NW Chocolate Festival and Crossing Things Off the List

NW Chocolate Festival

I bought a deal from Voice Daily Deals for two tix to the festival.  I was concerned because I knew I'd be working all weekend.  But, things worked out well, my contractors got finished and I was able to make it.  The deal was $15 for a one-day pass; usually $25 in advance or $20 at the door.

We headed to the festival and enjoyed lots and lots of chocolate!  There were so many chocolate makers there and all offering samples.  In addition there were demo's and lots of stuff for sale.  I had to buy the two things that jumped out at me.

Forte Sea Salt Caramels and Melting Pot Candy's Hot Mama Jalapeno English Toffee

To be honest the sea salt caramels from Fran's rock my world; I have cravings for them.  But, I thoght I'd check out an alternative.  Not that they were any cheaper...

Fran's was giving out entire pieces as samples and each one of those is worth well over $2!

They had an aphrodisiac lounge that was offering beer, cider, wine and cocktails and you know I was excited.  But, it was kinda lame.  There were tiny, tiny samples of man bevies, but not worth it.  Although there were two women painting each other in chocolate but I was too shy to take a pic.

Overall, the festival was worth what I paid for it.  I got to try many, many samples.  I really like the ones that have a kick to them, there was a habanero caramel.  The really dark, 100% cacao chocolates are not up my alley.

Projects

I've been wanting to do this mason jar craft project for quite a while.  I even bought several mason jars about a month or so ago.  Tonight I decided to start.  I've written on them with my hot glue gun.  I've made one for my sis, one for Daylon and two that are just generic.  I'm waiting for them to dry and then I'll be spray painting them.  

I have a to-do list that I posted here, with a deadline of Nov. 1st.  I made some headway tonight.  I hung up my brewery posters.  I've had 4 posters rolled up for well over 2 years but haven't bought the custom frames to hang them, as they're varying sizes.  I found on Fab these poster hangers called, "Posterhanger", they're supposedly the original poster holders.  They are quite unique and I struggled a bit with the smaller posters as there is no hook on the bottom so it depends on gravity to make sure the poster doesn't try to roll up.  You'll see in the following pictures.  The frames are Posterhanger.

These posters look amazing.  I have a bar in my basement, it's named Panty Droppers.  So these posters add some amazing character.  Not that I didn't have a million signs, posters and pictures already.

 I had an amazing weekend thanks to Sexy-Exy (that's Tyler, my ex).  I had to work a whole bunch but we were still able to do some fun things in the evenings.

What home projects have you been putting off?

Blend - A Night of Wine and Gourmet Food

Daylon and I headed to the Bell Harbor International Conference Center to enjoy the event, Blend.  It was a $50 event but that gets you all you can eat and all you can drink.  It was super swanky.

They had this concoction that was some sort of margarita; it was dangerous because it didn't taste like alcohol.  MM, delishy bomb.

The food was incredible.  Poor Daylon couldn't eat anything, there was nothing vegan friendly.  But, he kept telling me to try everything, so he could live vicariously through me.  Ha ha.  See my ceviche below.

This dish was my absolute favorite dish!  It's a poached prawn tower, gazpacho consomme, harissa crisp with salish honey and cucumber gelee.  So incredible, mouth-gasm.

Mm, more delicious food.

There is crazy hair guy, he poured some nice wine.

Lots of wine.

Me and Daylon's new friends that we met in the bubble lounge.  Sarah and Melissa are the coolest!  They're our Bellingham friends.

The bubble lounge was my favorite.  There was a station where they let us try all of them. It was a flight.  That is where we met our new friends.

This hottie was at the chocolate event that we went to Friday.  It was pretty exciting to see him again.  Unfortunately, he's engaged and not available.  I was trying to find out for my friends.

I will definitely be looking this event up next year.  And I'm pretty sure Daylon will need to go with me, he makes everything more fun.

Organic Chocolate and Cider Festival - Theo Chocolate Factory

I was joined by Tyler, Daylon, Jesse, and Bridget for a night of chocolate, cider and beer.  It was a $20  event put on by Tilth Producers and was held at the Theo Chocolate location.

It was really cool because with each cider or beer they gave you personalized recommendations of what chocolate to try.  I had two vegans with me so they could only eat the dark chocolate, but that's fine with me more milk chocolate for me to gobble up.

We arrived a bit early so we stopped across the street at Brouwers Cafe.  And I met this little boy and decided I was thirsty.

Daylon always makes new friends.  He met this gem and had to have a pic with her.  Her tattoos are heavenly.

The coolest part about the tasting event was that we got to drink out of mason jars!  You can tell Bridget loves that fact as well.  I'm going to make redneck wine glasses with the ones that made it into my purse.

One of the lovely cider ladies.  She was not conservative with the pours which is much appreciated especially after you are low on tickets.

We ended the evening at The Dubliner, and Daylon and I decided to try to recreate the Britney face from the X-Factor.  We didn't do that great, but funny nonetheless.

The festival was a little crowded but it's a good excuse to have dudes junk and ladies boobs all rubbed up on you.  Ha ha.  It was fun, mostly due to the company.