As we continue our weekly feature on the local hotspots in the Seattle area we simply adore, we move slightly south to the area of Tacoma, Washington. Often an overlooked city in the shadow of its northern neighbor, Tacoma sits on the shores of the Puget Sound just 30 minutes south of Seattle. This is a city going through a renaissance. It is an exciting place to be with new restaurants and new hotels coming in to the area. Tacoma is actually the city with the perfect view of Mount Rainier, just ask anyone who has stayed or lived there. Here are a couple of fabulous places to stay and or have your meeting. We cannot speak of Tacoma without mentioning the Tacoma Dome, a major concert venue in this area, in addition to many many more fine restaurants such as the Pacific Grill. Be sure and stop in at the BITE Restaurant right at the Hotel Murano.




Hotel Murano
Best Western Tacoma Dome

Click here for more Tacoma, Olympia, South Puget Sound options for all event planning needs

Labels: Local Events

For our Seattle based event planners, we will be starting a new weekly feature to help you get to know your city better. Check back every Thursday for more local ideas, tips, and advice. Just look for the "We Love _____" icon on each weekly post for local guides and resources.

Budgets may be a little tighter these days, but everyone needs a vacation right? If you are like us and are craving a little R&R these days, consider some hotel and resort options just around the corner. Staycations are a great way to take advantage of the utterly fantastic hotels and resorts in your neighborhood. After all, people come from afar to stay at some of the area's hottest and luxury hotels, and because you live within driving distance, you'll take enjoy the ritz and glam of a four star hotel, but without the cost of airfare, rental cars, and other travel expenses. So this winter and spring, do what we do, and plan your very own staycation. Here are some of our favorite hotspots you should check out.


Alexis Hotel
Hotel Monaco
Arctic Club Hotel
Mayflower Park Hotel
Hilton Seattle

Click here for more Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue hotels and resorts >>

Labels: Activities, Local Events

The Netherlands based company, Royal Boon Edam Group Holding, has created the world's first energy generating revolving door that is currently installed at the Driebergen-Zeist railway station in Holland. The door stores power generated in a capicitor bank and illuminates LED lights in its ceiling, while a large scale display outside the building shows pedestrians how much overall power has been generated by the door. This commercialized door is not to be confused with the "Revolution Door" project which still remains a prototype.

Source: InHabitat

Labels: Going Green, Something New

Labels: Real Events

We recently read about this innovative branding company from one of our favorite blogs, Mix Mingle & Glow, and we just had to share the idea with you. If you are looking for a new and innovative way to brand your company logo, name, icon or image then consider a Flogo. What is a flogo, you ask? SnowMasters research and development facility in northern Alabama became the home of what is now known as Flogos, or "logos that fly." A flogo is a cloudlike, balloonlike object created out of proprietary surfactant (soap) based foam formulations and lighter-than-air gases such as helium. Flogos are designed to last for as long as their visual impact is needed. Specific formulations are available to provide a life expectancy of a few minutes to an hour or so. The visual impact also greatly depends on atmospheric conditions such as wind and relative humidity. On average, Flogos last for 30 to 40 minutes. Flogos are Green and 100% environmentally safe.

Click here to view a demo.

Labels: Going Green, Industry Alerts, Smart Solutions, Something New

The holidays are officially over and that means you probably have a whole new collection of digital family photos to weed through. And if you are anything like us, you take close to a thousand shots and later realize only a handful actually turn out. There are always those dozens of photos that must be deleted because Uncle Jim was making a funny face or Aunt Grace was looking away from the camera. If this sounds like you, then you are going to love the new technology available on the Sony Cyber-shot camera. The Sony Cyber-shot camera is equipped with a feature called Smile Shutter. All you have to do as the camera user is select the Smile Shutter mode and press the shutter button. When aimed at your subject, your camer will actually detect a smile and automatically snap a picture when a grin appears.

How great is this for doting parents and grandparents who take endless shots of a newborn baby in hopes to capture that first smile?

We love the idea. Great job Sony.

Labels: Smart Solutions, Something New

When it comes to Valentine's Day and sharing it with your loved one, planning some traditional activities is always a winning movement. Here are some quick ideas to help you prepare for February 14th.


Top Row: Sweetie Pie cookies from Williams Sonoma; Dinner and a show at Teatro Zinzanni in Seattle or San Francisco
Second Row: An Affair To Remember with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr; Flowers from Metropolitan Market; Dinner for two at home from Food Network
Third Row: SPAAHH at Hotel 1000 in Seattle, WA; Dancing couple photo by Andrew West

Plan 1: Stay In. If you plan to stay in for Valentine's Day, make the most of it by preparing everything from scratch. Make a sweet dessert and prepare a Valentine's menu. If you are not a great cook, no fear. Most of the restaurants around town offer take-out so call ahead of time and order your favorite meals for two. Finish the night with a romantic movie like "An Affair To Remember" and enjoy the company of your sweetheart.

Plan 2: Hit the Town. We suggest a dinner and a show option. Find out what is playing in your area and plan a night at the theatre, comedy club, jazz club or ballet. Your best bet is to find a place that serves food while you watch like Teatro Zinzanni in Seattle, WA. Be sure to dress the part in your best duds and make the most of this holiday that only comes around once a year.

Plan 3: Couple's Spa Day. Often Valentine's Day is best celebrated when you and your love can take a step back from the everyday stresses of life to recharge and rejuvinate. What better way to energize yourself than with a spa package for two?

Labels: Activities, Real Events

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a computer geek. We would call ourselves computer geeks. But there is also no reason at all why computer geeks like us can't be geeks with style. We have found the perfect match for computer savvy women who also love to accessorize. Check out these beautiful Swarovski crystal Phillips elections actually designed for "her". From usb drives to headphones, these bedazzled computer accessories are a rarity indeed - so enjoy.


Source: Gizmodo

Labels: Smart Solutions, Trends