Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!  March has just flown by, don't you think?  I've been spending the last few days taking care of my under-the-weather guy, but this weekend is jam packed with fun outings with friends and I'm so happy the weather is planning on cooperating for our outdoor adventures.  I hope you have a great weekend - stay healthy out there!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Mixin' It Up

A few weeks back, after letting it just sit on my counter and look pretty, I finally used the Kitchenaid mixer that Christian got me for Christmas.  I made Nana's Banana Bread {classic} and mom was right that it's soooo much easier to just throw everything in and let it mix itself.  I love looking at this pretty new gadget sitting on my counter everyday {the matte mint color is perfection} and I know I'm the luckiest girl that my sweetie knew how much I wanted this and surprised me with it on Christmas morning.  Now, what to bake next?

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Swel

Monday night, in keeping with one of my favorite traditions, I took Erika out for a very late birthday dinner.  After much deliberation we headed to Swel in Fremont {per David's recommendation} and were so happy we did.  The restaurant was practically empty {it was a rainy Monday after all} but we saddled up to the bar and immediately ordered a bottle of wine to share.  Everything looked so good on the menu and with some help from our waiter we ended up with baked goat cheese, caesar salad, and a delicious pizza with mozzarella, pancetta, and sweet & spicy peppers.  Every dish was so flavorful and perfect for sharing, but the best part of the night was catching up with Erika since it's been way too long since we went out just the two of us.  We ended up closing down the restaurant because we just had too much to say and left committing to get together more often because we always have the best time.  Getting together over great food and wine - is there anything better :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Becoming

Sunday night, after being postponed from the February blizzard, Mom finally got to cash in her Christmas present from me to go see Michelle Obama on her "Becoming" tour and let me tell you - Michelle was definitely worth the wait.  Getting to the show was definitely an adventure {after waiting in traffic for hours dad got us one of the last parking spots in the lot just to have to wait over 30 minutes to get into the dome - luckily the show started late} but we got in right as the lights were dimming to see the likes of Ciara and Eddie Vedder introducing this magnificent woman.  The introductory video already had me practically in tears, and by the time our moderator Jimmy Kimmel introduced the Mrs. Obama, the packed stadium was up on their feet cheering for this superstar.  Listening to the former First Lady speak was hopeful, funny, entertaining, enlightening, nostalgic, and a bit sad as I realized how much of an alternate universe we live in now compared to the 8 years of the Obama White House.  She sympathized with the crowd {my favorite quote of the night being "I miss us too, y'all"} and when talking about how she cried as she left the White House for the last time, Jimmy Kimmel chimed in with "I was at home crying too".  She told stories about her childhood and her life before DC and some of my favorite stories were of how she met Barack and the early days of their relationship.  She spoke longingly about the days when our Commander In Chief was respected by leaders all over the world, and warned of the leadership by fear that has unfortunately gripped our nation in the past few years.  She was honest, relatable, and hilarious when describing trying to clean up a teenage sleepover at the White House the morning of the Trump inauguration {"Grab your blankets.  Grab your pillows.  Grab your biscuits.  The Trump's are coming!"} and spoke of the disappointment of looking out at that inauguration and not seeing the diversity and elation that had been there 4 and 8 years previously.  Though it was a late night and took forever to get home {after waiting in the parking lot for 30 minutes not moving an inch Dad decided to run over a curb into a field to get to the lineup to the freeway} it was so worth it to be in the presence of such an inspiring, motivating, and strong woman.  She encouraged everyone to talk to their neighbors, get involved, and vote, and that until we can have an open and honest dialogue where people are actually listening to each other we won't be able to make the change that we so desperately need.  It was such an inspiring and moving night that I am so honored to have been witness to, and I left with a renewed sense of hope and determination to do my part to make this world just a little bit better.

 lines to get into the stadium were insane

waving at the crowd as her motorcade sped by

xoxo,
stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{evening walks}

{nina kisses}

{spring}

{rooftop afternoons}

{popping up around my yard}

{daffodils may be my fave}

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!  What a gorgeous week, right?  Tuesday hit almost 80 degrees and spending the evening on the roof with my first glass of rosé for the year while Christian was at the BBQ making us dinner made me soooooo excited for the spring and summer ahead.  I know we have to go through a few more rainy days before we get there for good, but I'm hopeful that after this sneak peek spring is right there waiting for us.  Cheers to the weekend - and maybe another glass of rosé :)

xoxo.
stephanie marie

Mediterranean Salmon Bowl

With the weather getting warmer and the days getting longer I've been craving some lighter meals and fresh seafood, so when I came across this Mediterranean Salmon Bowl on Pinterest last week I knew it would be just the thing to make for these 70+ degree days.  The recipe was super simple to assemble and I bought a much bigger salmon filet and cooked it the same as described so I'd have leftovers for more than just one day.  Once I ran out of some of the other parts of the bowl, I subbed what I had in my fridge and freezer - using frozen peas instead of broccoli and a champagne vinaigrette instead of garlic and lemon {the original was a lot of garlic}.  Served with a side of pita bread for soaking up all the goodness of the bowl, this is a perfect weeknight dinner that you can customize to whatever you have on hand {and don't worry too much about the measurements - just throw in what looks good!}.  A bowl full of veggies and fish feels pretty good this time of year :)

Mediterranean Salmon Bowl

Ingredients
8 oz {or bigger} salmon filet
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup broccoli florets
Olive oil
1 cup lettuce/mixed greens
2/3 cup purple cabbage, chopped
handful basil leaves
1/4 cup feta
1 Tblsp lemon juice
10 olives, pitted
2 Tblsp hummus

Instructions
1. Rub salmon with dried basil, red pepper flakes, and 1 clove garlic.  Let sit while you prepare the rest.
2. Massage chopped cabbage with lemon juice and let sit in bowl.  Add lettuce, basil, feta, olive oil, and remaining garlic and mix well.  Add salt and pepper if needed {though feta and olives should be salty enough}.
3. Heat broccoli with 1 Tblsp olive oil for a few minutes, then cover and turn to low so they soften some.
4. In same pan, cook salmon on medium high heat.  Cover with lid and add a little bit of water to steam for 7-8 minutes.
5. Add salad mixture to a bowl.  Top with olives, hummus, broccoli, and salmon.

Serves 2

adapted from beauty bites

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Spring!

Happy first day of spring!  It feels like spring {or summer?} came a few days early in Seattle with the sun shining, longer days, and the temps in the almost 80's - does it get any better than that?  The older I get the more I realize how much the weather affects my mood, and when I can feel the sun on my face I'm instantly happier.  Here's hoping that winter is gone for good and we're in for some beautiful months ahead.  Cheers to spring!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Date Night {The Walrus & The Carpenter}

Saturday afternoon Christian took me on a date night to thank me for watching Nina lately, and since The Walrus & The Carpenter is one of our favorite places but we've never been together we decided to give it a shot.  Since it can be impossible to get into, we arrived at 3:45 {they open at 4} to a line already forming outside the restaurant.  We were seated at the oyster bar and immediately began to drool over the baskets of oysters in front of us.  We started with some drinks {sparkling rosè for me and a beer for him}, the most delicious bread and creamy butter, and a dozen oysters to get the afternoon started right.  The rest of our food came out one by one - the steak tartare {so yummy!}, fried cod collar {with the most delicious tartar sauce}, and grilled sardines with walnuts - and everything was absolutely perfect that I could've kept eating all night.  Even though we've been trying to stay in and cook more, it's fun every now and then to go out on a fun date night - especially to such a fabulous place where we always know it's gonna be good.  Where to next??

{oysters + steak tartare}

{steak tartare}

{fried cod collar}

{grilled sardines}

xoxo,
stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{friday night dinner made by my sweetie}

 {coffee + magazine + nina}

 {more record stores}

 {sunday naps}

 {nina walks + blue skies}

{green coming up in the yard}

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy {Almost Spring} Friday

Happy Friday!  I hear a rumor it's gonna start feeling like spring towards the end of the weekend, and I for one couldn't be happier.  I've been trying to up my daily step count for the Healthy Challenge at work and I love that the weather has been cooperating for long walks by the lake on my lunch break - a great perk about my new job.  I also found a new yoga studio that is seeming promising, so I'm hoping to hit up a class or two this weekend {if my poor old body can handle it after last night's first class back}.  There's a feeling of optimism and hope and newness with spring that I'm definitely feeling in the air right now, and I'm so excited that it'll be here in less than a week.  Hope you have a great weekend, and don't forget to wear green on Sunday!

xoxo,
stephanie marie 

Baby Beau

This past weekend I got to meet yet another baby, Erin's newest {and third!} boy Beau.  Beau is only 2 weeks old, but us girls all headed up to Everett to bring Erin brunch and snuggle this newest little nugget.  Baby Beau is so itty bitty and besides a few minutes of opening his eyes to check us all out, he slept peacefully while being passed around from person to person while we caught up on everyone's news and heard the story of how he came into the world.  While 3 boys sounds a bit chaotic, I know Erin and Matt can handle it and I love that these boys are going to grow up the best of friends.  Congrats Erin and Matt - such a cutie!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Kale Sausage and Beans

I have a new weeknight staple that is so quick and easy it gives cereal a run for it's money.  I came across this recipe for Kale, Sausage, and Beans on Cup of Jo and it looked so easy and good I had to try it.  I get all the ingredients at Trader Joe's {I love the Sweet Italian Pork Sausage and the already chopped Kale in a bag} and this comes together in no time.  The recipe isn't really a recipe - you adjust by how many people you're feeding and your tastes {when it's just me I'll usually do 1-2 sausage links and half a can of beans, then cook up the rest of the can the next night}.  I love that it's super tasty and filling and it looks way more gourmet than it actually is - you could even get fancy and serve it on crunchy pieces of toast.  For a quick weeknight meal to impress {even if you're just impressing yourself} grab these ingredients right away and enjoy!

Kale, Sausage, and Beans

Ingredients
Ground sausage {or links, casings removed and broken into pieces}
Kale, chopped
Olive oil
Salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper
1 can Cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
Lemon juice
Grated Parmesan

Instructions
1. Brown sausage in pan.  Add chopped kale, a few glugs of olive oil, salt, pepper, and a splash of water.  Cover and cook until kale is wilted {just a few minutes}.
2. Stir in beans and cook until everything is warmed.  
3. Finish with lemon juice and top with grated Parmesan.

adapted from cup of jo

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Baby Ernie

Last week I finally got to meet little Ernie, Autumn and Ryan's newest addition.  He's already over 3 months old, but with the holidays, vacations, and the crazy weather I had to wait until now to meet this little dude.  We met up at NW Peaks Brewery in Ballard where we shared some beers and dinner and were mesmerized by sweet little Ernie.  He is so chill and easygoing - he didn't cry once and even when the band started playing loudly he rocked right to sleep so Autumn and I could catch up on all the happenings of the last few months.  I'm so happy to welcome Ernie to the ever growing baby tribe of these ladies and I can't wait for more hangouts with this cutie and his parents :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{beautiful friday night sunset}

 {nina spotting a bunny in her park}

 {perusing records}

 {street art}

 {wandering through georgetown}

 {wine tasting with friends}

{one of my all time faves}

xoxo,
stephanie marie