32 Things I Have Learned, Love, Want To Conquer, And I Am Thankful For

Well today is my 32nd Birthday... that's a lot of years!!!! I wanted to share a few things I've learned   along the way, things I love, what I want to accomplish this year before turning 33 and thank two people that inspire me each day! 

So with that being said...

TEN THINGS I HAVE LEARNED:

1. Self-Love is essential

2. Share your story

3. You cannot change other people and they cannot change you. 

4. Don't compare yourself to others 

5. Empowered Woman empower other woman

6. Give yourself time to grow🌱

7. Be mindful on who you take advice from

8. Sometimes you may get off course

9. Feed your soul

10. Stop and admire the little things 

TEN THINGS I LOVE:

1. My Family

2. Traveling -it feeds my soul 

3. Books! Books!! And more Books!!!

4. Learning something new

5. Seeing Fallyn experience something new

6. Writing -a new found love of mine 

7. Podcasts

8. Sitting on my front porch #frontporchfest

9. Disneyland

10. Myself! 

TEN THINGS I WANT TO CONQUER BEFORE 33

1. Read More

2. Travel more

3. Make working out a priority 

4. Drink more water

5. Take care of my skin 

6. Keep a journal 

7. Send postcards
8. Unplug

9. Take a photography class

10. Surround myself with like minded people

TWO PEOPLE IM THANKFUL FOR:

1. Anthony: Without you Postcard From The PNW would not exist. You gave me the wanderlust feeling that I have each day. You have spoiled Fallyn and I with the gift of travel and adventure and I'm beyond thankful for it. 

2. Fallyn: You are a Smart, Talented, Beautiful Girl! There is no one I'd rather have by my side on all of my adventures than you!!! 

Thank you for reading my blog! 32 is shaping up to be an amazing year!!!

Look out for the next Postcard From The PNW

Brittney

Tacoma's Wharf

Sometimes I forget how big Tacoma is... I could literally take you to a new place each day and share with you years of cool places to frequent. One things gets in the way of that...Haha work!!! It's no secret the waterfront is getting a facelift, from extending the trails to adding in some pretty awesome places to hang. 

 What I love most, is that this portion of Tacoma has been around as long as the city has been in existence dating back to the 1800's. From an old mining town to a path with panoramic views of the Commencement Bay, with food and recreation along the way. 

Just below the hill from my house lays this beautiful area, Fallyn and I decided to go check out the new haps down at Point Ruston.  Which is BOOMING with new restaurants, shopping, and events

. 

SUMMER MUST DO AT POINT RUSTON:

- Four Words... Farrelli's Roof Top Deck 

- Grab a scoop at Ice Cream Socials New location (it opened Wednesday and its BIG! hopefully this relieves some wait time at the 6th ave location...it's sooo good I don't mind the wait HAHA

- Play date at the Spray Park/ Play Ground
open 12pm-10pm, they also have a colorful LED fountain light show from dusk-10pm
This will be the closest thing I get to Disneys California Adventures World Of Color till November!!!! 

- Rent Bikes or Surreys and cruise alongside the water.  

- Grand Plaza - which has a mural being painted that looks smokin good!!! This space holds special events such as Summer Concerts, free and family friendly. They say this space will also home  a ice rink during the holiday season!

Well that's my Local Summer Bucket-list! Go check out the new digs at Point Ruston! Enjoy!!!

Look Out For The Next Postcard From The PNW!!!

Brittney 

City Of Dreams

Port Townsend is a small town full of history. Presumed to be what Seattle is today. It didn't quite make it to that expectation. The town homes the most beautiful Victorian buildings I have ever seen and sits above the Puget Sound.

We go to Port Townsend once a year, and every time I pester Anthony about staying the night. If you've learned anything about Anthony at this point, you know he's consistent with his "No's" 

It's about an hour and forty-five minute drive from Tacoma. The drive is beautiful crossing the hood canal bridge, awesome views of the Olympic Mountains, and driving alongside the Chimacum Valley. -We have a thing for Valleys.

We arrived around 10:30 downtown, the streets are lined with boutiques and good eats. You could easily spend an afternoon here.

Favorite Eats: Waterfront Pizza

Favorite Espresso: Ground to Perfection Espresso

The architecture is breathtaking. If you love a good background for your photos. You will find one every step you take!

Once we finished downtown we headed up the hill to Fort Worden. I will never forget the first time Anthony took me here, it was in the beginning of our relationship and it's one of my favorite memories of us.

Fort Worden was once a military base. It has evolved into a state park. You are able to go down for the day, camp, or attend events in the park. You will need a Discovery Pass or 10.00 for park entry.

The old bunkers are our favorite part. Consisting of maze like tunnels that are dark and a little creepy
- every young kids hide and seek dream.
 You are able to walk through the bunkers, with multiply staircases to chose from that will lead you to the top, where it overlooks high above the  Puget Sound. There are also paths that lead down to the beach.  Besides Battery Kinzie which is the bunker directly on the water there are numerous others up on the hillside, with trails that lead to each one. We let Fallyn direct us through the forest trails and we got lost... no biggie, we got to see everything.  HAHA

I highly recommend Port Townsend and Fort Worden for your next day trip. If you have any questions on this spectacular destination you can comment or email me at:

brittneydolce@gmail.com

Look out for the next Postcard From The PNW

Brittney

Lost In A World Of Books

Probably the coolest part about being a parent I've discovered is taking your kids to places you loved as a child.  It's summer time now, besides lounging on the sofa or running around outside tossing water balloons, jumping in pools and enjoy popsicicles, we  as parents have to keep the learning going. For Fallyn her lessons for the summer consists of a work book page from the grade she will be entering -you can find good ones at Costco, as well as reading 20 minutes each day! 

Sometimes reading can be a challenge for some kids, from lack of interest.  There are incentives across the internet for summer reading challenges.  Fallyn loves to read, finding her genre helped in motivating her to want to read.  This year her school sent home a brochure from Real Dawgs Read! A University of Washington reading incentive for kids to read all summer. At the end they will be rewarded with a official UW hat! Fallyn has future plans on attending UW so she was all over this challenge!

To kick off this challenge I decided to take her to one of my favorite childhood memory spots the Tacoma Book Center. My mom use to take my brother and I there when we were younger. We would run around and get lost in the floor to ceiling shelves of books.  They have everything!!! From Gardening to Travel, old childerens book series to New York Times recent bestsellers. All for a great price plus your supporting a local business that has been around for at least 20 years! Fallyn picked out her book and once she has read it. We will go back for another.  If your trying to track down a book, you must check out this gem located Downtown Tacoma!

Look Out For The Next Postcard From The PNW!

Brittney

There Can Only Be One!

In honor of Fathers Day...

As for my girls, I'll raise them to breathe fire- Jessica Kirkland

When I was younger going to my Dads house was an adventure, he always had something cool planned! From trips to the zoo, the beach or just hanging out it was always full of fun, because he made it fun. For those of you that know my Dad you know that he is a pretty funny guy. I will always remember when I was in elementary school and he chaperoned a field trip, It was the best bus ride a kid could ask for, he got us all riled up. Lets just say he wasn't ask to chaperone again.

My Dad is a big support for me. Any time I have something going on, without hesitation I pick up the phone and give him a call and just vent, he is a great listener. Then he tells me his opinion, which is usually not what I want to hear, but coming from him I know its right. Those conversations mean the world to me. Im 32 years old and I still call my Dad for advice. He is a hard worker, that is passionate about his career! Which has always inspired me to follow my dreams, and never give up. Which I hope to pass on to my childern. I feel blessed to have him as my Dad and a Grandfather to my Daughter!

Thank You Dad for being you!

Brittney

Hey You Guys -Sloth

Keeping with the movie inspired theme this week, I take you to Astoria, Oregon for Throwback Thursday! Little under a three hour drive from Tacoma. You will arrive at the 4.1 mile Astoria-Meglar Bridge which welcomes you to Astoria, Oregon.

A perfect place to take a day trip, Astoria is a cute town full of history. My type of history: Pop Culture. Multiple movies have been filmed there. One In particular the treasure hunt classic, The Goonies. Released in 1985 -WHOOP WHOOP- the year I was born.  

Growing up The Goonies was one of mine as well as Anthony's favorite films. Of course we had to share it with Fallyn who fell in love with it immediately. In 2015, thirty years after the release, I had my heart set on going down to Astoria and taking a picture in front of the famous Goon Dock Home protrayed in the film. The house on average had anywhere from 1200-1500 visitors a day. It is located in a cute neighborhood painted with Goonies influences on every corner. 

I GOT MY PICTURE!!! - another cross off on my PNW BUCKETLIST!!!

A few weeks later the owner of the home, covered the house with blue tarps. After YEARS of welcoming fans, and even giving tours, the owners had enough, not all the visitors were respectful of the owners property. That was two years ago, the house is still not accessible to the public.  

There is still plenty for the Goonies enthusiast to checkout in Astoria. The Goondocks website -LINK- is a great resource of all things Goonies go check them out!!! 

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

Brittney

TWINNING & WINNING!!!

The winner of my statement piece necklace I wear everyday is McKenzie Poulsen!!!! I will get in contact with you and get you your beautiful Washington State Necklace. The creater of this little beauty is Rudiana, a shop on Etsy -LINK- Go check it out. If the Washington one is not up for sale just send a message and they will help you out. They have more cute stuff to get hooked on - I'm eyeing the Mountain Necklace haha!!! 

Congratulations McKenzie!!!!

I look forward to Postcards From The PNW next GIVEAWAY. Stay tuned!!! 

Brittney

Throwback Thursday: Ruby Beach

The 101 drive is beautiful and has a ton of places to stop and see along the way.  One in particular I picked to share with you today is Ruby Beach.  The first time Anthony and I took the 101 drive we almost missed this hidden piece of land.  A little under a 3 hour drive from Tacoma, you will arrive at a gravel road, which takes you to a parking lot with a restroom facility -at this point you will probably need it if you haven't stopped yet! Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash. 

You will enter a trail near the parking lot that will take you down to the beach. The view from the top is is breathtaking. A panoramic picture of the Pacific Ocean with a maze of driftwood along the shore and the tall sea stacks that line the coast

Once at the bottom of the trail you will have to climb over large pieces of driftwood that lay welcoming you. Once crossed you will find yourself on a rocky beach that will lead you to the tall sea stacks. If your not familiar with sea stacks, they are similar to an island, that have been eroded over the years off the cliff sides. Which is fascinating to me! You are able to walk through them and admire the tall structures that once were attached to the land.  

Ruby Beach is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to in Washington. They say it is named after the Ruby like crystal that are found in the beaches sand.  You will have to go check it out!!! 

Look out for the next Postcard From The PNW 

Brittney

What's Growing On...

This weeks Around Tacoma Tuesday.  I bring you to Tacoma's Stadium District, more specifically Wrights Park where you will find The W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory. Opening in 1908, this glass domed, Victorian style conservatory holds plants from all over the world.  

The admission is free, but a suggested donation of 3.00 is appreciated. As you walk in you feel like you have been transformed to a different land.  Throughout you will find exotic tropical plants and seasonal flower displays.  Hidden within this secret garden is a pond filled with Koi Fish. Of course this was the highlight for Fallyn and I'm sure many other kids.  

 

On the way out make sure to stop at the gift shop! Occasionally they will have extra flowers for sale -exhibit quality- along with some unique yard ornaments.  The Conservatory will be going through structural upgrades as well as adding space, for more displays. I can't wait to check it out when it's all done! 

If you haven't yet, go check out The Botanical Conservatory!!!

Make sure to head over to Instagram: Brit_pnw tomorows the last day to enter the GIVEAWAY for a  Washington State Necklace!

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

Brittney