Category Archives: out and about

There is something about a cozy coffee shop, don’t you think?  A place where, when you walk through the door, you are welcomed with the sound of people visiting, espresso being made and the smell of glorious coffee mixed with something delicious to eat.  One of my favorite places that fits the bill perfectly in Seattle is Oddfellows Cafe on Capitol Hill in Seattle.

The first thing I noticed about Oddfellows Cafe was the huge bank of windows covering the front which, on those beautiful sunny days here in Seattle, can be opened wide, blurring the boundaries of indoors and out. Upon entering you will find weathered brick walls, a long marble countertop at the bar and a huge collection of repurposed fixtures, tables and stools.

Housed in the historic Oddfellows building which was built in 1908 and restored in 2008, the cafe has maintained much of the original buildings character.  While renovating the space a number of treasures were discovered in the basement of the building and incorporated into the decor of the cafe.  The floors are original wood and the brick walls were also a part of the original structure.

The following is from their website:

“We source our food from predominantly local purveyors to produce beautiful, simple food using as many sustainable, organic, humane and environmentally friendly products as much as possible.”

“The interior, furnishings and fixtures at Oddfellows are 90% salvaged, recycled or repurposed.”

“All of our paper goods, paper menus, bar supplies, coffee supplies and takeout materials are between 90-100% recycled post-consumer goods and are 100% compostable.”

I love you Oddfellows…

Oddfellows Cafe + Bar

No. 1525 10th Avenue,

Seattle, WA

I wanted to share some images with you of one of my favorite spaces in Seattle.  Sitka & Spruce sits on Capitol Hill and offers local seasonal menus – much of which is grown on owner Matt Dillon’s farm on Vashon Island.  However, it is the space that draws me there every time.  Located in the back of Melrose Market- a wonderful market housed in a building built in the early 1900s and renovated and reopened for business in 2010.  While visiting Melrose Market you will also find an amazing butcher shop (Rainshadow Meats), a wonderful cheese shop (Calf & Kid) as well as a coffee shop, wine shop, flower shop and gift shop upstairs.  Whenever I can, I find an excuse to visit~

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Today I wanted to share with you a new shop in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood of Seattle. Flourish Collection is a beautiful paper goods shop and this week I had the opportunity to visit for the first time. The space itself is bright and airy and filled with pretty simple paper goods as well as a few linens and pottery. They have a huge selection of letterpress which I love.  There is something special about sending someone a hand written note on a beautiful handmade card.

Kristine Lynch- owner of Flourish Collection (and someone I am fortunate enough to call a friend) was kind enough to answer a few questions~

When was the official opening date for Flourish Collection?

My husband and I had a retail boutique in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle from 2001-2007; our current shop opened on January 26, 2013. Our first shop was called “Flourish Greetings & Giveables” and focused on stationery and custom printed invitations and birth announcements. Our new shop, “The Flourish Collection,” features letterpress greeting cards and a curated gift selection – it’s really so much more than paper products. Also, the new shop is about half the size of our old space so our offering is more edited in the best possible way.

Where do you source your wonderful collection of goods?

Everywhere! I never know where will find something great. I hung onto the contact information for some of my favorite lines from our previous shop, so that became the foundation of our product offering. I am a big Etsy shopper – I have found a ton of my favorite new lines there, as well as through some of my favorite blogs. We are also developing our own line of letterpress goodies (printing by hand on our 1920’s Chandler & Price platen press named Cornelius). I gravitate towards well-designed, uncomplicated and useful goods in my own everyday life, so if I love something, it has a place in our shop. Also, my aesthetic is rooted in Scandinavian design and my Minnesotan upbringing; this is reflected in the bright, creamy backdrop of our shop as well as the items we choose to sell. We do mix in a smattering of vintage or “found objects” to round it all out.

How much of your inventory is hand made?

I would guess 80% or more of our products are made by hand, or manufactured in small batches by individuals and small businesses in the United States. “Supporting Small” is an important part of my business philosophy, which makes my job as a buyer a bit more challenging, but also much more rewarding. And I get to interact with some of the most interesting and talented craftspeople and artists in the U.S. Nothing against large manufacturers or imported goods (we do have a few lines that fall under this category ) but if there is product we can find that is special, or fresh, or different at a fair price point, and it’s made in the U.S., we will definitely always choose that first.

How long have you been in the paper business?

Way back when, I was in college majoring in Journalism, with plans to become a television news anchor (I know, I know). Anyway, I got an internship at the Minneapolis Star Tribune doing advertising page layout – I honestly didn’t know until then that there was a career called “graphic design” until my internship (like I said, way back when). Long story short, I got hired on full time as a designer after I graduated, and got some amazing training in print design and production. I’ve been involved in the print world one way or another since then. After we closed our first shop, I took a few letterpress classes at The School of Visual Concepts and realized I needed my own press. It’s been a big learning curve but a ton of fun. I don’t get to design and print as much as I’d like, but hoping to do more in the coming year…

What is your favorite thing about your neighborhood?  What else can people do when visiting you- what shops/restaurants/coffee shops can you recommend?

I love our Phinney Ridge neighborhood! We are in such a central spot: close to Greenlake, Ballard, Fremont the Woodland Park zoo, and easily accessed from downtown and North Seattle. We are fortunate enough to be close to several amazing restaurants (Cornuto, 74th Street Ale House, Carmelita. Prost to name a few) and coffee (Herkimer and Café Vita) plus Bluebird Ice Cream (Yum). We also have an eclectic offering of shops and services, with new shops opening in the coming months and the area is definitely going through a revitalization. The vibe is friendly and easy-going – we truly have the best neighbors ever.

Sometimes you just need to go on an adventure~

Addendum~

After reading the comments, especially that of Stacy, I wanted to add something.  Ferry trips hold a special place in my heart.  I grew up in the midwest but visited the west coast of Canada many summers.  My grandparents lived in the Gulf Islands and it truly is the place that seems most dreamlike from my childhood.  I remember those ferry rides, the smell of the salt, the kelp, the arbutus and evergreen trees.  I remember standing on the front deck of the ferry searching the dock for my first glimpse of my Granddad who always came to meet us in his 1960s car.  I remember stopping at the general store on the way home from the ferry, I always picked black licorice and coffee ice cream, my brother opting for Archie comics. We would drive up the long steep driveway – Granddad had named it Random Lane- and there my Grannie would be waiting on the big deck with a sweeping view of the ocean.  It was heaven, and to be honest, I haven’t been back since my Grandparents passed away many years ago.  I had hoped to visit this summer with my family, to share the island with my boys, but upon making some inquiries, I discovered that much had changed, places that meant the most to me were no longer there, and honestly, I don’t know if my heart could take seeing those dear spots missing.  Thus, I opted out of visiting and instead visiting the memories of that place, and a simpler time.

Taking a class at the Pantry at Delancey in Ballard is was number 38 on my “Life List“.  I am excited to report that it has now been crossed off!  Earlier this week I had the great fortune of receiving an email from a friend here in Seattle who, lucky for me, had an extra spot in a class she had somehow gotten in to.  You see, it takes mere moments from when the new class schedule at the Pantry is released until it is filled.  Seriously people – it goes that quickly.  If you aren’t online when it is published, best of luck securing a spot…  And after going to a class myself I can see why.  I am already looking forward to the next one!  They offer a wide range of subjects – from pizzas and soufflés to cheese making, heirloom beans, breakfasts, and carnival treats!  There really is something for everyone and I could get excited about most of the list – if I could get in.  Thankfully they have a wait list if you really want to take a particular class.

Let me start by saying the space is absolutely fabulous.  I would love for our home to have the same feel as the Pantry does.  It’s white wood walls and ceiling are a great blank canvas for the wonderful wood table that runs the entire length of the room.  It is a gorgeous piece that is the right height to either stand and work or sit on the stools while listening to the instructor or eating.  The blue metal stools add a pop of color to a space that is filled with industrial pieces and every kitchen tool you could need.  The huge gorgeous stove (Garland, I believe) is large enough for multiple people to work at it.  The entire space felt good – you know that feeling – when you walk in and feel immediately comfortable and inspired at the same time.  It didn’t hurt that everyone working that evening was helpful and friendly and knowledgable.

Our class was learning to make handmade dumplings – something I have rarely eaten, better yet attempted to make myself.  I will say that the one time I did try them I absolutely loved them!  I was amazed at how easy the doughs were to make, roll, and cut.  The fillings weren’t difficult if you have the recipes, nor were the sauces.  I think that thing that was the most intimidating to me was that so many of the ingredients weren’t familiar – some of the bottles had no english on them, thus I took photos to remember what was what.  I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the different sauces – each one a true compliment to the dumpling that it accompanied.

After class I bought some local jam before I left.  It is sour cherry and it appealed to me as I had never tried it.  I also loved the fact that it was made right here in Seattle and that they seemed to enjoy trying different flavor combinations.  I can’t wait to try it with scones the next time I have company over for coffee!

Have you taken a class at the Pantry yet?  If so, which one was it and did you enjoy it as much as I did?

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hello friends
I’m up early today in anticipation of another day hanging out with my niece
a girl
I’m sure you can imagine how much I love having her around
to do girly things

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yesterday was spent taking photos
and talking cameras
and a visit to my favorite photographer’s candy store

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today we have an entire afternoon to indulge
in lunches and manicures and other things pink and pretty and frilly
so very fun

are you enjoying your summer? oh, I do hope so
I certainly am

*all photos from pike place market here in seattle – our playground yesterday*

This past weekend our family traveled north to a place handsome husband and I have both called *home* at one time or another. We were going to spend a little time in Vancouver, and then head to the Sunshine Coast to make some wonderful memories with his family. It was a magical weekend all around, and our time spent on Granville Island reminded me of how much I used to love spending time there and how much I miss having it close by.

We were blessed with beautiful weather which made walking around the market and shops a pleasure. Of course I had my camera in hand and took more photos this weekend than I have in a long time. There was so much to shoot! We spent time with my uncle and his girlfriend on Friday night, enjoying fish and chips, not to mention game 5 of the Stanley Cup playoffs in which Vancouver is one of the two final teams. There was a lot of excitement in the city and it was great to be a part of it all.

The greatest part of our time in Vancouver was that we actually stayed on Granville Island this time – at the Granville Island Hotel. We usually stay in the city, either at the Four Seasons or Opus, but as I was really excited about shooting as much of the market as I could in our short time there, it seemed to make more sense to stay right there. It was brilliant! The littles LOVED it (the bigs were staying on the north shore on Friday night) and we had some great time just walking around the island, playing at the park, looking at the art, and eating in the market.

Another great thing about staying on the island was the ability to *sneak* out for bits here and there to wander and shoot. I didn’t feel like I was abandoning my sweet family, and yet I was able to stop where ever I wanted and take my time at spots that I wanted to capture. I also came home with a LOT of photos of the littles which was nice as sometimes it is difficult to focus only on them and capture those moments when life gets busy.

The thing I love about Granville Island is that it is the perfect spot to grab a newspaper, a coffee, and a treat and then plant yourself somewhere to enjoy the sound of life on the water and all of the fabulous people watching.

The selection of produce is outstanding – I found things that I have never seen here. I love how fresh everything is, and the vibrant colors and beautiful displays beg to be photographed. I left wishing we had the market close by as I know I would do much of my shopping there.

Happy Monday! It is day 1 of spring break, and I wish I was filling you in on the progress in the gardens, the sprouts shooting through the soil on their way to becoming part of our farmhouse meals. I wish I had photos of sweet lambs playing in the sunshine, chicks running around on the lawns – well, you get the picture.

Alas, that is not the case today. You see, there is no sunshine. No warm breezes, blooming gardens, sprouting vegetables. The lambs dislike the rain, it is too cold for the chicks to be out. Basically, it simply doesn’t feel a lot like spring.

That being said, I am happy to say that my favorite produce store – Yakima Fruit Market – is open again. They close every year from Halloween until March. I am always so happy when they re-open as it means spring is coming. They have a large covered area – thank goodness – that is filled with spring flowers, vegetable starts, and LOTS of herbs! I can’t wait to buy flats of all three and get them planted. However that won’t be happening until the damn rain stops coming down. Can you tell that I am over it?

Have a fabulous week mes amies – I hope it is warmer (and dryer) where you are!
xx