Uncommon Dinner at Brunswick and Hunt

screen-shot-2016-10-30-at-3-52-37-pm

I had the privilege of hosting a fantastic dinner at Brunswick and Hunt last week. I would say hosting this type of event is one of the highlights of my job. Bringing together a variety of influencers, from different industries and then seeing the synergy that happens always inspires me. The guests at this dinner were Jaime White, Olivia (@grubbinseattle), Charles (@CharlesKoh_) and Nelson (@nelson_yong). Each of us have a passion for food, but a variety of other interests which include Fashion, PR, Technology, and more!

Our menu included delicious house crafted cocktails, charcuterie and cheese, "grapes, grapes, grapes" salad, veggies, an entree of choice and shared dessert to top it all off.

Photo By: Nelson Yong

Photo By: Nelson Yong

Charcuterie & Cheese House Ham, Rillette Beef Tongue, Terrine (all made in house) Pate L’Explorateur, Wonderland, Moule Des Bergers, Cascadian Frechette, Bleu D’Auvergne

Photo By: Nelson Yong

Grapes, Grapes, Grapes Concorde, Red, & Green Walnut, Celery

Photo By: Nelson Yong

Petite Sirloin & Frites Wild Mushroom Butter, Demi

Photo By: Charles Koh, @charleskoh_

Conversation hit upon a flurry of tips about social media and photography tools such as:

• iBlazr a "flash designed for smartphones also comes in handy when taking photos with tablets or DSLR cameras, lighting analogue photography, brightening nighttime video calls, or simply functioning as a small but powerful flashlight". The above photo was taken with the iBlazr under the bottle.
• People Map an amazing platform to created targeted lists, manage campaigns and grow your Instagram following.
• Iconosquare a tool to grow on Instagram with "easy-to-use analytics and time-saving features".
• Planoly a way to visually map and plan out your Instagram feed.

As well as some exciting and unexpected restaurant recommendations Phorale Seattle, Terra Vista at Snoqualmie Casino for their“SRF Kobe” Tomahawk steak, and Billy Beach for sushi.

Overall the food was delicious and the conversation flowed freely. I am looking forward to the next Uncommon Dinner!

Check out Brunswick and Hunt's 2016 Thanksgiving menu here.

RSVP for Thanksgiving at Brunswick and Hunt via phone at (206) 946-1574.

Creating A Refuge In A Stressful City

Whether you are working 9-5 in a cubicle, freelancing from a coffee shop, or creating from your garage we all are facing the increasing pressure of globalization. We are having to produce quality content consistently, navigate ever changing and at times frustrating social media algorithms, and DIFFERENTIATE ourselves from the competition. For the millennial generation who does not like to be stuck in a box or told we can't be good at many things -- there is always incentive to do more, achieve better results, and get ahead.

"We're all so scared of hurting or offending people that we don't tell them exactly what they need to hear in order to become fully realized adults." - Natalia Borecka

We are chipping away at making our dreams a reality. We are dedicated to skilling-up or pivoting, but character, and statesmanship are words that have become utterly defunct vocabulary. There is something missing. We are losing sleep, we are anxious and we are stressed out. We snap photos of perfect plates of food, but are losing the ability to converse deeply around a meal. Workplaces have become the center of cities - providing yoga, meditation, food, continued learning and community. The only problem is corporate wellbeing initiatives are not deeply rooted rather their focus is to "attract and retain talent". They are driven by a need to produce more, better, faster. Someone recently mentioned to me that we seem to be going back to the coal mining era where entire towns were built around industries. What happens if the tech industry which has been shaping Seattle decides to move elsewhere? What if the bubble bursts? What will be left behind?

“People are fed by the food industry, which pays no attention to health, and are treated by the health industry, which pays no attention to food.” ― Wendell Berry

We seem to have gotten off-course, but are so busy we don't even realize the massive shifts which have happened in the last 10-15 years. We've glamorized the dreams and goals of the individual, to the extent that we are trying to do everything by ourselves. We feel guilty when we can't do it all. We are bio-hacking, gene hacking, life hacking, to get any advantage we can. Our whole being, family, friends and communities are being neglected as we pursue success.

Most people try to fix their inner problems by getting better at the same external games they have always played... External changes are not going to solve your problem because they don't address the root of your problem. The root problem is that you don't feel whole and complete within yourself. If you don't identify the root properly, you will seek someone or something to cover it up. You will hide behind finances, people, fame and adoration. If you try to find the perfect person to love and adore you, and you manage to succeed, then you have actually failed. You did not solve your problem. All you did was involve that person in your problem. - Michael A. Singer

This past weekend my parents came to visit which led to a spontaneous slumber party at my sisters one bedroom apartment. Family members sleeping on couches, on pallets on the floor, and the dog squished in between. I was reminded that the size of the house doesn't matter, it's the people in it. As we are all pursuing our dreams, I would ask us are we making a home? Are we making a place that people can come into and just be? A refuge from the stresses of life?

I want to create a home, a place that is a refuge for myself and those I care for. 

Creative Convergence At The Curiosity Cabinet Evening, The RUINS, Seattle

Esther Maria Swaty (Uncommon Cartography) and Virginia Wyman (owner of The RUINS)

This past weekend Uncommon Cartography produced the Curiosity Cabinet Evening on behalf of The RUINS. The RUINS is a private dining club, as well as an event space with catering facilities (both are available to the public). The Curiosity Cabinet Evening saw a creative convergence which highlighted the synthesis which is happening between the art and tech communities in Seattle. Guests included everyone from engineers to boutique owners to film producers and makeup artists. Everyone arrived in spectacular fashion which ranged from Steampunk costumes to masks, to dashing suits and feathered headpieces.

Guests Looking Fabulous!

Steampunk Fashion

Producers at Attackships On Fire

Tasty bites including a house-made quince jam, charcuterie, petit fours and more were created by The RUINS in-house catering team. Delicious cocktails were crafted by Jesse Cutler, The RUINS wine steward, with vodka was from Glass Distillery and we served a red and white wine from Robert Ramsay Cellars.

Wine by Robert Ramsay Cellars

Delicious snacks created by The RUINS in house catering team.

The Curiosity Cabinet Evening was not your average networking event, rather it was developed in partnership with The RUINS to showcase an all too hidden and mostly unknown magical venue, as well as connect individuals who might not have normally had the chance to meet each other. The RUINS is entering a new chapter and this event was a preview of how a new generation, bridging with a legacy membership can infuse fresh energy into the storied venue.

Highlights of the evening included a surprise performance by Phi VoBa and his group of dancers, live painting by Jake Grahn, jewelry by Silver & Salt Co. and perfumery by Incensory. Here is a little information about each of our event partners:

Choreographer/Dancer Phi VoBa and dance crew

DJ in action :)

EVENT DJ

Connie Hu aka DJ U.NO.HU (you know Hu) lives and works in Seattle. You can find her providing the tunes at boutique stores such as Zebra Club and Likelihood, as well as local bars. When she is not DJing, she works for a marketing and event production company in Queen Anne and writes for LA based blog, Modern Vintage Life.

Live painting by Jake Grahn

LIVE PAINTER

Jacob Grahn was born and raised in the pacific northwest and has spent his time focusing on busy hands and helping hands. As a community taught artist from painting, wood-working, and music, he has gathered and paired educations based on personal time learning from local artists as well as teaching anyone who asks. Never afraid of a challenge, he chose to start a career with large scale projects to tell bigger than life stories.

Incensory Demonstration

PERFUMERY BY INCENSORY 

Incensory is a new venture that deepens your connection with one of our most primordial senses; the sense of smell. A purist at heart, self-taught scent specialist and owner of Incensory, Eliam Puente, will introduce you to two of the most ancient and revered historical scents in their purest, natural form; frankincense and agarwood. Get a chance to see these natural gems in person, have a sniff, and learn a little about their history, how they are produced, and how they are used.

screen-shot-2016-10-16-at-2-27-01-pm

Jewelry by Silver & Salt, Photo By: Bobby Arispe Photography

METAL ARTISTRY BY SILVER + SALT

At Silver + Salt, we draw inspiration from nature. Our creative ethos is based on the idea that there is exceptional beauty in things that are unique and even imperfect. Our minimalist designs are handcrafted and feature recycled metals and raw gemstones.

Blogger Conversations, Photo By: Bobby Arispe Photography

If you are interested in learning more about the Curiosity Cabinet Evening, how to participate in future events at The RUINS or opportunities to partner with Uncommon Cartography, please email info@uncommoncartography.com

Seattle Job Opportunities

Hi Seattle! I have had a couple of job opportunities come on to my radar that I wanted to share with my network. Specifically, the following roles: assistant to a jewelry designer, junior, senior & associate designer (fashion), fashion intern, and executive admin at a local tech startup.

If you are interested in any of these positions please message me at info@uncommoncartography.com with your resume and I can connect you with the hiring managers.

Best,

Esther

3D Image Creation Study

Hey Seattle - Message me if you are interested in the below and I can send you the complete details. Best, Esther

PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS You are 13 - 26 years old You have used some type of graphical or photo editing app within the past year You regularly use a Windows operating system You are interested in 3D image creation or editing using digital tools or software

STUDY DETAILS 2 hour sessions in Redmond, WA Sessions are taking place on Wednesday, October 12th - Friday, October 14th (full schedule shown in questionairre) We're providing $50 for participation in this study PLUS $50 for your parent/guardian if you are under the age of 18 and they accompany you to the session. If a parent/guardian cannot accompany you, you may instead bring a pre-signed NDA to your session.