Banner Signs

I have a thing for cute banners. I'll have to find a way to incorporate this into the wedding. It would be a fun and easy DIY project!

{Via}

Red Velvet Pancakes

My favorite way to spend a Sunday morning is cooking a special breakfast with a fresh cup of coffee in hand while Pandora keeps the good tunes coming. Sometimes it's eggs benedict, sometimes it's a Dutch baby... whatever it is, it should stand apart from the ordinary weekday breakfast. This Sunday, I made red velvet pancakes. They were a treat, indeed!

Recipe:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons white sugar

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 large egg, lightly beaten

3/4 buttermilk

1/4 cup sour cream

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 tablespoon red food coloring

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

In a large bowl whisk together the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl whisk together the egg, buttermilk, and creme fraiche/sour cream,melted butter, red food coloring, and vanilla extract. Add them together and whisk just until combined. A little lumpy is fine. Heat a frying pan or griddle over medium high heat. When hot add butter or oil to grease, followed by a small scoop of the batter. Wait for the pancakes to bubble (2-3 minutes), flip and cook for a minute or two more. Top with maple syrup and enjoy!

Biking is For Lovers

I love riding bikes. I love riding tandem bikes. With my honey, no less. I need this t-shirt!! So true and so cute.

{Via A Cup of Jo}

Weekend Recap

How was your weekend? Mine felt refreshingly long. I felt like I got the perfect amount of relaxation/fun time mixed with a ton of productivity. Here's a little list of what I was up:

*Tried Paragon's new happy hour menu. We give it a thumbs up! Unfortunately, their calamari is not on the HH menu, and it is seriously the best in the city, so we had to get it anyways!

*Made popcorn over the stove and watched Brothers (super intense, a little disturbing, but really good).

*Went out for some savory crepes at Suzette. You order at the crepe cart window, then walk inside the tiny, vintage-decorated restaurant where you can sip coffee and listen to the American 1940s and 50s tunes they're playing!

*Ran some wedding errands with my Mama (flowers, bustiers and vases, oh my!).

*Found fabric for our DIY napkins for the wedding!

*Saw An Education (the fashion, the music, the acting! it's a must see!).

*Made red velvet pancakes. They were as good as they sound. Recipe and photos to come!

*Started the hunt for Corey's wedding suit-- so fun seeing him all dressed up!

*Watched Amazing Race (our Sunday ritual).

I'd love to hear your little list of what you were up to this weekend!

Lanvin Love

When I saw this Lanvin top and skirt my jaw dropped. Whimsical, feminine (but not overly so), and dare-I-say simple (just enough frill to satisfy your girly side-- not too fussy)...

Yes, I can see myself on the breezy beaches of St. Lucia renewing my vows in this ensemble...

...Told you I was good at coming up with excuses to need dresses (or skirts and tops)...

{via i'm kind of a proffesional bridesmaid, via Pretty. Little. World.}

Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday everyone! This week flashed before my eyes. This weekend, I will be going to a peony farm with my mom (part of a wedding project) as well as running a number of other wedding-related errands. Also, I'm hoping to stay on top of my work outs with some barre3 classes here in the Pearl (Bestie and I went to our first class this week and it was really good).

What are you doing?

{via}

Our Save-the-Dates!

Now that most of the recipients have received them...I'm so excited to finally share our save-the-dates!

When we found out we wouldn't be able to use an engagement photo on our save-the-dates, we were on the hunt for a super-cool idea that would express us and our wedding. When we saw these save-the-dates, we fell in love with the concept (and their cute titles) and my friend (and bridesmaid!) Jena designed a special version just for us. She did such an amazing job, we LOVE the end-result. So, here they are...

So, what do you think?

Losing Sight of the Forest Through the Trees

{Via Kiss the Groom}

Yesterday was a really crappy day. We found out our landlords sold our beautiful, perfect Pearl District condo and we'll need to move out. I personally got really wrapped up in my sadness. There were tears. At work. I was stressing about where we would go, how close we are to the wedding and blah blah blah... 

... Until I took a moment to step back, dry my tears, and think about what really matters here. I have an amazing relationship with the man of my dreams and we're getting married(!!!) and it doesn't matter if we live in a cardboard box, let alone the suburbs (okay, stings just a little to say that... the burbs...), what really matters is that we're happy and madly in love. 

So there it is. I'm over it. Bring it on Beaverton... 

Portland Through Abby's Eyes

I am in absolute of awe of Abby's amazing photography. Her photos of Portland are especially amazing and make me giddy with excitement. I just love seeing Portland through different eyes. Here are a few favorites. Check out her blog for more photos, or better yet her shop, where you can buy her wonderful prints!

{From the top: St. John's Bridge, Pittock Mansion, Byways, Cargo & St. Cupcake}

A Word of Advice

If you're in the Portland area and you've never tried Pine State Biscuits... GO! It is the epitome of awesome hangover food--fried chicken, cheese and an egg topped with their insanely good gravy (veggie or sausage!) on their flaky, buttery homemade biscuits. Oh man. My mouth just started watering. 

Catch them at the Saturday Market or their Belmont location. And be prepared to wait (so worth it, though). 

P.S. And let's be clear. This is not on the bridal diet (or, clearly, any diet for that matter). But we all know Saturdays are for cheating, and I can't think of a meal more deserving!

{photo snapped during our long wait at the Farmer's Market this weekend}

Jon Klassen for Red Cap Cards

SQUIRREL!

Um, in love with this adorable card! 

{via Simple + Pretty}

DVF Wish List

Just a few Diane von Furstenberg dresses I'm pining after today...

Portland Pictures

Corey and I have a little Portland photo collection. Someday, when we find the time, we want to finally frame all of them and have a Portland frame wall. This Ork City Neighborhood poster is a must-add to our collection. Isn't it cool? It would make a great gift too-- they're available for a lot of major cities.

Weekend Recap

This weekend we...

Enjoyed Lovejoy Bakers' newest outdoor seating additions.

Went to opening day of the Portland Farmer's Market.

Biked our way around the city.

Took a couple trips to margaritaville :)

Baked Banana Walnut Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting. Yum!

And finally addressed our save-the-dates! Wahoo!

What did you do this weekend?

J. Crew Dress

This dress is so me it hurts! Oh if only I had an extra $200 laying around. I guess I'll just sit here and daydream about wearing it on a summer day brunch date and resist temptation...

...But really... Speaking of summer brunch, this would be super cute for our day-after wedding brunch, don't you think?

P.S. To be honest, we haven't actually even decided we're having a day-after wedding brunch. But I would have one just so I could wear this dress :) Ha!

I'm pathetic.

Happy 101 Award

{Via London Cycle Chic}

Thank you so much to Hope Chella for the Happy 101 Award! 

Here are the rules of this award:

1. When you have received this award you must thank the person that awarded you this in the new post.

2. Name 10 things that make you happy.

3. Pass this award on to 10 other bloggers and inform the winners.

So, here is my list of 10 things that make me happy (among many, many other things, of course!)

Riding my new bike!

The Farmer’s Market

Peony season

When Corey calls me beautiful (even when I don’t have make up on)

Bubble baths

Watching my mom design and drape in her studio—you can almost see all the thoughts, ideas and inspiration flowing around in her head!

Traveling—especially when it involves warm weather

A fresh pedicure

The way my head fits perfectly in the nook of corey’s neck/shoulder… It’s like we’re puzzle pieces that just go together.

Experimenting with photography 

And I'd like to pass this award along to:

Apartment 513

Fine and Dandy

My Favourite Things

Olivet

Paper Morning

Lox Papers

miss b and hustle

Sacramento Street

Aubrey Road

Pretty Chic SF

{Via Hope Chella}

I think we all know that person who speaks in movie quotes... constantly. You wonder, how the heck do they remember that? Sometimes it makes for awkward silences. Case in point, tonight:

Corey: Says/does something funny.

Me: Babe, you're funny!

Corey: Funny, how? Like a clown? Like I amuse you?

Me: Silence. Confusion. (In my head thinking: Really? What do you mean funny how? Funny like you made me laugh!)

Corey: It's a quote from Good Fellas.

Me: Ohhhhh. Yeah. Never seen it.

This happens more than I care to admit. It happened all the time when we first started dating. You know that stage when even if the guy says something weird/dumb/confusing you just nod your head and smile and hope he doesn't realize you have no freakin' clue what they're talking about?! Yeah. It was awkward. But that's why I love him!

Weekend Recap

To be quite honest, there's isn't a whole lot to recap from this weekend. We did a lot of relaxing, which included lots of couch/movie time (we watched Up--Corey's first time, my second.. still cried like a baby at the beginning!).

When we weren't relaxing we were cooking or walking. We went on a crazy beautiful 5 mile walk around the Southwest hills of Portland. We saw some amazing homes and amazing views (and saw signs of Spring everywhere, including the flower above). Definitely gave us something to strive for!

Other than that we finally printed our save-the-dates (hooray!), which I'll share with you very soon and had dinner at Grüner Friday night. I'll share my review with you tomorrow!

Happy Tired Monday..

{via}

Did anyone else feel the harsh reality of daylight savings time this morning as they got up for work? I sure did! I felt like my body was made of stone. I could hardly lift open my eyelids. Yikes. I'm finally up and going (after 2 cups of coffee). How was everyone's weekend? I'll be back with a recap of mine shortly!

Happy Friday...

Sorry for the light posting this week... I've been busy with multiple work dinners and dealing with all the change happening. Posting will be back up to speed next week (and perhaps even this weekend). 

Our only plan this weekend is dinner with my Mom at the newish Central/Eastern European restaurant, Grüner. It's award-winning restaurateur and chef Christopher Israel's newest project and I'm really looking forward to going back to my roots with the flavors of Hungary and Romania. Corey and I had drinks in the bar a couple weekends ago and the menu peaked our interest. I'll report back on our findings next week!

Other than that I'm just taking this weekend to relax and catch up on some much-needed sleep.

What are you doing this weekend?

Change

{via Sacramento Street}

It's no secret. Change is inevitable. Lately, it feels like everything at work has been constantly changing-- and yesterday I got another change bomb dropped on me. When it rains, it pours, right? I'm just trying to hold on for the ride and see what lies through the next door that opens...

One Line a Day..

I stumbled upon the book/journal/keepsake One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book on Amazon.com today. I instantly thought it would be the cutest gift for many different occasions.

A birthday: So your friend can record five years of great birthday memories from that day and beyond.

A wedding/bridal shower: So your friend can record five years of memories with her new hubby. 

A baby shower: So your friend can record how much life changes over five years while watching their little one grow up. 

I feel like I want to buy ten copies on hand just in case I ever need a last-minute, but very thoughtful gift!

Five Months!!!

{Photo by Elizabeth Messina}

Five months from today, Corey and I will become Mister and Misses. I can hardly wait!

Happy Weekend!

{Photo from our Angel's Rest hike last Spring}

This week was a funny one. Every day felt like Friday… except today! I don’t know how that works, but either way I’m super excited for the sunny weekend ahead. Corey and I are planning on going on our first hike of the season on Sunday, getting massages tomorrow and hosting an Oscar party Sunday evening! Busy, but lots of fun ahead! Hope you all have fun things planned and you’re enjoying sunshine wherever you are!

Anthropologie Launches Wedding Brand

{photo by new-to-me, amazing photographer, Taryn Kent}

Word in the blogosphere is Anthropologie is launching a wedding brand "complete with wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, jewelry, shoes, lingerie, invitations, decorations, gifts--the whole shebang." Hmm.. Considering my love of all things Anthro I can't help but feel I'm missing the boat a bit. Hopefully one of my beautiful friends will utilize this sure-to-be-amazing new resource someday in the future!

Blushing Bride

There is something about this bride that caught my attention. Her dress is so beautiful, fits her so well, and she just looks so absolutely, genuinely happy. She really looks like a blushing bride, like she's glowing with sheer bliss. And that last picture is priceless!

{Photos by Cunningham Photo Artists via Sacramento Street via Style Me Pretty}

P.S. I never get sick of the sparkler exit!!