Katherine Chloé Cahoon

Buddy up to Beth if you’re making a stop in Seattle this summer. Her funky eatery has been a hub since the 50s and her legendary breakfasts are served 24/7, so there’s no time when Beth’s Café can’t cure your craving.

Besides comfort food, this place is known for organic art. While waiting for your meal, you can draw something up and hang it on the wall…that is, if you can find space.

Everyone here is ultra friendly, including the kitchen crew. As I was perusing the menu, customers nearby shared their favorites with me, the servers chimed in, and the cook got a hankering for Christmas music, so he played some! The bottom line is that you’re bound to make friends if you stop by.

For my Beth’s breakfast blow out, I wore this Milly sweater that I spied at Nordstrom. It’s currently not listed on their site, but as of yesterday it was still hanging in the stores. When paired with ripped jeans and cobalt heels (similar), it made me ready to indulge and then enjoy the sun.

Anyone who’s ever met me knows I’m a dessert lover. There’s hardly a sweet treat that I can pass up. So I try to make healthy meals taste like pastry time. And trust me, it’s possible! Today, I’m sharing a high-protein smoothie recipe that both your body and your taste buds will love. But first, I can’t contain my excitement over a little DIY craft project I just finished for storing my smoothie ingredients.

Until today, they had been strewn throughout my kitchen cupboards, tucked away in various places. Naturally, I wanted to consolidate them. There was a little unused space on the floor of the pantry, but it had some odd dimensions. In order to use it, I needed containers that could both fit the space and slide in and out of it. I hit up every store in town looking for something that would work…to no avail. So I got creative. On Etsy, I found old wooden Coke and Pepsi crates from back in the day when soft drinks only came in glass bottles. They were the perfect size for my project.

Next, I went to the hardware store and got some All Purpose Tri-Dollies. Then I used my trusty glue gun to attach them to the bottom of my crates. I gathered up all my packaged smoothie ingredients in my boxes. Now when it’s time to blend something up, I just roll them out and whip up a recipe in a flash.

As Miranda Kerr says, “Boys like their cars and I like my Vitamix.” If you’re a kindred spirit and are looking for a fun, practical container for your smoothie ingredients, you might try this DIY. It can work with any kind of wooden container you like.

Okay, as promised, here’s my original cookie smoothie recipe:

Shopping List for one 16 oz. Smoothie: 1) eight oz. organic unsweetened soymilk, 2) one frozen banana, 3) one scoop Cookies ‘N Cream OxyElite Protein, 4) two tbsp. powdered peanut butter, and 5) four or five ice cubes.

Put everything in your blender at once, and turn it on. If the concoction is too thick, just add a little more soymilk or water.

Today, we have a little headband history. As I was racing through Nordstrom to pick up something before dinner, I was stopped by – not just one but two – displays jam-packed with headbands. Some say that this fashion began when wreaths were placed on the heads of winning athletes at the first Olympic Games. This summer, headbands are again on the list of hot haute fashions.

I remember when Gossip Girl brought back the accessory in a big way. Even though that franchise isn’t pumping out new episodes anymore, designers haven’t stopped their love affair with these hair adornments. Wanting to be on-trend, I tested some of the options to select one that I could wear with this top for my dinner date. I had a hard time choosing. The jeweled tangerine one by Cara New York was my first try-on. This style also comes in green and blue with complementary stones.

Then there was this turquoise number by Tasha.

That was followed by a vibrant raspberry by L. Erickson.

And I figured that I couldn’t go wrong with this classic black by Tasha. The lovely sales associate by my side is Alicia. Her favorite was the tangerine. So if you’re looking for something to spice up an outfit, headbands are still en vogue, Nordstrom has them galore, and you can get excellent advice there from people like Alicia!

On this Meeting Men Monday, I’m sharing my friend’s secrets to lasting love. She is in her thirties and has been with her husband for 17 years. Before getting married, they were high school and college sweethearts. So her Prince Charming is one of the first guys she ever dated. And what is magical about this Happily Ever After is that AFTER all this time they really are HAPPY. When this man looks at his wife, his demeanor is that of someone who has just fallen in love.

My friend has two major tips for keeping the flame of love burning year after year. The first is a weekly date night. As she explained, “I’ve seen a lot of couples slack off on scheduled dates. As the years slip by, they become complacent and settle for hanging out at home instead of having a special evening out.” Once a week, she and her hubby get done up and rekindle their romance. She said that no matter what challenges she faces during the week – even if it’s the stress of a new job or sleepless nights dealing with bursting pipes – looking forward to consecrated alone time with her husband on the weekend gets her through them.

When it comes to keeping the relationship hot, my friend revealed, “Sexy lingerie isn’t just for in the movies. It’s a sure way to get your husband in the mood.” Well, you’ve heard it from the expert!

When the sun makes a command performance, I always get the urge to take a ferry to a beautiful island. Can a girl get more sun-appropriate attire for such an outing than a SUNdress? Today, for Fashion Friday, I’m featuring Forever 21 maxis and bangles. What I love about these dresses is that they can be used either for a day on the town or as a bathing suit cover-up.

While waiting for the ferry, I ran across this organ built in the 1920s. A little music as the prelude to a ferry ride seemed perfect.

Then I snapped this shot between colorful totem poles from the same era.

In only 30 minutes, I was on the shore at Bainbridge Island and the bustling city seemed a world away. It’s official. I love summer!

Crumbs Bake Shop abruptly closed all its stores last Monday, July 7, and I’m in mourning. I’ve had an intense love for those cupcakes ever since I began traveling to LA for work. The over-sized treats were pure paradise. Never mind the fact that just one could top a whopping 600 calories. If that number had been doubled, I still would have lined up for it with rapt anticipation. Here’s a picture of a Crumbs-size cupcake versus a regular one.

The cupcake craze – sparked by the TV series “Sex and the City” – is waning, but I will always be a fan. I even featured Crumbs and its rival, Sprinkles, in the following comedic video. It’s about my so-called “glamorous” Hollywood life. You’ll find out fast that it’s far from glamorous:)

At the end of every LA trip, I’ve headed to Little Santa Monica for a Crumbs cupcake before leaving town. What am I going to do for a tasty replacement when I return to LA? If any of you have a favorite dessert, I’d love to hear about it.

Lately I’ve been a working machine, so yesterday I decided to take a break and hop on over to the nursery. This time of year, it has a bounty of blooms! How can a girl possibly select which ones to plant in balcony pots when there are so many choices?

As you can see, while pondering this dilemma I met a friendly face!

Here’s what I finally chose….with a little help from my feline cohort. Now I’m ready to plant.

The lady who keeps up the grounds at my apartment complex loves gardening. She let me in on an all-natural bug fix. For all you eco-and-flower lovers, here it is:

Mix up five cloves of smashed garlic, one large smashed onion, ½ cup of mild dish soap, and ½ cup of vegetable oil. Let the concoction sit for 24 hours, strain it and put in a spray bottle.

Now that I’ve had my flower fun, it’s back to work. Have a wonderful day everyone!

Fuchsia is such a summer color, what with its namesake flowers blooming in gardens, popping out of pots, and appearing on apparel. This hue has even migrated into makeup. On the eyes, it can look either rock star-ish or refreshing. I like to go for the latter, so I teamed up with Tricia – the globetrotting Bobbi Brown babe – and mixed together colors that give off that tint.

I was heading out to a block party, so Tricia thought I should have a bright face. She started by dusting on Ultra Violet. This color can go on heavy, so if you want my look use a light hand.

Next, add some Mulberry in the crease for depth.

End with Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner. Now, with a flick of your mascara wand, you’re ready to hit up any summer party!

Thanks Tricia. That lady never disappoints when it comes to makeup moves:)

Last spring, I introduced you to Cristin, a girl who became a fast friend after she read The Single Girl’s Guide to Meeting European Men, and reached out to me. She needed a change, and was inspired to travel by the true stories of the women in my book. You can read what I’ve written about her worldly adventures, but today I’m focusing on her love life. She has a refreshing outlook and has agreed to let me share it with you.

When we originally connected, Cristin explained how she had made a list of the qualities she wanted in a man, and dated one after another who looked perfect on paper but proved disappointing. She decided it was time for a change. Did she go on a man cleanse? No way! She reinvented herself by working and traveling her way through new places. She developed an open attitude and narrowed her list of the critical masculine attributes to just one…uplifting.

On one of her adventures, she met a man who was the polar opposite of the type she had been seeking. He did not have the profession, age bracket, or looks of the guys she had been dating, but he had far more important characteristics…. He was charismatic, compatible and kind. They got along so well that they spent a month traveling to nine places in three countries. As she explained, “He was the most fun because he was up for ANYTHING.” She came away from this relationship realizing that although he wasn’t Mr. RIGHT, he was Mr. Right NOW…and that was exactly what she needed him to be at that time. He helped her retrieve some of the carefree qualities she had lost and missed. She will always be grateful.

As you can see, I’m on my way to a patriotic picnic. I love this holiday!

But I love even more the meaning behind it. I never tire of hearing how the leaders of thirteen modest colonies, with no organized military, had the audacity to meet in secret and pass a resolution to obtain their freedom from the mighty Kingdom of Great Britain. And then, how two days later, they adopted The Declaration of Independence, knowing that their signatures would seal their death sentences if they could not accomplish the impossible and prevail. Thomas Jefferson, the principal author, wrote these words that I have kept in my heart since elementary school:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Since this is also Fashion Friday, it’s fitting to share Jefferson’s philosophy on trends: “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.”

I’ve taken this to heart. I’m wearing the traditional red, white and blue in the style of the day. Similar pieces to mine are these white signature pants, red ruffled top, and thick blue bracelet.

This was the stunning view on my dinner date! Every Thursday evening during Seattle’s boating season Six Seven, the restaurant at the Edgewater hotel, is the scene of a sailboat regatta. That, plus its mouthwatering food, makes for a landmark night. Two of my favorite dishes were the duck and salmon. But really, you couldn’t go wrong by ordering anything on the menu!

We had such a terrific time that we shut the restaurant down, and didn’t want to leave even when the lights were going out. So if you’re traveling through Seattle soon, you know the place to be on Thursday night.

We’re in the midst of a global strawberry craze! Wimbledon, which has served this fresh dessert since it began in 1877, is breaking records. Its berries are the juiciest ever and, according to the All England Club, tournament-goers are on-track to consume 61,000 pounds of them along with 1,800 gallons of cream!

I didn’t get a chance to attend Wimbledon this year, so when I heard that the Lake Washington Strawberry Festival “holds all of the glamour and sparkle of a trip to a foreign land,” I just had to attend. It was bustling with berries prepared in every possible way, fun activities, and musical entertainment.

And then there were the side shows… Check out these adorable little twins dancing along to the live music while pushing a doll stroller.

In the Cahoon family, the standard-bearer of the strawberry frenzy is Grandma Priscilla, the adorable lady pictured below. Her specialty is Fresh Strawberry Pie. If you’re looking for a classic berry recipe, here you go…straight from this sweetheart in her 90s who still looks like a babe:)

Shopping List for Two Pies: 1) two pie crusts, 2) two and a half quarts fresh strawberries, 3) one cup sugar, 4) two tablespoons corn starch, 5) one cup boiling water, and 6) three ounces strawberry gelatin powder.

Bake the pie crusts. Then cut strawberries in halves. Mix the rest of the ingredients and pour them over the strawberries. Put in the crust and chill. Now you’re ready for an outdoor picnic and just in time for the 4th!

Sydney, from Aveda Corporate, showed me how to pull off this “sexy ponytail,” and I’m passing the trade secret on to you.

First, backcomb your hair to a degree that seems crazily excessive. This will give you the sexy lift.

Second, gently smooth that hair and clip up the top half. Sydney just used the end of a rattail comb.

Third, use an elastic band to secure the lower section of hair in a ponytail positioned right above the nape of your neck.

Fourth, remove the clip from the top section of hair and smooth it over the low tail. Then use another elastic band to combine that hair with your tail, while gently pulling up strands of hair from it to create volume. By making the two tails into one, your hair will remain sleek but appear fuller.

Lastly, cover the bands by wrapping a small piece of hair from your ponytail around them and pinning it in place.

Now you’re ready to strut your stuff! Where’s that catwalk?

The products that Sydney used in my hair were Aveda Daily Hair Repair, Volumizing Tonic, and Control Force hair spray.

Thank you, Aveda, for the gifts! And thank you, Sydney, for the lesson. I’m planning on doing something really fun tonight with my sleek new doo.

For this Meeting Men Monday, I’m paying tribute to the Seattle Seafair pirates, about 40 adult men who at first glance appear to be untamed rebel rousers with a passion for high-humored heists…

…but on second look they prove to be an elite group of businessmen with a common love of fun and community service. As one of them explained, “This is the hardest club in the world to get into and the easiest club in the world to get thrown out of.” Applicants go through a careful vetting process followed by a year-long apprenticeship. Members donate hours of their time all year long serving as goodwill ambassadors and supporting charity events.

What’s the hook, line and sinker on this sea-faring brotherhood? Everyone needs a little pirating around in life. When we make room in our schedules for fun times, the tough times don’t seem insurmountable. When we serve people with serious problems, many of our own challenges seem smaller.

When I heard how “Rag Doll” came to be, I just had to tell the story in an Instagram vid set to the music of that ‘60s hit. Songwriter Bob Gaudio was driving to his Manhattan recording studio when he paused at a stoplight and a waifish girl began washing his windshield. When he reached for his wallet to tip her, he discovered that his smallest bill was a $20. In that day and for that work, it was a huge amount, but he handed it over. The girl broke into a smile that could have lit up a city block. That propelled him to write the hit.

https://instagram.com/p/pwi533ifIB/

When I put on this Forever 21 dress, it reminded me of “Rag Doll.” The price was a whopping $13.80. I know, what an investment! 😉 Seriously, I wanted to choose something cute, but economical, for the video. The cost of this dress only amounts to a little over half of what the windshield washer received from the songwriter…and that was almost five decades ago! The value of that $20 would be much higher today.

The dress is an updated version of the short frocks worn around the time the song was released…as you can probably tell from this picture of Barbara Eden, that popular Genie of the era!