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ALL THINGS SEATTLE

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014

Seattle is an amazing place to live! In the coming months, I hope to share quick lists of places and happenings around our grand city! This is my first installment of All Things Seattle.

DO: The exhibit SPY: The Secret World of Espionage opens at Pacific Science Center on March 29, 2014. Guests will see real gadgets and artifacts from spies and spy catchers. They will observe spy technologies and learn the tools-of-trade, some recently declassified. This once-in-a-lifetime exhibition grants guests unprecedented access into the world of espionage. My kids will love this!

DRINK: Grab a drink and some small bites at Westward. Situated on the north end of Lake Union, this darling restaurant has sweeping views of Downtown Seattle. This is going to be the place to be once the warm weather arrives. Their day dock and amazing patio will make it the hot spot! With an outdoor fire pit you can reserve for private gatherings, it may just be the place to hang out – RIGHT NOW!

STAY: The Iron Springs Resort on Copalis Beach, WA seems like the prefect getaway from the city! This resort, with fully furnished cabins, is the right mix of rustic charm and modern comfort. I bet any season would bring breathtaking views and great adventures!

SHOP: Ann Sacks Tile & Stone recently opened a showroom in Seattle on Westlake Ave. I hope to plan a field trip so that I may swoon over her dreamy tiles and fixtures.

EAT: I am dying to try a biscuit at The Wandering Goose. I love having breakfast out during the week. Maybe I can have my sweet hubby schedule me in for a “breakfast meeting”. No sitter required. Win-Win!

DO: Puzzle Break – Seattle sounds like an awesome night out with friends! You and eleven other people are trapped in a room. As you look around you start to notice strange messages —or are they clues?— hidden around the room. Can you and your friends solve the puzzles, find the key, and get out within an hour?

I hope you find this post fun and inspiring. Get out and enjoy our city. Don’t live in Seattle? Plan a trip! Do you have other ideas for places to eat, shop, drink, play, or stay? Please leave me a comment, message me, or tag me @seattlejune with the spot and use #allthingsseattle.

{Space Needle art via The Lady Wolf}

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Tags: all things seattle
Posted in Local Gems | 2 Comments »

{SHOP} MOOREA SEAL

Friday, October 4th, 2013

I love a great online store! In the coziness of my PJ’s with a cup of coffee {decaf, of course}, I can browse for myself and others. Believe it or not, gift giving season is right around the corner. Every year I have grand plans of kick starting my holiday shopping early. With sites like Moorea Seal, it might actually happen this year. Based here in Seattle, The Moorea Seal shop is a curated selection of beautiful accessories and objects, highlighting handmade artists from the United States. 7% of all proceeds from the store benefit five non profit categories.

During the summer I swooned over everything gold in the shop. Handmade jewelry and accessories all in my favorite hue. This month I love a statement necklace, an awesome print, items that represent my beloved Northwest, and great bags to carry all of my stuff. I certainly found items I would buy for myself, but spied many others that I could give as gifts.

And now the really great news. Starting today, thru November 30th, simply use the discount code JUNELOVE at check out and you will receive 10% off your entire Moorea Seal order! How much do we love that? Please share the goodness and this post with any and all.

What would you put on your wishlist?

{Shop my favorites:: 1//Tribal Queen Necklace 2//Perfect Twist Poster 3//Heart in Seattle Card 4//Tiny WA State Necklace 5//Forager Backpack 6//Punched Pouch}

Moorea is also hosting an evening event at the University Village Madewell on October 10th. Check out her post about the night if you are interested.

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Tags: Favorite Things, Moorea Seal
Posted in Seattle-Shop, Uncategorized | No Comments »

THE GOLDEN TOUCH

Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

I will admit I have gone a bit gold crazy. It wasn’t that long ago that I wouldn’t even think of it! My engagement and wedding rings are platinum and for years I would only wear silver or white gold accessories. Recently, I have thrown caution to the wind and dove into gold head first! I was so excited when I browsed on Moorea Seal‘s new online shop. It was overflowing with gold treasures! I gathered a few of my favorites, but honestly there are just so many it was hard to choose! I met Moorea Seal at the Altitude Design Summit in San Francisco. Her curated store is just over a week old! Pop over and check it out! “Do good, do great” is their motto. With each purchase, 7% of proceeds are donated to non-profit organizations. Nothing better than doing good while shopping!

Take a peek at mooreaseal.com. Which item is now on your wish list?

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Tags: accessorize
Posted in accessories, Seattle-Shop | No Comments »

GUM WALL

Tuesday, June 25th, 2013

A recent trip to the Pike Place Market marked our first visit to Seattle’s Gum Wall. It is located in Post Alley under Pike Place Market. [Find Rachel the Pig and go down a short flight of stairs. Turn right at the bottom and you are there.]

Visually, it is striking. Colorful and textured. Standing back from it you almost forget it is chewed gum. Almost. The boys couldn’t visit without leaving their mark. Will jumped right in and stretched his gum long and left it dangling from a pipe. Little Man was apprehensive, but eventually went for it. He really wanted to shape his gum into the letter H because he had noticed that some visitors had spelled out their name or messages and left them on the wall. When it proved to be a tedious job he just stuck his next to his big brother’s. I delicately stuck my piece to a very small empty space on the wall.

Being a tourist in your own city is a great way to spend a summer’s day.

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radiator whiskey

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

We were lucky enough to get a sneak peek [and taste] at Radiator Whiskey Monday night. There were thoughtful details, in every corner, that give this new space charm [and a little grit]. The staff is amazingly talented and welcoming. The spirits plentiful. And the food is fantastic. Let it be said that the 1/2 smoked chicken and potato salad is to die for good! On any given night out, I am certain this is going to be the place we end up over and over again.

The doors to Radiator Whiskey opened to the public yesterday at 4pm! Go get some.
Check out RW @ 94 Pike Street | Seattle, WA

Radiator Whiskey: A whiskey and cocktail bar brought to you by Dan Bugge of Matt’s in the Market, featuring custom and barrel-aged cocktails mixed using craft-distilled spirits, including local labels and a house-branded whiskey by Seattle’s 2bar Spirits.

{cool, old wood crates hold an endless selection of whiskey}

{the bar. built from salvaged high school football bleachers}

{vintage post office mail slots used as wine storage}

{Radiator’s 2bar Moonshine}

{Radiator Whiskey is just up the stairs from the heart of the market.}

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Tags: all things seattle, the little things
Posted in Local Gems, Seattle-Eat | No Comments »

volunteer park cafe

Monday, April 1st, 2013

I had lunch [again] last week at Volunteer Park Cafe. Nestled in a residential Seattle neighborhood, it is a lovely spot for a meal. The food is fresh and delicious. The incredibly friendly staff make you feel right at home. However, what I truly love is their attention to the little things.

{galvanized buckets with stacks of fresh baked goods}

{gumballs near the register}

{fresh flowers arranged on the long community table}

{garden herbs planted in sidewalk boxes}

The little thing are what make you linger after your meal and keep you coming back time and again.

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Tags: the little things
Posted in Local Gems, Seattle-Eat | 5 Comments »

oddfellows

Wednesday, November 14th, 2012

I am totally digging my new plan to meet up with friends. I will call it my, “Let’s do breakfast.” plan. Lunch is great, but it happens right in the middle of the day. [Funny how that works!]. With lots to do, meeting a friend right after I drop the kids off at school allows me ample time after to get sh*t done! With a bit of rummaging, I have been finding some amazing places that serve mid-week breakfast.

I recently lingered over a breakfast at Oddfellows Cafe + Bar. Exposed brick, repurposed furniture and fixtures, and tons of light make this Capitol Hill eatery comfortable and easy. They are open 8am-late daily-with a full bar. Breakfast was delicious, so I can only assume lunch and dinner would be too! Oddfellows gains total bonus points being next door neighbors with Elliott Bay Book Co. That is a perfect one, two punch!

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toulouse petit

Thursday, November 1st, 2012

“Daytime drinking has never been been so dignified, fun, and guilt-free….”

Who wouldn’t love a restaurant with a motto like that? I had a long, indulgent breakfast this week at Toulouse Petit Kitchen and Lounge. It sits on the corner of Queen Anne Blvd. and Mercer Street in lower Queen Anne [Seattle].

The rustic art-nouveau decor invites you to linger over your press coffee and make tough menu decisions! Sweet or savory? I went with savory this time!

Eggs Benedict with Dungeness Crab and Fine Herbs.

It was so incredibly delicious! Our waitress offered her Top 5 menu items.

Cured Pork Cheeks Confit Hash
Duck Confit Hash
Spicy Shrimp Creole and Eggs over Creamy Grits
Eggs Benedict with Dungeness Crab with Fine Herbes
Crème Caramel French Toast

Even better, Monday-Friday [8-11] is Breakfast Happy Hour. Most items are only $8. SO grab a friend [or a few] and head to Toulouse Petit for a mid-week breakfast!

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Cuoco

Friday, February 24th, 2012

{check out their website here}

Ventured out to the “New Seattle” last night. That is what I call South Lake Union. You seriously must run on down there- if you haven’t already. Brightly lit shops, inviting restaurants, a bustle of people, great architecture. (Can you tell I liked it?)

I dined at Cuoco. A newer Tom Douglas eatery. It was delicious! The ambiance was warm. The service was superb. The food? Fantastic!

Our indulgences:

I shared with my sister in law:

20 month aged parma proscuitto, honey crisp apples, arugula

Roasted beets, mache, almonds, goat cheese, apples, cider vinaigrette

I ordered:

Bucatini – hollow dried wheat pasta, marinara, brasied beef meatballs

Had planned on leaving some to snack on today but I couldn’t stop myself. It was that good!

She had:

Agnolotti dal plin – house-made filled pinched egg pasta, rabbit, veal, pork, marjoram butter

Tiny, delicate bow tie raviolis. Simple and perfect.

**If you or someone you love must eat gluten free, they have a gf pasta that can be used as a substitute in almost any dish. That makes us smile in this house.

Give Cuoco a try on your next night out. Happy Weekend. xoxoxo