Khaleesi is a large dog (80+ lbs) and I'd started noticing her groan every time she got off her previous dog bed. On top of that, her breed (German Shepherd) is prone to hip-related issues as they age, and I'd become concerned about how stiff she seemed to be after laying on her bed. We'd always used the typical dog bed you find at TJ Maxx or Petsmart, which can be cute, but are admittedly not that supportive for a large dog.
Wanting to test out how her bed felt, I sat on it and sunk to the floor. Obviously I weigh considerably more than my dog, so I tried just placing a hand on her old dog bed and was shocked I could feel the hard wood floors underneath us. In that moment it became obvious that despite having what seemed to be an okay dog bed, my little pup was basically laying directly on the hard floor... thus, it wasn't a surprise that I was noticing her groan and become more stiff.
I started doing some research on orthopedic dog beds for larger breeds I could invest in and kept seeing reviews for Big Barker. The price was expensive compared to what we'd paid for a bed in the past, but I couldn't deny the fact she needed something better and this would be a solid investment.
The below video is a look at unboxing plus first impressions of the bed. Something particularly impressive is that the XL bed held the weight of Khaleesi, Mike and myself without sinking in! That's a whole lot of lbs on there.
If you have a large or extra large breed dog, this is the perfect dog bed for your fur baby and the only one you'll ever need!
Perks:
1) Machine washable microfiber cover
2) 10 yr warranty
3) Calibrated for Large and Extra Large breed dogs! (FYI: This bed is too hard for small dogs)
Remember back in the day when every natural hair bloggers was obsessed with doing length checks? When I was at the height of my hair blogging days (read: back when I used to be a vlogger for NaturallyCurly.com), I never really got into doing length checks. I remember debating if I should hop onto that wave (it seemed like standard natural hair content folks wanted to consume), but always felt so many of us were consumed (in an unhealthy way) with growth and yearning for our hair to reach that magical "BSL" (bra strap length) that I doubt many enjoyed the journey transitioning to natural hair and all the stages of growth.
If you went natural before 2012, think back and try to remember how many times you enjoyed the process of transitioning, doing a big chop, learning the quirks of your kinks or curls... how many can you recall? When I think about it I am flooded with memories of being a product junkie on a never-ending search to find the magic cocktail of products that would ultimately make my hair look like something other than what it actually was. So many moments of frustration, sprinkled with a few highs of nailing a style and feeling the f*ck out of myself. It all makes me chuckle now, but there was such a huge disconnect between learning to love and accept my natural, natural hair... not just idolizing some "perfect twist-out." I'm seriously a whole grown ass woman and JUST mastered a wash 'n go. Just fell DEEP in love with my natural hair in its natural state, with minimal manipulation. I'm talking about a REAL wash 'n go where you wash your hair, maybe add 1-2 products tops, shake and go!
I hope this doesn't sound like I pulled out my megaphone and high horse... but every time I rock a wash 'n go nowadays it blows my mind how adamant I was that this style was NOT for me. Never. Ever. I'd spent a lifetime not knowing my natural hair, spent all of 2 seconds with it and determined what "didn't work." Life is funny and time (and age) is a blessing.
Anyways, last month as I was getting ready in Vegas and admiring my curls, I felt inspired to film a quick video showing how I air dry my hair and use a diffuser to add volume! What makes all of this even better? The fact I've been getting curly haircuts by Alexis @ Coven Salon in the Montlake neighborhood of Seattle. Alexis is a dope chick, the co-owner of the salon and my go-to person for curly haircuts and hair color. Also - when your stylist has healthy, beautifully cut and colored curls and edges that are thriving, you trust her!
Don't know what a "curly hair cut" is? I'm sure the concept of a cutting curly hair while in its curly state has existed as long as people have had curly hair... but in terms of what's relevant to our generation, the curly haircut was coined by DevaCurl and the DevaChan salon in 1994!
What works for me may not work for you. With that said, this is what has been working for me and giving me SOLID results each time:
1) Wetting hair in shower and using a bit of Aussie Miracle Moist conditioner. to detangle/refresh curls. It has the perfect amount of thickness and slip, and my hair soaks this stuff up!
2) I usually finger detangle and if necessary use my shower comb to rake through my hair while it's under running water. This is also when I choose where I'd like my part to be (I usually rock bangs, but still choose a side to part my hair on for bangs to dry correctly). Getting the base "shape" for my hair while I'm still in the shower, with freshly detangled hair, under running water with SOAKING WET HAIR is the key for me.
3) When I get out of the shower I typically have wet hair (not soaking - I do a light wring on it) and then apply whatever product I'd like to it. Right now I'm mainly using only 1 product - DevaCurl's Super Stretch! I rake it through my hair and it's pretty amazing. If my hair is feeling a little dry (I just got fresh balayage color), I'll follow-up with a bit of Camille Rose Naturals Herbal Tea Seal & Soften. A little goes a long way.
4) Turn on a good playlist and shake, shake SHAKE my hair
5) I suggest waiting for your hair to be at least 75% dry (if not more) before using your diffuser. I extend my hair from the root, but do not disrupt the curls. I make sure the heat of the diffuser is hitting my roots and volume/lift is added at the roots.
If all of that still has your spinning, eyes rolling or you just prefer a visual, check out the video below! Also - for everyone who has said a Wash 'N Go style isn't for them... I urge you to give it another try!
Many thanks to KUOW's Community Engagement Producer Kristin Leong and the KUOW Staff for editing my story! To read the edited version on their site click here. Below is my original, unedited story documenting my #KUOWCuriosity Club Pop-Up experience.
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“Do you think we’re living in a post-racial society?”
As soon as the question left his mouth, my head instinctively swerved around and I chuckled while letting out a resounding “No!” When I applied to be part of KUOW’s Curiosity Club last Fall, I jumped at the chance to be part of a diverse group of thinkers living in Seattle. As I sat at the dinner table searching the faces of the other cohort guests; most shared my same look of bewilderment. In my desire to be part of the curiosity club community, I overlooked the idea that space would truly be made for all perspectives, and admittedly didn’t expect a question like this to be asked. I couldn’t figure out if my KUOW Curiosity Club Pop-Up cohort member was asking this to be provocative or if he actually thought the answer would be yes, but I didn’t hide my shock and surprise at this being asked in a non-rhetorical way. Never one to bite my tongue, I told him (and the group) that we could look at the current leadership in our country and strained race dynamics playing out every hour of every day, to answer this question.
As a black woman working in media/tech in Seattle (and living in this country), conversations about race are ever present in my life and not something I shy away from. Exploring race during a dinner party with strangers was inside my wheelhouse, yet I didn’t expect to have this question posed to the group… and definitely not from a fellow person of color (PoC). I guess you can say this was one of the key moments that stood out during the inaugural curiosity club pop-up dinner and sparked curiosity within me - I couldn’t help but wonder if he actually believed we lived in a post-racial society? And if he didn’t believe this, why ask what could be considered such an unproductive question?
20 minutes into our KUOW Curiosity Club Pop-Up, I realized I live in a bubble. Despite having friends from various racial and cultural backgrounds, the majority of our beliefs are homogenous. I’d entered the dinner thinking highly of just how open-minded and opinionated I was, but quickly realized I found the “post-racial” question so jarring because it represented an opinion drastically different than that which I typically surround myself with. Deepening our conversation around race, I was delighted to hear KUOW reporter Patricia Murphy (she produced one of the stories we discussed) share that she’d handed over portions of the reporting of her story on 18 year old Millionaire Lavish (a black youth who detailed why he carried a gun) to a PoC man whom she felt would be able to better connect with Millionaire in a way she couldn’t and provide him comfort while sharing his story. Despite the piece not being one of my favorites of the night (I think there is a disproportionate amount of stories detailing the struggles of black youth, and not enough highlighting their resilience and accomplishments), sitting next to Patricia and hearing how she used her self-awareness, empathy and compassion to share Millionaire’s story warmed my heart. It should also be noted that she remained in touch with Millionaire and took a vested interest in him beyond just using him for a story. Compassion is where empathy meets action and we need more reporters like Patricia.
Created with the purpose of bringing together a group of strangers around surprising stories and great food, the KUOW Curiosity Club Pop-Up cohort had 1-night to see if we could transform ourselves from strangers into a community. KUOW’s Community Engagement Producer Kristin Leong did the work to bring us together, led the discussions and made space for everyone to share their stories... but ultimately taking the leap from strangers to community was up to us. 10 cohort members arrived as curious strangers with open minds, ready to be vulnerable and share our stories, but would we leave as friends? I’m happy to report back that not only did I hit off with a few cohort members and exchange info, but Dy and I got together a few days later for brunch! It wasn’t the biggest surprise for me that I hit it off with the only other black cohort member (which really shines a deeper light on the necessity of connection and community for PoC’s in Seattle). Dy and I realized we shared similar interests and knew mutual people, so it was a bit of a surprise we hadn’t met already… but I do credit the Curiosity Club for bringing us together and us for making the effort to get together afterwards. A wonderful reminder that you can lead someone to water, but you can’t make them drink… or more plainly, KUOW can create a great environment to meet new, diverse people, but it’s up to you to do the work to forge a deeper connection.
As I venture back into the streets of Seattle, forever changed by my Curiosity Club Pop-Up experience, I carry the stories of my cohort and feel inspired to expand the circle of people I’m around, diversify the perspectives I expose myself to and continue stepping outside of my comfort zone with the events I attend.
If you’re curious about how you, too, can channel the energy of the Curiosity Club, I challenge you to do the following:
Make eyecontact with and say hello to everyone you encounter in a day. What did you notice? How did it feel?
When is the last time you went to an event or class outside of comfort zone? In the next week, pick a class or event to attend and set the intention to connect with and exchange info with at least 1 person there. The next step? Make (and keep) plans to hangout!
Create your own curiosity club! Invite 3 people to dinner and ask them to each bring a curious friend! Put a variety of topics and questions into a bowl and have everyone pick a question during dinner to get the conversation going.
"Trouble don't last always, b*tch." - Amber Wagner (IG: @jstlbby)
This is my personal mantra and mood for all of 2019. It's a reminder that life is full of ups and downs, peaks and valleys, highs and lows... and the only constant in life is change. For me it means there will be a lot of seasons and my focus should never become too consumed on the discomfort of change, but rather channel my energy on enjoying the journey... because regardless of what's happening, the journey will be constant. I want to become my own star player this year and take more time to love myself more deeply, exercise grace and patience in the midst of trials and tribulations, and allow myself to celebrate the milestones and achievements, big and small.
My nail art continues to be an outlet for self-expression and my way of adding a bit more fun into my daily routine. For more information about my nail artist, Peka Grayson, check out her recent feature on King 5 Evening (I got to be her hand model).
I first sang the praises of my nail artist and friend, Peka Grayson, back in January 2017 hailing her the best nail artist in Seattle. 2 years later and I'm so excited to see her getting recognized for the exceptional work she does - she was recently featured on King 5 Evening! Icing on the cake? I got to be in the studio with her as a hand model! Check out the video and full post on their site. Kudos to Elle Meny at King 5 Evening for covering the story!
Peka has been my nail artist since 2016 and is someone whose talent I continue to scream about from the rooftops! She's currently accepting new clients (which is rare), so be sure to check out her IG page (@ImpekableNails) for more information.
Why? Why didn't anyone warn me that once I got into my my 30s I'd need to mentally prepare for random hairs to sprout across my body! What in the entire hell, y'all! Like, I legit have been in low-key denial about this random hair that started appearing on my chest. I don't even remember when it first appeared, but a a few weeks ago (read: back in August when I first wrote this post and forgot to hit 'publish') I realized that 1) this hair was here to stay and 2) I wanted to research options for evicting it from my life.
In the age of Instagram I knew that options were only a few swipes away... what I didn't know was that laser hair removal is EXPENSIVE! Like, you need to secure a whole bag before you start seriously considering laser hair removal. It's definitely an investment. I also quickly was informed by those who have gotten the procedure done themselves that you don't need to lose sleep over 1 or even 5 hairs... but instead wait for a considerable amount of hair to exist to warrant the cost and multiple procedures needed to remove them.
So, for the time being I'll continue tweeze the hair whenever it rears itself, be annoyed that it's growing in the first place, and thankful more haven't seen the bat signal.
Sound Off: Have you experienced this? If so, where does your wild hair grow and how do you deal with it?
It's always a pleasure when I get to be on-camera talent for work, and last month I hosted the Allrecipes Facebook Live presented by Ocean Spray. I was joined by the lovely Ashley Rodriguez from the blog Not Without Salt, and together we cooked up a bunch of tasty things for spring parties! The star of the show was the winning Ocean Spray #GrapefruitGourmet recipe -- Cranberry Grapefruit Cheese Tarts with Zesty Thyme and Peppercorn Sprinkles. Bomb! We also made some delicious party mix, sangria and spicy margaritas!
Have you ever tried a sensory deprivation tank? Back in January bae and I tried sensory deprivation tanks at Urban Float in Seattle (Cap Hill location). It's kinda funny to think back on it, but I had to work up the nerve to float in tank without the lights on -- like, to be in my 30s and still afraid of the dark! Ha... it's hilarious, but I'm proud to say I enjoyed my first experience and got through it with minimal light and sound. Definitely something worth trying.
I'm a firm believer in a closed mouth not getting fed, so I carry that same spirit into the world of IG and enter every single contest or giveaway of interest. I feel like I've been vibrating at a higher energy level because I've been winning a TON of stuff lately.
Seattle-based events newsletter (The Evergrey), hosted an IG contest giving away 2 tickets to see "The Last Jedi" at the Pacific Science Center. I actually saw "The Force Awakens" at PacSci back in 2015, so I was excited to see I'd been chosen as a winner to watch the latest installment.
Before everyone moves on to the highly anticipated "Black Panther" premier next month, if you still wanna checkout "The Last Jedi" I'd highly recommend going to the Pacific Science Center and seeing it in IMAX.
Pros:
~ The sound is amazing!!!! They did a bunch of upgrades to their sound a few years ago and everything sounds next level.
~ The Pacific Science Center reinvests money spent on ticket sales back into their STEM programs!
~ Reasonably priced snacks (cheaper than other theaters)
Cons:
~ No assigned seating, so if you're watching a movie (especially in 3D), you'll want to get there SUPER early so you can sang a good spot. They typically open the line up a few hours before the movie time, so you can bring your friends, a snack and a game and wait inside. It's not the worst thing ever... I usually make sure my phone is charged, I have a snack and make the most of it.
Back in October I had the opportunity to participate in Seattle Startup Week 2017 and host Hack Nation's #PitchBlackSEA competition. The event celebrated the entrepreneurial and creative genius of black founders in Seattle, while connecting them to the entrepreneurial ecosystem they're often excluded from.
This was also my first paid hosting gig outside of the on-camera work I've done through my 9-5 job. I was excited and had all sorts of butterflies in my stomach. It'd been a minute since I felt the rush of nerves associated with venturing into uncharted territory. Many thanks, again, to Taelore and Kenny for giving me the chance to do something I love.
Seattle-based fitness coach and all-around dope chick KaisaFit is my eternal fitness bae. Not only does she inspire hundreds of thousands of people each day with her message of positivity and focus on "just moving", but she also has a heart for giving back. She's a woman who talks the talk, and walks the walk (or in most cases does a dope ass leap)... always putting action behind her words.
Tomorrow morning (9/30 @ 10a) Kaisa will be leading an amazing workout that is geared to ALL levels at the UW Husky Stadium. The icing on the cake? 100% of proceeds will go toward Stolen Youth, a Seattle-based non-profit.
This will be my 4th or 5th workout with Kaisa and every time she's been amazing. She embodies such a positive, vibrant energy and passion for fitness and health.
On top of that, she caters to ALL LEVELS, so if you're feeling intimidated by her sickening skills on Instagram don't fret. She always shows a few variations of each moment and truly is a coach that meets you where you are.
I'll be out there tomorrow, so if you see me come say hi! Or maybe give me a hug if I look like struggle bus city lol... My activity level has been a tad bit low this month with the move from Cap Hill to West Seattle. I'm looking forward to sweating with everyone and raising money for a great cause.
Suggested donation for the event is $15. Click here to register.
I'll never forget the day -- sitting in my car, the parking lot of Metropolitan Market in Queen Anne, crying on the phone having ANOTHER f*cking breakdown... that's when my mom said I needed to "speak to a professional" because my daily phone calls had turned into a "downer" and she sometimes didn't want to answer the phone. My mom has loved me through all my phases in life, but when it became a drain on her life force, she set up a very gentle boundary and encouraged me to seek the next step in self-care. I've now been in therapy for a little over 3 years and it's still one of the best decisions and financial investments I've made.
Hoping to encourage at least one person to speak with a professional therapist and take a proactive step in their self-care. You don't have to be "crazy" or have your life falling apart to seek a therapist, though if your shit is a hot mess you should run (not walk) to one. Therapy goes beyond the notion of "praying your way" through things (which many of us have been told), and is a vital step in loving yourself, acknowledging your past, PROCESSING AND HEALING AND LETTING GO, forgiveness, gaining new tools to conquer each day, having a healthier relationship with yourself and those around you, taking ownership of your shit and DOING BETTER AS YOU KNOW BETTER... it's just the best thing you can do.
It can be expensive, but there are so many options out there. Also know that some therapists offer a sliding scale, do pay what you can, or have referrals to someone who is qualified and in your price range. Therapy isn't convenient and will be a sacrifice for many -- but know that it's a SOLID investment and worth every single coin you'll spend.
If you feel comfortable, please share your experiences with therapy in the comments and feel free to share this post/link with your friends.
A quote I like:
"If you don't deal with your shit now... your shit will deal with you later."
Whenever I'd tell someone in Seattle I hadn't gone camping before their first reaction was shock! Like, how are you living in Seattle and you haven't gone camping? Well, I'm from Chicago and grew up with my mother -- so, our version of fun was brunch, being nosy at open houses, and watching ballroom dancing on Channel 11. I never had the desire to sleep outside and my mom didn't have the desire to be anywhere without air conditioning, so that was that. I had a great camping-free childhood and it was fantastic.
Fast forward to July 2017 and I'd committed to making more of an effort to do outdoorsy stuff with my boyfriend and his friends... the first of which was camping! Last month I packed up my stuff (too much stuff if I'm being honest) and trekked into the great outdoors for my first camping experience. Instead of jumping in head first, we decided we'd start with 2 days and 1 night... ease into things slowly, kinda like playing "just the tip" (but not as fun). Now, to keep it 100, this was technically car camping and on my boyfriend's friend's cabin/property, so we had access to a bathroom and kitchen -- but we all slept in tents on the property and I've never slept outside before... so yeah, this was camping for me.
As an adult my first camping experience was really fun and I attribute that to a few things:
1) Having an open mind + positive attitude
2) My boyfriend acting as my Outdoorsy Sensei
3) A great group of camping friends
4) All the right gear (Again... all because of my boyfriend)
So, after successfully camping what's the next thing on my list? Backpacking! So many people give me a crazy look when I tell them I'll be going on a 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip on the coast. I'm sure this is because of a few things: 1) It's probably not as normal to have someone go from zero camping experience to a major backpacking trip. This will be my first time backpacking and only my 2nd time camping. 2) It's a 7.5 mile hike to the campsite, which includes elevation gains AND the use of ropes to navigate some of the climbs. 3) A lot of people LOVE camping and HATE backpacking, thus they assume everyone else will feel the same. I'm using my inexperience to my advantage, keeping an open mind, and appreciating the lacking frame of reference for how intense a backpacking trip can be.
We have a great group going to the coast and I'm so excited to be open to life and new adventures. My boyfriend actually just sent me a photo of some of the gear he snagged me from REI as we prepare to leave! Also, a major thank you to bae's childhood friend Kelly for letting me borrow her extra backpack... who just so happens to be Instagram famous for all of her beautiful outdoor adventures! If you'd like to ooooh and awwww over some DOPE ass photography, check out her Instagram account @kellll_bell89.
The Pacific Science Center is about to snatch all of your edges -- they've just added a laser show for Kung Fu Kenny, Mr. Kendrick Lamar himself! I'm so freaking excited that they're adding more variety to their laser show line-ups and recognizing talented artists in their prime.
They'll be kicking things off with 2 shows this weekend: Friday, 8/4 and Saturday, 8/5 @ 10:30p. Tickets are $12 (non-members) and the show will run 60 mins.
Guiding us on our journey for "spiffy spectacles" was Lorali Downes, owner of Lorali's Optical in Bellevue. Lorali approaches eyewear as a blend of function and wearable art, so it was no surprise to find her boutique shop full of funky designs that reflected the vibrancy in her personality. Her collection is mainly curated from Europe and Asia and features a ton of trendy, bold, bright frames that will push you outside your comfort zone.
The highlight for me were the blue frames Lorali picked for me. I've never been a huge fan of the color blue, but was pleasantly surprised to see how much I liked them.
A black outfit is my usual uniform and I tend to rock a bold lip as my pop of color. Lorali showed me how I could, in essence, take my desire for a bold "pop" that I usually reserve for lip color, and have that same type of fun with my eyewear. The blue frames were basically bae, though I was afraid to ask the price.
That's the only thing I didn't do while we were there... I never asked the price! Funny to think about in hindsight because, duh... but I want to keep it 100 and let everyone know I have no idea the price range for these frames.
Lorali chose all of the below frames for me, with exception to the top right which I picked. They were this SICK pair of black frames with gold wire detail! Black is my favorite color and gold is literally everything, so this was a clear winner for me. It's kinda funny to take a look at my pick vs Lorali's picks -- definitely fun to have her push me outside my box and be open.
See the full story in the June 2017 issue of 425 Business Magazine. Click here for the online version.
A few weeks ago Allrecipes had the honor of dining with world-renowned Sushi Chef, Shiro Kashiba, for our very first Facebook Live 360 Video! The icing on the cake? Enjoying the traditional (and insanely delicious) Omakase-style meal with his son, Ed Kashiba (Director of Operations).
For those who are unfamiliar with the term "omakase", it roughly translates to "I'll leave it up to you" and is a form of dining where you allow the chef to guide your experience. Whether you're new to the world of sushi, or a seasoned pro, it was a beautiful experience giving up control and allowing veteran Chef Shiro to show off his top picks of the day.
Let me also say that this was the best sushi I've ever had in my entire life. Ever. Every single pick Chef Shiro placed in front of us was delicious, but the highlight for me was the spot prawn! He started by showing off the fresh, LIVE prawns to us... then worked his magic to take them to a crispy, crunchy level of mind-blowing culinary perfection. I'd never eaten an entire prawn, and Chef Shiro showed me all I'd been missing out on. This is a MUST try if they have them on the menu.
Chef Shiro and fresh spot prawns
Moments Later: The best prawns I've ever had
Spot Prawn Perfection
Note: We were dining during their regular business hours, so we didn't set up any lights or additional mics. This is a pretty authentic experience and gives you an accurate idea of what the Omakase experience is like with Chef Shiro. Facebook's 360 technology actually feels like you're part of the dining experience since you can rotate the video around and see everything that's going on. Use your mouse to scroll around, or move your phone, for a totally immersive experience!
If you're in Seattle, run (don't walk) to Sushi Kashiba located in Pike Place Market. They open daily at 5p and have been known to have a line start as early as 4p, since bar seating with Chef Shiro and other chefs are first come, first serve.
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and I absolutely LIVE for a weekend brunch, so I was thrilled I had the opportunity to represent my company, Allrecipes, and host our brunch-themed Facebook Live! I was joined in the Seattle AR Kitchen by the lovely food blogger Holly Haines, creator of "From My Impossibly Tiny Kitchen" and we slayed the perfect DIY Benedict Brunch Bar.
Between the poached eggs and hollandaise sauce, a lot of people have felt overwhelmed and shied away from making benedicts at home. As someone who has worked in the Allrecipes office for 3+ years, I've grown to enjoy cooking and trying recipes outside of my comfort zone -- and the idea of poaching eggs definitely fell under the "feels too intimidating to try on my own" category. Using Holly's recipes totally demystified the process and made the poached eggs and sauce attainable to recreate at home, on my own. I swear these were all SUPER easy! Don't believe me? Just watch the video!
On a personal note, it felt amazing to be given the opportunity to be the "face" of the AR brand for that video -- just standing there as a Black woman, with my big ass natural hair... in the kitchen with another dope Black woman... sharing my love of brunch, on-camera hosting and connecting with an audience. It was peak #BlackGirlMagic.
On top of that, black women are still underrepresented in media, so I applaud AR for seeing the beauty in diversifying our on-camera talent. Representation matters, so I'm hoping this is the beginning of something new for Allrecipes.
All of the recipes we made are now available on the site. Be sure to tag @Allrecipes and use the hashtags #Brunchworthy and #FriendswithBenedicts so we can see all of your lovely brunch creations.
Somewhere in-between the sunshine, venti vanilla latte from Starbucks, and walking my pup around Cap Hill this weekend, something happened -- I looked around and realized that Seattle finally felt like home.
From the comfort of my over-priced studio nestled in the heart of Cap Hill, I finally feel like Seattle is my home. I'm surrounded by hipsters and coffee and vape pens... flannel and Dr. Martens... intentional graffiti that walks a fine line between art and anarchy, a million concert flyers, restaurants touting the latest local, organic "food of the moment", millennials walking the streets with more yoga mats than I can count, a city that has more dogs than kids, BRUNCH...
Oyster Shooters from Coastal Kitchen
I actually get to call the fastest growing city in the country my home. I commiserate about the constant overcast and rain October through April, finally understand the importance of Vitamin D, that S.A.D. is a real thing, and that it can actually be cloudy, sunny and raining all at the same time.
Next month marks 4 years in Seattle and I feel so very blessed to have been able to experience so much in my time here. It's like I'm in my Senior year about to graduate from the city, ready to step into the "real world" and grow into my understanding of who I am and what I want to do with my time here.
This city isn't for everyone. The seemingly never-ending overcast days might get to you before the "Seattle Freeze", but if you can hang in there, this city is ripe for the taking and has so much to offer! I have met some of the most brilliant women in my life here and feel honored to call so many of these women my friends. I've learned to love myself and what self-care actually looks and feels like.
Seattle Graffiti
I've healed my heart and received the blessing of love being open to something new. I'm growing in my career and also gaining confidence in being my authentic self -- someone who loves the stability of a 9 to 5, but also working on their passion projects. I dream of being able to marry the two and living in Seattle is allowing me to lay the foundation for achieving that.
To Seattle -- the city I couldn't find on the map, the city I had never seen before moving here, the city that nearly ate me up in those first 6 months -- this is my little emo love letter to you. It's taken a while, but we finally fit.
