no pop no style

Voo Doo Family

2011-03-31T15:34:00.000-07:00

Labor Day rules be gone

2011-01-11T09:33:00.000-08:00

I think that I'm going to have to purchase these shoes before summer hits. They're so feminine and pretty that I can envision them paired with some dangly earrings and a skirt while I'm leaned up next to a tree and reading a book, sunbeams crossing through my tussled hair. It's a good sell to the husband anyway....wink.

It would be more typical to have a tiny handprint somewhere on that skirt, the hair tussled unpurposefully, and reading a book? -that's funny, maybe if it is ten pages long, made of cardboard and has lots of pictures to capture a child's interest.

Doesn't it sound like I deserve a new pair? Somehow, either scene sounds perfect to me.

Kitchen Horny

2011-01-08T18:42:00.000-08:00

I sometimes dream about a more beautiful and functional kitchen such as these. Wouldn't I look damn good pressed up against these cabinets?

(Image credits go to several people that I sweat and several folks that I have forgotten to remember, including Eastvold Custom, Tree City Woodworking, www.henrybuilt.com and Rainer Spehl)

Kid Clothe Envy

2010-12-21T18:23:00.000-08:00

I've been in love with this kid's apparel collection out of Belgium every since I saw it on one of my favorite blogs called Black Eiffel, who's link you can find under "inspiration" on the right. Check out their collection at Maan for more colorful combinations of cuter than cute tweeds, patterns, sashes and more.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-20T17:20:00.001-08:00

This colorful and graphic nativity set is, by far, the coolest one that I've seen. You can purchase it at House Industries. The figures are made of solid maple in the U.S.A. and designed by Alexander Girard who was a New York born textile designer. Girard is known for his work with Herman Miller, George Nelson, and Charles and Ray Eames. His extensive folk art collection is housed at the Girard Foundation but you can take this set home for $530.

Bon Appetit

2010-08-10T22:51:00.000-07:00

My attempt at getting the baby to take her medicine: Greek blueberry yogurt + whipped cream + pancreatic enzymes. It almost looks good enough to eat!

While I'm on the subject, little one is thriving. She just turned a year old and has been remarkably healthy. An accomplishment that I take great pride in considering the challenges that have surfaced in the last year.

She's taking her first steps, has a pretty impressive vocabulary, and is the most social baby I've ever met. She's a very lucky girl with lots of people to love on her. Thanks everybody for being such a great support and for helping to create our little community.

I continue to strive for more balance and hope to reach that magical place soon. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears.

Cookie cookie cookies

2010-05-21T17:46:00.000-07:00

I brought these compost cookies (complete with potato chips, chocolate chips and Rolo candy chunks) to a recent "Potato Pallooza" party. This crowd favorite was borrowed from Tastespotting, one of my go-to sites for food inspiration. Here is a copy of the much requested receipe for you to try.

Momofuku Milk Bar’s Compost Cookies
Recipe and image taken from www.lafujimama.com

Makes 15 6-ounce cookies

8 ounces (1 cup) butter
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 1/2 cups Your favorite baking ingredients! (chopped chocolate, mini chocolate chips, Raisinettes, Rolos, Cocoa Krispies, etc.)
1 1/2 cups Your favorite snack foods (potato chips, pretzels, goldfish crackers, etc.)

1. In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and corn syrup on medium high speed for 2 – 3 minutes until the mixture is fluffy and pale yellow in color. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl.

2. On low speed, add the eggs and vanilla and mix until they are incorporated. then increase the speed to medium-high and start a timer for 10 minutes. During the 10 minutes, the sugar granules will fully dissolve and the mixture will become a pale cream color and double in size.

3. After the 10 minutes, lower the speed to low and add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix for 45 – 6o seconds—just until your dough comes together and the dry ingredients have become incorporated. DO NOT overmix the dough. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl with a spatula.

4. Continuing on the low speed, add the mix of your favorite baking ingredients and mix for 30 – 45 seconds until they are evenly mixed into the dough. Then finally, add your favorite snack foods last, mixing on low until they are just incorporated.

5. Use a 6-ounce ice cream scoop to scoop out balls of dough onto a parchment lined baking sheet. When you have scooped out all of the dough, wrap the baking sheet tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour (or up to 1 week). DO NOT bake your cookies from room temperature or they will not hold their shape.

6. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahreneheit. When the oven has come to temperature, arrange the chilled cookie dough balls on a parchment or silpat-lined baking sheet 4-inches apart. Bake the cookies for 9 – 11 minutes. Check the cookies at 9 minutes. They should be browned on the edges and just beginning to brown towards the center. If not (if they seem pale and dough on the surface), leave them in the oven for the additional 2 minutes. Cool the cookies completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a plate or airtight container for storage.

* The cookies will keep fresh at room temperature for 5 days, or in the freezer for 1 month.

Fifteen years and counting

2010-03-02T12:57:00.000-08:00

From the first time we met we were drawn to one another. Our spark is undeniable. I look forward to growing stronger and keeping our flame burning bright.

A time of reflection.

2010-01-22T17:59:00.000-08:00

I happened to come across a notebook that, once insignificant, has become a time capsule of sorts. I jotted down sketches of my wedding dress, transcribed passages that would be read at our ceremony, a rough draft of my vows, and a list of potential names for our daughter while pregnant and anxiously waiting to find out her gender.

Next month, my husband and I will be celebrating our 15th anniversary, nearly half of our lives. I've been thinking a lot about commitment and our wedding vows, remembering our journey and contemplating the future. Here are some of the words put to paper and shared at our wedding ceremony:

"The Art of Marriage" by Wilferd A. Peterson, modified by us

A good marriage must be created
In marriage the little things are the big things
It is never being too old to hold hands
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day
It is never going to sleep angry
It is not taking the other for granted
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives
It is standing together and facing the world
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family
It is speaking words of appreciation
and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful
It is not only marrying the right person, it is being the right partner

Vows to my new husband:

Sean,
You make me laugh.
You let me cry.
You are my greatest ally and best friend.
I have discovered myself in the comfort of your love.
I know the you that no one else gets to.
I admire your passion,
Appreciate your deep sense of loyalty,
Am refreshed by your wit,
And am relieved that, fundamentally, we value the same things.
I promise to nurture your dreams and help shoulder your challenges.
I promise to love you,
Comfort and encourage you,
And be open and honest with you.
I know that together we can face any challenge that life may bring.
I make this commitment to you today simply because
. . . I can't live without you!
So take this ring as a symbol of my love and unending devotion.

Preoccupation

2009-11-05T20:52:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since I last blogged. I've been spending a great portion of the finite amount of free time I have working on a flickr page where we've taken an image a day of our little girl for nearly four months.

At this juncture, I'm not certain of the direction of this blog. My new status as mother causes me to find inspiration in more things domestic but I am reluctant to predominantly share what only a handful of close friends might care about, which has contributed to my lack of attention to this blog. Typical of me, I'm over thinking it. Just know, handful of wonderful you, I haven't forgot about you or the me that I was before.

Quantum Leap

2009-08-11T17:12:00.000-07:00

Meet Aubrey June, born on July 14th after 14 hours of natural labor. She breaks my heart every time I look at her. I want to capture every moment.

Another heartbreaker: my husband of three years and partner going on fifteen. Marrying him was the single best decision I ever made. This experience has been up and down, bringing us closer than we've ever been, and challenging us in ways we've never imagined. I love love love you more than words can express.

Sweet pea and me in the backyard, stargazing. We've started a Flickr page for friends and family to access. We plan to post a photograph a day of little one for the first year of life, a sort of photographic diary, to document her growth. Contact us if you're interested in watching her grow.

Mother's Day comes early

2009-05-09T08:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my baby daddy, Mother's Day has come early in two respects: Mother's Day isn't until tomorrow and I haven't actually delivered any babies yet. Regardless, I was thrilled to receive some local jewelry that I've been eyeing from AK Vintage.

Based out of Portland, Anna Korte makes some beautiful pieces for both men and women used from antique stores and estate stales and transforms them into a contemporary setting that you'll love to show off. The ultra soft leather used to make the jewelry that was gifted to me came from recycled antique leather gloves.

I can't wait to be the most stylish mama on the block.

Happy Anniversary

2009-03-03T16:59:00.000-08:00

Sean and I celebrated 14 years as a couple yesterday. That's almost half our lives! I've posted a little before and after for your amusement. (The first photos were from 1995 when we were just 16 years old. Notice in the photo above, I'm wearing his hat --a real sign that a girl is into you in adolescence. The other photos were taken recently).

We've grown and experienced a lot over our time together and I must say that the time has flown by. I laugh now at how we would celebrate every passing month in that first year as an anniversary (after all, it was high school). We were just babies when it all began. I had braces, a perpetually bad perm and thought I could pull off plaid polyester pants and a chunky wool sweater. You were bashful, played football and believed that nice guys always finish last (a notion that I hope to have beat out of you). Thank you for loving me for what I am and for never letting me sell myself short. I could not imagine a better partner in life. I adore you and look forward to the years to come.

Tooth Fairy Kit

2009-02-22T14:23:00.000-08:00

I love this typeset tooth fairy kit that I recently discovered through a little blog called Oh Happy Day . The kit itself can be purchased through www.officeofthetoothfairy.com for $16.

Lovely Valentine

2009-02-20T15:47:00.000-08:00

WTF?

2009-01-16T20:01:00.001-08:00

New Purchase

2009-01-10T17:12:00.000-08:00

I love this little shop, located at 3300 SE Belmont in Portland. We just purchased the hand carved birds in flight mobile in the window. You can check out their shop at shopnoun.com. They sell local jewelry, stationary, glassware, and vintage furniture. Saint Cupcake is also located in the back of the store.

Thank Goodness

2008-11-07T11:30:00.001-08:00

Purchase your own here .

The Inside Light

2008-10-31T13:33:00.000-07:00

Sean's latest project: The Inside Light, is a collaboration between local artists (to include performers, writers, fashion designers, djs, painters, musicians, filmmakers, actors, illustrators), local photographer Chris Hornbecker and Cinco Design Office.

My favorite images from the book are those of Jona Bechtolt of YACHT and our good friend Tahni Holt. Check out the piece in it's entirety at the following link .

Better With Age

2008-10-16T18:40:00.000-07:00

I got a little sentimental last Friday when my husband turned 30. I couldn't help but reflect on all the celebrations that we've shared over the years. We've nearly spent half our lives together and I'm continually surprised how he manages to get better and better with age. Happy Birthday. I look forward to many more together.

An Auntie Again!

2008-10-02T20:50:00.000-07:00

I received some great news. My brother is unexpectedly getting married . . . and oops, gonna be a daddy to! The wedding is set for December, arrival of little one in June. I congratulated him and sent along this photo that I fished out of my basement. I entitled the photo "ghost wedding". Who wouldn't want to marry a baby with that much lipstick? My brother in law is also expecting in '09. That'll mean Auntie X 5 for me.

If You're Ever In Barcelona

2008-09-29T18:59:00.000-07:00

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If you're ever in Barcelona, you must stop at this hole in the wall tapas bar! The name is Quimet & Quimet located on Poeta Cabanyes 25. We discovered this gem through the travel section of The New York Times' website and I, admittedly, find myself dreaming of the concoctions that we tried there. We walked though seedy alleyways to find the walk-in closet size establishment and managed to wedge our bellies up to the bar. There were shelves from floor to ceiling packed with wine, house brewed beer, and jars of marinated meats, olives, and roasted peppers. Behind the bar were skilled tapas chefs that pulled from an array of items in front of them like that of a sushi chef. We read that you simply tell the tapas chef your likes and dislikes and he will artfully create something for you to try. After waiting and watching some amazing looking plates served to other patrons we pointed and asked "Que es esto?" and attempted to remember the names of all we wanted to try when he came to take our order. We managed to explain my shellfish allergy to the waiter, he nodded and delivered a meal that I'll never forget.

[1. mussels, caviar, sweet tomato salsa and olive oil on toasted bun 2. roasted red pepper, prawns, soft cheese and caviar on toasted bun (forefront), house brewed beer and smoked salmon, soft cheese, drizzled honey on toasted bun 3. roasted red pepper, and a bed of olive tempanade nestled in smoked anchovies on toasted bun (forefront). Pate with marinated mushrooms and reduced plum sauce on a toasted bun. 4. pungent artisan cheese selection (photo borrowed from New York Times website) 5. Antipasta platter of cured and smoked fish with olive tempanade and fava beans in olive oil 6. Quimet & Quimet storefront.]

Cute & Customized

2008-09-02T12:03:00.000-07:00

These cute posters can be customized to reflect anything that you'd like to say. Customize yours at the following link.

French Wall Decals

2008-08-29T16:46:00.001-07:00

These wall decals are created by various designers and are available at the following link. If you're the type that likes to keep it semi-local, check out the mother daughter team ellynelly based out of New York at etsy.com below.

Home Improvement Then & Now

2008-08-19T16:41:00.001-07:00

Office Before
Office After

Guest Room Before

Guest Room After

Bathroom Before
Bathroom After

Nook Before Nook After

tahni partners with toholdyou

2008-06-20T22:35:00.000-07:00

Tahni Holt is a contemporary dancer, choreographer and friend who's appeared in Portland's annual TBA festival, etc. The collateral happens to be designed by my husband who created a series of colorful postcards. I suggest that you collect them all. If interested in attending Tahni's latest project, follow the directions below:

YOU MUST MAKE RESERVATIONS BEFORE HAND TO PARTICIPATE. RESERVE YOUR SPOT EVERY HALF HOUR FROM 3PM-7:30PM FRI, 5PM-9:30PM SAT, AND 2PM-4PM SUN. THIS EVENT IS FREE.
TO MAKE RESERVATIONS PLEASE EMAIL: TAHNI HOLT AT: hello@tahniholt.com or call 503.708.5801

Made for walking

2008-06-18T20:04:00.001-07:00

I just invested in a pair of these babies by Frye. Perhaps the old age is getting to me but function is starting to override form in my life. No more compromising comfort for the sake of fashion. Sure the four inch numbers with the flesh slicing straps are sexy to a point but if you can't walk the two blocks from your car without breaking your ankle, it's time to reevaluate. So far, these are the most comfortable boots I've owned. Check out their website for more selection.

New Discovery

2008-06-09T09:24:00.000-07:00

I've just discovered this great magazine that's made locally by the Oregonian called MIX. It's a food focused magazine that features articles about some of my favorite local restaurants and even contains some of their recipes. The magazine has a youthful vibe and great photos.

Obama for '09

2008-06-07T18:34:00.001-07:00

This poster was made as a limited addition of 5000 by artist Scott Hansen. 100% of the proceeds go to Obama's campaign fund and is priced at $70 Click here if interested in purchasing your own.

Eurotrip 2008

2008-06-06T13:58:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a 3 week trip to Europe, visiting London, Paris, Venice, Cinque Terre, and Barcelona. We had a great time. The weather was fabulous and the much needed break has enriched us and given us a new sense of vigor.

Sneakers on a wire

2008-04-05T17:10:00.000-07:00

Lady Leisure StoreFront

$66 Sterling Silver $72 Gold filled

Bio

2008-04-05T15:59:00.000-07:00

Who am I? I'm a Portland native. I'm 1 of 5. I'm complicated but my needs are simple. I laugh often. I'm idealistic. I'm a born nurturer. I'm well loved.

This is my husband, partner and friend of 13 yrs. To go without mentioning him would be like denying a portion of myself. I love you more than words can express.

Testing 1-2-3

2008-04-05T15:05:00.000-07:00

Recent picture of me on the Oregon coast, celebrating my 30th birthday.

How do I feel about turning 30? Optimistic. I feel as though I am who I will be. I sense there is much more to see and do and experience in life and look forward to seeing it all unfold. In some ways I wish that I could make time stand still and in other ways, I'm anxious to evolve. I guess you could say that I'm at a crossroad, but feel no regrets as I start a new chapter.