YLF get together: tea at the Queen Mary in Seattle
September 2nd, 2008We’re delighted to introduce our first guest contributor. Today’s entry is written by fabulously funky Antje, a good friend and long time member of the YLF community.
Thanks to Sihaya’s initiative, the first YLF gathering in Seattle took place on Saturday at the Queen Mary, a quaint tea shop near the U-Village. What a delightful afternoon we had! Any initial shyness was overcome within minutes as we plunged into lively conversations ranging from how we each discovered YLF to style icons we admire (including Audrey Hepburn, Helen Mirren and Cate Blanchett, with Tina Turner getting special mention for pulling off a mini skirt).
The style quotient in the room was sizzling. There were definitely some themes (four yellow handbags!), but there was also an abundance of individual style, unique combinations, fab accessories and statement pieces. We all stared in disbelief at Marianne, who told us she just had her second child seven months ago – she looked so trim and smashing in her Matchsticks. Sihaya stylishly paired the Franco Sarto booties from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale with ultra skinnies. Naf looked radiant in red, black and white and wore an amazing necklace. NuanceDream dazzled in a black and white day dress.
Sihaya, Naf, and NuanceDream
I myself went with an edgy look of shorter skirt over leggings and premiered my new grey patent leather pumps. JuliJuli looked killer in the black and white jacket she wore when she ran into Angie at Nordstrom a few weeks ago. Angie, of course, was in a league of her own. She wore her cream Anne Fontaine blouse; it is absolutely stunning with its cutout cotton organza fabric and funky sleeve detail. She paired this statement piece with black skinny jeans, a smart military charcoal jacket, patent leather pumps in a rich golden yellow, and a gorgeous cobalt blue Charles David purse from her extensive bag collection.
We took plenty of pictures and, in honor of one of the forum’s most active contributors, some of us decided to strike the famous “shiny pose”. Are we pulling it off?
Antje, JuliJuli and Angie
We all agreed that the best thing about YLF is that it really is a style community for “real women”. The outfit photos other members post are so tremendously helpful (a big THANK YOU to everyone on the forum who posts pictures!) and have inspired all of us in different ways, motivating us to try a new style or color, or just to experiment more with existing items in our wardrobes.
The gathering also presented a great opportunity to ask some questions that are a little more personal and quirky than the ones we typically see on the forum. My favorite questions to Angie were “What do you wear to walk your dogs?” and “Do you have a designated parking space downtown?” We learned that for short walks through the neighborhood, Angie just dons her Converse sneakers and takes off her necklace, but otherwise stays in smart casual garb. She wears fab and colorful athletic gear – always layered – for longer “power walks” with her four legged sweeties. And while there is no parking space with Angie’s name on it (yet), she does have a great relationship with the “lovely lads” from Nordstrom’s valet parking service, who always try to squeeze in her red VW for her (almost daily) trips to Nordies with clients.
Fantastic shoe choices!
Yellow was the order of the day for bags. Angie and I sported our favorite accessory: statement specs.
It was such a treat getting this group of women together and finding that our virtual connection on YLF translated well into the real world. We had plenty to chat about, started sharing a little bit about ourselves, cracked each other up with stories (including Nuance Dream’s report of pajama bottom sightings at her workplace, which happens to be the state capitol), and bonded to the point where we were all reluctant to part ways and decided to meet again later this fall. Hopefully other Seattle YLF fans will join us!
This entry wouldn’t be complete without a shout out to the pioneers of the YLF meetup. Ana and Patience from Austin, Texas, posted their story about a month ago, complete with photos and video.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:38 am
I loved that post- what a fun gathering! I liked seeing all the shoes and bags, as well as the individual styles. I really liked the two tailored black/white jackets I saw! Nice job!
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:42 am
I am green with envy that I was not able to attend this meet up! Please, please make sure we plan a second meeting this fall! I want to meet all your smily faces in person!
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:44 am
What a delight! I loved reading this post (nice job, Antje!). You all look beautiful, of course- love the yellow handbags. It’s neat that so many YLFers are in the Seattle area.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:44 am
Wow, what an amazing post! All the ladies looked fabulous an it looks like you had tons of fun. I wish I could have been there too. Love the “Shiny” poses
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:53 am
Wow, wow and wow! What a great gathering and fabulous report and pictures. You gals looked like stepped out of the Vogue! Thanks for sharing.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:54 am
Thank you so much for posting this Seattle YLFers (and Antje especially for writing up the great report)! I’m amazed how killer you all look–I honestly love all your outfit combinations.
Patience and I had a TON of fun at the first lunch meeting, and we have been out with Sarah P. a couple of times since then (we got together to check out NM Last Call just last week). My outings with them is always something I look forward to.
I hope I can visit Seattle sometime and drop in on one of your future meetings!
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:57 am
You all look very stylish and fashionable, and each of your individual personalities shines through. Bravo!
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:03 am
Thank you so much for organizing this event and for creating such a warm and welcoming atmosphere! It was wonderful to meet everyone in person. I wish I didn’t have to take off early (I also wish I could get a long overdue haircut for the occasion…) It was also the most stylish group I’ve ever seen in Seattle - myself excluded, but I am still learning
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:22 am
OMG this is so fun to see!
I am so excited I found this site!
You are all beautiful women who have found your personal style!
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:24 am
What fun!! How did I miss this exciting gathering mere blocks from my house?!?! Don’t let me miss the next one!!
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:33 am
Loved the full report on the meeting! How fun and exciting it must have been to meet each other and of course, Angie. The poses a la Shiny made me smile so much! Thanks for sharing with us, I felt like I was there for a teeny bit.
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:40 am
Thanks for writing this super piece Antje! You looked funky fab as I only know you to look.
We had a ball!! We could of ended up having tea ALL day. Thank you YLF ladies for gracing our tea table with your stylish presence and fabulous personas. I’m privileged to have met my new friends and delighted to have extra time with older friends Antje, Sihaya and Naf. Sorry you had to leave early Marianne, but this is hopefully the start of many more forum rendezvous. (We’re waiting for the Boston Tea Party to happen. Yooohooo. When is that happening?)
Meredith, the get-together was arranged on the forum. Sorry you missed it. We were indeed in walking distance from your house! Hope you join us next time.
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:53 am
You all looked lovely and obvious had a fab time! I hope to attend the next gathering since I’m a Seattle-ite as well.
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:57 am
Hi YLF ladies,
Saturday afternoon at the Queen mary was an absolute delight!!. Even though this was the first meeting for many of us, it felt like we were longtime friends. Meredith, San and Marlene, I hope you can join us at an upcoming get-together.
P.S. Angie, many thanks for arranging this delightful afternoon at the Queen Mary. BTW, my dress is actually brown and white.
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:59 am
Ach! You’re all adorable.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:04 am
So fun! Great write-up, Antje! I’ve been lax in my Forum reading, but now I need to make sure I don’t miss any YLF teas being planned. Merideth and I are sending our early RSVP for the next one!
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:13 am
What a beautiful group of ladies! You put to shame the celebrity pictures we see in the media.
How cool that the sun came out for your photoshoot.
Antje, well done, interesting write up. Thankyou. Reading your description of the day made me feel like I was right there.
See you all at the next one.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:23 am
Thanks again Sihaya, Angie & Antje for getting us all together - it was so much fun! There truly was no awkwardness and it felt like getting together with old friends. I’m so looking forward to the next gathering!
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:31 am
Oh my, I really love this group!! You all look fab!! I love the diversity of styles. And of course, I love love love the “shiny” poses!
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:34 am
Thanks Shiny! Everything I learned about posing with style I learned from you!
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:48 am
Ladies, you are ALL that and a bag of chips - wow, now we know what the rest of us should strive for - thanks for the post and the great pictures. Style with a Capital S!
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:11 am
Woohoo! All of you sizzle! You have put a huge smile on my face. Thanks for the write up Antje.
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Antje, thanks for the fabulous write up. This was so much fun. Laurel and Meredith consider yourselves RSVP’ed for our next one. I’ll be sending out dates shortly for October.
You were all there in spirit with us even if not in person as we often found ourselves referring to so many of you, our online friends. Such as: “I bought the ‘Ana belt’ at J. Crew”; or “Let’s do a Shiny pose”; or “That would be a great color for Tanya; or “Nicole just cracks me up” and on and on.
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:24 pm
i am so sad that i missed it! What a fab and fun afternoon!
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Fabulous, inspiring..what fun!
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:12 pm
How fun! Great write up Antje, and I love the pictures. I’ll have to get back to reading the forum more often, but alas, school work comes first.
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Love it! wish I were there….
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Thanks for all the great comments, ladies, and thanks Angie for the opportunity to write the article. What a privilege to post on this great site!
It truly was a wonderful afternoon. We connected so quickly and spent almost 3 hours chatting and giggling. Can’t wait for the next meeting, and hopefully meeting more fabulous YLFers!!
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Thanks to Sihaya and Angie for organizing the get together, I had the best time! Antje, what a great write-up, your account makes the memories even fresher in my mind. Looking forward to our next gathering and meeting more forum friends in person
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Fab Times 7!
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Fab Times Seven!
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:13 pm
It looks like you stylish ladies had a fabulous time!! How wonderful!!
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Yay! I’m so glad to hear you had a fabulous time! Reading about your meetup and looking at pics made my evening (and I needed a pick-me-up of sorts today).
Thank you so much for sharing!
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:48 am
How fun! You guys looked fantastic!!!