Renton - where the Shams do Rock

First thing to get proper Green in the town of Renton, you stop off for a bit of the real blarney - a cup of Mike's coffee at Liberty Cafe and a bit of a chin wag. That will set you right in the mood, as it were. Always someone around who wants to have a chat.

926 South 3rd Street  Renton, WA 98057  (425) 235-1400

Then, thinking you're up for the stronger stuff, you head off to see Jenna and Paddy at A Terrible Beauty Irish Pub for a pint and a giggle, You may even stop by their new Irish Market. It has all the tastes and wonders of the green isle herself for you to take home. I have my eye on some tea and a cool shirt me wee self, and it's open all the same hours of the pub. Now that's making it easy.

201 Williams Ave Renton, WA 98057-2106 - (425) 227-3396
Open Weekdays 11am-2am; Weekends 9am-2am

Then, you begin to cry into your cups, thinking of your Irish heritage and all. You think of  your dear ole Mum, whom you haven't called in ages, and head over to Cuigini's Florist Shop to buy her a bit of the green to help celebrate the day.

413 South Third Street  Renton, WA 98057  (425) 255-3900

By now, your head is aching something fierce from all that thinkin' and drinking, and you need a little TLC and a bit of primping. You've heard that a girl can get a great bit of pampering, maybe even a new "do" over at Bianco& Co Salon and Spa
231 Wells Ave South, Renton -(425) 282-5046

 

Maybe feelin' a tad maudlin and in need of reviving, a Pot O'Gold  Guinness chocolate cupcake with Irish cream butter frosting could cheer one up completely. Available right here in our little burg at Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes

900 South 3rd St # A  Renton, WA 98057-2710  (425) 235-1717

With a belly full of cupcake wonder, my brain begins to tingle from neglect. Old Renton Book Exchange is just the ticket to restoring some brain cell activity and honoring my Irish roots with a book or two on the homeland. 

227 Wells Ave. South  Renton, WA 98057  (425) 430-2665

One must ask - do I really have enough of the green for the day? For a little creative pick-me-up and a whole lot of fun in general, always head off to Happy Delusions, where Indie crafters are well represented.

924 South 3rd Street  Renton, WA 98057-2734  (425) 255-6078

And finally, a shout out to our resident a winner of a $1,000 math and science Carson scholarship for her college fund, Ms. Samantha Goetz-Granquist. Local Rentonite nominated by her school, with a high grade point average, an interest in geology and an active participant in her community, this lovely young woman is loved by all.

ALSO Look at the next best thing to sliced soda bread - AllRenton.Com - check it out!!

Lilies, bunnies and floral fun - Cugini's

Cugini's looks great at anytime of the year - but when the Easter Lilies are in season, the sweetness of this bloom permeates everything in the store and it easily becomes the best smelling place in town.

Bunnies abound - and the cuteness factor rates high.

I'd like to adopt this fellow - he's like an Easter lookout. He'll know where my brother hides the eggs this Sunday.

The beautiful hues of the begonia can also be found, nestled in amongst the Easter blooms. The color is so enticing and promises to help us believe that Spring has really sprung.


Every basket needs a cheeky chick.



Cugini Florist and Fine Gifts
413 South 3rd Street
Renton, WA 98057
(425) 255-3900

When flowers say it best

Valentine's Day is bigger than any holiday where "saying it with flowers" is concerned. That's why it was essential to go down to Cugini Florist and see what they had for everyone's sweethearts. That place just makes me want to remember where I hid my plastic - again.

The gift selection is always a treat - and there is something for both a little moola and a lot. (I mean, how good is your honey to you these days? How good do you want them to be? Hmmmm)

Aside from all the red and pink and sweet all over, Cugini's has spring in the air - everywhere.

These strawberry mugs and whatnots are on my radar. I'm sorry - I just can't help myself.


Valentine's Day is on a Sunday this year, folks and Cugini's will be open from 9-5 to assist you with your sweetheart pleasing needs. Remember, shopping local is cool and helps our town economy to refuel.


Cugini Florist and Fine Gifts
413 South 3rd Street
Renton, WA 98057
(425) 255-3900
Get directions

Cugini's at Christmas

What would Christmas be without a trip to the prettiest of floral and gift shops in town? Cugini Florist does the most amazing and unique shopping for us throughout the year. Within their doors I see precious items that are not to be found elsewhere. This time of year it is especially resplendent in the decorations of the season.

The little handbags decorating this tree have had to be reordered three times already. What girl doesn't want a new bag for the holidays, regardless of the size.

Every ornament on every tree in the store is for sale - so you don't have to worry if you see something so pretty you just have to have it - it's yours.

Poinsettias are a classic at this time of year and there is every color and hue.



This is a personal favorite - she looks so hard at work with her holiday baking.


Gifts are Cugini's specialty, right after those beautiful flowers and plants for which they are so well known.


Oliver, the resident cat, approves all purchases - unless he is too busy napping. The holidays can be so draining.

Cugini Florist and Fine Gifts
413 South 3rd Street
Renton, WA 98057
(425) 255-3900
Get directions

Adding a little Fall color

Although we have blue skies above, the crispness in the air tells it all. Time to brace for the onslaught of Fall.

I personally love to embrace the colors of the season and sprinkle them about the home front. Cugini Florists is a place I love to indulge in on occasion when looking for a special new "something" to add to the scheme of decorations. The shop is such a colorful joy to visit and each year the buyers treat us to a plethora of new goodies that I never see anywhere else.

This potted plant has a little birdie nesting amongst the foliage.

Every season you should stop in at this Renton institution on our main drag of South Third Street. A visual treat each and everytime. The inclusion of the Native American Indian statues was a welcome sight - not everyone has ancestry that includes a pilgrim, if you know what I mean...

Cugini Florists
413 South Third Street
Renton, WA 98057
(425) 255 - 3900 (800) 733 3901

Easter in Renton

Deb of Girlfriend's Antiques, Gifts and Florals always has her windows done up for all of the holidays. Her windows are a true reflection of the woman herself - fun and full of charm, and always with a bit of interesting "story" attached.
Right next door is the Country Antique Station, and Rod has some adorable signs out to show you just where to look for this year's Happy Easter.


Don't these chairs just look so inviting? I could have shown you the cute painted windows or the gorgeous cupcakes that Crystal has been designing this week for the holiday, but the position and color of these chairs at Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes just was too good to be true. What unintentional holiday flair!
Next stop, holiday heaven at Cugini's Florist Shop. Fresh scents, vivid colors and an incredible selection of gift possibilities. This is where adults should come to fill their special some one's basket. At least, in my dream world, that's where my Easter Bunny goes to shop!
Finally - a little look at what is cooking up at the old chez Lady P for Easter. I am making chickies - knitting them up by the dozen, currently adding pom-pom allure to them all, for my family and extended family members. It is craftmadness over here and the dash is on to be done in time for the egg hunt on Sunday!!

Girlfriend's Antiques,Gifts, Floral 920 S.Third (206) 261-2802
Antique Country Station 918 S. Third St. (425) 235-6449
Common Ground Coffee and Cupcake 900 S. Third. St. (425) 235- 1717
Cugini Florists 413 S. Third St. (425) 255 - 3900