Beach Day

The plan was to work out after work but when Emily called asking to go to the beach instead there wasn't a moments hesitation. (Well, perhaps just a moment when I stopped to think whether or not I shaved my legs that morning. Overshare? Probably.)

Von Trapps

Von Trapp's opened last month with capacity and waitlist and it hasn't died down yet. This German beer hall has five bocce ball courts and more beers than I could ever hope to count. After a couple of visits I am addicted to bocce ball... or better yet, addicted to becoming anything better than terrible.

I met here for happy hour with friends and later a team bonding session with coworkers. I had a cocktail during my happy hour with friends and did not love it. It is up against fierce competition in my head when it is next door to Canon. But I was later impressed during my group outing by the beer and food.

Rumor has it there are bocce ball teams, tournaments, and leagues coming ahead. Game on!

Baking Dawn

Jessika had the brilliant idea of Baking Dawn; an afternoon of baking and watching Twilight's Breaking Dawn finale. Let's be real here.... baking isn't really the Noah girls greatest strength so Ashley and I opted for a just add water mix while the other girls baked pies and mousses.

Have you seen the movie?

I have been tracking the series since the get go when my roommate at the time made me read the books and have since seen all the movies at midnight showings... except the finale.

Baking Dawn was my first viewing of Breaking Dawn finale and had I not been with a group of girls, I would have cried like a big baby when I thought they had completely changed the ending... I am a stickler for accuracy when it comes to movies changing the book. But let's be honest, was making the final book into two movies even necessary?

Malafacha At Sitka & Spruce

Monday's at Sitka and Spruce are host to a traditional foods from Malafacha.

Traditional comidas Mexicanas from our talented family member Alvaro Candela-Najera, inspired from his birthplace and travels throughout Mexico.

Simple, delicious, and passionate.

Tacos, including the infamous Al Pastor & Suadero (milk soaked beef belly)

It was a gorgeous Seattle day so I took off of work early to get a cup of coffee from Bar Ferdinand and enjoy a book prior to meeting Emily for taco night. By the time the doors opened, there was a line of people waiting to get in and our promptness was a blessing.

The magaritas were strong and delicious.
The guacamole had a perfect balance of smooth, salty and hint of spice that complimented the flakey chips perfectly.
And the tacos were full of flavor. We shared the Suadero Tacos and Papas con Chorizo tacos which were both delightful.

I am already looking forward to my return visit and if you want a friend to join you, you won't have to ask twice!

Ball-sy 2013

I was having coffee with someone last week and we got on the topic of my hair. Although, I cut off all my hair close to two months ago and many of you have been following my adventure through here, Facebook, or Instagram, I am still spending time with people who are seeing it in person for the first time. It is a lot to take in which is why it frequently comes up. He told me it was a "ballsy move" and that quickly became the theme for our conversation...

We both decided that 2013 was the year that we did big things. Made BHAG and followed through with them.

I cut my hair.
He got lazik.
I was going to bike down QA hill.
He was going to sell his car.

I have my 30 before 30 list and my NYE Resolutions and now I am adding more to the list... (or qualifying what will be accomplished from those in 2013):

• I will ride my bike down Queen Anne Hill.

• I will run a half marathon.

• I will be alcohol free for Lent with Ashley.

• I will take the flying trapeze classes.

I have a few more check points that are on my list but I can't tell all of my secrets. That's a lie... I will tell, you just have to ask.

Update: I have already broken not drinking over lent.... but to be perfectly fair, I didn't drink for all of January and half of December so I feel like I have a few grace days.

Lunch at Lowell's Restaurant

Book Club Holiday Party

This month for book club we skipped a monthly read and focused our attention on finding the perfect book for a gift exchange. Instead of the regular white elephant gift, everyone was charged with bringing a wrapped version of their favorite book to pass along. We each pulled a number and went around picking out our gift with an option to steal.

It was so fun to take home something that had value and wasn't a gag gift. Plus, it was an opportunity to get to know each other in a unique way.

For my party planning friends, these slate & chalk place cards are a must!

Holiday Fiesta

When +Emily decided to throw a Holiday Fiesta party to show off her carne asada recipe she had been bragging about for the last 6 months all I heard was "costumes." She may never never said that word or insinuated that idea but you must know...any time someone mentions the word "party" that is all I hear. I have a one track mind.

Which is why I showed up in this:

Mistletoe and mustache.

Festive and fiesta.

The correlations are obvious.

I also brought mustaches to share.

It was a decadently fun night that came with amazing food, new friends, old friends, and tequila.

All in all:
The carne asada was brag worthy.
The mustaches were a hoot.
The real victor was the was margarita that was unassuming but deadly.

Christmas Tree Hunting

Last year I had high expectations for spending someone elses money to get a christmas tree and then watch them decorate... unforunately, it didn't go as planned and they went without me.

But not this year:

Emily invited me along to her adventure of finding THE tree and (between you and me) it was a good thing I went. She wanted a 6ft high tree to fit in her living room but once we got there she only had eyes for 8-9ft high and just as wide. She was bound to be living in a tree house for the next month.

Although I had to burst her bubble a few times, she was resilient... determined to find her one.

And find her we did.

She stood 7ft tall in a corner one of the fields. She had no holes, no brown edges, no sagging limbs and a top perfect for an angel. She was unassuming but beautiful, just waiting for a "She's All That" makeover. Emily knew that this tree could be prom queen with a few strands of lights and jewels to dazzle.

Emily squealed.
Emily hugged her.
Emily named her Edith.

Then Emily took her home.

(Tree Hunting Style: Hoodie circa 2004, chambray shirt, Paige Skyline Skinnies c/o Paige Denim, Hunter boots, tech gloves, red hat)

Super Deli & Grocery

You wouldn't expect a convenience store mart in West Seattle to contain one of the most epic selections of hard to find craft beers and yet there is one. Super Deli & Grocery Mart has the appearance of a 7/11 but once you walk in are surrounded by aisles of beer, a selection of craft beers on tap, and apparently, a decent sub shop.

It would be any beer enthusiast's heaven and even I, the occasional drinker, fell in love with a pint of Dog Fish Strawberry/Honey ale.

Well worth the trip from Queen Anne to pick up a growler or two or just enjoy a pint while perusing the vast selection. Care to join me?