it's my darlin'

Friday, January 31, 2014

Emily Bourcier | Vik Prjonsdottir Scarf

Roy & 10th

The Bridge Project at Velocity Dance Center

Sadly I didn't get this lovely girls name before her bus arrived but she did tell me that she is a dancer here in Seattle and that she is performing with The Bridge Project at Velocity Dance Center this weekend. Looks like an amazing show.

Claire Wilburn | The rain is back

Gianni Bisa & Evan Mychal | Outside Pacific Place

Evan works at Dailyz restaurant and coffee shop in Belltown.

Kendall Murphy | Outside Broadway Shoe Repair

I found Kendall on her break on my way home from work. She is one of the cobblers at the shop that I bring all my shoes to be re-soled.

Vegan Almond Joy Ice Cream

Last night's ice cream maker creation was vegan almond joy ice cream:

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 can full fat coconut milk

1/3 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp arrowroot powder

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded

coconut

1 bar dark chocolate chopped

1/2 cup almonds

In a heavy bottomed saucepan on low heat mix together milks, honey, vanilla and arrowroot. Once blended together put in a container in the fridge to cool down. Meanwhile toast the coconut on the stovetop in a pan and roast the almonds at 350 in the oven on a cookie sheet until both are fragrant. Remove from heat and let both cool. Chop the chocolate bar into chunks. Once the liquid mixture is cooled down in the fridge add it to the ice cream maker and follow manufacturers instructions. When the ice cream has thickened up a bit in the ice cream maker add in the shredded coconut and chocolate. Once finished in the ice cream maker serve with toasted almonds chopped and sprinkled on top.

Jessica Atkinson | 15th & Harrison

Jessica found her coat at a second hand store while traveling through Dusseldorf. It is totally amazing. Caught my eye from down the street...

Brad Waller | Weekend Casual Downtown Seattle

Designer and Stylist Simone Shaw

Broadway & Harrison

Kyra Braedt | Winter Layers on Pine Street

Kyra is in the fashion design program at SCCC.

Musician John Strayer | University Avenue

The first thing I noticed about John when I saw him at the farmers market was his incredible outfit but once I got closer I heard his beautiful music and saw the sign next to his table which read, "Not playing for tips, just new fans".

John brings the music of the 1930's to life through music and attire. The songs he plays are totally heartwarming to listen to... You know "Our Love is Here to Stay", "It Had to Be You", that kind of music no one can resist. He carefully chooses his suits at Seattle's vintage and second hand shops. This one was a Red Light Vintage find!

You can find out where he will be playing next and hear him here.

Shaun Scott | Filmmaker

3rd & University

Eva Cerretani | 12th & John

McKenna Elves and Josh Christenson | University District Farmers Market

Thrift-shop Showdown 2014: Win a secondhand shopping spree

Last year's contest was so much fun that The Seattle Times and I are sending another callout to readers to submit a photo of yourself in your best thrift store find. We couldn't believe the response last year and the things that you sent in were amazing. I can't wait to see what you all share with us this time around.

To enter yourself in the running for a thrift store shopping spree on us just upload a photo of yourself in your second hand find along with a few words about where you found it and how much it cost to this thread. There will be an adult and an under 18 category so let us know which one of those you fall into as well. More on the contest and rules here.

Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut "Gelato"

My mom and dad got me a seriously serious ice cream maker for Christmas and have we ever been making ice cream over here...

Best part is, we haven't even used any dairy yet. So far I have tried a few with a coconut milk base and most recently this chocolate "gelato" which uses a cashew cream as the dairy substitute. It.Is.So.Good. If you happen to have an ice cream maker too (like even one of those plastic Donvier ones that has a metal canister that goes in the freezer will work) you have gotta try this insanely decadent "gelato" that I adapted from a recipe on Oh Ladycakes.

1 3/4 cups raw cashews

14 Medjool dates (pitted and soaked in water for about 15-20 min)

3 1/2 cups water

1/2 cup cacao powder

3/4 cup raw hazelnuts

1 bar of dark chocolate

Soak the cashews for 8 hours or overnight. Once soaked, drain the soaking water and rinse the cashews.

Bake the shelled hazelnuts on a cookie sheet at 350F for 10-20 minutes until the skins are dry and cracking and the smell of awesomeness is radiating from the oven. Let cook and remove the skins by rubbing the hazelnuts together. Chop the hazelnuts into half size pieces and chop the chocolate bar into little chunks.

'Drain the dates. In a high speed blender add the 3 1/2 cups of fresh water along with the soaked cashews and dates. Blend for about 90 seconds. Refrigerate this mixture for an hour or so. Once chilled, add the mixture to your ice cream maker and follow the machines instructions. Once the gelato starts to firm up a bit add in the hazelnuts and chocolate chunks then allow the gelato to finish up.

Place any unfinished gelato in a covered container in your freezer.

My new favorite thing.

Claire Joko-Fujimoto | Winter Layers

10th & Pine outside Oddfellows

Claire blogs at hauntedmomsanon.tumblr.com

Corey duBrowa | Checkered Blazer

1st & Spring

Ben and Laura Masters of Scout Seattle

Ben and Laura run Seattle fine outdoor goods company Scout. They carry beautiful and unique items to accompany you on your outdoor adventures. Check out their blog and instagram too.

Alexa Anderson | Outside Broadway Market

Richard Noble | Outside El Diablo Coffee

Upper Queen Anne

North Olympic Peninsula Road Trip... Can't stay away

Don surprised me and got us a hotel room on the peninsula last weekend. If I had it my way we would keep this once a month peninsula trip trend going forever.

Here's the trip through my iPhone.

The ferry to Bainbridge

We drove straight through to get to Cape Flattery in time for sunset. When we got to the parking lot we discovered that it was at the end of a hiking trail so we bundled up and ran down the trail. Made it to the end just in time and then hiked back in through the woods in the dark. Beautiful