Field Trip: Renegade Craft Fair - West Coast Tour

Thanks to catching a shout out about it on Moorea Seal's snap chat (yay for the practical uses of social media!) Samantha and I were able to attend the Renegade Craft Fair on it's Seattle stop on it's West Coast Tour. It was our first visit to this fair and we found a lot to love about it! Sidebar, if you ever get the chance to visit Moorea's store in Seattle I highly recommend it. Sam and I have had the luck to meet her twice and both times have found her to be gracious, warm and so much fun! This time found her oohing and aahing over the puppies that were coming by, greeting everyone as if long lost friends, and just being the cool, sweet friend that everyone want to hang with. 

It was held at Hanger 30 in Mangusen Park. It's a beautiful setting that was at one time a Seaplane base. My husband remembers visiting it as a kid with his family as his Dad was in the Navy! It's a big, airy atrium like space filled with gorgeous crafts, warm and creative vendors…and lots of beautiful dogs along with their owners! 

A vendor that was new to us that we were glad to stumble upon was Mane Message with her beautiful tray of Vintage French hair barrettes. She has so many different hair options that we will be checking out in the future via her online store, but at that moment we only had eyes for these beauties! Can you guess which three came home with us? 

There were so many things to go crazy over! We had taken a peek at the vendor list and had some idea of where we would like to make our purchases. And then the rest we left to chance. And it's a good thing too, since there was so much to fall in love with. 

And there were people to fall in love with too! We had plans to check out Snash as I had been mulling over one of their rings for some time…it's just a matter of figuring out which word! While mulling over their display we met MaryJo Bono and decided if we ever moved to New York where I believe she lives we would probably become stalkers! She is the funniest, warmest, coolest ever! I mean, her skirt had the Golden Girls on it! And she had great stories, was really helpful and started us out on our Snash ring addiction. Mine says "Girl Gang," Sam's says "gross."  Seriously fun! And a highlight for me, as I like my craft with a side of sly fun…having worked at a scrapbook store I like when things aren't taken too seriously. SaveSave

There is so much I didn't get a photo of, and so much more we would have loved to bring home. We are looking forward to the Winter Show happening in December on the 17th and 18th. We relaxed that evening with one of the teas we picked up from the colorful and fragrant booth manned by the lovely owners of T-We Tea. A tea company based out of San Francisco, their booth caught our eye with it's color palate and hilarious tea names, and then hooked us with the delicious tastes. We came home with three tins and expect to continue with a love for the branch. I mean, Cougar Tranquilizer? I'm thinking their tea will come in handy for gifts this year! 

Field Trip: Theo Chocolate Factory Tour

This past Veteran's Day Steve planned a family activity that made us all happy. A tour of the Theo Chocolate factory. It's something that he has been wanting to do for a long time. As a Plant manager of a peanut butter plant, and a major chocolate lover, this field trip worked for him on so many levels. And well, us girls loved the chocolate. 

I love a factory tour. It makes me remember the little films they would show on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, or the show Unwrapped. And this one was pretty cool. They do everything, from roasting the beans to preparing  the add-in's like coconut and nuts. And there is a special room where they enrobe caramels and other special chocolates. I wanted to just park myself there and make friends but we had to move on. 

I did mention the samples right? They are not stingy. And then there is a store at the end of the tour where we spent plenty of time picking out treats including seasonal ones. We may have to make one more visit before Christmas, as someone who will remain nameless has already scarfed them up (Steve!). And we will be sure to value these chocolates a lot more after seeing what goes into them. Are you a chocolate lover? I encourage you to check out a tour here. Reservations are highly recommended. 

Field Trip: Trophy Cupcakes & Parties! book signing at the Book Larder

This past Thursday I had the pleasure of attending a talk & book signing of the Trophy Cupcakes & Parties! book by the lovely and talented Jennifer Shea. My sweet and sugar addicted friend Carly was my date for the night and we had a wonderful evening.

Jennifer is a lovely speaker and hearing about her road to where she is now is super inspiring and motivating! You learn that seemingly unrelated events in your life really do have a role in your success. Meeting her best friend from junior high , the owner of My Trick Pony and then of course eating cupcakes were really just the icing on the cake. I look forward to continued success for her, and more cupcakes for us!