Stay on the Sunny Side - Capitol Hill

Never has 51 degrees ever felt so amazing. I sat outside on the sun deck for 3 hours just soaking it up. I am still at my palest ever, but loving every second of attempting to tan. I'm not getting my hopes up and thinking this is actually the beginning of the nice season (according to my co-workers, the rain ceases on July 4th AKA the week after I leave) because it is supposed to rain all this week. And even though it was nice all morning, it is cloudy and cold again now.

So I ventured to the cutest book store/coffee shop that I've ever seen. Elliott Bay Books is on Capitol Hill, about a 20 minute walk or 10 minute bus ride away. The bookstore looks so small from the outside, but it takes up most of a block, has 2 floors and hosts a full coffee shop and cafe that serves 3 meals a day and has more seating than most Starbucks. I am currently nestled in a corner bench table with a mug (not to-go cup!) of coffee that is almost at the comfort level of Dunkin Donuts, next to no fewer than 4 outlets! I'm not leaving. I will stay here all day. Until the sun comes back out in which case I'll pack up faster than high school kids at the last bell.

Don't be confused. This came from Elliott Bay Books, not Fonte, which is a mile away by the Seattle Art Museum...

Other highlights of Capitol Hill: Espresso Vivace Roasteria. When I first moved here, I asked everyone I met where the best coffee was, and Vivace kept coming up. I finally made it there yesterday after a major struggle of a hike up the hill. Great coffee, for sure. Their slogan is "una bella tazza di caffe" which translates from Italian to "a beautiful cup of coffee." Appropriate.

Capitol Hill is a weird, kitchy place. They have a walk-up burger joint called Dick's Drive In that has fries on a similar level to Thrasher's boardwalk fries. Their most expensive burger is $3 and it has a 1950s feel. Super cool place, very Seattle. 

This week is exciting because I get to go to San Francisco for work! My company is hosting an event there and my team is going to interview customers about their opinions of our products and stuff. I'm going to be the "hostess" who makes the interview schedule, greets the participants, provides snacks, etc. I've never been to California before and even though I'm going to be inside working most of the time, I am seriously so excited. Also, short work week! :)

I apologize for only writing when it's sunny and nice (aka rarely), but that seems like the only time I have something more interesting to write about than coffee and food. Once it gets warmer, I'm planning to do more fun things outside, like walking to Kerry Park (which supposedly has the best view of the city) and the Woodland Park Zoo! Stay tuned!