Gift Guides

Happy Tuesday! 

I have been having so much fun shopping for Christmas this year, so I thought I would share a few gift ideas. I have broken it up into 4 basic age groups, all of which I am excited to buy for this year. I also love the idea of mixing necessities with fun gifts, so I used the "want, need, wear, and read" concept to categorize the guides.  

LITTLES

 

want - I bought this Smart Shots Sports Center for my a friend's baby's first birthday and it was a huge hit. It was relatively inexpensive and continues to provide hours of fun, interactive play! I also bought this sweet Good Earth Mermaid Girl Rag Doll for baby Ella's first birthday and was absolutely in love with it. It is darling and perfect for cuddling.

need - Blankies are a must have at all ages. This 3 Pack Rosie Pope Blankets and Garbo&Friends Fauna Filled Play Blanket are adorable and functional. Also, chances are the littles in your life already have a Sophie, but if not the precious giraffe teething toy makes the perfect gift!

wear - Is there anything cuter than baby clothes? I am totally dying over this Hooded Romper in “Trees” on Heather Grey from Childhood Clothing. It looks so cute and comfy I would love nothing more than to bundle my cousin's sweet baby in it and snuggle her forever. Also, this Cropped Faux-Fur Vest over the French Terry Top & Tulle Tutu with an Oxblood Oversized School Girl Bow has the fashionista in me doing back flips! Since when are baby clothes trendier than mine?

read - Everything is Mama & Everything is Dad both by Jimmy Fallon are so fun with the sweetest illustrations. I'm especially obsessed with the penguins on Everything is Mama. Too cute!

MEDIUMS

want - Games are such a fun way to bring people together. Last Christmas we bought my step brother Watch Ya Mouth & we couldn't have had more fun with it. We literally stopped the present opening to test out his new toy. I also remember receiving Apples to Apples as a gift years ago. It was always a huge hit at game nights, and we still bust it out on occasion. 

need - I don't know when back packs became so much cooler, but I am obsessed with both the No Prob-Llama Bag and this throwback Nintendo Game Boy Color Blue Backpack. These definitely put the fun in functional.

wear - I always love picking out clothes for my step brother... He loves it because whatever his big sisters pick out is way cooler than anything his parents could buy him, and I love it because he is my own personal Ken Doll I get to dress up. This year I am loving this Classic Pocket Shirt for Boys with a pair of Beige Slim Fit Chinos. Trendy and simple, perfect for a ten year old boy. For girls, I am adoring this Glittery Jersey Top paired with Skinny Fit Biker Jeans & a Bronze Crystal Ribbon Statement Necklace. If you need me, I'll be trying to find this outfit in my size. 

read - Holes by Louis Sachar is one of my all-time favorite books. I still remember reading it and rushing to see the movie (only partially because of Shia). It is a total classic. The Giver by Lois Lowry is another classic that I actually gave my step dad for Christmas a few years ago (although it is totally suitable for kids). It is an awesome story & has a movie as well. I have always loved reading a book and imagining it coming to life then watching the accompanying movie to see someone else's ideas on film. I think it would lots of fun to bundle the book and movie as a two part gift.

LARGES

want - Like I said, I love games. Cards Against Humanity is a total riot, and an easy gift you can continue to add to. I often give my friend Bri an expansion pack of two for Christmas, and it totally changes up the game! Truly the gift that keeps on giving. I also love giving experiences as presents. I almost always get my sister tickets of some sort for Christmas... Whether it be a play, a concert, or the Seattle Chocolate Festival, I love buying her something that means we get to spend more time together. Finally, I gifted myself this Multimedia Home Theater from Amazon after a bottle of wine one night, and it was one of the best drunken purchases of my life. We love setting it up on our back porch for outdoor movie nights during the summer.

need - Chris and I signed up for The Dollar Shave Club a few months ago, and it has been awesome. I think a membership would make a great gift and could easily be paired with a nice shaving cream or body butter. I'm also adding an Instant Pot to my gift guide because I want one BAD. I'm told you can cook a frozen chicken breast in 10 minutes. Sign my poor planning ass up! Finally, with the cold weather and us millennials constant need to be attached to technology, these Touch Stretch Fleece Tech Gloves are a necessity. Plus, they're SO cute. 

wear - If you're anything like me, I am in a constant battle with style and comfort... And let's be honest, comfort always wins. Enter athleisure. Trendy. Comfy. Sold. These SPANX Leather Moto Leggings are calling my name. And since I am totally obsessed with all things Zella, this Twisty Turn Tee is the perfect way to round out the outfit. For fellas, I am loving these Aero Classic Fleece Joggers paired with this Soft Wash Color Block Tee. Also, I hate to admit it, but I've totally fallen victim to the dad hat, so I am going to have to add this Nike Phillip Cap II to the list. #sorrynotsorry

read - Zach got me The Woman in Cabin Ten by Ruth Ware for my birthday this year and I truly couldn't put it down. I have already picked up another copy to give to my step dad for Christmas this year. Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat by Chrissy Teigen also makes a great gift! I have taste tested several of the recipes (made by chef Zach) and I can report that no plate went unlicked. Everything he has made from it has been so delicious and the antidotes she adds through the cook book always have me laughing out loud.

EXTRA LARGES

  

want - Parents are always the trickiest for me to shop for. They never want you to spend too much on them, but it is so nice to be able to thank them for all the awesome things they've done for you with a thoughtful gift. In the past I have done a Wine of the Month Club for my mom and a Beer of the Month Club for my step dad. They both loved them, and it was a nice reminder each time they got a shipment of just how much we care for them. Plus, if you're lucky, they share! If you're looking for something a little more tangible, I brought a Himalayan Salt Lamp to a gift exchange which was a huge hit. I love the look of them, and they have all kinds of healing and calming properties.

need - A few years ago, I bought my dad a set of these Grill Mats, and he STILL raves about them. He throws them on the barbecue with his favorite meat, and it always comes out perfectly. They keep the meat tender and juicy, but make for an easy clean up without sacrificing your grill marks. These mats will definitely continue to be a go-to gift for me. I also love the idea of giving the 'rents a nice new wallet. It is definitely a necessity but may not be something they would by themselves. A few years ago I noticed my mom was still rocking a beat-up old wallet she'd had for as long as I could remember, so it was high time for an upgrade. We got her a Hobo wallet similar to the Suzette Calfskin Leather Wallet. I love Hobo wallets because they're absolutely beautiful and have plenty of room for all your wallet accessories. Plus, they have super cute purses to match if you're feeling really generous. For good old dad, I love this Coach Rip and Repair 3-In-1 Wallet. It is fairly simple with a hint of style that doesn't sacrifice its masculinity. 

wear - A nice pair of slippers is always a welcomed gift you may not necessarily buy yourself. I'm the first to admit that I'm not the biggest fan of Uggs, but man do they know how to do slippers. I am loving these Dakota Sunshine Slipper and these ‘Scuff Romeo II’ Slipper.

read - I am absolutely obsessed with A Boat, a Whale & a Walrus: Menus and Stories by Renee Erickson. Renee Erickson co-owns a series of adorable nautical themed restaurants which are sprinkled throughout Seattle. They are truly some of my favorite spots in the city, so I love that she put out this adorable cookbook filled with recipes and stories from her restaurants. I gave this to my step mom last year for Christmas and it made a beautiful addition to her collection. For any avid readers you're shopping for, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins is another great gift. We gave it to my grandma last year for Christmas and she loved it so much she insisted I read it after her. Everybody won on that gift! 

Phew! That was quite a list. Hope you all enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Happy Shopping! 

Third Thursday in November then Straight on to Christmas

Holy Moly. I can't believe Thanksgiving has already come and gone. There is always a little sadness with the passing of time, but it is completely overshadowed by my Christmas Cheer! 

My rule of thumb is to wait until Thanksgiving to explode with holiday joy (partially a personal preference, partially insisted upon by my roommates), and this year I almost made it. When I got into town late Wednesday night, my mom immediately greeted me with a glass of wine and a Hallmark Christmas movie. I mean, how could I say no? Besides, we finished the movie after midnight so technically I waited, right? 

Thanksgiving came quicker than expected, and we spent most of the day prepping and snacking. I am going to say it, Thanksgiving dinner is kind of the worst, but the appetizers are always top notch! I made Cranberry Brie Bites (literally just refrigerated croissant dough, brie, and canned whole cranberry sauce) that were a HUGE hit. We all filled up but still managed to throw down at dinner. I scarfed my dinner like a rabid animal because just as I sat down to eat my cousin showed up with sweet baby Eila. No time to waste! 

The day was perfectly spent with the family; laughing, cooking, and eating non-stop. Holidays at my Gram's are super informal, so spending time with one another is the true centerpiece. It is always hard to say goodbye, especially with a sleeping baby in my arms, but my sister and I managed to sneak out for a few drinks with old friends before calling it a night. 

Although we side-stepped Black Friday (aside from a quick trip to Target because Target is life), we were still up bright and early Friday morning to watch the Blazers beat the Nets. After the game, we threw on our comfiest athleisure wear (yeah, it's a thing) and headed to my dad's for a trip down memory lane. We had a blast reminiscing over some of our childhood possessions and threw down some smoked turkey legs before heading to Portland for the Tree Lighting with two of our friends. You guys... I think we have a new tradition! We started the evening with Happy Hour at The Hilton which was perfectly festive and affordable. Then we popped down to the tree lighting where we sang along with the choir and admired the beautiful tree as it lit up the entire street. Finally, we headed to the waterfront where we shared the most incredible meal at LeChon. It was the cutest, trendiest, most delicious little restaurant. Even the cocktails were superb... Old Fashioned Bar? Sign me up! And the dessert. Don't even get me STARTED. It was all so magical, and we couldn't stop raving about the experience. When I got home and into bed, I received the sweetest text from Casey that had us both in tears. I truly can't believe what a special evening it was. 

Saturday morning it was back to Seattle just in time for the Civil War and Apple Cup. Chris and I went over to a friends place where we had a plethora of delicious appetizers (including the Cranberry Brie Bites I remade because YUM), a few tasty Hot Toddy's, and gourmet burgers! The spread was beautiful as was the Duck's Victory, but sadly the Cougs couldn't pull threw. Our friend from WSU was less than impressed so we played a drinking game to Christmas Vacation instead. The perfect end to the evening, even if we were smashed by 10 and sleeping on the couch by midnight. 

Then there was Sunday, the day I look forward to all year... Christmas Tree & Decorating Day. We waited too late in the day, so we ended up at a lot rather than a tree farm, but it was still pretty magical. Chris and I picked the tree out ourselves, but since he used to work at a Tree Lot, he was the perfect companion. He was so knowledgeable and meticulous through the whole process, so I just got to sit back and take it all in. 

We got the tree into the living room seamlessly, and Jen met up with us to transform the house into winter wonderland. Of course, no decorating ceremony is complete without take out and a Christmas movie... So The Grinch and Chinese were enjoyed as we put the finishing touches on the apartment. I loved their help and creativity. 

 It's official, folks. Tis the Season.

Cheers to the most wonderful time of the year! 

End of Fall

I can feel it. Days are getting shorter, nights are getting colder.... Fall is officially coming to an end. It always feels like the shortest season because everyone is in such a hurry to spread their Christmas Cheer, but I did my very best to savor the season over the weekend. 

I spent a cozy Friday evening by the fire with friends, watching New Girl and making a home cooked meal. Since we weren't hung over Saturday, which is always a fun feeling, we went to the gym and got grocery shopping for the week knocked out. Then, I got an exciting call that a friend had tickets to The Bodyguard and asked if I would like them. Although I had never seen the movie, I basically worship all things Whitney, so I jumped at the opportunity. Chris and I got all dressed up and headed to the matinee showing.

Oh my goodness, the show was amazing. It felt as much like a concert as it did like a play. I am pretty sure I cried through every second of I Will Always Love You and had to try and reign in my moves during I Wanna Dance With Somebody. It was a blast. 

Sunday was a great day for errands, mimosas, & a few items from the Fall Checklist! After the gym, Chris and I hit up the Ballard Farmers Market where I swooped up a beautiful bouquet of dried flowers and got a delicious pour over coffee from the cutest little stand. 

 

 Disclaimer, Sunflowers were out of season and I am not crazy about sweet drinks so I am chalking this up to my flowers and basic fall latte. 

Finally, I got up early yesterday to complete one of the last items on my list: make my first pot roast. Let me just tell you, it may not have been pretty, but DAMN was it good!  

I used this recipe, and it was perfect. Simple and flavorful. What more can you ask for?

All and all, I may not have totally completed the checklist, but it was definitely a season to remember.

Cheers to Fall! 

Cooking All the Things

Happy Friday, Loves! 

I can't believe how quickly the week flew by. It seems like I just overcame my hangover from last weekend. 

Anywayyyssss, I have been taking some super fun cooking classes lately, and I wanted to share some details about them. I am always looking for a new activity, so when my coworker recommended cooking classes at The Pantry, I jumped at the opportunity. It is the cutest community kitchen that hosts classes and other fun events. Plus, it is just around the corner from this adorable bar which makes it the perfect night out.

My first experience at the Pantry was a class titled Cooking by the Seat of your Pants that Zach picked out & it turned out to be a perfect introduction to the community kitchen atmosphere. The teacher had each student send in a random ingredient they had in their pantry, and she came up with an entire menu based around them. The food was incredible, but it also taught me some skills I could apply to cooking everyday. She highlighted the importance of dishes having salt, sweet, umami/protein, acid, fat, & crunch. I also loved her creativity when it came to salads, encouraging us to consider roasted herbs and veggies rather than the traditional lettuce & dressing. Finally, she reminded us that when in doubt, throw an egg on it! After this first class, we were hooked.

Next, Zach and I tried Cooking with Beer. This class was too much fun. We started with a beer tasting where we discussed general pairing tips and got a little tipsy ourselves. Next we made an incredible clam dish with a lager followed by IPA Marinated Pork Shoulder with a Honey Glaze. I am not kidding you, this was one of the tenderest cuts of meat I had ever tasted. We also made a Goat Cheese Salad with a Pale Ale Caramel & Hard Cider Vinaigrette and a Stout Custard Root Beer Float for dessert. The meal was seriously phenomenal... And that wasn't just the beer talking.

The next class Zach and I took was called Duck is the New Chicken. I have recently entered into a love affair with all things duck, so I couldn't pass up this rendezvous. The menu was comprised of Smoked Duck Breast Salad with Duck Fat Vinaigrette, Duck Tartare with Cured Duck Yolks and Truffle Salt, Duck Eggs en Cocotte with Chantrelles and Gruyere, Duck Fat Potatoes, and Duck Rillettes with Pickled Cherry Conserva. Holy shit, you guys... Easily one of the richest meals I've ever had but also one of the best. Needless to say, my shameless affair continues.

Our fourth class was Peruvian Street Food which was such a fun one for Zach and I. Neither of us had ever had Peruvian food, so it was a totally new experience. We made these awesome Marinated Beef Skewers with a Yellow and Green Chili Sauce which were super easy and super delicious. Next we made Shrimp and Octopus Ceviche with Fried Peanuts, Shallots, and Plantains. In the words of Janice from Friends... "Oh. My. God" I think Fried Shallots are my new favorite food group. Seriously, where the hell have they been my whole life! We also made a tasty trout dish which we barbecued in banana leaves, but the real bell of the ball (other then the fried shallots, of course) was the Fried Yuca with Peruvian Cheese Sauce. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

My next class was Steakhouse Classics which I actually took alone. It was taught by Darin, the same guy that taught Cooking with Beer. Obviously I couldn't I couldn't turn it down and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. It ended up being Darin's last class, so he really turned it up. We made Cornmeal Crusted Onion Rings, Butermilk Basil Dressing, Blackened Cauliflower and Green Bean Salad with Parmesan, Pan Seared New York Strip Loin, Seared Mushrooms with Garlic and Tarragon Butter, and Brown Butter Pound Cake. Everything we made was insanely delicious (especially the Corn Meal Crusted Onion Rings), but I really appreciated the time he dedicated to the steak. I mean, it was a Steakhouse class, but still. He went into great detail about the best cuts of meat, how long to cook them, different searing & broiling techniques, and even showed us how to baste. I loved this class so much and am totally bummed Darin won't be around any longer.

My next class was solo as well... How independent am I? In reality, it is totally cool to take these classes alone, but it still makes me feel super BA. Anyways, this was a Poke class taught by Jay, the same teacher that taught our duck class. You guys, it was AWESOME. I have been super into Poke since I got back from Maui, so now I feel super empowered to make it myself. In this class, we made 3 basic pokes... Salmon, Tuna, and Fried Tofu... And spent the remainder of the class making fun garnishes to eat with them. We made sweet Macadamia Nuts, Marinated Cucumber, Surimi Salad, Rice, and my personal favorite, fried shallots. By the end of the meal, the Poke was just an agent to get those golden nuggets into my mouth. SO GOOD!

Last night I took a Filipino Class with my coworker and it was absolutely incredible. I love Filipino food thanks to my roommate Mark, his girlfriend Jen, and their awesome families that keep us swimming in all sorts of different cuisines from the Philippines. I knew I would love the food in this class, plus it was taught by Jay so I had no doubt that this class would be great. Expectations were exceeded! We made Sea Bass Kinilaw (similar to ceviche), Chicken Adobo, Garlic Fried Rice, Ginataang Puso ng Saging, and finally LUMPIA. Honestly, the whole meal could have been Lumpia and I would have been thrilled, but I truly loved everything we made.

If you're looking for a fun new experience, a different idea for date night, or just an awesome gift, I highly recommend a cooking class. The Pantry classes run about $80/person which is a little steep, but you get at least two glasses of wine, and awesome meal, cooking skills, recipes, and an overall awesome night. 

  
 Cheers to great meals & new experiences.

Weekend Warriors

Happy Hump Day! 

I think I am still recovering from last weekend, but I can assure you that it was one for the books!

A few friends came into town Thursday, so we got started a little early. We enjoyed the Seahawks game by the fire before we indulged in far too many shots and headed to our neighborhood bar. We had a blast catching up, and I thought I would manage to get to sleep early for work the next day... Little did I know the rest of my group would join me in my bed and keep me up until all hours of the night.



The next day I was tired, hungover, and having some serious FOMO over all my friends hanging out at my apartment while I worked. I hurried home for some drinks and to greet the rest of our group. I threw together some tacos before getting ready for the concert. The night was a blur (what I remember of it, anyways) and we ended up all over the city. Literally.

Needless to say, Saturday was a slow one. I managed to mark a few items off my fall checklist as we lounged on the couch. I have to say, one of my favorite parts of a night out is reliving it the next day, and this morning after didn't disappoint.



Just as we concluded we weren't going out that night, my cousin decided she was in the mood for a mimosa. Next thing I knew we were 8 magnum bottles of champagne deep playing King's Cup and having twerking and heel clacking competitions. Just when I thought the night couldn't get any crazier, someone announced we were heading to Ozzie's at 10:30. So much for "not going out."
 


Needless to say, we had a blast but were exhausted on Sunday.

Cheers to weekends we truly can't remember with people we'll never forget. 

Ahoy, Baby!

Happy Monday! 

As usual, this weekend flew by. This one was jam packed with a trip to Oregon to throw a baby shower, lots of fun set up, a visit with my cousin and her sweet baby, & the perfect Seattle Sunday.

The whole weekend was wonderful, but the baby shower was really the show stopper. It was such a special event celebrating two of my favorite people and their sweet babe on the way.


Could they be any cuter?

A lot of the decorations were homemade/home painted thanks to a quick trip to Joann's, and the remainder were purchased from Amazon.

Not only was the theme lots of fun, but it was in memory of Mattie's dad who passed away almost two years ago.  Anchors & boating are a part of Ron's legacy, and it was an honor to have pieces of him throughout the shower. 

 Good times were certainly had by all, especially by Baby Chlo who glued herself to the refreshments

It was such an privilege to throw this shower with my sister & Mama Jan. I truly can't wait to love on Baby Girl!

Cheers to sweet showers for sweetest people.

Hallow-Winning

With all the craziness this fall has brought, nothing sounded better than a low key Halloween at home with the roommates. Together, we gathered in the living room and watched Game 6 of the World Series while sharing a few bottles of wine. We also took shots to celebrate Chris's big promotion at work. Yay, Chris! 

It wouldn't be Halloween without a pot of chili, and although I half-assed it this year and used a can, it still brought back all the fun memories from my childhood. 

For dessert? Donuts, of course! Again, I fail this year and didn't make them... But Top Pot isn't a bad alternative. 

We ended the night with the shittiest scary movie of all time, The Babysitter. Secretly, I prefer that to a real scary movie any day.

Cheers to carrying out family traditions & holidays well spent!