Wordstock

I've mentioned Wordstock in years past. It's one of my favorite Portland events. And it starts in 3 days! This year, while the focus is firmly centered on books, there is also a part that is dedicated to food. I love the theme: Don't be a picky reader, be a literary omnivore. I love the tie-ins at local grocery stores.

See you there!

A Walk to Remember

I like to think I'm a simple girl with simple wants. I'm happy with my 1 BR/1 BA apt, 10 year old car, and Target/Old Navy-filled closet. Lately, I've been enjoying the fall weather with urban hiking around my neighborhood instead of being indoors at the gym. Like I said; simple girl, doesn't even need the gym.

I live in NW Portland, so to make it a hike, I've been taking the stairs up the side of the hills and the steep streets. But... this route takes me right past some gorgeous houses. At the very top of Fairfax Terrace there's a house with what I think were a Lichtenstein in the foyer and a Calder on the deck.

A little bit down the hill is my favorite house. It's for sale, I might be able to buy it with 9 of my closest friends. But I love it!
Maybe I am a simple girl, willing to settle for no famous art. I'd be happy with a simple 4 BRs and an amazing view.

Contains Live and Active Cultures*

Today, at a Labor Day BBQ, the conversation turned to honey, that's normal right? Someone then said that true vegans don't eat honey. We started talking about the other things vegans don't eat and I waxed poetic about my love of most things dairy. Here's my new favorite find. Tart Frozen Yogurt. And thanks to Dreyer's, it's available in your grocer's freezer in large containers (although not as large as they used to be, grrr!) So far I've only tried the mango but I have plans to try the others and so should you.


*Doesn't that sound more like a hazmat warning than a selling point?

Better Very Late Than Never

Remember this chair?


Well, here it is now! I made lots of mistakes, had to undo lots of stitches, and broke one zipper, but it's done!

Boot-y Call

A lazy start to my Saturday included a browse of google reader. I mostly read blogs of friends but I do like to check out a few of the pretty ones too. Bliss, by the always inspiring Traci French, is one of my favs. I have met her IRL and she is amazingly sweet so maybe I can move her over to the first group. Her post today showed some beautiful green boots and reminded me of a pair I saw at Imelda's last week. While I couldn't find the green boots (Biviel 2257, if you find them, let me know), I did find lots of other boots calling my name. I hope to have more than a one-night stand with several of these.

Biviel

I think I could buy a closet-full of only this brand.

La Canadienne

Cordani

David Tate

Biviel

Jeffrey Campbell

Franco Sarto

Fly London - Doris II

Biviel

Sorry about the title, I just couldn't resist. I did have a lot of sugar last night and I think it's still affecting my judgement.

Rainy Summer Soup

It's been a little cloudy and rainy here lately. I thought Portland and I had an agreement, 9 months of rain is fine as long as July, August, and September are sunny and dry. The cooler temperature and grey skies made me crave warm soup. But since it's summer, I wanted it to be very fresh. Here's what I came up with.

2 sweet red peppers

1 onion

2 cloves garlic

3-4 medium tomatoes

olive oil

1 bag of frozen roasted corn (Trader Joe's)

1 C fat-free cottage cheese

3 C water or chicken stock

2 links of chicken sausage (I used an smoked apple chardonnay flavor from Trader Joe's)

Herbs and spices - I used thyme and cayenne (weird combo but good)

Salt and pepper

Cut peppers in half and remove seeds. Quarter the onion and tomatoes. Place peppers, onion, tomatoes, and garlic on a baking sheet and spray with olive oil. Bake at 450˙ for about 30 minutes, turning at least once. Place in heat-proof container. Add stock, 1/2 bag of corn, and cottage cheese. Use immersion blender to puree it. You can also put it all in a blender/food processor. Dice the sausage and saute until browned. Add sausage and rest of the corn and mix. Enjoy!

I ate a bowl with a salad and a slice of olive bread with cambozola cheese.

Rise and Shout the Cougars Are Out! *

I realize I am not the official referee of the internet so I really have no say in this. But I'm saying it anyway... "cougar" is over. I thought we all agreed to this in late 2008 but I've recently found ample evidence to the contrary. Even worse, said evidence is from corporate America, meaning that very soon, your grandma will be saying she's the cougar of her retirement home. Just the thing to ruin family dinner.

Exhibit A: Really, Mark McGrath is back? And he thought this was a good idea for his new album? He does realize he's 41, right? Yes, I had to google him to find out his age, I immediately cleared my browser history and took a hot shower.



Exhibit B: I think this might be the more egregious crime since Courtney is committing a woman-on-woman crime by starring in this. But the most soul-chilling part is that I relate a little bit. Watch at your own peril.

* first line of my college fight song

When A Problem Comes Along

It's months away and I'm already excited about this movie! I've watched the trailer 3 times today!

My Homemade Home - Floor Cushions

I moved into a new apartment about 2 months ago. It's much bigger than my last place. And if you remember all the minor details of my life, I was a travel nurse not too long ago, so I had very little furniture. It's been so fun buying some new stuff and re-doing/re-working other stuff. I thought I could share a bit.

I have a sofa and a few other chairs but wanted floor cushions. There are lots of cute options but most of those are well over $100 each. I found some faux leather cushions at Target, on sale for $29.



Then I recovered them with Amy Butler fabrics. I love them!

A Little Night Music

It seems like KaRyn just got home for Korea and she's already on her way to D.C. But she's a smart girl so at her going away party, she asked each of us to bring her a mix CD for her cross-country drive. I've made that drive a few times and it can be dangerously sleep-inducing. Do you remember that VW commercial from a few years ago, with the convertible and Pink Moon by Nick Drake? While I don't recommend too much night driving on long trips,that was the feeling I was going for. Relaxed and happy and hopeful for the future. Well mostly, I might have thrown in more than a few Portland bands so she doesn't forget us. Here's a copy of mine if you want it. (click link to download)



Go On, Say It - Blind Pilot
Paul's Song - M. Ward
Wires - Coconut Records
My America - A Camp
Help I'm Alive - Metric
Rock & Roll - Eric Hutchinson
The Reeling - Passion Pit
White Daisy Passing - Rocky Votolato
Vermont Avenue - Ferraby Lionheart
Hurt Feelings - Flights of the Conchords
You Don't Know Me - Ben Folds featuring Regina Spektor
Dimmer - Bishop Allen
Beat (Health, Life and Fire) - Thao With The Get Down Stay Down
Hearts On Fire - Cut Copy
Airstream Driver - Gomez
Breaking It Up - Lykke Li
All My Days - Alexi Murdoch

Remember Me?

So it's been a while. Wondering what is good enough to get me back to blogging?

Well, I won't keep you waiting any longer...

My grandmother recently moved in with my aunt and had to downsize. Since I live 3000 miles away, I couldn't ask for any of her furniture or larger items I've always eyed. But I did speak up about a pillow. I have always loved it. And best of all - she made it! And I just got it in the mail.

Here's a photo I took the day I got my first Polaroid, I was about 7. Aren't my grandparents the cutest!

And here it is on my favorite chair

One Thing Down, So Many To Go

I'm moving into a new apartment by the end of April. I haven't found that apartment yet. I still wonder if I should buy rather than rent. I don't have very much furniture. So many things to still figure out. But, as of Saturday, I own a couch. Macy's is nice enough to hold it for delivery until I move. It was on sale, on sale again, and I got a Macy's card so I saved another $100.

Just Wait Till Alaska Melts

My roommate, Lizzy, is about to take a vacation in Texas. This time last year, I lived in Austin as a travel nurse. Giving her suggestions about places to visit has made me miss it. Nothing like sunny and 75 in the winter. Here's a postcard I found in Smithville, TX and a few songs that make me think of the great state.



That's Right (You're Not from Texas) - Lyle Lovett
Under the Texas Sky - Ferraby Lionheart
Texas - PlayRadioPlay!
Songbird - Willie Nelson and Ryan Adams

C Is for Cookie

When I was young, one of my favorite toys was my Cookie Monster doll. I loved him so much I insisted he was in some of my annual portrait photos. There I was with the fake tree background, sitting on a carpeted lump, holding a googly-eyed fuzzy blue Muppet. I think the doll is in my Dad's attic in South Carolina. My love of cookies is still right here in my heart.

Cookie lovers of the world, unite! It's Girl Scout cookie time! If the girls in green didn't get by your house (do they still sell door-to-door?) don't think, "Oh well, I guess that just how the cookie crumbles." You can find a sale in your area.

Sun = Happiness

I hate losing the hour sleep but I love the rest of it. Ça vaux la peine.

Right On, Target!

Last night, I thought the best place to waste some time in between work and a 7:15 PM meeting would be Target.  Here's what I learned:

1) Lots and lots of empty shelves make me excited.  What new stuff is going to go on them?

2) I want every bit of the Orla Kiely kitchen stuff including the stuff in the end cap display photo that they aren't selling like aprons and pot holders.

3) I can spend a lot of money on lotions and mascara.

ETA: Since I have a long lunch break and work is less than a mile from Target, I went again today. Guess what! They do have the Orla Kiely pot holders, and aprons, and placemats, and shoe organizers, and magazine holders, and, and, and!!!

There Must Be a Pillow Talkin' Boy For Me

Growing up, my mom sewed. My mom didn't need no stinkin' "She who dies with the most fabric wins" bumper sticker on her Volvo wagon, my mom embodied that philosophy. Until that frightful day she decided to pare down. And being her only daughter, I had my own Rubbermaid tub of fabric. She pulled out yards of Laura Ashley floral, Japanese lettering, madras plaids, and with each one, asked what I planned to make with it. When I couldn't think of anything, but also couldn't bear to get rid of it, I would say, "A pillow." I never did make all those pillows, but if I had, can you imagine the crazy sofa I would have had!

I still love pillows. Here are a few recent favorites!

Bike

Go to the Gym

Scandinavian snowflakes

Winter Woods

Vintage chenille

Circus

Boston Terrier

Octopus

Giraffe Love

Felt Rosette

Mantua and Brocatelle

Love

Green Penny

Little Modern Birds

Important Reminders for the Week

1) Tonight The Amazing Race 14 begins. I wish I could say this is the only reality show I watch, but I can say it's my favorite. And this season, Mike White is on one of the teams!

2) Monday, tickets for Street of Eames go on sale. They aren't cheap, $50, but all benefits go to support homeless children in Portland Public Schools.

Love One Another

What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than loving everyone. And what better way to love everyone than being nice. I have a friend who hates being called nice because she thinks it's too bland, too nondescript, too boring. That's one of the main reasons I love Operation Nice. I takes the term nice and makes it one of the best things ever, something I would aspire to be called. The site tells stories of nice people who do such simple things as sharing coupons with the person behind them in line and things coworkers do for one another. It also includes testimonials, assignments, and projects. It inspires me to be better and I really need to look at it more often.

My Fortune in the Recycling Bin

How stupid am I? Well let me tell you... In the name of being organized and fitting all my stuff in my car while being a travel nurse, I ripped pages I wanted to keep out of magazines instead of keeping all the intact issues. That seems smart, right? Well look at this!

Send You My Love

It seems like everyone is talking about Bailey Doesn't Bark right now and while I am intrigued by their ant and roach cups and plates, I could never have them in my house. I grew up in the South and no matter how clean you keep your house, you will have bugs. I think I have a little PTSD from it.

But I would love to receive one of these with an endearing message.

i carry your heart

Maybe it's my medical training but I love this realistic Valentine made by a friend of a friend.


It makes me think of this e e cummings poem

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

Obama-ize Yourself

It's been over a week since the Inauguration but I can still be moved to tears by any photo or story about it.  If you're like me, this is a fun site, obamicon.me.  Mine looks a bit like a dermatological poster demonstrating the T-zone.  



You can also see a gallery of images other people have made, follow them on twitter, or add the app on Facebook.

I've Got a Lot of Extra Baggage

Wondering what you can do to help jumpstart the economy? Did you already do your taxes and have a refund to spend? Remember those gorgeous Jane Marvel bags I wrote about last year? Well, right now, thanks to Daily Candy, they are 30% off if you enter the code DAILYCANDY at checkout. So very tempting!

My new favorite:

Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I Love Ya, Tomorrow!

Are you as excited as I? I'm so jealous of my friends who live in DC or have been able to make the trip there. I'm also jealous of my friends who don't work on Tuesday and can watch the live broadcast. Should I warn my boss right now, I may be less effective for about an hour tomorrow. Maybe I could just take an early lunch break and watch online...

The Digital Journalist has some amazingly personal photos of the campaign. Here's one I love by Callie Shell, who also happens to be from my beautiful and much missed hometown, Charleston, SC.

Everybody Reads!

Portland libraries have a yearly project where they pick a book, provide lots of copies, get the local bookstores to sell it at a discount, host book clubs and other events, and write a blog about it. While the idea of a city-wide book club might seem a little utopian even in Portland, in past years I've done this and always enjoyed it. A few years ago, while on jury duty, several other potential jurors were also reading the book and we had a little impromptu book group. Always nice when I find like-minded book nerds. Wondering if you should join in, that all depends on whether you see "Everybody Reads" as a suggestion or a command.

Just a Little Bit Late

I know we're a full 2 weeks into 2009, but here's one more "best of 2008" music lists I just had to share.

I love a good cover, one that makes you hear new things in a song and also feel more love for the original. Enjoy the Best Covers of 2008.

And these covers don't claim to be the best of anything, but I think they're pretty darn good.
Mixtape XV
Mixtape XIV
Mixtape XIII
I'm sure you know how to use the archive function and find the older ones.

McSteamy in My Shower

Lately I've had to do some work on my car which means being outside in the cold rain. One of my favorite ways to warm up is a nice long bath. But the only time I've taken one in this apartment, the water flooded into the neighbor's basement. So right now, a long, hot shower is my only option. These emotibombs by Lush make the shower so much better. Here's how it works:

Wishing for Spring

It's snowing again here. I'm sure it will melt soon but the flashbacks to being snowed in for days make me wonder if I have a little PTSD. This dress on Eva Mendes, from gofugyourself, is so amazing. Makes me wish it were Spring so I could wear it. Well, I would also need to win a lottery.