faves from moorea seal

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t's been so exciting watching my friend Moorea kick ass this year.  Not only is her shop constantly full of drool-worthy pretty things, she's publishing not one, but two books!  Damn girl.  So thankful to blogging for bringing us two Pacific Northwest gals together.  Her first book, The 52 Lists Project, comes out in September, but she's currently got it up for pre-sale on her shop, so if you want to be one of the first to get your hands on it, head over and preorder it.  And even better?  The first 100 preorders get a signed copy!  Get your signed copy now before Moorea dethrones Oprah because girl is killing it. I've been simplifying a lot (like... a LOT), and have been starting to make the move from house to Brave, which is a lot more overwhelming than I anticipated.  Anyway, small, simple details are important to me for Brave living.  I love the dip-dyed macrame wall hanging and can envision it fitting perfectly on one of the few walls in the Brave.   While my size 4 fingers are too small for traditional mass-market rings, the midi ring trend has become my new favorite thing.  I'm in love with these little gold and turquoise rings, and since some of the collection are size 4, I know at least a couple would fit me!  The rest would just have to become gifts for friends because none of my fingers will fit a 7.  #babyhandproblems I'm not a piercing person, I don't even have my ears pierced (with my hair you'd never see earrings anyway...).  But I do love a cute nose ring!  When I saw this faux nose ring nose clip in Moorea's shop I immediately bought it.  It's so much fun to be able to have a pretty little nose ring on days when I'm feeling extra wild.  And a rad pair of aviators tops off the look perfectly.   I love that Moorea still has these glass diamond terrariums in her shop.  Two years ago when she opened her online store and did her first product shoot at my house, she brought them over and I had just bought one from the maker on etsy shortly before!  I knew I was going to love everything in her shop because everything she brought for the shoot I wanted to steal and keep.  Luckily I'd already bought this little guy, and I love that she still offers them!

mushroom queso fundito

ne of my favorite gut busting appetizers at Hilltop Kitchen here in Tacoma is the Queso Fundito.  It's basically melted cheese with a few toppings, and while I always feel like I've made a terrible decision about two hours later, in the moment, oh man, it's delicious.  At HK you can add bacon if you want, but I decided to make this Queso dip with sautéed mushrooms instead, because mushrooms are also delicious. And also make me feel a little less terrible about the caloric intake.  But only just slightly.  But lest you be thinking that it's a bad idea to make this, I promise that it's super delicious, but also advise that you involve a few friends in the consumption.  Because eating this on your own is definitely a bad idea, but with a few friends, it's absolutely a good idea.  

Ingredients:
1 small tomato diced
1 small red pepper diced
1 small serrano pepper diced
4 oz of Kerrygold Aged Cheddar
4 oz of Dubliner with Irish Stout Cheese
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 of an onion diced
1/2 cup of lager
2 tbsp of butter
salt and pepper
1/2 avocado sliced
5 mushrooms sliced
green onion sliced


1. Mix tomato, red pepper, and serrano pepper in a bowl with salt and pepper, set aside

2. Prep the cheese blend by mixing grated cheeses in a bowl and mix in flour.

3. Saute mushroom slices with butter and salt and set aside.

4. Saute diced onion in butter until translucent on medium heat. Add lager and stir. Add cheese mix a handful at a time, stirring each time until fully melted. To get your perfect consistency, adjust the amount of flour and beer until you get it where you want it.  If it's too watery add more flour, if it’s too thick, add more beer. Stir in the tomato/red pepper/serrano pepper mixture well and top with a few diced peppers, avocado slices, mushrooms and green onions sliced.

Eat bubbling hot with chips!