Belles of the Sound

A Smash Putt obstacle. Photo via SmashPutt.com

Do you enjoy putt-putt, but are maybe looking for a little change of pace? If so, Smash Putt may be for you! Smash Putt is a seasonal mini golf experience unlike anything you’ve seen before. This year’s theme is “2012: The Final Apocalypse,” which sounds like an absolute blast to me. It features unbelieveable obstacles such as the golfball cannon or a new one featuring scratch and sniff technology according to the website.

Once you are done putting, feel free to stick around for cocktails. Smash Putt has an on-site lounge, as well as a viewing room so you can watch others tackle the putting elements. The also have group rooms for rent if you want to through a private Smash Putt event.

You MUST get tickets in advance. Every night sells out. The catch is that they only sell tickets for the upcoming weekend, so you have to be on top of your game. Go to this website to select your tee time and purchase tickets. Note that some times are strictly 21+. Tickets cost $12 or $15 depending on your tee time.

Smash Putt is located at 2764 6th Ave. S in SoDo. It’s open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting this weekend through the end of February!

Don’t miss out on this wacky putting adventure.

Can you believe its almost 2012!! Oh my, the time does fly.

If you are still lacking NYE Party plans, I’ve got an off-the-beaten-path suggestion for you, literally. The popular Underground Tours by Bill Speidel (located in Pioneer Square, for those of you less familiar) is hosting a special version of it’s popular 21 and over tour, the Underworld Tour. According to its website, the Underworld Tour is ”an historic guided tour of sin and flimflam in Seattle’s infamous old red-light district.”

This tour of Seattle’s dark underbelly kicks off at 10:00 p.m. and includes a cocktail served at the end of the tour in Doc Maynard’s old house. ADDITIONALLY, you get a glass of champagne at midnight on the house. It is recommended that you reserve your tickets in advance, which are $25 each. Please note this tour is strictly 21+, and don’t forget that you can continue the fun at any of the fun bars and clubs within walking distance of the tour!

The Belles and I wish you all a happy and safe new year, and look forward to the exciting things to come on this blog in 2012!

Looking for some good, family-friendly Christmas fun this weekend? One of our dear bloggers, Karianne, is participating in the annual street corner caroling competition that takes place downtown Seattle called Figgy Pudding! All proceeds from event donations go to the Pike Market Senior Center & Downtown Foodbank. Figgy Pudding consists of more than 40 caroling groups all over downtown.

When I moved to Seattle from Florida, I knew about the rain this city is known for. It was something that I had to seriously consider before moving here, as I am a bit of a heliophile. I have family in Ohio, so I am used to the snow, but incessant rain is something else altogether. Tanning salons can take care of my body’s craving for Vitamin D, but what about my social life (or lack thereof, as the case may be)? Here are some things on my to-do list for the upcoming winter season.

Underground Tour
Since moving here, I have learned quite a lot about Seattle history. One of the most fascinating things that I have learned is of the underground passages beneath Seattle. Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour offers an interesting time out of the rain and chill, while teaching tourists about the history of Pioneer Square, the one-time heart of the Emerald City that was destroyed in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, only to be rebuilt during the economic boom of the 1890s (and then partly hidden when retaining walls were added to the area). The tour begins at the restored Doc Maynard’s Public House, and winds along for a few blocks beneath the streets of Seattle, ending at Rogues Gallery, an Underground Tour gift shop. Visit the website for a tour schedule, and head underground!

Museum of History and Industry
I’m a bit of a history buff, which means I enjoy an afternoon spent wandering through a museum and learning about my favorite subject. Seattle’s indoors swimming pools that allow Seattleites the opportunity to swim and socialize during the dreary winter months. As someone who is used to being able to go to the beach at any time of the year, this is definitely something I am interested in making a permanent part of my winter routine. For those of you with kids, there are teen nights and family swim times, and personal lessons are available for the inexperienced swimmer. Pack your suit and head that way!

As you can see, there are many interesting things to do in Seattle when the rains hit. Instead of staying indoors, why not look into all Seattle has to offer, and get to know Seatown in new and unique ways? You may well fall deeper in love with your hometown than ever before.

I don’t know about you, but many of the people I know don’t make plans until the last minute. Especially when it comes to Halloween. Maybe they want to see what are the best events… or they don’t like to commit. Whatever the case, I’ve got you covered! Here are 13 activities this weekend to thrill, scare and entertain you!

1.  Fright Fest at Wild Waves

• “Wild Waves Theme Park morphs into a shadow land of ghosts of ghouls. Giant Creatures inhabit the roller coasters. And scares await you at every turn.”
• Wild Waves Theme Park, Federal Way
• Friday and Saturday from 6-11pm, Sunday 5-9pm
• $24.99 plus tax

2. BUMP! Heaven + Hell

• The self-proclaimed “Northwest’s hottest Halloween party” features heavenly music, decadent performers, the luscious chill lounge, and a $1000 costume contest!
• Showbox at the Market
• Friday 9pm – Saturday 2am
• $40

3. Halloween Spooky Soiree

• A fabulous costume party with an 80s dance floor and a martini lounge benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 5% of the sales and an optional $10 donation will go to cancer research.
• Alibi Room
• Friday 2pm – Saturday 2am
• Suggested $10 donation

4. Halloween Pub Crawl

• Massive costumed pub crawl from Pioneer Square to Belltown! Check the Facebook invite for the schedule or follow @SeaPubCrawl on Twitter.
• Various locations throughout downtown Seattle
• Saturday 12-8pm
• No cover charges, Happy hour deals at many locations

5. Seattle Erotic Art Festival – SEDUCTION

• Seattle Erotic Art Festival’s first ever Halloween Party!
• Fremont Studios
• Saturday 8pm – Sunday 2am
• $42.50

6. Belltown Pub 2^nd Annual Halloween Costume Party

• Dance party complete with Jell-o shots and a chance to win a trip to Vegas! Don’t forget your costume!
• Belltown Pub
• Saturday 9pm – Sunday 2am
• No cover

7. The Ultimate Halloween Bash

• “With over 1000 guests dressed in their most elaborate, creative and sexy guises, your eyes will be titillated, tantalized and entertained!”
• Showbox at the Market
• Saturday 8pm
• $45

8. Masquerade Costume Ball

• The 4^th annual Bonza Bash Halloween Masquerade Costume Ball.
• EMP
• Saturday 8:30pm
• $40

9. KUBE 93 FM Haunted House

• Get your scare on at the old Georgetown Morgue!
• Georgetown Morgue, south of downtown near the First Ave. Bridge
• Friday and Saturday from 6pm-midnight, Sunday from 6-10pm
• $16

10. 106.1 KISS FM House of Terror

• The hair-raising House of Terror! Be afraid!
• 19802 Hwy 99, Lynnwood
• Friday and Saturday from 6pm-midnight, Sunday from 6-10pm
• $16

11. Stalker Farms Haunted Attraction

• Check out the Field of Screams haunted corn maze, hunt for the missing Dr. McFalin and there’s even a nonscary maze for the faint of heart!
• Stalker Farms – 8705 Marsh Rd., Snohomish
• Friday – Sunday from 7-10pm
• $20 for all attractions (less if you only pick one)

12. Corn Maze-Apocalypse

• Huge game of Zombie vs. Survivor in a corn maze!
• Stalker Farms – 8705 Marsh Rd., Snohomish
• Monday 7-10pm
• $10

13. Halloween Double Feature – The Lost Boys & Tremors

• Watch two classics while you enjoy a beer and some food
• Central Cinema
• Friday – Sunday at 7pm (The Lost Boys) and 9:30 (Tremors)
• Each movie costs $6 advance, $8 day of show

Who doesn’t love a Top Pot doughnut? You’re crazy if you don’t.  – That’s all.

Top Pot co-founders and Seattle-based book author, Jess Thompson have co-written a book that will teach anyone, you, how to make your own famously hand-forged Top Pot doughnuts in your own kitchen.

The book is called Hand-Forged Doughnuts and is for sale on Amazon.

The Seattle PI reporter Amy Rolph said it best yesterday in her post:

“Step one: Buy Top Pot Doughnut’s new book about making ‘Hand-Forged Doughnuts.’

Step two: Do whatever the book tells you to do.”

And… watch this awesome video the co-founders put together. At the very least, it will make you want to make a doughnut run on your lunch hour.

Top Pot Doughnuts_Chronicle Books Trailer

- I  notice that I’m carrying on the sweet theme here from Belle Jeanine’s post yesterday… I have seen Top Pot Doughnuts as a wedding cake table before. Just sayin’

As I work to plan my upcoming wedding, I decided I didn’t want to do the whole, big, traditional wedding cake. Therefore, I’ve been seeking out the perfect little desserts to include on my cake table. So far, I’ve found a couple that are worthy of my affection, and wanted to share them with you all:

A la Mode Pies

A la Mode Pies‘ Owner/Chef Chris makes up delicious “LolliPies” that come in several flavors including cherry, apple and blue hawaiian. These delicious pastries on a stick will be the perfect addition to my wedding, and to your grad party, birthday party, or maybe just because you need a slice of pie! These things taste just like grandma’s and you won’t be disappointed. A la Mode Pies also offers a huge, seasonal variety of full-size homemade pies just in case the single servings aren’t enough for you!

The SweetSide

Brand new to Seattle (and a former colleague of mine), The SweetSide Owner/Chef Kara has left the corporate world to pursue her culinary cake dreams. Even though she’ll be out of town for my wedding and can’t make these for me, I’m dying to add her cake pops to my wedding dessert line-up. They are simply adorable and come in just about any flavor you can think of. Check out her photo gallery to get some inspiration for how a dessert table should look. Like, A la Mode Pies, Kara and The SweetSide also do full cakes and other delicacies designed to complete your event.

I know there are tons of bakeries in Seattle, many of which I probably am unaware, so if you know of any other places I should add to this list, feel free to enlighten me in the comments below!

With our summer sadly winding down, there are still a few ways you can take advantage of the outdoors, while giving something back to your community. There is a wonderful volunteer opportunity for women in King County and the surrounding areas called Girls on the Run. Girls on the Run is an after school program for elementary school girls in 4th-6th grade. The girls gather together with their “team” two days a week for ten weeks to learn about being healthy, positive young women, all while getting excercise and training for the end of the year 5k!

There are still a few coaching opportunities available for women in the North Seattle area, or those who are willing to travel there. I’m actually coaching this year up in Lake Forest Park!! HOWEVER, if you are like most people, and don’t have a ton of time to give, I’d like to suggest you sign up to be a Running Buddy!

A Running Buddy’s commitment is very low. The duties simply involve being paired with one of the young participants and running (or walking in some instances) alongside them during the 5k. This is a rewarding volunteer opportunity, as you’re able to personally ensure these girls complete their goal that they’ve been working toward for the past 10 weeks, and make sure they have a great time doing it! The program has approximately 350 girls participating this season, and needs that many Running Buddies to accommodate!

If this sounds like something you are interested in, please go to the following link and sign up. And who knows, maybe you’ll just have so much fun that you’ll decide to coach in subsequent seasons.

If you have any questions, visit their website, or feel free to shoot me an email. I look forward to seeing some of you at the 5k!

I know I am not alone in saying that I love Seattle. We truly live in one of the most wonderful cities on the planet. I have spent time in many cities, both inside and outside of the U.S., and have yet to find one that tops Seattle. I keep waiting for a new front runner to emerge, but no serious contenders have emerged. What about our city keeps it in the number one spot? I’m so glad you asked…

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