Shades of Portland

I think I'm still having an affair with Portland!! I might make it a tradition to go back every spring when the trees are sodden with rain and everything is verdant. These hiking boots were my partner in crime for the days when the skies were grey and I could not have survived without them. Here are some of the other colors I encountered while I was there: 

Rainy Day Feat

Yesterday I spent the day with my dear friend Alex. I have been nesting with her, while I stay here in Portland since she has a cozy little home. She took me on a hike on her favorite pathway across town filled with succulent greenery which was a wonderful change from the toast colored scenery of the suburbs back home. 

We stopped for breakfast at a bakery that served the freshest and most delicious cream cheese & bagels I have ever had. After each bite I took I would put down the bagel and just savor the flavor of it all for a few minutes and have it all melt into memory. I think it was the first time I appreciated the food I ate that much. 

I'm excited as for today I will be wandering Portland by myself :)

Green Green Green

I arrived in Portland, Oregon as of ten o'clock yesterday morning. As a person that complains consistently about my detestation towards rain, for me to choose to come to a city that is plagued by it most of the year must be the works of the gods of irony. 

But since this city is made of raindrops, it has made the city's landscape more lush than I can ever imagine. Everywhere I go it's unimaginably green; even the houses are painted some shade of the color! I find this town incredibly adorable to say the least :) 

I Smell Love

Last night I made milk chocolate truffles covered in shaved coconut in the spirit of Valentines Day which turned out wonderfully, except for the fact I might of added a tidbit too much cream, but a little time in the freezer fixed it right up :) I forgot how simple it was to make, and the outcome seems like you've been frenzying in the kitchen for the whole day. 

I also purchased a new perfume from Anthropologie that smells absolutely heavenly. I've never been into wearing scents since the ones I have encountered either felt too manufactured or really didn't please my nose. This bottle however, was simple yet had a feminine touch, exactly what I have been looking for all along ♡

Bliss

I have myself a new little nook for the next two weeks fully furnished with all the knick knacks of my heart's desire. I have situated myself comfortably on the most adorable vintage couch with raspberries and my current read, The Goldfinch. I was a bit intimidated at first with the seven hundred page count and I'm still surprised at myself that I went forth with it, but everywhere I turned I would only hear wonderful things being said, so I decided to take the challenge. And since I am trying to read more this year, would it be so terribly wrong to count this as two books?

Rose et Rouge

Though I usually find my street mundane and uneventful, I was pleasantly surprised by these bushels of pink flowers in full bloom. The weekend usually lets me catch up a weeks worth of duties that I was unable to squeeze into my schedule and I tend to dress myself in a simple attire of a shirt, tights, and a very soft cardigan that I could fall asleep in at any moment.

{book: Art of the 20th Century}

I was also able to get some words written down for my Rothko essay which I am quite pleased. I've always wanted to gain a deeper understanding towards art but up until now I've been having the hardest time. When my professor offered me a different perspective on viewing art through spirituality it helped me approach a subject that I've been trying to grasp at for years suddenly become clear as day.

Beyond The Haze

This was the view I had this morning walking the dog. She walks awfully slow and I don't blame her since she dislikes the leash immensely, but it does give me time to stop and enjoy the quiet morning air. It's been foggy all week in the early hours, and though it can be a nuisance when driving, I enjoy the haziness of the fog and how it feels on my skin when I walk through. It carries me to a different realm even though the pavement I've been stepping on is the same as the countless days before. I find it quite interesting and at the same time peculiar how my emotions can change just with a simple touch of mother nature's will. Though the picture is not that clear, the spider webs dusted in morning dew was somehow extremely aesthetically pleasing and seemed to be in sync with the ambiance. 

Architecture Hunting

{top - forever 21, skirt - thrifted & altered (originally eddie bauer), shoes - urban outfitters, key chain - american apparel}

The rest of the country would probably be stunned if they saw what Southern Californians were wearing in the middle of January. Though I love being bundled up in warm coats and tweed jackets, it's definitely a perk that I do not need to shovel snow and and de-ice everything continuously during the winter season. 

These photos were from yesterday when I was exploring around my town for interesting architecture to capture. I have been smitten with skirts lately, mostly ones that hug me just right and fall straight down. Last fall Madewell came out with mini skirts with a felt like material and I fell in love. I've always been hesitant about wearing minis because their image has never been favorable, however the one I saw hanging in the store caught my eye. It was a deep forest green and very humbling, so unusual for a piece of garment that gets a bad reputation from time to time in magazines. I haven't taken a picture of me wearing it just yet but I can't wait to capture its subtle beauty.