Latest Inspiration

I have a lot of catching up to do since blogging has taken the backseat to this other project I'm working on that I will finally be sharing with the world minus my mom on Monday. I am SO excited. I can be a bit of perfectionist with the things I really care about (as I'm sure many of you are) and so it's taking way longer than I would like it to. But it's getting soclose.

I'm also really looking forward to getting back into my groove and spending Sunday morning at my favorite bakery, chocolate croissant and latte in hand as I read through all of the wonderful blogs that I have been neglecting recently. I can't wait to see all of your latest visual inspiration, read your creative short stories, find out what food you have been enjoying (does anyone not blog about food?), and learn about the home projects you've been spending time on. I get so much inspiration and enjoyment from the blogging community and can't wait to be 100% involved again.

Until then, here is some of my favorite inspiration from all over the web... (and if you are active on Pinterest I am a bit of a pinning psycho and would love to connect on there. Heehee. Find me here)

this pretty living room via House Beautiful's Pinterest account

this very cool entry table (loving the polaroids) via Design Sponge

the cool-as-it-is-cute style of Miroslava Duma, former editor of Harper's Bazaar Russia
(if you search for her on Pinterest you will not be disappointed)

this elegant but cozy bedroom featured on Glitter Guide

this eclectic, treasure-filled vignette via Design Sponge

this fantastic combo of leopard and grey via Lauren Santo Domingo's Pinterest boards

this incredible bathroom via Gild & Grace, one of my very-favorite interior design blogs.
Constant eye candy.

this great mixed-style living room in San Francisco via Apartment Therapy

this Oscar de la Renta NYFW runway look (actually the entire RTW collection - trust) via vogue.com

this perfectly rustic bathroom via Apartment Therapy

this ultra-glam living room featured on Vogue's APT with LSD

What do you have planned for the weekend? And give a girl some tips: how do you successfully stay on top of blogging? I need to knoooooow ;)

Week 24-25: Don't Miss 'Ems!

Wow what a weekend it's been! (For the sake of being on top of this blog, let's pretend it's still Sunday.) First of all.... my sister is getting married!!! Her boyfriend popped the question on Saturday and it's been non-stop phone conversations, and smiles, and Pinteresting, and teary eyes, and texts with the fam and friends ever since. Maid of Honor, right here!

On top of that, I've been trying to get all of my ducks in a row for a long anticipated girls' trip to San Francisco! The five-day funfest begins on Wednesday, so if you have any recommendations of where to go or what to do, please let me know! I haven't been to SF since a family trip in 8th grade and I sort of want to see and do everything. (Except Alcatraz...   just sayin')

And before it gets too far away from me, a wrap up of my favorite things over the past couple of weeks from the blogosphere:

This photo accompanying one of the best interviews I've ever read, of food/travel writer and stylist David Prior, by The Design Files

This kooky but oh-so-fun Queen Elizabeth's Dress Hues Pantone Color Wheel via Design for Mankind on Yatzer.com

Chloe Sevigny's currently-on-the-market house tour via The Aestate

A nice-looking way to hang organize via Affaire With Interiors

DIY Gold Tube Bracelets by Honestly...WTF

This lovely tour of Jessica Comingore's eclectic home via Design*Sponge

This jaw-dropping NYC rooftop via Gild and Grace

This cute and playful bathing suit on Elsa Hosk via Oracle Fox

An airy and bright dining area via Gild and Grace

These simple succulents in such elegant silver goblets via My Design Ethos

This stunning beach photography by Massimo Vitali featured on The Aestate

A ridiculously creative bedside table via The Decorista

 This sassy stripe ensemble via Look Closer

This super-stylish living room via Apartment 34

Everything about this look on Oracle Fox's Mandy Shadforth

A delightfully charming office space via Five Kinds of Happy

This standout look worn by my girl crush Taylor Tomasi Hill via Because I'm Addicted

This adorable "Save the Date" by Souther Fried Paper (favorite business name ever) 

via The Glitter Guide

This does-it-get-any-better? kind of room via The Decorista

Which of these images has you most inspired?

And more importantly, what is your must-see, must-do, must-eat, must-shop in San Francisco!? 
I need tips!!

Week 22-23: Don't Miss 'Ems!

It's been one of those weekends where I played hookie from my chores and now I'm up past midnight doing laundry and blogging - but that sentence isn't meant to be read in a whiny tone. The sun was going strong in Portland today, so after meeting up with some friends for brunch I walked down to the waterfront to check out the navy ships (full of sailors) docked here for a short duration of the summer Rose Festival. It's called "Fleet Week" and it's kind of a big deal to all the single ladies. After snapping about 45 photos of the ships (that kind of all look the same), the beaming sun forced me to continue being unproductive and I met up with some friends at Laurelhurst Park, which was packed. And luckily, the best kind of packed: Portland's circus crowd was casually practicing their seven-at-a-time hula hooping skills and monkey climbing gravity-defying circus yoga skills. Picture a an awkward game of Twister + cheerleading + Jenga. You should come visit Portland some time, we clearly know how to have fun here!

And last but not least, below is some of my favorite inspiration from the past two weeks! Hope everyone has a fantastic Monday. :)

this darling London dining room featured in Elle Decor via Spicer + Bank 

this funky, Madonnaesque piled-on jewelry worn by Jen at Made By Girl

this simple summer tables spread via Emily A. Clark 

 this cool DIY invite by Design for Mankind

this effortlessly chic ensemble via Fashion Gone Rogue

this serene bedroom at Byron View Farm in New South Wales discovered at Concrete and Honey

this I'm-totally-nerding-out-right-now (sorry I'm not sorry) satellite image map via A Lot of Moving 

this spectacular marble bathroom via Because I'm Addicted 

 this delightful Parisian bedroom designed by Robert Couturier via The Decorista

this jaw-dropping (oldie but goodie) Balmain dress via Pretty Ugly Design

this enchanting Greek architecture via La Vita Dolce

this cheery London kitchen featured on Bright Bazaar

this whimsical "small world" artwork by Kristina Klarin

 this delicate pastel skull top via Wild Things Run Fast

this awesome sitting area designed by Lori Andrews via Designwali

this life of the party high-waisted Mara Hoffman bikini via Raney Town

this dark and alluring living room via The Decorista

What was the best part of your weekend?

Week 21: Don't Miss 'Ems!

 getting in the Memorial Day spirit via Free People

Happy Memorial Day! I hope most of you are enjoying a long weekend of good food, good friends and lots of time outside. Summer is sooo close!

But it hasn't exactly been barbecue weather in Portland this weekend (I'm not complaining though because we had thunderstorms two nights in a row, and we never get exciting weather like that), so I've had a bit of a non-traditional, but still eventful, Memorial Day weekend. Friday night I went with a bunch of girlfriends to Ox, a new Argentine restaurant in Northeast Portland, and the food - actually the entire dining experience - was incredible. I think bread and chimichurri will be my go-to snack all summer. On Saturday I hiked Angel's Rest in the Columbia River Gorge, which is my favorite "viewpoint hike," with a couple of friends and afterward we headed into Hood River to eat and drink at my favorite little brewery, Double Mountain. Of course, the weekend would not be complete without a trip to Mississippi St. in North Portland for some Por Qué No? tacos, so that was the big event yesterday. I also watched an awesome documentary called "Forks Over Knives" and it has propelled me to make healthy choices today, consisting of an early morning gym sesh and nutritious, plant-based food since. My new goal is to eat less dairy and seafood, and maintain a mostly vegan diet - which will be tough, but doable. I plan on posting more vegan recipes in the near future, and I promise they will be super tasty! :)

I've also caught up on my blog reading, and below you'll find my favorite inspiration of the past week...

the fabulous Lummus Beach in Miami via Free People

this thirst-quenching lemon-thyme soda by Sacramento Street 

 this rustic country kitchen via Haute Design (those floors!)

 this glowing text installation via Because I'm Addicted

these super cute DIY neon-toe flats by Funkytime

this glamorous white & gold living room via The Decorista

 this scrumptious squash blossom quiche with feta & basil by Tartlette

these earth-toned handmade ceramics via Haute Design

this vibrant ombré tablecloth via Camille Styles

 this eye-catching glassware collection via Coco + Kelley

this cool blue bookshelf in the home of Heidi Merrick, featured at The Glitter Guide

these juicy, oven-roasted tomatoes by David Lebovitz

this All-American look featured in Vogue Spain via Oracle Fox

And that's a wrap. Happy Memorial Day!!!