New Girl’s Guide to Seattle: Seattle Center and The Next Fifty

My January New Girl's Guide to Seattle post is up. Check out the Girl Power Hour blog to learn more about Seattle Center and the 50th Anniversary of Seattle World's Fair!

Girl Power Hour's New Girl's Guide to Seattle

Happy 2012!

2011 was a rough year...but it can only get better! I am excited for 2012 and everything it is going to bring!  

Cheers to 2012!

My Favorite Things...Christmas 2011

I wanted to share some of my "favorite things" I received this Christmas! I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas!

1. Michael Kors iPhone case

2. Ugg Bailey Button Bomber Boots

3. Longchamp Eiffel Tower Bag (It came all the way from Paris, France!!)

4. MacBook Pro

5. Cold Weather Running Gear (Always a good idea when you live in Seattle!)

6. My new TV!!!

Merry Christmas!! ♥

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I hope you are able to spend the day with friends and family!

Happy Holidays!

Callie and I would like to wish everyone a fantastic Holiday Season!

Christmas Tree 2011!!

I had a lot of fun last year picking out my first Christmas tree, but this year I had to make it bigger and better. I knew I was going to be getting a taller tree, so I took advantage of the sales and bought new ornaments!

This year I took Alisha and Franklin with me to get my tree, and I believe we did a great job!!

My First Half Marathon!

Back in February I posted about my Mom running her first marathon, and her inspiring me to train for a half marathon. Well, yesterday I completed my first half marathon! I had not trained the way that I should have, but my goal was to finish in under 4 hours! I finished my first half marathon with a time of 3:49:47! The weather was bad, but all together it was a great day!!

At the Expo!!

 Dad and I at the starting line!

 Here are the pictures I took during the race!

Here are some pictures of me during the race!

 The finish line!!  

A little black Friday fun!

After my shopping on Black Friday, I headed into Seattle for my race expo and was able to see the Macy's Christmas parade. I had never been to the parade before, but I was very happy when I was able to see it!

Friday night, Megan, Alisha, Laura and I all went into Bellevue for the first night of Snowflake Lane. We had all been to Snowflake Lane before, but never for the parade! It was a lot of fun and a good way to get into the Christmas spirit!

Before the Start of Snowflake Lane

 The parade!

Happy Thanksgiving!

For the past few weeks I have watched my friends post everything they are thankful for this Thanksgiving. Every year I say that I am thankful for my friends and family, but this year it is all about family. I have had a very rough year and I am thankful for everything they have done for me. During a time when most people would be giving up, my family has stood behind me and helped me when I needed it.

On this special day I want to say thank you to Mom, Nana, Honey, Dad and Karen! 

New Girl’s Guide to Seattle: Holiday Event Guide

New Girl's Guide to Seattle - discovering the sights and sounds of Seattle and surrounding areas from the prospective of someone new to the city. 

The holiday season is my favorite time of the year! There is nothing better than hot chocolate, a beautiful fireplace and celebrating with friends and family. When I moved to Washington, I quickly learned that there are a ton of holiday events to get everyone in the holiday spirit. 

On November 18, The Bravern kicked off the holiday season with their tree lighting and the arrival of Santa. The event featured carolers, pony rides and fireside beverages. I have attended the tree lighting the past two years and it has always been a lot of fun. I took the opportunity to begin my holiday shopping, while listening to the carolers and waiting for Santa. The tree is beautiful and it is lit every night during the holidays.

In true holiday tradition, the bulk of the holiday events begin the days after Thanksgiving. The biggest event on "Black Friday," besides the shopping, is the light of the tree and the Macy's star at Westlake Plaza. The Holiday parade commences on 7th Avenue at 8:45 a.m. with the tree and star lighting at 5 p.m. This is one event that I have not been to, but I have heard that it is amazing and is a great all day event with shopping in between the events. 

On the Eastside, Bellevue also has fun events on the night after Thanksgiving. On November 25, the Bellevue Collection kicks off the evening with a holiday parade that brings Santa to Bellevue Square. My favorite event of the holiday season is Snowflake Lane at the Bellevue Collection. I was first introduced to Snowflake Lane five years ago when I first visited Washington. I have always thought that the drumline is the best part of the band, and if you are like me, you will love this. Snowflake Lane begins the day after Thanksgiving and goes through December 24. The event is held daily at 7 p.m., and it is a great way to end a day of holiday shopping. After Christmas, Snowflake Lane turns into Celebration Lane and runs December 26-31. 

When I was growing up, one of our family traditions for the holidays was going to see The Nutcracker. The Nutcracker is one of the world's most recognized and celebrated production during the holidays. With magnificent sets, costumes and over 200 roles danced by professionals and students, The Nutcracker is a great way to put everyone in the holiday spirit. The Pacific Northwest Ballet, which runs for one month, begins on November 27. Ticket prices depend on which seat you choose, or if you attend a peak performance. 

My all time favorite event of the holiday season is the town lighting in Leavenworth. Leavenworth is an amazing Bavarian village, which is even more amazing when it is covered in snow and all lit up. The town lighting is December 2-4, 9-11, 16-18 and the events begin between 4 and 4:30 p.m. each night. The lighting ceremony is only on Saturday and Sunday's, but the light will be on during the festivities on Friday. Festivities begin with the arrival of Santa, live music, great food and unique shopping. They have Christmas characters and Santa walking around the town for photo opportunities. 

I know that I only listed a few events, but there are a ton of other events during the holiday season. For a full list of events in Bellevue check out the Magic Season website: http://www.magicseason.com/. 

I hope that everyone has an amazing holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Seattle Half Marathon

Back in February I posted that I was going to begin training for a half marathon! Well I am excited to say that my first half marathon is in less than a week! On November 27, 2011, I will be running in the Seattle half marathon. I will post the results and my thoughts after I complete the race!

Wish me luck!

Something to keep in mind during those rough times...

New Girl's Guide to Seattle: Woodinville Wine Country

New Girl's Guide to Seattle: discovering the sights and sounds of Seattle and surrounding areas from the prospective of someone new to the city. 

When people think of spending the day wine tasting, most people think about their dream trip to Napa, CA. Nestled in the Sammamish River Valley, Woodinville is a unique haven for extraordinary winemakers. There are over 80 wineries that offer an array of wine styles crafted with attention to detail and dedication to quality. Many of the wineries offer tastings, winemaker dinner, wine clubs and special events. 

The two largest wineries are Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia Wineries. They are both located in Woodinville's tourist district and are actually right across the street from each other. Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington State's oldest winery and one the Seattle area's top visited attractions. They are known for their Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling and Cabernet. During the summer Chateau Ste. Michell has the summer concert series. They also have a number of different events throughout the year. 

The chateau is unlike anything I have ever seen. It sits on 105 acres and has one of the most beautiful entrances I have ever seen. When you walk through the tasting room doors, it almost feels like you are walking into a castle back in the renaissance. The room is dimly lit and award-winning wines, unique gifts and specialty cheeses surround you. They have a large tasting bar, with friendly staff waiting to pour you some wine. For a normal tasting, they charge $10 and you get to choose four of the eight wines that you would like to taste.

Ten friends founded Columbia Winery in 1962. The winery has grown over the past 49 years as a leader in Washington wines. Columbia isn't as extravagant as Chateau Ste. Michelle, but it has a warm, homey feel to it. The tasting room is open and friendly for all who come in. There is a fireplace with eight comfy chairs in the middle of the tasting room, along with a cafe and the tasting bar.

I have to admit that I thought this was going to be just another wine tasting, but this was so much more than a normal wine tasting. I had the honor to meet Bill, who is a wine specialist, and he taught me more about wine that I could have ever imagined learning. He uses different methods to make you smell, taste and evaluate the color of the wines. He used a women's ring to determine the different colors in multiple red wines, I never knew that there were different jewel tones in red wines. Bill personalizes each tasting to the person that is standing in front of him.

Columbia offers a few different tasting options, for $5 you can choose five wines off of their list, or for $10 you can try four or five of their vintage wines. If I could offer one piece of advice when wine tasting at Columbia, everyone should try the ice wine. They have many events through out the year and an exceptional wine club.

I wish I was able to go to all of the wineries and do tasting, but I don't know if it is possible. If you enjoy wine tasting there are a few different companies that offer winery tours through the Woodinville tourist district. Barrel Wine Tours offers a few different themed tours, and they pick up from a couple of different locations in Seattle.

For a fun couples weekend or a night out with the girls, Woodinville's wine country is a fun getaway!

Happy Halloween!!!

This year for Halloween I pulled out the poodle skirt and turned into a 50's housewife!! I think I pulled this look off quite well!!

Happy 28th Birthday to Me!!

My wonderful birthday balloon!!

My wonderful sister made me an awesome cup for my

pumpkin spice latte today!! 

 Presents and cake!!!

 Me and my cake...I love my cake!!

Tomorrow night my sisters and I are having a girls night out!! I am so excited!!