Getting a Brazilian....

mocha, that is. Why, what did you think I was talking about?

I have developed a very bad habit with a dear friend of mine. We have started having extremely decadent coffee and pastries in the morning. It is a lovely moment of liesure in an otherwise sticky and frantic sort of day.

We used to go to Cafe Oriel, in Kirkland (R.I.P., sniff, sniff, wiping away a tear) That was even more dangerous, because not only did it involve rich and creamy lattes, but also mimosas (hold the orange juice, right Sarah). Hooray for putting kids in preschool!

Another new favorite is Belle Pastry, chocolate coissant and a non-fat vanilla cappuccino sitting outside in the glorious, previously unheard of, Bellevue sunshine! Pure bliss.

But the best coffee of the week was from Kitanda Brazilian Espresso & Bakery in Redmond, of all places. Our Brazilian Mocha, which is made with sweetened condensed milk, instead of chocolate, was a complete work of art. Creating these works of art was a lovely gentlemen by the name of Thiago. How perfect is that! Somehow, it wouldn't have been as good if it was served up by a Bill or Kevin, right?

I highly recommend taking the time to visit with Thiago at Kitanda. You will not be dissapointed. The only negative, is that like everything else on the Eastside, it's in a strip mall. Thiago makes up for it though.

Paint so exciting it took my breath away...

I went to Kirkland (WA) for coffee (Cafe Ladro - perfect latte) this morning after dropping my littlest off at preschool. I took a little walk afterward to try to erase the little feta spinach quiche I ended up eating with my non-fat latte. (walking at a snails pace 2 blocks with my face squished against all the boutique windows definately burns off the 500 calorie breakfast, right?) Anyhow, I stumbled across the most amazing find. Pure Home. a beautiful boutique speciallizing in COLOR. OMG, they have a paint bar! Like a real bar, all glossy white and swanky, with barstools and everything. And behind the bar, (where the liquor goes), is all...PAINT!!! I think my friend burned more calories laughing at me for being so overly dramatic in my breathless joy at finding this new resource. I love furniture and lighting and flooring and fixtures and all the other little bits and baubles involved in design, but I hate paint. I am so bad at it. I will be counting the seconds until I get in there for my first consultation. Master Bedroom, I'm looking at you. By the way, this picture does not even begin to do it justice. You have to see the bar!