Fireworks!

Here's a little video Jason made of the fireworks at Gasworks in Seattle where we spent our 4th.

On a side note, I'm convinced that You Tube has created some sort of software that manages to pick the most awkward moment of the video to have as the preview still. Case in point...

Music by Fresh Espresso

The Best Energy Bar

Do you love energy bars as much as I do? Being that I have semi-low blood sugar and need to eat every few hours they are a complete life saver for me. I keep them on hand in my purse, at my desk, around the house for whenever I need a little burst of energy. Unfortunately many of them are packed with sugar and tend to make me spike and then crash. My naturopath recommended that I get one that has more protein and less sugar (even if it is dried fruit) to keep my energy levels more consistent.

Enter the best power bar I've ever had: the Zing Bar! I am in love with these protein packed, gluten-free delicious snacks. My favorite flavor by far is the Chocolate Coconut which I have to keep myself from eating multiple times a day. The peanut butter ones are also amazing. Which bars do you like the best? Any tips on where the best place to buy bars in bulk is?

Monday Motivation

Friday Roundup

Happy Friday! Big plans for the weekend? I'm going to soak up as much of this 80 degree weather as I possibly can!


Here are a few links from around the web to kick off a great weekend:


In honor of this patriotic week, an interesting list of our past and current President's favorite foods. 


Coolest play area for kids EVER.

Super cute dress, would have been great for the 4th.

Olympic inspired workouts! 


Great story about an 8th grader who convinced Seventeen Magazine to stop airbrushing. 


My new favorite website that features all the latest and greatest from Etsy and Amazon.


Watermelon. Margarita.


Just in case you haven't read it yet, apparently we are all way too busy.

Creative baby shower idea for book lovers.

Would you wear these D&G inspired sunglasses?

A guide to 40 free outdoor concerts in Seattle this summer.

(photo via notetoself)

Project Pinterest: Chalkboard Lids for Mason Jars

One of my big summer projects is organizing my pantry and here's one little step of the process.



One of my larger summer "goals" is reorganizing my pantry. Yon know, getting rid of food that moved to this house with us 2 years ago and these sorts of things. I recently found chalkboard painted mason jars on Pinterest and thought they would be perfect for my pantry reorganization.  I tend to buy things in the bulk section and my pantry was cluttered with plastic bags with varying amounts of nuts and grains.
When I got the jars and was about to start painting, I realized that painting the lid might be better. Basically I started wondering what would happen if ran a jar with chalkboard paint through the dishwasher and started imagining chalkboard paint all over all of my other dishes...
So painting lids it was! It was super easy, I did 2 coats of paint and let them dry for a few days before using them.
I know some of you are probably wondering why someone would need a label on a clear jar. One time, I put dried quinoa on a salad thinking it was sesame seeds and fed it to a bunch of people.
Also, this way you can label expiration dates or other important info.

Seattle Summer Bucket List

We have a little joke here in Seattle that summer doesn't start until the 5th of July. This year it came one day early! Yesterday was gorgeous and we have nothing but sunshine in the forecast from here on out-- all I can say is, it's about time. This is my first full summer in Seattle since 2007 so I'm pretty excited to tackle my "summer bucket list" digging into local favorites and playing the tourist in my own town. What are you up to this summer? Seattleites, what must-do's did I leave out?

Head down to the waterfront to check out the new Pier 57 Ferris Wheel

Try out some of Seattle's best rooftop dining: the Pink Door, Madrona's Bottlehouse, & Little Water Cantina on Eastlake  

Catch an outdoor movie at Magnusun Park

Paddleboard Yoga in Ballard!

Watch for Orca whales and go bike riding at the San Juan Islands (I've never been!). Really want to spend the night at this place. 

Buy some produce at the farmboat floating market on Lake Union

Take in the August wildflowers on the Sourdough Ridge Trail at Mt. Rainier

Oyster Happy Hour at Elliot's down on the waterfront. 

Agua Verde's Full Moon Kayak Tour of the Arboretum 

Learn how to crew a sailboat with my Dad (this is already scheduled, so excited!)



























(Photos: wheel, deck, movie, yoga, island, market, mountain, oysters, kayak, sail)

America!

 I hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July! Jason and I had a little Seattle adventure and walked to Gasworks Park to watch the fireworks over the city. TOTALLY crowded but really fun, it reminded me of a crazy music festival and in fact,  Pickwick performed.

The best part of the day- it finally feels like summer in Seattle!