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!
Definitely Pike Place Market with all its funky ethnic bistros. I love the variety of food you can get in the little hole-in-the-wall places tucked away in there. Don’t miss the waterfront wharfs if you can help it. Belltown was the up and coming area when I lived there in the 90s, but now I understand Ballard is the hot place to go. Enjoy it all and don’t forget an umbrella! :-)
Wild Ginger in downtown Seattle is incredible (and has been for years). Great atmosphere, great drinks, AND they indicate on their menu which items are GLUTEN FREE! wildginger.net
Tulio (also downtown) has long been one of my favorite Italian restaurants. It has GLUTEN FREE lunch and dinner menus available. tulio.com
Ray’s Cafe (or more expensive Ray’s Boathouse) is the perfect place for NW seafood and they also indicate GLUTEN FREE items on their menus. http://www.rays.com/cafe/menu/
OH MY GOODNESS, that carrot cake… I can’t even handle it <3
Not sure if anyone’s mentioned it but a great idea to go along with the chalkboard wall is magnetic paint. Paint a coat of it underneath the chalkboard paint & you get double the fun!
I live in Seattle and it is supposed to be sunny all weekend! All great suggestions listed! If your going to brunch I would highly suggest Cafe Campagne in Pike Place Market! Also any Ethan Stowell restaurant is worth a visit, i believe he has 5 or 6 in the Seattle area, Tavolota being right in downtown seattle. Can’t wait to read your review and see what you and your friends did in Seattle.
You can’t miss Hot Cakes in Ballard. Absolutely DEVINE.
Love Seattle, had a girls weekend there myself a few years back.
Loved the ferry ride and wineries on Bainbridge Island.
Loved staying downtown, taking in the cafés and local flare around the market.
Enjoy and know that your little man will manage to survive while you are gone,
It’s supposed to be chilly but gorgeous this weekend in Seattle, good timing! I totally agree with the Portage Bay Cafe recommendation – delicious brunch and they have lots of GF options. Apparently I’m the only one who has had a bad experience at Purple, but I thought it was pretty meh. I would recommend Pink Door and Tavolata for Italian food, Poppy and Joule for Asian, Rock Creek for seafood, and the Ballard Farmers Market on Sunday for people watching. So many amazing options, have fun!
You have thee best taste. I always love your Friday Favorites!
I love Seattle. Some must do’s- a Cuban sandwich at Paseo’s and dinner at Cascina Spinasse (do the chef’s tasting menu. Also stop in World Spice Market just outside of Pike Place Market and stock up on spices.
We are taking a family vacation to seattle this summer so this info is super helpful! Cannot wait to see all you do and love reading these recommendations. Any tips for a 9 year old celebrating her birthday in Seattle? Looks like I know where to get cupcakes!
@Jenny – If its going to be summer then I suggest celebrating at a lovely park in seattle. Carkeek Park in the seattle broadview neighborhood is perfect. Carkeek has lovely views of the sound and a fun playground with a big open field to run around like crazy. Plus you can take short walk over a bridge to the beach to play in the surf or find shells.
I’ve always wanted to visit Seattle, but haven’t made it there yet. Looking forward to hearing about your trip!
I love that you have A Friday Favorite Beer! And I just moved to Seattle two weeks ago from LA. It’s been really amazing so far, and the sun is even out today.