it's fall somewhere...

[image via]

I woke up this morning to the chilly, fall, Washington air. (It was such a welcome change to the crazy weather patterns that we've been having in LA. It seems that LA is just starting to realize that it is actually fall.) I am in Seattle for the first part of the week, sipping some of the best coffee, kicking up the fall leaves, and soaking in every minute with my best friend and her new baby girl. 

I am beyond blessed to have friends like this is my life. Friends that take the extra time, and make the extra investment to celebrate lives BIG moments together. Friends like this are not to be taken for granted. If you have one, call her up, make some plans, give her a huge hug and kiss on the cheek and tell her that you love her. If you don't, don't throw yourself at the girls who are in your life and want desperately for them to be there for you, you'll know when you've got one of the good ones...there will be no doubt. When she comes around, hold onto her tightly, for she is one of the best gifts you can have. 

[my last trip to Seattle]

best of [seattle 2012]

At the end of February I left LA and headed up to Seattle to visit my best friend. This year made for the third annual trip to Seattle and, as always, it didn't disappoint. Every minute was a joy...even in the rain. 

Leaving LA via Virgin American (best airline ever)...

Coming into SeaTac...a grand view of Mount Rainier...

Everything on a Virgin flight is prettier and more enjoyable than any other flight...

and a breeze with good reading material. 

First stop off the plane was Pikes Place Market for some real chowder...

Then over to...

where the smell lured us in but this belly (and all that cream cheese) should have been a warning

this was too hard to resist!

hot and cinnamon delight.

Next up, glassybaby of Madrona where we got to watch the beauty in the making. 

Every shade of every color...

even white...who knew there were so many to choose from...

Their dark boxes make it easy to see what it would burn like in a room at home. So smart...

A business that gives back always gets my loyalty. They have handfuls of charities that directly benefit from their sales. 

The glassblowers at work...check her out...

cooling and shaping...

Caffe Rococo serves up the best brew and in Seattle there is plenty of competition. Plus, their service can't be beat. Cafe Zoka is also amazing! 

A great coffee makes for happy girls...

The walls are filled with photos of their first customers...

Their in shoppe roaster...

Bags and beautiful bags waiting their turn...

A glorious, sky ablaze, Seattle sunset...

different by every second...

A girl's night in of treats and treasures...

A few of my favorites by Stella & Dot...

Off to Homegrown Sustainable sandwich shop for the most inventive sandwich I've had, on the most delicious bread...

Butternut Squash and Bacon with goat cheese and arugula...

And a healthy sandwich must be followed up with the most unhealthy of desserts...DOUGHNUTS...

Top Pot is delightfully delicious. Don't mind if I do...

AND (yes AND) ice cream...

A trip to Seattle is not complete without at least one trip to Molly Moon's...

who can deny salted caramel ice cream...

it's the best of both worlds...

For seriously good pizza, it's gotta be Serious pie. 

Real root beer, on tap and a hibiscus, honey, cranberry spritzer...

Crispy, flat, perfection...

The go to dessert and cappuccino downtown is Lola for one of Giada's favorite dessert on the planet...

Lola and Serious pie are both owned by Tom Douglas and the man knows what he is doing. 

Seattle has always been known for its coffee but it's food, obviously, leaves no one unsatisfied. Every bit is purely amazing! For a city far from home it's definitely one that I am always happy to find myself in. It truly leaves nothing more to be desired. 

Have you been? What is your favorite thing about it? Favorite place to eat? Favorite coffee?