Saturday, August 18, 2012

taking time off or rather taking time to re-order




My apologies for leaving the blog unattended.  The excuse: Change.  Change in the form of employment, daily routine and 2 freelance gigs.  We can probably also chalk it up to a change in the weather and a change in the fashion cycle.  Change is really the only form of consistency.  

Between embarking on a new career path, writing the shopping guide for this year's Finder Magazine and illustrating a children's book cover, I have been emotionally and physically drained.  I was struggling to find beauty and inspiration regarding style and wardrobe.  I dress for an office now.  Which has proven to be difficult in this recent heat.  The focus has been on the daily agenda, product, conservation.  Not ideas to take lightly but ideas that require a new logistical creative approach.



Here in lies the challenge.  Facing an alarm clock that rings at an uncivilized hour is slowly becoming less cumbersome.  Social demands and personal preferences are beginning to balance out.  Street fashion's savvy-ness continues to ebb and flow.  I am into slacks right now and sensible shoes.  I love blouses and have fully embraced all that a silk scarf can do for an ensemble.  The focus has switched from wanting a variety of looks to defining my own look.  What is worn is less important than how it is worn.  Class.  Let me speak before my garments.  I want refined touches and comfort in my own skin.  I want fit and silhouette.  Minimal patterns and basic color palettes.  Feminine without being girly.  Basic without being boring.  Noteworthy without being famous.  The advancement of style and the recline of fashion.  And more sorting to come.  

Monday, June 4, 2012

One Rainy Monday Evening

First of all, I want to thank any of you that bared with me for the month of May.  I apologize for not having time to update.  The excuse: working two jobs for a while and freelancing two large assignments.  The bright side: I am officially down to one, relatively full time position and just one more freelance piece to tackle.  I am feeling rather sleep deprived and a bit overrun by the recent schedule shift and the recent output of a couple of magazine features totally somewhere just shy of 8,000 words.  But more on that in these months to come.  The rolodex is finally up to speed and I have recently visited somewhere over 150 retail locations throughout this city.  Let's just say, I spent a little too much time on TriMet.  Anyhow, as the craziness of the last few weeks is receding I wanted to share with you my most recent organizational feet...



And the new-to-me recent acquisitions for my feet.  Lovely vintage Grasshoppers in navy with red trim.  I found these beauties over at Magpie.  The final piece of my store credit cash in.



Now if only the weather feed on my phone would cooperate and we could stroll down some dry and sunny sidewalks.

xoxo

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Much More to Come Right After the Break


A few big project landed on my desk this week so please bear with me.  
I will do my best to keep you updated.  xoxo

(tv image found here)

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Isaac Hers Chambers - Show

This past Saturday night I had the pleasure of attending the showcase of Isaac Hers' Fall fashion line at Chambers - A Benefit Fashion Show for Planned Parenthood.  What a treat.  Beginning with a showcase from the Woodlands and How to Talk to Girls presenting PINO, followed by a quick catwalk featuring what is currently available at Isaac Hers.  Then the main course, Fall 2012.

Unfortunately, I didn't snap any photos myself but Ryan Fish over at Marrow Mag was generous enough to share some images with me.  These are a few of my favorite looks that graced the runway on Saturday.  Enjoy.





Monday, April 23, 2012

Thursday, April 19, 2012

The Future by Charles Schridde

Since the weather out my window has taken a turn for the worse, I find myself daydreaming about cozy and modern futures past and present.  I think Charles Schridde for Motorola illustrated it best.  





Find these and more images here.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Spring Savings...

... Or at least ways to look good while spending your hard earned cash or credit.  
All are available on etsy from local Portland artists.  
simbiosisbyjulia

tinymeat

dawnygirl

happykathy

CreationsByAngel

Monday, April 16, 2012

Spring into Organization

Two images that inspire some serious spring cleaning and reorganization of the apartment.



The first image is from apartment therapy but I found it here and the second one is from modern design.
Good luck this week.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Recent Problem Area

I am on the hunt for a little extra storage to increase cooking productivity and counter space.  Anyone know of a cart or shelf available that would fit these dimensions? 

Monday, April 9, 2012

Sunday, April 8, 2012

An Excellent Weekend Trek

The husband and I completed this fun loop on Saturday.  If you are looking to get out in the sunshine and see some sights and stunning views of downtown, look into the 4T Trail (Train, Trail, Tram, Trolley).  For more information check here and here.  Oh, and Happy Easter.



Saturday, April 7, 2012

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Long Ago and Across the River...

We stopped into the Lloyd Center yesterday to do a little shopping.  While strolling past the strong aroma of Cinnabon and young ladies receiving lessons at the Ice Chalet, I wanted to know what this place would have looked like 40 or 50 years ago, when it was an open air mall.  Thanks to the help of Google and Malls of America images from that time are available below.  Happy Thursday.



Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Glacier National... Comfort

With the return of the rain this morning, curling up on the couch and hanging with my buddy Netflix seems most enchanting.  However curling up on the couch with this in hand... 

...and this over me would be even better.  

Images from Pendleton 

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Lamb + Lentil Stew

Inspired by a late lunch the other day at Clyde Common the husband and I decided that a warm bowl of homemade lamb stew with french lentils would be just the ticket.


Ingredients:

2 lamb shanks - approximately 1.5lbs including bones
3- 14oz cans of beef broth
1 cup of Bordeaux
3 springs of rosemary
2 springs of thyme
1 handful of parsley
1 medium white onion
2 shallots
3 red chilies
6 to 7 cloves of garlic
1/2 pound of carrots
1 cup dried french lentils

Directions:

Place the lamb shanks in the bottom of the pressure cooker, add the wine, 2 cans of broth and the herbs.  Chop the onion, carrots, chilies, shallots and garlic into small pieces.  Add enough water to cover the mixture completely.  Seal the pressure cooker, place it on the stove on high.  Once at pressure turn the heat down to roughly medium and cooker for an hour.

While the lamb is stewing, prepare the lentils.  We buy bulk lentils which require sorting to pick out any stones or other bulk debris.  Rinse the lentils under cold water.  In another small pot heat up the third can of beef broth until it is on the brink of boiling.  Then add the dry lentils and simmer for about 40 to 45 minutes.

Once the lamb had been under pressure for an hour, release the pressure.  Open the lid and using 2 forks pull the meat apart and away from the bone.  Remove the bones from the stew and set pot back on low heat.  Add the cooked lentils.  Season with ground pepper and sea salt.  Serve.  Garnish with fresh parsley.

Drink the rest of the Bordeaux and enjoy with a baguette (we like Ken's the best).

Bon appetite!





Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Water Pressure


Maintenance is shutting off the water at my apartment building today.  As a result a more in depth blog post to follow in the days ahead.  Off to coffee.

xoxo

image found here





Monday, March 26, 2012

Zoo Swag

Packy is turning the big 5-0, and since an elephant never forgets... check out the commemorative USB memory stick.  






For more information click here.