A Local’s Guide to the Best Seattle Gift Shops in 2021

November 27, 2021

Happy Small Business Saturday! Are you shopping small this holiday season and looking for the best Seattle gift shops? Read on, because in the process of only shopping small businesses in Seattle last holiday season, I discovered some amazing local shops and new-to-me businesses in the process. And I thought I already had the down-low on the best gift shopping destinations as a Seattle native!

Best Gift Shops Seattle

Disclosure: Some items photographed in this post have been provided for editorial consideration. Additionally, some links in this post are affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, I may make a small commission. All opinions are my own!

Why shop small? Keeping our money in the local economy is important to me, as small businesses are the backbone of our community and I’d hate to see any more of my favorite businesses be forced to close their doors. As things have opened back up in the last year, there is no better time to change up your holiday shopping habits and avoid the big box stores. Many small businesses are offering creative shopping including shipping, curbside pickups, and delivery to make buying gifts from Seattle easier than ever. Why not shop locally and visit the best Seattle gift shops this year?!

If you’re trying to do the same and shop locally this holiday season, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Seattle gift shops and locally owned businesses with gifts for everyone on your list!

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Hosting Friendsgiving? Here are Some Easy Ideas That Everyone Will Love

November 12, 2021

Are you hosting Friendsgiving this year? If you’re new to the idea, Friendsgiving is just the word “friends” and “Thanksgiving” put together and represents a time where a group of friends can get together and celebrate over a large meal. It’s only grown in popularity over the last 10 years or so and typically is celebrated the weekend before Thanksgiving. Best of all, you really can’t go wrong whether you go traditional with a turkey and all the fixings, order takeout, or enjoy a potluck-style meal that everyone in the group contributes to.

Friendsgiving is a time to give reconnect, enjoy the time, and give thanks with friends. For me, reconnecting and enjoying time with friends calls for a delicious spread around the table. That’s exactly why for our Friendsgiving this year, I thought personalized cheese boards would be the perfect way to celebrate in these unusual times. Of course, I’ll be serving up the main course and sharable small plates of all of our turkey day favorites, too. But these cheese boards were just too cute (and tasty!) to not share!

Tips for Hosting Friendsgiving

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.

I’m especially excited to work with Babbleboxx to share some tasty finds that will be the perfect addition to your holiday spread, whether you’re planning to host Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, or another celebration sometime soon! Read on to get inspired by these tasty additions to the dinner table, plus my tips and tricks for making personal mini cheese boards this holiday season.

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15 Fun Activities To Celebrate Fall in Seattle

September 10, 2021

Happy September! It is officially Pumpkin Spice season. And while 2021 continues to be an unusual year, it is also flying by surprisingly fast. Somehow, we are already well into September, the temperatures are dropping, and the leaves are already changing. To me, these signal the beginning of fall in Seattle. It is honestly a magical time to enjoy Seattle’s fall colors!

It is a beautiful time to visit the Pacific Northwest and I would argue that fall in Seattle rivals that of the East Coast. While the weather might be shifting quickly to cooler temperatures, there are still plenty of fun outdoor activities to celebrate the fall season. As we find ourselves back to masking up and keeping our distance from others outside of our household, outdoor activities are my go-to. I thought it would be a great time to highlight fall activities that can be done outdoors, distanced, and of course, celebrate the fall season!

Sunflower Fields Near Seattle // Activities During Fall in Seattle

So what are those activities? Keep reading on for socially distanced, outdoor activities you can participate in this fall in Seattle!

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Pack Your Bags for an Island Getaway Before Summer is Over | 15 Things to Do on Whidbey Island

August 23, 2021

Pack your bags, and let’s head on an island getaway! Just outside of Seattle and a ferry boat ride away, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a completely new place. Yes – I’m talking about Whidbey Island. There are so many things to do on Whidbey Island that you can’t go wrong whether you’re taking a day trip or spending a few days city hopping on this quaint island.

Have you been to Whidbey Island, or know where it is? I grew up across the sound from Whidbey Island in Mukilteo, and funnily enough, only recall visiting a couple of times in my childhood. Those memories are a bit fuzzy, but often when I was asked about my hometown, the next question would be, “Oh, is that the town with the lighthouse and the ferry over to that island?” Yes, that one, and yes, that’s Whidbey Island! Trust me, however, there’s much more to both Mukilteo and Whidbey Island than a ferry boat ride and a lighthouse. (Though don’t let me stop you from visiting those spots, too!)

Best Things to Do on Whidbey Island | Deception Pass Bridge

As an adult, we’ve ventured over to Whidbey Island several times. Most recently was for my friend Lisa’s wedding a few years ago, where we stayed in a little Airbnb in Langley, explored the town, and also took the long way through Deception Pass. I think we’re about overdue for another adventure to the island, but until then, here is a huge list of things to do on Whidbey Island!

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What to Pack in Your Beach Bag to Beat the Heat This Summer

August 4, 2021

If you’re anything like me, then you’ve been making up for lost time this summer! We’ve been enjoying getting out of the house (safely, of course!) to enjoy the beautiful summer weather. One of my favorite activities has been figuring out what to pack in my beach bag and spending the day in the sun. It’s been an unusually warm summer here in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, earlier this summer we had a heatwave and reached the highest recorded temperature in the Seattle area ever! It hit 111 degrees in some areas of the city. At my office in Bellevue, it was 109 and I had to go outside just to feel it for myself!

What to Pack in Beach Bag This Summer

While I love summer and warm weather, there is a point in which it’s a bit too hot for me. Without air conditioning (retro house problems!), we sometimes are forced out of the house to cool down. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of water around here. While our beaches in the PNW might be less sandy than rocky, they sure are beautiful, breezy, and perfect for cooling down!

Are you heading to the beach soon? Today I’m partnering with Babbleboxx to share what to pack in your beach bag this summer to beat the heat. From hydration to the perfect read, you’ll want to check out these great new products that you might not know about yet!

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