The future: Sun Valley!!

In less than one month I will be here!!!

I am going to Sun Valley, ID at the end of February and I am so excited! I may watch TV with my skis later. I would sleep with them in my bed, but I fear that I would cut my face on the edges…

ahhh Baldy

My sister emailed this picture this morning and I squealed at my desk. Yes, squealed. I’m sure it was annoying.

Wooohooo! Sun Valley family vaca! Woooohooo!

[photo source]

Massage misgivings.

I have a dilemma.

I am in the market for a good massage. I have a recommendation from a friend for a spa type scenario, but I am also in need of some real muscle relief. In my experience it is usually one or the other.

This is my battle. I want a real, trigger point, muscle releasing, sports type massage. BUT I want to get said massage from a frou frou spa. The Enya playing, fountain having, essential oil toting type of spa. I want a truly effective massage, but I also want the fluffy robe!

I have not found a place that does this. I have gone to a spa and gotten a “deep tissue” massage before… it didn't hurt, therefore it didn’t work. Basically I spent my money on the ambiance. I have also gone to awesome massage therapists who know what they are doing. They do amazing work, I feel like a new person etc. But they don’t stop talking, it is too clinical and I don’t get that melty relaxing experience.

I am currently in the market to rejuvenate my life with some relaxation. Honestly, who has the kind of time to have spa days anyway? Do I allot and entire Saturday afternoon? Or do I need to take a mental health day?

I am going to quit my complaining and make an appointment. We'll see how it goes!

[image source]

Profound thought of the day.

Yesterday the message on my tea bag (Yogi Green Tea to be exact) said, “The only tool you need is kindness.”

My initial thought was “what a sweet sentiment!” My second thought… “Kindness sure isn't going to help me hang that mirror above my couch that has been sitting there for three weeks. Hmm. I will need to use a hammer for that one.”

The moral of the story is this:
Kindness is a great tool to have. You should use it on a daily basis. BUT if you are going to do any projects around the house you might need a tool kit as well.

Makeover

“Cher's main thrill in life is a makeover. It gives her a sense of control in a world full of chaos.”

My blog got a makeover! No, Cher from Clueless wasn’t involved but it is very exciting for me. So if you only read on Google Reader please click through and check it out!

Shortest post ever. At least it had a Clueless quote in it! 

Traditionally Portland

Huber’s is a key Portland establishment that has been serving turkey and cocktails since 1879. They made it through the prohibition (serving Manhattans in coffee mugs) and continue to be a favorite spot among Portlanders. Nowadays they are famous for their turkey dinners, fiery Spanish coffees and classic ambiance.

With a rich history and tradition, as well as the ability to make reservations for happy hour (which goes until 6:30), it is an altogether win!

I went last night for HH with some friends. Of course I ordered a Spanish coffee!

Such a handsome bar.

Spanish Coffee! 

My sister asked the man making the Spanish coffees how many he thought he had made since working there. He said, "I have no idea, I have been here for 22 years." AMAZING! 

My apologies for the iPhone photos. I was doing so well using my real camera!

Portland on Dwellable

Recap of the Golden Globes. PS. Madonna isn't British

Golden Globe Awards, Emmy awards, Academy Awards, SAG awards… Oh My! (okay, that doesn’t really flow… whatevs.)

I am sure you all tuned in to the Golden Globes last night! I LOVE awards season. I just love it! It is so fun to see our favorite celebrities dressed to the nines, getting recognized for their hard work, all while being forced to do interviews about their personal lives.

“Who are you wearing?” is my second favorite question. My favorite is “Who are you dating?!” Haha!

The Golden Globes is my favorite of the awards shows. It is a real party! They are at tables socializing, drinking and all together having a good time among their colleagues. At other shows they are just seated. Clearly lacking in forced socialization and fun. Plus, the Globes are casual enough that it can be funny! The Oscars are so serious! I love them too, but there simply isn’t the lightness that comes through like there is during the Globes. I also enjoy that it is both TV and film. It is nice to have it all in one shebang.

How much did you enjoy Ricky Gervais!? He was hilar like usual. I was annoyed by Madonna though. Just take the joke Madonna, don’t fire back with your fake accent and strangely toned man-lady arms.

My best dressed vote goes to Claire Danes. I know it is annoying that I chose the winner of the night as my best dressed… but did you see the back of her dress!? This photo does not do it justice. It was all metallicy and shimmery. I also really liked Charlize Theron, but her dress just didn’t seem out there enough.

My worst dressed vote goes to Amanda Peet. Shower curtain from anthro as a dress with eighth grade eyeliner and hoop earrings. Not to mention, strappy sandals from BP that she wore to winter formal...

I hope you all enjoyed the show as much as I did!

Strictly Local: Coffee, Hipsters, Cycling and Recycling.

Portlandia has become a national hit. But for us Portlanders there is an extra special place in our hearts for this show. Yes, some of the scenarios are a little out there, but others are spot on!

Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein

One thing about the show that I love, is the way it has opened my eyes to little cultural things about Portland. Things that I didn't believe to be unique from other places.

For example, I didn’t realize that the way we emphasize shopping local, eating local and where things come from was distinctly Portland. Of course I favor a restaurant that lists where the meat they serve is from (preferably a local farm). Pork from Carlton Farms? Why, that sounds lovely. Carlton is just 40min away! I know it is fresh and that I am supporting local. I really had no clue that this wasn’t a universal idea. I am referencing the first episode ever. Our emphasis on local was significant enough that it made the first episode!

Also, I recently read a column in Entertainment Weekly about Portlandia. Fred Armisen mentioned that he wanted to do an episode about how we put fried eggs on everything!  Who doesn’t like fried eggs? It makes everything amazing and he agrees. Think of your favorite savory meal. Now think about that same meal with a fried egg on top. That meal just went to a whole other level of awesome! Don’t believe me? Go try Wilbur’s Jumbo Deluxe Burger (bacon, Tillamook cheddar and a fried egg) from McMenamins. Don’t worry guys, McMenamins is local. And so is Tillamook for that matter. Double whammy!

That is all I have to say. Portlandia is hilarious. I will be watching the next episode with a Moscow Mule. Yes, it is a specialty cocktail that contains purred ginger. Major call out to me during last week’s episode.

January: The month of the fake dieter.

Last week every annoying girl in America vowed that “the diet starts tomorrow.” Well, I am one of those annoying girls. No, it wasn't a resolution. This plan has been in the works for a while.

Basically, I am on the dieter bandwagon for the kick-off of the New Year. It has been one week and I am already totally over it, but my reasoning my surprise you. The crazy part is that I am not that bothered by the healthy eating. I enjoy trying new recipes and stuff! I don't care as much about what I am eating, just as long as I'm not hungry. It is simply the idea of dieting that has sent me into a slight downward spiral of self loathing… just for being someone “on a diet.”

I think the reason I feel this way is because I refuse to be the girl who goes out with her friends and says no to everything because she is on a diet. I am going to live my normal life and just try and make better choices. A vodka soda instead of a pint of beer etc. Yes, my example of a better choice was about alcohol… get off my back. Maybe this will also encourage me to try some new dishes at my standard restaurants. I usually go for the greasy fatty option. Hopefully now I will go for the fresh (yet still delicious) choice. I’ll try a seasonal veggie scramble and nix the Benedicts!

Stay tuned to see me cheat every time I go to brunch! Everyone deserves one cheat day right?

PS. So far I have lost zero lbs. Also, I will never be writing about this again. And I definitely won't be giving you updates. Gross.

Boys to Men

Boyz II Men, A B C, B B D

Here is a little bit of my perspective on the shortage of men, as well as some insight from Ms. Mindy Kaling.

Excerpt from Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)

“Men know what they want. Men make concrete plans. Men own alarm clocks. Men sleep on a mattress that isn’t on the floor. Men tip generously. Men buy new shampoo instead of adding water to a nearly empty bottle of shampoo. Men go to the dentist. Men make reservations. Men go in for the kiss without giving you some long preamble about how they’re thinking of kissing you. Men know what they want.

Boys are adorable. Boys trail off their sentences in an appealing way. Boys get haircuts from their roommate/friend, who “totally knows how to cut hair.” Boys can pack their whole life in a duffel bag and move to Brooklyn if they need to. Boys have “gigs.” Boys are broke. And when they do have money, they spend it on a trip to Colorado to see a music festival.”- MK

Yes Mindy. I agree. It is the boys who simply do not know what they want, and if they do, they still aren’t able to articulate it. AND we always fall for them! What is that?!

So where are all of the men? They are on the way! They just haven’t grown up yet.

What spurred this thought? Well, Marina and I were driving home from Seattle and had both noticed that one of our good friends ordered an Americano at breakfast. I know this seems minuscule and not a big deal, but it seemed grown up! Yes, many of us commonly order an Americano at Starbucks, but he didn’t even like the taste of coffee when we were in college. It is kind of refreshing to see people you love and have known forever start changing from being boys to being men. Even if it is a gradual process and we see it in little stupid ways like a coffee order, I swear these guys are starting to take ownership over their lives in real ways too. I love it!

So don’t stress ladies. There will be a plethora of men before long. We just need to wait a little bit longer and give them time to get there!

I was just going to post the audio link to this… but then I watched the video. It is too hilarious not to post! Those outfits! Bahaha

Hello 2012!

Happy 2012! Isn't this year just too crazy already? It is for me. Cheer season is in full swing. My girls are awesome and I am excited to spend my Saturdays for the next month and a half watching them perform the crap out of their routine.

For the holiday weekend I went to Seattle to spend some awesome quality time with the friends of mine who have relocated north since graduating. I am like the Michelle Duggar of friends who move to Seattle. 4 and counting…

Seattle was fantastic per usual. We got glittery for NYE and watched the fireworks from Cameron’s balcony. She seriously has the BEST view of the space needle. It was AMAZING! The rest of the weekend was filled with drinking, eating, going on walks, hanging out, cuddling and then some more eating.

Lindsay and Caitlin were ready to ring in the new year!

Grandma's coat finally got some wear. 

Marina is sassy.

Check out the view from Cameron's Balcony! Amazing.

Crazy eyes? Maybe they were smizing like Tyra.

Cameron and Justin kill it on the dance floor. 

Back to the apt for fireworks!! 

Happy 2012!

No New Years kiss this year. Crossing my fingers for 2013!