13 Just Three Things - 09 | 27 | 17

I am stepping out of the office for a few days this week and it feels amazing. The kids went back to school a couple of weeks ago and have already brought home every form of sickness and cold. I couldn't flee from that nonsense fast enough, although, I am starting to feel a tickle in my throat as well.  And as much as I don't love being sick, I am already missing those runny-nosed snuggly boys like crazy.

Today I thought I would share a few quick updates from the iHeart block. I always tend to ramble and go beyond just three things in these types of posts, so I am vowing now to keep it short. Can I do it?

In last month's Redbook magazine, I shared my favorite tip for staying organized on the road with kids. Many of you already know that pouches are my organizing everything, so I wanted to be sure to hit Redbook's audience with the same scoop.

I always keep a few pouches pre-packed, some stay in the car, others come in and out depending on the day and reason for traveling. Regardless, they keep all of us prepared and sane. I use one for some school items so the kids can do their homework while traveling to and from school activities, another as a small emergency kit packed for those totally unexpected but let's-be-real-I have-three-active-boys-that-get-hurt moments, and another pouch loaded with gadget cords, notepads, and a few small activities.

These pouches are not only perfect for the task, they were also perfect for photographing for a magazine. However, I know the price is a little more than most would spend on a pouch, so I rounded up a variety of alternative yet similar options for you below.

I also use pouches for organizing my tote, my beach bag, bins in my office, small makeup and hair accessories, even a few items in the kitchen. Do you love zippered pouches as much as I do, and if so, how else do you use them to organize your days?

The cord tags shown above are these from the Container Store.

I recently worked on a small office update for a dear friend at our local school, and I fell in love with a product I hadn't tried up until now.

The office was originally a darker beige, so I started by giving her walls a fresher, lighter paint color (with permission of course). Working under fluorescent office lighting was a new challenge, but the Benjamin Moore Gray Wisp color complimented the rest of her space well and accomplished exactly what I was hoping for. When working on an office or desk space, it is always my goal to find a way to easily file and track down paperwork, while also keeping the actual desk and nearby surfaces as open as possible. Her primary desk holds her computer and phone only, and this side cabinet does the rest of the work for her.

For the wall, I utilized pieces from the Martha Stewart Wall Manager system, which is mounted on a rail. Once the rail was installed, a variety of mix and match pieces were added to customize my friend's storage and display accordingly. This is an organizers dream! I super love that the chalkboard and corkboard can easily slide out and flip to become a different surface type (the corkboard flips to a dry erase board and the chalkboard has another cork board on the back). A few other components I used were some trays that attached to the top rail to hold desk accessories such as pencils and pens, pushpins, glasses, notepads, etc... The lower rail holds wall pockets for notebooks/planners and important file folders. I even added a hook for her office keys.

For cohesion, I also added a couple of magazine files and a paper sorter from the Martha line as well. Next to pouches, magazine files rank high on my list of useful organizers. I used them here to hold catalogs and booklets that correlate to her daily duties.

And because no office space should feel sterile, I added a task lamp that can be turned on to add warmth and cancel out some of the harsher, cool fluorescent lighting above. And a faux yet realistic green fern helped to add a little life as well, yet requires no natural light or maintenance.

I still have a few more touches to give this space, but it has already been another project that I have had so much fun being a part of!

You may have already heard, but TJ Maxx now has a shoppable online store! I do so much of my shopping online these days (time, location, ease, etc...), so this was huge news for me. It is like having a mini HomeGoods right at your fingertips! Whenever I am looking for baskets and storage, HomeGoods has been a primary source for finding really beautiful options on a reasonable budget. So when I was sourcing some lidded seagrass baskets, I was thrilled to find them at a great price, and even more thrilled that it was a new-to-me source for online home purchases.

I fell down a rabbit hole of great home finds and rounded them up for you below. Quite a few remind me of higher priced pieces from a variety of well-known and more expensive brands. Can I get a high-five for stylish and budget-friendly home items?!

Ok, now do you see what I mean?! Did you already know this? Should we start a petition to get the full HomeGoods online now too?

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via

I know I promised to keep it at three, but just one more very quick thing! Have you seen the movie, Home Again? I could watch it over and over just for the house! It was so adorable and well done and such a great balance of colors and neutrals. I want to see more of it and can't seem to stop thinking about it! I found a few images online here and here. Enjoy!

Is there a movie you watch on repeat just because of a house or set? I do that all of the time, and would love to know what ones are on the top of your list too!

6 My Beach Bag Favorites

I am definitely dreaming of being back on the beach today as I sit here in fall Wisconsin temps. Since returning home from our recent vacation we have jumped directly into back-to-school prep for the boys. Just like that, summer is gone. But the week at the beach was everything we needed and more before we start our descent into the cold and busy months ahead.

Earlier this week I shared some of our favorite tips for traveling on the road; everything from a fillable travel checklist to a cool cooler hack to a first aid kit and travel toys for the boys. But how did we stay organized while we spent our days on the beach? Well, it really wasn't anything earth shattering or mind blowing, but I did think it would still be fun to share a couple items we are beachy keen on and a couple little tips that added extra breeze to our sun and sand filled days.

First, how cute is that beach bag? As many of you know, I became dear friends with Cassie of Hi Sugarplum through this blogging venture. After we fell in love with the great state of Florida and its beautiful beaches, we encouraged Cassie's clan to join us in lounging by the aqua blue waters and exploring the quaint island of Anna Maria. That was three years ago and it has sort of turned into this amazing little tradition of getting our families together and forming really special bonds and memories. This year leading up to our trip I received a surprise delivery and inside was a darling tassel adorned beach bag. I love it and the special pal who sent it my way.

The contents of the tote looked a little different every day, but there were a few things that I found to be really helpful.

My biggest tip is to organize the interior of the bag with pouches! I know, you are completely shocked because I organize everything with pouches. But that is because they work! So yes to pouches and a double yes to pouches that are waterproof and easy-to-rinse/clean.

The main pouch I utilized was a cosmetic case for holding all of my favorite beach friendly toiletries.

SUNSCREEN // This is a no brainer. Sunfilled days need sunscreen covered bodies.

LIP BALM // I find that my lips suffer from too much time in the sun so I picked up some SPF lip balm and not only does it protect, but it comes in some really great scents!

LEAVE IN CONDITIONER // The ocean creates some crazy hair, so I filled a travel size spray bottle with leave-in-conditioner to begin the hair taming process.

WET BRUSH // Condition first, then fight snarls with a brush made specifically for tangled messes. I would be in tears without this combination.

SURF SPRAY // If we plan to hang out for awhile after the beach, I like to add some surf spray to my hair which adds extra curl and tames the frizz.

HAND SANITIZER // Because I am sort of a germaphobe.

BABY POWDER // Easily helps to remove sticky sand from the body and hair.

DEODORANT WIPES // I love these things! I am always nervous that my deodorant stick will melt in the heat, so these are a great alternative for feeling fresh after hours in the hot sun.

COCONUT WATER FACE MIST // This happy surprise was a family favorite! Not only was it a wonderful way to hydrate our skin, but the smell was so invigorating. Anytime we felt hot, sweaty, sticky, or just plain yuck, this stuff made all of that go away and it dried almost instantly. This spray also came in quite handy during our 24-hour drives.

The next set of pouches were used to protect valuables inside of the bag from water and sand. I used this Martha Stewart set from Staples and the various sizes couldn't have worked out better.

MAGAZINES // The large size pouch fit a couple of magazines and/or books and protected the pages from becoming soggy and wrinkled.

TECH // The medium size pouch held an underwater camera and our cell phones, keeping them free of sand.

ACCESSORIES // The small size pouch was put to use holding my jewelry and hair accessories.

I wasn't sure if I was over-spending for this next product, but having it for over a year now, I can say we find it to be worth every penny. This large Wet Suit bag easily fits all five of our swimsuits and prevents everything else in the beach bag from getting damp. The set comes with a larger sack and a smaller zip pouch, which I typically utilize for goggles or sunglasses. Oh, and because I know I will get asked, this is the source for my swimsuit, and it is the softest, most comfortable suit I have ever owned.

When the boys were younger we would bring an entire slotted bin to the beach filled with sand toys, but now that they are older they either play in the water, dive and search for seashells, play catch with a Nerf football or play with paddles in the sand. So, I like to toss a hard-sided, lidded container into the bag to hold their shells and prevent them from breaking. We also bring a net or mesh sack (not pictured), for the boys to use while searching for shells in the sea.

We also pack a waterproof Bluetooth speaker and use to add a little extra fun or ambiance to the day. That said, we try to remain respectful to those around us and only play our tunes at low levels when others are near.

COLLAPSABLE COOLER // If we were only going to be on the beach for a few hours, this soft-sided cooler was ideal for holding a couple of waters and juices as well as a few small snacks. Some days we would pack up the larger cooler to leave in the car with full meal making supplies, and then just head up at lunch time and restock this smaller one for the remainder of the day (see how we pack our cooler here). It is a great size and also really easy to clean and it just folds down and stores inside of the beach-bag in-between uses.

Last but not least, about halfway through the trip we realized we preferred using Turkish towels over regular beach towels. It was hot enough that we didn't need a heavy weighted towel to warm up, and the Turkish towels roll up nice and compact. The best part is that they don't trap or hold sand, so they are great for laying out and also double as a sarong.

My in-laws keep their place stocked with lightweight folding beach chairs and a large umbrella, and they are really crucial for sun protection and comfort when spending that much time on the beach. I couldn't imagine our days without them, and the good news is that many beach towns have places that will rent those items out if you travel by plane. Of course, we also bring hats and sunglasses for the entire crew as well.

It is inevitable that clothes and random items are tossed into the bag as it is rummaged through over the course of the day, so the pouches really are crucial in protecting items and keeping things somewhat manageable.

So what am I missing? Do you have any products that are a must for the perfect sun, sand and sea day? I would love to hear if there is anything we should add to our beach bag next year (which is much too far away).

35 Our Favorite Road Trip Tips!

We have created a bit of a summer tradition of heading down to Florida as a family to celebrate the final days of summer break. My in-laws have a place near the beach and it has become our favorite vacation destination and a trip that we all look forward to each and every year.

We will fly if airfare deals pop up, however, we typically opt to drive the whopping 24-hour route. We enjoy the scenery, the downtime in the car, the cost savings and having our own vehicle for the twelve days we are roaming around the Gulf Coast. The trip continues to get easier and easier, so today I thought I would share a few of our favorite tips for taking a family road trip.

I am sure it is no surprise that my number one tip is to make a list and check it twice. I have a ridiculously bad memory so I rely heavily on lists. And forgetting to do something or to bring something can definitely put a damper on the trip. I have offered a travel checklist in my Etsy shop for years, and recently updated the printable to a fillable and savable version. Being able to type in my list and save the contents to reuse is so convenient. And I really love that I can store it online and access it on my tablet/phone anytime.

The list is broken down into categories that keep track of all of the tasks we need to do to prep the house and plan for the trip (put our mail on hold, put together instructions for the housesitter, take the car in for an oil change, etc...) and also has packing categories. The categories include Clothing, Toiletries, Accessories, Technology, Carry-On Bag and two sections titled Miscellaneous, which I use for our snacks and meals and also our beach bag. I put together the list to include the entire family and just add a ( 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 ) after the items that apply to everyone. And because I can save it and use it for different occasions, it works well for both flying and automobile trips.

A minimum of two of our trip days is spent in the car because we drive straight through each way. The better I can be about packing snacks and activities, the fewer stops we have to make and the more relaxed the trip is in general. I try to bring enough food to feed our family of five for dinner, breakfast, and snacks in-between. Anything that we don't eat during the drive just transfers into our beach bag and cooler when we arrive in Florida.

For our dry foods, I use a latched and lidded bin and fill it with snack size bags of popcorn, pretzels, seeds, crackers, granola bars and fruit pouches.

I found reusable food containers at the dollar store and they couldn't be more perfect for organizing the contents inside of our cooler. We start by portioning out veggies, fruit, yogurt, cheese sticks, dips, and sandwiches/wraps.

We find that wraps keep well and are a great size to fit two per person inside of one container. We make them right before we leave; wrapping them up in deli paper and marking them with washi tape. #professionalsandwichartists

The cooler is always placed in the far back seat next to one of the boys and they are the ones responsible for grabbing the items and handing them out. In the past, it would become a slushy mess as the ice melted and the contents were rummaged. The small bins protect the contents so nothing becomes soggy or squooshed, and this time I decided to use freezer bags to divide up the ice. That one small idea was AMAZING and completely changed how we will forever pack our cooler.

All of our beverages are stored at the bottom of the cooler, as well as the smaller container of snacks. Once the lid was added, I stacked the remaining lidded food bins.

A ten-pound bag of ice fit nicely into 5 gallon-sized freezer bags. My ultimate goal was to keep the cooler cold but dry, and I figured that when the ice melted, it would be easy to change it out at a gas station by just removing and refilling the bags. So I added three of the bags on each side of the stack of bins...

And the final two bags on top.

This truly couldn't have worked out any better! We used this method throughout the entire trip and everything stayed wonderfully cold and there was never a mess inside of the cooler. In the past when one thing was pulled out of the cooler, the ice would cave in and things couldn't be put back easily and digging through the ice was hard on the hands. Who knew simple ice packs would be so exciting?! I seriously was giddy over this light bulb moment.

When we arrive back home after our trip, we wash out all of the bags and bins and keep them stored inside of the cooler until next time.

The majority of the items we eat are basic finger foods, but there are a few things that require utensils. Those were all placed inside of a lightweight bin along with wipes for hands and the car.

I had a leftover stack of party treat bags and they worked really great for corralling the utensils and straws.

Awhile back I realized that craft cases work beautifully for assembling a good first aid kit. I stocked ours with bandages, cleanser, cotton pads, a thermometer, pain reliever/fever reducers, vitamins, and medications. With three boys and a clumsy mom, this is always a helpful kit to keep on hand and was used a few times while we were away.

And we always have a bin filled with change and small bills in the center console of the car to prepare for any road tolls.

We each pack a small backpack or weekender bag for clothing and a second small tote for personal items and travel activities.

Each boy brings a grade appropriate workbook, a reading book and a journal, along with fine tip markers for writing and coloring. They also use a hard-sided pencil box to hold their headphones and charging cords for their tablets/phones. A few small travel games round out the contents of their drawstring backpacks.

Every bit of space matters, and we have been able to reduce the bulk of our sleeping linens by using standard-sized throw blankets and 14x20" pillow inserts. The smaller pillows work just as well as standard sizes, but take up about half of the space in each seat. And when we get back home, they are easily vacuum sealed and stored inside of a suitcase until our next adventure.

If you have younger kiddos, I have found these inexpensive trays from IKEA to be huge car trip sanity savers. They work great for meals and small activities, are easy to clean, and fit under most seats. Another road trip helper for littles are these free activity printables I created a few years ago.

download road trip activity printables FREE here

These are just a few of the ways we prep, make room in our car, drive long distances with content kids, organize our snacks and meals, and stay cozy along the way! I wish I could say that our entire trip went off without a hitch, but it just wouldn't be a Jones family vacation without a few hiccups, adventures and stories to tell. All the organizing in the world doesn't prevent you from unknowingly filling up the car with bad gas (and then breaking down for a full day because of it), but just imagine the jokes a car full of boys made out of that experience... Ha!

45 Quick Tip Tuesday: No Matter the Sport, Be "Tote"ally Prepared

Sometimes the best organizational helpers are the most obvious.  A few years ago I put together a "ball" bag that I took with me to watch my boys play their sports.  After using it a few times, I proceeded to keep it stocked with the same items and just stored it on a hook near our door.  Every time I grab for that bag (which is multiple times per week), I tell myself to share it with you all.  It is such a simple little kit that ensures I am always ready to head to our children's sporting events.

I have used a few different types of totes, blankets and snack containers over the years, and have finally nailed down a few favorites that have stood up to our weekly trips to baseball, soccer and football fields.

My first tip is to pre-pack as much of the bag as possible, so if heading out the door in a rush, there is not a lot to gather or think about.  My next tip is to keep it basic.  Sure, I could load up a wagon full of activities and snacks, but I really don't want to be responsible for all of that or transport it through parking lots and fields.

Here are a the items you will find in my ball bag each week:

And a bit more detail regarding each item...

I have used about three different totes over the years, and my favorite to date is this large tote from Target.

It is large enough to hold everything shown above, and the finish is a breeze to keep clean.  Things have spilled inside, and the outside has been dusty and dirty, and it wipes up easily with no signs of wear.  At the same time, the bag is inexpensive and nothing I worry about as we lug it around and toss it haphazardly into the trunk of the car.  In the past I have used fabric totes, and they always end up with stains, holes and dirty after a game or two, only to wear down after a few washes.  Another tote I see mom's "sporting" frequently are the utility totes from Thirty-One.  You can never go wrong with multiple pockets!

Next up, the quilt!

I actually purchased this quilt a few years ago for family picnics.  I found it on sale for around $30 in the full/queen size, and it fits our family of five perfectly.  After taking it to a few games, it became our new ball blanket.  It is heavy enough to keep us warm during cold and rainy nights in the spring and fall, and folds over a few times to provide nice cush on the bleachers.  Locations that don't offer bleachers mean we just spread it out in the grass.  The best part is that I have washed this blanket so many times, and not a single loose thread.  I am easily thrilled, and a blanket that can hold up to our nightly abuse for a few years now?  #impressed

To keep it compact enough for our bag, I roll it up like a sleeping bag and use an elastic headband to keep it tight.

You all know I utilize pouches to organize just about everything, and inside of this tote is no exception.

One of these durable zipper pouches corrals rain ponchos, bug spray, a mini first aid kit and sunscreen.  I never have to remove this pouch from the ball bag, and if anything leaks, the remaining belongings in the bag are still safe.

Other important items are an instant cold pack and baby wipes.  The cold pack is in case of injury (we have had our share of those during games), and the wipes are my favorite for quick hand and face cleanings.  Well, really for cleaning just about anything on-the-go.

We travel quite a bit for sports; sometimes leaving for the parks right after school.  My kiddos were always allured by the concession stands and asking for money, and it got old quick.  To tide them over until lunch or dinner, these snack containers have been awesome!

The handy containers hold enough for two boys to snack from, and stack nicely inside of the tote.  They also ensure that the food and snack pouches don't become crushed or crumbled, making them ideal for everything from crackers to fruits and veggies.  In fact, I have fallen in love with Snapware for my own weekly snacks as well.  I try to pack a few of these on Sundays, or at least the night before a game, so we can quickly toss them into the bag on our way out the door.

Finally, it is important for everyone to stay hydrated.  The boys have had these water bottles for a few years, and they have held up well to our dishwasher.  However, the straws are a bit obnoxious, so I am thinking of eventually swapping them for these.

When it comes to my own water, I personally love these water bottles.

And that is it!  We keep a few activities in our car that the boys can do during the games, or else they will just bring a book, scooter or their own ball gloves.

Alright fellow sport parents, do you have a similar system or any additional tips to add?  We have times in which we are at some sort of sporting activity every single night of the week, so this bag has been a true "game changer".  #punintended

28 IHeart Seattle - Bloom Bash Recap & Exploring the City

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of jet setting off to Seattle, WA to be part of the Bloom Bash Workshop.  Michaela and Ashley had a dream to create a beautiful and inspirational workshop for individuals in the creative industry, and I can truly say they have succeeded.  They invited me to speak at the Bloom workshop, specifically regarding Pinterest as part of their Social Media session.  I also had the pleasure of joining the panel to answer blogging and business questions at the end of each day.

(photo credit: Lora Grady Photography)

This was my first trip to Seattle, and there was so much to see and take in during my short visit.  Anytime I have the opportunity to travel to a new city, I invite my husband to join me so we can explore the new area together.

Washington welcomed us with the most incredible views coming in on our flight.  In fact, I had the window shade drawn as I was working on my laptop for most of the trip, and I remember opening it and letting out a giant gasp.  I was in awe of the breathtaking landscape which I wasn't expecting in that very moment.  As much as I prefer traveling to warm and tropical destinations with views of aqua blue water, this was definitely one of the most beautiful and memorable flights I have taken.

The first two days of our trip I spent at the Bloom workshop.  The backdrop continued to leave me in awe of the picturesque area as the workshop was held at the Rainier Chapter House in Seattle.

(photo credit: Lora Grady Photography)

I have been fortunate enough to attend a variety of blog related events, conferences and workshops, and I have to say this was one of my absolute favorites.  Not only was the setting magical, the overall attention to detail throughout the full two days was off the charts.  The sessions were information packed, the food was divine and the hands-on classes were educational and fun!

(photo credit: Lora Grady Photography)

This workshop is designed for creatives looking to grow their businesses and branch out their skill sets.  Not an event just for bloggers, but also for individuals considering adding a website or blog to their business platform.  I actually quite liked that there was such a mix of talent at this event; there were photographers, event planners, florists, calligraphers, bakers, Etsy shop owners and designers.  It was quite the diverse group of passionate ladies.

Day one we spent a lot of time talking and learning from one another about creating our brands, making the most of our social media channels, understanding photography and our cameras and styling tips and tricks.

(photo credit: Lora Grady Photography)

Day two was a much more hands-on portion of the workshop.  We began the day learning watercolor brush calligraphy with Jenny Sanders and I found it to be so incredibly therapeutic.  I may have to start adding in a little watercolor play time to my schedule each week, just because I enjoyed it so much and appreciated how relaxing it was.

(photo credit: Lora Grady Photography)

Later in the day we also had the opportunity to learn floral arranging techniques from Ashley Beyer of Tinge Floral (if you are not following her on Instagram, grab your phone and do that right away).

(photo credit: Lora Grady Photography)

As much as I have always loved having fresh flowers around our home, I must admit that I typically slice each stem at an angle, pluck some leaves off and bunch them in a vase.  That is the extent of my floral arranging abilities, which tends to work out OK for me since I like things neat and symmetrical.  But the arrangements Ashley creates are anything from typical; they are thoughtful, whimsical and romantic.  And wouldn't you know it, with her tips I was able to put together something quite special all on my own.

(photo credit: Lora Grady Photography)

Not only did I learn a lot, I also ate quite well.  They brought in delicious meals from local restaurants each day, and also spoiled us with beautiful desserts.

(photo credit: Lora Grady Photography)

By the end of day two, I was exhausted in the best of ways!  I had soaked in information, shared information, formed new friendships, laughed and learned new crafts.  The icing on the cake was finally meeting Michaela in person, someone who I have long been friends with online.

So what did Mr. Jones do while I worked?  He is good about exploring on his own, so he mixed in some quiet don't-have-to-work-or-watch-the-kids-or-cook-or-build-something time with checking out the city time.  It always works out when he can do a little investigating while I work, because then he knows all of the places to take me during our final days of the trip.  Being that this was our first time to Seattle, I thought I would share the highlights of our very quick sight-seeing adventure.

Backing up to our arrival in Seattle, just off of the plane I was hungry and craving some Mexican food. #typical  The first restaurant we found turned out to be exactly what I was hoping for.  We ate at Moctezuma's and shared the Carne Asada Mexico City tacos... and a margarita.  Although I was trying to gaze into Bryan's eyes during our first lunch date in ages, I found myself getting quite distracted by all of the beautiful ceramic tile used throughout the restaurant.  The tacos were amazing.

Of course, our very first "tourist" stop was the market!

This is just a given when you go to Seattle and definitely worth making time for!  I knew it would be good, but you guys, the rows and rows of flowers were absolutely incredible.  I was completely geeking out over them all and scheming ways to get a few bundles home.

And the prices were just so good!

Although not every part of the market was as beautiful as the flower stands, there was so much to take in.  Fresh fish and seafood around every corner.  Baked goods, fruits, vegetables, pressed juices and meats and cheeses.  I was on sensory overload.

Not gonna lie... I never imagined I would be sharing a photo of fresh seafood on my blog.  But there is always a first for everything.  #ignorethefreakyfish  I purchased some fresh produce for the rest of our trip and the apples were some of the best I have had.  Not at all fishy tasting either which was a bonus.

It was near the market we also found Beecher's Cheese.  Being that we come from a state where everything is made better with cheese, we couldn't wait to test this place out.  It received four thumbs up, but we still think that cheese is one thing we do better in Wisconsin. #donthate 

From the market we walked up through Post Alley.  I also found a great antique store near this area where I found a vintage pink Pyrex baking dish in perfect condition.  That was my Seattle souvenir and it is now our new favorite dish for baking our weekend cinnamon rolls.

Moving along...

We do a lot of strolling when we travel just to take in as much of the city as we can.  Random fact - we are a very split household in the Apple/Samsung phone department and I am typically YAY Apple all of the way.  But the photo above was taken with Bryan's Galaxy and I have to say, it was a great shot!  I am also testing him to see if he is reading this right now, because he knows it took a lot for me to admit his phone did something much better than mine.

I also like to head to neighborhoods to check out house styles and exterior ideas.  I am not a creeper, I promise.  It is just fun to find ideas from real life homes in new cities.  Does anyone else love to do this?

We traveled mid-October and had a variety of sunny days and overcast days.  We only encountered a small amount of rain the entire trip, which was a pleasant surprise.  The views from all around the city were absolutely incredible, especially with all of the changing colors.

Although much of the city offers incredible views, our favorite viewing spot was at Kerry Park.  We went during the day...

And again at night.

Both times of the day offered a completely different, yet equally as amazing, view of the city.

Saturday afternoon we decided to take a drive to Woodinville, WA to do a little wine tasting.  We had read that this area of the state offered a variety of wineries and we figured the scenic drive would be something to enjoy.  And it was!

Just as we arrived in Woodinville, we found a very commercialized area with a variety of restaurants and wine tasting rooms.  At first we were a little disappointed, but after a little more map reading, we realized there was more to select from just outside of town.  We ultimately landed at JM Cellars and it was the perfect way to end the afternoon.

The grounds were peaceful and full of lovely fall views, a highlight of our entire trip.

There were a variety of quiet areas where we were able to just sit and relax with a glass of wine.  There was also a darling boccie court where we also engaged in a mini selfie session which ended in laughter (we definitely not selfie people - Kim K, if you are reading we need your tips).

We ended the evening back in Seattle, with a stroll near the water to see the city at night.

Our final morning we walked to the Starbuck's Roastery & Tasting Room.

This is not your typical Starbucks, it was a whole different experience. 

On our way out of town I found a cupcake shop that offered gluten-free cupcakes that didn't taste like gluten-free cupcakes.  Hands down, best meal of the trip. (wink, wink)

Seattle is full of an endless variety of places to eat, and we didn't have a bad meal the entire time we were visiting.  Here are a few other delish lunch/dinner spots that we would personally recommend based on our experiences during our trip:

• Momiji Sushi: Perfect for fresh take-out at the end of a busy day

• 8 oz. Burger: Food so nice we ate there twice (Really!)

• Via Tribunali: Authentic Neapolitan Pizza (the salads are wonderful as well)

• The Crab Pot: This may not be the classiest seafood joint, but it was definitely the most fun I have ever had eating seafood (get ready to get dirty, they dump your dinner out onto the table in front of you and give you a hammer as your primary utensil).

Washington is such a beautiful state, I was constantly oohing and ahhing over the views and the gorgeous fall colors.  We really couldn't have asked for a better trip; everything from the fun-filled workshop to the sight-seeing and the food was all just so wonderful.  And my husband even survived watching the 49'ers vs. Seahawks game at a local establishment, without any need to call the police.  Although the 49'ers lost that game, I thought that night alone was a huge win.

(photo credit: Lora Grady Photography)

As I mentioned in my recent blogiversary post, I am hoping to share more of these experiences with you all, as traveling for work can be a fun mix of business and pleasure and it is nice to share some of the behind the scenes of our life. Plus, I wouldn't have known about many of these great little hot spots if it weren't for your sweet suggestions, so thank you for helping me travel better.  ♥


This week and always I am so thankful for you all!  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!