Around Seattle Tuesday's: Wait What?!?!?

As I walked out of the parking garage downtown Seattle, I instantly saw tons of Toronto Blue Jay fans. In my head I was like, Where's the M's love. Tiffanie and I, my best friend and fellow blogger, had a conversation that went a little like this: 

Tiffanie- Where is Toronto?

Me- I don't know, I think Nebraska! 

We continue walking on the cobblestone streets of Seattle. Why was I in Seattle? HAHA If you know me, Seattle and I ... we don't mesh. Beautiful city don't get me wrong. I'm a lover of small crowds and trees!!! That is not Seattle. I ventured out this past weekend totally on my own terms and of course I asked my bestie/Seattle lover to be by my side.

Our mission:
Blog Photos
Brunch
Romy and Michele's High School Reunion: The Musical

Pikes Place covers our first mission. Tiffanie loves Pikes, much like my love for the PNW. So she was beyond excited to share this special place with me. We have been friends for a few years now. Her family has become part of my family -when you go to Disneyland with another
family you are bonded for life. Haha

She is a strong, tell it like it is woman. She also has a softer side, wanting to help others grow into the best version of themselves. I've witnessed and expieranced this rare characteristic that not all people have. Today though, she was her strong, tell it like it is self haha, running me around to her favorite photo worthy spots. Not only was she taking photos of me but I was of her. She is a fellow blogger over at The Lifestyle of TDT - LINK- check out her Instagram: thelifestyleoftdt and follow her!!!

We were about half way through our photo shoot when a couple asked if I was getting engagement photos done Bahahaha... Anthony!!! Haha we laughed, I replied -Still waiting on the ring!!! They continued to chat with us and I noticed the man was wearing a Toronto shirt. Let's just say this is how we found out Toronto is not in Nebraska haha but Canada.

We wrapped up our photo shoot and headed to brunch at Toulouse Petit. Tiffanie is the Brunch Queen. You need a recommendation you just ask her. Tiffanie has been here before, she actually took a picture of her plate and sent it to me with the comment -There is whole cloves of garlic scrambled in the eggs.  Me a lover of all things garlic I knew one day I had to go.  So with no question when the brunch conversation came up I said -The place with the cloves of garlic in the eggs!!! It did not disappoint. Alongside my Pint Mimosa...swoon, I had 

-Piquillo Pepper Scramble with Goat Cheese with arugula, garlic confit,and shallots

Highly recommended

We wrapped up brunch and headed to our final destination the 5th Avenue Theatre for Romy and Michele's High School Reunion. If your not familiar with the movie. It came out in 1997. I was 12 years old. HAHA Maybe not so appropriate for that age but I loved it. Romy quickly became my idol. I'm grateful to have found my Michele -Tiffanie- to attend this play with me. 

Of course we weren't the only people with this fantastic idea. I ran into my Aunt, who is an avid reader of Postcards From The PNW. Hi Jan!!!

As well as Christine a past student that Tiffanie and I both got the pleasure of teaching! Hi Christine!!!

The play was amazing the 80's & 90's were painted beautifully on stage through costumes and dialogue. The songs portrayed the scenes of this classic movie well! The entire time Tiffanie and I were both thinking how cool for the actresses playing the roles of Romy and Michele.

This day did not disappoint. I was full of anxiety in the morning to brace this big city. Within the first ten minutes I appreciated all it had to offer and started to relax and enjoy myself. Yet again I couldn't have done it without my bestie!!!

Look out for the next Postcard From The PNW!!!

Brittney

Throwback Thursday: Staircase

The weather has been so beautiful the last few days!!!

I decided this weeks Throwback Thursday I will share with you a beautiful place that has a family friendly trail: Staircase Rapids Nature Loop Trail.  

Last April we decided to head to the Olympic Peninsula and spend our afternoon at Staircase. It's a little under a two hour drive from Tacoma, WA. The drive is beautiful it runs right along side Lake Cushman. The road is unpaved and closes from time to time due to weather conditions. So before you head out you can check on the National Park Service website. There is also a vehicle/walk in fee unless you have an Annual Pass. Pets aren't allowed since its in the National Forest. Gabby missed out. 

Staircase has multiply skill level trails. The Rapids Loop Trail is family friendly so we chose to go that route. The trail is 2.1 mile loop, along the trail you will find enormous trees reaching high into the sky, as well as giant fallen trees laying across the mossy forest floor. 

Plenty of beautiful view points of the Skokomish River, the water is a beautiful shade of blues and greens. One of my favorite spots is at the bridge. Made to look like a Mini Narrows Bridge, you get a clear view of the rapids below. 

Towards the end of the trail there is a viewpoint of The Great Bend in the river overlooking the bluff. The height made my stomach drop. Of course I was yelling at Fallyn not to get close to the ledge HAHA she was staying even further back than I was.  

Staircase was a fun trip for us.  I hope you get a chance to check it out!

Look out for the next Postcard From The PNW!!!

Brittney 

Sisters and Brunch: I'm There

I grew up in Gig Harbor, WA a small town across the bridge from Tacoma. Growing up I never thought I would move away from the Harbor, but I did and I am beyond obsessed with the area I live in now. I moved to North Tacoma a few years ago and I never want to leave! The city has a lot to offer, full of character and history.

With that, I bring to you Around Tacoma Tuesdays. Giving you a tour of Tacoma with information on where to eat, shop, recreation and the most important where to get pampered. Along the way I'll show you some of my favorite spots as well as discover new places I haven't been to yet!!! 

Today's tour brings us to The Jewel Box Cafe in Point Ruston. Where I met up with two lovely ladies and a beautiful baby yesterday: My Sisters and Niece. Tiffany is my Sister In Law, with her is my Niece Lydia. Marie is my other Sister. She is my childhood best friend/neighbor for the majority of my life. She has held the sister role for a long time.

We met for brunch at The Jewel Box Cafe.  From the outside you could tell the inside was going to be full of charm. Inside they have sparkling chandeliers, the craftsmanship is beautiful, and they showcase their menu on decorated chalkboards. I was excited to try it.

Plenty of seating inside, with an upstairs area, they also have a smaller patio area, which is where we chose to sit.

Their menu consists of brunch like items: salads, crepes, and sandwiches. They have a pretty impressive coffee bar as well. I ordered the Gourmet Ham Crepe which consists of: 

-diced Black Forest ham, spinach, mushroom, cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, topped with a Dijon sauce

-caramel macchiato

Both were so delicious!!!!!

The Jewel Box Cafe has amazing ambiance, and tasty food, my one concern, I think it may have been an off day for the staff. Which I get, I'm human too, I have off days. So I'm hoping next time I visit, it's an overall 100% good experience.

Look out for the next Postcard From The PNW!

Brittney

Throwback Thursday: Tumwater Falls

Hello Sunshine!!!

When I started this blog I was thinking about all the cool places I wanted to go, I made lists of all the towns, beaches, restaurants in far off places to bring back and tell you all! I started scrolling through my thousands of pictures on my phone and realized how am I going to share all of the cool places we have already been.  Which brings us today's post title Throwback Thursday.  Every Thursday (until I run out haha) I will be posting past adventures that are worthy places that someday I hope to return to.  

Which brings me to: Tumwater Falls Park.

Anthony and I had only been dating for a couple months, when he suggested we take our first adventure. He grew up in Olympia, WA, his mom would take him and his siblings to Tumwater Falls Park. There they would explore, climb rocks, and sneak over the fence that leads down to the river.  

When we pulled into the parking lot I wasn't sure what to expect. It looked like a normal park. In my mind I was like "Where are these waterfalls." As we got on the path I could hear them, we turned the corner and there they were.  Looking back on that moment, that's when I changed.  I had a new set of eyes on the world.  I needed to see more. Wanderlust is no joke. The Falls is open to the public and FREE!!! It has a half mile scenic loop trail along the Deschutes River.  

We set out to start the trail crossing a bridge that sits above the roaring falls. I constantly kept yelling for Fallyn to stand in the center of the bridge. Even though she had already crossed. HAHA I'm a crazy person when it comes to heights. This scenario happens, just about every trip we go on. 

There is no bad view point on this trail, it runs right along the river on both sides. You will see tons of mini water falls along the way right on the trail! 

Fallyns favorite part is at the second bridge. Yes, I yell at her to stay in the middle yet again. Across the bridge there is a path you can take, that will lead you to the bottom of the falls. You will find a 

picturesque spot to take a picture in front of the falls. Depending on the day you can get a really good photo. Much like this one.  

Or if we've had a ton of rain fall,  this spot will soak you haha and your picture will not be so good. Sorry Anthony. Haha good one of Fallyn and I though!

Back up at the top you will finish the loop. Our favorite place to go and grab some lunch after is the Bayview Thriftway right down the road. It's a small market with a delicious deli counter. You can also go before you head to the park and eat picnic style, they have tables and benches. Tumwater Falls isn't to far from us. So we go a few times a year. If your looking to get out of the house, or if you have kids and looking to get them out of the house. I highly recommend it! The scenery is breathtaking. 

Look out for the Next Postcard From The PNW

Brittney

Girl, You Can Have Whatever I Like!-Review Wednesday!

I decided to add reviews on products/companies that I have used or purchased from. Whenever I try something new that I love, I want to share it with the world!!! Of course if I love it I feel that others should love it too! Spread the love! 

With that being said let me introduce you to Blue Apron. If you haven't heard of Blue Apron they are known for their meal subscription box. A little more info than that, their chefs and farmers work together creating higher quality food that is so delicious. You will then recieve a box of goodies at their freshest, with perfectly portioned ingredients, eliminating any waste and step by step directions. 

A good 90% of the time I have my meals planned out for two weeks. The other 10% happens. This past week I realized with my busy schedule of work, taking Fallyn to school/ballet, prepping for blog launch and bugging Anthony, I hadn't planned nor grocery shopped. 

So you think I would start figuring out what we would have. Instead I went on Instagram HAHA (I'm like the dog from UP! Dug) Lucky I did I saw an ad for Blue Apron and clicked the link. The first thing that catches my eye NEW CHEFS: $30.00 off your first delivery!!!! How perfect! I signed up right away they have:

2 Person Plan 

3 recipes per week 

Price per serving $9.99

Family Plan

2 or 4 meals per week

Price per serving 8.99

I opted for the 2 Person Plan, knowing Fallyn would be at a friends one night and the other two I could share my portion. 

Once I picked the day I wanted it to arrive it showed the menu for the week. Giving six options to chose three from. They all looked good! Anthony and I settled on 

-Roasted pork and mustard pan sauce with asparagus and fingerling potatoes

- Nashville style catfish with red cabbage, apple and pecan slaw

-Tandoori-style chicken and rice with summer squash and raita

A couple days passed and this was on our porch. I was beyond excited! My favorite part is everything is labeled and individually portioned out. Making it easy...for Anthony to cook! 

We decided to have the Roasted Pork first, it was easy to cook with the step by step instructions. It was delicious. Everything tasted fresh and the best part nothing went to waste.  

The next night was an epic fail on my part. I had worked all day. Anthony had chose the Catfish for the evening and had it ready, I sat down took a bite and it was amazing.  The fish was perfect, the seasoning I want to replicate and put on everything !!! I ate the whole thing and on the last bite I realized AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! I didn't take a picture. Blogger Fail #1.  

The next night was another long day for me. Anthony had made the last meal, the Tandoori-Style Chicken plated beautifully. He also reminded me to take a picture. He's officially a blogger's boyfriend HAHA 

The chicken was amazing. It left me wanting more!!! Great flavor, yet again a sauce I want to smother on everything I eat! I started thinking that they probably don't have a bad recipe. I won't use them every week but I will be checking their weekly meals to see what's on the menu. They do have it so you can skip weeks or if you chose to cancel, you just send an email.  

This week we are trying  Hello, Fresh I will let you know how they are!  

Has anyone used Blue Apron, what did you think? 

Brittney