Hair is time.

"Hair is time.

Women with short hair always look as if they have somewhere else to go. Women with long hair tend to look as if they belong where they are, especially in California. Short hair takes a short time. Long hair takes a long time. Long hair moves faster than short hair. Long hair tells men that you are all woman, or a real woman, or at the very least a girl. Short hair always makes them wonder. Short hair makes children ask each other --usually at the school-yard gate, when parents are late-- "Are you a boy or girl?" Men married to women with short hair should not have affairs with women who have long hair kept up with many little pins and combs. Once you have cut your hair you have to remember to wear lipstick, but you can put away the brush, elastics, and the black barrettes in the form of shiny leaves with rhinestone hearts. When you cut your hair you lose a nose and gain a neck. A neck is generally better than a nose. It does not need to be powdered, except on extreme occasions. It does, however, need to be washed more often.

With short hair you suddenly dislike the month of March, when the wind blows down the back of your neck. With short hair you begin to crave pearl necklaces, long earrings, and a variety of sunglasses. And you brush your teeth more often. Short hair removes obvious femininity and replaces it with style. When it starts growing out a little and losing its style, you have to wear sunglasses until you can get it to the hairdresser. That's why you need a variety. Short hair makes you aware of subtraction as style. You can no longer wear puffed sleeves or ruffles; the neat is suddenly preferable to the fussy. You eye the tweezers instead of the blusher. What else can you take away? You can't hide behind short hair. Your nape is exposed. Men put their hands around your neck instead of stroking your long locks. You can only pray they have friendly intentions. The backs of your ears show, your jaw line is clear to anyone watching, and you realize --perhaps for the first time-- how wide the expanse of skin is between cheekbone and ear.

You may look a little androgynous, a little unfinished, a little bare. You will look elegant, as short hair requires you to keep your weight slightly below acceptable levels. However, the first time you wear a bathing suit with short hair, you will feel exceptionally naked. People who used to look straight at you will love you in profile. Short hair makes others think you have good bones, determination, and an agenda. The shape of your skull is commented on, so are its contents. They can pick you out in a crowd, and you can be recognized from behind, which can be good or bad. But your face is no longer a flat screen surrounded by a curtain: the world sees you in three dimensions.

Chase to the cut."

ON SHORT HAIR
(c1988) from American Vogue
by Joan Juliet Buck

Shared by a coworker and friend, exactly what I am feeling as I still adjust to a naked neck, androgynous look, short hair and new look.

January Freeze

The weather has been so frosty in Seattle this month that I find I am dressing casual more frequently. Usually I can be found in dresses upon dresses but my wardrobe staple for January has been jeans.

Excuse the iPhone pictures this post but these are a few of my favorite pieces when I need a casual day.

Although I can't find the exact pieces, here are some similar styles so you can own your own:
Cropped jeans: COH 'Dani' jean
Army jacket: Rubbish Oversized Jacket
Graphic t-shirt: TopShop NYC Tee
Striped cardigan: White House|Black Market cardigan
Combat boots: Miz Mooz Boots
Colorful socks: Nordstrom Rack

Passport

My passport recently expired and it is crazy to believe that that much time has passed since I first got it. Mexico, Romania, England, France, Wales, Ethiopia, and South Africa are some of the stamps that I hold near and dear, along with a few layover stamps that add nice filler. I am disappointed to no longer be able to keep using that same book but I have a few trips planned for the first half of 2013 to get it started....

Netherlands & Canada!

This is going to be a good year, friends.

Dance Like Nobody's Watching

First things first.... This girl is adorable. Beyond adorable. She is cute, has a rockin figure, and boss moves.

Now that that is out of the way... I want to be her.

Michael sent me this video a couple of weeks ago to dare me to add it to my 30 before 30 list and I keep coming back to watch it. How fun would it be to bust out your best moves anywhere? (Fun and nerve-racking). I am a fearless girl when it comes to being dared... I may not be brave enough....

But maybe I will be!

8oz Burger Bar

During the Weekend of Vik, also known as the weekend before my brother in law turned 31, we were heading off to brunch but 86'ed a morning of scrambled eggs to go big with burgers instead.

8oz Burger Bar hit the spot and may rival my favorite burger joint in Seattle. I got the turkey burger (still counts) with pomegranate ketchup that was SO good. While Ash and Vik stuck with traditional burgers that were loaded with gourmet cheeses and spreads mixed with truffles, bacon, and figs.... I lost track. Oh, and not to forget the garlic topped with fries.

Tropical Shrimp Spinach Salad

I am attempting one receipe a week from that amazing book Elyse got me for Christmas and this past week I made Tropical Shrimp Spinach Salad. Both Elyse and I agreed, the shrimp turned out very tasty and was very easy to make. I followed the recipe somewhat and you can find it below with my adjustments:

Tropical Shrimp:
1 tbsp of Olive Oil
2 tbps of Lime Juice
1/2 inch of fresh ginger, finely chopped
2 lg garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 packet of stevia
1/2 tsp of chili powder
1tbsp of soy sauce
salt & peper for taste
.5 lbs of shrimp

(Original recipe called for:
4 more tbsp of lime juice, real sugar, & small bunch of cilantro)

I threw all ingredients together in a large zip lock bag, shook it up, and then let marinate for an hour.

Since we in the midst of a Pac NW winter, I skipped grilling these, and instead cooked them on the stove top. Once done, I added them over spinach and enjoyed.

What I would do differently next time:
The flavor of the shrimp was good, but I would cook down the spinach to compliment the texture of the shrimp

Add vegetables... zucchini would be fantastic

Add a either more chili powder or add hot peppers. I prefer food with a bit of kick.

This dinner took 15 mins to prepare, (and hour to marinate :( ) and 10 minutes to cook. I definitely recommend it if you are looking for an easy meal and don't mind multi tasking when you do it!

Enjoy!

#girlsinbowties

In case there was ever any confusion... I am 100% for girls in bow ties. I believe in equal bow tie opportunity and in fact, encourage it. Bow ties see no gender... who's with me?

I also, clearly, have bomb dance moves.

Don't hate. Just join.

Presents

This Christmas was unbelievable especially since I was able to spend five days with my family.

I received some amazing presents this year... Beyond thoughtful. I was literally speechless on Christmas Eve and there were whispers of, "she is so quiet." Definitely not the norm.

Presents are my love language. It is how I show people I love them and one of the ways I perceive their love. It isn't about a physical box that is wrapped with goodies inside... a present can be a note or an evening planned or a vespa with a matching helmet (hint hint). To me, a present is an opportunity to show a person how well you know them, accept them, and love them.

One present that just tickled me was from my flatmate, Elyse. She knows my obsession with bubblegum and dinner parties. I wish you could see the presents in person since pictures do not do it justice. But a bubblegum jar the size of my head and cookbook with step by step instructions with pictures? Amazing...

So blessed.

T.S. Eliot

Bows & Polka Dots

I scored this little bow shift dress years ago from Forever 21. It was the only one hanging on the end of a rack and it probably cost less than $30. I love those unexpected finds that you have forever but still don't cost hardly a thing. I've evolved it over the years through cardigans, belts, tights, and shoes but always a classic in my closet. (Just don't tell anyone else it is a little cheapy)

Dress: similar style black shift dress for under $50 

Cardigan: Zulily had a really similar style, if you like flash sale sites, try finding a similar cardigan here

Belt: Leopard belt turned backgrounds so the clasp is hidden.

Shoes: similar style Cole Haan oxfords but with a pop of color at the laces.

S'mores Kit Holiday Gifts

This year, my teams at work grew ten-fold and I needed a fun Christmas present for 20 people. Thanks to Pinterest (obviously), I found this s'mores kit and took it from there. All supplies came from Target and was made possible by Elyse and her twin Jenn. We had quite an assembly line going.

Needed:

• Box or baggie for packaging
• Graham Crackers [Two boxes, wish I had one more]
• Hershey's Chocolate [24 originally purchased, had to run out for more bars. Ideally: 30 total]
• Marshmallows [Three bags, only needed 2]
• Tissue paper
• Wax paper

Ratio:

• 6 graham crackers
• 1.5 Hersheys bars (or 3 squares... or 6 rectangles)
• 6+ marshmallows.

The goal was to have it equally distributed to make the perfect s'more but we liked the look of excess marshmallows and started throwing more and more in with each box.

Tips:

• Use tissue paper on the bottom and behind the goodies to make it align correctly
• Use wax paper in between the crackers, each slice of chocolate, and the marshmallows. I mainly didn't want the chocolate to melt on everything and anything.
• Just sign your name on the box or card and add the person you are giving it to right before. I learned from that mistake in 6th grade when I bought a box of candy for every friend at school... I spent the entire day trying to hand out 60 boxes of heart candy that was pre-named the night before. Disaster!
• Plan ahead: buy in bulk at costco.

30 before 30: Get a pixie haircut.

I always dreamt of getting a pixie cut. Cutting off all my hair to resemble a man's haircut but being so feminine and delicate that I looked even more lady like. Big dreams. Little follow through.
In fact, I threatened to get one for years. My family, friends, hairdresser... they all heard my empty promises. They knew I was all talk. But a few weeks ago the stars aligned.

I was needing a "big change". I was needing to take control or feel like I had control of something. Anything. Little sleep, little fun time, heartache, a bit of stress, and needless worries can do that to you.

At that moment, cutting off all my hair was my solution.

I asked opinions. I heard a resounding "no" and only a few "yes"es.

Kaia (contact info below), my amazing hair stylist, was on board and held my hand through the whole process. She encouraged my crying (it only happened once) and was excited with me when it turned out. I walked out feeling like I had a fresh start to the new year.

I've had a date cancelled because of it and another person told me it makes me look old. But aside from the few haters, I have received enthusiasm from family, friends, and strangers.

Some days I like it.
Some days I hate it.
As of late... I love it.

It is just hair. It will grow back if I want it too. But in this moment, it is allowing me to be bold on my terms. And as it turns out, it suits me.

Although she wasn't talking about my hair, one of my girlfriends told me, "it's time to fish or cut the bait." Less waiting. Less talking. More doing.

__
Kaia @ West Linn Hairport (West Linn, OR // Just outside of Portland, OR)
503-635-2515
__

1. Get a pixie haircut.
Completed Dec 12, 2012
2. Go on a vacation alone.


3. Karaoke.


4. Camp.


5. Learn to longboard. Or at least attempt it.


6. Complete a catch on the flying trapeze.


7. Throw a fancy dinner party.


8. Run a marathon. (But I will settle for a half)


9. Visit Canada.


10. Travel to a country I have never been before (not Canada).


11. Revisit my best friend in Florida.


12. See a football game in the south. War Eagle.


13. Learn to grill.


14. Attempt snowboarding... again.


15. Take a cooking class. 
Completed Nov 11, 2012 at Pantry at Delancy
Pie Ninja
16. Hold my future niece or nephew.


17. Treat my parents.


18. Make a pie from scratch.
Completed Nov 21, 2012 with a Ginger Apple Streusel "Pie"
19. Find the perfect swimsuit.


20. Decorate a christmas tree.


21. Ride a motorcycle.


22. Explore 5 states I have never visited before.


23. Conquer my reoccuring NYE resolution of reading 50 books in one year.


24. Learn to french braid.


25. Take a 2 week vacation: 2 consecutive weeks.


26. Build something... that doesn’t come from Ikea.


27. Do one cartwheel.


28. Matchmake a couple, successfully.


29. Wear my navy blue special occasion Florida dress.


30. Be apart of something momentous, memorable, and national. Subjective... deal with it.

BONUS: Be awesome every day.

New Year. New Resolutions. 2013

I didn't accomplish a single resolution that I made for 2012...

I memorized about two weeks of memory verses.
I ran every day for 45 days.
I read 41 books.

This year, I want to try again but also try something new.

Be Present:
Where ever I am at, I am going to be focused in that moment.

I have found that I much prefer getting to work prior to 7:30 and staying until after 5pm knowing that when I go home, I am not logging back in. But I also need to work on taking time off. Taking vacations and a day off. Not responding to emails when I am away.

With friends and family, I want to be there and be engaged. Instagram won't go anywhere. I don't need to check in on foursquare.

Be Educated:
Once again, I am going for 50 books in 52 weeks. I was so close and yet 9 books is far away.

I also want to be more cognizant of what I am reading. Don't waste energy on fluff (although sometimes a good chick lit is needed).  Invest in reading my bible daily. Read multiple news sources often.

Follow Through:
This was a last minute add... as I talked about all of the resolutions I was thinking through with my roommate, I realized they were a lot of big ideas. It is in my personality to get really excited about something very quickly and then be over it. I want to focus 2013 on still being very excited but then seeing it through to completion.

If I say I am going to try a new recipe every week, you better believe that it is going to happen.