lucky ladies

Cheers to March, that “green” month filled with not only St. Patty’s Day schnanigans, but more importantly it is Women’s History Month!

Scroll down to find “kickass cocktails” inspired by iconic women (thanks to Andra’s fabulous find, Free the Tipple cocktail book), as well as strong local women in our lives - and ways to connect and give back this month.

We feel so lucky to have the chance to connect, share and create with all of you - and can only keep it going with your support, shares and likes! Thanks for spreading the word, and may the luck o’ the Irish shower upon you this month!

xo, jen + andra

spotlight on ... linda joss

If you don’t know Linda, you are missing out! Linda Joss is the fearless leader of Woodland Park Players (WPP), a neighborhood theatre group, which Andra has been involved with the last 4 years. Linda’s passion for community and the arts is palpable. Read more about her and support her mission by checking out Woodland Park Players’ upcoming show, “My Fair Lady,” showing March 22 - 24, 29-30. Link to tickets below!

What inspired you to start Woodland Park Players?

In 2007, we moved to Ann Arbor for one year. The neighborhood we lived in had a theater program for adults. They advertised their company with ‘if you live in our ‘hood you can’t get cut from our cast’. So I auditioned and landed the role of the pepper shaker in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast :) I had a blast and made lifelong friends!!

When I returned to Seattle the next year I started dreaming about our own neighborhood theater so a few years later I finally decided to try it. That was 2015, and since then we’ve successfully produced seven full Broadway shows. We are a successful 501c3 non profit that has been in the black since we started! On top of making great theater, community and lots of dreams come true, we have given away over $40,000 so far to student arts groups all over Seattle!

What are your hopes and dreams for WPP as it continues to grow?

My hopes are for our theater to continue on for many years and continuing to grow and change into a vibrant community theater that is inclusive and welcomes everyone!

We know you love karaoke! What are your favorite local spots to bust out some tunes?

My favorite place is Tarascos in Ballard. Tony has a great establishment where everyone is welcome!!

Where do you see the greatest need in keeping the arts alive in the Seattle community, and what are some things folks can do to help year-round?

Great question!! I feel that more money should be given to allow students who can’t afford participating in theater, music, dance, etc., to be able to do what they choose. If every profitable art group committed to granting to their local arts, I believe our city, and our nation, would be a much happier place. Too many students can’t afford to participate in art. There should always be scholarships for those that want to join in.

As the founder of WPP, what has been your greatest joy or proudest moment?

There is not one. Every time I watch our cast put themselves out there, learning dances, blocking, lines, I tear up. Going to the set shop on Saturday morning and seeing the team there working together and building and painting, and creating community, thrills me. Listening to the orchestra play at rehearsal makes me incredibly happy. There is not just one time. It’s every time I’m around the people of WPP, and whatever capacity. I have the best position in the world.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce gin
• 1 oz Green Chartreuse*
• 1 oz St-Germain
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• Club Soda

Directions

Add ingredients to shaker with ice and shake. Strain mixture into a martini glass, top with club soda and garnish with a lime twist.

*Chartreuse is hard to find. (Apparently the monks aren’t making as much as they used to. Who knew?!). We made this with Dolin Liqueur as a substitute, available at Total Wine.

Other Kickass Cocktails Inspired by Iconic Women

Source: Free the Tripple by Jennifer Croll & Kelly Shami

THE FRIDA KAHLO

Ingredients

• 2 shots (ozs) silver tequlia
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz hibiscus syrup*

Directions

Add ingredients to shaker with ice and shake. Serve over ice in a margarita glass and garnish with edible hibiscus flower

*To make syrup: Bring 1/2 cup water to a boil. Add 2 hibiscus tea bag and allow to steep 15 mins. Remove tea baga, add 1/2 cup sugar and simmer again. Stir until dissolved and then allow to cool.

THE JANE GOODALL

Ingredients

• 2 shots (ozs) light rum
• 1/2 a banana
• 1 oz Contreau
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 tsp agave syrup

Directions

Add all ingredients to blender wtih 1/2 cup ice and blend until smooth. Pour into a hurricane glass and garnish with lime wedge and (reusable!) straw.

THE MAYA ANGELOU

Ingredients

• 1.2 shot gin
  
• 1/2 shot sherry
• 3/4 shot fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 shot simple syrup
• 1 fresh egg white
• 2 shots club soda

Directions

Add all ingredients (except soda) to shaker and dry shake, without ice for 10 seconds. Add ice and shake for additional 10 seconds. Strain into ice-filled Collins glass, top with soda and garnish with lemon twist.

Women-Owned Businesses

Our friend Lindsay Christiansen just opened Strikke Yarn & Supply, a darling store in Bothell. You must check them out.

Purpose Boutique - Jen’s fav “dress shop” go-to, with locations in Kirkland, Tacoma and Silverdale.

Relax and rejeuvinate at Ananya Spa in Seattle or Anisoptera Spa on Everett’s waterfront. Or book a facial, sugaring or lash treatment at Babyface Spa. Owner, Eva Robbins has built a lovely sanctuary in the middle of Phinney Ridge for you to treat yourself!

Throwing your own party, have chef Malia McCabe cater - or just make you the most beautiful chacueterie platter ever!

Want to meet a friend for a quick glass of wine, or grab a bottle to go? Check out newly-opened Half Seas Wine + Bottle Shop in Ballard!

Need headshots or a family or corporate photoshoot? Craft Beauty is where to go for make-up and photography services. We wouldn’t have our beautiful promotional shots without Brittany!

Craft Cocktail is Women-Owned!

Just a reminder that Craft Cocktail is women-owned, and we’re happy to cater to you! Contact us about a hosting a private party - think your next book club, PTSA meeting, high school pal get-together - or even work social! We can come to you and feature crafts and cocktails of your choosing!

Let us know if you have a business ​you’d like to promote. We would love to ​feature YOU in an upcoming newsletter!

Come Support Seattle Children’s!

Looking for another way to connect and engage - while also giving back? Join ​us for Toast to Tots, an fun live & silent auction event for Seattle Children’s ​Hospital, happening Friday, March 22nd at Moss Bay Hall in Kirkland. This is ​the Daughters’ Guild’s 17th annual event (of which Jen & Andra are both ​members. Shameless plug!).

The event begins at 7 pm at the newly opened Moss Bay Hall restaurant/bar, ​which we will have all to ourselves for the evening, to enjoy an MC-led silent ​and live auction, great food and drinks, and of course helping support kids in ​families in our area. And you’lll be helping continue Seattle Children’s mission ​to provide Hope, Care & Cure - while supporting all kids regardless of their ​families ability to pay.

Breweries, brunches & beautiful crafts!