Picnic Lunch

I would consider the company I work for to be pretty laid-back. For most people, taking a lunch break away from their desks seems to be a doable daily break, but for employees in my building (quite far from the campus cafeterias), we often each lunch at our desks to trade walking-time for e-mail time. I've recently noticed this drives me absolutely bananas. By the time 2 o'clock rolls around I'm a fussy, restless mess as I've been sitting at my computer for about 6 hours at that point.

Today Corey and I decided to rebel against afternoon anxiousness and have a casual picnic in the sun. For one whole hour I ate, chatted, listened to some sweet Bob Marley tunes and forgot about my daily stresses. I think it's one of the best things I've ever done for myself. I highly recommend you all save your sanity and take your much-needed lunch breaks. It's worth it!

P.S. Studies show 60% of workers in corporate America consider the lunch hour to be the “biggest myth of office life". Wow. That's pretty sad.

Weekend Recap

My weekend brought me:
Girls' Night
Beach Bonfire
Heart-shaped Banana Pancakes
Oba's Blood Orange Margarita
And more!

More pictures here.

Thayer Allyson Gowdy

I am absolutely swooning over the photographic talents of Thayer Allyson Gowdy. She is a genius! Her photos make me squeal with happiness. Make me want to jump out of my chair and explore the world around me. Check out her portfolio here.

(images courtesy of Thayer Allyson Gowdy)

P.S. I'm officially on a mission to get pictures of Corey and me riding bikes. How adorable is that?!

Weekend Lovin'

Is it already Friday? This week flew! What are you doing this weekend? I'm finally making it out to the beach! It's going to be a lovely 71 degrees and sunny! I'll also be playing with my new iPhone! Wahoo!

Blazer Inspiration

A couple weeks ago I bought this perfect blazer. I'd been searching for one for ages and was so happy to have finally found it. Sadly, I have yet to wear it. I can't seem to decide how exactly I'd like to style it. Sure, there are a million ways... That's the whole problem. I'm no good at making decisions.

Today I found some hopeful inspiration. This look is simple and sophisticated with a dash of playful. I'm loving the moccasin shoes.

(image courtesy of Grazia Daily)

{South American Adventure}

I’m currently relishing in the glory of planning a huge 3-week vacation to South America. Sure, it’s 5 months away, but December is “holiday” season (read: Summer!!!), so if we want to book affordable flights and hotels, we’ve got to jump on the planning now.

We’re spending a week in Buenos Aires, 6 days in Brazil (1 in Rio de Janeiro), and 3 days exploring the breathtaking Iguazu Falls. While we need no help planning the Buenos Aires leg of the trip (we have friends from Argentina), we have been doing tons of research figuring out the best romantic oases to visit while in Brazil. After hours of online article-reading and Brazilian beach hunting, I think we’ve decided on Parati (or Paraty as the locals spell it).

Here’s what I know so far, as well as a couple of pictures:

Located along one of the most breathtaking stretches of coastline on earth, Parati sits about 140 miles Southwest of Rio de Janeiro. It’s a historic old town that houses some of the world's most exquisite examples of classical colonial Portuguese architecture. It was once a prosperous port for shipping gold, but eventually fell into desolation until it was rediscovered by Brazilian tourism in the 1970s. During its years of isolation the city was left pretty much untouched, escaping the progress of the world around it. Today, the town, its people and architecture look as they have for centuries.

With dozens of private islands, waterfalls and secluded beaches to explore it's one of the most romantic places you can imagine. To add a little spice to the mix, Parati is also known to have a lively city-center and night life. Mesmeric rhythms of live samba spill out of the local bars and dance clubs. Basically, Parati has it all and more.

We'll take a boat tour around the many islands of Parati...We'll stroll the uneven cobblestone streets and admire the colonial architecture.

We'll swim in one of the many waterfalls...

And we'll watch many, many sunsets....

(image credits from top to bottom: Trek Earth, Treklens, Hungry Browser, Travel Pod)

Happy Weekend...

(image courtesy of Le Love)

It's been a busy, allergy-filled week. I took some meds given to me by a coworker thinking they would help. Instead I feel like a jittery, cracked- out mess. Those dang allergy meds.. You never know what you're in for...

Anyhow, hope you all have fun weekend plans. It's supposed to be a rainy one in Portland. But honestly, I don't mind. For the first time in a long while Corey and I don't have plans, and I'd be more than content sleeping late and having one of those long morning talks in bed that only happen on gloomy, grey days...Cooking comfort food, cuddling up on the couch and watching movies all weekend. Mmm that sounds nice.

Stay dry,

L

Light Heart

All stop lights should look like this.

(via V)

Why I Wouldn't Survive a Day in L.A.

(image courtesy of Roadside Scholar)

Any out-of-towner will tell you that Portland drivers are slow, polite and slightly irritating. Not that I disagree. There's been more than one occasion in which I seriously wondered if the people behind the wheel actually have someplace to be, or if they're just taking a joy ride (at snail pace).

As much as I'd like to complain, I have to admit that growing up in this city and not getting the chance to drive anywhere else has made me quite the weenie driver. At least now I have some justification. A recent study found Portland drivers are ranked the #1 most courteous in the nation, with New York road-ragers being the least courteous. Pray for my safety if I ever move outside this city....

First Year 15

(image courtesy of The Cookie Blog)

I once read this ridiculous article in Maxim about stages in your girlfriend or wife's life in which she will undeniably gain weight. I can't even believe this genius idea for an article got approved (or that I read it, for that matter), but moving past that...

One of the ones that stuck out in my mind was "Your wife or girlfriend's first year at an office job". I remember reading this in college thinking: "Hmmm, really? That sucks. I guess it makes sense. You're sitting in a chair all day doing next to nothing." But then I realized: Wait. I do that now, but I drink about 3 nights more a week than what is socially acceptable and I eat fatty sorority food. How can my first year at an office job be any worse than that?

Well, I answered my question today. I had the epiphany as I stared at the desk next to me that was piled high with a box of cookies, a gigantic bowl of candy, a larger-than-life bag of pretzels.... need I go on? THIS is the reason for the weight gain, my friends. The damn snacks! Why does everyone feel the need to bring in the leftover fudge brownies they made with their kids last weekend (I mean I love it, but I hate it), or the platter of leftover goodies from an all-day meeting? It's to tempt you, and test you. And clearly, judging by Maxim's intelligent and informed article, most women fail.

Portland Street of Dreams 2009

I can't tell you how many times Corey and I have been walking through our neighborhood wondering what it would be like to live in one of the Penthouses we stare into night after night. Well, now we (and the rest of the city) will get a chance to see 8 of these top-floor beauties as the Street of Dreams moves to the Pearl this year! Genius!

(Images courtesy of streetofdreamspdx.com)

HAHA

I'm literally crying right now. I'm laughing so hard I am crying. The blog Overheard in PDX is absolutely hilarious. People basically write in and tell this blogger what they overheard in Portland. Here's what really did it for me:

Girl on phone: Hi...no, I don't actually want to talk to you, I just needed to look busy so those f*ckers asking for sh*t outside the library would leave me the f*ck alone. (Pauses and listens) Love you too mom, bye."

You know you've done it. You're walking along enjoying your stroll when you see a Green Peace person dead ahead. You know the only way you can avoid being a complete a-hole and blatantly answering "No" to the question: "Do you want to save the earth for your future children?" is to whip out your phone and either a) make a fake phone call and talk to nobody as you pass by or b) actually call someone (like above girl)...perhaps your mother. Ha! Priceless!

P.S. The most recent Green Peace pickup line Corey and I got? "Do you want to save the last unicorn in the world?" I thought unicorns were a myth? I actually went home and pondered this dumb question.

Sexy Back

I'm loving the back of this dress (not to mention the scenery). I just might have to ask my Mom to replicate!(image courtesy of Paris Vogue February 2009 via Miss at la Playa)

Salad Box

(image courtesy of Sunset Magazine)

I'm ashamed to say we still haven't done anything with our balcony space. We've had a couple sunny weekends sprinkled in with the all-too-typical rain showers, but cloudless skies lay ahead and we need to forge forward with the plans for our tiny outdoor sanctuary.

Still in search of inspiration, I stumbled upon this great idea for a small-space salad box. I'm pretty stuck on the idea of a hanging flower box (as opposed to this one with legs), but thought planting some greens instead of flowers could be fun and functional. Although I'm not sure my gardening skills are up to par for something like this... 

Movies With A View

One of the greatest parts about summer is that you can take virtually any indoor activity and take it outdoors. In Portland, we have outdoor concerts at numerous venues (including the Oregon Zoo!), and outdoor movie showings at many different parks throughout the city.

While all that is well and good, I can't help but feel that none of my local options could live up to the movie screenings in the Brooklyn Bridge Park. I'm officially adding this to my list of things to do before I die.(images courtesy of Design Mom)

Weekend! Weekend!

(via This is Glamorous)

Hope you all have a lovely weekend, Friends! Corey and I planned a date night tonight. Then Saturday morning we're taking off bright and early (6 a.m.) to watch the lil sis graduate college! How exciting!

Hope you all have great plans!

Adios!

L

Kissing Couples

I'm a hopeful romantic. And I love kissing! 

I'm adoring Michael Creagh's passionate photographic series, Kissing Couples. 

Check it out here.

(via This is Glamorous)

{Family Photo}

I think I want two kids. Maybe three. Really, no more than three.

But if my brood was as cute as this one.... Perhaps I'd consider five.

This is the cutest family I have ever seen. They're all so chic-- yet down-to-earth. These portraits could be in a magazine. Love, love, love them!

(Photography by the talented Candice Stringham via Design Mom)


P.S. Just kidding about the 5 kids, Babe. You can get back to breathing now!

Vegetarian-Friendly PGE Park

(image courtesy of Ballpark Digest)

Baseball stadiums are a vegetarian's worst nightmare. We could be starving and find nothing but a giant batch of garlic fries to skarf down, while all our friends are enjoying a tasty hot dog or a cheeseburger. I nearly passed-out of starvation at a tailgate outside the Chicago White Sox stadium last summer. I planned on partaking in the BBQ feast until I got there and realized nobody accounted for the vegetarian in the group.

Well, there's good news for Portland vegetarians that happen to be baseball fans: Portland’s PGE Park ranks third in PETA’s lineup of America’s top-10 vegetarian-friendly minor league ballparks. PGE Park is applauded for its selection of Gardenburgers, Gardenburger Philly-style sandwiches, Tofurky veggie dogs, Polish kielbasa, and various salads. Just in case Thirsty Thursday brings on the drunk munchies...

My Not So Fortunate Fortune

(image credit here)
I was having a grand old day until I got my fortune cookie at P.F. Chang's:

"Reaffirm your faith in financial plans - Make a budget."

Seriously?! WTF. How can I reaffirm my faith in financial plans?... I never had any to begin with! This is seriously the crappiest, most daunting fortune ever. I thought they were supposed to tell you fun things. Like "Spend all you want, you're going to win the lottery!" Not tell me to make a budget. (Yuck.)

That's the last time I open a fortune cookie. Boo.

TNA.

First of all, get your mind out of the gutter. I don't mean that TNA!

I'm talking about Vancouver-based clothing company TNA. The perfect blend of fashion and function that appeals to that laid back snowboard/surf culture. I crave their hoodies the way I crave Volcom. They're cool and creative and haven't been available to purchase in Oregon, until today! Brand-new to Washington Square, Aritzia (a retail store that blends fashion, art, music and design) will be the only place you can buy this obsession-worthy brand.

I'm currently lusting after this TNA sweatshirt that speaks for itself:
"All Day I Dream About the Ocean" AMEN! (via Aritzia)

Brussels in Bloom

(via The First Post)

Someone e-mailed me these pictures long ago. I thought I'd share them since they are extraordinarily breathtaking.

Close to a million begonias were used to create this 300 square meter carpet. The flower carpet is arranged by hand directly onto the cobblestones in the Grand Place in Brussels. Grass and tree bark was also used to provide color. Isn't it beautiful? I'm not sure if this happens yearly or what not, but would love to see it in person someday.

Tap Water

(Image courtesy of www.guardian.co.uk)

I was part of the too-good-for-tap-water club for a looong time. I insisted it tasted funky, so I opted for bottled or filtered water. Turns out they may taste better, but they're really awful for you and the environment.

Ever thought how ridiculous it is that we burn precious oil to transport water-- a natural resource-- around the country and the world?

Save the environment and yourself. Drink tap water.

http://www.tappedthemovie.com/

Justified

It's no secret that ever since we moved into our new apartment I've been on a mission to recover from my shopping addiction. But like any addict, I've been going through withdrawals.

I especially can't resist a good shopping spree when I'm out of town. Even if it was only Seattle, and it was only 3 hours away, I still felt like I was on vacation. And everyone knows vacation shopping is always okay.

To my delight, I got some serious justification for my shopping spree when I read Emily's Crave or Save post this morning! I bought the "save" blazer over the weekend for the exact reasons she gives: "...just the right amount of I-stole-this-from-my-boyfriend-charm but with the tailoring fit for a girl" Yay!

(image courtesy of Cupcakes and Cashmere)

Nap Time

I'm tired. I need this: (comic courtesy of nyt.com)

50 Dates

(image courtesy of Flickr)

While surfing Le Love I came across this list of 50 dates that are "very definitely not dinner and a movie", first posted by Gala Darling.

I know this list is great, because even after more than a year and a half together, some of the date ideas would help me learn new things about Corey. And that's just plain fun! Mix things up and try one (or all). Here are a few of my favs:

Bring your favourite book & read the first chapter aloud
Again, this says a lot about a person. 

“My old neighbourhood” date
Walk around the area you used to live, & tell your date about where you used to ride your bike, what happened on that one lawn, which house was best to hit up on hallowe’en & who the really creepy neighbours were.

Travel without going anywhere
The premise is simple. Have a normal date but speak with an accent. You both have to do it, by the way, or it doesn’t count. Choose something difficult for extra hilarity points, like Scottish or South African. Och aye!

Have a five-course dinner… at different places
Have an appetiser at one place, soup somewhere else, a main here, a dessert there, & coffee at your favourite cafe.

What Is Your Heart's Desire?

(image courtesy of Breathe Deeply)

It's a simple question. But when I really think about my answers, I realize some of them conflict.

Can I have it all?

I'll certainly try.

Weekend Recap

It appears it's already Monday.

Here's a condensed version of my weekend in Seattle, along with a few pics!

Friday: Mariners vs. Twins
Saturday: Pike Place Market, Space Needle & The Hangover
Sunday: Long Run & First Grill Out
More pictures here.