Seattle Date Night: Viva La France!

November 5, 2009
French Night Date Night!

He Said:

Right, so this is a cracker of an idea. And before you scoff lads, I’m going to spell out clearly why it can be doubly good for you whether you plan it or whether your missus plans it.

French Night is a date that Mandy invented way back when we first started dating.

Mandy rehashed it last night with great successes.

Basically it’s dinner and a movie but as the name suggests, with a French theme.




With a date like this, you can make it as simple or as fancy as you like. You can go out to a French restaurant followed by the theatre or do what we did and prepare it all at home. I much prefer what we did and to make it simple for you guys I’m gunna give you a shopping list for all you need.

Shopping List:

- Camembert cheese
- Crackers
- Apple
- French wine
- Pre-prepared Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Salad to order
- French movie

Too easy.

All of the above can be found easily at any supermarket. As for the movie, I suggest ducking down to any Blockbuster. Most will have an international section that’ll source you all movies French. We watched Mandy’s all time favourite Amelie. A classic and quirky film that most will enjoy once you get over reading the subtitles.

Again lads I hear you scoff over the subtitles! To be honest I was the same way, way back when but here’s why it’s a winner.

Apparently all things French are romantic. If you pull off a date like this you’ll appear cultured, travelled, intelligent and romantic. Parts of this I don’t get as I haven’t met many intelligent Frenchmen but whatever.

It is unique. Organize a simple French date night on Thursday and you’ll get enough brownie points to last you the rest of the weekend of uninterrupted football and beer. Result.

Now for the next part, I’m gunna have to ask mum to run off and grab a coffee, put on home and away. Girls take special, SPECIAL note here.

This is for when you organize it and another thing to keep the men interested!

You see, Mandy is all about the details. That’s one thing I love about her. She does things properly.

And as we just had Halloween, what’s one outfit that comes to mind when you hear French?? Of course a French Maid.

Mandy was kind enough to don the full garb for our date last night. Tie back hat and all.

Enough said... and let me assure you, well worth the subtitles!

Cheers,

Brett

RATINGS:

Romance: 5

Cool Ambiance/Interior: 5

All Around Service: 5+++ when Mandy's in charge!

Cost:
My grocery list complete with wine was $50. I recommend spending an extra $30 on the costume! Your honey (unless he's a chump) will thank you for weeks! ;)

Date ideas for the long weekend!

This Monday is Labor Day, which for most of us Seattleites means a long weekend! Yippee!

I have had several requests from readers to suggest some fun Date Night ideas for those staycationing for the long weekend. Here is just a small sampling of some fun things to see and do with your extra time.


Bumbershoot!

Of course, most of you are probably aware that this weekend is Bumbershoot, Seattle’s biggest music and arts festival that happens every year on Labor Day.

Brett and I live one block from the Seattle Center, so when Bumbershoot hits, we tend to get the heck out of dodge (if we’re not attending), to avoid all the riff raff that drifts into our neighborhood and decides to use our front porch as their personal party pad… (at least pick up your beer cans when you’re done, okay??).

But if you are willing to brave the crowds, there are certainly fun times to be had at this weekend event. Featuring music (bands like Sheryl Crowe, Cold War Kids, Katy Perry, the Long Winters, De La Soul, Spearhead, Helio Sequence, Black Eyed Peas, Modest Mouse and Franz Ferdinand), visual arts, comedy shows, dance, and my favorite Seattle Center treat: ROASTED CORN! Yum.

I’d suggest Monday. Click here for a full schedule!

Evergreen State Fair

Why not take your sweety-kins down to the Fair in Monroe, where you can share a smooch on the Ferris Wheel? There’s really nothing more romantic than feeding each other sweet’n’sticky cotton candy after winning your girl a stuffed monkey at the ring toss! There’s a pie-eating contest, a Rodeo, and even an ice sculpting competition that you WON’T want to miss! Click here for more information! (Monroe not your thing? Puyallup Fair starts September 11th! Believe you me, Brett and i will BE there!)

Wicked

Hit up the Paramount for a night at the theater! Back by “Popular” Demand. The New York Times calls WICKED “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster,” and when it first played in Seattle in 2006, it broke box office records and sold out in record time. Why not take advantage of this Encore performance while it’s still here? Grab dinner at the Metropolitan Grill to make the evening complete. And, to save you a bit of cash, check out THIS amazing offer, good until the 9th of September! How can you pass up a FREE entree at the Met? i know i can't! (Big thanks to Megan Hedman for this awesome tip!)

Chris Issaac at Chateau St. Michelle

Speaking of Wicked: if the lyrics from Wicked Game (“Now iiiiiiiii, don’t want to fall in love, with you”) don’t do it for you, DON’T go see this guy. If they do, which means you’re human, DO GO SEE HIM. Can you imagine a day full of wine tasting at various Woodinville wineries, followed by a romantic meal at the Herbfarm (I’m DYING to go here!), and then listening to those lyrics while snuggling up with your sweetie? Make a night of it by getting a room at the Willow’s Lodge and brunching at the Barking Frog. Yum!

Murder Mystery Cruise

Every Friday night, you can join Argosy cruise lines for their weekly Murder Mystery Cruise from 7.30 to 10pm. If you like to be a part of the show, then this is for you! Your evening of "who-done-it" intrigue is set in an interactive theater-type atmosphere, full of improvisational comedy and audience interaction. Your evening includes a cruise, seated-served, pre-set three course meal, coffee, tea and soda, and a great evening of murder and mayhem! Friday night not work for you? Check out their schedule for additional weekend cruise options!

Dave Matthew’s Band

Hit up the Gorge in George, Washington to see one night (or all 3!) of Dave Matthew’s 3 day concert extravaganza, held annually every Labor Day. Make a romantic night of it by finding a nearby campground and sleeping out under the stars, bringing life to the lyrics of Crush or Crash Into Me. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 6pm. Find tickets here, or on Craigslist for some sweeter deals.

Theater Sports

This one is close to my heart, as it was Brett's and my first official date. We started at his house in Belltown and pub crawled all the way down to Post Alley for the show. We fell in love somewhere along the way. I highly recommend this plan to ALL. OF. YOU. It made for an amazing night (Two years ago September 28th)! Theater sports, with shows Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, is ALWAYS a fun time. It's basically Whose Line is it Anyway, but better, because it's live, and you're there, part of the show. For more information, click HERE.


WHAT!? That's not enough ideas? Okay.



Here is a list of some other options to consider – whether you’re looking for a day trip, or you want to spend a couple days away, you’re bound to have fun visiting some of the Pacific Northwest's most raved about weekend getaway locations!

• Victoria Clipper up to Victoria, BC for the night
  
• Amtrak up to Vancouver, or down to Portland for some tax-free shopping! (round trip tickets as low as $50/pp!)
  
• Drive over the mountains into Leavenworth and spend a day in the village tasting chocolate and wine (steer clear of the hot sauces-they'll getcha)!
  
• Take the Mukilteo Ferry up to Whidbey Island for some R&R at this B&B
  
• Snoqualmie Falls is always a great day trip, or spend the night at the Snoqualmie’s Salish Lodge (after winning some cash at the casino!) for some added romance. This little B&B would make the perfect romantic spot if you’re on a tighter budget!
  
• Port Townsend is only 2 hours from the city, and is of the finest examples of a Victorian Seaport in the United States. With cute shops, farmer's markets, and romantic bed and breakfasts, it’s a relaxing and romantic getaway to help you recharge for the work week.
  
• Get your heart rate going while you get to see one of the most beautiful active volcanoes in the country—Mt St. Helens is quite a drive, and quite a hike, but I’ve heard it’s worth every minute. If it gets too late and you want to stay the night, you will find a wide range of camping facilities in Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Seaquest State Park (you can even rent a cabin!).

Hopefully there is at least one activity on this list that will inspire you this long weekend. Remember, i can't give away ALL our ideas... why else would you keep reading?? ;)

If you have any suggestions for other fun things to do around the city (or the PNW!), feel free to drop me a line and i can add it to the list. Or, even easier, leave a comment below for all to read!

Hope you all have an enjoyable long weekend--if you want to find us, we'll be spending this week's Date Night at the Puget Park Drive-in Friday night, snuggling up while watching Brad Pitt go nutzo on some Nazi's! (Post to come this weekend!)

Happy Dating!

xo,

B&M

Seattle Date Night: Paint Party!

July 9, 2009:

Painting Party!

She said:

Last night was Date Night! And since Brett and i have been hemorrhaging money with our recent travels, and several amazingly full weekends in a row, we decided to stay in and save some money, with an at-home and uber-creative Date Night!

For one of our first dates back in 2008, I invited Brett over for dinner and painting. I'm certainly no artist, and neither is Brett (that was his first painting party), but we both dove in without abandon. It was so fun to do something different and creative, and tease each other about how terrible our painting skills were.

So, when Brett and i were discussing staying in for Date Night this week, he suggested we do a Paint Party, version 2.0! Having loved the last one, I of course was all for it (plus, we get to be in our scrubbies! who doesn't love THAT on a date!).

Since technically it was Brett's turn to plan, he cooked dinner for me. He made this beautiful penne pasta with ground turkey, basil, zucchini and onion! There's just something about a man cooking for you that is priceless. Especially when he's not wearing a shirt. (Sorry if this is TMI... but it's true! Ladies, am i right?? Men, take note!)


[Yum! (The food looks good, too.)]


[Brett's penne pasta and meat sauce]

It turned out fabulously! Brett's always been great at taking a bunch of random ingredients and throwing them together to make something beautiful.






We enjoyed dinner and wine, and then dove right into the painting! Again, we're not good AT ALL, which made it all the more fun! I already had the paints, but you can buy any type of paint you want for this -- from expensive oil paints, to crayola finger paints, to body paint, if that's your thing. We chose to use some cheap-o acrylic paints you can pick up for about $1 a tube at your local Target. Brushes are available there, too.



For paper, we just use tag board ($.39 each at Target), but you can also head to your nearest art supply store (I am a HUGE fan of Michael's) and pick up some inexpensive canvases for about $5 each, if you're feeling really artistic! They have a great selection of different types of paint, too, as well as paint brushes.



[Brett channelling Australia's famous Ken Done]


[Me channelling Koko, the painting gorilla]


[Ken Done's got nothin' on this guy!]



All in all, a fun, relaxing, inexpensive and creative way to spend a night with your hunny!

You can check out the entire photo gallery HERE.

RATINGS:

Romance:
5: It can be SO romantic! Or silly -- make a game of it and paint each other's portraits! Also helped to have "Crocodile Dundee" on in the background...

Cool Ambiance/Interior:
5: But I'm biased... it's our apartment! ;)

All Around Service:
5: Brett was an extremely gracious host!

Cost:
$$: We had almost all the ingredients for dinner already, so that made it cheap. Most of the supplies you can pick up for under $10 at your local Target. Makes for an inexpensive, creative and FUN date night!

Would we recommend it?
5: Yes! DUH! Even if you suck at art, like we do, it's so much fun!

We're going national!

Hello friends!

Brett and i are having a modified Date Night tonight--instead of heading out on the town, we are up to our elbows packing for a long weekend away--we're headed down south to sunny Los Angeles to celebrate his and my birthdays!! (His is the 29th, mine is the 30th! I know, crazy.) We decided to take advantage of Disneyland's FREE entrance on your birthday promotion (we LOVE freebies!) and spend a few days stalking celebrities exploring all the L.A. beaches and hotspots!

So, a long night of laundry and packing for L.A. means two things:

1] We are enjoying take-out from our FAVORITE Thai restaurant, Bahn Thai on lower Queen Anne. We highly recommend it! Some of the best in the city. I always get the sweet and sour chicken ($10.25) and Brett's order ranges from Green Curry to Cashew Chicken (both $10.25) and everything in between. Oh! And they deliver (within a half-mile radius, and with a $30 minimum order)!


409 Roy Street
206.283.0444


2] We'll be taking this week's Date Night on the road! We have a special dinner planned on Sunday night at this FAB restaurant in Santa Monica, which will take the place of our normal Date Night. So, yes, it will be our first out of town blog post! For all of you readers down in the Golden State... this one's for you!


So, apologies for a lack of postings this weekend, we'll be busy taking advantage of some surf, sun, celebrities, and sand!


Happy Dating!

xo


B&M