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Cooking Comically

Feeling a bit uninspired on what to make for dinner tonight? Then you’ll love Cooking Comically. The recipes look tasty, the artwork/directions are a lot of fun, and I think I could even get the husband to cook with me.

Check out their recipe for The Bananarama, and then visit their blog!

Entertaining

Another Beautiful DnD Song

As I still get re-organized from PAX, I wanted to share another D&D song by Allie Goertz (with words by Patton Oswalt). Seriously, Allie. Make an album. I’ll be first in line to buy it.

Events

Free Pre-Screening Event: New Girl

Geeky Hostess readers have been invited to a free pre-screening of Fox’s newest show, New Girl.

If you’re in the Seattle area this Thursday, check it out! (Just make sure you RSVP by Wednesday, and let them know I sent you.)

Haven’t heard of New Girl? Adorably geeky girl + Zooey Deschanel + random singing = good times. Check out the trailer below.

Events

Where To Eat While at PAX

Interior of Rob Roy

PAX is upon us. Geeks and Gamers will be taking over downtown Seattle for the weekend, and I could not be more thrilled. If you’re attending, there will be times that you’ll want to grab something to eat, and you may have no idea where to go. Cheesecake Factory and Gameworks may sound like good ideas, but they will be BEYOND packed the whole time.

So… where does one go to get good food and atmosphere in the Seattle area? Here are a few of my favorite places:

Cafe Mox
Ballard, Shuttles available from Convention Center
Attached to Card Kingdom in Ballard, Cafe Mox is a beautiful and tasty bar/restaurant made for geeks and gamers. Grab a game from Card Kingdom and sit down for a bite while you play. This isn’t walking distance from PAX, but they will be providing free shuttles back and forth. Talk to the folks at the Card Kingdom booth for details.

Icon Grill
5th and Virginia
Icon Grill has the most amazing dressed up comfort food. If you want something a bit nicer, but want to make sure you get your fill, this is the place.

List
1st, Between Bell and Blanchard
List is a swanky, tiny locale in Belltown that’s perfect for a quick bite and a bottle of wine. I recommend you stop by anytime on Sunday or Monday: they have all day Happy Hour then, which includes 1/2 off food and $14 bottles of house wine. I always go for their grilled caesar salad and burger.

Mexico
Pacific Place
This is extremely close to the convention center, so it may be a bit packed, but it’s worth it. If you want fresh, delicious mexican food and some giant margaritas, this is your place. I’m obsessed with their veggie fajitas.

Molly Moon’s
Downtown, Capitol Hill
If you’re looking for a quick dessert break, Molly Moon’s ice cream will hit the spot. Depending on your location, you can hit the Capitol Hill or Downtown location. The Downtown spot is a short walk from the convention center inside of The Chocolate Box (near Pike Place Market).

Rob Roy
2nd and Battery
Just looking for a quiet place to grab a well-made drink? Check out Rob Roy. These bartenders know what they’re doing. Don’t order your standard, instead let them recommend something great for you. The first time I went in here, they were playing the Scott Pilgrim Soundtrack, so they get bonus points for that.

Po Dog
10th and Union
If you make your way up to Capitol Hill for any of the parties and need a quick meal or late-night snack, Po Dog is your place. They have hot dogs in every style–be adventurous! A meet up (complete with gaming truck) will be held there on Sunday from 11am-2pm, so I’d recommend checking it out then.

Do you have other restaurant recommendations in Seattle? Leave them in the comments!

Gift Ideas

Cute Decals for your iPad

Want to dress up your newest iToy? These decals will show your personality but keep it cute.

Whether it’s Portal, skulls and crossbones, Pac-Man, or juice boxes that intrigue you, they’ve got it all. Check it out! (Most decals come in a pack with a white and black version, so it’ll match whatever you decide to put it on.)

Decals available on Fab.com from $5.25 – $16.25.

Geek Etiquette

Contest: Paper Culture Cards

While at BlogHer, I had the pleasure of meeting representatives from Paper Culture. Paper Culture is an online card company that makes extremely cute, eco-friendly cards. These are very customizable, and may be the perfect way to show your personality through your stationary, thank you cards, or holiday cards. I personally love their holiday cards: They’re a flat matte card on great cardstock–the fact they’re flat means it’s even easier for relatives to hang up the pic on their fridge.

Now to the contest! Win $50 to Paper Culture! Just take a look at www.paperculture.com and then leave a comment here letting me know what you would do with your $50. Will you be creating some sweet stationary, adding your zombie photo to a christmas card, or putting together a cute baby announcement?

I will randomly pick a winner next Monday, August 29th! Good luck to you all!

Full Disclosure: I was given the $50 gift code as well as samples of the cards by Paper Culture at BlogHer.

WE HAVE A WINNER!

I used Random.org to pick a winner, and the randomly selected number was 2. Congratulations Meghan! Email me at tara at geekyhostess dot com and I’ll get you your $50 gift code!

Weddings

Best Engagement Photos Ever

I had to post these, because SO many people sent them my way. It’s as if they knew it was perfect for me! (Keep scrolling, it’s worth it.)

They’ve got all the wedding/engagement cliches: Picnic in the field, warm vintage tones, gray and yellow, and then just totally made it awesome with zombies. Well done! Many well wishes to the happy couple.

Entertaining

Bring Back the Pinata

Image of Diamond Pinata-Silver

Oh Pinatas, the sweet childhood activity that involved beating a paper animal until his glorious insides spewed out. Why did we ever stop having these as parties? Now that you’re an adult, I suggest you bring them back.*

Confetti System, as seen on on A Practical Wedding, has some gorgeous pinatas that can serve as decoration until the beatings begin (around $140 each). The metallic pinatas could add an excellent bit of glitz to a New Year’s Party (filled with confetti), and the diamond pinata would be perfect for a Bachelorette or Divorce Party (filled with condoms?).

Missing the pinatas of your youth and/or want something with a smaller price tag? Oriental Trading Company has some excellently random and ridiculously colorful pinatas for around $16 each. My favorites include the treasure chest, ice cream cone, dinosaur, skull and crossbones, and of course: the cupcake.

So, what do you think? Are pinatas perfect for your next party or passe? Do you have a traumatic experience involving a pinata? Let me know!

*Providing you have a large space and you keep large amounts of alcohol and/or rowdy guests away from it.

Geeky Fashion

Team Neville Tee

Show your true feelings about Harry Potter with this sweet new t-shirt from Think Geek. I mean, (spoiler alert!) Neville saves the day AND grew up to be pretty darn good looking. I’d choose him in a heartbeat. The shirt’s available in unisex and babydoll for $16.99-$19.99.