my week in objects (mostly).

February 17, 2017

five little things that made my week.

1. this book.a separation| reading my tea leaves

{for keeping my attention.}

2. this chalk.chalk | reading my tea leaves

{for offering beauty even in broken bits.}

3. this napkin.napkin | reading my tea leaves

{borrowed from a friend when i forgot a burp cloth. thank goodness for the cloth and the company.}

4. this snuggly thing.snuggly | reading my tea leaves

{for keeping a little guy cozy during a cold week.}

5. this wooly gift.felt ring | reading my tea leaves

{infused with a little lavender for peaceful night sleeps.}

other things:

this genius idea (via of a kind).

microbes, a love story.

to admit that you can drown in motherhood…

fear is boring.

a hot chocolate stand.

on being black and pregnant.

heading to seattle in april. starting a list of places to eat visit. tell me everything!

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60 Comments

  • Reply Amy February 17, 2017 at 10:50 am

    I love it when Adele talks motherhood. I relate to much of what she shares, and it feels less lonely when I hear other women who speak about the struggle involved in becoming a mother.

    If you get a chance to go to Bainbridge Island while in Seattle, hop on it! The ferry ride is gorgeous, and there is a little knitting and tea shop that is beyond charming. Churchmouse Teas and Yarn, I believe. The main downtown area has a few charming shops and places to eat. I like Cafe Nola. Enjoy! Amy

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  • Reply Emily February 17, 2017 at 11:02 am

    Thank you for another fun book suggestion! As for Seattle, I love Pikes Place Market. If you have enough time to hop in a car and make an excursion, Port Townsend is sweet northern coastal town to visit, and you can get there by ferry!

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    • Reply Elizabeth February 17, 2017 at 11:21 am

      Pikes Place Market, if just for the flowers!

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  • Reply Victoria February 17, 2017 at 11:03 am

    Seattle is a fantastic city, so vibrant and full of character. You should not miss the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum. It is spectacular and really beyond description. A pure feast for the eyes!

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  • Reply Annie February 17, 2017 at 11:07 am

    I love the color in this week’s objects! Have a great weekend Erin.

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  • Reply Kim R February 17, 2017 at 11:08 am

    Tallulah’s restaurant for veggie fare. If you’re looking for a truly special and romantic meal, we just went to Altura thanks to a gift card from my brother. They’ll do a vegetarian meal if you ask ahead of time, mine was… amazing. I have a feeling you’ll really love The London Plane.

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    • Reply Kim R February 17, 2017 at 11:13 am

      Oh and Oddfellows Cafe and the bookstore next to it Elliott Bay Book Company.

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      • Reply Kim R February 17, 2017 at 11:47 am

        Are the kids coming? Seattle is such a great city for kids.

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        • Reply ERIN BOYLE February 17, 2017 at 12:20 pm

          Yes!

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          • sam-c April 12, 2017 at 7:35 pm

            Yes, Elliott Bay Book Company ! and if you are going to be there, might as well go around the corner to molly moons for some ice cream, and then take the kids to the playground at Cal Anderson Park to run off her sugar energy.
            (and if you don’t want to sound like a tourist, say “Pike Place Market” instead of “Pikes Place Market” sorry, that bugs me to no end. (sorry this was in my reader and just now got around to reading it!!) oh, and now i see another recommendation below for molly moons in cap hill. there’s quite exhaustive lists here!

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    • Reply ERIN BOYLE February 17, 2017 at 12:22 pm

      Terrific! Have spotted The London plane on Jordan Carlson’s instagram feed! Looks lovely!

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    • Reply Regan Stotts February 18, 2017 at 8:31 pm

      I second Tallulah’s for brunch especially!

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  • Reply Nora February 17, 2017 at 11:24 am

    Cafe Turko in the Fremont Neighborhood. They do fantastic Turkish food, and are a small family run business!

    And Nielsen’s Pasteries in Queen Anne for amazing danish baked goods.

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  • Reply Cynthia February 17, 2017 at 11:39 am

    The Fat Hen across the street from Delancey for brunch and/or Honoré Bakery next door to Delancey for coffee and pastry. The Walrus and Carpenter for oysters (go for happy hour) and Staple and Fancy (same building) for a full-on meal. These last two are probably best sans kidlets. With kids in tow I’d go to the Sunday Ballard Farmer’s Market and then tuck into Bastille for brunch or lunch…it’s big and noisy and the kids won’t bother anyone. Be sure and pop into Clover too for a toy or book. If the weather allows, traipsing through Discovery Park or Carkeek Park are great fun with littles…bring a picnic from goods gathered at our local PCC Natural Market. Our zoo is quite lovely for a zoo and Red Mill Burgers has a spot nearby. They have chicken and veggie burgers too. Vios has several locations and has nice Mediterranean fare and a play area for littles. And yes to Oddfellows cafe mentioned above and Elliot Bay books next door. And Molly Moon for ice-cream around the corner.

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    • Reply ERIN BOYLE February 17, 2017 at 12:21 pm

      Awesome!

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    • Reply Julie Colando April 26, 2017 at 9:51 pm

      Fabulous Seattle recs!

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  • Reply Erin February 17, 2017 at 11:51 am

    I love that napkin. Might you know where your friend got it from?

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    • Reply ERIN BOYLE February 17, 2017 at 12:20 pm

      Not sure!

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      • Reply Erin February 17, 2017 at 1:51 pm

        I actually just ordered a set from Etsy! Yay!

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  • Reply Allyson February 17, 2017 at 11:51 am

    I strongly recommend going on a tour of the Theo chocolate factory (https://www.theochocolate.com/). It’s located in Fremont, a short bus ride from downtown, where there are plenty of other things to do as well. Tour of a chocolate factory = so.many.free.samples.

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  • Reply Chloe | Conscious by Chloe February 17, 2017 at 11:53 am

    My Seattle recommendations:

    IN FREMONT/FURTHER NORTH:

    *CAFE*
    – Vif Wine|Coffee
    – Miir Flagship (also for beer)
    – Preserve and Gather
    – Neptune Coffee
    – Coyle’s Bakeshop

    *RESTAURANT*
    – Revel
    – Joule
    – Percy’s & Co. Seattle (Southern)
    – The Walrus and the Carpenter (Oyster Bar)

    *SHOP*
    – Les Amis
    – Fremont Vintage Mall
    – Ophelia’s Books

    DOWNTOWN-ISH/HILLTOP

    *CAFE*
    – The London Plane
    – Elm Coffee Roasters
    – Métier Racing & Coffee
    – Little Oddfellows (inside the Elliott Bay Book Company)
    – Oddfellows Café + Bar
    – Analog Coffee

    *BAKERY*
    – La Parisienne

    *ICE CREAM*
    – Frankie & Jo’s

    *RESTAURANT*
    – Bar Melusine (seafood)
    – Ba Bar Restaurant (Vietnamese)
    – Neon Taco (Mexican)
    – Il Corvo (Italian)
    – Sitka and Spruce (PNW)
    – Terra Plata (Spanish)
    – Bateau (steakhouse)

    *BAR*
    – Black Bottle
    -Rachel’s Ginger Beer

    *SHOP*
    – Baby & Company (men & women)
    – Laguna Poterry (antique)
    – Elliott Bay Book Company
    – Totokaelo

    And you might want to stop at the Central Co-op!

    I haven’t tested them all yet but I’ve been to Seattle a couple times and keep pinning the placed recommended by local blogger Aran Goyoaga (Canelle Vanille)!

    PS: I just finished reading your book and I loved it! And, serendipity, I found a vintage army cot for $40 on Insta Stories in my neighborhood! I talk about it in my latest article here: http://consciousbychloe.com/2017/02/17/have-a-blissful-week-end-2/

    Have fun in Seattle! If you stop by Portland hit me up!

    xxx

    – Chloe

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    • Reply ERIN BOYLE February 17, 2017 at 12:20 pm

      What a list! Thanks!

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  • Reply Rachel February 17, 2017 at 12:10 pm

    Ballard is the best corner of Seattle! They have a delightful farmers’ market on Sundays, loads of darling boutiques and restaurants, and you can satisfy your sweet tooth with a chocolate molton cake in a mason jar at Hot Cakes. Enjoy your trip!

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    • Reply ERIN BOYLE February 17, 2017 at 12:21 pm

      Thanks so much!

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    • Reply Sasha February 17, 2017 at 8:28 pm

      Ooh Hot Cakes is yummy!!

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  • Reply Sonja February 17, 2017 at 12:23 pm

    We are moving away from Seattle next month and we are behind sad. Even as excitement mounts to be in the Bay Area. You really can’t go wrong in Seattle but our favorites include: Molly Moon’s Ice Cream (bonus points for using local ingredients and for owner Molly being awesome and outspoken about raising minimum wage!), Il Corvo (only open on weekdays for lunch – get their early as the wait is long but worth it!), Cafe Campagne (near the lovely but super touristy Pike Place Market – get the Quiche du jour or the omelet), Rachel’s Ginger Beer (for an excellent selection of spicy ginger beers, my favorite is the white peach), Fran’s Chocolates (the smoked caramel with sea salt – unbelievable), and while lots of good coffee exists in Seattle one of the more delicious lattes I’ve had is at Fonte (the sage caramel latte is sweet and earthy and the foam super dense – the breakfast/lunch selection is good too). Oh my goodness, you’ll have so much fun! Excellent breweries abound as well!

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    • Reply ERIN BOYLE February 17, 2017 at 12:34 pm

      so exciting! (good luck on your new adventure!)

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  • Reply Lizzie February 17, 2017 at 12:49 pm

    So pleased to hear you and yours are coming to Seattle! As a life long Seattleite I’m probably biased but think you are going to love it hear. I second the recommendation to go on a day trip to Bainbridge, I grew up there and even though I have taken the ferry thousands of times I am never not in awe of the views of the Puget sound, the city, and the mountains (Olympics, Mt. Rainier, all surrounding you). If you do go there definitely stop by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas, an absolutely beautiful knitting store. And on the same block is Blackbird Bakery.

    In the city, I love Melrose Market, and indoor market on Capitol Hill with a fantastic home store (Butter Home), a butcher, a flower shop, and the spectacular restaurant Sitka and Spruce. I also love Cafe Presse on Capitol Hill for French fare, think croque monsieur and a glass of rosé. Some lovely home stores are Watson and Kennedy and NuBe Green.

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    • Reply ERIN BOYLE February 17, 2017 at 12:50 pm

      Hope to! It’s a pretty short stay with a wedding to attend in the midst of it, but we’re hoping to do some exploring!

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  • Reply Lynn @ The Not Dead Yet Blog February 17, 2017 at 1:12 pm

    “Carry yourself with the confidence of a mediocre white man.’”–From the OKReal article you linked. This is my new favorite thing.

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  • Reply Marika February 17, 2017 at 1:13 pm

    Check out the central library in Seattle, the architecture is really cool!
    The last time we visited we went to Morsel for breakfast and it was fantastic. Giant, tasty biscuits!

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  • Reply Jennifer February 17, 2017 at 1:15 pm

    For Seattle: Molly Moon’s for ice cream, Elliott Bay Book Company, Moorea Seal and Totokaelo for shopping, and Marination Mai Kai in Alki Beach for Hawaiian style food and yummy drinks.

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  • Reply Stephanie February 17, 2017 at 1:28 pm

    Portage bay cafe for brunch Kid friendly and so yummy – it’s only open for breakfast/brunch. It’s hard to go wrong eating in seattle though

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  • Reply Dillan February 17, 2017 at 3:08 pm

    Molly Moon’s for ice cream for SURE! Also, Oddfellows, Tavolata, Serious Pie, London Plane for food. Elliott Bay Books for bookshopping + perusing, and Melrose Market + Glasswing for shopping 😉

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  • Reply Ann February 17, 2017 at 3:48 pm

    Oh! All these suggestions are making me miss Seattle so much! I would second/third the suggestions about the parks. They are very special, and worth the schlep. And Rachel’s ginger beer, yes. (not alcoholic) and easy to get if you go to Pike Place market. So good for you.

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  • Reply Claire February 17, 2017 at 4:33 pm

    I’m a Seattleite and love all of these suggestions!

    For some kid-friendly ideas, I’d say the Pike Place Market, Olympic Sculpture Park, Green Lake, and a ferry ride would be good. Those places have something for kids and parents alike. I agree that I think you’d all like Capitol Hill with Elliott Bay Bookstore, Oddfellows, Molly Moon’s, and Cal Anderson park all within a block. There’s something for everyone around there.

    Agreed that there are many fun trips just outside of the city if you have a car. If you’ll be around during the Tulip Festival, that’s a fun thing to do as a family that’s not too far.

    I’d also volunteer to babysit if you and James want an evening to yourselves! I’ve got lots of experience with babies and toddlers. 🙂

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  • Reply Vanessa February 17, 2017 at 6:56 pm

    Oh this is great as I’m going to Seattle later this year for my bachelorette party and since I haven’t lived there in a few years I needed some updates! I’d also add to the list: The Crumpet Shop for crumpets, Din Tai Fung for dumplings, Seattle Underground Tour is a great touristy thing to do, Taylor Shellfish for oysters, Golden Gardens beach, Molly Moon for ice cream, How to Cook a Wolf for date night, and (I hesitate to say this to a New Yorker, but,) Eltana for bagels. Also the aquarium was pretty kid friendly, from what I remember. Have fun!

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    • Reply Kari April 27, 2017 at 3:49 pm

      Yes, to the Crumpet Shop!

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  • Reply Rachel Z February 17, 2017 at 7:10 pm

    So many great Seattle suggestions already, but I also must recommend Discovery Park. It’s on Magnolia Hill: the park has tons of trails and overlooks Puget Sound. It feels like you’re not even in the city! It’s my favorite place in Seattle.

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  • Reply Shelley February 17, 2017 at 8:00 pm

    I moved to Seattle almost two years ago and love it. If you make it to the east side of Lake Washington, I recommend Deru for food (and chocolate cake). Belle Epicurean near Capitol Hill has my favorite macarons here, and their breakfast quiche and coffee are outstanding, plus the gardens across the street are lovely to wander. To visit, Kerry Park has amazing views of the city and Sound if you want an iconic shot, but West Seattle’s Alki Beach has my favorite waterfront walking and views. For quaint shops and cafes, great chocolate and coffee (Intrigue and Cafe Umbria), and lovely old buildings, visit Pioneer Square. Lastly, the two coolest things I’ve done since moving here: 1) riding the Mukilteo ferry to Whidbey Island and walking around Langley, and 2) touring downtown on a coffee crawl: http://seattlebyfoot.com/seattle-walking-tours/seattle-walking-tours-coffee.

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  • Reply Kyla February 17, 2017 at 8:10 pm

    Do you like beer? This is a good beer town and I can make lots of suggestions, including kid friendly ones…But obvs only if you like beer

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  • Reply Sasha February 17, 2017 at 8:32 pm

    We went there (from Montana) for spring break a few years back. Really fun, and yes, it did rain pretty much the whole time. Take a DOWN rain coat, so cold!!
    We loved hot cakes, Molly moon ice cream, Holy Cannoli – my gosh, those were the best cannolis!!

    In the same vein as the pregnancy article, https://www.thenation.com/article/whats-killing-americas-black-infants/. Sobering, heartbreaking, and shameful.

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  • Reply Amy February 17, 2017 at 8:53 pm

    Zoka’s coffee really is delicious, and they have a lavender rose hip tea that is (almost) equally scrumptious!

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  • Reply Molly February 18, 2017 at 12:11 am

    Thanks so much for including Delancey in your Seattle plans, Erin! If you can, come on a Tuesday or Wednesday, when it’s least busy, or very early on a weekend. I also want to second (or third? or fourth?) the recommendation for Rachel’s Ginger Beer, specifically the one on 12th Avenue in Capitol Hill. Don’t miss the sandwiches and wedge salads served from the Sunset Fried Chicken counter tucked into the corner there! http://sunsetfriedchicken.com/ For coffee, I’m a fan of Elm Coffee Roasters (in Pioneer Square), and for beer, Holy Mountain (in Interbay) or Cloudburst (downtown). Have a wonderful visit!

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    • Reply Emily February 22, 2017 at 6:29 pm

      Thanks for recommending Elm Coffee Roasters, Molly and Chloe! Erin, you definitely have to experience the Delancey chocolate chip & gray sea salt cookie when you visit Seattle. And as I’ve loved your blog for ages and helped my husband open Elm, I would LOVE if you visited us down in Pioneer Square. 🙂 We roast green coffee beans from all over the world in the back of our cafe and serve them up front–and we make a pretty mean chai latte with hazelnut milk from scratch, too! Pioneer Square has some really incredible food and small businesses and sights: Food–the London Plane, The Good Bar, Copal; Shop–Velouria, Clementines, Dry Goods Design (gorgeous fabrics and sewing classes!) Sights–Waterfall Park right beside Elm Coffee Roasters, Occidental Avenue, cool old buildings that give you a sense of “Old Seattle.” There’s so much to do and see (and lord knows, eat) in Seattle, I’m sure y’all will have a wonderful & delicious visit.

      P.S. Also, The Corson Building in Georgetown is just the best dang thing ever.

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      • Reply ERIN BOYLE February 23, 2017 at 10:16 am

        Woohoo! Would love to come by! Thank you, thank you!

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    • Reply ERIN BOYLE February 23, 2017 at 10:15 am

      So hope to make it there, so many thanks for the other great recommendations!

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  • Reply Kate February 18, 2017 at 12:56 pm

    You should visit Phinney books, my friends brothers bookshop! https://m.yelp.com/biz/phinney-books-seattle

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  • Reply Elizabeth February 18, 2017 at 1:59 pm

    You write the best lists. Thank you as always!

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  • Reply Izzy Bruning February 18, 2017 at 2:27 pm

    Love this post, so creative!
    That napkin you used is just so pretty. x

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  • Reply Rebecca February 18, 2017 at 6:19 pm

    Juiceboxseattle and Frankie & Jo’s. Both casual for kids and fresh, organic food. My nephew (almost three) loves the pumpkin smoothie at Juicebox. Frankie and Jo’s has dairy free ice cream if that’s your thing. It’s worth it even if you don’t avoid dairy. Have fun – it’s a great city!

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  • Reply Brittany Aäe February 19, 2017 at 12:16 pm

    another native Seattleiete here! I’ll second Vif and add Brimmer & Heeltap. as well, make time to bus or drive out to Cougar Mountain. hike from Big Tree Trailhead to experience the best part of this energetic zone. safe travels to you and your family, Erin.

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  • Reply Laura February 19, 2017 at 11:06 pm

    If you get a chance (and the weather is nice) riding the ferry to Bainbridge is a lovely afternoon trip. Bainbridge has a strip of cute boutiques, restaurants , a children’s museum, and art museum all right by the ferry. The Ice Cream Cruise is short and sounds so fun! This has been on my personal to-do list and would probably be great for adults and kids. http://www.seattleferryservice.com/sunday-ice-cream-cruise/ Depending on when you come and the weather check to see if the cherry blossoms are blooming at UW (https://twitter.com/uwcherryblossom). It’s really beautiful, but a bit busy. 🙂

    That was me keeping it short! Yikes! Have fun on your trip. I hope Seattle treats you well. <3

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    • Reply ERIN BOYLE February 20, 2017 at 9:15 am

      Thank you!!

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  • Reply Katie DeCramer February 20, 2017 at 12:57 am

    I’m a bookseller at aforementioned Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle. We sell your book Simple Matters (love it!) and welcome you to come by and sign the stock we have on the shelves. Here’s a link to my staff recommendations page, which includes your book: http://www.elliottbaybook.com/katie.

    While you’re visiting Seattle, get out on the water. Take a ferry to Bainbridge Island or a water taxi to Alki Beach to get sweeping views of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier. Play in the sand at Golden Gardens park in Ballard and watch the sailboats go by. And definitely try Molly Moon’s ice cream and Rachel’s ginger beer for something sweet. I hope you enjoy your visit!

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    • Reply ERIN BOYLE February 20, 2017 at 9:11 am

      How lovely! Thanks so much for such kind words and for thinking of me! I’d love to stop by!

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  • Reply Jenny February 21, 2017 at 12:30 pm

    Just a couple of additions to the many great suggestions above: Kerry Park has a great view of downtown and then just to the right there is a stairway that goes down to a playground and field for some play time. Bounty Kitchen in Queen Anne has yummy, healthy options for breakfast, lunch, or dinner including for kids. Have a great trip!

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  • Reply jana February 21, 2017 at 4:11 pm

    You absolutely must try Il Corvo Pasta, downtown. You will thank me later. We always go when visiting Seattle, several times a trip even. They are only open for lunch and when they sell out, you are out of luck. Try everything and take the leftovers with you. The kale salad is even amazing and I don’t like kale. Worth the wait, go early.

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  • Reply Laura February 22, 2017 at 10:10 am

    I’m so glad you enjoyed A Separation! <3 <3 <3

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  • Reply Zweifachmama March 1, 2017 at 6:08 am

    Greetings from The Land of your Cosy wool suit. They Are such a staple here- amazing to see they Are appreciated somewhere Else too.

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