Bellevue, WA February 2023

FOOD + BEVERAGE SIDNEY RICE TACKLES THE WINE INDUSTRY

ARTS + CULTURE ART FOR THE PEOPLE

ENTERTAINMENT MAKING FREEDOM’S PATH: LOCAL FILMMAKER SHARES HIS PROCESS

Lakeview Terrace Modern Farmhouse

Love Local

I don’t know about you, but this time of year I am always torn between resisting the commercialization of another greeting card holiday and indulging in all the sweet excuses to enjoy the season.

To do a Valentine’s Day date out or enjoy a cozy night at home? To buy a thoughtful gift or just say a kind word?  I usually land somewhere a little in between. We’ll each arrive at different answers based on our preferences and personalities, but what we hold in common is an opportunity to make sure those around us know we love them. And regardless of how you choose to celebrate, we hope the pages of this month’s magazine will help you do just that as we highlight what’s to love in your local community.

As a parent of four - including two infants - I have a feeling this Valentine's Day will not be child-free. And I think that's great, to have this holiday represent all different types of love, not just the romantic variety.

While we teeter between the chill of January Winter and the excitement of Spring, we hope you’ll be inspired to take a moment to come together with the people in your life. The ones in your home and on your street. In your neighborhood and your community.

“Love local” means your local businesses, those in your community - but it also means loving what is near. Those under your own roof included. So grab a coffee at Bellden Cafe and head back for a game night around the fire with the family. Or snag a bottle of wine from hedge & vine and some cheese from Town & Country Market in Lakemont and indulge in a movie at home.

We’ve always believed what we can do together is so much more than what we can do apart. And we continue to see that demonstrated through the many stories told in these pages month after month.

Happy February!

BREE O'BRIEN, EDITOR

@BELLEVUELIFESTYLE

February 2023

PUBLISHER

Caitlin Agnew | caitlin.agnew@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Bree O’Brien | bree.obrien@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Taylor Robinson | taylor.robinson@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Max Baker | max.baker@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Caitlin Agnew, Bree O’Brien

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Life N Light, Samuel Isaiah Lewis

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Hunter Richie

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Proctor

Proverbs

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

1: "Best of Bellevue" and "Best of Kirkland" party at the Bentley, Rolls Royce, McLaren Dealership. 2: "Best Realtor" Britt Wibmer and husband 3: "Best Dermatologist" Dr. Daniel Levy 4: Bellevue Lifestyle Publisher, Caitlin Agnew, and Life N' Light Photography team 5: Bentley Dealership GM Justin Misenas, Publisher Caitlin Agnew, Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson congratulating the winners. 6: "Best Of" Attendees at the Bentley, Rolls Royce, Mclaren Dealership 7: Stacy and Danica Eakman

8: "Best Architect" Baylis Architects 9: Spring District Senior Property Manager (Former Mrs. Washington) Linda Hoffner. 10: "Best Home Remodeler" Lochwood-Lozier 11: Karla Willson and Beth Billington 12: "Best Of" Attendees at the Bentley, Rolls Royce, Mclaren Dealership 13: Gene Juarez and Sidney Rice 14: Randi and Joseph Brazen

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @bellevuelifestyle

1: Karan Dannenberg, Realogics Sotheby’s International CEO/President Dean Jones, Annette Dresser at inaugural Runway on Main 2: Guests were served selections from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates at the December 6th event. 3: Event host and chef Bobby Moore stands with Lenny Wilkens and Tadashi Shiga, Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty’s Executive Director of Land Division. 4: Guests watched the show as models from Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler, Karan Dannenberg, and J. Hilburn presented the season’s latest styles. 5: Hosted/sponsored by Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty, Bar Moore, and other partners. December 6, 2022. 6: Runway on Main hosted over 100 guests raising funds for the Lenny Wilkens Foundation. 7: Event supporting loan officer, Whitney Pauley, wears one of the wonderful looks from Karan Dannenberg. Photography by Toan Chu/Realogicsg Sotheby’s International Realty

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Thanks Bellevue for voting us BEST DAY SPA

Join us in our original Bellevue location or our Totem Lake location which opened in 2021.

East meets West at Yuan Spa. Experience decadent massage therapy, advanced skincare, and herbal body treatments gathered from around the globe, guided by our highly qualified multinational therapists. Find an escape – a ritual – at Yuan Spa. Allow yourself to  Rediscover Your Source

Wintergrass, Feb. 23-26, 2023

Wintergrass is an annual four-day celebration of bluegrass and acoustic music with shows and dances on five stages, scores of workshops and multiple youth education programs. This year events take place at both the Hyatt Regency and Westin hotels in the heart of downtown Bellevue.  In addition to four-day and single day passes, fans may also purchase tickets to a selection of single shows. Tickets and more info are available at Wintergrass.com

2023 is about Commitment to Self at Barre3 fitness classes

Barre3 is an efficient and effective workout combining strength, cardio, and mindfulness. Classes are designed to increase strength, reduce stress, improve balance, and build a mind-body connection. Our certified instructors empower you to make each class your own with modifications, allowing people of every fitness level to create sustainable change from the inside out. We have many new client specials, including first class free. Contact bellevue@ barre3.com to redeem your free class or new client special. Scan to read more. Scan to read more.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Bellevue

Photography Courtesy of Yuan Spa

Photography by Maria Camillo

Photography Courtesy of Barre3 Bellevue

local experiences

The best places and things to do in our area.

From restaurants, shops, artists and more, show your love and support to our city’s creatives and visionaries. Enjoy these local establishments that you’re sure to fall for while simultaneously giving back to our city’s economy.

Our Picks to Show Your Local Love

HEDGE & VINE: Unique shop in Old Bellevue, the staff bill themselves as purveyors of fine wine, specialty foods and lovely home goods. 10028 Main St Bellevue, WA

BELLEVUE ARTS MUSEUM: Mission: The BAM provides a public forum for the community to contemplate, appreciate, and discuss visual culture. 510 Bellevue Way Ne Bellevue, WA

TAPATIO MEXICAN RESTAURANT: An authentic family Mexican restaurant located in the heart of Factoria Village. Offering lunch, dinner, and happy hour daily. 3720 Factoria Blvd SE C, Bellevue, WA

SMITH & MAIN: A women’s contemporary clothing boutique carrying a curated mix of established well-known designers, helmed by owner Chanel Smith. 37 103rd Avenue NE, Suite C, Bellevue, WA

THE SPEAKEASY BARBERSHOP: Full-service barbershop offering precision cuts, shaves, and luxury grooming services. Pull up a stool at the bar and enjoy a drink while you wait. 14028 Bel-Red Rd Suite 206, Bellevue, WA

Want to recommend a local experience?

Scan the QR code and message us on Instagram.

Photography by Bellevue Arts Museum

Bellevue Arts Museum

ARTICLE BY BREE O'BRIEN | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF INTERVIEWEES

TABLE FOR TWO

Bellevue locals share their favorite restaurants for a romantic evening.

Jill and Mike Chaffee Kat Wickersham Paul Parong

Jill is a speech therapist and Mike works in real estate, they have three children together. This fun couple shared that “We love to dine at Adrian’s Restaurant and Tequila Bar on Old Main. It’s very intimate with only 13 tables. They have a great atmosphere, friendly staff, and upscale authentic Mexican food. And who doesn’t love Tequila?”

Paul is a VP of Sales & Marketing, husband of 44 years and has one child and two grandchildren. He tells Bellevue Lifestyle, “One of the most romantic and nostalgic spots for us in Bellevue is 13 Coins – we love the Chef's Counter (we even have chairs we request!). We dated and were married in the 70's and used to go to the Seattle location at all hours of the night for the "Joe's Special." They could never kick us out because it was open 24 hours!”

Kat is the owner of Deep Roots, a local luxury piercing and fine jewelry store, as well as mom to Rider and wife to Rion. “When we have a date night or a special occasion to celebrate, you’ll find us at Ascend. Working and parenting with your spouse can be challenging, so it’s important to us that we prioritize our time together. We love everything about Ascend, from the unparalleled view and exceptional service to the gorgeous food and wine pairings. We always feel like we’ve shared a memorable experience together after an evening at Ascend.”

MAKING FREEDOM'S PATH

Bellevue Lifestyle had the opportunity to connect with local filmmaker Brett Smith to learn about his new film, Freedom’s Path . The movie is slated to open February 3 for Black History Month in a national theatrical release with AMC and Regal theaters.

1) Share a bit about your background.

I was born and raised in Bellevue, back when it was just a quiet sleepy suburb. Flash forward to today and I am married with four kids, still in Bellevue. Life is busy and hard and crazy, and messy and incredibly magical.

2) How did you get started in filmmaking?

I never consciously told myself that I would become a filmmaker. I didn’t take any middle school or high school video production classes. I think I was too afraid.

My friends and I would ‘borrow’ the family high-8 camcorder and make wrestling videos on my trampoline. Once we mastered the art of capturing a clothesline, jackknife, and good ol’ fashioned dropkick, we graduated to making short films – always goofy spoofs of the popular films of the day.

The older I got, the more dramatic the stories were that I wanted to make. Eventually, my friends told me they weren’t interested in crying on camera, or giving some massively

serious monologue. That’s when I knew I was in no man’s land and needed to start connecting with local actors.

3) What was the inspiration for this particular film?

Freedom’s Path is a film that I’ve been working on for twelve extremely long years. There were many inspirations that contributed to this story. Some have come from personal experiences, some from classic books and films; Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Red Badge of Courage and Glory.  I had also never seen a film that centered around some of the 250,000 free AfricanAmericans living in the South during the Civil War.

I was really inspired by unknown and forgotten voices. Voices lost to memory and time. I wanted to tell a story of everyday people going through extraordinary circumstances. More than anything though, I wanted to tell a story about the power of humanity. Of learning to overcome preconceived notions in order to see people for the unique individuals that they are.

I am proud to say that Freedom’s Path is the first narrative film to highlight and center around a group of free people in this era, and I certainly hope it is not the last. CONTINUED >

ARTICLE BY BREE O'BRIEN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY FREEDOM’S PATH FEATURE FILM, LLC

Writer/Director Brett Smith talks through the next set up with lead actors RJ Cyler and Gerran Howell.

4) What can you share about your “behind the scenes” experience on this project?

I’ll start by saying that we chose to shoot the film in northwest Arkansas, during the fall months. The reason being that the weather is supposed to be fairly moderate, sunny, 65-75 degrees, beautifully colored leaves on the trees, etc. However, we ended up getting the second worst fall on record. It was absolutely brutal.

We had a tornado, floods, mud, biblical amounts of rain, snow, hail, lightning, multiple weeks of ten-degree weather, even water moccasins swimming in the river with us during a scene (ahhhhhh!). It was an adventure in every sense of the word.

5) Tell us about the release of the film.

I am excited to say that the film will be released Friday, February 3rd in AMC and Regal Theaters nationwide!

We have partnered with Byron Allen’s HBCU GO, a free streaming digital platform serving as the leading media provider for the nation’s 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

A portion of all ticket sales from the theatrical release of the film will be donated to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) for under-funded HBCUs throughout the United States.

Naturally, one of the key themes of the film is freedom: Mental, emotional, and physical. We believe that education and freedom are inextricably connected, and so this giveback during Black History Month is really special to us.

6) Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I would love for Bellevue Lifestyle readers to know that this film is as independent as they come. There is no major studio backing this film (yet). Rather, it was made by a core group of Washington filmmakers.

In fact, I found the financing for the film by sending out over 4,300 cold emails. It took me two and a half years to do, but through that process I found ten incredible people who believed in me and believed in the story. There wasn’t a single thing about this film that was easy – but I don’t think I would have had it any other way.

CONTINUED >

From left to right: Actor Ewen Bremner (Trainspotting) and Director Brett Smith discuss the next shot.

Lead actor Gerran Howell prepares for a battle scene.

Left to right: Cinematographer Chris Koser frames up a shot of lead actors Gerran Howell and RJ Cyler.

Lead actors RJ Cyler and Gerran Howell.

Film crew work hard to add fog to the Civil War scene.

Crushing It: On and Off The Field

FORMER FOOTBALL STAR, SIDNEY RICE, VENTURES INTO WINE MAKING

Many may know and recognize Sidney Rice from his NFL days, in particular when he played for the Seattle Seahawks, with whom he became a champion in Super Bowl XLVIII.  What many might not know, is that he has since become a successful entrepreneur and an important part of the Eastside community through his many business ventures.  “I was always interested in entrepreneurship. As early as I can remember, I was paying my friends my hardearned pennies to dig random holes to see how far we could get down,” says Rice. Clearly his drive and

work ethic from the field to the boardroom have some overlap. “It all ties in together in my opinion (football and business). In order to stay sharp and be successful at anything, you must study and practice those crafts,” says Rice .  Bellevue Lifestyle had the opportunity to meet with Sidney to discuss his new venture, Dossier Wine, as well other projects on the horizon.

WHAT HAS YOUR POST-FOOTBALL JOURNEY BEEN LIKE?

My post-football journey has been an amazing experience here in the Seattle area. I’ve been fortunate enough to create a lot of different opportunities for people in the community which is very important to me. It’s a rewarding feeling to be able to give back to the people who supported me throughout my career. The support that the fans have shown in my different business ventures has been tremendous. It’s one of the reasons I decided to make the Eastside my home.

TELL US ABOUT DOSSIER WINE.

A lot of people think that any wine venture must be a passion project. That holds true in this but ultimately my partner, Tim Lenihan, and I both see something special with Dossier. We feel like there is a niche that has yet to be embarked on. Our ultimate goal is to continue to push forward the amazing industry of wine in Washington State, but we also feel like the experience for people is very important. Our events and dinners we have decided to create are memorable experiences for our Dossier Wine Family.

ANY NEW BUSINESS IDEAS ON THE HORIZON?

I’m a fairly active investor and entrepreneur, and am always incubating new ventures with a core group of co-investors and business partners. There are a few releasing in the very near future that I’m particularly excited about.

CONTINUED >

We just acquired Sodo, a men’s athletic lifestyle apparel brand founded in Sodo, Seattle. I’ve been a long-time customer of this brand and it’s exciting to reinvigorate it with a modern approach to design and relationship with our customers. This should be live in March 2023.

We are in beta with Catapult, a platform that works with the Department of Defense to connect veterans with the right roles in renewable energy, and our goal is to help find a significant percentage of the 200,000 transitioning vets great careers in a growing field by Q4 of 2023.

We have a survival blanket company called SIREN, that has a heat retention technology that was developed for emergency rooms and trauma patients. We’re fortunate to be in a position with SIREN to contribute a significant number of blankets to people in Ukraine who are facing a terrible winter ahead. Our product will save lives there.

And, you know I love wine.  We’re in the development stages of a WineTech concept that would reduce the risk of buying spoiled product for buyers of aged, fine wines.

IS THERE A MOTTO THAT HELPS GUIDE YOU?

I don’t think I have a specific motto. But I do love the quote, “Choose a job that you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I feel like a lot of people pass up on their passions for instant gratification. They’ll get a job that pays them well for the moment but trade off something they are very passionate about. I like to encourage people who have a working skill to try and start their own business if at all possible.

“The support that fans have shown in my different business ventures has been tremendous. It’s one of the reasons I decided to make the Eastside my home.”

T E S T I M O N I A L

BEFORE AFTER

C a t h e r i n e a n d M c K e n n a m e t w i t h u s a t o u r h o m e l a s t D e c e m b e r a n d h e l p e d u s d e s i g n o u r u p d a t e s f o r t h e h o u s e . T h e y m e t w i t h c o n t r a c t o r s a n d o b t a i n e d q u o t e s f o r a l l o f t h e p l a n n e d u p d a t e s a n d r e p a i r s W h e n o u r t e n a n t s m o v e d o u t t h e y h a d o u r h o m e c o m p l e t e l y t r a n s f o r m e d W e h a d n ’ t u p d a t e d a n y t h i n g s i n c e 1 9 9 0 - t h e y c h o s e t h e p a i n t c o l o r s , a p p l i a n c e s , c a r p e t s , t i l e s , c o u n t e r t o p s , e t c , p l u s t h e y h a d t h e h o u s e s t a g e d , p h o t o g r a p h e d , a n d o n t h e m a r k e t w i t h i n 4 w e e k s . W e s o l d o u r h o u s e f o r $ 3 0 0 k m o r e t h a n w e w o u l d h a v e w i t h o u t t h e i r e f f o r t . T h e u p d a t e s a n d r e p a i r s w e r e p a i d f o r u p f r o n t t h r o u g h t h e i r C o m p a s s C o n c i e r g e P r o g r a m , a n d a t c l o s i n g w e p a i d b a c k t h e c o s t w i t h Z E R O i n t e r e s t . C a t h e r i n e a n d M c K e n n a a r e g r e a t w h a t t h e y d o a n d t h e y a r e o u r r e a l e s t a t e a g e n t s a n d r e c o m m e n d t h e m h i g h l y - R o s e H i l l S e l l e r

Art for the People

THREE LOCAL ARTISTS SHARE ABOUT THEIR WORK, INSPIRATION, AND FAVORITE MEDIUMS.

ARTICLE BY BREE O'BRIEN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE ARTISTS

Preston Wadley; Hunting in Palestine, mixed media

Preston Wadley, as told to Bellevue Lifestyle

As this issue highlights local artists and makers, Bellevue Lifestyle had the opportunity to interview Wadley ahead of his Abstract Truth exhibition at the Bellevue Arts Museum, opening February 25. Wadley’s show will include both 3-D sculptures as well as portraits from his Demos Project series.

Born in Los Angeles, Wadley came to the University of Washington for his BFA and MFA, before becoming a Professor of Art at Cornish College of the Arts. He describes his work as “on the fringes of assemblage, folk art, and collage.”

With regard to his sculptures Wadley says, “There’s the phenomenon of people looking at a piece for 10-15 seconds and moving on, but the form of a book itself signals to the viewer to spend more time.” He likes to compound literary references and narratives for these mixed media sculptures, as a book is an icon that everyone recognizes.

The portraits are spartan in nature and intentionally close to life-size, so that in order to scrutinize the subjects the viewer must symbolically “meet” them. The portraits are taken outside with a nondescript background that is not indicative of who the subjects are – one has to look at the subject’s face. As a populist artist, Wadley wants civilians to have a chance to really engage with the work, and prefers that people take in the portraits “cold,” without any preconceived ideas about their subjects.

Wadley counts Man Ray, Jacob Lawrence, and various documentary photographers among artists that inspire him. Often he will think of the title for an artwork – a word, phrase, or experience that he connects with – and then create something to go with the title. He keeps a list of potential titles where he can see it all the time for inspiration. Likewise, Wadley tries to live an eclectic lifestyle, “Paying attention to detail in life and the world is paramount.”

Preston Wadley; Janus in the Mourning, mixed media

Preston Wadley; The Eyes of Rita, mixed media

“There’s the phenomenon of people looking at a piece for 10-15 seconds and moving on, but the form of a book itself signals to the viewer to spend more time.”

Tyler Shogren of Shogren Smithery, in his own words

I am 19 years old and have been swinging a hammer on hot steel for almost eight years now. I got my official start at a Boy Scout Merit Badge fair – the section was only supposed to be three hours, but I ended up being there for seven. I knew I’d fallen in love with blacksmithing, but not how hard.

I love to make anything and everything I can from steel, copper, brass, or aluminum; sometimes all in a single project. I use age-old technology and techniques mixed with modern day information and materials to make the highest quality tools and art I can. I like to think of blacksmithing as the art of the industry world.

I started at a very young age helping my dad and grandfather fix and renovate rental houses, that taught me how to think outside the box about how things worked and were put together. From there I moved to woodworking and construction to a degree that made my mother uncomfortable, but that was all before the age of ten.

Ever since I started blacksmithing, steel and copper have been my primary medium, but I always love to mix in wood and leather where I can.

What inspires me is who I was yesterday, what I’ve done before, and what I want to be. The idea of not fulfilling who I was meant to be motivates me to work harder than anyone I’ve ever seen. Some of my favorite people to look to for inspiration are: Jacob Faram (blacksmith), Will Stelter (bladesmith, videographer), Herman Doty (blacksmith), and Northmen (craftsmen guild).

People who are interested in my work should know that the best place to find and order my work is my website. However, I am working with local shops: hedge & vine, Whisk off of Main Street, Made in Washington, Fireworks in Bellevue Square, and a couple of other stores in North Bend to showcase and get my product out to the public soon.

Tyler Shogren; Forged copper roses, recycled copper pipe, and steel

Tyler Shogren; Forged forestry axe, carbon steel and America Hickory

Dakota Dean, in his own words

Spray paint has always been my medium. I started dabbling shortly after I moved to Seattle in 2012 from small-town Utah where we didn’t have any graffiti, murals, or street art. As I walked down the city streets and alleys, I became enamored with all the graffiti and public art. I felt like it gave the city depth, conflict, drama, and beauty. I felt like there were small stories to be discovered on the back of random street signs in Capitol Hill and on the windows of dilapidated buildings in Pioneer Square. I knew I wanted to be a part of that storytelling process, and so I started experimenting with creating art and using spray paint. Coming up with stories of my own, watching as the layers of color and paint build on top of one another: It’s an adventure to me just to try and bring an idea to life. The fact that spray paint is such a limiting medium is very alluring to me. You can’t mix colors, and stencils operate under certain rules and parameters. The challenge is addicting. But I think the most rewarding part of creating art is watching as someone else comes along and connects with the message in one of my pieces.

Tyler Shogren; Forged 8" chef's knife, Old Horse rasp and whisky barrel slats

Dakota Dean; Love, spray paint and stencil on collage

What inspires me is connecting with people who don’t fit the proverbial mold, those who feel misunderstood, disenfranchised, or like a black sheep. I want to encourage people to celebrate their own uniqueness, to love themselves and each other for who they are, and to laugh at our systems and culture that tell us we need to conform and divide. I want all the black sheep out there to know that there’s a whole bunch of us running around, and that we should all be friends!  And sometimes I just want to make an image that is pretty and thought-provoking.

My favorite artists include Lora Zombie (an incredible “grunge watercolorist”), Shepard Fairey (Most people know him as the artist behind the brand “OBEY”), Fin DAC, Ruben Ireland, Martin Whatson, and Banksy.

I always have a few pieces hanging at Parklane Gallery in Downtown Kirkland, and I will be the Featured Artist there this April.  The opening reception for my featured artist show (under the working title of “Professional Misconduct”) will be on Saturday, April 8th from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, and my work will hang until April 30th. I’ll debut somewhere between 15 and 20 new pieces and it will be a great time to experience my work firsthand! I show throughout the summer, at many of the local art and cultural festivals in the area – my website will have a list.

Dakota Dean; Revolt, spray paint and stencil on collage

Dakota Dean; Love is a Weapon, spray paint and stencil on collage

Dakota Dean

ELEVATE YOUR CLOSET

Every woman dreams of an organized and beautiful closet space, but it often comes last on the list of places that get their time and attention. Follow our three tips for transforming and elevating your closet as you Spring clean and declutter for a more peaceful, inspired space you absolutely love.

A sneak peek inside the closet of active mom and entrepreneur Keri Tarantino of Leawood, KS reveals a dressing room that rivals celebrity homes in Beverly Hills. But it didn’t come easily. Keri painstakingly planned, designed and curated the space with care.

When we first stepped inside, we gasped as our eyes beheld the glory. No detail went unnoticed in this dreamy dressing room. Here are some guiding principles that can be drawn from her exquisite taste and vision. How you organize your closet will of course differ based on the size of your space, the size of your wardrobe, and the kind of life you lead. But applying the guidelines Keri used in her space will result in a much more organized and aesthetically pleasing space.

1. USE REAL ESTATE WISELY

Reserve the front and middle of the closet for clothes worn most often. For someone who gets dressed for work each morning at 6 a.m., work clothes should be at the front of the closet. Store lesser-worn items like formal wear and out-of-season clothes toward the back and on the upper shelves. The large mirror and counter with chair provides the perfect spot to select jewelry and finalize finishing outfit touches. While every closet is different, the key here is everything has a home.

2. ORGANIZE BY KIND AND COLOR

Group clothes by kind first and color second. This ensures quick location of that favorite shirt when it’s needed. Bonus - it’s easy on the eye. Group like with like: Gather belts, sweaters, long-sleeve shirts, work pants, dresses, button-down shirts, jeans, shorts, etc., and decide the best place to store each item as a group (e.g., hang pants in the closet, fold and stack sweaters in a bureau). Working with groupings will help you figure out how much space you need and the best way to store each type of item.

3. UPGRADED HANGERS

The simplest and fastest way to make a BIG difference in your closet organization is to get matching hangers that go beyond the traditional plastic or wire hangers. And for sure ditch any with paper from the dry cleaner! Here’s a few of our favorite elevated hangers:

ARTICLE BY HALEY WILLIAMS |

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASSANDRA CASTANEDA

3 WAYS TO ORGANIZE AND INJECT STYLE INTO YOUR SPACE

The Matthews Group

Michael S. Matthews Managing Director Private Wealth Advisor

m.matthews@ubs.com 425-451-2350

UBS Financial Services Inc. Private Wealth Management 225 108th Avenue Northeast Bellevue, WA 98004

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This Forbes rating is based on information from June of the prior year to June of the award year

We specialize in portfolio management, tax mitigation strategies, liquidity events, advanced planning and concentrated positions.

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events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

FEBRUARY 1ST-28TH Visit KidsQuest Children's Museum

1116 108TH AVE NE BELLEVUE, WA 98004

Need to get out of the winter weather and have some indoor fun with your littles? This hands-on, interactive children’s museum is just the thing! Free Low Sensory Evenings are available the third Thursday of every month from 3:00-5:00 pm for families with sensory sensitivities. Plan your visit at kidsquestmuseum.org

FEBRUARY 3RD-11TH Seattle Boat Show

LUMEN FIELD EVENT CENTER AND BELL HARBOR MARINA

The Seattle Boat Show, the largest on the West Coast, attracts boaters from all across the country and Canada who are in the market for a new boat or want to shop for the latest in accessories and technology. More information at  seattle boatshow.com

FEBRUARY 4TH

College Bound Resource Fair for Students with Disabilities

BELLEVUE COLLEGE, 3000

LANDERHOLM CIR SE BELLEVUE, WA 98007 | 10:00 AM

A unique event created specifically for people with disabilities who aspire to become college students, and the families and educators in their lives. The event includes presentations and resources on

college programs, preparing for college, transportation, financing college, advocacy and independence, academic support and much more! Presentations will also be streamed online. Reserve your free spot via eventbrite.

FEBRUARY 4TH

For Love or Money Showcase

MEYDENBAUER CENTER 11100

NORTHEAST 6TH STREET

BELLEVUE, WA 98004 | 7:00 PM

Join Briora Ballroom for a spectacular celebration of music and dance! Enjoy elaborate performances from students and staff. Fun the whole family can enjoy! More info at briora.com/showcase

FEBRUARY 4TH

Year of the Rabbit Celebration

SEATTLE'S CHINATOWNINTERNATIONAL DISTRICT | 10:00 AM

Vendor booths line the streets, dance performances and music grace the main stage at Hing Hay Park, families walk along S. King St., you can truly feel the atmosphere of this cultural intersection. Come and celebrate! Find out more at seattlechina townid.com

FEBRUARY 12TH

Bellevue Symphony Winter Concert

THEATRE AT MEYDENBAUER CENTER 11100 NORTHEAST

6TH STREET BELLEVUE, WA 98004 | 3:00 PM

Featuring renowned pianist Kate Liu, who gained international acclaim after winning the Bronze Medal and Best Mazurka Prize at the 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Poland. More information at  bellevue symphony.org

LUTRON® AND BUDGET BLINDS®

FEBRUARY 15TH-19TH

Northwest Flower & Garden Festival

SEATTLE CONVENTION

CENTER, 705 PIKE STREET, SEATTLE, WA | 9:00 AM

Celebrate “Spring Vibes Only” with over 20 display gardens, more than 90 free seminars and workshops, and thousands of treasures in the garden marketplace. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting to dig in the dirt, there’s something for everyone! Learn more at gardenshow.com

FEBRUARY 19TH

Bellevue Princess Day

MEYDENBAUER CENTER, 11100 NORTHEAST 6TH STREET

BELLEVUE, WA 98004 | 10:00 AM Give your child the BEST DAY EVER with all their favorite princesses! Share stories, songs, dances, games, and more with a high-quality cast of characters. Voted #1 Princess Event by Moms Nationwide. Tickets are available at eventbrite.

FEBRUARY 23RD-26TH

Wintergrass

HYATT REGENCY BELLEVUE

This four-day music festival blends big-time performances from Grammy Award-winning musicians, impromptu jam sessions, dancing, and music workshops to create an award-winning musical event experience. Featured artists include Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass, Jerry Douglas Band, and Bella White. The intensive workshops allow you to do a deep dive into one musical instrument. Find more info at wintergrass.com

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Bellevue

START LOCAL, GROW GLOBAL

Meet Founder, Creator, and Entrepreneur: Courtney LeMarco

Courtney LeMarco is making his mark on the entertainment world, right here at his headquarters in the heart of Downtown Bellevue. Courtney is the founder and CEO of LeMarco Global, a venture capital and business management firm with interests in media, entertainment, finance, hospitality, and consumer products. Bellevue Lifestyle asked Courtney to share an update about his latest venture, Motsi, and where LeMarco Global is headed in the future.

WHAT IS LEMARCO GLOBAL’S MOST RECENT VENTURE?

We’re excited about our most recent venture, a lifestyle brand called Motsi. I always had a passion for fashion when I was growing up, and I spent several years producing advertising and content for major fashion brands and retailers. Now I’m about to put that passion and knowledge to use with Motsi.  We have a wide range of products that include skincare, cosmetics, and swimwear. We’ll be expanding into streetwear and accessories in 2023. This year, We’re looking to expand Motsi and our entertainment companies with a series of creative fashion and music based events and festivals. We’re building this into an online community through Motsi World, which is launching in the second quarter of 2023.

“My inspiration comes from seeing people working hard to reach their potential. I have an amazing team, and we’ve all learned a lot and have grown close over the past few years.”

WHAT ARE SOME GOOD LOCAL RESOURCES THAT HAVE HELPED GROW YOUR FASHION BRAND?

I’ve met a lot of talented people in the PNW who are doing amazing things in fashion. And I’ve been fortunate enough to produce and sponsor events in the area that have helped to push the community forward.  We’ve also been able to work with some of the top agencies in the area including Seattle Model’s Guild, and Heffner Management. In fact, we just produced a project for Motsi with models from both agencies. They’re a great resource for finding top talent in the region.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

My inspiration comes from seeing people working hard to reach their potential. I have an amazing team, and we’ve all learned a lot and have grown close over the past few years. I get inspired when I see their success and motivation. That pushes me to get up every day so I can work hard to create more opportunities for all of us. It’s a cyclical relationship.

As for people I look up to - I’ve always been a huge fan of Shawn “Jay Z” Carter. I’ve watched his career closely and I’ve always admired his business acumen. Additionally, Matt Chan, who is the creator of the television show I produce, Hoarders on A&E, is a great mentor who has helped me navigate the entertainment industry and business. Two amazing individuals that I’m thankful to be able to learn from.

Dream House Raffle

Benefiting Special Olympics Washington

Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Washington, a nonprofit charitable organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Washington

I keep everything running smoothly so the build team can focus on what’s most important: your dream home.”

jodie jones

“ office manager WITH ROBERTS GROUP since 2019