Happy Ice Cream Friday!

Happy Friday!  Last night we took a walk after dinner up to Molly Moon's so I could try their seasonal Blackberry flavor {spoiler - it was amazing and I'll be going back this weekend for more}.  Ice cream after dinner on a sunny evening with the temps expected in the high 70's this weekend {yay!} make me so excited that summer is just around the corner.  Let's all sneak out a little early today and enjoy that summer-like weather, shall we?  Have a great one!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Urban Hiking {Fremont}

It's been awhile since we've gotten out for a long walk {thanks to lots of rainy days and busy schedules} so Sunday afternoon we decided to head out before the rains came in the evening.  We walked down the hill to Fremont and Aslan Brewing, a fave Bellingham brewery that we hadn't been to in Seattle since they opened here.  We enjoyed yummy beers {and drooled over the food from Local Tide next door - definitely trying that next time} then headed back up the hill where we stopped into Blue Highway Games on Queen Anne where we located our favorite game that we played back in Kansas to bring home with us.  It felt great to get back out there walking around the city and now that the weather is finally getting better I anticipate a lot more of these in the weeks ahead!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Kisaku

I haven't had sushi since pre pandemic {except for the occasional Met Market sushi which, while good in a pinch, is not like going to a yummy sushi restaurant} so when Christian said he made reservations Saturday night at Kisaku for us and his mom, I immediately said yes.  The last time I went to this cute little Tangletown spot was on our 3rd or 4th date back in 2017 so I was nervous that it may have gone downhill in the last almost 6 years - thankfully I was wrong!  We ordered several appetizers, rolls to share, and a big tray of nigiri {above}, and everything tasted like buttery, melt in your mouth deliciousness {especially that king salmon and albacore - YUM}.  If you're in the mood for some top notch sushi that isn't quite as spendy as some of the other more popular places in town, definitely hit up Kisaku for delicious food - I for one won't be waiting 5+ years to go back again!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy Birthday David!

Happy Birthday to my dear old friend, David - the guy who is an ok Wordler, a decent crossworder, a wonderful human, and a fabulous friend!  May your day be filled with yummy food, weird books, dirty martinis, and all of the love and celebrating you deserve {which is a lot!}.  Cheers to you my friend - I can't wait to celebrate with you in person soon!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Staycation with Mom

On Friday Mom and I decided to call in sick {cough cough} and have a little staycation in Bellevue.  We headed over to the Eastside and after dropping off our stuff at the Westin Bellevue immediately headed out to lunch at Tavern Hall.  After lunch we shopped until we dropped, but besides getting a bunch of returns done for me we couldn't find anything to buy.  We headed back across the street to the hotel to freshen up then downstairs for happy hour at STK, a fancy steakhouse that had great happy hour prices including some yummy tuna tartare tacos, giant tots, and a tiny burger with 4 fries {which made us laugh}.  After happy hour we tried our luck at the mall again, but when we struck out we decided to grab a to go piece of cheesecake and head back to the room.  We spent the evening eating cheesecake and drinking wine in bed while watching some wonderful Friends episodes - the best kind of hotel night in my opinion.  Saturday morning we woke up bright and early to try a few more shops when the mall opened, but we again came up empty handed so decided to finish our staycation with lunch at Paddy Coyne's before heading back home.  Even though our shopping trip didn't produce much for either of us, it was such a fun getaway that I already know it's going to become an annual thing.  Thanks Mom for a great weekend!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy Friday Eve

Happy Friday Eve!  I'm taking a much needed long weekend to spend some girl time with my mom {celebrating Nana's birthday tomorrow!} and getting some wedding stuff crossed off the list {does it ever end?}.  The weather this week has been not ideal to say the least, but the forecast for next week looks like spring may finally stick around for awhile - fingers crossed!  Whatever you're doing, I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Girls Night

Monday night I went out for dinner and drinks with some of my favorite gals at Baker's in Sunset Hill.  Since the fall we've been making it a priority to try to get together for a ladies night out once a month, trying out new restaurants and hitting up some of our favorite old haunts, and these little date nights are something I look forward to so, so much.  Throughout the pandemic we would keep up with each other through Zoom dates and text strings, but there's something about actually getting together in person and shutting down the restaurant {which we tend to do no matter how early we start} that gives me life and makes me so happy.  Our topics of conversation vary widely - from kids, weddings, tv shows, and capitalism - but no matter what had happened that day or week, chatting with these girls always makes me feel refreshed, happy, and loved, and I think that's the best compliment for girlfriends ever.  I can't wait to see where we go next month!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Kansas Weekend {Kansas City & Arthur Bryant's BBQ}

Monday morning we headed back to Kansas City and since we had some time to kill we decided on one last bbq stop for the trip.  Arthur Bryant's is a Kansas City institution {just check out the wall of pictures of past presidents and legends who have eaten there} and since it was a Monday around lunchtime we were able to walk in to only a small line waiting to order food.  We decided to split a few things, including the brisket sandwich, burnt ends sandwich, and some of the best slaw I've ever tasted, and even though we said we weren't that hungry we inhaled all of the deliciousness at an embarrassing speed.  After lunch we drove around downtown Kansas City for a bit so C could admire all of the changes since his last visit, then it was time to head to the airport for our traditional post-vacation airport beers before boarding the plane back to Seattle.  It was such a fun trip to visit a new-to-me place and see where my honey spent a decade of his life.  Thanks KC - we'll definitely be back!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{friday dinner at an old fave}

{lunch with an old fave}

{spring has sprung}

{views}

{daphne season may be the best season}

{first margarita in quite awhile}

{trying out some new to the neighborhood thai}

{the best muffins}

{soup for a stormy day}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy {Brewery} Friday!

Happy Friday!  One of my favorite ways to end the week {especially when the sun is shining} is to grab a beer at one of our many local breweries, just like we did at Holy Mountain Brewing last Friday.  This place is right down the hill from us and though the outside area is right next to the train tracks, there's a fun industrial feel to the space that, along with their excellent beer, makes it a perfect place to wind down after a long week.  Cheers to the weekend - may it feel long and relaxing!

xoxo,

stephanie marie