Books and Presents

I am a book collector and an avid reader. To me, they are treasured pieces... but only if I enjoyed the book.

I once spent a weekend hollowing out a book to create a secret compartment for a boyfriend.

I found an old version of a book he never stopped talking about on Amazon and spent an hour in Paper Source getting the right supplies. It took me a Sunday afternoon to cut out the inside and then a day to dry. I filled it with treats and finally shipped it off.

Who knows if this book still exists, but I considered it a success. (Gifts are also my love language so I'm totally biased!)

I'm never one to repeat a gift especially if they are from previous relationships. But I love the idea of doing something creative with books. Which is why, this may be my next project:

How, when and for whom is yet to be determined. Stay tuned.

Ballet

Such Great Heights

If I fall on my face today it is all my sister's fault. She convinced me that I needed 5" heels.

"Don't worry, it has almost 2" of platform."

I stand at nearly 5'3" but today I reach 5'8". It's amazing what you can see at this height: the tops of heads... what the girl in the quad next to me is eating...  Japan.

I have roughly six more hours of work, a short play date with Jake, and, finally, book club. For these next 12 hours I am fervently praying that I don't fall. It will be a long way down.

It all started because I was complaining

It all started because I was complaining... about profile pictures. First world problems, right?

I had jaw surgery four years ago and I still have not gotten use to my "new" face. It wasn't a severe change but as someone who lived with a certain look for decades (just two), having something different was...different! It's not that I don't like how I look now, I sometimes wonder if it was better before.

Regardless.

I was complaining.

No one likes to listen to me complain.

They assume it's all smiles and bubblegum 24/7.

Thankfully I was with some creative types who told me to lock it up and took my picture.

And now I can't decide which picture I like best.
Or if my smile looks fake.
Or if I could have a career in stock modeling.

See, you just can't win with me sometimes. ;-)

Oh and yes, if you were wondering... that is my bed... you know, where the magic happens. #Iwatchtoomuchmtv

Learn to Use a Semicolon

Queen Anne to Fremont

I love going on long walks. I am not a power walker by any means...but instead prefer a brisk pace (for my short legs) for extended periods of time.

This past Saturday I walked from Queen Anne to Fremont and back. A little less than 5 miles; hills both ways. When I told my flatmate what I was doing her response was, "You know you have to walk back up that hill?"

To be perfectly honest, the hill wasn't as daunting as I was previously warned. It doesn't hurt that the weather was perfect, my music gave me a great pace and my spirits were high.

[I was also instagramming for all 5 miles... so my pace was a little less brisk and a little more picturesque.]

I may have also stopped to do a little window shopping... and by window shopping I mean actual shopping.

Locket

A locket.

For the digitally inclined.

Or for those that have more than a one inch picture they want to keep close to their heart.

More pictures here >>

Promise.

How To Dress Casual

I have never personally conquered casual dress... my wardrobe ranges from Dressy, West Coast Dressy and Work Out Wear. Sometimes I will throw on a t-shirt or plaid shirt but I rarely pull it off as well as others.

As I'm attempting to be more casual... and not work out clothes and baggy sweatshirts casual... these are a few inspirations from a celebrity and a blogger.

Shirt: Instead of a plaid shirt, try it with a poncho | Jeans: Cropped Skinny

Shirt: Splendid has some of my favorite stripes | Jacket: JCrew Dream Open Shawl Cardigan | Jeans: Paige denim isn't for every figure but their Hidden Hills Straight leg is (by far) one of my favorite styles to dress clients in. I especially love the Rebel wash for a casual look.

I saved half of it for you.

I am terrible about talking about myself. It may be hard to believe since I have multiple blogs, twitters, and social streams where all I do all day long is talk. But in general, most of my conversations revolve around the other person.

I love people. I love getting to know someone and really caring about who they are.

I hate telling people about me. I am far too private. If I am talking about myself I try to make it into a joke.

Which is why, when someone sees me or sees things that I don't blatantly parade, I am delighted.
I dated someone earlier this year. It was never serious, just off and on when both of our busy schedules would allow. But I will never forget our first date.

I am ice chewer. It is a habit that I barely notice I do but I eat ice like it is your favorite chip. Most often I will get large glasses of ice and chew all day. I have no plans to break this bad habit despite how annoying it may be to those around me. I just love it too much.

Back to the first date...

We were meeting at a cozy restaurant in Portland. Candlelight, fireplace, charming service... a perfect first date spot. I remember he was wearing a sportscoat and waiting at the bar when I arrived. I was so nervous. We started with drinks and conversation quickly got in the way of ordering dinner. As the evening progressed and my date ordered another drink, I was content with what I was drinking:

"I'll have another and can I get a glass of ice for her."

Thinking about that still makes me smile. I don't recall having a conversation about chewing ice. It may be silly to be delighted by that gesture but it had shown me more than an evening of conversation could ever say.

Fast forward half of a year and I am moving from Portland to Seattle. We had not kept in touch. In fact, we had a pretty terrible falling out months prior. But here and there, little moments of reconnection... Texts on birthdays. Running into each other in a different state. Casual twitter conversations. Then when he heard I was moving, he rearranged his schedule so we could have dinner together before I moved.

This time we met at his place then made a few different stops for drinks and dinner. The places weren't as cozy as before but I was still nervous. We never talked about our falling out. We didn't need to. We caught up on all that had gone on in the past 6 months... family, work, relationships and everything in between. During dinner, the ice had melted from his scotch and he asked our server for some more. Once the ice arrived, he poured half into his drink and set the glass in the middle of the table. We continued talking and planning what the rest of our evening may hold. It was my last night in Portland, I was hoping to make it memorable. Then he said,

"I am surprised you haven't eaten that ice. I saved half of it for you."

Tonight, Tonight

I once tweeted that every time I hear the song "Tonight, Tonight" by Hot Chelle Rae I can't help but shake it. That may have been months ago but it is still true to this day, regardless how overplayed the song is. In fact, it has become a joke between my sister and I because of my dorky dance that I MUST do, no matter where I am.
At Ashley's wedding that was the one song I was hoping for but as people continued requesting songs and the DJ seemed to be a fan of dance music, I gave up hope. With only a few songs left, Ashley grabbed me from my water break underneath the twinkle lights outside because she wanted to dance. One of her other bridesmaids had just excitedly told us she requested "Sex on Fire" and as we walked back to the dance floor my mind was racing with why the heck would someone request that song, let alone be able to dance to it.

As we hit the dance floor and the previous song finished, "Tonight, Tonight" came on. Ashley was delighted with herself at surprising me and I was swept in emotion by the silly thoughtfulness of my sister.

Then the dance floor cleared. Apparently I am the only one that likes this song.

It was LITERALLY just me and Ashley having a dance off party, a scene that is pretty typical of our hangouts. Except this time we just happened to be surrounded by 100 friends and family. And they were watching.

I will never forget those four minutes.

It was just me...

And Ashley...

In our own little dance party.

I couldn't ask for a better finish to my sister's wedding and a more treasured memory.

I want to be her

Her.

Found at Bijou & Boheme

Love her look too? Try this dress instead by Lucca Couture

26.

These past two weeks have been a whirlwind.
I left my previous job.

Moved to Seattle.

And turned a year older.

[Majority of that happening in the last 4 days alone.]

But in all the madness, I took an evening off to celebrate my move to Seattle and turning 26.

We ate dinner at Poppy in Capitol Hill and then had frozen yogurt at Munchies in Queen Anne. Frozen yogurt was good but it was dinner at Poppy's that made the evening. Dinner was a fusion of Northern Indian plating (thalia) with American cuisine. The ingrediates were fresh and of great quality and the small plate portion made each flavor and dish unique.

Delicious.

Dress: French Connection. Pants: Citizen of Humanity, Avedon. Jacket: Kut. Scarf: Nordstrom. Shoes: Jessica Simpson. Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs.