Concerts in Seattle

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Music and concerts are a staple for the summer season. Listening to your favorite bands at your local amphitheater happens all over the United States. Seattle is lucky enough to be a hotspot for many of your favorite bands this summer. There is something in every genre for you to check out and enjoy with your friends. What concert are you excited for this summer?

Ingrid Michaelson will be performing at the Paramount Theater on June 17 with guests Jukebox the Ghost and Greg Holden. Michaelson’s indie-pop tunes have given us songs like The Way I Am and Girls Chase Boys.

If you’d prefer a laugh to the sweet notes of a singer-songwriter, check out Dana Carvey at the Tacoma Dome on June 17. Along with Carvey will be Dennis Miller and Kevin Nealon.

Hot House Party 2 is taking it back to the 90’s with Bell Biv DeVoe, Coolio, Lisa, Lisa, Next, Young MC and Rob Base. The hip-hop and rap acts are not to be missed! You’ll want to throw on your denim jacket and crimp your hair.

Chicago will be rolling into Seattle on June 20th. Performing at the Chateau St. Michelle, you won’t want to miss this show!

The same night you can see Amy Schumer and some of her comedian colleagues like Judd Apatow, Dave Attell, Vanessa Bayer, Mike Birbiglia and Colin Quinn do live stand-up comedy at the Moore Theater to promote the new movie Trainwreck coming soon.

On July 11, see Zac Brown Band perform including songs from their new album Jeckyll and Hyde. Gorge Amphitheater.

July 12 brings with it J. Cole, Big Sean, YG and Jeremih to the White River Amphitheater for the Forest Hills Drive Tour.

You won’t want to miss One Direction when the boy band comes to CenturyLink Field on July 15th.

August 2nd will bring together rock and rap for one show that’s going to tear the house down. Fall Out Boy and Wiz Khalifa are touring together this summer along with Hoodie Allen and DJ Drama.

On August 5th you can “Let It Go” with Idina Menzel at the Paramount Theater. Fans of Broadway and Frozen will love this show.

Summer is going to be musical and filled with laughs. There are no excuses for you to stay home this summer. These are all can’t miss acts and there’s something here for every music style and age and sense of humor. Don’t miss out! Most of these shows are within an hour’s drive away from Aspira, some are even within walking distance!


Sources Cited:
Seattle Times

Seattle's Summer Events

Seattle is always a booming place but especially so in the summer. There are always festivals, restaurants and other attractions to check out. If you’re sitting at home you have every excuse to get up and get out there! There’s always something to do in our city! If you’re looking for ideas, look no further. We have 5 of the most fun things to do in Seattle during the summer.

Seattle’s Great Wheel is perfect for every occasion from a day out with the kids to a first date night with your new beau. Admission is $13 for adults and $8.50 for kids 11 and under. The largest observation wheel on the west coast is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 AM until midnight so there’s plenty of time to ride! If you’re lucky enough to be riding on a special holiday you might get to see a laser light show! Only a 10 minute drive away from the Equinox Apartments.

This summer there are 15 chances for you to Dance til Dark in one of Seattle’s beautiful parks. Have two left feet? That’s okay! Beginner’s dance lessons are offered in the first hour of the night for anyone just getting started or feeling a little rusty. The best part of it all is that all lessons and dances are free!

Sticking with the outdoors at dark theme, you can try a outdoor movie! Perfect for the kids or a date night (depending on the movie). There are so many parks and outdoor theaters offering outdoor movies. Fremont Outdoor Cinema (a 15 minute drive from Equinox), Marymore Park (Only 20 minutes away) and West Seattle Outdoor Movies are just a few examples of the places you can find to see an outdoor movie this summer. For a list of more places to see them check here.

There is no shortage of farmer’s markets around Seattle for you to visit. The fresh, local produce will help enhance any meal you make. Check out the U-District on University Way or West Seattle Farmer’s Market in West Seattle Junction. For a list of other farmer’s markets in the area go here. See what delicious fruits and veggies you can find at any one of the local farmer’s markets.

Summer is the best time to take a relaxing water taxi ride for a scenic tour of the bay before taking a stroll down Alki Beach. If the beach isn’t your thing, you can take a walk through West Seattle for a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants before window shopping through the shops and stores. The water taxi port is a short 10 minute drive away from Equinox Apartments.

Don’t miss out on these opportunities to get out and have some fun! Seattle is never dull and you can always find an outing or fun activity to do with the whole family, with a date or with a group of friends! What’s your favorite summer activity in Seattle? Tell us on our Facebook page!


Additional Sources Cited:
Seattle Farmers Markets
King County
Seattle’s Great Wheel

Day Activities in Seattle

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We all can get cabin fever staying in our home for too long. Equinox Apartments is a great place to live, and they are also in a great location to many great Seattle trips and activities. There are activities for all types of people in Seattle.  Adventure, relaxation, and history are just a few options you have to explore close to home. Here are a few we think you may like to try.

iFly Seattle

Did you ever want to skydive, but the idea of jumping out of a plane was just a little to much for you to handle.  iFly Seattle is your perfect compromise then. How does indoor skydiving sound? You wear a jumpsuit and are suspended in midair by massive fans that sound like a jet engine. You are assisted by pros, but you get the amazing feeling of being weightless. As you get more advanced, you can learn to some tricks and different maneuvers.  This short little trip is just 20 minutes southeast.

Bird Watching

Bird watching may sound boring, but this is not your normal bird watching experience. In the Skagit Wildlife Area, you can see thousands of snow geese migrating off the mudflats at the Bay. It is like watching a nature movie come to life.  Snow geese are not the only birds you are able to see at Skagit. Bald Eagles, Sandpipers, and sometimes even swans can be seen at the many viewing areas. This great location is only about an hour north of Seattle.

Get Out In Nature

Woodlands, animals, and a flaming geyser are all waiting for you at Auburn Park.  You can see a flaming geyser in your exploration of this national park. However, that is not the only thing you can do on this hour drive southeast. You can also tube on the Green River before watching the mini airport of model airplane enthusiasts perform aerial feats.

What would you do on your perfect Seattle day trip? Comment on our Facebook and share with us your favorite ways to escape the city.

Best Beaches For Your Favorite Activity

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Seattle can be cold and windy, but it can also be beautiful in the summer. We also have a gorgeous coastline that is fun to explore on nights off or weekends with friends. What are the best beaches for different activities though in Seattle?  There are many options close to Equinox, but here are a few that we want to check out on our next day off.

Fishing

Right in Seattle, you can catch a salmon right in the Puget sound.  How would you like to relax on a sandy beach and hook a gorgeous pink salmon on a relaxing weekend?  This is possible at Point no Point. The gorgeous white beach at the top of the Kitsap Peninsula is perfect for fishing. This tip of the peninsula acts as a traffic cop for many fish including the pink salmon making it the perfect place to fish for a day. 

Swimming

20 minutes from downtown in Renton is a perfect beach to relax with a book and your sunscreen. Friends and family can enjoy a nice day at the beach without traveling down the coast.  Make sure to check out Lake Washington’s southern tip and Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park. There is a sizable beach, playground, and grassy area for kids and adults of all ages to enjoy.  It will be a nice break from your neighborhood pool, and a perfect way to relax and grab some sun. 

Beach Activities

If Beach activities are more your thing, go to Golden Gardens Park in Seattle. Fire pits, basketball courts, and plenty of beach gives you the perfect excuse to play some ball or make some marshmallows. This beach has an extraordinary view of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains to watch as you take a run or throw a frisbee on the beach. The park also has an off leash dog area towards the northern section of the park.  This is your perfect beach for that warm day when you just want to get out and have fun.

These are just three of the many beaches up and down the Washington coast. What is your favorite beach to relax at this summer?

Made in Seattle Kicks Off

Seattle is the mecca of innovation. Techies, beer connoisseurs, coffee junkies: they live here. However, this week is their week to really shine. Made In Seattle week is here and it starts today. This week is all about gathering together the best and most creative minds in the city to collaborate and learn. Made In Seattle Week has partnered with the Seattle Met to bring you the best of the best. Experts in their fields, including tech, food, music, design and beer, will be here every single day this week.

Today kicks off with Trending in Tech. The keynote speakers come from the top tech companies in Seattle. The speakers will each share their views on innovation when it comes to the world of technology as well as how technology can change a traditional industry, how corporations can foster brilliance in the startup scene and how company culture can be used to foster creativity and innovation.

Tuesday brings with it Food for the Future. Restaurants and other food-related businesses in Seattle come together to talk about food sustainability and food culture. Leaders on different sides of the food industry discuss their takes on the biggest concerns for food, such as fair wages and practices for farmers, and sustainability in a tough environment.

On Wednesday, the speakers hail from Seattle-born design oriented companies. They’ll speak on how to achieve groundbreaking design in our culture and economy. Local designers will share their experiences in crossing the boundaries of the digital and physical realms, as well as hardware design, disrupting the workflow and workspace, and sharing an informed look at the future of digital design.

Thursday will find us at the SURF Cabana for Brew Your Business where we will meet with folks from your favorite Seattle breweries. They will discuss their early days in the industry and how their first visions transformed into the local companies we know today. Come drink with us and learn about where the experts see microbreweries heading in the future.

Capping it off with a crescendo at Makers in Music, we will meet with experts from all over the Seattle music scene to talk about digital technologies and their impact on the music industry. Learn from leading musicians and thought leaders about how the internet has shaped the distribution of music. See what the future of music looks like for the local and international digital world.

Memorial Day Weekend in Seattle

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Memorial Day Weekend is almost here. It is time for parades, cookouts, and events to celebrate the unofficial first weekend of summer. It is also a time to remember those who fought and served for our country. There are many events happening around Seattle and Equinox Apartments for you to attend. Keep reading to learn more about some great Seattle Memorial Day events below.

Northwest Folklife Festival

May 22nd-25th in Seattle you can experience one of the largest free Folklife festivals in the United States.  The Northwest Folklife Festival is held at Lower Queen Anne, Seattle Center. This festival features over 7,000 diverse performances.  This includes over 100 cultural dance showcases, workshops, arts vendors, food and activities for all ages.  You can learn more at their website Northwest FolkLife.

Memorial Day Weekend Fun Run

This weekend you can get out and start your summer workout with the Memorial Day Weekend Fun Run.  This May 23rd run starts at 10am at Magnuson Park. There are plenty of different races for all levels, and your furry friend can even tag along to play in the dog park. The race has entry fees from $18-$28 dollars. You can learn more at their website MagnusonSeries.

Memorial Day Ceremony

This Monday head to Boeing Field, Museum of Flight in Seattle to remember our service men and women. The Memorial Day service will start at 11am with music and presentations. This event is to honor anyone that has served in our nation’s military. Also, all active and veteran military personnel will receive free admission to the museum with identification. You can learn more here. 

We hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day no matter how you choose to celebrate. What events are you going to this weekend? Make sure to share them on the Equinox Facebook page with your fellow residents.

Farmers' Markets in Seattle

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What fresh produce do you use to cook in the summer?  Equinox Apartments in Seattle are close to many great restaurants, but sometimes a home cooked meal is all you need.  Seattle is the place to be for the fresh ingredients you crave in a home cooked meal.  We have many farmers’ markets through the city that fit around your busy schedule.

Tuesday

On Tuesdays after work head to the 6th Avenue Farmers’ Market.  This market is held from 3pm-7pm every Tuesday. The market starts on May 5th and runs until September 29th. You can find the market at 6th Avenue and North Pine Street, Tacoma.  You can find out more information on this market by visiting tacomafarmersmarket.com

Thursday

The Lake City Farmers’ Market is held every Thursday from 3pm-7pm.  This will give you the opportunity to swing by after work and pick up your fresh produce before you make weekday dinner. This market runs from June until October at NE 125th Street and 28th Avenue NE, Seattle.  You can find more information at the Seattle Farmers’ Market page. 

Saturday

Are you looking for an early Farmers’ Market to start your weekend?  The Bayview Farmers’ Market is open from 10am-2pm.  This market is open from April 25th until December 19th. You can find this market at Highway 525 and Bayview Road, Bayview. This market has fresh produce and even entire meals for purchase.  You can learn more here. 

Sunday

Finally, this year around Farmers’ Market is perfect for those who are planning Sunday night meals.  The market is open every Sunday from 10am-3pm.  This market is located at Ballard Avenue NW, between Vernon Place NW & 22nd Avenue NW, Seattle. You can find out more information at the Seattle Farmers’ Market Association.

There are many Farmers’ Markets all around the Seattle area.  If you are looking for more days, make sure to visit the Pugent Sound Fresh website for more information.

May Events Around Seattle

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Are you ready for summer in Seattle?  We love being able to walk outside and enjoy the fresh air.  May is perfect for enjoying everything Seattle has to offer outdoors. Movies, concerts, and more are all available for you to attend this month.  The best part about these events is that they are close to home at Equinox. 

Pibobolus

You may remember Pibobolus from the Oscars in 2007.  This dance company danced and formed many images and background for the famous movies of the year.  This famous group is coming to Seattle from May 14-16th. They will be performing at Meany Hall.  This group does not just rely on dance to convey their images.  They use bicycles, columns, and other unique items you need to see to believe.  

Mac Maron

You may know him from his famous podcast or from his IFC Series Maron.  Mac Maron is coming to Seattle on May 8th.  You can see him at the beautiful Neptune Theater. He is known for his cynical introspection form of comedy. His podcast has become a smash hit and helped him jump start his career and tv series. Make sure to visit his website to get tickets to this great comedy show. 

Smash Putt

Are you bored of the normal mini golf experience?  You may have aced the whole in one underneath the miniature house, but this mini golf experience will be a challenge for everyone.  Smash Putt will be in Seattle until July.  This is mini golf with robots, artists, and surprises.  Lasers, cannons, and earthquakes are just some of the surprises waiting for you in this part mini golf part night club experience. 

These are just three of the many great events happening in the Seattle area.  We hope you get to enjoy the weather with friends and loved ones around Seattle.  Do you have any events that you are getting ready for? Comment on Facebook and we will try to help you promote your events throughout the year too. 

Mariner's Games At Safeco Field

Baseball season is upon us.  The Seattle Mariners are exciting for the upcoming MLB Season.  Games are always exciting at Safeco Field.  Giveaways, delicious food, and seeing our hometown team are some of the best aspects of baseball season. The stadium is only a short commute away from Equinox Apartments. Here are some of the best games to check out in the upcoming weeks.

Friday May 8th is a great game for the ladies to attend.  It is girls night out at Safeco Field. You can get a ticket, drink, and free hat for one price of $35.00.  The Mariners are playing the Athletics, which means this is a game not to miss.  Space is limited so make sure to get your tickets early for this girls night out game at 7:10pm.

May 29th is the perfect game if you love 90s nostalgia.  Travel back to your childhood with 90s fireworks night at the Mariners Game. The Mariners will take on the Indians at 7:05. Then, the fireworks will be after the game and set to your favorite 90s tunes.  Grab a few friends and spend Friday night at the ball park for this great game. 

Tuesday June 2nd at 7:10 the New York Yankees head to Seattle for this weekday night game.  You can receive a Kyle Seager bobblehead if you are one of the first 20,000 fans within the gates. Head with a few coworkers to the game after your long day. It will be a great way to relax and have a fun night off after work. 

May and June have plenty of options for a great night out at Safeco Field.  Go cheer on the Mariners as they take on some of the best teams in the nation.  We are hoping to bring back that World Series trophy this year.

Weekends in Seattle

This weekend in Seattle you can choose to relax at beautiful Equinox Apartments or you can explore the city.  We live in a great area with many events happening throughout the week.  However, this weekend Seattle has an event for every person in your friend group.  

Outside Mullingar

The Seattle Repertory Theater is opening this Tony nominated Irish Classic play this weekend.  The play will run from April 24th to May 17th.  This comedy is about two lovelorn farmers who have no idea about love or relationships.  This 90 minute dark comedy will have you captivated as you hear the stories of these two characters.

Earth Day Service Project

This weekend could be a great chance to give back to the community and Seattle.  The Green Seattle Partnership is sponsoring an Earth Day event to help clean up Seward Park.  Tools, gloves, coffee, and snacks are provided as you learn from our experienced leaders about how to help this gorgeous park in the Seattle area.  There are still 21 volunteers needed for this day of giving.  You can register for the event here. 

Ritecar Beer Festival

This Saturday at 12pm make sure to explore the Ritecar Beer Festival at the Seattle Scottish Rite Masonic Center.  Entry fee includes 7 tastes and a full bratwurst lunch.  You will also get a free commemorative glass with your admission. You can explore many new breweries in the area as well as a silent auction.  This charity event helps Ritecar provide intensive professional speech and language therapy to children at no cost to families.

All of these events will keep you busy this beautiful weekend in Seattle.  You can explore different cultures and places in the city while having fun with friends and family.  Do you want to know what other events are happening around Equinox?  You can check out this Seattle events page.

New Food Trucks for Seattle

There are eight more unique food trucks that are coming to Seattle.  SeattleMet has your complete list so you can start planning out next week’s lunches.  Get there early!  You do not want to miss your favorite food truck meal. 

Everyone loves a food truck lunch. Seattle is one of the best places to live for foodies and food trucks.  Tacos, Ice Cream, Bread, or Carnitas there are so many options for you to choose from. Every food truck has a calendar that will let you plan out your weekday lunch, or you can choose your weekend dinner away from Equinox Apartments.  These food trucks travel all around Seattle so there will always be something close by.

Mobile Smoke

Do you love Lake Forest Park Smokehouse?  This food truck takes your favorite meals from the Smokehouse and puts it on wheels! Pulled pork, chicken, and so much more are waiting for you during your lunch or dinner break. This food truck even has all of your favorite side dishes including mac & cheese and coleslaw.  You can find this smokehouse on wheels by checking out their schedule on the website. 

Raclette

If smoked meat is not your thing, Raclette may be just what you are looking for.  Take delicious raclette cheese and melt it over your favorite foods including potatoes and vegetables.  Raclette has many options for lunch including catering.  Can you not leave the office?  Grab some coworkers and get a fresh catered meal sent right to your door. You can find their schedule by clicking the name above!

Spice on A Curve

Do you want something different for lunch?  Make sure to find out where the Spice on a Curve truck is.  This traditional Indian food will be perfect for what you are craving. They have amazing currie and vegetarian dishes as well. Make sure to get their green yogurt sauce on your salad, it is a topping you will not regret 

There are eight more unique food trucks that are coming to Seattle.  SeattleMet has your complete list so you can start planning out next week’s lunches.  Get there early!  You do not want to miss your favorite food truck meal.

Seattle Restaurant Week

We love to try new food, but exploring all the top restaurants in Seattle can be hard without a plan.  That is why we are so excited about Seattle Restaurant Week.   According to Eater Seattle, there are over 165 restaurants participating this year.  You may never be able to get through every restaurant, but you can certainly explore many new places April 12-16 and 19-23rd.  We have picked the closest restaurants to Equinox Apartments that are participating to feature in this blog. 

Lunch:  Agave Cocina & Tequilas is an excellent fresh ingredient Mexican restaurant in Seattle.  They are located on Republican Street in Seattle.  During Restaurant Week, they are offering two courses for fifteen dollars.  Make sure to make reservations for your preferred lunch day soon.  

Dinner: For Dinner, we decided to look at 13 Coins, this restaurant is less than two miles away from Equinox Apartments.   This American cuisine was voted one of the top best late night restaurants in Seattle.  They also offer live music during the week.  Their special for dinner during the restaurant week promotion is three courses for $30.00.

Vegetarian: This next restaurant is only six minutes away from home.  This Italian cuisine has great vegetarian options.  Assaggio Ristorante serves Italian cuisine and opened in 1993 by a self taught shelf.  It has since because one of the most well known restaurants in Seattle.  Their promotions during restaurant week include two courses for $15.00 lunch and three courses for $30.00 dinner. 

Gluten-Free: Finally, this next restaurant you can walk to at any point in the week.  It also has some amazing gluten-free options.  I Love Sushi features online orders, delivery, catering, and reservations.  They are offered a two courses for $15.00 lunch with five options for an appetizer and five options for an entree. Finally, they are offering three courses for $30.00 dinner, which also features five options per course. 

All of these restaurants are great choices to explore Seattle Restaurant Week.  Grab some friends from Equinox Apartments and make reservations to try your favorite option from the list above. 

What To Do In Seattle This Weekend?

Do you have a long weekend because of Easter?  There are plenty of things to do around the city besides eat chocolate and binge watch Netflix.   Easter egg hunts, art walks, and theater tours are just some of the great events for you to enjoy on your long weekend.  Do you have other great events for this Easter Weekend?  Comment on our pages and share you event with us!  You can learn more at the SeattlePipeline. 

2015 Seattle Easter Weekend Events:
All Weekend: 2015 Seattle & King County Easter Egg Hunts and Activities
April 3: Free First Friday @ Bellevue Art Museum | Free Admission 11AM-8PM
April 3: Fremont Art Walk | First Fridays, Pizza, Beer, Wine
April 4: Easter Egg Hunt @ Angle Lake Park | Free, 9 a.m. (more info)
April 4: BunnyCon (BunnyArchy): The Bunny Bar Hop | Pictures, Route, Info, 1,000+ People
April 4: Free Historic Paramount Theater Tour: 450,000+ Patrons Per Year | First Saturday Of Every Month
April 4: Washington State Parks Discover Pass Free Days | Saturday Spring Day
April 5: Easter Brunch, Lunch & Dinner Cruises w/ Waterways Cruises | Champagne, Amazing Shoreline Views and Delicious Spring Favorites

April 3rd: Fremont Art Walk

Fremont First Friday Art Walk brings together a number of our neighborhood’s arts-supporting shops, galleries, and restaurants each month for 3 hours of celebrating creativity in it’s many forms. Expect to see everything from oil paintings to encaustics, photography to illustration, sculpture to mixed media, and live music to performance poetry. Along the way you can stroll by Fremont’s many outdoor art installations (most notably the Lenin statue, the Troll under the Aurora bridge, and the Rocket) and try locally made wine, beer, coffee, chocolate, and other delectable fare from local establishments, plus a steady rotation of mobile food trucks scheduled for the 6-9pm event. The FIRST FRIDAY of every month is a great opportunity to get a taste for the creative culture that Fremont is known for. We’ve got your fives senses covered here at the Center of the Universe. http://www.fremontfirstfriday.com/

April 4th: Washington State Park Discover Free Pass Day

This is one of the many days that you do not need a Discover Pass to visit a state park.  This only applies to day trips to the State Park.   Discover Passes are still required on these days to access certain areas. You can learn more here.  

April 4th:  Historic Paramount Theater Tour

Seattle Theatre Group offers free tours of the historic Paramount Theatre.

Paramount Theatre tours are on the first Saturday of every month. Please meet in front of the main entrance of the theatre – on the corner of 9th and Pine – by 10 am. The tours will last approximately 90 minutes and will be lead by members of our well-versed volunteer staff.

“Over 450,000 patrons pass through the doors of The Paramount each year. These free tours give the public a chance to learn more about this historic Theatre while giving them a glimpse behind the scenes,” said Josh LaBelle, Executive Director of Seattle Theatre Group – the non-profit performing arts organization that owns and operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres. 

http://www.stgpresents.org/paramount/tours

Food Delivery in Seattle

How often do you have food delivered to your home?  The next time you call chinese takeout a Sidecar driver could be showing up at your door.  Sidecar was originally just used to shuttle people, but now they may be adding pizza to their list of delivery services.  You can learn more here. 

The next time you have food delivered in Seattle, it could very well be a Sidecar driver showing up at your front door.

The San Francisco-based startup announced today that it has partnered with food delivery company Eat24 in Seattle and will start using its drivers — who in the past strictly shuttled people, not food, around town — to deliver food.

In February, Sidecar rolled out its same-day delivery program that is built on the mobile-based technology and independent drivers which already power its on-demand transportation app. After starting in the Bay Area, it has since expanded the program to Boston and Los Angeles, and today it goes live in the Emerald City.

Sidecar is working with e-commerce, food, flower, and grocery companies to deliver items that are often in the trunk of a car that’s also driving people around town. Sidecar said it can offer a cheaper price point and faster deliveries than traditional companies in the delivery industry.

“By integrating delivery with ride-sharing and our large network of drivers, we’ve created the fastest, most affordable and scalable delivery service for e-commerce companies,” the company wrote last week. “This innovative approach to same-day delivery is a win for shippers, drivers and riders.”

Sidecar’s delivery service is quickly becoming a large part of its total revenue, as the startup reported earlier this month that 25 percent of its total rides provided in the Bay Area are now deliveries, up 15 percent from last month. The company said that deliveries will account for half of its business by the end of 2015.

“Our vision is that one day any business will be able to take an order and get it to the customer in an hour, and Sidecar will be the service that powers this capability,” the company said.

If that vision sounds familiar, it should — there’s a bevy of companies in the same-day delivery space. Among them include Amazon, which in December introduced a one-hour delivery service for its Prime members and expanded its same-day delivery service in seven cities last year. The Seattle online giant has also partnered with the taxi-hailing app Flywheel to test package delivery in some markets and isquickly developing its drone delivery program.

Uber, meanwhile, has tested a drug store delivery service, and there’s a host of other companies like Google, eBay, Walmart, Instacart, Postmates, WunWun, and Deliv offering ways for customers to have items delivered within 24 hours.

While Sidecar is far behind fellow ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft in terms of capital raised and total users — the company is operates in 10 U.S. markets and has raised $35 million to date — it has been aggressive to push out innovative new services. For example, it rolled out a carpooling option called Shared Rides before Uber tested out UberPool and Lyft introduced Lyft Line.

Initially, Sidecar is only partnering in Seattle with Eat24, which was acquired by Yelp last month for $134 million.

Ten Best NCAA Moments in Seattle

What is your bracket looking like? Do you think you have a chance at the prize this year? The NCAA has a rich history in Seattle. These NCAA Seattle moments changed the course of many brackets throughout the years. Learn about the top ten moments below and at the Seattle Times.



#10: 1987 region final
In the West Region final at the Kingdome, top-seeded UNLV rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat Iowa, 84-81, and advance to its first Final Four in 10 years. "It was a miracle the way we came back," UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian said. "I thought we were living on borrowed time. You just don't come back against a team like that."


#9: 1999 first round
An unheralded team from Ogden, Utah, pulled off a major upset at KeyArena, as Harold "The Show" Arceneaux led No. 14 seed Weber State to a 76-74 victory over No. 3 North Carolina in the West Region. It was the first time in 23 years that the Tar Heels had lost in the first round. "Ever since I got here, people have been asking me: 'Where is Weber State?'" Wildcat guard Eddie Gill said. "If you watch basketball, you're not going to ask where is Weber State anymore." Arceneaux scored 36 points on 14-of-26 shooting. "We probably messed up a lot of people's office pools, but so what?" Arceneaux said.

#8: 1956 first round
Seattle University, making its fourth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, defeats Idaho State, 68-66, at Hec Edmundson Pavilion in the first round. (Tickets for the game were $1.) It was the final victory at Seattle U for coach Al Brightman, who in eight seasons compiled a 180-68 record for Seattle. He remains the winningest coach in program history. (Two years later, Elgin Baylor would lead Seattle U to the NCAA championship game against Kentucky.)


#7: 1989 NCAA title game
In an overtime thriller at the Kingdome, Michigan beat Seton Hall 80-79 to win the national title. Michigan sharpshooter Glen Rice had 31 points in the final and broke a handful of scoring records en route to being named the tournament's most outstanding player. "Almost indescribable," Michigan interim coach Steve Fisher said about Rice. "He has been as good as there is." Rumeal Robinson sank the winning free throws with three seconds left. Seton Hall, after two timeouts, got one last look after a full-court pass, but Daryll Walker's three-point attempt bounced off the backboard, then off the rim and into Rice's hands as time expired.
#6: 1949 NCAA title game
In the first NCAA championship game held in Seattle, Adolph Rupp coached Kentucky to its second consecutive title with a 46-36 victory over Oklahoma A&M at Hec Ed. Kentucky's 6-foot-7 All-American Alex Groza, "big, hulking bear of a man," as described by the Associated Press, scored 25 points, despite fouling out with five minutes left, and was named the tournament's most outstanding player for the second year in a row. "It was a tough game all the way," Rupp said afterward. "We had to play this one the hard way, almost to the finish. We beat a good team and we're mighty happy about it."


#5: 1952 NCAA title game
This was the first time the NCAA tournament had a true Final Four at the championship site, and it was held at Hec Ed on the UW campus. Kansas, led by 6-9 All-American Clyde Lovellette and coach Phog Allen, won its first NCAA title, knocking off St. John's 80-63 in the championship game. "I was the biggest baby ever born in Pike County (Indiana), and the record still stands," Lovellette told The Seattle Times' Georg N. Meyers on a walk in the University District the morning of the title game. "When visitors leaned over my crib, they didn't say, 'Oooh.' They said, 'Oh, no!'" Wrote Meyers: "More recently, the cries of 'Oh, no!' have been uttered by anguished opponents of the Kansas basketball team." Lovellette set a championship-game record with 33 points. Fun fact: The Jayhawks had a 5-foot-10 reserve guard named Dean Smith, who would go on to win two more national titles as the head coach at North Carolina.


#4: 2004 second round
For a day, Seattle was Upset City. On the same court where its magical march had started five years earlier, Midwest Region second seed Gonzaga was blown out in the second round by 10th-seeded Nevada, 91-72, at KeyArena. It was a shocking end for a Zags team many had pegged as a Final Four contender. "There's a cruelness to this tournament," Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. "You're never ready for a season to end and then, poof, it's over." Gonzaga star Blake Stepp, one of the Bulldogs' five seniors, shot just 5 of 29 in the two subregional games. "If I make it to the NBA, I'm not going to be looking forward to coming to KeyArena." Following Gonzaga's exit, Stanford, the top seed in the West, again bounced early from the tournament in a 70-67 loss to No. 8 Alabama. For the fifth time in six years, the Cardinal was ousted in the second round. Stanford had a 30-1 record entering the game, its only regular-season loss coming two weeks earlier just a few miles away on the UW campus.


#4: 2004 second round
For a day, Seattle was Upset City. On the same court where its magical march had started five years earlier, Midwest Region second seed Gonzaga was blown out in the second round by 10th-seeded Nevada, 91-72, at KeyArena. It was a shocking end for a Zags team many had pegged as a Final Four contender. "There's a cruelness to this tournament," Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. "You're never ready for a season to end and then, poof, it's over." Gonzaga star Blake Stepp, one of the Bulldogs' five seniors, shot just 5 of 29 in the two subregional games. "If I make it to the NBA, I'm not going to be looking forward to coming to KeyArena." Following Gonzaga's exit, Stanford, the top seed in the West, again bounced early from the tournament in a 70-67 loss to No. 8 Alabama. For the fifth time in six years, the Cardinal was ousted in the second round. Stanford had a 30-1 record entering the game, its only regular-season loss coming two weeks earlier just a few miles away on the UW campus.


#3: 1995 NCAA title game
With star Tyus Edney limited by a wrist injury, UCLA's backup point guard, Cameron Dollar, was thrust into the most important position on the floor in the national title game against defending national champion Arkansas and its relentless full-court press. Before a crowd of 38,504 at the Kingdome, Dollar filled in capably to help the Bruins to an 89-78 victory. "If we were going to win," Dollar said, "it was going to be with me at the helm. Tonight it was my night." Dollar and the Bruins weren't fazed by the Arkansas trap. All-American Ed O'Bannon had 30 points and 17 rebounds, and freshman guard Toby Bailey had 26 points and nine rebounds as UCLA won its first title in 20 years. As for Dollar, he played 36 minutes — 16 more than his season average — and had six points, eight assists and four steals. Dollar, recruited to UCLA by Lorenzo Romar, is now in his sixth season as the coach at Seattle U.


#2: 1999 first and second rounds
Gonzaga, in its introduction as a mid-major power, enthralled the country while Richie Frahm, Casey Calvary and Matt Santangelo became household names. The Bulldogs' first steps toward national consciousness came at KeyArena, where they toppled seventh-seeded Minnesota and second-seeded Stanford to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time. "The Slipper Fits!" read the headline in The Seattle Times after the 10th-seeded Zags upset Stanford, a Final Four team a year earlier. The Bulldogs would advance to the Elite Eight before losing to eventual champion UConn. Two weeks later, Gonzaga coach Dan Monson and athletic director Mike Roth wrote a letter to the editor, published by The Times. "It all started in KeyArena," they wrote, "and the support the Bulldogs received made it the next best thing to a home game."



#1: 1984 NCAA title game
Ewing vs. Olajuwon. Georgetown vs. Houston. A historic night in the Kingdome. In the premier matchup of big men in NCAA tournament history, and in the first of three Final Fours held at the Kingdome, Patrick Ewing and the Hoyas topped Akeem Olajuwon's "Phi Slama Jama" Cougars, 84-75, before a crowd of 38,471. Two years after losing to Michael Jordan and North Carolina in the 1982 title game, Georgetown finished the job and made John Thompson the first African-American coach to win the national championship. The battle of the 7-foot stars didn't quite live up to the billing — Ewing (10 points, nine rebounds) and Olajuwon (15 points, nine rebounds) were both limited by foul trouble — but the difference for the Hoyas was their bench, which outscored the Cougars 43-13.

St. Patrick's Day Events in Seattle

St. Patrick's Day is a week away, but most people are celebrating the holiday this weekend.  Seattle has some great parties and activities for this weekend's Irish festivities.   Everyone is a little Irish this weekend, and we have found some of the best ways for you to celebrate.  Grab some green and head out to these local events.  You can learn more here.


2015 Seattle St Patrick’s Events:

All Weekend: Get Lucky Over St. Patrick’s Day Weekend on Urban Adventure Quest’s Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure! | Discover Seattle’s Hidden Mysteries

February 21: Irish Soda Bread Baking Class @ St Patrick’s Parish Hall | Bake Off, Learn About Delicious & Nutritional Traditional Treat

March 7: Irish Soda Bread Contest @ T.S. McHugh’s Irish Pub & Restaurant | Free, Irish Music, Baile Glas Irish Dancers & Uilleann Pipes

March 13: Green Stripe Laying on 4th Ave, 7PM | FREE Mini-Parade to mark the route of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade (more info)

March 13: St. Patrick’s Day Lucky 2015 @ WaMu Theater | Featuring 12th Planet, Audien, Brillz & More!

March 14: St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl w/ BarCrawls.com | Get Shamrocked, No Cover, Drink Specials

March 14: Irish Flag Raising front of the King-County Administration Building, followed by the playing of the Irish and US National Anthems | 12: 20PM (more info)

March 14: St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Georgetown Art Attack | Second Saturday, Neighborhood Art Walk, Participants, Map, Free

March 14: Seattle’s 39th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade up 4th Avenue | Free Monorail (more info)

March 14 & 15: St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Parade & 2015 Festival Info & Pictures | Route Map, Food, Dance, Games, Free Monorail

March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl w/ BarCrawls.com | Get Shamrocked, No Cover, Drink Specials

March 17: St. Patrick’s Day @ Seattle Children’s Museum | Art, Music & Dance Party, Story time

March 17: McCaw Hall Free Public Tour | Starts at noon, lasts up to 90 minutes, and is led by a McCaw Hall, Seattle Opera or Pacific Northwest Ballet staff member

March 22: Gaelic Games Open Field Day @ Magnuson Park | 12-3pm, For All to try their hand at Hurling, Gaelic Football, and Camogie (more info)

New Date Night Food In Seattle

What new restaurants have you and your loved one tries? These are some great new restaurants in Seattle that will be the perfect date night. These restaurants have many different types of food, so there will be something for all tastes. You can learn more at KomoNews.




Great food, great ambience, and a great dinner partner are the necessary components for an unforgettable dinner. If you’re planning your next romantic evening on the town, there are plenty of new restaurants to consider before making your reservation. Here are five of Seattle’s best new date night restaurants.


Trove. This new ambitious Korean restaurant opened its doors on Capitol Hill in late September. Owned by husband and wife team Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi, the 4,000 square-foot Trove is a great way to have a food adventure. There are four components to the restaurant: Trove Parfait, Trove Noodle, Trove BBQ, and Trove Bar. I recommend doing the Korean BBQ and then finishing the night with a Snickers Parfait. If you sit in the BBQ area, make sure to check out the hand-screened wallpaper that shows Godzilla closing in on the Space Needle.

Price range: $8.00-$14.00

Trove
500 East Pike
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill

Restaurant Marron. Restaurant Marron opened in July and took over the space where Olivar used to reside in the Loveless building on Capitol Hill. Despite the name of the building, Restaurant Marron is full of love, with another husband and wife team: Zarina and Eric Sakai. With carefully constructed dishes and impeccable service, Restaurant Marron is quiet, romantic, and a great place for a special occasion. This is fine dining, so you won’t find Happy Hour or tapas. Instead, you choose the number of courses you would like to try. The menu changes constantly, so check it out before making your reservation.

Price range: $52.00-$175.00/person (includes wine pairings)

Restaurant Marron
806 East Roy Street
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill

FOOD at Cortona. I can’t say enough nice things about FOOD at Cortona. It’s one of my favorite new restaurants of 2014. The food is absolutely delicious, the prices are reasonable, and the staff is fun and friendly. This is a sort-of pop-up restaurant that takes over Cortona Café on the weekends. Chef Zac Reynolds has a great sense of humor, cooks for you in an open kitchen, and is constantly searching for the best produce around to incorporate into his unique dishes. This is a great spot for both vegetarians and meat lovers. By the way, if one of the dishes come with a nori dumpling: Order it immediately! It sounds odd, but is a delectable blend of sweet and salty.

Price range: $8.00-$14.00

FOOD.
2425 East Union Street
Neighborhood: Central District

Bannister. This new wine and charcuterie bar just opened about a week ago in the Central District. It’s intimate and candle-lit, with excellent food, service, and prices. This isn’t a place to gobble down a huge bowl of pasta, instead the menu is more about sharing and tasting. I recommend the arugula salad with parmesan, the house-pickled vegetables, and the cheese board. You should also ask about their crostini of the day!

Price range: $4.00-$18.00

Bannister
1408 18th Ave
Neighborhood: Central District

Vespolina. When Jason Stratton flipped his restaurant from Aragona to Vespolina, I was excited to have yet another fantastic option for Italian food in Seattle. For your next date, try ordering the cavatelli with lamb ragu and pine nuts. The handmade pasta is tender but firm, the lamb is rich and savory, and the pine nuts add a crunch and sweetness that makes it a dish you’ll crave again and again. Ask your waiter about wine pairings for the perfect flavor combination.

Price range: $15.00-$27.00

Vespolina
96 Union Street
Neighborhood: Downtown

What's your favorite date night restaurant? Let me know in the comments!

Dine Around Seattle

Have you ever participated in Dine Around Seattle? Restaurants offer special items for the entire month of March. The courses are for a set price, and it includes over 60 restaurants in the area. Keep reading, and you can learn more about Dine Around Seattle at Komonews.


March is my favorite month for two reasons: it's my birthday month, and it's Dine Around Seattle month.

Almost like a little birthday present especially for me, Dine Around Seattleis back all month long - and has expanded to 63 restaurants.

New to DAS? Here's the skinny:
Restaurants who are participating offer a special Dine Around Seattle Menu of their choosing for the entire month (March 1-31).
Three courses are offered for $33 for dinner, $18 for lunch
Every week DAS is served Sundays through Thursdays

New restaurants this go-round are Marjorie, RAVISH, Lucia Italian Kitchen,HECHO, Place Pigalle, Pomerol andTrellis.

But don't worry, oldies like Restaurant Zoe, Local 360, Tray Kitchen, Flying Fish, Poppy, Barking Frog,Preservation Kitchen, Stumbling Goat Bistro,Tango, Volterra, Monsoon, Cafe Lago, and Ponti Seafood are still there too.

Check out the full list online, and book your rezzie (or two, or three, or four) ASAP. The menus are offered Sunday through Thursdays, depending on the restaurant.

Enjoy!

Food Truck Park Coming to Seattle

Food trucks are the newest craze across the United States.   Tacos, burgers, and even pasta trucks are in cities across the United States.  However, Steve Katsandres of Seattle is trying to open a beer garden mated with a food truck pot.  There will be seating, drinks, varieties of food, and public bathrooms.  Keep reading to learn more about this new Seattle location. You can learn more at Seattle Met. 

In 1995, Steve Katsandres opened Bad Albert's Tap and Grill, named for his portly feline, on a then-sleepy Ballard Ave. He went on to a variety of food and management roles around town but now, 20 years later, Katsandres and a few partners (all Ballard natives) are bringing something entirely new to the neighborhood.

Ballard Bites and Brew is essentially a beer garden mated with a food truck pod. Katsandres is transforming a vacant lot at 1502 NW 50th Street (in the thick of Ballard's brewery zone) into a parklike space where local drafts will flow and food trucks will take up regular positions—four at a time, rotating in and out by day and night.

Currently Seattle food trucks set up camp in pods (variety, but no seating) or outside a specific establishment, like a brewery (seating and beer, but just one truck at a time). Theoretically the Bites and Brew setup fuses the best of these two worlds: ample seating, beer, variety...and bathrooms. A building dubbed the "draft shack" will house eight taps and a variety of canned beers, while the other side of the building will dispense drive-thru espresso and breakfast sandwiches in the morning. There will be a stage for live music; Katsandres uses the term "park" to describe his creation because he wants it to have a family friendly, neighborhood vibe to it.

Opening something heretofore nonexistent in Seattle can make for some adventures in permitting, but Katsandres and partners hope Ballard Bites and Brew will be open by April. Keep an eye on its Facebook page for updates.

The Perfect Seattle Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day weekend is quickly approaching.  Seattle is one of the best places to live to celebrate this holiday.  The city had some of the best top Diamond-rated hotels from AAA.  Do not forget about the amazing spa packages you can get for a loved one in the city.  Keep reading this blog and learn more about your Valentine's Day options here.

Looking for a local getaway to celebrate this Valentine’s Day? Whether you’re seeking a romantic night away or planning an adventure with friends, cruise the list of AAA’s top Diamond-rated hotels and restaurants for a memorable experience.

Two hotels in Washington were recently added to the list of local AAA Four Diamond properties: The Davenport Tower (Spokane) and Cameo Heights Mansion Bed & Breakfast (Touchet). The Vine, an on-site chef’s table style restaurant at Cameo Heights Mansion Bed & Breakfast, also earned a AAA Four Diamond award for the first time, the only new restaurant added to the list in Washington for 2015.

For those looking for a little more relaxation during their stay, the Salish Lodge and Spa (Snoqualmie) andWoodmark Hotel and Still Spa (Kirkland) offer massages, facials, body therapy treatments and more. Both recently celebrated 25 years as AAA Four Diamond lodging.

“These establishments set the standard for exceptional hospitality and attention to detail.” said Jennifer Cook, AAA Washington’s senior manager of corporate communications. “Whether you’re looking to celebrate with someone special or plan to treat yourself, these locations consistently deliver high quality service and strive to create memorable experiences for their guests.”

The Westin Seattle Hotel remains the longest running AAA Four Diamond establishment in Washington, celebrating 34 consecutive years. The Herbfarm Restaurant (Woodinville) has earned a coveted AAA Five Diamond rating for 13 consecutive years and remains the only Five Diamond establishment in the Pacific Northwest. However, known for its lavish nine-course dinners and impressive wine pairings, the Herbfarm is sure to book up quickly.

“As with any holiday, we recommend making reservations in advance, especially if you intend to dine out,” said Cook. “Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest nights of the year for restaurants, so if you want a table, plan ahead, especially since it lands on a long weekend in recognition of President’s Day.”

What does it take to make it as a respected AAA Diamond rated establishment? AAA inspectors collectively visit 58,000 hotels and restaurants throughout the year to conduct physical, on-site evaluations. Celebrating 79 years of the AAA Diamond rating program, inspectors are able to distinguish emerging trends within the hospitality industry and identify new approaches to enhance guest comfort and satisfaction.

Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

Do you feel trapped in your home this winter? No matter what age you are these creative ideas will let you have some fun on the snowy nights of February. Take a peak at these three easy DIY Projects. If you want more ideas for the winter blues, check out Apartment Therapy

Around this time of year, cold nights and inclement weather mean lots of nights spent at home. If you're growing a little fatigued with Netflix marathons, we've got a few ideas for fun, easy projects that are sure to drive the winter blues away.

This clementine candle DIY is an Apartment Therapy classic. All you need to make it is an orange, a knife, and a little oil. These little guys are cute as a button, will make your home feel warmer and smell great, and you can even float them in the bathtub.


Flower pounding is a fun, novel way to create art for your home, or just while away a winter evening. The video suggests gathering flowers around your home, which may not be a possibility around this time of year, but you can always pick up a bouquet at the florist or grocery store, and use the flowers that don't get pounded to brighten up your home.

The jitterbug will provide hours of entertainment and is a fun little toy to make, even if you don't have a lot of (or any) experience with electronics. You can even make a couple and have jitterbug battles. You may ever want to leave home ever again.

4 Important Elements for Home Organization

What are your keys to staying organized in your home?  There are four vital elements that will make your home organization that much easier.  These include purging scheduled and creative storage solutions.   Keep reading this blog to learn more, and check out Apartment Therapy for more great home tips.



1. A regular schedule for purging

Did you think we were going to say "label maker"? Hey, we're sure those are handy to have around, too. But to really want to end your disorganized ways for good to end up with rooms that stay pretty smart and sleek on the regular, you're going to have to plan out, record and stick to a regular schedule for purging.

So whip out the planner or calendar app, and make dates with yourself and your storage in intervals that work for your needs. Think about the hot spots in your home, and think about how long it took for them to get messy again after an organization session. This will tell you how many purging sessions to schedule and what the intervals need to be. Then of course, don't ignore those reminders when they pop up through out the year!

2. Creative storage that stretches out, gets a little weird but most importantly gets the job done

Unless you were blessed with wall-to-wall built-in cabinets (and actually, even if you're lucky enough to have that!), you're going to want to customize the storage you have, add more to what your home came with, get a little weird if it means making something work for your needs and not be afraid to go vertical, horizontal and every direction in between.

It's about not accepting the extra space in between your stuff and your existing shelves — it's using every square inch with small but easy additions like shelf risers and under shelf hooks. It's about going vertical, stealing storage space from hidden spots like under the bed and above the door. It's not about making more space to fill up; it's about giving your stuff — and yourself — room to breathe.

3. A works-for-you storage hierarchy

Do you always have to move five boxes out of the way to get to the one box full of things you actually use regularly? Well that doesn't sound like your storage is working very well for you. And you know what that might lead to? You not using your storage, your stuff cluttering up and your home not being nearly as functional as it could be.

It's more common than you think — folks tend to stick to the way they set-up their space after move-in — and you can not realize that you're going through pretty ridiculous movements to get to things. So reevaluate your space for howyou use it on a regular schedule, and don't be afraid to make storage changes to make it easier to get to things. Fay Wolf explains it well in this one-minute video tip and you should give your home a function makeover:

4. Storage elements that excite

Whoo buddy this can be a tough one to implement if there's absolutely nothing about the act of storage and organizing that revs your engine. But that means you've got to try even harder. Maybe it's a shiny new label-maker you use to pump out helpful but witty labels. Maybe it's splurging on a set of baskets so gorgeous you can't wait to tuck things away in them.

You're looking for that motivation — the sort of thing that's going to keep you coming back to your storage solutions and using them long after the luster as worn away. It could even just be hanging on to the feeling of a refreshing, creativity-inducing space when you organize. You've got to find what it is that excites you about getting and staying organized and invest the time and energy for your rooms, you're worth it!

Uses For Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil has many uses in the home and in food.  However, there are 15 ways you can use this oil to improve your body and your home.  This blog gives you links and ideas on how to use this delicious smelling oil.  You can learn more at Apartment Therapy.

• As a body lotion and moisturizer: Smooth on the room temperature oil and watch it melt into your skin! As a "dry" oil, it won't leave a film of grease on your skin.
  
• Stop the itch: Mosquitos been feasting on you? Dab on a bit of coconut oil to quell the itch (and next time, tuck a dryer sheet into your pocket to keep the bugs away). Plus, it may help the bite heal without leaving a scar and it's antibacterial properties will help it from getting infected.

• Insect repellent: Mix coconut oil with a few drops of peppermint oil to keep bugs away!

• Aftershave: Slather it on your face or legs after shaving to prevent rashes.

• Sunscreen: It sounds counter-intuitive but apparently it works.

• Deodorant: Use a small amount alone or combine with equal parts baking soda and cornstarch. Work into a solid paste until it's the same consistency as the stick kind.

• Hair Conditioner: lightly coat your palms and smooth it into your hair before styling. It's especially great in the winter, smoothing flyaways and taming frizzy hair.
  
• Toothpaste: Try this recipe!

• Furniture Polish: Mix it with a little lemon juice and use it on wood furniture.

• Bronze Polish: Rub a little into bronze items to clean and deepen the color.

• Leather cleaner: Using a clean cloth, work a small amount into leather shoes to moisturize them and make them shine.

• Remove rust: Before you toss those rusty knives or scissors, try this: slick coconut oil on the blades and let it sit for an hour then rinse with warm water.
  
• Remove labels and their sticky residue: Cover the label with a film of coconut oil and let it soak in for a moment. The label should wipe off. Use a bit of oil on a towel to remove whatever's left.

• Remove gum from hair: Peanut butter was the go to remedy for this when I was a kid. Coconut oil's a lot more pleasant to work with. Apply the oil directly to the gum, let it sit for a moment before slowly sliding the gum out.
  
• Stain remover: Click here for details on how to make a spotting stick to remove clothing stains. The undiluted oil can be used to clean ink off of plastic and vinyl furniture.

Remember Your Breakfast

How many times a week do you skip breakfast?  Everyone has always told you breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  However, this saying does not always stay in your brain as you are running out the door in the morning.  Make sure you get your breakfast every morning with these five tips.  You can learn more at The Kitchn.

1. Keep breakfast in mind when you grocery shop.

This sounds simple, but when the week gets busy, this step can be easy to overlook. If you've ever filled your cereal bowl only to realize you were out of milk, you know what I'm talking about.

During the weekend I like to stock up on all of the staple items I'll need for the week. Think about what you want to eat for breakfast during the week — maybe it's fresh fruit, a simple bowl of cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, or muffins. Whatever it is, pick up everything you need before the week gets rolling. There's a good chance you'll eat a better breakfast when you have the things you want to eat on hand.

2. Prep breakfast basics ahead of time.

This one simple step makes all the difference in the world. If your mornings are anything like mine, time is a precious commodity, so the less work I have to do, the better! It makes your routine easier, when your favorite foods are prepped and ready to eat. Keep breakfast foods easy and convenient.

For you, maybe this means cutting up fruit, prepping smoothie ingredients, or leaving the bowls, spoons and boxes of cereal ready to go on the kitchen table.

3. Hard-boiled eggs are your friend!

This is one of my top picks for a quick and easy breakfast! I make a pot of hard-boiled eggs on Sunday night, and they last me through the week. Hard-boiled eggs are quick to make, nutritious, and so versatile! Eat them on their own, or slice on top of a piece of toast along with some greens. (Soft-boiled eggs can be made ahead too.)

4. Find a few make-ahead breakfasts you like.

When food is prepped, prepared, and pretty much at your finger tips it's a lot more likely you'll end up eating a better breakfast. Whether it's porridge, granola, or scones, find something you like and make and make a week's worth ahead of time.

5. Grab and go containers are a game changer.

Don't stop at make ahead breakfasts; also make them ready to go. Again, convenience is the name of the game in the morning. The less work you have to do, the better. I love making a week's worth of oats on Sunday night, then portioning them into individual-size containers (along with toppings!). In the morning all I have to do is reach in the fridge and grab it as I'm running out the door for work.

What's your best tip for eating a better breakfast during the week?

De-Clutter Your Apartment

Does your apartment get cluttered throughout the week? Here are some great tips on how to slowly eliminate the clutter that builds up throughout the week. These tips will help your apartment stay cleaner, and it will help you feel less stressed when you come home. You can learn more at apartment therapy.

Designated Outbox: Set up a permanent basket, box, or bag by your front door to toss things that need to go. Make it part of your decor so that it's part of your daily life and doesn't just look like a messy cardboard chore lurking in the corner, sending accusing looks at you. Try emptying it once a week or at least twice a month.

Clean As You Cook: Somehow a messy kitchen with a pile of dishes is always the first stop on the ride on the messy train. Never go to bed with a sink full of dishes. Waking up to dirty dishes just sets you starting your day off wrong. Also, try to clean up as you cook so that when dinner is done you don't turn around to more work and can end your night on a good note.
Sort Mail Immediately: I am guilty as charged when it comes to piles of mail in various places that "I'll get to later." My new workflow is: pick up mail; open it over the recycle bin; put bills in a designated bill cubby; and feel good while doing it.

Tidy Up 10 Minutes a Day: You can split this up into two five-minute chunks or a full ten. Quickly shuffle through your house (preferably at the end of the day) and put away all those little things that you took out, opened, or tossed on the couch throughout the day. This way you can reset your home each evening and start fresh each morning.

Refocus Your Energy: A long time ago I heard someone say, 'it takes just as much energy to be messy and it does to be clean" and it always stuck with me. It makes total sense: when you're messy you are just delaying the energy it will take to clean it up instead of doing it immediately. I find that, when I clean as I go, I'm much happier and rest so much better without 'to do's' weighing on my mind, or seeing guilt-ridden piles of stuff.