Marination Monday | A trip on the Water Taxi

Weekend trips. Day trips. Yes & yes. But what about lunch trips? : ) Today my friend AB & I took the water taxi from downtown Seattle to West Seattle for lunch. It's only about a 10 minute walk down to the dock & a 15 minute ride across the sound. You can use your ORCA card & bikes are definitely allowed! 

Marination Ma Kai is located right next to the water taxi dock, so it's a perfect spot if you want to get out on the water & can spare a leisurely lunch out of the office!

The menu is unique, inexpensive, & incredibly tasty. Definitely a new favorite : ) 

I think Mr. Fleece would go for the POG (passion fruit, orange, & guava juice) alone. 

The weather was flawless & we even saw some sea lions!!

What Monday blues?

-SJW

Lifestyle | Groupmuse

Last week my neighbors hosted a Groupmuse event. It was one of my favorite things I've done in Seattle & can't stop talking about it. A mash up between a chamber music concert & a house party, Groupmuse helps connect communities to classical musicians right in the neighborhood. I've been to the symphony once & it was fun, but more expensive & less intimate than this:

Groupmuse started in Boston & is growing popularity in New York & San Francisco among other cities. You should definitely look at the calendar & try to catch a show. You simply need to RSVP, BYOB, & bring some cash to donate directly to the musician(s). You can also host a show by entering a date & number of people you can fit into your living room. Invite your friends, let strangers fill in the extra spots, & the site will match you up with the musicians. You could hear a string quartet, classical guitarist, or get lucky like me & hear a married cello duet.

"Because music can't hear itself" 

SJW

Seattle | South Lake Union

South Lake Union has really won us over this summer. Although we've lived in Lower Queen Anne for three years now,  summer 2015 has been the summer of South Lake Union. A five minute bike ride from our house, it's become our new hot spot. In my mind, jumping off the dock in to the cool refreshing water is the best way to beat the heat. Plus, for only $11.00 on a Sunday, you can tour the lake & learn some fun facts on the Sunday ice cream cruise. We also plan to take advantage of The Center for Wooden Boat's free Sunday tours. & to top it all off, South Lake Union Goodwill & Serious Biscuit are just a few blocks away : )

Soakin' up that sun,

SJW

Life Wright Now | July

WATCHING

Since reading Lily Koppel's book, I started watching "The Astronaut Wives Club" on ABC. It's pretty fascinating to see the behind-the-scenes based on true stories of these ladies who became instant celebrities & supported their husbands without question. I like how the TV show portrays the women, the space race, LIFE magazine & all the hype, & of course, the fashions : ) 

EATING

I really enjoy Vietnamese sandwiches : ) The Bahn Mi from Local Pho is tasty tasty. I had it for the first time tonight! 

READING

I've been working through "Women of the Word" by Jen Wilkin. It's challenged me in how I approach the Bible & motivated me to really study what God has to say. I'm applying her method to the book of Romans - it's been really great so far! I'd recommend this book to any woman (or man!) who is at a lost for how to read scripture or has no appetite for reading the Bible. 

LISTENING

Just started the podcast "Marriage is Funny" per a friend's recommendation. Jessie and Gerard are a married couple that talk about real things like quality time, maiden names & cable bills. Although somewhat cheesy, I like it.  

We are also now hammock owners. We've been hanging out a lot. 

-SJW

Austin | All the Coffee

Although I'm not a huge coffee fan, I do appreciate the atmosphere & "third space" coffee shops offer. Plus, I'm usually game for a sweet treat, an iced chai tea or slice of harvest bread.

While Austin has coffee shops a plenty, I definitely have my favorites. I've had a good many chittychats and study sessions at the following hot spots:

 1. Flight Path

2. Summer Moon Coffee
3. Thunderbird

4. Spiderhouse Coffee

5. Mozart's

6. Caffe Medicci
7. Cherrywood Coffee

8. Epoch

9. Halcyon

10. Dominican Joe's

I'm still developing my favorite spots in Seattle, but for now they are Bedlam (Belltown), Citizen Coffee (Lower Queen Anne), Elm Coffee (Pioneer Square) & Caffe Fiore (Queen Anne).

Planning more coffee dates,

SJW

Austin | What to order

Austin is one of the best food cities. There are restaurants galore, & you could eat somewhere new every day of the year.

My first time at Hut's Hamburgers

Here are some of my all-time favorite places to eat delicious chow:
1. Walton's | deli sandwiches (wins best atmosphere)

2. Hillside Farmacy | mac & cheese

3. Magnolia Cafe | cornmeal pancakes

4. Hopdoddy | magic shroom burger

5. The County Line | warm homemade bread and sausage/brisket BBQ

6. Kerby Lane Cafe | kerby queso - it has guacamole at the bottom!

7. Amy's Ice Cream | mexican vanilla

8. Tacos and Tequila | street tacos

9. Moonshine | complimentary cornbread & popcorn with your order : ) 

10. 24 Diner | belgian waffles

Places I want to try: Salty Sow & Contigo

Got me some cravings,

SJW

Up next: Austin | All the Coffee

Austin | The Essentials

I will forever love Austin, Texas. It's where I graduated college, where I built lasting friendships, where I learned about myself & where I became fond of urban living. Concerts. BBQ. The UT Tower. Unique food. Farmer's Markets. Hikes. The hill country. Tie-dye. Parks. Organic everything. Mom & Pop shops. Burnt orange. Sunshine. The Capitol. I love it all. If you are planning a trip to Austin, (as I know many of you are!) here are the things you just must do.

1. Picnic in Zilker Park & swim at Barton Springs Pool

2. Run around or kayak on Town Lake

3. Stop by the Baylor Street Graffiti Park

4. Shop along South Congress

5. Take a photo in front of the Capitol

6. Mount Bonnel

7. Witness the Cathedral of Junk

8. Catch a movie at the Alamo Draft House

9. Eat at Hey Cupcake or Gordough's Donuts

10. Watch the bats fly out from under the bridge

Bonus off the beaten path things: explore the greenbelt, see peacocks at Mayfield Park, stop in at Savers (thrift store).

Keep Austin Weird,

SJW

Up next: Austin | What to Order