I’m definitely not a music expert, but I do enjoy curating playlists! As the year winds down, I searched through my listening history and picked out my fave tracks. Below are some of my top jams of 2017 that probably didn’t grace your ears (especially if you’re primarily a radio listener.) They are split up – 5 songs in 6 categories and will make for a great listening experience. The best part? All of these songs were released in 2017!
Made to Worship:
Thankful for some amazing new Jesus-centered music this year. This playlist would be perfect for your morning devos:
Comebacks:
Here are some artists that had not produced new music in about 5 years or so & they finally gave us some hot new beats. Check these out:
POP BOPS:
Here are some of my favorite songs by top artists that didn’t quite make it to “Top Hit” on the radio – which just means that they’re great but haven’t been overplayed yet!
FRESH FINDS:
These are some of my favorite low-key dance party bops by artists that you might not have heard of!
GIRL ANTHEMS:
Femme Fatale power jams to get over a bad relationship, have a dance party to , or scream at the top of your lungs with your ladies!
SHOW TUNES:
Some amazing shows and films became cast recordings this year, the whole albums are worth a listen but here are some top tracks!
Waking up in the city that never sleeps, leaves some awful bags under your eyes! Its true, NYC is never a dull moment, including late at night when they are doing construction outside of your hotel window. The slight lack of sleep called for a coffee stop ASAP on day 2 of New York!
Bluestone Lane is officially my favorite coffee shop and breakfast stop EVER! Please come to Seattle, we will appreciate you so endlessly. They have the cutest decor and atmosphere. The avocado toast and brekky granola are divine and the coffee is amazing. The brand originates from Australia and has storefronts all over NYC (and one brand new one in San Fran, if you’re closer to there!)
After a cuppa joe and some grub, we headed off to walk the High Line. Its a beautiful elevated park that used to be the New York Central Railroad.
The views of the city from the High Line are breathtaking and make incredible photo stops! It also ends right near Chelsea Market, which is a great place to grab some lunch or some fun gifts for your friends back home.
On our way to lunch, we stopped by the “Friends” Apartment. This is the building that they filmed the outside of for the tv show Friends!
We grabbed a cheap slice at Joe’s Pizza for lunch and immediately trekked on towards dessert.
One of the stops I was most excited for was a place called Dō which serves cookie dough like scoops of ice cream! I got a little overly excited and ordered two scoops, when one would have been PLENTY. The cookie dough is extremely tasty, but also very rich.
We took our dough to go and ate at Washington Square Park, just up the block. The park was bustling with creatives including:
a poet who will write you a custom sonnet for a fee aimlessly walking around the fountain
a hip-hop dancer & “help” who was only enlisted to carry her giant boom box around
a creepy young man walking around looking “lost” only for us to later notice he was being filmed for a video of some sort
a student asking the question “what would you do if the government gave you a $1000 a month, no strings attached.”
MANY MANY musicians (one of which was playing a kazoo, I think)
We walked over to the corner of the park where there are chessboards set up for people to play. A gentleman sat down with us and taught us some tricks of the game and we played chess with him for about an hour! Then it was back to the hotel for a quick rest before Em & I scurried off to see Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway.
Our Broadway & Times Square adventures will be a post of their own, because they are just TOO much to add as an “end note” here.
Only one day of NYC left! Goodness, I miss it there.
Three girls with a crazy dream of a girl’s trip to NYC.
After months of planning, anticipating, and packing (yes, it takes me that long to plan my outfits,) we arrived in New York City. Our flight landed at a bright and early 6:00am. The first hurdle? Learn the subway map! We opted to take the Air Train and Metro into Manhattan from JFK, because it was $8.00 per person vs $20.00 (more on the pros & cons of THAT later…)
Arriving in Manhattan at 7am isn’t as luxurious as one might think, especially when your train drops you off like 10 blocks away from your hotel and you have to roll your luggage down Fifth. Whoops! (First of a few subway fails…)
We had originally planned to see The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon that day, but sadly the show was cancelled due to the loss of his mother. So, the plan was rearranged and we decided to travel to Upper Manhattan (after a quick wardrobe change in the hotel lobby bathroom!) And guess what train station we used to get there?! Grand Central! It was a bustling, busy, and exciting as I imagined!
What’s a trip to NYC without pics on the steps of the MET.
SPOTTED – “Upper East Side Queens aren’t born at the top. They climb their way up in heels…” xoxo. (Okay, enough Gossip Girl. Carrying on.)
We walked the Metropolitan Museum of Art and almost spotted Robert De Niro, who was apparently filming The Irishman nearby. Close, but so far.
Central Park is AS amazing as imagined. The views are incredible, the atmosphere is a delight, and the sound of crunching fall leaves under our feet was actually bliss. Thanks to my friends who let me play the ultimate tourist and pose with me at the Alexander Hamilton statue. We wandered the park and saw most of the upper half.
Places we Saw @ Central Park:
Bethesda Fountain
The Loeb Boathouse
The Belvedere Castle
Places we Ate:
Maison Kayser – the BEST Parisian bakery! They are scattered around the city and absolutely delicious. We stopped in twice, because it was right across from our hotel.
Tal Bagel – bagel sandwiches and other bagel related goodies. Not bad, by any means, but probably not the BEST bagel you can get in NYC.
Irving Farm Coffee Roasters – delish homemade chai, though definitely for a price. Though, we did order ours with a specialty “oat” milk as well as with a shot of espresso (gotta try a dirty chai!)
Patzeria Family & Friends – amazing Italian right near Broadway. There are signed posters from Broadway shows all over the walls, so we’re pretty sure that some of the casts eat here. Also, I think I saw a picture of a Dear Evan Hansen cast member eating here on her Instagram!
Day one was also the day that my dear friend, Nicole, and I saw Hamilton. But I will need a whole separate post for our Broadway experiences!
So much more to come from our trip to the Big Apple. I could talk about it for HOURS.
Ahoy mateys! Tony and I are back from our week all aboard the Explorer of the Seas. We had a relaxing, refreshing, and riveting vacation and I’m so excited to tell you all about it. Our trip took us from Seattle, WA to Astoria, OR , San Francisco, CA and Victoria, BC all in just one week! Sleeping through your transportation is one of travel’s greatest blessings.
We were a bit apprehensive about going on a cruise, well mostly Tony was. There are some preconceived ideas about cruise vacations that, while some true, don’t actually negatively impact the experience.
Cruises are Expensive
They can be! And, you have to pay for food, travel, and transportation up front which does feel like a chunk of change. However, let me just debunk something for you: cruises can be less expensive than average travel costs. Here’s a small breakdown of what this trip would’ve cost us to do without a cruise:
Flight – Hotel – Transportation
Astoria, OR – $465
San Francisco, CA – $1100
Victoria, BC – $600
Food
With the amount of food we ate per day, I would have to give us $150 per day – $1050
Total – $3,215 vs the cost of a similar cruise – $1,380 (UM OKAY!)
In short, though we were blessed with our cruise from my in-laws (THANK YOU SO MUCH), the ship is way more worth taking than planes, trains and automobiles!
Cruises are for Retirement
Okay, with absolutely all due respect, yes – the primary clientele on our cruise was significantly older than us. But, in NO WAY, did it deter our fun. Plus, the relaxed vibe and laid back schedule was just what we needed to feel rested. It was nice to have the flexibility to sleep in, read books, nap, and just have some down time when on the ship. This atmosphere allowed us to have a quiet, peaceful time while cruising that rejuvenated us for our days in port. Our sailing days gave us the rest we needed for all the walking (8.4 miles in one day!) we did in the cities.
As a major bonus – we met some GREAT people. Specifically, we met an incredible couple who are pastors in Arizona. They spent time chatting with us and encouraging us in ministry and it was SO amazing.
There’s Nothing to Do
False. False. False! There is a JAM-packed schedule. There are game shows, events, trivia quizzes, FOOD, shopping stores, Bingo games, spa activities, sports courts, and more. On one deck alone there was a Flo Rider boogie boarding wave machine, a rock climbing wall, basketball court, and mini golf course. Every night we saw a different shows, some of which had us rolling in laughter. And, if it ever was slow – there was always food 😉
In Astoria, we walked a couple miles into town and saw some really cute shops. We also sipped a rose latte at Astoria Coffee House & Bistro.
In San Francisco we saw almost all of the main sites – Golden Gate Bridge, the Pink Ladies, Fisherman’s Wharf, took the cable cars to Union Square and more. We also got coffee at The Mill and ate at an amazing french restaurant called Cafe Bastille (both of which I HIGHLY recommend!!)
In Victoria, we took pictures in front of the Parliament building, got mistaken for locals around the Bay Centre, and had a cup of joe at Pour.
10/10 recommend cruise vacations for ALL ages. It was a great way to spend the last week of summer – a week of adventures, rest, and way too much food. I’m hitting the gym ASAP and am SO ready for boots, scarves, and sweaters as we enter into Fall.
First day on the ExplorerFormal night!China Town in San FranThe “Full House” house in San FranCity Light Bookstore reading the poem “Ariel” by Sylvia PlathThe Pink Ladies in San FranGolden Gate views from Baker BeachGolden Gate views from Baker BeachGolden Gate views from Baker BeachCatching the TrolleyRiding down the city in the Cable CarRiding down the city in the Cable CarBC Parliament Building
My husband and I are big believers in a consistent date night! Even though we are married, we make it a priority to date each other at least once a week. I am a person who feels loved through time spent together, so this is super important for our marriage. But – being newlyweds, in ministry, and paying for the many expenses of life – extravagance isn’t usually an option for our date nights. That doesn’t stop us from having a ton of fun and it shouldn’t stop you either!
Here are some of our favorite date night night ideas in the Seattle area. I believe that a true date includes some sort of activity and food (even if its just dessert!) Each of these date ideas are under $50.00 and a fun time to bond with your significant other (boys, take note!)
UDistrict: Jet City Improv & WOW Bubble Tea
If you’ve never done a comedy or improv show, you should! Because they are super fun and make a great memory. Our favorite comedy place in Seattle (and we have tried a bunch,) is Jet City Improv. The early shows are family-friendly and I’ve never gone and not left laughing! Tickets are $15 per person but there are discounts for seniors and students.
We almost always stop at WOW Bubble Tea either before or after the show. This place has a great atmosphere, board games, fro-yo, and the BEST bubble tea in Seattle if you ask me! Drinks average about $5-6
Total date cost: ~ $42
Downtown: Pike Place Market & Piroshky
Pike Place is a known Seattle tourist attraction, but I feel like there’s always something new to see! If you’re looking for a way to make your trip a little more adventurous – do this scavenger hunt!
Stop by and grab some Russian baked deliciousness at Piroshky Piroshky right in the heart of the marketplace. At only $5.50 a pop you can snag a great lunch!
Otherwise some favorite spots in Pike for us are Rachel’s Ginger Beer ($5), Storyville Coffee ($5), and Golden Age Collectibles. Be sure to grab your lady a bouquet of flowers on the way out! ($15)
Total date cost: ~$45
Capitol Hill: Rock Box & Hello Robin
This date brings out the little kid in me! When I was young we used to have karaoke nights with our friends during sleepovers – Rock Box is just like that for adults! You can get your own private “box” and sing your heart out. This would be a fun night with friends on a double date too! Go during happy hour to pay only $4 per person for an hour of karaoke! This venue is 21+, but you can choose what kind of beverages you order to your box.
Cap of the night with the taste of childhood – cookies and ice cream! Hello Robin does custom ice cream cookie sandwiches. They use Molly Moon’s ice cream sandwiched between your choice of two different cookies baked right there at Hello Robin! It is so delish and the best little treat for about $5-7 per person!
Total date cost: ~ $22
Downtown: Umi Sake & the Laser Dome
I can’t help myself, I love sushi!. Umi is incredible though, and the location of Tony and I’s first date. Hit up this place from 4-6pm for a great happy hour menu with rolls from $5.50-7. If you want to splurge a bit, the Tropical Paradise roll will knock your socks off!
Trade in your chopsticks for your walking feet and head over to the Pacific Science Center! They have an amazing evening laser light show to Daft Punk, Pink Floyd, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and more. Tickets are only $12 per person for their evening shows ($10 on Thursdays!) If you want to make a longer day of it – opt in for the full exhibit and Laser Dome package for $22.75 per person (this will bump you over that $50.00 budget though!)
Total date cost: ~$46
Green Lake / Ballard : Woodland Park Zoo & Hot Cakes
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Pick a sunny day for this date and wear your tennis shoes. The Woodland Park Zoo is such a great adventure to go on together. Tickets are only $15 per person and you can spend all day exploring the animals and events!
End your day at a fave dessert place of ours, Hot Cakes. They have a molten lava cake that will melt your face off with tastiness for only $8! There are a lot of options on the menu, but the classic Dark Decadence is the way to go if you’re a first-timer.
Total date cost: ~$38
Other Seattle Date Tips:
Parking – don’t park in a garage unless the restaurant will validate your parking! Street parking is always an option, you might just have to walk a little bit. A lot of street parking is free after 6pm and on Sundays. So plan accordingly! Otherwise it’ll run you about $2 an hour. You can also save on parking by using the Sound Transit for around $3 a person.
Weather – I always say that umbrellas are for tourists, unless you’re on a date. Bring an umbrella just in case. Seattle weather turns for the worse extremely quickly!
Here are some photos from our recent Seattle date to The Starbucks Roastery, Bite of Seattle, Gas Works Park, and Uneeda Burger. This was an ALL day date and we spent more than $50.00, because sometimes you just need to splurge and love on your hubs.
The Starbucks Roastery has incredible coffee!
Bite of Seattle is a Groupon sponsored food festival right in the Seattle Center
SISTER LIVES 