Candy Apple Grey
 
Color! It revolutionized television. It makes 3D possible. It makes fireworks dangerous and beautiful. It tells us which snakes to run from, which mushrooms are fun to eat, and without the green wire and the red wire, few action heroes would make it to the sequel. So if color is so much cooler than X-box, why are your clothes so dark?
 
If you've got courage, Oslo's in Queen Anne has the selections to lighten your view. We're not talking about the bright colors you find in a ten-count box of Crayola, but the playful shades you get when the white and black paints splash into the other wells of your watercolor tin. Soft blues, salmons, pale olives, tans, and yes... even grays and blacks. The overall feel of Oslo's is one of elevated energy while the styles are as relaxed as cotton.
 
Oslo's owner/buyer knows that it's all about having fun and being creative with the basics, but it's up to you to mix things up. Visit the in-house barber while you're at it and leave the shop feeling like James Bond.
 
Oslo's - A Men's Store
1519 Queen Anne Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
206.282.6756
www.oslosamensstore.com

Take the Harvard Exit
 
Strolling around Harvard Exit can be a nice respite from the busyness of Capitol Hill.  The streets are generally quiet and there is a certain amount of class and pleasant aromas that you won't find on Broadway. Until recently though, the downside has been the lack of a good restaurant with real character.
 
The new tenants in the Loveless building, across from the Harvard Exit Theatre, have brought some much-needed new flavor to Alexander Pushkin's corner of the Hill.  Surrounded by murals depicting the author's work, Olivar serves market-fresh Spanish cuisine at surprisingly fair prices. The seasonal menu is interspersed with weekly and daily specials inspired by whatever looks particularly good at the day's farmers market.
 
Swing by for a great meal before a movie or a creative dessert before bed. Tip: The best time to visit Olivar is before and after the crowd, so as not to be caught in everyone else's reverberated conversations.
 
Olivar
806 E. Roy (in the Loveless Building)
Seattle, WA 98102
206.322.0409
www.olivarrestaurant.com

Take a Looka
 
The Washington surf scene has grown exponentially over the past ten years, though most people still look at you sideways when you tell them you went surfing, often assuming that you must have just returned from a vacation to Oahu or Mexico. Absent of a tan, you inform them that there is plenty of surf along our coasts, and good surf at that.
 
Cheka Looka is a small, locally owned surf shop in the heart of Fremont, and has been on the forefront of the local surf movement. The original location (now demolished for condo construction) was even smaller, but was a staple among the surfers of Seattle. Cheka Looka can provide everything from board and wet suit (you will want it) rentals, to custom-shaped surf boards and all the necessary gear to look the part. Whether you actually surf or not is another thing.
 
The owner is in most of the time, and he can provide a plethora of useful information  and ideas, though try and abstain from asking, "Where is the best place to surf, man?" As any good surfer knows, the secret surf spot is just that—secret.
 
Cheka Looka Surf Shop
3507 Evanston Ave. N.
Seattle WA, 98103
206.726.7878
www.cheka-looka.com

Be still our hearts.

Art in Pocket
 
We've spent a lot of time perfecting our wardrobe, so why do ignore the one accessory we wear every day—our wallet?
 
db clay—a Portland-based company—makes fashionable wallets by transferring artwork onto textiles that tell a story and are aesthetically stunning. Also, these billfolds are not only hip, but they are made with an eco-friendly material that is extremely durable plus heat- and cold-resistant. So do yourself a favor and put a little art in your pocket.
 
ww2.dbclay.com

Shoe Wars
 
We used to make fun of our lady for her shoe-fetish, but we are (and we don't know when this happened) gaining on her. There's your casual kicks, your work kicks (brown & black, lace-ups & slip-ons), and of course your trainers. What we don't have is any available real estate to store them (she took that up long ago).
 
Enter the Rakku Shoe Pod. Stylish as they come, this handy item will store twelve pairs without getting in her way.
 
www.rakkudesigns.com

iStreamline

One problem with battery extenders for mobiles is they often kill the good looks. Not so, though. with the new mophie juice pack for iPhone 3G. This extender doubles as a non-slip, soft grip case, cutting down extra bulk.

The extra battery life (rechargeable) adds up to six hours of additional talk time or 28 hours of audio playback. It also lets you connect and charge your iPhone at the same time when hooked to a PC.
 
mophie

Warhol BBQ
 
Saturday afternoons don't get much better than listening to great music on the grass with great food and a lot of beer on hand. Tomorrow, KEXP is bringing The Dandy Warhols, Joseph Aurthur, the Lonely Astronauts and others to the South Lake Union Discovery Center. Bring some friends, take the SLUT and enjoy the day.
 
What: 6th Annual KEXP Summer BBQ
When: Saturday, Aug. 9, 3–9 pm
Where: South Lake Union Discovery Center
Cost: $20
Visit: www.kexp.org

Feeling Like a Hooligan?
 
Join the Seattle Soccer Show at Fado Irish Pub for the kick-off to the English Premier League season live—at 1 am. You may win a prize, but you will definitely see some outstanding soccer from across the pond. Get there early for drinks and dinner, and stay late for drinks and breakfast.
 
What: English Premier League Season Kick-Off
When: Saturday, Aug. 16, 1 am
Where: Fado Irish Pub
Visit: www.fadoirishpub.com