Hanging out in the 21st century.

So last night a few of my people decided that it was important to spend some quality time. I completely agreed and we made plans to meet up and hang out. You may be thinking that we went to Happy Hour or met at someone’s house to watch Modern Family. Instead we met up on Google+ for a hangout. Libby and I were on our couch, Cameron was in her living room in Seattle and Marina was in her kitchen (note: Marina lives a block away from Lib and me). We needed some quality time. The original plan was to watch Modern Family together, but after we covered the important topics we realized that it wasn't necessary.

Photo taken by Martha (who was at Mar's during the call)

Basically we are living like Zenon: Girl of the 21st century. If you don’t know what this is, you clearly did not watch Disney Channel original movies ala the late 90s. My faves are Zenon, Brink and Johnny Tsunami. I can’t help but be reminded of Zenon as I face time with my friends or hang out on Google+. Zetus Lapetus! It is so Nebula and Zenon of us!

Okay, enough crazy from me. I love that I get to see my friends when they are far away and that we can make plans to watch shows together. I will be utilizing this much more. When I need outfit approval, or if I start to feel lonely. Ahhh technology. 

And Bingo was his name-o.

So last night I went to Bingo at The Woods. The Woods is a super cool bar/ restaurant in West Moreland that used to be a funeral home. You may be thinking that this is creepy, but it really isn't! It makes the venue funky and unique. The “parlor” is filled with velvet couches and chairs at various coffee tables and regular tables. It is a friendly community environment as the host, Brian, tells jokes and eggs on crowd involvement. It was a blast! Brian has a dry sense of humor and was just plain hilarious as he led us through the game.

Prizes consist of grab bags of Dollar Tree goodies, Good Will gems and cash prizes (once we get to the black-out rounds). It was a big crowd last night and both pots for the 2 rounds I was there for were over $100. Seriously, I had a blast and will be a bingo regular from this day forward.

Here are some bits of communication and photos of the night. Yesterday I was both youthful and elderly. I played bingo… like an 80 year old. AND I had a slumber party with Lauren… like a 16 year old. ‘Twas wonderfully well-rounded. Also, I ran into some old friends from high school. Twins named Lauren and Dana. The weird part is that I went with two of my friends who happen to be named Lauren and Dana! CRAZY!

We got really hard core. I will be carrying my dauber around permanently. Just in case there is any impromptu bingo-ing happening. Really it was the host that made the evening… not the bingo. But still!

I recommend attending this weekly event. Doors open at 8!

Brunch in Bridgetown: Helzer's on Alberta

This Sunday I went to Helzer’s for brunch with my dear friend Marina. Good company and good food. It is a bit of a trek to Alberta from little old SW, but well worth it. My friend Marina is a vegan (yes, this means she can’t eat cheese… and meat too blah blah... but cheese!? what!?) and they had a couple options for her. I usually forget about the vegan thing until we get to a restaurant and the only thing she can order is the freaking hummus plate. But hey, I guess even a hippy dippy city like Portland struggles sometimes with the vegan friendly options. Helzer’s had some choices, as long as they were willing to make changes with the order… and they were! She ordered mushroom hash. It was all pretty and sautéed and garlicky delicious.

I on the other hand, did not have a vegan friendly meal. Apparently I was feeling southwestern yesterday. I had the black bean chili scramble.  It was the guts of a breakfast burrito on a plate. Isn’t that usually the part we want anyway? It had the perfect amount of flavor and spice.

Sorry about the crappy pictures. Note: missing bite from toast. I was just really hungry!

Helzer’s is low key and understated. You feel instantly accepted when you are seated. No one is judging you. It feels like a family place. Possible thought process: I just want a good breakfast! Do I really need to put on a decent outfit? Decision: Let’s go to Helzer’s… nobody will judge.

I am not saying that other places judge or that Helzer’s is scrubby. Some places just make you feel like you should have joined in on the trendy or the fancy of the place. Helzer’s is just comfy. I mean… all they're tryna do is feed you! A concept I greatly appreciate from a food service establishment. Why do so many restaurants think we are there for the ambiance? No dude. I ordered food 45 minutes ago for a reason! I am not here to soak in the atmosphere… (do you hear me McMenamins? I have been to many of your 1,000 locations. The ambience is the same everywhere/ where is my GD food!?).

Enough ranting. Honestly, Helzer’s does not disappoint. They represent the NW with their fresh menu and welcoming environment. It isn’t the best breakfast in Portland, but we only waited for a few minutes and we left full and happy. No complaints.

Portland on Dwellable

Riding boots used strictly for walking.

Today is officially the last day of summer. I would normally be sad… but I just got new boots and I am dying to wear them! I will be okay if it cools off soon so I can break those bad boys in! Seriously, I am very excited about the boots. I know it is absurd… but at least I admit it. I wish I had a picture of me wearing them. But again, it is still too warm.

Here is what they look like online:

Ahhhhhh. They are just so lovely

They are called the 'Zayra' Boot. On the baby name website (hilar) that Google gave me when I searched the name Zayra, I learned that it means radiance. Something I plan on exuding whilst wearing the boots (and in turn picking up a man). Pretty cool beans right? Boots are a challenge for me to find… due to the issue of big calves (thank you Joanne). But these fit perfectly! It is like they were made for me! The fate of it all is adding to the anticipation of boot season.

Maybe I will do back-handsprings in them. Booya!

The best ship is friendship.

This weekend I got to spend time with old friends. As in we have been friends for a long time not that they are old.

I went up to Seattle this past weekend to visit some friends of mine who decided that it was okay to leave PDX and therefore leave me. Unfortunately, they did not ask my permission before doing this... but whatever. I forgive them.

Photo proof that I left town for 2 days:

I made them be tourists with me! 

We had a fabulous time being lazy, wandering the city and celebrating a milestone birthday (Caitlin can officially rent a car). For those individuals who also live north but were not able to enjoy the entire weekend with us… We went to brunch (something new and different). And no, there won’t be a review due to the fact that it was not in Bridgetown and because I was too ravenous to take pictures. My food was mostly gone when I thought about it… 

But here are some others: 

Post brunch photo with the friends who left me. So rude. 

I literally have not been home for a weekend in a month! Seriously looking forward to some PDX time this weekend.

“I like my Skechers, but I love my Prada backpack.”

(From 10 things I Hate About You) RIP Heath Ledger ‘twas my favorite of your films. I don’t want to hear about that Batman bologna.

Much like Bianca Stratford in 10 Things, I too think about trends. This morning as I put on my leopard print flats I started reflecting on the nature and constancy of the world of trends. You may be thinking, “I could care less about trends and I never participate.” Well, you are wrong. Even if you don’t care, you are probably unknowingly participating. Remember in The Devil Wears Prada when Meryl Streep’s character told Anne Hathaway what was up!? She was all, “that bargain-bin blue sweater is that color because it was a trend/ in our magazine blah blah.” Or something of that nature. I’m sure it was more eloquently put in the film.

Even if you say you are going to be individualistic etc… Well, maybe it is really trendy to be unique/ alternative. Too bad for you. Guess what hipster? You are so in! Sometimes it even works backwards. I have a friend with a very specific style. She has always loved vintage clothes and crafty items. I know it bothers her that her style is “so hot right now,” when it used to be quite unique. She is actively participating in this trend… even though the trend really came to her. She was SO ahead of the times.

I personally LOVE trends. It gives you an excuse to spice up the staples in your wardrobe. This year wearing loads of jewelry came back into style. Maybe it never left… but it definitely took a hiatus from my wardrobe for a while. Either way, it made some of my basic pieces more fun to wear. And buying a few fun jewelry items to adorn our favorite outfits didn’t break the bank.

At the PDX Brewfest with Marina. Sporting a mini arm party and some wedges. 

Remember some of the grossest trends of our past? I think of butterfly clips, those sandal slipper things with mesh over the foot and choker necklaces (The choker was highlighted so well by K-Cav in Laguna Beach season 1).

I am hoping this wasn't really a trend... but instead a big mistake that only I participated in.

Yes, we typically regret participation in the more outrageous trends, but it is so fun at the time! What is the point of looking at old pictures if you don’t get to laugh at your horrific fashion choices?

It isn’t just fashion that trends. One of the things that baffles me is the idea of food trends. Food trends don’t change as often, but it is the same idea. For example: the Atkins phase (restaurants were even altering their menus for the popularity of this diet), boutique cupcakes and now, frozen yogurt. Each phase comes in and stays for a number of years. We are still in both the cupcake and fro-yo phase. I am loving them, so hopefully they never leave. One more item that got on the map recently is quinoa. Apparently couscous was the quinoa of the 90s. How often did your mom try and feed you couscous? What a weird rice alternative. And how in the world are you supposed to “clean your plate” when you were served couscous!? Impossible.

How will you stay on trend for fall? Go grab some quinoa and a tailored fall blazer!  

The sip du jour.

No, fools. I meant to change soup to sip! Anyway, “That sounds good, I’ll have that.” Get it? Dumb and Dumber?

Sip instead of soup because this post is mostly about soda and coffee.

So I have been a long time drinker of Diet Coke. I affectionately call it DC.  I love the stuff! It is dang delicious. Libby even recently mentioned how good we have been by not having it in our house! Little does she know that we have DC at work! Bahaha. I’m a cheater. Do I wish I didn’t drink it? Yes. Does it leave me feeling bloated and guilty? Yes.

Well, enough of that bologna. The reason for this post is to show you the new branding that I saw yesterday. Check out the new Diet Coke can:

What do you guys think? I get where they are coming from. Making it all hipster and what not. I mean, I am pretty indifferent about what the can looks like. As long as they don’t change the recipe. Remember DC with Splenda!? That shiz was narsty. No wonder it was discontinued. Just thought I would share this recent discovery. I haven’t seen it anywhere else. Is the new can exclusively for Costco? Haha! Obvs not, but I figured this new branding would come with a stellar marketing campaign…. Hmmm.

On a note related to yesterdays post. I thought I would let you guys know that I embraced Fall today.  Apparently I have come far in the past 24hrs. It officially smelled like Fall this morning. It made me really miss walking to class on the Linfield campus. Ahh I can picture it now. Flats on, tumbler in hand, headed down the path that cuts through the quad toward O’Rileys, gotta hang a left and head toward Renshaw (also lovingly known as “The Shaw”). Making this journey with my mass comm. roommates was one of the highlights from Fall senior year. Apparently it is the really insignificant things that stick in your memory.  

Yes, today felt like Fall. To prove how I have embraced it, I will share a few of my September 14^th, 2011 choices with you. I wore my leather jacket today. I even ordered a PSL from Starbucks! I should also mention that I was at Starbucks for 25 minutes this morning. They were understaffed and I felt really bad for them! BUT, as a consumer, I have a particular expectation when it comes to Starbucks coffee. When it takes that long for my drink to come up on the bar it is usually accompanied by a free drink ticket… I am not saying that we should expect things like this… BUT I am just saying that Starbucks has marketed themselves/ gained a certain reputation when it comes to the promptness of their baristas. Just sayin’. 

Okay, well super random post. Whatevs. Drink your DC or your latte and get over it. 

Slowly falling for fall.

Alas, it is almost fall. I have not yet had a morning where I walk outside and it smells like fall is here, but I did see that pumpkin spice is back. Plus every J.Crew, Nords or Piperlime email is adorbs fall stuff. I LOVE fall. I guess I am hesitating because I am not ready to hang up the pool towel just yet. September is by far my favorite month so I am a bit disgruntled as to why I am not more excited for fall to be here. Ah September…It is still sunny at first/ you get your last summer sun shebang, but by the end of the month you are excited about the transition to different clothes. (I can’t wait to wear my blazer, and boots!)

Last year I had may-hor PSL overload. Hopefully it doesn't happen again.

And as it happens every year, football season kicks off (pun!). I am not a major football fan per se… I don’t have “my” team. I like to follow my alma mater and I love going to games/ being in the excitement/ tailgating. I even really like going to game watching events (possibly a shock to some of you). But who doesn't like it when people are all stoked on a team/ chips and guac are in play/ you get to make friends with random people… possibly cute football loving boys at a PDX sports bar. I am quite excited for all of the aforementioned possibilities. Bring it on fall! Hopefully my tan doesn't fade too fast.

Oh, it is also fun to dramatically yell along at plays and calls when I have no idea what was happening. I swear I only looked away for a second! Bahahaha! 

Here are some fall photos from the past:

My roommate's awesome Dad is a football referee and we get to go to games and cheer him on! I always root for the officiating crew. OSU '10

My hetero-lifemate Libby. Just some typical shenanigans on our mobile devices. 

The Patch '09

Cheering for Linfield at Homecoming '09

I hope you have a lovely season! 

“Something terrible has happened.”

September 11, 2001.

“Something terrible has happened.”

This is the first thing my mother said to me on that Tuesday morning 10 years ago. I sat with her on the floor of my parents’ bedroom as we watched the second plane hit and the newscaster announced that this was indeed a terrorist attack.

It was my freshman year of high school. I had a “zero period” class. This means I showed up for a class before the school day started. I did not learn of the towers collapsing until my 4th class of the day. At my school there weren’t TVs in every classroom so we couldn’t watch everywhere, but we talked about what this meant for our country and what it meant for so many families. We did not discuss how these attacks were about to shape our future, our outlook and really change our lives forever. The whole day was eerie. I remember break and lunch. How no one really knew what to do. School had just started, but somehow it wasn’t that exciting to see your friends again. We just stayed with the ones we were closest to and functioned through the day like any other.

Seeing teachers react emotionally was the trigger of discomfort for a lot of us. It made sense to see your parents emotional. We have an emotional attachment to family, friends, neighbors etc. But your teachers played a very specific role. Watching a dear teacher, Ms. Kvitka (who ended up really shaping how I view the world), openly cry in front of our class, made me realize how big of a deal this was. She opened the class up to discussion time and let us ask questions. We watched the news and she showed us that it was okay to be uncomfortable, confused and openly upset. This is the class where I saw the footage of the towers collapsing for the first time. Even seeing that footage now takes my breath away. But in a bad way. Like you have had the wind knocked out of you or something.

The next day we had an assembly. The entire student body of Wilson High School went out to the bleachers. It was a beautiful sunny day. We had a moment of silence and our student council president spoke. When a stadium of close to 2,000 teenagers are willingly quiet…

We had all adorned out new school outfits with yellow ribbons and pins. A gesture that seems so shallow to me now, as I didn’t really know why I was doing it at the time. The reality of how many people lost their lives, how many people lost their loved ones; the chaos of what had really happened did not become a reality until later. Not until I re-watched the footage and saw people jumping out the windows of the towers, heard stories of lost loved ones and saw my mother glued to the TV until she had bruises on her knees.

I recently read an article from USA Today about how disaster and terror has shaped this generation/ the Millennials. It states how our generation is “less interested in working for work's sake -- they're more likely looking for a job they can be passionate about.” This is so true. We came of age in a time of Columbine, 9/11, Katrina, war and economic crisis. We expect and almost anticipate horrors and disaster. It has made us look for what really matters and we feel like we are supposed to help. Unfortunately, I think we have also gotten really good at blocking things out with an almost ‘out of sight, out of mind’ type attitude. Generally, we are attempting to live lives that we care about rather than just going through the motions.

I just wanted to share my 9/11 experience. It is our generations, "Where were you when Kennedy was shot?" moment. So where were you? When did you realize that it would change everything? I don't think I have realized it yet. Maybe it is now. As I am looking back I can see that certainly, everything did change.

There is a place.

That is the slogan of Black Butte Ranch. I’m not just a weirdo.

Black Butte Ranch has been many things throughout my life. I would say there are 3 different labels for what it is/ has been. BBR (for short. obvs.) has been place of childhood fun, adventures and memories. It has been a place of escape with friends. And last but not least, it has become a place of true relaxation. All equally important!

My grandparents (Dad’s parents) built a cabin at Black Butte Ranch in the early 80s. Once they fell in love with BBR there was no going back. It was the perfect spot for a vacation home. BBR is a much more ranch like and serene than the rest of the central Oregon counterparts. All of the other places (Sunriver, Eaglecrest etc.) are resorty. (This is all personal opinion... don't hate!) Black Butte has this peaceful effect. I can’t really explain it. The ranch might be full, but if you choose to go to South Meadow pool for the day and a bike ride in the evening, you won’t be bombarded by masses of children or families (unless you go to the kid friendly Glaze Meadow pool). But with a multitude of pool options, there is no need!

Mom and Dad in BBR when they were 20 somethings! It is all coming full circle isn't it!? cray-zay.

As a child BBR was the best/ most exciting place. We would build forts in the back yard, slide down the banister, explore the ranch (w/o grown-ups… so cool), ride our bikes to the general store etc. There was a lot of fun to be had.

Obvi the cutest BBR kiddos EVER! Lindsey and I should re-create this.

Once we were older BBR stayed cool. We were allowed to bring friends, who would get to experience the excitement and adventure of the ranch for the first time. By college we would bring groups of friends for long weekends. We could escape from campus, play Mario Kart and have killer dance parties. I am happy to say that (a more subdued version) of trips like this still happen. (Even though Spence threw out the N64 …)

I love this photo. Circa 2006

Hiking the Butte. Check that view! Dang!

Same trip as the previous photo. Fall Break '07 where we came to learn that Cameron is a cheater at Monopoly.

If we went over Jan-term break we had justification to make a ski trip out of it.

ummm Jan-term '07?

This is hilar. Ty falls a lot and we have photo proof.

I just have too many good photos of the shenanigans that ensue. Enjoy:

Jan Term '09

Note: N64, dance party and adult beverage consumption documented in the same shot. Please examine closely.

What BBR means to me now. At this point in my life, I realize how lucky I am to have a place like this. It is a place of comfort, memories, love and solitude. My people are always down for a weekend of fun and relaxation. Also, my family has been utilizing the house more than ever. We can just “be” when we are there. No effort. Yes, there is a place.  

A recent trip with my lady friends. Aren't they sezy?

A horrifically heinous photo of my fam. It's all I could find.
(tight alliteration. I must have learned that in college...)

Black Butte. The actual Butte.

Okay, that is my random/ slightly lame/ not very entertaining post for today. Slater!

Black Butte Ranch on Dwellable

Too busy doing nothing.

Hi people. I took a brief hiatus from my little blog here. I did this in order to focus on things that really matter. You may be asking yourself, “What is more important than blogging?” Let me tell you. Apparently I took time off to read fashion magazines, lay by the pool, watch reality TV, eat obscene amounts of food and simply enjoy myself an extended Labor Day weekend. I originally took some extra time off in order to make last weekend count and to spend quality time with my family. Well, my sister and mother had the same idea to have a lazy vaca. It was awesome.

When I arrived at our vacation home, my mother had magazine binge shopped. It made pool time extremely enjoyable. Yes, lots of UV rays were soaking into my skin. Please note that some SPF was also at the party.

Don't you feel relaxed just looking at this? I love central Oregon.

This post is random, but I feel that I need to mention the season finale of Kardash. Did you watch that bologna? WTF kind of proposal was that? So lame. Also, please note: Kim did not say yes until she saw the ring. She also neglected to react to Kris. Instead she just said “Oh my God” over and over again. If I was Kris I would feel like a mega chump.

Lame.

Ways this episode would have been worth my time: If Kim had an anxiety attack over the rose pedals on her floor. If she had thrown up on Kris when he proposed (like projectile). OR if Kris yelled “PSYCH!” promptly after proposing.

Let’s be honest with ourselves for a minute. We are all stoked to watch the wedding special. It looks like may-hor drama!

Awesome.

Final note: Lamar is cemented as my favorite Kardashian-type person. Don’t fight it. He is clearly the best.

No Mom! It isn't cool to get hot lunch this year.

Can we please reminisce on what it meant to be ready for the first day of school? I mean, please. I know you had your first day outfits picked out weeks in advance too. The anticipation of the first day of school was intense! What classes are you in, who is in said classes? Very important. But not as important as the collage for the front of your three ring binder! You know… the one with the plastic covering on the front. My gurl Libby did a post about backpacks a while ago. And it was oh so true. The little details were game changers when it came to the first day of school.

You go in after 3 months of fun. You don’t have any homework yet, you are still tan and you are excited to see everyone. Plus, you are super confident in your awesome fall outfit (that it is still too hot out to be wearing).

Mom: “You can’t wear that sweater. It is going to be 80 degrees tomorrow.”

Me: “But the stripes on this sweater go perfectly with my overalls, doc marten sandals and butterfly clips!”

That is clearly an exaggeration. But you get the idea. It wasn’t just the excitement of the first day. New school supplies were the best. You would have them all organized perfectly. Your pencil pouch filled with #2s and gel roll pens. Everything smelled like pencil shavings and new spiral notebooks. I’m not sure if you guys will know what I am talking about, but I swear school supplies had a specific smell. Next week I will probably be thrown out of Office Max for walking around and smelling school supplies. I can see it now.

I am glad to be beyond that phase in life. I wouldn’t dare write a post about the excitement of moving back on to my college campus each year. Mostly because I would for sure start crying uncontrollably. You know, due to really missing college and still being in denial about this so-called adulthood.

Take a moment to curl your bangs, listen to the first 'Nsync album and put some butterfly clips in your hair. You owe it to 13 year old you.