• I’m not entirely sure what happened to summer. We started off REAL strong with boat days and BBQs aplenty and then work and travel and all the things took over and suddenly Barbie’s out the water and tucked into bed for the winter, it’s raining more days than not, and the leaves are turning. Whaaatttt? I still haven’t seen orcas and I still don’t have a solid base tan. Damnit. So clearly I’m not ready for summer to end. Althoughhhhh, I’m not entirely opposed to sweater weather and apple all the things. It’s really a bitter-sweet transition. Who’s with me?
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    I’m not entirely sure what happened to summer. We started off REAL strong with boat days and BBQs aplenty and then work and travel and all the things took over and suddenly Barbie’s out the water and tucked into bed for the winter, it’s raining more days than not, and the leaves are turning. Whaaatttt? I still haven’t seen orcas and I still don’t have a solid base tan. Damnit. So clearly I’m not ready for summer to end. Althoughhhhh, I’m not entirely opposed to sweater weather and apple all the things. It’s really a bitter-sweet transition. Who’s with me?
  • Truer words were never spoken. Ice cream does indeed make you happy. I can 100% vouch for that! And @mollymoonicecream makes me the happiest! Any other ice creamer lovers out there?! 🍦
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    Truer words were never spoken. Ice cream does indeed make you happy. I can 100% vouch for that! And @mollymoonicecream makes me the happiest! Any other ice creamer lovers out there?! 🍦
  • Leessss be honest. Everyday is #nationaldogday for #andielea! She’s definitely 100% spoiled, and I’m not sorry about it. She’s brought so much joy and comfort to our lives over the past two years and I’m so thankful for that sweet face, that beachy Beyoncé hair and that unrestrained “loooove meeeee!!!” vibe she puts out. Haha. She’s the best! #goldendoodle #andiecam
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    Leessss be honest. Everyday is #nationaldogday for #andielea! She’s definitely 100% spoiled, and I’m not sorry about it. She’s brought so much joy and comfort to our lives over the past two years and I’m so thankful for that sweet face, that beachy Beyoncé hair and that unrestrained “loooove meeeee!!!” vibe she puts out. Haha. She’s the best! #goldendoodle #andiecam
  • We enjoyed yet another fabulous meal with friends at our favorite restaurant last night and it was amazing as always! Delicious food, deep conversations and the best table in the house made for the perfect end to our day in the city. And what made it even better was that @darrenhansen spotted THE @chefreneeerickson on his way to the restroom, quickly came back to the table, and told me “Renee is here!” I then promptly lost my shit and proceeded to leave the table and pace around in the hall like a weirdo until he came back. And by then, somehow I worked up the courage to say hello. And I’m so glad we did. She’s as awesome as I imagined her to be and was incredibly kind, warm and down to earth. I’ve long admired her as a businesswoman, chef, and visionary and we’ve cooked many a meal from her cookbook (#reneeday) and eaten our way through all of her restaurants in Seattle — with Walrus being our all time favorite. We can never get enough. Sooo, needless to say, we’re total fan girls, and it was such a day/life- maker to finally get to meet her in person. Dead. I can’t even!
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    We enjoyed yet another fabulous meal with friends at our favorite restaurant last night and it was amazing as always! Delicious food, deep conversations and the best table in the house made for the perfect end to our day in the city. And what made it even better was that @darrenhansen spotted THE @chefreneeerickson on his way to the restroom, quickly came back to the table, and told me “Renee is here!” I then promptly lost my shit and proceeded to leave the table and pace around in the hall like a weirdo until he came back. And by then, somehow I worked up the courage to say hello. And I’m so glad we did. She’s as awesome as I imagined her to be and was incredibly kind, warm and down to earth. I’ve long admired her as a businesswoman, chef, and visionary and we’ve cooked many a meal from her cookbook (#reneeday) and eaten our way through all of her restaurants in Seattle — with Walrus being our all time favorite. We can never get enough. Sooo, needless to say, we’re total fan girls, and it was such a day/life- maker to finally get to meet her in person. Dead. I can’t even!
  • A touch of the feminine with the otherwise masculine vignette in our guest room creates a moment I’m kinda into. Who knew this #neutralsforever guy could be on board with pink peonies from the garden?! Ha. And while this year’s harvest is officially bloomed out, we had a good run for sure. Until next year my pretty friends ... RIP! 😝
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    A touch of the feminine with the otherwise masculine vignette in our guest room creates a moment I’m kinda into. Who knew this #neutralsforever guy could be on board with pink peonies from the garden?! Ha. And while this year’s harvest is officially bloomed out, we had a good run for sure. Until next year my pretty friends ... RIP! 😝
  • I can’t help it. I love being on, in, or next to water. 💦 I grew up in a grove of aspens with a creek running through it (no not like actually in the woods like Mogli but in a house on a creek ... although, I did build forts in the woods and race sticks down said creek, so basically ... I am man! Ha!) 💪🏻 I swam competitively through high school and yes one team photo in the archive shows evidence of a sunscreen application / accidental nap on the boat mishap that very true to form. 🏊🏻‍♂️ I used to surf a ton when I was young, tan, and gutsy. In fact, my senior year of high school I actually surfed more than I snowboarded. Hang ten, brah! 🏄🏻‍♂️ We now live on a creek (hello #shipsencreeksidecottage) and I love it here. I fell in love with the property before we even saw the house which in retrospect probably terrified Darren because the house needed some serious work. #sorrynotsorry 🏡 I make most decisions in life around these considerations. “Is there a water view?” “Is it on the water?” “How close is the beach / lake / creek / river / pool?” “Does it have a hot tub?” “Where’s the flamingo floaty?” “How’s the surf?” 🌊 So basically, I’m the water boy. And I neeeeeeed it in my life. Reason 348 Seattle is my jam ... water + mountains. It’s my happy place man! What’s your happy place? Tellllll meeeeee!!
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    I can’t help it. I love being on, in, or next to water. 💦 I grew up in a grove of aspens with a creek running through it (no not like actually in the woods like Mogli but in a house on a creek ... although, I did build forts in the woods and race sticks down said creek, so basically ... I am man! Ha!) 💪🏻 I swam competitively through high school and yes one team photo in the archive shows evidence of a sunscreen application / accidental nap on the boat mishap that very true to form. 🏊🏻‍♂️ I used to surf a ton when I was young, tan, and gutsy. In fact, my senior year of high school I actually surfed more than I snowboarded. Hang ten, brah! 🏄🏻‍♂️ We now live on a creek (hello #shipsencreeksidecottage) and I love it here. I fell in love with the property before we even saw the house which in retrospect probably terrified Darren because the house needed some serious work. #sorrynotsorry 🏡 I make most decisions in life around these considerations. “Is there a water view?” “Is it on the water?” “How close is the beach / lake / creek / river / pool?” “Does it have a hot tub?” “Where’s the flamingo floaty?” “How’s the surf?” 🌊 So basically, I’m the water boy. And I neeeeeeed it in my life. Reason 348 Seattle is my jam ... water + mountains. It’s my happy place man! What’s your happy place? Tellllll meeeeee!!
  • Word. Or perhaps it really should say más vacay. Who’s with me?
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    Word. Or perhaps it really should say más vacay. Who’s with me?
  • Boating season is upon us and #thebarbieboat is officially at her boat house on Lake Union for the summer. I’m not sure who’s more excited: us or our friends. It’s gonna be a fun summer. I can feel it. And boy do I need it after what seems like the longest winter ever.
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    Boating season is upon us and #thebarbieboat is officially at her boat house on Lake Union for the summer. I’m not sure who’s more excited: us or our friends. It’s gonna be a fun summer. I can feel it. And boy do I need it after what seems like the longest winter ever.
  • @darrenhansen and I got to spend our six year anniversary evening in our favorite place on Wednesday — @rocheharborresort — and although our stay was brief and most the shops aren’t open quite yet, walking the cobblestone streets and wandering through the gardens and checking out all the boats was still as magical as ever. Something about this place is so special to me and is very much my happiest of happy places place in the Pacific Northwest. We’re already scheming a proper trip back this summer where we can linger longer, enjoy the spa, go crabbing and eat ice cream every day. I can’t wait.
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    @darrenhansen and I got to spend our six year anniversary evening in our favorite place on Wednesday — @rocheharborresort — and although our stay was brief and most the shops aren’t open quite yet, walking the cobblestone streets and wandering through the gardens and checking out all the boats was still as magical as ever. Something about this place is so special to me and is very much my happiest of happy places place in the Pacific Northwest. We’re already scheming a proper trip back this summer where we can linger longer, enjoy the spa, go crabbing and eat ice cream every day. I can’t wait.
  • I literally can’t remember the last time I poured myself a glass of wine, put on some good music and read a book snuggled under my fur with my puppy. So this past weekend, in between all the crazy, I did just that, and man oh man, was it just what I needed. I’ve been working myself ragged lately and basically every evening is spent with my computer on my lap while we watch our shows. I’ve not stopped for months and I’m tired. I’m terrible about self care and just keep my head town and trucking along holding out for the respite that will surely come eventually. Problem is: it still hasn’t come and things have yet to slow down. Like it’s madness around here, and I literally just realized that if I hold out, I may not make it. So I’m trying to take mini-respites here or there so I might be able to — ya know — survive this madness without becoming a shell of a human. Actually, if I’m honest, that’s kinda where I’m at right now. So really in an effort to NOT be a shell of a human any longer, I’m readying “Keep Going” (and yes I know that’s not AP style book correct but it’s all I got Insta) by Austin Kleon and basically it’s just what I need to be reading right now. Like hello divine intervention. Annnnd, I’m starting with some micro adjustments to my life to see if I can restore some level of balance, joy, peace, hope and patience haha - basically give me the fruits of the spirit, Lord! I need all of them. “You must to retreat from the world long enough to think, practice your art, and bring forth something worth sharing with others. You must play a little hide-and-seek in order to produce something worth being found.” Preach Austin, Preach! Tell me: how do you keep going when all you want to do is run and hide from your massive to do list? I’ve been trying to take it one task and one day at a time but sweet Lord do I still get I to a state of panic basically 12 times a day.
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    I literally can’t remember the last time I poured myself a glass of wine, put on some good music and read a book snuggled under my fur with my puppy. So this past weekend, in between all the crazy, I did just that, and man oh man, was it just what I needed. I’ve been working myself ragged lately and basically every evening is spent with my computer on my lap while we watch our shows. I’ve not stopped for months and I’m tired. I’m terrible about self care and just keep my head town and trucking along holding out for the respite that will surely come eventually. Problem is: it still hasn’t come and things have yet to slow down. Like it’s madness around here, and I literally just realized that if I hold out, I may not make it. So I’m trying to take mini-respites here or there so I might be able to — ya know — survive this madness without becoming a shell of a human. Actually, if I’m honest, that’s kinda where I’m at right now. So really in an effort to NOT be a shell of a human any longer, I’m readying “Keep Going” (and yes I know that’s not AP style book correct but it’s all I got Insta) by Austin Kleon and basically it’s just what I need to be reading right now. Like hello divine intervention. Annnnd, I’m starting with some micro adjustments to my life to see if I can restore some level of balance, joy, peace, hope and patience haha - basically give me the fruits of the spirit, Lord! I need all of them. “You must to retreat from the world long enough to think, practice your art, and bring forth something worth sharing with others. You must play a little hide-and-seek in order to produce something worth being found.” Preach Austin, Preach! Tell me: how do you keep going when all you want to do is run and hide from your massive to do list? I’ve been trying to take it one task and one day at a time but sweet Lord do I still get I to a state of panic basically 12 times a day.