Francesca’s Collections™ will open its first Northwest location at Pacific Place just in time for the fall fashion season. Francesca’s offers an eclectic assortment of the latest fashion trends and home accessories at affordable prices. Francesca’s will occupy 1,237 square feet between Teavana and Gymboree on Level 2 of the downtown Seattle shopping center. Construction is expected to start June 1 with an early September opening planned.

“Francesca’s is thrilled to have its first store in the Northwest open in one of Seattle’s finest retail venues, Pacific Place,” says Clary Groen, Vice President of Real Estate and Construction. “This unique shopping center is located in one of the most vibrant cities in the U.S., and it is frequented by locals as well as tourists. Our fashion-forward merchandise mix, which includes apparel, accessories, home décor and gifts, will complement offerings from the outstanding collection of tenants in Pacific Place. We look forward to a successful presence in the Seattle market for years to come.”

Since opening its first boutique in 1999, Francesca’s Collections™ has become one of the fastest growing fashion retailers in the country. This unique boutique features women’s clothing, jewelry, handbags, accessories and gifts.

A Francesca’s shopping experience is something of a treasure hunt, with discoveries made upon each visit. The company holds exclusive contracts with clothing manufacturers and emerging designers that are distinctive to the brand. Both Francesca’s jewelry and apparel are inspired by current design trends and haute fashion, and are offered at an attractive value. Each table-top gift display represents a narrative theme with sensory appeal. Hand-selected home accessories are scattered about the boutique and featured on its walls in themed vignettes.

“We are pleased to have the first Francesca’s Collections in the Pacific Northwest join our eclectic fashion mix at Pacific Place,” says Lynn Beck, general manager of Pacific Place. “Francesca’s offers attractive fashion at affordable prices certain to appeal to a broad range of our shoppers.”

For more information about Francesca’s Collections, visit www.francescascollections.com and follow the brand on Twitter @shopfrancescas and on Facebook at Francesca’s Collections.

Acclaimed songwriter and pianist Josh Rawlings joins upright bassist Nate Omdal and drummer Adam Kessler in exploring the sounds of “joyful jazz” from 6 to 8 pm Friday, June 4 at the 110th Avenue arrival court at The Bravern. Well known on the local music scene, the trio’s wide-ranging and eclectic repertoire includes everything from standards to original composition and conjures up a myriad of influences and emotions.

On Saturday, June 5 from 6 to 8 pm at the arrival court, the Katrina Kope Quartet will share the sounds of rhythm and blues. Front woman and composer Katrina Kope leads a group of Seattle’s best jazz players to create a contagious and exuberant R&B lineup certain to have you on your feet dancing!

For more information on the Bellevue Jazz lineup, check out http://www.bellevuejazz.com

Craig Blankenhorn™ & © New Line Productions, Inc., 2010

W Seattle, known for its luxe style and swanky bar, is the perfect setting to celebrate the return of Sex and the City to the big screen. Join the hotel for a Kick-off SIP event on Wednesday, May 26, the eve of the film’s release, as an ode to Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte and the hotel’s Sex, SIP & Shop in the City overnight stay package that includes a bevy of goodies worthy of the glamorous foursome.

From 6 to 9 p.m. the Living Room and W Bar will be all about Sex and the City with clips from the beloved series projected on flat screen TVs with the ambient sounds of a local DJ setting the mood. The W Bar has created four fab cocktails named after each Sex and the City gal pal, including a virgin, non-alcoholic option named after Charlotte.

The Carrie Cosmo

Ruby Red Absolut, Cointreau, fresh muddled lime,

a splash fresh grapefruit and cranberry, shaken and served up

The Miranda Mojito

Bacardi Light Rum, fresh muddled lime and mint

with a splash of mango puree, shaken and served over ice

The Samantha Manhattan

Makers Mark Bourbon Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth

and a dash of orange bitters, shaken and served up with a cherry

Mr. BIG

Tanqueray gin, muddled lime, simple syrup shaken

served up with a float of Champagne

The Charlotte Cooler

Available Non-Alcoholic as well Blueberry Stoli, Agave Nectar,

muddled lemon, topped with soda, and finished with a blueberry garnish

Enter to win great prizes including a gift certificate for the hotel’s Sex, SIP and Shop in the City package, as well as two sets of two tickets for an exclusive sneak preview of the movie at Pacific Place AMC Theatres on level 4 at 8:50 p.m. the night of the party.

The fashion is going to fierce at this swanky party, so channel your inner Sex and the City gal pal, put on your best party dress and get ready to do it up.

Taste + Luxury = Proenza Schouler. If these are two things you desire, then head on over to Barney’s at Pacific Place to check out their selection of Proenza Schouler.

Not familiar with Proenza Schouler? Then keep on reading…

“The men behind Proenza Schouler love their mothers. After all, their fashion house is named after the women who raised them. Proenza Schouler began in 1998 as Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCoullough’s senior project at Parsons School of Design. However, by the time they rolled out their first collection, it was snatched up by Barneys New York. In 2004, Proenza Schouler launched its first shoe collection with great reception. Today, you’ll find the brand’s chunky sweaters, killer platform pumps, sophisticated eyewear and their first handbag line, PS1, inspired by a classic satchel, which has been modernized into a timeless version with lush leathers and chic shapes.”