leavenworth.

Jeans: Gap.  Sweater: Kohls.  Button-up: Forever21.  Mandarin Jacket: The Loft.  Black Coat: Old Navy. Belt: Mr.’s.  Shoes: Payless.  Necklace: Walmart.  Purse: Thrifted.

Just when I think that I couldn’t love the Pacific Northwest any more, we discover another little gem.

If you are planning a visit to the Emerald City any time in the near future, might I suggest a little day trip to the Bavarian town of Leavenworth.  It’s nestled happily in the mountains just 2 hours from Seattle, and worth every minute of the scenic drive.  




The main street/square is lined with authentic little Bavarian shops, a Nutcracker museum, dimly lit pubs, soup/sandwich cafes,warm bakeries (hello Euro pastries!) and a magical little village square with a man-made ice slide.  People lined the streets speaking languages I didn’t understand.



It was just so foreign.

I loved it.




Mr. said it reminded him of Russia.

(That may have been because most of the foreigners were speaking Russian)

Have I mentioned that Mr. lived in Russia for two years?

True story.



And he speaks Russian.  Fluently.  

It’s practically like being married to a spy.

So. Hot.



Plus he can tell me exactly how bad the Russian is in all those spy movies.

The benefits are endless.



Language skills are like the gift that keeps on giving.



But I digress. 




So, I have a confession.



I’m one of those people that loves Europe.  I love the culture, the food, the architecture,  the foreignness, everything.



Also, I have never actually been to Europe.



I had big plans for world travel when I was young and single.  I had it all figured out.  While other girls were planning how many tiers they’d have on their future wedding cake, I was plotting an adventurous future.  I was going to graduate from college and live abroad for a while, like maybe 3 years, learn a few languages, travel the old world, basically be a gypsy, then come back, get my masters degree, and pretty much take over the world…



or something like that.



And then I met Mr.



And well, I was a goner.



I mean look at him.  He’s so cute.



Here’s to traveling Europe with Mr. someday, when the littles are bigger and time is more free.




Until then, 2 hour drives to quaint little Bavarian villages in the mountains of western Washington suit me just fine.



Especially when it decides to spontaneously snow at the end of the evening.




Don’t mind the crazy face.

Fluffy frozen precipitation excites me.



Apparently.

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36 Comments

  1. steffy wrote:

    Your purse is so adorable, I swear that was the only thing I focused on the whole post, and then I had to go back and read your post again so I wouldn’t feel so shallow. :)

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  2. Michelle P wrote:

    Great pictures!

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  3. Emily K. wrote:

    I’m so glad you guys finally got there! It’s pretty awesome, huh? We love it there too! And, glad you got home even in the terrible snowstorm. Jake and I fully plan on travelling the world together too. I have one stamp on my passport. To Mexico. And, I look at it all the time. Someday. . .

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  4. What a lovely trip and town!

    I can totally relate…I love Europe without ever having visited…here’s to traveling more someday! :)

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  5. Supermom wrote:

    We were there over christmas! We love Leavenworth!

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  6. LeahJo wrote:

    We will be visiting Seattle again this year. Mental note to visit Leavenworth – done.
    Such beautiful pics!

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  7. LaynahRose wrote:

    That is SO fun!
    I deffinitely agree with Steffy, your purse is glorious.

    RM’s kind of dazzle me with their cultural diversity. I don’t know if there is a more attractive trait than being an RM :)

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  8. Emily wrote:

    New here…wanted to say, my parents just moved to the Seattle area, and told me about Leavenworth. They really enjoyed it. We are definitely going to go when we visit them.
    I lived in Moscow for two years as well! Which mission did your husband serve in? (I assume it was for his mission.)

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  9. Such an ADORABLE family!

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  10. what a gorgeous town!

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  11. Daisy wrote:

    What a beautiful town. Looks like you had an amazing day. Did you buy anything Bavarian? Nutcracker museum, I love it!
    Friends of ours live in Paulso WA which has a Norwegian heritage, might be worth visiting, I’ve heard it’s beautiful.
    Well, if you ever do come to Europe you’ll have to come and visit me and give my lot’s of style advice…I’ll supply the croissants and hot chocolate, hahaha!

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  12. Kari wrote:

    Leavenworth
    is
    the
    BEST
    place
    EVER.

    Seriously, thinking about how much I love that little place makes me teary-eyed. That’s where we went on our honeymoon. That’s where we celebrated our 4 year anniversary…and well…that’s why I wrote this post, “Our baby was conceived in a foreign land” (http://kariandnathan.blogspot.com/2010/12/our-baby-was-conceived-in-foreign-land.html).

    It’s magical and beautiful…and ohhhhhh…just so perfect. I’m glad you got to experience it.

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  13. Love that last picture! I get crazy giddy about snow too ;) The little town looks adorable, as did your family!

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  14. So cute! And I had the same grand dreams and then met my Mr. However, my mister happens to live in Europe, so I got both! Currently living in France with my basketball playing husband raising two boys and loving it!

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  15. Leavensworth looks beautiful! I love all the chalet style homes :) America looks beautiful in general. I live in Europe and I have seen what I wanted to see on this continent. I want to go overseas so badly! x

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  16. Jill wrote:

    You have the cutest “littles” ever!

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  17. Rachel wrote:

    I’ve always been obsessed with Europe too! I had planned to go to France or London but wound up making an unexpected trip to Amsterdam. I loved it! But as someone the same height as you (4ft11) let me just advise you to make sure to pack the high heels if you ever go there. I think just about every other woman I saw there was 6ft or taller! I knew they Dutch were tall but I was not prepared to feel like I was 4ft tall! Why didn’t anyone tell me in advance?!

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  18. newpetite wrote:

    such a cute family!

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  19. Katie wrote:

    great pictures! i LOVE your purse!

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  20. Love the pictures, especially your last happy one! You look gorgeous and that little town looks amazing! I understand your love of all things Europe, I’ve had a dream of traveling to Europe for what seems like forever. I’m crossing my fingers that my husband and I will go before we have children.

    Natalie
    http://www.projectdowhatyoulove.wordpress.com

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  21. ahh, what a sweet and great place, looks like so so much fun!!
    jess
    http://www.jesscauseblog.blogspot.com

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  22. Learning wrote:

    What a fun find! I love finding places like that :). We have a town called Lindsborg in Kansas…they call themselves “Little Sweden”. They have giant Swedish horses all over town and cute shops etc.

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  23. Holy Craft wrote:

    So I’ve lived in the Seattle area for over a decade and have yet to make it to Leavenworth. My husband got stuck there for a week when he was a teenager and had a less than desirable experience. it’s hard to make him want to go back. Looks like a great family trip.

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  24. I love Leavenworth. Always a good day trip in the PNW!

    Your family is too cute!

    ♥Abbey
    Along Abbey Road
    $25 Anthropologie gift card giveaway!

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  25. Alyssa wrote:

    My husband served in Moscow South for 2 years in ’04-’06 and his brother served in Siberia from ’02-’04. It’s pretty cool hearing them talk to each other! I’m trying to learn some a little bit too! Pretty cool! (:

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  26. looks like fun! love the yellow bag

    xo

    prairie-princess.blogspot.com

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  27. Anonymous wrote:

    That looks so cool! I want to go there.

    From those pictures, it looks like you Arizonians need some glovies!

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  28. We just got back from Leavenworth and love it.

    My husband was in Bavarian a couple years ago and was amazed at how well Leavenworth did in recreating Bavaria in Washington. He wrote up a blog showing picture of both and how similar they are.

    http://www.accidentalbavarian.com/wordpress/2010/01/is-it-live-or-is-it-memorex/

    Next time you go to Leavenworth, stop by the site we created for other tourists who visit Leavenworth. We have information on every shop, reviews, where to eat, etc.
    http://www.AccidentalBavarian.com

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  29. Dani wrote:

    That town looks beautiful! Some place I would visit, for sure!

    http://www.fufstyle.blogspot.com

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  30. Cori-
    Your positive attitude, lust for life and gratitude for all your blessings are so meaningful to read each day. I honestly love looking at your cute outfits & your gorgeous hair- but also reading about your wonderful kids and darling hubby- and the joy you are finding by living in Seattle is the reason I come back each day (maybe because I live here too and also LOVE this city). Please continue to lift us all up with your daily posts!
    Your ever loyal fan…

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  31. Lisa wrote:

    What a lovely little village and great family photo! Thank you so much for sharing this.

    Posted 1.4.12 Reply
  32. Hahaha! I guess I’ll be a similar case! About Europe, I mean. But look at all those happy faces of your loved ones!!! In times like those, who cares about Europe!
    Happy New Year, Cori! God bless!

    Visit me:
    LeeAnne, Style N Season
    http://stylenseason.blogspot.com

    Posted 1.5.12 Reply
  33. Susan wrote:

    Totally thought you were in Germany or Austria after seeing the first pic and before reading the post.
    So pretty!

    Posted 1.5.12 Reply
  34. Megan10e wrote:

    We live in Arizona (where my Mr. is from), I’m originally from Maine, and Seattle is at the top of our list of places to visit. You just make it sound more and more appealing!

    Posted 1.5.12 Reply
  35. AmyinSpokane wrote:

    We spent my birthday in early December in Leavenworth (being there at Christmastime is a must). Next time you go, try to stay over a night at the Enzian Inn. You will not be sorry!
    (oh, and technically, Leavenworth is in Eastern Washington, just sayin’…:))

    Posted 1.6.12 Reply
  36. Loving your style!

    Your newest follower,

    Brooke

    Posted 11.30.12 Reply