flower power

There's nothing like a vase full of flowers to cheer a girl up. I had a very rough personal day yesterday, which I might blog about when I'm ready, and my parents sent me a lovely boquet at work to cheer me up.

What a great family I have!

april showers

Raise your hand if you're tired of the rain here in Portland. Everyone? I've got bad news. It's here for a little while longer. Whoever came up with the saying "April showers brings May flowers" never lived in the NW. More like "April showers brings May showers." Like it? I think it'll catch on.

As I was driving home the other day, I noticed a group of men in suits walking down the sidewalk with bright yellow umbrellas. I was amused, to say the least. Not only because it was an older group of men all walking with the same umbrella, but because they were yellow.

But this got me thinking. Why not have brightly colored umbrellas? It sure makes these rainy days a lot less gloomy! By the way, I fully recognize that all true Oregonians probably don't carry umbrellas. This post is for you transplants. And yes, I noticed the green umbrella is facing the wrong way. I had a minor panic and then thew my hands in the air.

I'll follow up this post with rain boots and jackets.

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weekend recap

Well, hello! I'm back to doing the weekend recap, mainly because no one joined in on my "Happy Monday!" fun. Fine.

My weekend mostly consisted of lounging around, eating, and catching up with one of my closest friends. Friday night we hit Outback for a little calorie fest. I haven't been there in years and I can't wait to go back.

First off, we were blown away by the service. Since when does a chain hire such great staff? We were offered drinks and food samples as soon as we walked into the door. Our appetizer came before the meal. And our waiter even asked if I needed more toppings for my baked potatoe when he noticed my sour cream had disappeared. I'll even pardon the dear waiter who stated "We have light options, all under 500 calories, if you ladies prefer."

No, I would NOT prefer, thank you very much.

What planet was I on? I'm not sure but they can abduct me anyday.

Hello, lovers.

Columbia Sportswear

I feel so bad right now. I completely abandoned my blog last week as work was just so hectic. I need to come up with some kind of editorial plan to keep this fresh when life slips away. We all lead busy lives so tell me: what works for you?

As promised, I wanted to post about my recent experience at the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store. If you live in the Portland area, I guarantee you know someone who knows someone who works at Columbia Sportswear. Please snag a pass and get there soon! And even if you can't get a pass, treat yourself and head to its downtown store. You won't regret it.

First off, I had no idea its corporate offices and employee store was just down the road from my house. Makes sense as so is Nike and Intel. Before heading over, I honestly expected a small store with low inventory in odd sizes. You can imagine my surprise when I walked into a normal sized store, packed with clothes in all sizes. And prices were anywhere from 50 to 70 percent off. Drool. I geared up for the hiking and fishing season ahead. Who knew they made shirts specifically for fishing? It's made with Omni-Shield Blood 'N Guts technology for "when fishing gets messy." Lovely.

I did give myself budget, and stuck to it, but I could've easily purchased everything in sight. Here's what I snagged for myself:

{All images via Columbia Sportswear}

Have you been to either the downtown or employee store?

Happy Monday!

I'm going to try this "What three things make you happy right now?" thing again, though it flopped last week. And I'm using the same image too. It's like dejavu.

Play along and link up!

1. Columbia Sportswear Employee Store. I'm wearing a salmon fleece I got this weekend to work. (I just learned it's called "Burnt Henna" - WTF)
2. The fact that it's OK to wear fleece at work.
3. Planning some upcoming PL for April and May. By then, I'll have gone 3 months w/out a play day and I'll need it!

portraits by Rachel hadiashar

A few weeks ago I was approached by Rachel Hadiashar to partake in a portrait session for a current project capturing local writers and professionals. I was humbled to be asked and jumped at the chance.

A Portland transplant from the east coast, Rachel's work has appeared in The New York Times, Daily Candy and The Boston Globe. We met at my favorite coffee house - Anna Bannanas - and it was the perfect setting as it definitely screams "Portland". Hugh, one of the baristas, let us take over the joint. I think we frightened some of the patrons as they didn't expect to walk into a photo shoot. We had a ton of fun and it was a great experience to be in front of the camera.

Rachel was lovely and professional and I urge others to hire her. Everyone should be armed with head shots they can use for work and/or to place onto their blog. You can see some of my pictures below.

But that's not where her talent stops. Her real passion is for Boudoir photography which she'll be concentrating efforts on in 2011. Don't know what this is? Don't worry, I didn't either.

Boudoir photography is considered the art of visually capturing beautiful, sensuous and sexy photos of regular women. The purpose of boudoir photography is to make women look and feel great, no matter size, height or age (as long as they aren't minors). Women generally do this as a wedding or anniversary gift for their husbands. Interested? Contact Rachel to get started!

Disclosure: I am a supporter of word of mouth marketing and am always forthright with my opinions. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely mine.

fill in the blank friday

It's one of our favorite days of the week - FRIDAY! Which means another round of FITBF. Like the acronymn? Doesn't it have a nice ring to it? Go ahead, say it outloud.

Anyways. Thanks Lauren, as always, for the easy post idea.

{via}

The best deal I've ever gotten is everything I’ve ever bought at Last Chance in Phoenix. It’s the next stop clothes go after Nordstrom Rack. If you hit it right, you can find swimsuits, tanks and tees for $1 and cardigans for $3. It’s a little slice of heaven.

If I were hosting a dinner party and could invite people from my fantasy guest list it would include Ellen and Oprah. I can’t even begin to imagine how the conversation would go..

Something that inspires me is other people in the Blogosphere. I’m constantly amazed by how savvy and dedicated some of these people are. It’s pushing me to do more and be better!

If I could only choose to eat one flavor of food for the rest of eternity (sweet, salty, spicy, bitter....) I would have to go with spicy. I love hot food even more than I do sugar!

I dream about so many random things. The latest memorable one was me pretending to be Claire Danes at a party Justin Timberlake was throwing. He bought the facade and then we went skydiving. What does it all mean?!

My weekend will be spent shopping at the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store, having an overdue phone chat with a friend in Austin and then my usual trek down to Salem for dinner.

If I could only  watch one movie or TV show for the rest of my life, it would be Gilmore Girls. That show never gets old!

Sweet Tooth Gone Wild

I promise this isn’t a post about some weird adult film. Just about my out of control addiction to sugar, which might be equally as scary. On a recent visit to the dentist for a routine cleaning I was told I had three tiny cavities. I wasn’t too alarmed by this, as lately I’ve been chowing down on candy and sugary goods like you wouldn’t believe. My obsession started with the discovery of Keebler’s Coconut Dreams. They taste like Girl Scout’s Samoas but without the cost and wait. Check out a review of these over at Baking Bites. Like any normal girl, I crave chocolate and gummy treats – dots are my favorites – but I’m realizing now that I need to cut back. I’ve already successfully cut back on soda to about 1x per week so here’s my plan:

·    Don’t quit cold turkey – this sets you up for a binge. Proceed slowly.

·    Eat 2 cookies after dinner instead of 4.

·    Hit either the cookie aisle or the candy aisle on my weekly grocery trip. Not both.

·    Don’t keep ice cream in the house. If I really need it, I can travel for it. (Like my use of the word ‘need’?)

·    Try eating a square of dark chocolate when I crave sugar. Anything with a percentage of 72% cacao is high in antioxidants.

·    Don’t walk upstairs to the communal candy bowl at work. Just don’t think about it. It doesn’t exist.

We need sugar in our daily diet but it should come in natural form, such as from fruit. Refined sugar, the kind you find in packaged cookies and soda is basically poison. I’m just delving into the subject but you can read more about over at Global Healing Center.

Do you eat too much bad sugar? What will you cut back on?



via


P.S. Despite my best efforts, Blogger won't format correctly. Argh!

Wednesday Wears

I have vowed not to shop for awhile but I can't help looking. Online shopping makes it too easy to cheat but I think it's good to test your will once in awhile. Right? Right.


Here's what I'm lusting after today:





LuLus many belles down smurf orange dress



Emerson Made Jeans

RED Valentino Trousers

Steve Madden "Bevv" Pump

happy. happy. happy.

Happy Monday! How was your day? Instead of doing a recap, I thought it would be fun to start the week off with a "What three things make you happy?" post. When I've got the Monday blues, which I always do, it helps to keep things in perspective and give thanks for the little things in my life I'm happy for.

Want to play along? Feel free to link up below!

 

1. My black leggings make me happy. I basically lived in them all weekend.

2. My Sunday drives down to Salem make me happy. Not only do I get to see good friends but I get to crank up the radio and sing in my car for an hour. I'll only do that when I get to zoom down the highway, so I know no one can see me.

3. Netflix has made me a happy girl lately. SO much to choose from!

OK, your turn! Link up below!

fill in the blank friday

Yay, it's Friday! Here's my usual fill in the blank friday, courtesy of Lauren. Won't you join in too?

My biggest accomplishment in life thus far is my job. I worked extremely hard in college and it's paid off in  bigger ways that I could've imagined. I'm blessed to work for an agency I respect and with clients that challenge me every day.

My favorite place to sit in my house is  my futon. Actually, I really wish it was a couch. If you haven't heard my couch fiasco, ask me about it. I love to tell that story. Actually, I'll save you the time. I bought a new couch without measuring it and it wouldn't fit through any of my doorways. It has been in my parent's garage for 2 years. I look at it often with both admiration and pure hatred. I can't wait to move and this time I WILL measure.

My fashion philosophy is to only wear what makes me feel good. If a current trend isn't for me, that's OK! I have never purchased a pair of skinny jeans because I hate the trend. I'm so happy wide-leg jeans are making a come back. Also, I believe you can transform an outfit from casual to dressy with just a pair of heels. Lastly, you don't have to spend a lot to look good.

Something every girl should have is  a  brightly colored handbag. It can transform any outfit.

If you looked in my purse right now you'd find....a wallet, toiletrie bag, crumpled receipts, Altoids, hair pins and a pen. I've been using a small purse the past month or so and it's been a big change. But I think I like it...

My favorite music right now is  everything on the Christina Perri Pandora radio. I recently discovered her and haven't turned back yet.

My favorite part of my body is  my legs. They are long and toned.

blog crush: Kendi Everyday

This week has completely slipped away from me. Apparently it's Wednesday already? How did that happen? On that confusing note, I'll keep today's blog post simple.

In case you've been hiding under a rock, I wanted to share my latest blog obsession, err, crush with you all: Kendi Everyday. She's fashion savvy, witty, and gorgeous to boot. She's even made me almost want to do my own 30 for 30. If only I had a husband to take my photo everyday in cool, obscure places around town.





Happy Friday!

Happy Friday! It's exciting to see that Lauren has been getting mad love with the "Fill in the Blank Friday" post she does. Keep it up lady!



1. The phrase or punctuation I overuse most is: I say “That’s ridiculous!” all the time. It’s kind of ridiculous how much I say it. No, not funny?


2. Today I am thankful for: The opportunities I’ve had lately to catch up with old friends I seldom see.


3. My best friend is: That’s a HARD one. I suppose I’d say Sasha. She is always there for me, laughing with me (or at me) and I trust her completely.


4. A quirky thing about me is: I get seasick at just the thought of being on a boat. I know, I feel bad for me too.


5. This weekend I: Am doing dinner with the parents; reading a book I’ve been dying to read and finally snagged from the library; heading to Salem to cook dinner for some friends and watch Amazing Race.


6. Something that worries me is: My own mortality. It’s morbid but I think about it A LOT. I’m a paranoid person.

7. On my night stand you would find: Hair ties, my phone charger, a drink coaster and a bookmark.

Grit behind the glamour: Picture me & seamless

Last night I settled in to watch Netflix when I stumbled upon “Picture Me,” a documentary film that goes inside the world of high fashion modeling. Filmed over a period of 5 years, top model Sara Ziff provides an insider view into this scary world. Being a lover of all things fashion, I found this movie to be riveting and, sadly, a confirmation of what I figured all along – that there’s much more to the picture than meets the eye. And while I knew top models were paid extraordinarily well, I had no idea that top photo shoots will pay $100k for a day’s worth of work. Hell, where do I sign up?

I ended up watching another documentary “Seamless” which follows three emerging designers as they compete for Vogue’s coveted CFDA award. Most exciting for me was Anna Wintour’s presence throughout the film as I was unaware that she had ever been filmed prior to “The September Issue.” More surprisingly, this film exposed Anna’s vulnerable and soft side and, fittingly so, she did not once mask herself behind her signature sunglasses.

If you love fashion, I highly recommend both of these films. And at less than 90 minutes each, they can easily be paired together in one sitting.

On a similar note, if you're in Portland, check out the event Fashion Feud happening tomorrow, March 3 starting at 7:00 PM.



I don't have a trailer for "Seamless" but if you have Netflix you can stream it from there. What fashion documentaries make your list? I'd love to know!