The Tannery Bar

I'm the weirdo who tries to nonchalantly whip out my phone and take photos of things like this in a bar, because it's just so pretty!

I'm falling more in love with Portland every week; five years here and I keep tacking on more reasons I adore this city. And yes, some of those reasons are bars. 

Last weekend I grabbed a drink with a few friends at The Tannery, one of Portland's newest drinking establishments (only 8 Yelp reviews "new") on the city's eastside. I had been wanting to check this bar out for a while, mainly drawn to its tiny size and potential coziness for a cold rainy night. When I walked in the door on Saturday, I was met with a great rustic-Portland vibe, super nice bartenders, and a stellar drink list. Some of the notable design elements included School House Electric lighting, long communal wooden tables, oil lamp sconces and old-timey accents reminiscent of saloons of the Wild West. And just as I hoped, it was really cozy.

I tried one of the beers on draft called "The Cowboy," a tasty Smoked Pilsner by Danish brewer Evil Twin, and it hit the spot. Unfortunately, like really unfortunately, I had already eaten dinner because the food menu looked bomb: bier wurst or monte cristo, anyone? Next time.

I snapped some pics with my phone which I've posted below; know it's killing me that a couple of those photos are as grainy as they are. Lesson learned that I should be carrying my big camera with me at ALL times. 

My new favorite place to eat, drink and be merry....

The Tannery. That's it, folks!

where the drink and food making magic happens, open for all to see

Evil Twin's "The Cowboy"

What bars/coffee shops/cafes in your city do you particularly love?

Moving Up in the World

It's Mooonnndaaaay! I hope everyone had a great weekend despite it probably going by way too fast. I finally got to see Silver Linings Playbook and went to a new Portland bar called The Tannery which was really cool. I also had one of these. :) The biggest event for me, however, was purchasing my first TV ever!  Now I don't have to watch all of my Netflix shows (currently House of Cards) on my little laptop... very exciting. So, I flipped my bookcase on its side, reorganized my books and then put the new TV on top. And I found myself a little overwhelmed. 

It's kind of weird how a television, especially a large one, can become such a presence in a room; just a Giant Black Rectangle hangin' out and stealing the show. Maybe it's because I'm not used to having one and I'm not someone who fawns over the "beauty" of technology, but I just want to hang a pretty textile over it or something when I'm not using it. Am I crazy? Perhaps.

I spent Sunday using things I already have to decorate my bookcase in an attempt to soften up the Giant Black Rectangle. It is a work in progress considering the artwork is hung with no thought whatsoever (the hooks were in the wall when I moved in) and those green ginger jars in front of the screen aren't in a practical location. But that's what I've got so far, and I like it way better than when I started.

Another thing I'm excited about? My sofa is arriving this week! But more to come on that later...

How was your weekend? Did you work on any projects at home?

February Favorites

Wowza this week went by fast! I just finished cleaning up after having some friends over for fajita night (I made homemade tortillas for the first time, so there was extra cleanup) and I am dying to hop into bed. These past few days have been non-stop and I am thisclose to turning into a pumpkin! I decided, however, that before any more time goes by I will use my last ounce of human strength to share some of the best house tours I've laid my eyes on recently. Even if only one of you is seeing these for the first time, I'm glad I shared it. They're that great, and they all happen to be from the oh-so-wonderful Apartment Therapy.

Last summer I met up with some college friends in San Francisco for a little reunion and we had a great time wining and dining and exploring and spending way too much money. I loved visiting, but this SF house tour actually left me in a daydream about how I will decorate my own future Edwardian era apartment in The City by the Bay. Because obviously I will be moving there if it means I can live in a home as sweet as this one...

to see more of this beautiful home and read an interview with the homeowner, check out the original tour here

Now onto the second tour... You may or may not know, but I grew up in Texas and it has definitely had an influence on my decor style, but perhaps not in the way you would think. Living a border away from Mexico has left me with a nostalgia for the folk art and culture of the colorful country that permeates Texas style. When I saw this house tour below, it made me giddy because of the homeowner's love for vintage and their Texas roots.

 To see more of this very cool tour please go here

Finally... I will simply describe this next tour as wild. It's one of those homes that I imagine people either love or hate; just seeing it gave me a rush of excitement but I'm sure for some it gives them a rush of anxiety. :) What I love most though, is that the homeowner obviously went with what she felt and loved, and in my opinion it totally works! Sometimes you just gotta do you...

 You should probably see the rest of this tour for the backyard alone, check it out here

What home do you like the most? I hope everyone has an awesome weekend!!