I'm dreaming of a girls night out...

Susie and Friends - 2008

Since moving to Portland I have really cultivated a super great group of girlfriends.  I think I'm in need of some girl-talk and a cocktail or two.  This picture by Alex Prager pretty much sums it up...only with more clothes on....

I am dreaming of...

Cyclops Deluxe Edition from Mr. Jones Watches originally spotted on Design*Sponge

This watch!  I think it would be a little too chunky for my tiny wrist, but I love how simple and artistic it is.  It would look so amazing with a LBD and some matte red nails...

Dreaming of new hair...

image from Hair Obsessed

I love this shaggy bob.  I want it on my head. Maybe even in red...

Dreaming of the perfect reading spot...



the perfect library via Hither and Thither





the perfect bedroom via Dream Book Design



Today is cold and rainy in Portland (of course), and all I want to do is stumble around a library for the perfect book, and curl up in bed to devour it.  There is literally nothing better than the smell of an old book and becoming so entwined in the story that everything around you fades away.  Maybe this weekend I'll make this dream come true...

Dreaming of my own space...



image via coco+kelley



2010 was not my blogging year, but 2011 is a different beast entirely.  I know it's only been five days, but I have blogged everyday.  Check out my new blog  I'm So Proud Of Myself.  I'm striving to make myself proud everyday by stepping outside my comfort zone.

Since I have been so proactive lately, I can't help but daydream of the perfect place to curl up and explore the world...

You are what you eat...

photo by IreneSuchockiPhotography

Holy crap. I watched Food, Inc. last night and good gravy am I terrified. Needless to say I am vowing to take a more hands on approach to how I select my food. Eating with the seasons, verifying growing/raising practices, buying locally, etc. In my research this afternoon I came across two really great options to get me started on that path.

Option 1: Local organics delivered to my door from Organics to You. This is a local company devoted to bringing you fresh groceries from local sources. I'm most interested in the Produce Boxes. You choose the size and/or the type of produce and they bring you a variety of fruits/veggies that are in season and from local and responsible farms. Prices are reasonable and I love the fact that someone with some know how is doing the picking. I couldn't tell you the right way to pick any veggie other than don't get the one with mold on it.

Option 2: New Season Market. Prices are a little more here than other markets, but I love that they tell you where everything comes from and gives bios on the farms and ranches. Most everything that can be local, is. And they have this amazing option online where you look up recipes, choose the ones you like, and it automatically creates a shopping list for you that you can have someone gather for you and have waiting for pickup.

Needless to say, I'm baby stepping it to responsible practices, but I think with some one's help I could get myself into new habits and take over the researching part of it all. I'm also really lucky to live in a place like Portland, where most everyone is already light years ahead of me in these practices. I encourage you to do your own research and lobbying. I've already signed 3 petitions to ban GMOs and Food labeling misconceptions.

I feel like Captain Planet.

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Rain Rain Go Away

image via refinery29.com

It is almost July and I am still wearing sweaters and coats. I just can't stand it. I am craving sunshine and coconut oil. Lazy days by the pool reading magazines and drinking Slurpee's. The smell of cut grass and magnolia blossoms. Summer is usually a very nostalgic time for me, but this weather is intensifying it like crazy. The other day the sun came out and I got so excited I cut my favorite jeans into cut-offs and threw them on, only to immediately get goosebumps and surrender to sweatpants. My only salvation is the thought that this Saturday I will board a plane to Fort Myers, FL and at last feel some heat. Now, the heat will most likely be from 99% humidity and the smell of oil will not be from coconuts (sad face) but at least my bones will stop shaking. I bought a swimsuit for the occasion (shown above). It's the most expensive suit I've ever bought, but it's Marc Jacobs and it is fabulous. So there. I found it on Refinery29.com and bought it without hesitation, which I'm glad I did because moments later I would have been out of luck. Gotta love those impulse buys!

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