View of Lincoln Square Expansion from NE 4th & Bellevue Way

Kemper Development Company plans to add 2 million square feet of office, hotel, retail, dining and residential space to The Bellevue Collection , bolstering its reputation as a super-regional shopping destination. Construction is set to begin next year and be completed by fall, 2016.

The Bellevue Collection currently draws 22 million shoppers from a six-state region and Canada to its property every year. Kemper Freeman, CEO, says consumer demand for luxury brands has never been higher. Retail sales at The Bellevue Collection have increased over the last 48 months and there has been a consistent increase in high net-worth people moving to the area thanks to companies like Microsoft and Expedia. Freeman believes now is the time.

“Bellevue and the entire Eastside community have come a long way since my father, Kemper Freeman, Sr. first opened Bellevue Square more than 65 years ago, serving a sparse population of 25,000 residents,” says Freeman. “Our family business continues to be guided by a customer-centric approach to development and a strong commitment to the many businesses and customers we serve.”

What’s Coming
•    Three more acres are being developed, for a total of 50 and 2 million additional square feet of Bellevue Collection offerings.
•    3,700 more parking spaces will be added to the current 10,000 already there.
•    A new boutique hotel will be built, with about 250 guest rooms and suites.
•    Currently there are 148 residential units. After construction there will be more than 600, complete with park and lake views and a rooftop garden.
•    A new sky bridge will be added, for a total of three connecting all the properties – Bellevue Square, Lincoln Center and Bellevue Place.
•    There will be more office space thanks to a 31-story office tower and event and meeting spaces.
•    More street-front retail and dining selections.

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Cupcakes & Pastries puts a contemporary spin on sweet, classic looks for little girls. Think outdoor tea parties where cupcakes & pastries are served, and imaginations run wild.

“Nature, architecture, classic movies, various and exciting cultures of the world all bring inspiration to the line” they explain.

They even have a wrap dress (see below) for little girls, Diane von Furstenberg would be so proud!

They’re offering our readers a special online promotion for summer clothing. The code 425mag25 can be applied to new arrivals for 25% off and sale items, which is potentially 25-50% off!

You can also shop Cupcakes & Pastries at Chasing Fireflies and Kids Club in Seattle and Dandelion Wishes in Tacoma, but without the 425 discount.

Happy shopping!

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Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like the Barking Frog Mobile Kitchen has big travel plans at the moment. Instead, the food truck will be used for catering special events such as weddings, wine tastings and more. But that doesn’t mean that the mobile kitchen won’t be taking part in select food truck events around the region. Trust us, it will be, and knowing that it has been designed as Barking Frog Executive Chef Bobby Moore’s dream mobile kitchen makes the wait all the more enticing.

According to a Barking Frog representative, the truck’s design will appear “whimsical and fun, but on brand (nothing over the top and silly).” From what we’ve seen, those words hold true—with its eye-catching faux-wood design and witty tag lines, it will be hard to miss!

Also featured on the menu will be other Barking Frog favorites such as the Grand Marnier prawns, roasted hand-cut fries, the Ninety Farms beef burger, Wagyu short ribs and pork belly sliders! They won’t only satisfy your palate, either; your wallet will leave happy too, with all items under $15, and most under $10.

Barking Frog’s home base has been a foodie-destination for years, now, leaving customers full and happy. For Chef Bobby Moore, leaving his customers satisfied is what the Barking Frog name represents—when the frogs are croaking, they’re happy, and that’s how he wants his customers to feel as they eat the food he loves creating.

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Imagine the perfect girl’s day: sun, spending time with the ladies and—running through the mud? That’s right. It’s going to be no boys allowed at the Dirty Girl Mud Run, going on all day at Green Meadow Farms on Saturday, May 18. Women of all ages and physical fitness are encouraged to take part, build connections and overcome the many obstacles that the event entails.

No, it’s not a race—the run isn’t even timed—but instead it is an “obstacle course designed to push you slightly out of your comfort zone, but only as far as you are comfortable going,” according to the Dirty Girl website. The run features 12 different obstacles (any of which participants are free to skip), including obstacles titled “Stairway to Heaven,” “Utopian tubes” “PMS (Pretty Muddy Stuff),” “Runaway Bride,” “H2OMG,” “Dirty Dancing” and more!

More than just a fun event designed to build camaraderie among participants, though, the Dirty Girl Mud Run also gives back. The run partners with the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) to support breast cancer research and survivors, and honor those who have fallen to the disease. Even with breast cancer survivors running free of registration costs, Dirty Girl donated over $250,000 of proceeds to the NBCF in 2012; this year they aim to double that amount.

After completing the race, participants will be treated to entertainment, refreshments (be sure to bring your IDs, ladies!) and, of course, plenty of cool merch to commemorate a new accomplishment. Dirty Girl also recommends bringing a supportive pair of shoes for the run, as well as a change of clothes, towel and cash for after the race, so you can “fill your belly or wet your whistle” if need be.

Women can run individually or as part of a team, which can be as small or as large as desired. Registration costs $85 per person and is open until April 29, after which date it will cost $100 to register. Registration includes a great time, a tee-shirt, charm and other goodies like music and drinks. A portion of all proceeds goes to the NBCF. For more information, please visit the Dirty Girl website.

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Here are the contest guidelines, given to us by Visit Bellevue:

• Snap a shot of your favorite “BelleView.” This can be anything you deem fit, as long as it was taken within Bellevue city limits, or depicts a view of the city taken from outside city limits.
• If you’re on Instagram, follow @VisitBellevueWa and upload your photo. Make sure to tag it with#MyBelleView and a description or caption.
• Also email your entry to contest@visitbellevuewashington.com with caption and your full contact information including your full name, phone number and email address.
• If you’re not on Instagram, you can just email it to Visit Bellevue as instructed above and they will upload for you.
• You are allowed to enter as many times as you like! Feel free to tag @VisitBellevueWa and use other Bellevue tags like #visitbellevuewa, #bellevue, #bellevuewa, #bellevuewashington, #hyattregencybellevue, #newcastlegolfcourse, #bellevuepark, #bellevuesquare, #bellevueskyline, and #ilovebellevue.
• The winning image will be announced May 16, and Visit Bellevue will also showcase entries throughout the contest.

Not too much work, right? You’ll think it’s especially worth it once you hear about what you could win! The contest winner gets an overnight stay in a deluxe guestroom with an amazing view of the city at The Hyatt Regency Bellevue on a date in May or June that works for them. The winner will also get a complimentary dinner for two at The Calcutta Grill at Newcastle Golf Course. Dinner will feature jaw-dropping views of Lake Washington, Mt. Rainier, the Olympics, the Cascades, the Seattle Skyline and your fair share of local wine. The winning photograph will also be featured on Bellevue’s social media, so get out and snap some pictures today.

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Musical theater lovers can often remember  a particular show or moment when they realized their adoration for live song and dance. For me it was when I saw Hairspray in London. Tracy Turnblad was doing the twist with her gang of friend from The Corny Collins Show while singing “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” I remember looking up and feeling like I was with her in the 60s. I knew Tracy, I could see the beads of sweat on her plump cheeks, the passion in her eyes. I was in love with everything about it.

I haven’t had a moment that truly transported me into a show until the “We Both Reached for the Gun” scene during opening night of Chicago at Village Theatre.  As Billy Flynn (played by Timothy McCuen Piggee) puppetted Roxie Hart (played by Taryn Darr) on his knee amongst a crowd of reporters, I had the same overwhelming feeling of, “this is it, this is as good as it gets.” And I’ve seen it on Broadway.

Piggee and Darr put Hollywood actors Rene Zellweger and Richard Gere to shame in their portrayal of a murderess and wealthy lawyer. This particular scene went above and beyond. The energy was high, the notes were hit and the acting was on point. I would go back just to see this precious moment  again.

As a whole, the show is wildly entertaining with songs and choreographed dances running back to back. I’m a big fan of Richard Gray who playes Amos Hart (or should I say Mr. Cellophane) beautifully. He is the moral compass and the heart of the show and he carries both well. Velma Kelly (played by Desiree Davar) and Matron Mama Morton (played by Shaunyce Omar) added that “razzle dazzle” the show is known for. Both are phenomenal signers. Omar gave me goose bumps during her first appearance. In the end, however, it was Mr. Piggee who stole the show. His presence was magnetic and his timing was perfect.

My only critiques were a few missteps during dance routines and I wish the  cell block tango ladies were a little meaner, scarier and tougher. But the costumes and set made up for it.

All in all, I wouldn’t miss this show for the world. The Village Theatre offers a more intimate experience that is incomparable to the big Seattle theaters. The pulse of the show runs through your veins, and “all the jazz” will remind you why you fell in love with theater in the first place.

Buy your tickets here. Chicago will be playing at the Village Theatre in Issaquah until June 29 and in Everett July 5 through July 28.

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It all started with a press preview of the Ziegfeld Collection (SEE SLIDESHOW) at Tiffany & Co.  {That’s a swanky way of saying I hung out with my public relations friends and tried on fancy jewelry}  As soon as they introduced me to the collection and we talked about the movie coming out soon, I knew I had to write a story about it – I mean, the parties in the book are legendary!

I spent weeks researching old cookbooks {a good excuse to buy some!} and menus online to find authentic food from the 1920’s.  After a few failed attempts at cooking lobster and oysters – I know you are feeling really sorry for my husband right now – I discovered some really simple recipes that are evocative of the era.  Easy enough for your next dinner party. See my spread here.

If you create your own Great Gatsby party, we’d love to see photos!  Please post them on 425 magazine’s facebook! We might just feature our favorites on our website.

Alexandra Hedin is a lifestyle and entertaining blogger who writes an article in every issue of 425 Magazine.  She can be found daily online at alexandrahedin.com

1. 1. Christina is one of my oldest friends and the only one I knew would be completely game for a day of dress up and jewelry we had to return.  Her husband is a great sport too.
2. 2. All of the roses for the shoot came from my backyard. 
3. 3. My children are usually at my photo shoots.  My three-year-old daughter entertained herself all morning with Legos.  I don’t know where the boys were…
4. 4.  We ate oysters and made Oysters Rockefeller.  Turns out a photo of Oysters Rockefeller is not so appetizing. 

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It’s hard not to be inspired at a Girl Power Hour event, but their Power Social panel on May 8 was truly exceptional. Darnell Sue, founder of Girl Power Hour, and her team collected 4 of the most socially savvy ladies in the area to answer questions about the ever-evolving world of social media. The panelists were Shauna Causey (@shaunacausey), vice president of marketing and communications at Decide.com, Amber Osborne (@missdestructo), CMO of Meshfire, Joanna Lord (@joannalord), VP of Growth Marketing at SEOmoz.org and Kelly Clay (@kellyclay), Digital communications strategist for HasOffers. They were all informative, down to earth and insightful about what’s next in the industry of digital marketing. Women from businesses big and small collected at Bellevue Club to learn more. If they do another social media event, I wouldn’t miss it.

Here are a few points we found interesting:

Is it business or personal?

Marketing for yourself and marketing your business are two different things. Even when you’re highly involved with your business, you need to separate it from who you are as a person. Don’t get me wrong, you should still use social media to market yourself and your business but not together. Have different Facebook profiles and Twitter handles for each.

Set some goals.

It’s the oldest and best way to get started on something new, set goals. Figure out who your demographic is and the best way to reach them, whether that’s through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or Vine. Then, ask yourself, “what would I be happy with, social media wise, a year from now.” Maybe you have 1,000 more followers, maybe you start selling more when you use social media. Set the goal and go for it.

It’s all about visuals these days

Panelist Shauna Causey has recently hired a high school student to help her grasp what social media platforms kids are using these days. According to her teen source, Facebook is for grandmas and is on its way out. Social media users are becoming more attracted to platforms that are more visual like Instagram, Pinterest and Vine.

The power of Twitter

According to the event’s savvy tech ladies, if there is one place to have an account, it’s Twitter. Besides Twitter, you want to be on social media platforms that serve your industry best. For example, if you own a clothing boutique or are in the fashion business, Instagram is a must. If you own a cupcake shop or restaurant be sure to check out the new features on foursquare and Yelp. Find the platforms that work best for you and your business.

Follow Kim Kardashian, no really, we’re serious…

Want to know what’s up and coming in the social media world? Follow the stars who use it the most. When social media savvy stars start using a new platform they bring with them their millions of followers. Their new choices will likely to be the next best things.

RESOURCES:

Clicktotweet.com; Twittercounter.com, Websearchsocial.com, Tweetreach.com, Northsocial.com, Trendsmap.com, Socialoomph.com, Hootsuite.com, LiveStream.TV, Shortstack.com, Mediabistro.com, Justunfollow.com, vine.com, Rafflecopter.com, Socialmediaexaminer.com, Meshfire.com, Geekwire.com.

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In addition to the Blue Book is the Tiffany Ziegfeld Collection that launched in April. This collection also celebrates the jazz age, taking inspiration from the pieces created for the “The Great Gatsby.” The jewelry in this collection is comprised of sterling silver, pearls and black onyx, with prices starting at $300 and up.

Editor’s Pick: I’m all about buying versatile fashion, but when it comes to the Gatsby Collection, I eat my words. There are certain products that come along ever so often that you just have to have even though it doesn’t make any sense for your lifestyle or, ahem, your budget. This headpiece worn by lead character Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan) is the epitome of one of those things.  The platinum and diamond feather adornments and gently hanging pearls are outrageous and absolutely gorgeous. Maybe it’s the little girl in me who still desperately wants to be a pretty princess in pearls, maybe it’s my love of the 20s and Fitzgerald’s tragic tale, maybe it’s both. But when a piece of jewelry makes you stop thinking rationally, you know it’s something special.
PHOTO: The Great Gatsby Collection, by Tiffany & Co. inspired by Baz Lurhmann’s film in collaboration with Catherine Martin.

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