Today, we took an impromptu trip to Corina Bakery, for a slice of cake. It’s a favorite spot to hang out and enjoy some sweets for many Tacoma residents. (Even better the Tacoma Grand Cinema is right next door.) The weather was a bit dreary, as it often is living in the Pacific Northwest, but that didn’t stop us from rushing to get dressed, pulling on our coats, gloves, and beanies to catch the bus. We needed to make it up the hill to get to the bakery before closing as it closes at 4pm.
Once there, we explored the options:
- Snickerdoodles
- Peanut butter butterscotch cookies
- Lemon crinkle cookies
- Warm chocolate chip cookies
- Various cheesecakes
- Scones and muffins
- Cake slices, cake balls, and cupcakes
We decided on a lemon crinkle cookie and a chocolate raspberry chocolate cake slice. The total came out to less than $14 with a 20% tip.
How Was the Cake?
We sat in the back of the bakery and enjoyed the cake slice—it was better than expected. We don’t care for the cupcakes, as they are often too dense for our taste, but the cake was moist, and the frosting was a soft buttercream that felt like it had melted to perfection.
I ended up getting back in line for two waters because the cake was deliciously sweet with every bite. The waters were reasonably priced at $1 a bottle, which surprised me, considering most places will try and sell you waters for $3 and up.
Exploring Tacoma’s Historic Downtown on Foot
After that, we walked home, and I got the sudden urge to snap pictures of our walk. We have walked this route home many times before, but today I found myself stopping, pulling out my phone, taking pictures while telling my teen to hold my gloves here and there.
Lately, I’ve been finding myself pondering where we will be living next and if moving to another city is in our future sooner than I realize. I’m starting to gain a new appreciation for my local community and city.
We ended up walking down the hill that we once took with my friend, who happened to be my former advisor. If you read this blog, you know she recently passed. I snapped a picture of where we once said our goodbyes after a quick lunch from our favorite Tacoma café.
A Vintage Shopping Gem on Broadway
Snapping pictures along the way, we came across a vintage shop in downtown Tacoma filled with clothing from various periods. They had a specialty in letterman jackets, and sweaters, from Lincoln Abes, Stadium High School, and the University of Washington—definitely a cool space to explore.
The shop is on Broadway, where many other antique stores are located, like Sanford and Son Antiques. I believe it is called DHABERDASHERY, and the owner is a nice gentleman who takes time to talk and chat with his customers while helping them out.
Tacoma Vintage Finds: Typewriters, Cameras & More
There was something for everyone, from typewriters and cameras to pictures, picture frames, and shoes. The pricing was what you’d expect to own a piece of history, but nothing too unreasonable.
There was a University of Washington jacket I had my eye on—especially since I just got accepted and wouldn’t mind adding it to my collection of jackets. I didn’t have my glasses on, so I couldn’t see the price and forgot to ask the owner, who I had a nice chat with. My teen thinks the price tag said $120.00, but it was hanging from the ceiling so we couldn’t verify it. I’ll definitely be making a stop there again—this time without a container of leftover cake and a lemon cookie in my hands.
Spending vs. Investing: The Ultimate Debate
This would be one of those finds that I would grapple with for a while, since I am still in the stage of investing money into the stock market.
A $150 purchase would get me six shares of Kenvue, a company I have been acquiring since June of last year. I don’t part with money very easily unless it’s for rent, groceries, or other bills essential for living. Everything else is quite a struggle when it comes to spending, but this jacket might win once I land eyes on it again.
Future Plans: Seattle or Staying in Tacoma?
I am not sure how long I will call Tacoma home, but I do feel the love and appreciation I have for it has grown over time as I get closer to my goals in life.
In the meantime, I hope to take things slow and embrace every moment of my time at the University of Washington for the next year and a half. Speaking with my advisor, she thinks I’ll be finished in six quarters, even with this summer off to finally process this past year.
Perhaps I’ll end up in downtown Seattle, where both the teen and I feel at home, or maybe I’ll end up staying in Downtown Tacoma—just in a new apartment. Either way, I don’t have to figure that out now. I just need to focus on the path ahead.
I would buy both of these treats again. The lemon cookie was a nice refresher after the richness of the chocolate. 
The Tacoma Dome in the far off background inspired this shot. This is where we once said goodbye to our friend after a quick lunch. She had parked in front the autobody shop ( the grey and red building). 
My teen loves walking down Broadway so he can peek into the stores and see what’s new.
These are the pictures I took from our outing.
The Broke College Student 
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