessed with a season 3.

Flight Control App for iPhone
A simple game of landing airplanes and helicopters at the airport. My high score is 43 landed aircraft and I average 14. It's totally a relaxing puzzle game that I love. Treat yourself the $0.99