Category Archives: Travel

Things to Do in Kirkland, WA

April 3, 2020

Well, things sure have changed since I originally wrote this post. In the fall of 2017, I had the opportunity to join the Kirkland Downtown Association for a tour around their city and discover the best things to do in Kirkland, Washington. While I’d visited Kirkland many times over the years, it was a great chance to talk with someone who lived in the community and had a great recommendation for everything. Following that visit, I started working on this post.

Visting Lady Yum in Kirkland, WA // Things to do in Kirkland

Three years later, a lot has changed. Right now, Washington has a “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Since I’ve been home for the past 3 weeks, I’ve been doing my best to share small businesses in the form of “virtual tours” around some of my favorite Seattle cities and neighborhoods on Instagram. (You can watch the Kirkland tour here!)

In creating the virtual tour, I realized it was about time to refresh this post with some of my new (and old) favorite Kirkland spots. Read on for the best things to do in Kirkland, Washington!

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5+ Festival Necessities For Your Summer Plans

May 22, 2019

Who’s ready for festival season?! Every year I look forward to the time of year when you can pack a bag filled with your festival necessities, grab your friends, and get outside for a day of music in the sun! There’s something special about the festival season that I always look forward to every year, even if that just means hitting an outdoor event or two during the summer months.

Festival necessities for outdoor concerts

Disclosure: Thanks to Babbleboxx for sponsoring this post. All opinions about the brands mentioned are my own!

While I’m not attending any music festivals this year, in just a few days my friend Megan and I will be taking on Tacoma for a fun concert. While it’s not an outdoor experience, we’ll definitely be taking advantage of the beautiful Memorial Day weekend weather and spending some time exploring the city and enjoying the sun!

When it comes to outdoor events, whether you’re hitting a local festival, going to an outdoor concert, or even just spending some time outside with friends, I wanted to share some of my festival necessities that I think you’ll love. If you’re curious to see what my top picks are, keep on reading!

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Our Epic Foodie Weekend at Tulalip Resort Casino

May 9, 2019

When thinking about visiting a casino resort, my first thought is often not about food. When it comes to visiting Tulalip Resort Casino, however, food immediately comes to mind! From the infamous Eagle’s Buffet brunch to Italian fare at Tula Bene, Tulalip has a lot to offer guests.

Weekend at Tulalip Resort Casino

Beyond the glitz and glam adorning the ceilings, Native American artwork, and the falls that greet you upon entry to the resort, Tulalip is more than just a casino. It has something for everyone! It’s a foodie destination, a 4-star resort, a beautiful spa, and a place to unwind, whether you choose to gamble or not.

Recently, I was invited on a media trip up to Tulalip Resort Casino. I grew up north of the city, so I’d heard of and visited many times before. As mentioned, I’ve visited for the infamous brunch at Eagle’s Buffet on weekends (what a treat!). This time, I was excited to see what else awaited my taste buds!

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A Staycation at The Charter Hotel Seattle // What to Eat, See, & Do in Downtown Seattle

November 27, 2018

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season upon us, there’s no time like the present to book yourself a staycation. And if you ask me, Seattle is the perfect city for a staycation. Who wants to worry about traffic and parking during the holidays? Not this girl!

Disclosure: Thanks to the Charter Hotel for hosting us for an overnight stay and providing dinner and drinks. All opinions are my own!

That’s why I was so excited when The Charter Hotel, a Hilton Curio Collection hotel, opened up right near Pike Place Market earlier this year. Just steps away from some of my favorite restaurants and event venues, there’s so much to do in just a few block radius. Plus, the hotel itself is fresh and modern, for a true staycation Seattle style! And for the full staycation experience, you don’t even need to leave the property! Visit the beautiful rooftop lounge, fitness center complete with steam room, sauna, and rainfall shower, and delicious Argentine-inspired restaurant right inside.

So what’s there to do in and around the Charter Hotel? Read on for how we spent our staycation in Seattle!

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A Long Weekend in Oregon’s Willamette Valley // Where to Stay, Eat, & Visit

November 12, 2018

Known best as “Oregon’s Wine Country” the Willamette Valley is a 150-mile valley in central Oregon that is home to much more than just wine. It also happens to be where I spent 4 days back in September with a group of Seattle bloggers, Kate of All Things Kate, Emma of Emma’s Edition, Adria of Emerald Palate, and Marissa of Postcards to Seattle. As it was my first time visiting, I was grateful to have some more experienced travelers (Adria had previously visited last year) and the help of the Willamette Valley Visitor’s Association and Travel Oregon who put together an amazing itinerary of things to do in Willamette Valley for us!

Disclosure: Thanks to the Willamette Valley Visitor’s Association for providing accommodations, activities, and meals during this trip. All opinions are my own! Photos by Ashley Cook Photography

Of course, we discovered some other gems along the way, too, and today I want to share more about this whirlwind of a trip. It was such a busy trip that I had people ask me if I even slept! Surprisingly, I did, and despite one 5 am wake up call for our hot air balloon ride, I felt refreshed and rejuvenated at the end of our excursion! Or maybe that was the facial… ;)

Either way, if you’re itching for a long weekend vacation read on for why the Willamette Valley should be your next destination!

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