Thoughts on Love...

Happy Valentines Day!

I remember HATING this holiday in middle school and high school, when my friends had boys who liked them and I was so AWKWARD and thought no one would ever like me. I know I'm lucky that I didn't have to wait long and I met Jason when we were 18. Looking back on it, we were so young! For us, it worked that we grew up together. In some ways we have been very lucky, blessed (even though I feel cheesy using that word, it's true)  in other ways, we've worked hard at it! Regardless, at this point we've been together FOREVER so I feel like I actually have the qualifications to speak as somewhat of an expert on the topic of love.

The most important thing I could tell ANYONE about love is that it's not a feeling.

LOVE.
IS.
A.
CHOICE.

Love is waking up every morning and choosing to want to be with the person you're committed to, even if they're being grumpy. Because when it's love, you can trust that they'll do the same for you when the roles reverse. Love is a verb, it's an action and sometimes it's something you have to remind yourself to do when life isn't feeling like the ending of a rom com. Love is something you have to work at. Fluttery feelings come and go. Love sticks around.


Lastly, as much as I wish I could keep this entirely happy, I know that's not where everyone is at in their relationship. Some require more work, and some just won't work. If you're not feeling like the relationship you're in is the right place for you, to remember that sometimes we need to choose to love ourselves and sometimes walking away is the right answer. It takes two people choosing to love to make the relationship work.

Photo by Zoe Rain, Behind the Scenes on Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You"

Can a person make themselves fall in love?

Did you see this fascinating "Modern Love" column in the New York Times on Monday? It's about the research of Dr. Arthur Aron who claims that by sitting two strangers down together and having them ask each other these 36 questions and then stair at each other for four minutes almost anyone can learn to fall in love. The author of the article tried it out herself -- the article is well worth reading to find out the result.

I LOVE this idea! I can definitely see how why this works -- emotional intimacy can be so hard to build, in any type of relationship, and the idea of really diving in with someone seems like a great way to get past the BS really fast. Would you ever try this?

(Image)

Seattle Spotlight: Book Bindery

On Saturday Patrick and I celebrated our six year wedding anniversary by hiring a babysitter and going out on a date (which we both decided we need to do more often!). We got all spruced up and hit the town in the rain. We started with cocktails at one of our favorite cozy restaurants on the southern bank of the ship canal, Book Bindery. Being there reminded me that I wanted to do a post about this special little restaurant.

Parking is simple, the views are lovely and reminded us of European canals, the food and cocktails are top notch and the ambiance in general is perfect for a date or intimate dinner gathering. You can actually hear yourselves talk! (Yes, I'm turning into an old lady). My favorite part is that about half of the dinning area is in a greenhouse-style atrium so you feel like you're eating al fresco even when it's cold and rainy, which let's face it, this is Seattle. Patrick and I shared the truffle fries this time (ATTN: Jenny!) and they were a tasty compliment to our fancy cocktails. Bon appetite! 

Seattle Spotlight: Cantinetta

As I mentioned, Patrick and I celebrated our five year wedding anniversary last Friday. This was actually the first year since we were married in Tacoma that we've spent the day in Washington State. Our first anniversary was in Florida, then South Africa, Dublin, Oregon wine country and now finally WA! I'm 36 weeks pregnant so it wasn't really an option to go far away this year, and I felt like a weekend away would be too much for me at this point (not to mention we're trying to save for the baby).

So we opted for a low key evening in our own Seattle neighborhood, Wallingford. We walked a block from our house to one of our favorite local restaurants, Cantinetta.  We lucked out with gorgeous weather and were able to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine and peekaboo views of Lake Union.  I know this sounds silly and cliche, but I felt like I was actually transported to Europe or something. We ordered a half a dozen small plates (melon and prosciutto, freshly made sausage, spinach gnocchi, green beans and burrata, etc). Everything was freshly made, summery and delicious. I can't recommend this place enough, just make sure to get there early or plan to wait, they don't take reservations for parties under six.

Happy Valentine's Day!

How do you celebrate(or do you?) Valentine's Day? Patrick and I usually go out to dinner and exchange cheesy love cards. Tonight we'll walk over to The Whale Wins and hope we are early enough to get a table without a reservation...wish us luck! At dinner, we have a little tradition of trying to remember all the places we have celebrated Valentine's Day's past in chronological order -- it's getting more difficult as this is our 7th as a couple! It's a great way to reminisce about falling in love and all the up's and down's along the way.

But here's my V-day confession: I secretly miss the days of celebrating Valentine's Day with my girlfriends! When I was in college and during the years I lived in DC I used to love hanging out with the ladies, eating tons of chocolate, drinking frilly cocktails, and watching Rom-Coms. Have you heard of the term "GALentine's Day?" -- I guess it came from the show Parks and Recreation and is all about celebrating the girlfriends in your life on Feb 13th. I love this idea!! Next year maybe I'll throw a little GALentine's Day party, who's with me?

Enjoy your day! Lots of love, Teresa

PS. How to throw a GALentine's Day Brunch -- hilarious tips from Parks and Rec.

Seattle Spotlight: Valentine's Day in the Rainy City

Do you already have plans for Valentine's Day? I have yet to make a reservation but I've been doing some research and asking around what's hot in Seattle right now. Check out our guide to V-day in Seattle below!

Down some local oysters! They are supposed to be an aphrodisiac right? ;) Seattle has some amazing spots to wash down the briny treats with excellent cocktails. Check out this new list of top oyster happy hours, Patrick and I are partial to the Walrus and the Carpenter.

Get active together. Run or walk the Valentine's Day Dash 5K at Greenlake with your man or with a group of friends. At the end of the race there is a "Lovers Lounge" beer garden and your bib number states if you are "single" or "taken"! 

Catch an Oscar nominated film in luxury.  21+ film lovers will enjoy catching a flick at the Big Picture Theater, where they only show one movie at a time but you can order cocktails to be delivered throughout the show, enjoy the country's first Tempur-Pedic seats, and indulge in Champagne Cheddar Popcorn.

Live entertainment in Pike Place Market: Catch a trapeze or cabaret and burlesque show over dinner at The Pink Door in Pike Place.

Enjoy beautiful NW art with gourmet dinner. Check out the new Chihuly Glasshouse filled with hand-blown glass art from famed NW artist Dale Chihuly, then enjoy a romantic four-course dinner at Collections Cafe a midst Chihuly's collection. Dinner will cost a cool $275 per couple but is accompanied by a live jazz band and includes a bottle of wine, admission to the galleries and garden, and complementary valet.

Lap in urban luxury in downtown Seattle: Spend the night downtown at the modern and luxurious W Hotel Seattle after partaking in a five-course meal at their own Trace restaurant. Dinner includes a lobster maltagliati pasta with an authentic beet red velvet cake to top off the night. Dinner is $65 per person, $90 with wine pairings.


Skip town and enjoy your inner foodie: Head just 30 minutes north of the city to Woodinville for some wine tasting and a foodie's delight with dinner at the Barking Frog. Chef Bobby Moore, is even serving up a special "Aphrodisiac Menu" in honor of the holiday! For an extra bonus spend the night onsite at the romantic Willows Lodge.  Dinner is $69 per person, add $30 for wine pairing.

Or stay in...if braving V-day crowds and peak restaurant prices aren't your thing then pick up some Deathcake cupcakes from Cupcake Royale and settle in for a romantic evening at home.





(images: oysters, Pink Door, Deathcake)

Happy 30th Mom and Dad!

Happy 30th anniversary to my extraordinary parents! 

Their love and commitment to each other through three decades is truly something to celebrate. I am one lucky girl to have such fabulous parents. Here's to many more happy years to come! 

Friday Roundup

Hi Friends! What are you up to this weekend? P and I are going to spend a romantic weekend-away in Portland. I'm excited to get lost exploring the city just the two of us. 

Here's your weekend roundup!

Adorable couples who have been together a LONG time.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Stuffed Cake Balls. Yes, you heard me right. Sounds divine. 

I finally got some of this and spent 45 minutes putting it on today, but it looks great for my weekend away! Also, this is insane to me. 

Yummy Valentine's Champagne Cocktail.

Kitty-made art. Also, famous ladies and their cats.  

Want to impress your sweetie this weekend? How to open beer with a piece of paper.

I'm dying to visit this crazy bookstore in Buenos Aires. 

25 super-duper foods

Loving this iPhone case but need to stop buying iPhone cases.

What do you think of this pick to play Princess Diana in an upcoming film?

Going to be in Seattle this weekend? Check out this crazy Valentine's Day version of the Underworld Tour.

PS. Isn't that picture of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone the best? I love them both. If you haven't seen it, 'Crazy Stupid Love' is a fun V-day weekend flick!