fill in the blank friday

Happy Friday! This weekend I am headed to my first Timber's game - any adivce? I hear they can get rowdy but I am super excited to experience it. Side note: I played one season of soccer growing up and was actually pretty good at it. I was so much smaller than the other girls that I could weave in and out without them noticing. Needless to say, I wasn't much for playing in the rain and muck so decided to stick with dancing.

Otherwise this weekend, I may hit up Portland City Grill with the girls again, as it has been at least a month since we've been. What can I say? It's our home base.

On another note, I am happy that Lauren is back at it with the usual Friday blanks. Here we go!

Have a lovely weekend, all. TGIF.

1.  I am independent, loving and respectful with a little bit of feistiness thrown in.

2.  I have always  believed that I could accomplish whatever I wanted to in life. It's probably why I am so apt to change and don't fear rejection. I thank my supportive family for giving me the confidence to reach for the stars. I mean, why not? Who cares if you fall?

3. I hope to see more of the world and learn to serve others a bit more than I currently do.

4. I can get unbearable if I don't eat. I've said it before - don't expect to see my nice side if I am hungry.

5. I dream of  traveling the world with a significant other...someday. Regardless, I love traveling with friends and family too!

6. The way to my heart is  through words and kind, simple gestures. Materialistic items don’t matter to me as much.

7.  I am passionate about  experiencing life. I like to try, see and learn new things. I am always looking to expand my horizon and I won't say "no" to much.

where I wish I was Wednesday

I don't know about you but work has been crazier than crazy. It always seems to be. Here is where I wish I was right about now. Are you in need of an escape as much as I?

pinned via

if you really knew me...

I saw Liz do this and so thought I'd join in the fun. Play along!

{NYC subway}

If you really knew me....

 ...you'd know that I am down for an adventure/shenanigans at the drop of a hat.
...in fact, you'd know that, on a dare, I once pretended to be a bachelorette during a girl's night out. {trust me, it was hysterical. And praise God I only ran into one person I knew. I'm sure I got bad karma for that. In fact, always collect extra karma points for life moments like these.}

...you'd know not to talk to me if I am hungry. You'll really see my mean side. {ask my poor parents}

...you'd know that I have always wanted to live in NYC and still want to - someday. {maybe in my fantasy}

...you'd know that I am extremely self-conscious of my body. 

...you'd know that my friends always come to me with their problems - because they know I'll listen and be brutally honest with my advice. {though that's not to say they heed my advice!}

...you'd know that, though I am extremely far from perfect, I am a proud, God-loving, Christian.

...you'd know that I am not patient. Or collected. {i really hope my future husband possesses both of these traits}

...you'd know that I have had two major surgeries in my lifetime. And am stronger AND healthier because of it.

...you'd know that I worry I'll be alone forever.

...you'd know that, though am currently career-driven, I am more excited to be a wife and mother at some point in the future. {and really don't care how "old-fashioned" that seems}

...you'd know that I love sports cars. It's on my bucket list to drive a Maserati. 

...you'd know that I've randomly met a lot of random celebs. {M.C. Hammer; Ty Pennington; Kirsten Dunst; Jimmy Fallon; The Pussycat Dolls; cast of American Idol 2009}

...you'd know that I really want to meet Bethenny Frankel.

...you'd know that I am sometimes often oblivious.
...you'd know that I always get nervous at networking events.

...you'd know that I am not a movie-watcher. Never pick me to be on your team during movie trivia night. {to me, movies are really only fun when you have someone to spoon with}

Your turn! What would you want people to know about YOU?

weekend round-up

What I loved about my weekend:

 

I realized how much of a hot mess I was becoming - so I chopped off my hair. Well, I cut off several inches anyways. It was halfway down my back and I just couldn't style it nicely. 

Friday night, I decided I needed to go for a drive to clear my head. Can't say it worked but I do love taking my little car out on the country roads, with the windows down and the music up. It's nice to drive faster than the crawl I usually do. As much as I love craziness, I might love the peace more.

In another attempt to clear my head, I ventured into the neighborhood trails again and discovered this little bench. So secluded and quiet. I LOVE this spot.

 

And..my little cherry tomato plant is finally growing. It has taken awhile and all it needed was a marathon of sunny weather. Hooray! I also refreshed my planters.

Lastly, I stumbled across this bedding set at JC Penny. It was love at first sight but I didn't indulge...yet. 

 

book review: cleaving, by julie powell

Do you ever excitedly buy a book only to find out you really hate it after starting? I picked up the memoir "Cleaving" by Julie Powell - same author of "Julie and Julia" - at a used bookstore and started reading it a couple weekends ago.

Thankfully I only paid $2 for the thing because I. Hate. It. I mean, really. I am only half-way through but really want to chuck the thing out my window. Or into the trash. Because I wouldn't want some poor sucker to find it on the ground and be unknowingly pulled into the horribleness that is this book.

A description from Amazon:

Julie Powell thought cooking her way through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking was the craziest thing she'd ever do--until she embarked on the voyage recounted in her new memoir, CLEAVING.

Her marriage challenged by an insane, irresistible love affair, Julie decides to leave town and immerse herself in a new obsession: butchery. She finds her way to Fleischer's, a butcher shop where she buries herself in the details of food. She learns how to break down a side of beef and French a rack of ribs--tough, physical work that only sometimes distracts her from thoughts of afternoon trysts.

The camaraderie at Fleischer's leads Julie to search out fellow butchers around the world--from South America to Europe to Africa. At the end of her odyssey, she has learned a new art and perhaps even mastered her unruly heart.

The book was given glorious reviews by media but not-so-great reviews from customers. So, there ya go.

2/3 of the book focuses on her time spent in the butcher shop (duh) and page after page details how she cuts different parts of meat. Great. Don't really care for that much detail, thankyouverymuch. Yes, I walked into this.

The other 1/3 details her love affair and discusses her distress when her lover dumps her. Yep, feeling really bad for you Julie. It's a rough life you're leading.

I'm sure this book is full of deep irony around the *meat* and *love affairs* but I just don't care. I just want it to be over.

Has anyone read it? Does it get better? It really can't get worse.

And now I feel a lot better. Thank you.

J. Crew Sale

Are you a J.Crew fan? Today is the last day to save an additional 40% off sale items - good deal, yes?

I've already met exceeded my clothing allowance for the month but here is what I would buy:

colored toothpick jeans

striped bow cami

anchors blouse



finding peace

As I find myself at a strange cross-roads in my life, I have to remind myself that God has the wheel and everything will be OK. A lot has happened this past year (and it's only July!) and I really can't fathem what the next 5 months has in store.

Breathe.

via Pinterest

my local outdoor haven

I am blessed to live in a really beautiful part of Portland nestled just 10 minutes from downtown.

The homes in my neighborhood sell for way more money than I'll ever make in my lifetime. But me, who lives in a rental, and those perched atop the steep hills have one thing in common: an awesome nature park right in our little neck of the woods.

On Sunday I finally went exploring on some of the nature trails. I usually do my runs walks within the neighborhood and don't venture deep into the trails. I had NO IDEA there were so many awesome trails. I think I can cross "discover outdoor haven" off my summer bucket list. It so counts!

friday round-up

Happy Friday, all! I realized that I haven't done Lauren's Friday blank game in quite some time. Which is sad. It looks like she is taking a well-deserved break this week but I plan to hop back on the bandwagon next week!

Here is what I am loving about this week.

Starbuck's Refreshers

 

Thank goodness someone told me Starbuck's was giving these babies away today or I wouldn't have had a clue. I chose lime and it pleasently tasted like a mojito - just without the "good" stuff. Doubtful I'd purchase in the future, as I'd most likely opt for the passion tea lemonade instead. But I'm all for companies trying news things so, that's cool.

Daydreaming about Travel

Liz, of explore.dream.discover., is always posting about her travel adventures over in Europe. I melted when I saw pictures from her trip to Positano, Italy but her latest trip to Santorini may have just beat it. That HOTEL with those VIEWS - to die for. I am pocketing this for a future trip with a significant other. Looks like it would be a great honeymoon spot too! I'm as single as can be and this really seems like something worthy of saving for more of a romantic occassion. So I'll just continue dreaming {and drooling} in the meantime. Go on...click on over. Forget about me, whydontchya?

Nordstrom Anniversary PreSale

Yup, the Nordstrom Anniversary Presale started this week - for special card holders. Which I am not. But stepmom is! She graciously picked me up a couple of these lace dresses - one in white and another in black - and I love them. I also ordered a grey sweater and a sparkly top. I'm all about the sparkles right now.

I also love how the Nordy's marketing team created a "Shopping Excuse Generator." Given the actual sale starts on a Friday, I think this is mighty brilliant.

Cheese Popcorn

Because I have to.



i bought what?

You guys. You know those sometimes awesome coupon deals from the likes of Groupon and Living Social? The coupons for stuff and experiences you never would have purchased otherwise? Yes, THOSE.

Well. I try not to get sucked into these but every so often a deal comes my way that I just can't pass up. For instance, a swinging deal on wine. Sounds good, right? Turns out in OR you have to be home when they deliver so they can check your ID and have you sign. Seems smart but I'm not home when they would deliver - so I would have to sit at home waiting for it. Not going to happen. After explaining the dilemma to the kind folks at Groupon, they let me exchange it for a voucher.

And somewhere along the line, in the past couple months, I decided it was a great idea to use my voucher on a deal for gourmet popcorn. You read that right. POPCORN.

Not only is buying gourmet popcorn a ridiculous waste of money but I didn't first check to see how much PoPtions! charges. Holy s@&# balls. Whoops. My Groupon didn't quite cover it and they charge an arm AND a leg for shipping. How much can popcorn weigh??

The other day my popcorn came in the mail. And I mean, it's fricken' popcorn guys. It's not anything spectacular. I'm going to chalk this up as a lesson learned and funny story.

Have you had any coupon purchase regrets? Do tell! In the meantime, I'll be eating my weight in cheese popcorn trying not to keel over.

berry picking

One thing on my summer bucket list was to go berry picking. Conveniently, my stepmom invited me to join her last weekend at a berry patch near my parent's house. We headed out in the morning to beat the heat - turns out standing in a field in direct sunlight can get hot awfully fast.

There were blueberries and marion berries and I picked way too many for just me. But the process is so therapeutic (really!) and it's hard to stop. I froze most of my haul; in other words, I see a lot of berry smoothies in my future. The other upside? It's so much less expensive than buying at the store - it was $1.50/lb. And the very best upside? I supported a neighborhood family that has had the farm in their family for many generations. You just can't beat that.

Have you picked berries before? What do you make with your haul?

summer bucket list

Summer is finally creeping up on us here in Portland and I am already ticking items off my bucket list.

Discover an outdoor haven

Drink margaritas at Departure...or anywhere

Pick berries

Dine at an outdoor patio or two

Stroll along the waterfront at sunset

Try a new brunch spot

Read a book

Spend the day at Cannon Beach

See the animals at the Oregon Zoo 

dog days of summer

The nice folks over at West Elm are great about keeping me updated on the fun activities and merchandise that can be found in their Portland store. Celebrating the 4th of July is no exception, with an adorable lineup of outdoor gear.

For most of us, we'll be spending the holiday with friends and loved ones, sitting around a patio sipping on yummy drinks and snacking on messy BBQ. If you're hosting a gathering, or are looking for a sweet host/hostess gift, West Elm has just the ticket!

I am in love with these Claudia Pearson Dog Plates illustrated with adorable dachshunds - even though I don't have a dog. What a perfect way to serve hot dogs or other treats for any party! Another of my favorites from the same artist is the Summer Plates – very patriotic!