Today I’m sharing the FIRST COURSE from our Fortunate Feast SPRING series. I knew from the moment I initiated this food series that there might very well end up being a few dishes/food groups that I could shy away from. I wouldn’t consider myself a picky eater (per say), but I’m certainly not an adventurous one at that! So, when I first received the spring menu from Seth, I immediately thought “oh nooo! raw fish – no way!”, but upon committing to the shoot as a team, I also committed to myself that I would try anything and everything that chef Seth whipped up for our collaboration. It’s actually one of the reasons I was so determined to start this collaboration – to learn new ways to incorporate foods in my life that are local, whole and unlike anything I would typically try in my own kitchen.

Hear me when I say this : this crudo, actually changed my life – NO joke! From the second I sampled a bite of this savory fish I fell head over heels in love with this dish. It’s SO SO fresh, and the combination of flavors are unbelievably satisfying. I also love that Seth chose this particular dish for its sustainability. Gotta LOVE that! I actually found myself asking for a second serving (I mean for a girl who twenty minutes prior had never given raw tuna a chance, I think that says a whole heck of a lot!). This dish reinforced that valuable life lesson for me that being opposed to something, or turning it away just because you don’t have experience with it, is a damn shame. Experiment, try, give things a chance. You might just be pleasantly surprised! Bon appetit friends!

Washington Albacore Crudo w/ Kumquat, Fresno chile and Mint

1/2 pound Albacore fillet, thinly sliced

Alderwood smoked sea salt

Fresh pepper, freshly cracked

1/2 lemon, juiced (preferably Meyer lemon)

4 Kumquats sliced paper thin

2 pinches fine sugar

1 Fresno Chile diced seeds removed

2 TBS fresh mint chiffonde

Extra-virgin good quality olive oil

Directions:

In a bowl sprinkle sugar over kumquat slices, stir and let stand at room temp for 15-30 minutes.  Divide the Albacore onto 4 cold  plates, arrange the fish so that it is fanned out . Sprinkle a small amount of smoked salt and fresh black pepper over the fish. Place sugared kumquat slices, chile and mint on and around the fish as desired. Squeeze a few drops of lemon juice on each plate. Drizzle the olive oil over the fish and serve immediately.

FF Collective : {photography : Monica Hines | food and recipe development : Seth Hines | styling and art direction : Jenn Elliott Blake | custom graphics & titles : Amy Moore

Words cannot really express how excited I am for today’s launch of Clyde Oak. I had the utmost pleasure a couple of weeks back to fly to Raleigh, NC to meet the beautiful couple behind the brand, and to work alongside some of my dearest creative friends during the launch of this amazing company. If I had to describe Clyde Oak in one word it would be : honest. I love that this brand stands for the truest part of what we know : ‘this land was made for you and me’. I love that every last detail down to the cotton of their t-shirts is made with the purest whole, true American grown cotton.

But, it’s not even the beautiful products I adore most about this brand (although those adorable White Whale cocktails are SO super tasty AND I want every last item in the lookbook), or even the killer design or composition of the site (Mike & Megan it’s gorgeous!!), but what I feel the greatest connection towards is what the brand actually stands for. What it means to take pleasure in what the soil and earth has to offer us. What it means to cherish the beauty of the land, and to go back to our roots of getting hands dirty on the farm. What it means to eat fresh from our gardens and appreciate those who tend to the fields. To not only make our meals with fresh fruits and veggies, but to also consider what a gift it is to do so.

I feel so overwhelmingly blessed to have had the chance to stand behind this brand and to root them on from their inception. I believe in the ‘new American gardener’ and can’t help but want to embed what this brand stands for into my own everyday life. I’m so so excited to share some behind the scenes images from the lookbook shoot I helped style along with my buddy Grant last month. Stay tuned!

Also, be sure to check out The Fresh Exchange, Culture Keeper & Clyde Oak’s blog this week for all kinds of additional details from behind the launch of this incredible brand.

A special thank you to Megan, Mike, Corey, Shelley & Grant for trusting me and bringing me along to play a role in your journey. I will forever remember our time together in Raleigh.

photography and video credit : {mike gilger of wild measure}

Hello Monday!! As much as the beginning of a new week can be such a drag (boy those weekends are the best aren’t they?!) I do still love Monday’s for the mere fact that they always create a little degree of that “fresh start” feeling. With last week being consumed by some much-needed quiet and personal downtime (hence the slow blogging week) it’s nice to start a new week with a clear mind and heart.

I’m knee-deep in finishing our taxes today (yuck!), so I decided to start a new series on the blog this week to take my mind off all the numbers. Food has always been one of those things that can instantly bring a smile to my face, and with Adam and I trying really hard to eat more consciously lately (we’re doing the Paleo diet about 75% of the time), I find myself drooling even more over recipes around the web.

Highlighting some dishes that are currently catching my eye and making my mouth water! Happy eating friends!

ONE : Brioche French Toast – Sunday Suppers

TWO : Cucumber Noodles in Peanut Sauce : A House In The Hills

THREE : Blackberry Blueberry and Raspberry Smoothie – Island Menu

FOUR : Coconut Butter – The Kitchn

FIVE : Toasted Coconut Tilapia with Pomegranate Salsa – How Sweet It Is

SIX : Vegan Banana Bread – Green Kitchen Stories

Today I decided to simply breath. In and out. To remember why I’m passionate about what I am, and why things just have to turn out the way I ultimately imagine them to be. I forgave myself for not blogging on Monday or Tuesday of this week. I gave myself a break for not finishing my taxes today or even unpacking my suitcase from last weekend’s trip. I wiped my inspiration board in my office clean and started from scratch. I tore pages, I circled words, I de-cluttered and re-cluttered my head with visual stimulation. I found new inspiration and new motivation to keep pushing forward. New reasons, new ideas and new challenges. I gave myself a day off from feeling the pressures of feeling like I had to be it all. Today I just wanted to be someone seeking. Seeking the next step.

I realized the other day that I rarely share which blogs I hold most near and dear to my heart. Those blogs that always inspire me, no matter the time of day, week, or month that I go for a visit. Those blogs that push me to continue working hard & encourage me to creatively seek that next adventure.

Of all the blogs I love most, the food blogs are those ones that I stare at for HOURS AND HOURS on end. Great images of food probably stack up right against great tasting food in my opinion, and those blogs that continually have amazing photography to go along with their recipes are so so inspiring.

I thought I’d share my top 5 favorite food blogs with ya’ll today. I’m sure you’ve heard of many of them, if not make sure to add them to your reader. BUT you’ve been warned : you’ll become endlessly lost in them all the while your stomach growls a ferocious growl.

Cannelle et Vanille - always has the most IMPECCABLE and mouth-watering food pictures around. If you’ve ever visited Pinterest even once, I guarantee you’ve come across Aran’s amazing food photos…they are that good. Every last recipe is so extremely enticing, and the beauty with which she shares her love for food is incredibly inspiring. Aran actually just moved to Seattle recently, so I’m excited to see how her food styling & recipe development changes/evolves in relation to the change of scenery and the beauty of the PNW.

Roost - any blog that has amazing photos AND stunning videos is a winner in my book. This blog is absolutely breathtaking. I honestly can say I love every last post on this gorgeous site and after a couple of years of following along its one that I keep coming back to time and time again. I love that Caitlin’s goal is to focus on the simplicity of life all the while sharing her perspectives in the most tantalizing manner. She also has all of her recipes organized by season which I have found really helpful in knowing what to be inspired by and when. This raspberry almond cake is next on my list to conquer.

Forty-Sixth at Grace - there probably isn’t enough time in the world to explain why I love this blog so. I’m sure you’ve also noted that this is not the first time I’ve mentioned the lovely work of Nikole Herriott on my blog. I’ve been a BIG fan of her shop Herriott Grace for a very long while and am consistently blown away by the beauty and wonder behind the food styling & images on Nikole’s gorgeous blog as well as her work in Kinfolk. Based out of Toronto Canada every last post on this lovely blog has me wishing for a simpler, more focused lifestyle. She also shares the most stunning travel pictures which made me a fan of her work immediately.

Manger - everything about this blog makes me smile. I’m pretty sure one of the reasons I love it most is because the life that Mimi leads is one I dream of someday. Living in the countryside of France, focusing on the important measures in life : family, simple beauty and of course good food. Mimi’s recipes and images are always so mouth-watering, and the simplicity with which she engages the reader is something I cling to. I love that every time I visit her blog I’m immediately taken back to that country I love so.

Love and Lemons - I think what I love most about Jeanine’s blog is how approachable her recipes are. I tend to feel lost in the kitchen but her recipes immediately make me feel like I can accomplish any food challenge and live a healthy life in relation to what’s stocked in our pantry. Her recipes have a large focus on healthy eating (which I love!) and even her most health conscious recipes still look (and taste!) divine. I had the good fortune of meeting Jeanine at Alt Summit this past January and her kindness in our interaction made me even more keen on all that she shares on her beautiful blog.

I hope you find inspiration in these blogs as much as I have. If you’ve got any amazing food blogs that you find yourself scrolling for hours on end I’d love to hear! I’m a sucker for great food.

Happy weekend friends! And a very happy holiday too! Adam and I are flying to Colorado this afternoon to spend Easter with our families and we are so excited. I’m sure I’ll have a few pictures to share from our adventures next week!

photography credit : {cannelle et vanille} {Roost} {forty-sixth at grace} {manger} {love and lemons}

I woke up missing Australia today. I never could have imagined what an impact that country would have on me, but ever since our trip this past December, I find my mind lingering on thoughts of our Australian adventures all the time. It could be a result of the kinship we shared with sweet Caroline and Jayden; or the quite moments we found together in the car along the Great Ocean Road, both of us fighting back tears of the unimaginable beauty of the coastline; or those busy afternoons of shopping/sightseeing/eating in Melbourne’s bustling St. Kilda neighborhood. But something about that country got under my skin in the best possible way.

I shot this picture on one of our last afternoons in Oz. Jayden’s parents had the most amazing orchard in their yard and these bright red cherries were nearly dripping off the trees. We plucked them straight from their branches every morning as the sun rose, their sweetness the most welcoming reminder of summer and the earth’s simple treasures.

I hope we get back to that magical place again someday, I really do.

{photography and styling : jenn elliott blake}

If I’m being completely honest, despite considering myself an avid blogger, there aren’t actually a whole lot of blogs I follow on a daily basis. Although there are a million gorgeous blogs out there (and I do try my best to keep up with as many of them as I can!) there are only a select few I keep gravitating back to time and time again. Emma’s blog : Emmadime is most certainly one them.

I first stumbled across Emma and her gorgeous blog during my travels in Paris a couple years back while Emma was also having adventures of her own in the City of Lights. I have continually been inspired by her immense creativity and talents ever since then, and although I’ve never had the good fortune of meeting Emma in person, I can just tell she’s a really good person – someone who is just immensely genuine and kind.

One of my favorite series on Emma’s blog is her Lovely Lady + Gentle-man style posts. So it’s no wonder that I almost fell off my chair when I read Emma’s email asking me to be a part of the series. I consider it a huge honor to be on her blog, and had so much fun sharing my “favorite piece and why” over on Emmadime today. You can see the post here. Thanks for having me Emma!

Also, a BIG HUGE thank you to my friend Julia for snapping these pics of me in Ballard – my most favorite neighborhood in Seattle. I had so much fun laughing endlessly with you that afternoon!

photography credit : {Julia Manchik}

I’m crazy excited to share our very first recipe from Fortunate Feast today! Thank you again to everyone for your support and kind comments in relation to this new series. Like I mentioned before I’ve been dying to get a food series going on this blog for a REALLY long time, and having a collective series such as this, with such an amazing group of people is a total dream. I hope you’ll enjoy all of the yummy recipes that are to come in the months ahead!

If you’ve been following along in the past couple weeks, I started the series off by showing a behind the scenes look at the initial process for our first dinner here, and last week the spring inspired tabletop design here. Up next is this cheery and vibrant cocktail called the Blood Orange 75. From the moment I saw Seth pour the first cocktail of the night, I couldn’t get over how intense the color was – it’s absolutely gorgeous!! I’m telling ya, this drink would easily impress any dinner guest and those blood orange garnishes are too amazing for words. I also LOVE knowing that the Gin for this cocktail was sourced right here locally in Seattle! Hope you enjoy!

FF Collective : {photography : Monica Hines | food and recipe development : Seth Hines | styling and art direction : Jenn Elliott Blake | custom graphics & titles : Amy Moore | PNW sourced ingredients : Big Gin - made in Seattle WA & Wine By Joe - made in Oregon}

One of my goals this year has been to put more effort into being spontaneous. I tend to be the kind of person that doesn’t like surprises and wants to know what’s happening WAYYYYY in advance. But lately life doesn’t really seem to happen that way anymore, and I’m slowly learning to be a lot more accommodating and not so tightly wound. Turning thirty next month has also really pushed me evaluate myself as a person, and made me want to take life a little less seriously, while also intentionally creating as many special moments as possible when I get the chance.

So last month, when Adam asked me on a random Thursday if we could use our travel benefits to fly to London for the weekend I didn’t even think twice about it especially when I saw how excited he was about the possibility. After saying yes, I realized that we might actually be downright out of our minds…to Europe and back in less than 2 days? Sure no problem! But by Friday night we were packed, and by Saturday morning we were flying high over the Atlantic. We landed in London bright and early Sunday morning, explored the city until we couldn’t possibly walk another step, and then flew right back home to Seattle the next morning.

We actually spent more time in the air than on the ground, yet we were delirious with laughter throughout the entire weekend, and it was honestly one of my favorite memories of the last 8 years with Adam. There couldn’t have been a more perfect way to catch up with one another, explore a city abroad and push the spontaneity factor to a whole new level. So blessed to share life with a person that cherishes travel and exploring other cultures as much as I do.

Earlier this week I shared the very first post from the new series Fortunate Feast. I was so excited about the feedback we received from that post (thank you for all of your sweet comments and enthusiasm about the new series!) so I’m all the more excited to show you additional images from our spring inspired feast today. On Tuesday I shared images Monica snapped of Seth from the initial planning process of any meal – the gathering and initial prep. Today I’m showing you the other half of that formula : the creation and setup of the tabletop.

For our first season of the series (spring) I wanted the tabletop to be clean and inviting with a little whimsical charm. Upon a visit to the local floral market, I fell in love with those teeny-tiny daffodils that immediately set the stage for the table. I loved the idea of incorporating eggs onto the tabletop, although I wanted to keep their colors warm, neutral and inviting with a subtle pop of color. I obtained some gorgeous brown organic eggs from the local farmer’s market in Ballard, and painted some white ones in light shades of mint, coral and pink. I rarely gravitate towards pastel colors, so I really wanted to push myself to incorporate their subtleties onto the table for this first shoot of the series. The small wood plates seemed like the perfect complement to their cheery palette and grounded the eggs against the wood base of the table.

The white distressed picnic table and benches are still one of my favorite local vintage finds to date. I loved how the worn wood contrasted against the clean lines & fresh colors of the layers of decor. I used cork placemates as the base of each setting, and tacked menus I made/printed to each setting. Those adorable jade salt cellars were a vintage find from Watson Kennedy here in Seattle, and the mint rimmed glasses were the most perfect touch to Seth’s drink recipe (coming next week!). The blue pinstripe napkins felt like the perfect way to round out a table of pretty color.

In the coming week’s I’ll be sharing recipes from our spring inspired feast! I’m telling you…the food is CRAZY good!! A few of the items Seth included on the menu were even things I’ve never tried before or given a chance. My goal in this collaborative series has not only been to really push myself creatively, but to push my taste buds as well! I wanted to try everything on the menu and was so impressed. We all groaned through the majority of the meal as everything was so fresh and tasty. I can’t wait to share the recipes with you! Stay tuned!

FF Collective : {photography : Monica Hines} {food : Seth Hines} {styling and art direction :Jenn Elliott Blake} {custom graphics and titles : Amy Moore}