Roadtrip! Labor Day Weekend Exodus

Natharbi participated in the mass exodus from the metropolitan area of Seattle down to the Columbia River Gorge Valley. Nathaniel's brother Tony flew in from Chicago so almost the whole clan was there. Don't miss it next year Tom!

We spend some quality time with Nathaniel's family and get in a lot of recreation. We biked, hiked, and ate very well thanks to Nathaniel's sisters, Joyce and Joan; who, by the way, planned the whole event-THANK YOU.

Natharbi slept in a tent that had THE BEST view, probably one of the best on the planet.

We left midday to join the traffic south and arrived in time to set up the tent before dark, make introductions, enjoy dinner and realize we had a twin air mattress, not a double. Oww my back, Joan saved us with a trade the following night.

So all you folks out there who doubted that I could camp and show a little bit of outdoorsy-ness, (even if it wasn't by definition completely camping) stop by my office and pay up.

Below is Echo the Happy Golden Retriever, she is always shaking this is the clearest photo available.

Get ready, tomorrow ride details.....

Pacific Northwest Ballet Backstage Pass

On Thursday evening Natharbi met up with friend Anna at the Columbia Tower Club for some appetizers and introductions, it was great fun meeting Anna.

We then strolled downtown and attended PNB's Backstage Pass mixer to kick off the ballet season and see a little fashion show at Nuvo Moda on First Avenue. The evening included an appearance by special guest speaker Artistic Director Peter Boal who provided firsthand details of the seasons's line-up. It was sizzling hot outside with the last of summer and the beautiful people mingled while the ballerinas modeled. Nuvo Modo has an intriguing selection of contemporary clothing and footwear, quite edgy really. They had some great pieces, and of course a few hats to try.

One suggestion for the organizers, more seating would be appreciated by those of us in high heels. Several women I chatted up while we took turns with the minimal seating agreed we all looked dead sexy in our stilettos but "ouch, our feet."

The modeling ballerinas were of course beautiful and modeled uber hot garments only ballerinas could wear. It was impossible not to appreciate their sleek looks.

Special chef's out front created crepe creations, mine had Nutella in it, the line was worth it!

At the close of the evening we walked downtown to collect a few more photos with the Piggies on Parade. This one had rusty bottle caps on it. Art?

Wednesday - Michael, Michael OOOWWWWW!

Natharbi + 2 MiniMe had dinner out at Mojito in downtown Seattle and attended the Michael Buble concert. Barbi + MiniMe C had been looking forward to this concert all summer. We just really dig this genre of music.

The dinner at Mojito was marginal, sometimes you try something new and it is just OK, not worthy of repeat so there is not much to say about it. But we all look gorgeous in out casual concert clothes.

MiniMe E in Blue

MiniMe C in Pink

Michael Buble was a consummate performer. His voice is clear and rich and he has got some personality. He had a big band to back him up and they did a great job of adding in some comedy factors. Michael Buble is from Vancouver BC and a large percentage of the audience was made up of his family. It was his Grandma's birthday and he serenaded her while the audience respectfully looked on. He had already given the women close to the stage a chance to get his photo and grab his butt while he made his way around the audience.

He sang his signature song Home and his new single Everything. Caroline and I, being dancing sort of chicks, moved and wiggled for the whole show. Emily and Nathaniel listened and seemed to enjoy but I am not sure they had the same experience we did. McCaw Hall is a great venue for an intimate concert. I highly recommend it!

7 Days with Natharbi

Natharbi spent time together for 7 glorious days in a row. Each day deserves an entry so here is the Table of Contents for 7 Days with Natharbi:




Wed. Michael Buble concert attended by Natharbi + 2 MiniMe





Thurs. Pacific Northwest Backstage Event







Fri. Roadtrip! Columbia River Valley Gorge

Sat. Oh My God, I can't believe I road up that hill.

Sun. Hiking works better than biking

Mon. WHEE Downhill!

Tues. Sleepin' In

I'm still working on the photos for the trip so READ ON...which actually means read up in the blogging format.

Natharbi bikes, hikes & camps GLAMOROUSLY

Natharbi is busting out of town for the long weekend.

I would like to introduce

Mr. Milo Hollywood, the Wonder Cat

He has agreed to keep the Natharbi fans entertained during our absence.

And for all you folks (Scott and Skip) out there that said they would pay big money to see me camp...get ready to show me the money.

Camping photos and complete Natharbi.net update next week!

Michael Buble

A fantastic entertainer with a voice like gold...more to come on the concert Natharbi + 2 MiniMe

attended this evening.

Teenage Reenactment...

meaning on the way home from the party Natharbi stopped at Sunset Bowl for a teenager style arcade date. It was really fun. Two out of three things I have never done before...

We played the dance off thing. I didn't realize you were supposed to step on the square only as it went over the block on the screen, I think I could have done better if the rules had been properly explained. Nathaniel should be on that show, "So you think you can dance."
I sucked at it.

We played pin ball. I sucked at it.

Then we played air hockey. I sucked at it.

It is a good thing I have many other talents.

Natharbi didn't play pool. That is one thing I have done a lot of and I might have been able to whoop Nathaniel at it.

Needle from the Rooftops

Sunday night Natharbi went downtown to attend a party held by Ron Holden(who does restaurant reviews) in the common room of a sweet skyscraper in the city. The room was the 7th floor of the highrise and had an outdoor patio that was good for taking in the view. Ron was a great host. A variety of tasty dishes (lasagna, salmon) to name a few was served and an open bar was enjoyed by all. Thanks for the invite Ron!

Funny, I believe this is the first photo Natharbi has posted with the Space Needle in it.

We ran into a number of folks that we see out and about and met a few new people. Mel and Tricia, Tricia's friend Susan, Eileen & hubby and Mina and Bruce, David LeClair...it was pleasant visiting and catching up on everyone's summer activities as well as grand plans for saying hello to autumn. Hmmm...I know there were more group photos taken but they must have been with other peoples' cameras. Send them along if you were there, and you are reading this and thinking, "why am I not shown on this blog?"

We relaxed on the outdoor patio til wind came up and made our goodbyes. Then, Natharbi exchanged photos opportunies with some people in front of the building with a Pig on Parade. This one looked like slices of procuitto on the back. Not very appetizing, almost maked me think on the vegetarian lifestyle (momentarily, until I catch the fragrance of bacon cooking.)

My Victrola

Here is a photo of me turning the crank on my new beloved RCA Victrola that Nathaniel got me for my birthday. It took me a little while to locate some antique records. After we attended LaMode was the first chance we had to christen the victrola under our new ownership.

Excited to hear the antique sounds we played:

1. A 1908 recording of Darling Nelly Gray, it didn't sound so great and turns out it was sort of opera-ish

Then an oldie but a goodie

2. Jingle Jangle Jingle by Kay Kyser and his Orchestra - the beginning sounded good but the middle of the record was kind of a mess

With the lights down low

3. Sentimental Journey by Hal McIntyre and his Orchestra

And the candles lit

4. Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra

Nathaniel has asked, "Why the victrola? The sound quality isn't great, it's unique but would you listen often?" As often as I like, but the answer is in song number three. Listening to the Victrola is like a sentimental journey not just for me having owned one before, but also it gives vintage imagery of making merry in bygone eras.

In 1907 someone bought this Victrola, picked out music they enjoyed and went home to play it. Remember, this was before tv even before radio (I think) if you weren't singing or listening to someone playing an instrument, then there wasn't any music!

1920's A teenage flapper and her kiss stealing beau in the parlor listening to some jazz

1930's Christmas carols playing in the back ground celebrating Christmas and the end of prohibition Dec. 5, 1933

1940's A girl playing "their song" over and over waiting for her soldier to come home

There is just so much romance in the music coming out of this old wooden box.

La Mode

Natharbi had front row press seats at LaMode, a fashion show put on by the International Academy of Design and Technology on Friday night. There were some interesting garments and very creative pieces...and then there were some pieces that looked like they were created by goth designers on a bad circus trip. The hosts of the show were two designers who are apparently famous. Alas, I am too busy going out and blogging to watch TV so I did not know who they were.









The one we were photographed with was Andrae Gonzale I believe. He was very friendly and he had a great look with his tuxedo jacket.

In between the shows they had dancers from different cultures, Irish dancers, belly dancers and a few others. The Irish were the most interesting and highest energy.


Here are a couple of my favorite garments of the show. It is purely coincidence that they are worn by the same model. I like the bold red collar and sleeve cuffs. I hereby announce that red shoes are old news and out for the rest of the season. And the bridal dress, it is 30's inspired, so it's a given.

















I have found the answer to one of those burning questions that bugs me, "why are models so thin? So waif-like? So unlike the shape of hot curvy real women?"

The answer (Do Not Get Mad, Natharbi loves real women): Because real women are beautiful up close in proper undergarments. They can be a little disturbing or embarrassing to watch while the model looks uncomfortable flaunting her DDs, in halters with no support, flappin' down the runway and shaking their "haven't seen a gym in years" booties in shiny satin hot pants. Some of the designs has wonderful potential but I supposed there is a learning curve for designers in "what not to wear" for certain model shapes. The model should make the clothes look great, not those clothes make the audience go "eeww, I didn't need to see that."

Apart from that, kudos to the hard work and hours of sewing the student designers put it.

Seattle League of Dandies

The Seattle League Dandies (and the Quantrelles who love them) for practitioners of dandyism and those who are merely curious. Forget the metrosexual thing - this is where it's at for those cultivating the gentlemanly way, both in clothes and in life.

A Little Curl

I was looking back at all the photos of Nathaniel and noticed the little curl of his hair in the middle of his forehead. It made me go awwww. I think it is adorable.

A lot of curl

A little curl

Curl in profile

Seattle Gift Show = Shopping Frenzy

Natharbi walked probably miles through the Seattle Gift Show being held at the convention center for wholesale buyers. We attended as press participants after we were passed off to a number of different offices to get our prized entrance badge. Mildly annoying, but the Hollywoods did finally end up with passes from a young woman named Beven who had just returned from a trip to Kenya where she taught children and studied Swahili.

This show was huge. They had vintage, clothing, accessories and jewelry, home decor, and food samples. First let's talk about vintage jewelry, I was thrilled when we started in the vintage section and darling Nathaniel bought me this bracelet. The story behind this piece is that it is actually an antique shoe buckle/ornament. A whole mess of them (5600) were found in an old building that the jewelry maker's father was going to throw out. She took and made them up into bracelets and necklaces for boutique stores.

;-X Thank you Mr. Hollywood!

Hair accessories abounded so I did get in some hat modeling. This brown 20's reproduction was best pick of the show. And a tiara I will wear for my coronation of Queen of the Quantrelles

I just realized we did not get any photos of the food sampling section. Our hands were too busy to mess with the camera as we tried every sort of gourmet gift shop chocolate, dried fruit, tea, cookies, sauces imaginable.

What a splendid day! The shopping euphoria was sustained until the very end. We had missed our nap and had to call it a day.

Zino Society's 2nd Birthday Celebration

Natharbi attended the Zino Society's 2nd Birthday Party held at DeLille Cellars in Woodinville. They invited us to come and check out the magnum party but didn't want any press. So, I will leave it to the reader with initiative to research. Natharbi had a good time meeting some new people in beautiful surroundings and tasting a little wine. We chatted with a couple on the balcony who were some original members of WAW (WhoopAss Winos from which Zino apparently sprung), some social members and couple of acquaintances. I must start writing down the amusing things I overhear because it would make me automatically much funnier.

They had mime in attendance. For me, this sits the fence between semi-amusing and disturbing. After all, a mime is practically a clown. See what I mean...

The weirdest thing was watching him eat which Nathaniel tried to get a photo of, but he was just too quick shoving pizza down the above pictured pie hole.

The grounds of the DeLille Winery are beautiful, and we were only appreciating it from a night view and the website. Possibly, Natharbi will take a trip back there in the daytime to enjoy the property.

Here on the balcony where the pleasant woman 3 drinks ahead of us took our picture, look really hard you can see a sliver of moon.

Shopping Photo Safari

N atharbi shops often

A nd Natharbi takes photos

T arget for those necessities of life
H igh end

A ntiques

R eal E-bay connisours

B argains

I ncluding Home Depot - someday

Because it's fun

Crave Party

The Seattle Crave Party was held at the Shilshole Bay Beach Club and appears to be the business world's answer to "how can we make more money on GNO?"

Natharbi + 1 MiniMe attended to find out what it was all about.

The planners had a lot of sponsors, cool things going on, silly things going on, clothing and accessory vendors, dinner was served, fashion shows, a variety of spa treatments, henna tattoos and "read your face, palm, pet emotions, future" woo woo folks were there to tote their "international specialist" platform...come to think of it, it was like a carnival for women.

For this event Caroline took over my usual hat modeling job. She really dug some of the fashion and picked up a camouflage hat, though I think this hat really works for her.

The fashion shows covered new young hip, Pike/Pine type of apparel. The models were escorted in some cases by firemen from the WCSFF firefighters who posed for the firefighter calendar. They knew how to strut their stuff, and had a lively time with all the attractive women who were swooning during the photo sessions and calendar autographing. We skipped that part, MiniMe is too young for that frolicking, and I only crave a former volunteer firefighter with whom I like to be photographed.

Natharbi and Simpson's in Everett

Yahooooo, it is good to be home! Natharbi had a movie date night Saturday. The obvious movie choice for a dandy and a quantrelle is Becoming Jane. Alas, it was not playing at the right time so we went to see the Simpson's blockbuster instead. Humor wise nothing beat the first few minutes with satire on the pentacostal movement. It has been a long time since I laughed so hard I had tears.

Hunger prompted Natharbi to a neighborhood casino, where we had some slow service and low grade chinese food. Growing up in Reno, I can't help but feel embarrassed for local casinos.

After a disco nap we went to downtown Everett to shake our booty at a local dive that had a DJ playing the old school funk...Brick House, Fire, Fantastic Voyage. Good Stuff!

Starbucks Stories - Resistance is Futile

Wednesday
While cruising around Reno with a friend of 20 years, I felt a sick sense of shame and delight with all the new Starbuck's that have opened there since I moved.

Barbi: Oooo there is a new Starbuck's on the corner of 7th and Keystone in my old neighborhood, oh how great it would have been if it was here before I moved.

Friend Kelley: No, no, no, we go to The Purple Coffee Bean. Starbuck's is an evil corporation taking over the little guys and the world.

Barbi: Resistance is futile, you and your freakin' purple bean whatever will succumb, take me there NOW.

Friday 8pm making the 725 mile drive back to Seattle
10 miles south of Portland

Barbi: OK the next exit we are getting off I5 for Starbucks

Sister Becky: There is no sign at that exit

Barbi: Starbuck's doesn't need a flippin' sign, they are everywhere, why waste profit on a sign?

I couldn't wait any longer than 10 minutes of sniffing out Starbuck's in suburbia Oregon. I pulled up to a Hollywood video and directed my sister: Go in and find out where Starbuck's is!

Becky returning: It is right behind you across the parking lot! Thanks, the video guy thought I was crazy.

Who cares what he thought, I knew we were close, it was those trees in the way causing the homing device malfunction.

Reno River Rafting

River Rafting in Reno with the whole family is one big adventure, Barbi + 2 MiniMe, grandparents, aunt, uncle, cousin. It was a true family affair on the Truckee River. We drove the caravan up to Lake Tahoe just south of Squaw Valley and made our way to the school bus ride (2 school bus rides in one summer, that is weird!) 5 miles up the river where we embarked on a not so raging river. Thank goodness for Oscar who repeatedly jumped out of the raft and got us unstuck from the rocks. All in all, considering no drownings, it was some good old home town fun.

All the Way to Reno

You have just won five day and four nights in Reno! Not really, I just used to think that was really funny when I heard it on game shows as a kid, since I already lived there. I'm leaving on a jet plane in the morning to connect with the family, returning Friday. I am sure we will come up with some Natharbi weekend fun! I am already a little homesick.

Opening Night - Party of Five

Natharbi + 1 MiniMe, Nathaniel's sister Joan and nephew Josh attended opening night of the Seattle's Opera season which premiered with The Flying Dutchman. This was Emily's first time at the Opera and she thoroughly enjoyed the fact that it was in German - just because she likes German.

The Flying Dutchman was a little snooze worthy. I don't think I was the only one in the audience that rested their eyes here and there. It was interpreted in a bit of a modern day sense it lacked the spectacular costimes one often thinks of when imagining the opera. It wasn't unpleasant, but certainly not spellbinding. As before Natharbi chuckled over then extensive applause that was afforded to every little pause. Doesn't that take away a little when the audience cheers everything?

If you have never been to the opera, don't let formal wear be a reason you don't try it out. There were people there dressed to the nines (oh that's right us), your regular cocktail wears and others in jeans. We shared some interesting chit chat with Crown Donor Room members during the intermissions as well as enjoying a bit of the chocolate desserts.

After the performance strolled over to Moxie to enjoy a round of late night sliders. Then, we called it a night but not before collecting compliments on our attire from the homeless people sleeping in the parking garage stairwells.

Isn't this shade of purple fabulous for a background?

Fashion First

We had an uber fun evening on the red carpet at the Fashion First boutique fashion show. Fashion First was created to put Seattle's style and unique fashion perspective on the sense on the world fashion map and unite the fashion community while raising support for charitable causes. This year the focus was The Northwest Sarcoma Foundation. The list of boutiques is long, just click the link. What I love most about the photo of the model below is that it is in focus. They move fast to the music.

They had a last minute venue change but everything was beautiful, the VIP lounge had small bites and this sparking gold mart!n! that tasted just OK but looked like jewelry. Really truly it was sparkling gold and red. I should have taken a photo of just the drink.

Quite the smorgasborg of boutique wear was shown and texture abounded. One portion focused on casual men's wear which turned out to be the most entertaining portion of the night in terms of the celebrity models having a good time. Nathaniel Hollywood would have been asked but the style was just too casual for him. Here's Nathaniel striking a pose and looking super cool.

There were a number of great coats shown and Nathaniel was enthusiastic about the wrist warmers a number of the models were wearing. Part of the show was checking out all the other attendees who were fascinating. I saw a lot of shoes I wish I owned, as well as many of those trendy sack dresses I am glad I do not own.

Our favorite Girl About Town, Darnell was there with hubby Ray and she introduced us to Darcey of Life Styled. Darcey is a fashion afficionado after my own heart.

Natharbi is pretty sure this Jaguar wants us to take it home.
Nice kitty.