I'm obsessed with this blog :

http://www.promisetangemanblog.com/

DIY

1 Used china cabinet

+

Several coats of paint

+

Fun trinkets

=

An amazing work of art

Project by: Promise Tangeman Design

Check out the process at :
http://www.promisetangemanblog.com/featured/homedecoreideas

AAAmazing prints by JKL Design

(My favorite!)

find her on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/jkldesign?page=1

Found a new blog I love...

http://simplygrove.com/

Found a new wine bar that is a must for the summer... Purple.

Whether you're out with the girls or with your man, you will definitely enjoy yourself! The atmosphere is fantastic at Purple. I recently went to the Bellevue location and I was amazed by the interior design. I love the spiral staircases leading up to their wine racks and especially the metal spiral walls that create intimate spaces for guests to dine. The restaurant is actually perfect for a small party. They have several sectioned off areas for small parties. One area I mentioned before that I'm obsessed with is called the "spiral". Below is a picture so you get an idea of what I'm talking about ...

...the food is great too ;-)

Love 500 Days of Summer? Me too! Check out this video below...

http://greenweddingshoes.com/a-wedding-inspired-by-500-days-of-summer-behind-the-scenes-video/


It's a wedding photo shoot inspired by the movie, love it ;-)

My favorite treat on my East Coast trip,

the Rainbow Layer

Oh my goodness, it was delicious! The yummy taste of chocolate and almond combined with fruity cake....simply delectable and something I craved everyday.

I'm so fascinated/excited about this treat that I found a recipe in case anyone would like to whip up a batch.

http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/holidays/christmas/christmascookieschocolatealmondsevenlayers/recipes/food/views/SEVEN-LAYER-COOKIES-233296

Surprising note, the East Coast loves Dunkin' Donuts.




Before my trip I had never set foot in a Dunkin' Donuts, I really didn't understand the appeal. I'm not a donut person and it just seemed like coffee wasn't their main concern. So with being on the East Coast and seeing that they were EVERYWHERE, I just had to try. I didn't go for a donut, but the coffee I had was okay. I think I'll stick with Starbucks though, sorry D-D.

Since my last post, the weather has turned on me! It's been rainy, windy, thundering, hailing chaos! It's almost June and I'm shocked by the weather we're having, but I won't let it get me down. I say....treat each day like summer and hopefully it will come quicker. With that in mind, I have a great place for you to try out... Molly Moon's Handmade Ice Cream.

I have an absolute passion for ice cream.... MMMM it's the one dessert I crave and simply can't get enough of! My go to brands are Ben & Jerry's and Haagan-dazs - anything chunky, full of cookies and lots of flavor is what I love! So when I heard EVERYONE talk about Molly Moon's and even saw the crazy lines going into the ice cream shop, I just had to check it out for myself. I went late one evening close to 11pm and you should have seen the line! Kid's, families, people on dates.... everyone was there and everyone was willing to wait. The smell of warm waffle cones definitely helped the wait and with so many flavors to choose from I needed the time. I'm that person who asks to try like 5 different flavors, it's quite embarrassing for the people with me. Because not only do I try the flavors but I have to sit and talk about them and give my opinion.... which is ridiculous...I know. Once it was my turn I went for the Balsamic Strawberry in a waffle cone (of course) and wow, it was creamy and had a fantastic combination of flavors. The balsamic really made all the flavors come alive.

What makes Molly Moon's so special is all their handmade flavors. They've created their own recipes but have also taken boring flavors we all know and have made them fun and new again.

I cannot wait to go back!

Now that the warm weather has hit, it calls for a cool treat. My fav.... Red Mango!!! They have the BEST tart yogurt....mmmm add some fresh fruit or captain crunch and you've got the perfect summer dessert.

Mother's Day is coming so I've put together a few ideas for your celebration...

If you're planning a brunch at your home and interesting in adding some yummy treats to complete your meal then stop by Bakery Nouveau located in West Seattle. They have delicious French pastries, breads and desserts. My absolute favorite is their twice baked almond croissant, it's so moist and flavorful! ymmmmm! And instead of picking up chocolates, treat your mom to some parisian macaroons. They're so cute and tasty, she'll love em' ;-)

If you want to do something real special for ol' mom, make a reservation at Serafina on East Lake. The food, the atmosphere and the music are all fantastic. The menu is rustic Italian and the entertainment is a live jazz band. I dined there last Easter and had a fabulous time, I was amazed at how once you step into the restaurant you instantly feel like you're in a far away place. I've always been fascinated with Italian culture, and Serafina definitely does a great job at embracing the tastes, the sights and feeling of Italy.

Now that it's May I hope the April showers have gone away... I'm ready for flowers, cherry blossoms and of course warm weather. AND...to be honest, I want to break out my spring/summer wardrobe! I've got some great outfits in the works... haha I'm sure many of you are rolling your eyes. It's okay, I like to play dress up ;-). Today I was out shopping and I can't help but get excited that the 80's are really coming back. I'm definitely reminded of my preschool outfits...haha ooo how fashion is constantly going round and round. The whole nautical trend hasn't gone out either which makes me REALLY happy. For one, I love anything nautical and two I'm heading to the east coast in a month so all of my nautical garb will fit in just perfect! Ha, Boston... Cape Cod you don't know what's coming your way.

I want to throw a party ... with splashes of reds and purples and the flavors of Spain. These pictures are AAAmazing! I love seeing a table bursting with chaos! The table setting is a beautiful arrangement of femininity and sass... throw in a few twinkle lights and candles and you've got yourself an enchanting evening. Awww the possibilities are endless when you add a dash of spice to your festivities.

Happy entertaining!

http://greenweddingshoes.com/inspired-by-spain-churros/

One of the many things I love about Seattle is that there is always an adventure awaiting you. The city is stocked with restaurants, neighborhoods and trendy boutiques to explore that are filled with crafty goodies, delectable treats and gorgeous sights. Each time I have friends in town, I'm reminded of the beauty that my city holds. This weekend was one of those weekends. I had the pleasure of hitting up several hot spots in Seattle with the people closest to my heart...my parents.

Day one began with a visit to Portage Bay Cafe then we were off to Fremont Market. And of course with being at Fremont Market you have to stop by Theo Chocolate which always has great samples! MMmm most random chocolate I tried was some pink peppercorn and cherry chocolate bar.....very interesting. Since it was such a nice day we walked around Discovery Park...always a must on a gorgeous day! AWwwww...the view is amazing! Next on the list was Pike's Market. To be honest, Pike's Places is not my favorite place in Seattle. Too touristy for me, I like the small neighborhood markets - less people, unique items sold and way more relaxed. Nonetheless, Pikes was a short trip for us BUT then we were off to the Pink Door. I've been dying to go to the Pink Door for some time now and wow, it was well worth the wait. The Pink Door is this fantastic Italian restaurant that has a different show each night. And get this, the show is performed above you as you eat! So as we sipped on our wine and sat with happy bellies, Tamara the Trapeze lady swung wildly over our heads. Definitely a great way to enjoy a meal. Ha!

Day two was another splendid day, filled with walks in the park, fantastic food, warm coffee, the snapping of pictures and utter bliss. I'm a very blessed girl to have such wonderful parents who are wise, fun, encouraging, silly and full of so much love! Thank you for a memorable weekend!

Whether you love to bake, cook, entertain or just like to tease your stomach and look at gorgeous food .... you will LOVE Taste Spotting. This fantastic website allows to share recipes and post photos of your favorite dishes. It's also a great tool to search for food trends, new products and gives you great recommendations for restaurants to try out.

http://www.tastespotting.com/

Long time.no post. but boy do I have a treat for you.

I was in Portland for the weekend and went to the talk of the town breakfast cafe, Pine State Biscuits. Who doesn't love the aroma of buttery buttermilk biscuits in the morning?? Awwww but these aren't just any biscuits. These biscuits are stacks of personality and heart. My poor hips didn't deserve to be treated so harshly in the wee hours of the day, but I went for it... I ordered the Reggie Sandwich - Fried Chicken (my fav), bacon, gravy and cheese. It was a lovely taste of rich, hearty goodness. Yum! My dear friend didn't hold back either, she ordered the McIsley sandwich - Fried Chicken, pickles, mustard and honey. And again, what an amazing concoction. The line was long to get in, but was well worth the wait. Definitely seek out this urban hot spot next time you're in Portland - your taste buds deserve a little excitement and flavor.

http://www.pinestatebiscuits.com/

I have delivered...

This past weekend I buzzed over to Issaquah to check out the grand ol' Treehouse Point. I just had to see it in person! Let me tell you, it is absolutely amazing! I felt like I was in FernGully- the moss, the trees, the river, the lush surroundings... so breathtaking! It's incredible to see what creative minds come up with. Treehouse Point is the perfect oasis for a small town girl livin' in a big city searching for some fresh air, gorgeous scenery and the simple life.

Another treat I found on Green Wedding Shoes that I just had to share is this fantastic postcard by Posh Paperie. What a fun idea for a save the date, a Christmas card or even a fun party invitation. I love that it's vintage, outside of the box and that I want to put it in a frame and hang it on my wall.

http://greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com

http://posh-paperie.com/about.html

These pictures scream SUMMER! I found this gem on Green Wedding Shoes today and ooooo my gosh it just makes me want to throw on my sunglasses, grab my swimming suit and run off to the beach. My pale skin is dying to be kissed by the sun! I know it's only March, but friends get pumped for summer! It's never too early to start daydreaming about long hot days and preparing your summer wardrobe. "-)

http://greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com/

I love food and I love coffee so I'm always in the mood to try new things and explore new places...

A dear friend of mine suggested Bustle which is located in Queen Anne. From outside I didn't know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in to find a spacious room glowing with natural light. I absolutely loved it!

Now onto coffee. They have house syrups, how fun is that! The flavors include lavender, maple lemon and vanilla bean caramel which is the syrup I had. My latte' was fabulous and best of all my barista was a corky lil' thing who was full of smiles and quick wit. Unfortunately, they really didn't have too many baked goods BUT Macrina (my fav) was a few stores down. With a short walk and a baked good in my belly, I was a happy girl by the end of my visit.

In conclusion, stop by my wonderful new find.

My Business is to create it doesn't matter if it's a work of art, or a taco, or a pair of socks;

just create something new, and there it is...

it's you, out in the world outside of you.

And you can look at it, or hear it, or read it, or feel it...

and you know a little more about you,

a little more than anybody else does.

ps I love you

OOOOO HaPpy dAy!

Days like today make me realize why I live in Seattle.

When you have a gorgeous day in Seattle,

you never know what surprises may come your way....

Gasworks park is the perfect place to go to on a sunny day. Seriously, people flock to it! It's a beautiful location... you have the city, the Space Needle, the water and lovely green grass. As you walk the winding path up to the top of the hill you will typically see people with kites, couples nestled in the grass, students reading, children playing, boats sailing...... BUT today I saw ballerinas. If you look closely at the 3rd photo I posted you will see them. Ordinarily, ballerinas do not just hang out and dance around Gasworks so this was a very random but amazing site to see.

I'm so thankful for the sun, smiling faces and great friends to share random moments with.

Style Me Pretty you've done it again! Look at how vibrant and fun these table numbers and invitations are! I'm telling you.... You know when a wedding is going to be fun is when you open the invitation and it's filled with the excitement of the big day. In my book, every detail matters. Even down to the stamps you choose. You may think I am putting too much thought into it, but all you detail peeps like me know what I'm talking about. It's the details, the personal touches, the thoughtfulness that I love and appreciate.

More detail gems to come...

http://http://www.stylemepretty.com/2010/02/15/diy-wedding-by-amy-and-stuart/

Ohhhh memories.... Macrina Bakery holds so many fond memories of my college years. Pretty much every Saturday morning my girlfriends and I would hop into our sweats and stroll on down. The french style bakery is filled with local artists paintings, the sound of people chattering and the smell of delicious pastries. It's a small and intimate place that makes you feel as though you're somewhere far away. It's always been a nice escape. I actually think it's an ideal way to start a weekend....a nice walk, a warm mocha and a slice of fresh fruit coffeecake. I love it because each of my friends has their favorite....dill scone with cream cheese, rocket muffin, buttermilk biscuit with jam... that I know they'll order each time they go in.

Now that I think about it, it was like our Central Perk. If you've ever watched Friends you'll know what I'm talking about. Each time we are all back together in the city, Macrina is always a must. It's a place we've shared stories, secrets, tears, laughter and great food. If I ever left the city, I would truly miss it.

For me, a relaxing Sunday afternoon consists of walking around Freemont Market with an iced latte' in hand, friends by my side and large Jackie O shades to shield me from the glorious hot sun. I have a smile just thinkin' about it .... "-) This Sunday was indeed one of those days... minus the sun.

There are so many great markets in the city, but Freemont is by far my favorite. I am a loyal patron to a few vendors - two furniture knick knack ladies and one lovely lady who sells jewelry she's recreated from vintage finds. My jewelry maker goes by the name Orange Box Jewelry. I just love love LOvE what she does! Unfortunately, the pictures don't do her any justice. Next time you're at the market pop by her booth or if you're not close by below is her website.

http://www.orangeboxjewelry.com/

Not only did I come away with fantastic finds from the market, but I got some creative inspiration. I have some exciting projects in the works - StaY PoSteD! eeeek!!! It's gonna be good!

This week I was looking at Seattle Metropolitan magazines "Best Breakfasts" issue and realized that there are so many great restaurants in the city that I've never been to. So my new mission is to try a new restaurant at least every other week. My first stop was Portage Bay Cafe. They are deemed the best waffles in the city because of their great toppings bar. So of course all morning I talked about how excited I was to have some great waffles but once I got in the door I just wasn't feeling it. As usual I scanned the room to see what others had ordered. My neighbor seemed to be enjoying her meal so I pulled the ol' "I'll have what she's having" line from When Harry Met Sally and got The Classic Benedict with Salmon. I've never had eggs benedict before, but wow it was delicious! The portions were huge so you should definitely come with an appetite. Everything was so good and best of all it's organic. They really mean what they say "Eat Like You Give A Damn" because they put a lot of thought into where they get their food, how they prepare it and how it tastes. Check em' out! I'm definitely going back... I still have to try those waffles!

Bon Appetit!

Who doesn't love a little flare? .... Especially to your beautiful do? You obviously don't want to take away from a fabulous hair day, but on those ordinary days where you just need a bit sunshine and surprise.... you can add one of these hair pieces in to make your day and everyone else's a lighter sweeter.

The stylist is Oh My Deer. You can check out her items for yourself at : http://ohmydeerhandmades.blogspot.com/

I absolutely LOVE her stuff! It's feminine, soft, daring and sassy. This darling gem has some great accessories for hair, shoes, and more. She actually does some really creative stuff for weddings, which I'll be posting soon. So try something new today - let your creativity run wild by making your own accessory or go to Oh My Deer to purchase one of her fabulous items!

I love to craft if you haven't noticed "-)

I made these aprons for some of my girlfriends recently. I was inspired by the adorable aprons at Anthropologie. I really enjoyed making them and now that I have the hang of it I hope to make more. For those who haven't received one yet, be on the look out.