Photo shoot ideas at a Pumpkin Patch

Auburn WA seattle fashion blogger sweater weather denim skirt beanie long hair
There's just one more weekend until Halloween passes us for some pumpkin carving time and before the farms close for the season! Pumpkin patches are one of my favorites to visit in the fall not only for all things pumpkin, but also for all the local produce, mini gourds to use for decor, fresh made kettle corn, and of course, photo shoot opportunities! I went to Mosby Farms in Auburn, WA the other week and have some ideas for you below!

Corn maze 

Auburn WA seattle fashion blogger sweater weather denim skirt beanie
Auburn WA seattle fashion blogger sweater weather denim skirt beanie
Auburn WA seattle fashion blogger sweater weather denim skirt beanie autumn
Auburn WA seattle fashion blogger sweater weather denim skirt beanie long hair
Auburn WA seattle fashion blogger sweater weather denim skirt beanie
Most pumpkin patches are right next to corn mazes which make for a fun and awesome photo opportunity, especially when you can get a section to yourself! Plus, with corn mazes around, there's bound to be plenty of corn to purchase to eat later on =)

Playing with the gourds

seattle beanie sweater weather auburn blogger fashion fjallraven denim skirt
seattle beanie sweater weather auburn blogger fashion fjallraven denim skirt
seattle beanie sweater weather auburn blogger fashion fjallraven denim skirt
Pumpkin patches tied to farms also tend to have tons of local produce including a whole assortment of gourds you can buy for purchase to eat or for decoration. Check out those suuuper long gourds (Oppo squash maybe?)! Definitely an 'oh my GOURD' moment.

Signs and haystacks

seattle beanie sweater weather auburn blogger fashion fjallraven denim skirtseattle beanie sweater weather auburn blogger fashion fjallraven denim skirt
seattle beanie sweater weather auburn blogger fashion fjallraven denim skirt long hair
seattle beanie sweater weather auburn blogger fashion fjallraven denim skirt
Most pumpkin patches have signs of their location and fun little sets to take photos. Mosby Farms had this fun picture frame area for photos next to the haystacks by their signs. They also had one right by the entrance surrounded with different pumpkins and wheelbarrows. Definitely fun props for your fall photos!

Mini pumpkins & game sets

seattle beanie sweater weather auburn blogger fashion fjallraven denim skirt long hair
seattle beanie sweater weather auburn blogger fashion fjallraven denim skirt long hair
Mosby Farms had this really cute checker board set up so you could play a game of checkers using pumpkins as the playing pieces! Using what's available at your local pumpkin patch is a great way to get some fun, candid shots, especially if you're shooting fun kid shots.

Pumpkin Patch

seattle beanie sweater weather auburn blogger fashion fjallraven denim skirt long hair
seattle beanie sweater weather auburn blogger fashion fjallraven denim skirt long hair
Last but not least, when you one is at the pumpkin patch, you have GOT to take photos with all the pumpkins! Whether you're int he middle of the field with scarecrows lurking, or using the corn maze as a backdrop, the possibilities are endless. Another fun prop that I missed out on was using the wheelbarrow as a prop (next time!). 

Photos by @isobeaut

Do you like the pumpkin patch? What are some of your favorite photos to take at one?

-Kirstie

Local 360 Vegan | Tasting Menu Experience

*This post is not sponsored but the meal was provided by Local 360 Vegan. All thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.

Today's post is SUPER exciting. I am a big fan of tasting menus and this one is even better because if features a vegan menu. Not only that, one of the chef's/bakers there is someone I met on Instagram over 3 years ago and her and her husband worked to open Local 350 Vegan. When she reached out to me to enjoy a tasting here, I definitely had to try it out (Chef Tanya is an AMAZING baker).

seattle belltown foodie blogger

The concept at Local 360 is truly special - they only use ingredients sourced no further than 360 miles away from Seattle. This helps showcase what the PNW has to offer with a culmination of fruits, veggies, grains, and more. The ambiance was great-there is definitely a rustic, ethereal vibe to this space, especially as it turns into dusk.

Below is the menu and a look at the courses we had:
Seattle foodie blogger kfclovesyou belltown
Seattle foodie blogger kfclovesyou belltown
Pictured above are the Kale Chips, Watermelon Gazpacho, and Wild Mushroom Mousse with fresh baked foccacia, and a side salad. 

  • The Kale Chips were baked just right and heavily oiled with salt for a very nice simple taste and texture. I definitely enjoyed the whole Kale leaf vs. how you may get them broken up or crumbled in a chip bag. 
  • The Watermelon Gazpacho was absolutely refreshing and so full of flavor. The use of fruits, tomatoes, edible flowers, and pea vines added such a nice variety of texture and flavor. This was one of my favorites for sure (and how pretty is the plating, or all the silverware for that matter!?).
  •  Another favorite course was the Wild Mushroom Mousse. If you didn't tell me this was vegan, I would've never guessed it! It tastes like a delicious pate, but just a bit creamier and smoother. The cooked cherries on top just added a nice sweet layer of flavor. Dipping the fresh baked foccacia was a game changer. 


This beauty here is the Almond Cheese Tartine, or an adult version of the classic PB&J. This was elevated to a whole other level starting from the presentation all the way down to the taste of the almond butter and the blueberry compote and the perfect crunchiness of the baguette. 
seattle blogger foodie kfclovesyou belltown
Another sweet treat I want to share is the Vegan French Macaron. It's vegan because they used aquafaba aka the water from chicpeas whipped to the consistency similar to that off eggwhites! Apparently it's a finicky ingredient but these turned out so great!

My dining experience was so amazing that I went back a few weeks later to treat my family out and there were already some new items on the menu!
seattle blogger foodie kfclovesyou belltown
  • Roasted summer squash and caramelized peaches: I'm not a big fan of squash in general but the preparation of these with the peaches made it more than bearable. This was an excellent example of fruit and veggies paired together.
  • Peach crumble: This a nice and warm pre-dessert that was very comforting. It was reminiscent of a peach cobbler but not overly sweet in anyway.
  • Pavlova made with huckleberries: This was another dish that utilized aquafaba and it tasted just like real meringue. The sweet crunch pavlova paired with the slightly tart huckleberries was a perfect compliment.
  • Corn soup w/ blistered cherry tomatoes: My favorite dish of the night by far! I'm a huge fan of sweet corn and the way they turned it into a creamy soup base with the cherries was amazing. They also paired some pea vines in it which added a nice depth of flavor.

My experience here both times was nothing short of amazing. I would also recommend the wine pairing (split!) for a great deal at an added $20 or their mixed drinks as well. As a very heavily meat/seafood lover, like myself, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and this vegan tasting experience. I did not miss the meat/seafood and was very full after everything was served. I also really appreciate the fact that they're not a place that tries to make something veggies/fruits ar not (like fake meats, etc.). Not that I don't like those since I do love places that serve them, but enjoying the veggies and fruits as they are was a refreshing experience. I am definitely going back not only to support local (and my friend), but because I thoroughly enjoyed the food and can't wait to see what they do as the seasons change.

Check out their website HERE to book and their INSTAGRAM!

Are you a fan of vegan food? Would you try a vegan tasting experience?

-Kirstie

Summer pick-me-up ft. Cascade Ice Water

*This post is sponsored by Cascade Ice and all product was provided. All thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.

Power of 3, seattle blogger foodie lifestyle
I have been a huge fan of Cascade Ice ever since my high school sold their drinks during lunch way back in the day. Then as I got older, I began to appreciate sparkling water without sugar even more. Come to find out that Cascade Ice created a new product with only 3 ingredients that had caffeine in it (I need all the energy I can get, hah), and sugar free, I was instantly intrigued and couldn't wait to try it.

Power of 3, seattle blogger foodie lifestyle
Power of 3, seattle blogger foodie lifestyle
Power of 3, seattle blogger foodie lifestyle
These new drinks come in four flavors that are all organic: Grapefruit, Citrus Twist, Blackberry, and Pomegranate. They consist of only three ingredients: Carbonated Water, Natural Organic Flavor, and Organic Caffeine aka the #powerof3. My favorites are blackberry and citrus twist, but they're all tasty and refreshing, especially when they've been chilled in the fridge. These are great for when I am having sugar cravings, or craving soda - the fruity flavors curb the sugar cravings and the carbonation satisfies the need for the bubbles. 

Power of 3, seattle blogger foodie lifestyle
Power of 3, seattle blogger foodie lifestyle
I also really enjoy mixing these with alcohol, mainly clears such as gin or Korean soju. They're great for a little brunch or picnic outside and is a nice way to add some flavor and bubbles to your drinks. If you want to stick to the non-alcoholic route, adding fruit to these drinks is another way to level them up. My favorite is adding berries to them, but you can really add whatever is in season! They've been nice to have during the hotter summer, Seattle days, especially after a long day of work and training. They're just what I need!

You can find the new Cascade Ice Caffeinated Sparkling Water in local stores in the PNW, such as Albertson’s, Bartell’s, QFC and Safeway with more coming soon. 

-Kirstie

Summer Fruit Picnic ft. Northwest Cherries

*This post is not sponsored but product was provided by Northwest Cherry Growers. All thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.

Northwest Cherry Growers summer picnic hydrangea seattle blogger
Long time no post, but after receiving this beautiful shipment of dark cherries from Northwest Cherry Growers, I was inspired to create and blog! 
Cherries NWCherries Northwest Cherry Growers summer picnic hydrangea seattle blogger long hair
First off, I want to give a huge thank you to Northwest Cherry Growers for sending me 20lbs of dark northwest cherries to enjoy! They have great content on their site including cherry recipes, tips on freezing, drying, and preserving, and so much more. My favorite part of their site is learning all about the different cherry varieties.
northwest cherries cherry ume plum banana
Now, there are tons of ways to enjoy cherries, weather you cook or bake with them, freeze them for smoothies, or preserve them, but my favorite way to enjoy them is as is, nice and fresh! The cherries I received were PLU #4045 dark cherries that were nice and large, firm, and very sweet! They're even better after you give them a good washing and leaving them in the fridge for a few hours. 

Cherries are a great summer fruit staple for parties, potlucks, and of course, picnics! Today, I'm sharing a fun cherry-filled picnic that's perfect for a warm summer day. I hope this gives you inspiration to go out, grab some Northwest Cherries from your local grocery store, and enjoy these deliciously sweet cherries!

Northwest Cherry Growers summer picnic hydrangea seattle blogger
Northwest Cherry Growers summer picnic hydrangea seattle blogger
Northwest Cherry Growers summer picnic hydrangea seattle blogger knolling banana ume plum
Northwest Cherry Growers summer picnic hydrangea seattle blogger

Are you a fan of cherries?! What's your favorite summer fruit?

-Kirstie

Shiro-Hige's Cream Puff Factory | Tokyo Travel Tip

Moshi moshi! Today's post is a short but fun one where I'll be sharing tips and photos of my visit to the infamous Totoro inspired Shiro-Hige's Cream Puff Factory located in Setagaya, Tokyo.
factory tokyo ootd jumper studio ghibli

Tip #1 - Go early

This location is in a smaller town and is very quiet. My first tip is to plan your trip here early, especially if you're staying close to center of Tokyo (in Shibuya, or Shinjuku for example). It'll take you about 30 to 45 minutes to get here by train and walking (depending on how fast you walk) so plan to leave at least one hour early. The shop opens at 10AM.
tokyo japan setagaya totoro studio ghiblitokyo japan setagaya totoro studio ghibli

Tip #2 - RSVP for Cafe seating

We didn't stay to eat in the cafe, but if you did want to, you'll have to reserve seating ahead of time. You might get lucky if you get there early and line up for it, but if you planned to eat there, then your best bet is to make a reservation.

Tip #3 - Take your time in the shop or go back to purchase other goodies

When you first line up to go inside to cream puffs, the shop section is very small and since there tends to be a line in the morning (people not realizing they had to make RSVP to actually sit there and what not) it goes really fast and tends to be a bit overcrowded to look around. I would recommend going in once and purchase your cream puffs, then when it dies down after you enjoyed your puffs, go back in and either purchase more puffs, OR take a look to the left to shop other Totoro inspired goodies such as little cookies and gift boxes! I went in at least two times more after the first time to purchase cookie boxes for myself and as souvenirs. 

totoro cookies and studio ghibli shop kikitokyo japan setagaya shiro hige cream puff factory shop

tokyo japan setagaya shiro hige cream puff factory shop

Tip #4 - Bring Cash!

I didn't see any card machine so definitely bring cash when you are here! The cream puffs are about 460 yen a piece and cookies range in pricing from 300 to 2000 yen (I believe).

Tip #5 - If weather permits, enjoy the outside decor and take pictures!

Don't forget to take advantage of your time there and take photos! There some fun photo spots to pose with/without your puffs. Just be mindful of the neighborhood and not be too loud or in the way since many locals take walks through this area. 
tokyo japan setagaya shiro hige cream puff factory shop
tokyo japan setagaya shiro hige cream puff factory shop tokyo japan setagaya shiro hige cream puff factory shop
tokyo japan setagaya shiro hige cream puff factory shop

This is a bit out of the way (depending on your plans) but if you are in Tokyo for a few days and you are a Studio Ghibli fan, then I definitely recommend stopping by and checking it out! At least for the puffs. It may not be worth your time to sit there ( I also heard the puffs cost more if you sit and eat there) so if you're in a pinch for time, at least stop by the shop. 

Are you a Totoro fan?!

-Kirstie

Instagram Worthy Soft Serve in Tokyo (that also tastes good)

I have had the pleasure of traveling to Tokyo 3 times in the past 2 years and with that came a lot of eating in a short amount of time period, especially trying to indulge in all the delicious ice cream they have there! For this post and for all my Instagram friends out there, I will be sharing my top ice cream places in Tokyo that I would recommend that are not only picture worthy but actually really tasty and are some of the best I've ever had!

I'm a fan of is anything that has Hokkaido Milk in it, and when it is in ice cream form, it is even better! Whether it is in a soft serve or 'softcream' form, I love it all. The majority of my ice cream contains Hokkaido Milk, but there are a couple favorites that aren't.

Cremia

japan food foodie blogger soft serve softcream ice cream
Cremia is a premium softcream that can be found in Japan. I was lucky to be walking distance from one in Shinjuku. According to their site, they use high quality fresh cream from Hokkaido with high milk fat content. That's what gives it its rich flavor. It is extremely fresh. The visually appealing part of this soft serve is the wavy shape of the ice cream itself, reminiscent of silk to show off that smooth taste. Not only that, but they also use Langue de chat (a type of cookie) for their cone instead of your typical cake/wafer cone! It truly brings out the flavor of the ice cream and pairs so well. This would have to be my top 1 or 2 ice creams for sure! Cost: 500 Yen

Milk Craft Cream

tokyo shinjuku food foodie blogger
This one has been on my list for awhile, mainly for the light, fluffy looking swirl I've seen from the interwebs. It took awhile to find it underneath Shinjuku station but  I finally found it! Plus it was right next to my favorite cheese tarte place too! I went for the plain Hokkaido Milk Soft Serve in the cake cone and my taste buds were instantly happy! Let's just say, It was so good, I had to order a second one right after I finished the first since it was my last opportunity to eat it. The texture is light and if ice cream could be fluffy, this was fluffy. It wasn't as rich or dense as Cremia's but still flavorful. And it's so pretty! Like a swirled cloud of goodness. They have other options too like parfaits and such but I went with the classic cone. They also have shops across Japan too so if you missed it in Tokyo, you may find it somewhere else. Cost: 500 Yen.

ZAKUZAKU

shibuya takeshita street japan food foodie blogger hokkaido milk
Here's another spot that has been on my list after seeing the long lines around the store my first time in Harajuku. We ended up coming here early so when we stopped by this spot, only one other person was in front of us. I went for their soft serve that included crumbles of their croquant chou. This was another place that uses Hokkaido milk in their products. Yes it is pretty to look at, especially they serve up a generous amount swirled, but it also tastes delicious. It doesn't have as bold as a flavor as Cremia or Milk Craft Cream, but still one to try. If you're not a fan of soft serve, they also serve their signature cream puffs! Cost: 450 Yen

Learn more: https://zakuzaku.co.jp/

Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory

shinjuku japan food foodie cheese waffle cone hokkaido milk
Ever since I tried their cookies purchased from the airport last year, I was obsessed. I became even more obsessed when I found out they had milk and cheese ice cream too! This was another one that took me awhile to find as I was walking through the Shinjuku underground but when I did, I knew I had to try their milk cheese soft serve swirled in a cheddar waffle cone! If you love cheese, this is for you! The cheddar cone definitely has cheddar flavor to it which isn't too much or overpowering. The ice cream also has a nice cheese flavor to it. The texture of the soft serve is nice and thick and definitely a filling one. Cost: 500 Yen (I believe)


Kino Chaya

Japan green tea food foodie blog blogger
When in Japan, you must try some type of matcha/green tea item and one of my favorites is matcha ice cream. There are quite a few places that do it (special shout out to Suzukien with their potent green tea flavors), but a favorite that I have been to multiple times is Kino Chaya - located right by the Kinokuniya in Shinjuku. The ice cream isn't too sweet and the best part, it has a bold green tea flavor that many versions in the US lack. Plus it isn't bitter, which can be hard to do. It's perfect balanced. They also serve hot matcha drinks and seasonal flavors here as well! Cost: 380 Yen


Sakura Soft Serve

tokyo tsukiji food foodie soft serve blogger
The soft serve above can be found in many shops (ice cream comes in a plastic container, and they use a machine to press them out). This was a Sakura (cherry blossom) flavored and had a nice flavor to it. Cherry blossom to me tastes like the shiso/perilla leaf which is more herbal than floral and some places mix it with ume (plum). This was nice since it wasn't overly flavored or to sweet. Plus, the cone was cute!

So there you have it - Instagram worthy soft serve ice cream in Tokyo that not only are pretty in photos, but also delicious to your taste buds. As I write this post, I can't help but miss all the ice cream I had! I had some other ice cream at other times/places, but these ones were my top favorites for sure!

-Kirstie
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