Happy Friday everyone, I hope you had a great week and even better weekend ahead of you!
I’m heading to Seattle this weekend for a quick girlfriend getaway with my Napa ladies. My friend Lindsey recently moved to the area so Natalie (my fellow shortie) and I are heading out to help her explore and get to know the place. My heart’s already breaking thinking about leaving Lincoln for a few days, but I’m also very, very excited. Can’t wait to show you what we get into!
Seattle-ites: What do we need to see/do/eat/drink/experience? I haven’t been to Seattle since college and can’t wait to rediscover this cool (literally,) laid-back city. Got my layers packed! ; )
I hope you’ve got something fun on the agenda too, and in the meantime please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web and beyond in this week’s Friday Favorites. Have a GREAT weekend!
Click the light blue link to be taken to the original source.
Favorite classic: The Best Carrot Cake. The minute I saw this recipe from Ali @ Gimme Some Oven, I tweeted her just one word: WOW! This may be the most perfect-looking carrot cake I’ve ever seen!
Favorite find: BEpaperie. My cousin recently opened an Etsy shop featuring handmade paper goods including flowers like the ones she had at her wedding, stationary, and these HIGH-larious cards for every occasion. This girl is crazy-witty. I laughed like a maniac at every single one!
Favorite photo: BLT Lettuce Wraps. This photo and recipe is absolutely amazing. The pops of color against the black background and low-carb take on the classic BLT makes me want to dive right in.
Favorite find: Omission Beer. Thanks to the recommendation of several people on last Friday’s post I picked up a 6-pack of Omission gluten-free lager and was BLOWN AWAY. It tastes exactly like regular beer…because it is! This beer is brewed per usual then a special enzyme is added to take the gluten out. Don’t know how it works. Don’t care. It is perfection.
Favorite bite: Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Mini Blender Muffins. Mini peanut butter + chocolate chip muffins made in a blender? I am not mad at that!
Favorite funny. Story of my life. No bag left behind!
Favorite crunch: Honey Garlic Crunch Chicken Tenders. And I quote. “…crunchy, sweet, sticky and totally irresistible…” Ummm, yes.
Favorite fun: Chalkboard Wall. Awesome project for the kiddos!
Favorite snack: Snap Peas + The Laughing Cow Light Garlic & Herb Cheese Wedges. I’ve been snacking on super-sweet sugar snap peas like it’s nobody’s biz lately. I tend to only eat them alone because I like to crunch them very loudly. Ahem. Anyway, they’re divine when dipped in The Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges, especially the Light Garlic & Herb flavor. Love the combo of crisp and creamy!
Favorite upgrade: Mini Pretzel Dogs. Like pigs in a blanket except way, way better. Bravo.
Favorite truth. Workin’ on it!
Favorite twist: Fried Mozzarella Stack. I thought I’d seen all the caprese combos that existed in the world but this fresh/fried/creamy/crunchy take is a new one for me. Totally mouthwatering.
Favorite DIY: Alphabet Wall Art. This would be so adorable in a kids room, right? If you didn’t want to highlight I (heart) U, you could pick out your child’s initials instead. Either way – too cute!
Favorite sweet treat: Chai Ginger Ice Cream Sandwiches. I. Can’t. Even. Dana @ Minimalist Baker wins at life!
Sara 03.21.2014
Here are some places that we liked, in Seattle. Have fun.
http://thehungryapple.com/2012/10/22/seattle/
Elissa (@style_wire) 03.21.2014
That BLT does look so fresh and yummy! Thanks for the laughing cow pairing recommendation, I love snacking on their wedges!
xo
https://www.facebook.com/StyleWireBos
Dawn 03.21.2014
What Shannon said…..there are some great things happening in Seattle these days. Airfield Winery in Woodinville. Love their Tempernillo. And you have to get your baby a Seahawks Superbowl Champ t-hirt!
Anna 03.21.2014
Ah I’m so jealous! I grew up in Seattle and miss it so much!
-Purple Cafe
-The Matador
-Portage Bay Cafe (without question)
-Soscio’s Produce at Pike Place Martket
-Paseo Caribbean Restaurant
-Molly Moon’s Ice Cream
Try to make it out to Bainbridge Island if you can! And ride the Great Wheel!
Haley @Cupcakes and Sunshine 03.21.2014
that chalkboard wall is my favorite. i love it and think i need one in my apartment.
Val 03.21.2014
Ha! Adorable Harry Potter nerd alert. The pink door is in Post Alley. Definitely enjoy Seattle’s diverse food options, best Thai, Sushi and Korean! The Great Wheel is worth a ride on nice day. And getting a coffee and walking on a ferry is a good way to pass a few hours and see things from a different perspective.
Giustina Miller 03.21.2014
I love your list!
Thanks for including my Fried Mozzarella Stack!
Hope you have a Happy Friday!
Jessica 03.21.2014
The Pink Door! It’s an Italian place in Diagon Alley across from Pike’s market. It is sooo good!
Carrie 03.21.2014
Pink Door is fun and tasty, but it is in POST Alley.
kelsey 03.21.2014
Seattle is a great city, we might even be able to show you some sunshine!
I second the nomination of Purple Cafe (they have one in Woodinville which has great wineries surrounding it too)! their lobster mac and cheese is to DIE for!
For cupcakes… well Trophy is great but Cupcake Royale is better! seriously amazing and adorably quirky shops! http://www.cupcakeroyale.com/
Shannon 03.21.2014
Totally agree with you on the cupcakes! Trophy is pretty but Cupcake Royale tastes WAY better. And yay on our sunshine!!!
Emily @ The Swallow Flies 03.21.2014
Chai-ginger ice cream? Shut. Up.
Jeni Flaa 03.21.2014
Have a wonderful weekend in Seattle! Two of my good friends live there and I love visiting them. The Thai food is sooo good! I always like stopping in the International District for food and bubble tea. All those independent coffee shops with scratch made food, and my friend’s family took us to Revel for brunch. We also visited the Theo chocolate factory. You can take tours, but we just visited the store and bought more than we expected. Thanks for sharing your favorites.
Rachel 03.21.2014
If you’re looking to try more gluten free beer check out Lakefront Brewery’s New Grist. It’s brewed in Milwaukee, WI and is available in almost every state in the US.
Have a great weekend in Seattle! :)
Rachel 03.21.2014
Go to Rachel’s Ginger Beer and Beecher’s Handmade Cheese in Pike Place Market! I just came back from Seattle and went to both a few times.
Shannon 03.21.2014
Ohhhhhh ~ so many wonderful places to dine in Seattle. If you can get yourself to The Whale Wins. http://www.thewhalewins.com/ Simply amazing food.
Go to Ballard (the neighborhood) and wander the shops & restaurants. Cannot go wrong down there. Molly Moons for ice cream. Pikes Place Market – of course! The Beechers mac & cheese is to die for but not at all gluten free. Their cheese is fabulous. Skip Starbucks in favor of some smaller, local places. Too many to even begin listing. Portage Bay Cafe is amazing and they have a nice selection of gluten free meals too.
Have a great trip!
Carrie 03.21.2014
I can vouch for all of these suggestions (except for The Whale Wins, I haven’t been there). As an aside – I too am an Iowa gal – I’ve been in Seattle since 2001, having moved in my mid-20’s…
Kelly Mitchem 03.21.2014
I just moved from Seattle! You must go to Portage Bay Cafe while there! It’s the best french toast I have ever eaten, they use fresh local ingredients, simply divine! They have 3 locations!
Chicago Jogger 03.21.2014
I need those Chai Ginger ice cream sandwiches in my life!! Two of my favorite flavors. Great list, as usual. Have fun on your trip!
amy 03.21.2014
ALSO….you have to get your hands on some WONDERFUL cupcakes from Trophy cupcakes that are by far the best I have ever had…..https://www.trophycupcakes.com/
amy 03.21.2014
I would HIGHLY recommend having dinner at the Purple Cafe & Wine Bar. Excellent selections and great food and service!!! I can’t wait to get back there later this summer. http://www.thepurplecafe.com/
Jasmine 03.21.2014
I’m not from Seattle, nor have I ever been, so my recommendation comes with no experience behind it. BUT! If I were going to Seattle, I would definitely make a stop at Delancey because I adore Molly Wizenberg and her blog Orangette. http://delanceyseattle.com/
No idea if they have a gluten-free option…
Jamie 03.21.2014
I’m right there with you Jasmine. If Delancey doesn’t offer g-f options, go to their bar Essex next door – cocktails are gluten-free, right? = )
Bryn 03.21.2014
Ugh, those peanut butter muffins are ridiculously good and take like 15 minutes start to finish. Weird thing…we freeze them for quick breakfasts, and they are soooooooo good slightly frozen. Amazingly delicious.
Averie @ Averie Cooks 03.23.2014
Thanks for trying my recipe, Bryn, and glad you’re a fan :)
Jessica Rose 03.21.2014
Have a great weekend…with your friends….;)