I’m taking my hubby out on a date tonight. I think it is probably one of the cheapest dates in the history of dates, so I thought I would share! Because seriously, who doesn’t like a cheap date 
I’m signed up for Groupon, which is a daily deal service. It’s pretty amazing. Basically because they guarantee the business a certain number of people will sign up for the offer, those businesses will give you a screaming good deal. Caveat – the deal doesn’t go through if more than 20 people don’t sign up, but usually hundreds do, for the good stuff at least.
I scored a coupon earlier this week for Branch Whiskey Bar not to far from our house. It was $10 for a $25 gift certificate. Plus Dylan has art hanging there this month, so we like to support the businesses that throw some love Dylan’s way. Chances are we’ll spend more than $25, but it is still a good deal.
Portland also offers this program called Free Night of Theater. Tickets are released in October for shows throughout the month. There are still a few shows left but I recommend signing up for their email list for next year because tickets do go fast. I mean, they are free after all. So we are seeing the Tempest at the Blue Monkey Theater. I had to not tell Dylan where we were going because it’s one of those things that if I told him before hand we were going to see a Shakespeare play he would have thrown a fit and I would have had to drag him out of the house kicking and screaming. But if I just make him go, chances are he’ll probably enjoy the show.
I’ll try and post tomorrow my review of the show and what Dylan really thought!
30 September, 10:22,
by Kim Toomey
I think someone may have read my blog post because this is exactly what Dylan and I had for dinner. Or Jennifer Coughlin and I just have good taste and ordered some of the best things on the menu.
If you want to read this great write up on our little neighborhood from Neighborhood Notes, please do. We love our little spot in NE Portland. And the art in the pictures in the back of the Good Neighbor Pizza photos are Dylan‘s. You can mostly see John Graeter’s work who is also awesome and we have one of his pieces in my office at home.
Dylan and I had been to this restaurant before, as it’s within walking distance to our house, but Sunday night we had returned home from a weekend at the beach and neither of us wanted to cook. We wandered down to Firehouse and indulged ourselves.
They have a new cocktail menu as of a few weeks ago, so Dylan ordered an Old Fashioned due to his Mad Men obsession and I tried…dang it, I’m not going to remember what it was called. Anyway, both drinks were a little different then we expected but not bad. I really wasn’t a fan of my drink but that had a lot more to do with my ability to order things that I’m going to like than the restaurant making a bad drink.
We started dinner off with the Bruscetta which was fantastic! I haven’t been able to get enough of tomatoes this summer, and this appetizer was covered with them! And cheese. And olive oil. It was a great summer snack, and it’s probably good I didn’t know about this earlier.
I ordered gnocchi for dinner which was simple, included a big glob of ricotta cheese in the middle and was topped with more tomatoes. Dylan had the hanger steak, which I had had before and we both agree is one of the tastiest things that is consistently on the menu. Dylan order a glass of wine to go along the steak which was quite tasty.
Throughout our meal we had great service and a chance to talk with both owners as we left. This is a a cozy neighborhood restaurant that leans towards the upscale side, while still being very reasonable (the steak was $16). They do specialize in their pizza’s which I have yet to try. They’re all cooked in a big wood oven, and looked really tasty. So did the desserts. This is a tucked away little restaurant that is definitely worth finding!
Dylan had been itching to fix a tattoo of his pretty much since the day he got the original tattoo. Last weekend he finally took the plunge, worked out a concept and took the plunge. After visiting several tattoo shops in Portland (and trust me, this city has a few) we were sent to 1928 Tattoo on NE Alberta, which is conveniently close to our house.
Shauna was awesome and quickly hashed out just what Dylan had in mind, and they got going. Here’s Dylan’s old tattoo, a sun he designed himself.
Sunday Dylan and Shauna got about halfway through. All the outline was done as well as one rose that covered up most of the sun.
Yesterday Dylan finished it all up. I need to get some finished pictures to post, but here are a few more along the way for now.
Everyone at 1928 is awesome. Super friendly and talented folks. I’m sure Dylan and I will both be back there. And if you’re ever on Alberta on Last Thursday, stop by 1928, pull a word out of a box and get a random-ass tattoo for the bargain price of $75!
I have “known” how to sew since I was a little girl. My mom is a fabulous craftswoman. I grew up in home-sewn dresses, my American girl dolls had mommy-made dresses, and even in college, I had a cozy momma-made quilt. So, numerous times I’ve been taught how to operate a sewing machine. And I’m starting to get the hang of it, although I’m not so sure I have the patience to do a quilt well, they always turn out a little wonky.
Anyway, not the point. Because no matter how badly my seams line up, I will keep heading back to Bolt Fabric on NE Alberta St. here in our little corner of Portland. Not only do I love it because I could walk if necessary, but they have just the best fabric selections. It’s like they have tapped into my brain and bought fabric that I didn’t even realized I wanted. You walk in and are inspired to begin so many new projects its unhealthy.
Here’s a sampling of their fabric that I’m collecting. Some of it is for dedicated projects, others are just waiting for the perfect chance to shine.
This big print in the background I am in love with. I need to turn this into a pillow for our basement living room.
They also offer classes for the less than crafty out there. Having met several of the girls at Bolt, I bet they’ll even be super patient with you. I have been meaning to take one as my skills really are limited. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Oh, and they are having a sale this next weekend (Aug 22-23). All fabric will be 20% off. I’ll probably be back.
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