Visiting Starbucks Roastery and Tasting room by Esther Loopstra

I've been hearing rave reviews of Starbucks new Roastery and Tasting Room in Capitol Hill, Seattle for a little while now. We had some friends come into town to visit, so we thought it would be a fun thing to check out since we all love coffee. 

Starbucks has restored this beautiful 1920's warehouse near downtown and turned it into an elegant housing for a "multisensory experience". You can watch the beans being roasted, the unique ways that they brew, talk with experts about the different coffees, taste drinks that are only served in that location and try some of the many blends brewed in different ways.  There is also well designed merchandise that you can peruse as well as Tom Douglas' pizza restaurant, Serious Pie.

If you are a coffee nerd or just enjoy a good cup once in a while, you definitely need to check out the Tasting Room and the entire experience!

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Tempeh Fajitas! by Esther Loopstra

I'm not sure why, or when it started, but we have a tradition in my house of having tempeh fajitas on Friday nights. This tasty meal has also improved since aquiring a cast iron skillet! It's an easy, vegetarian and vegan option when you don't want to cook much. I just brown the tempeh and then set it aside while I cook saute the onions, peppers and tomatoes. I add the tempeh back in and then add some seasoning (usually salt, paprika, garlic salt and cayenne pepper). Serve it with tortillas and any toppings you want! 

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New free wallpaper for spring! by Esther Loopstra

I've been creating a lot of patterns that are inspired by all of the spring that's happening around my house. When I take walks I see so many patterns in nature and I want to get out my sketchbook and draw them! I've been putting a lot of these on instagram and I thought I'd give everyone a new free pattern that you can use as wallpaper for your computer or phone. You can get it by clicking on the image below.

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Geraldine's Counter - for dinner! by Esther Loopstra

I live in Columbia City, a little community in south Seattle. It's a quaint little area with a main drag, little shops and a few great eateries. Geraldine's Counter is a staple here. Every weekend (and some week days too!) there is a pretty hefty line of people waiting for brunch at this trendy diner. I've gone there for brunch more times than I can count, and it is well worth the wait. It's always fresh and distinctive. 

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Thai food in the central district by Esther Loopstra

My latest food illustration is for Lotus Thai in the central district, Seattle. This is my favorite thai spot and I like to go there about once a week. I stopped there one time because I'm always driving by and I saw that on their menu they had Avacado Curry. I had never heard of such a thing before and I thought..."I love avacados and I love curry, perfect!" It was delicious! The restaurant is really convenient and the food is always terrific. I like to get the Salmon Panang, Pad Kee Mao and of course the Avacado Curry

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