Thunderbirds

I got to go to my first Hockey game this weekend thanks to a very generous invite from some amazing friends (thanks Paul & Krystal!) and our seats were in one of the Suites!

Many of you might not know this but my fiance is a HUGE hockey fan so he was pretty excited for this. (Sidebar: He's a Dallas Stars fan but LOVES anything hockey related)  It was also the Season opener which happened to be against the Portland Winterhawks. Having never been to a Hockey game, other than knowing about occasional fights breaking out, I didn't really know what to expect. It. Was. Amazing. I can absolutely say that Hockey in person is soooo much better than Hockey on TV, but I'll probably be able to appreciate it more now.

We even had a visit from Cool Bird, the Thunderbird's Mascot (I might have been overly excited for this). After letting all the kids in the neighboring suite and ours take their pictures, I got my shot:

I didn't get to see any fights but I did get to see a tie which meant overtime and a shootout. Final Score, 4-3, Thunderbirds win!

I hope this isn't the only game I get to see this season, and after taking a look, tickets are really reasonable (starting at around $16, check out your options here). There were a ton of families at the game, so a pretty awesome, reasonable priced family friendly evening, complete with crowd chanting (in this case, PORTLAND SUCKS!).

Golden Tidbit:

These are the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia (XXII). Not so much an item to buy but an amazing award for athletes who are literally the best in the world at what they do. The last time Team USA won a gold in hockey (ironically) was beating Russia in 1980 at Lake Placid, NY.

Golden Quote: "Goaltenders are 3 sandwiches shy of a picnic. From the moment primitive man lurched erect, he survived on the principle that when something hard and potentially lethal comes toward you at great velocity, get the hell out of it's path." - Jim Taylor

12th Man Tailgate

We had the chance to tailgate before the Seahawks/49ers game started (we didn't have tickets, but sometimes that just doesn't matter) and what a great pre-game show our fans gave!

If you haven't heard of Cornhole, get to know it (here).  Begun in Ohio, this game has quickly spread in popularity, and in just our tailgate lot we found these 3 sets:

They were also giving out Richard Shermam masks, and we happened find a lone Seahawks cupkae so of course this had to happen:

Also, it appears that we now hold the new Guinness Book World Record for loudest game: 131.9 decibels, nice job 12th Man! (Also largest Seahawks game attendance at 68,338!)
Update: apparently there was a reading of 136.6 decibels in the 3rd quarter, but I don't know if that was official....

Golden Tidbit:

Why wouldn't you want a Gold game coin?!? Get yours from the Seahawks Pro Shop for $34.95

Golden Quote: "Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that." - Bill Shankly

Seattle Wedding Expo

I promise that this blog won't turn into a wedding blog, though after two weeks of wedding related posts I can see how you might doubt me. Don't worry, I can't think wedding all the time. Today I dragged took my fiance to the Bride's Club Seattle Wedding Expo, which really served as his first exposure to wedding planning and everything that comes along with it.  He's a trooper.

When we walked in they asked if you were the bride or groom and then literally stuck identifying stickers on you so all the vendors know who to target; smart.  I actually think it was smart for us to go before picking a date, venue, anything, because you go in with an open mind.  That said, we're particular people and we could tell the vendors who just weren't going to mesh with us (I'm looking at you, 2 photographers with the urban vintage hipster booths). There were DJ's, event planners, photographers, caterers, venues, even a balloon guy!  And of course the requisite "If you sign the contract today, you get X % off the already special Wedding Expo price" and I saw a few brides who came prepared for that.  Again, smart.  All in all, while interesting, I guess I expected more booths, and more selections. But that's me, I like options.  Fiance, on the other hand, would like the one and be done.  This is what planning is all about.

There was a single Ice Sculpture guy (Ice Works NW), which I have to say was pretty cool, and probably why he ended up being the only photo I took while at the expo.

If you are a bride-to-be don't fret, there's another one in January. (click here) We also did the 2-for-1 deal so $15 for both tickets.

Golden Tidbit:

This is for the guys.  Inspired by the Tux places I saw at the expo, I know my male readers might need an addition to their wardrobes for that dressy occasion. Obviously a Gold Bow Tie is the way to go. After all, Bow Ties are cool. ($9.95 on Amazon)

Golden Quote: "Everyone has a plan - until they get punched in the face." Mike Tyson

Stationary

I've been in a stationary mood lately but can't seem to find just the right one. (I'm sure part of this stems from the beginning of wedding planning and invitations happen to be on the mind.)

I have a local go-to friend who does my usual custom cards for me (one of those so-good secrets I'm just not ready to share her yet, sorry guys!). This is also in keeping with my intention to send an actual piece of mail/package every week and so far, I've been keeping up pretty well.  I think finding more of the right stationary will help kick me off into the holiday season. (Again, who doesn't love getting real mail?)

Set of 8 + envelopes from Haute Papier for $18

Set of 6 cards + envelopes from Missive for $12

Set of 10 cards + envelopes from Papyrus (by Crane & Co) for $19

$4 each from Hello Lucky

I'd love to hear from you guys though; where do you go for your cards and stationary?

Golden Tidbit:

This Gold Foil notebook is the perfect place to jot down your notes or keep a sylish to-do list! Available from Carde Blanche for just $8 

Golden Quote: "I like writing letters and receiving letters. It's a shame that we've lost the art of letter-writing and saving correspondence." - Elizabeth McGovern