Play Lots / Sleep Little

What a crazy weekend. In the nearly two years that I lived in Portland, I don't know if I had one that was as busy and as fun as this past one.

I had the opportunity of playing in the closets of four beautiful women (and friends), spend time with my family and eat far too much, get drinks with girl friends, old friends and new friends too, and of course, cuddle all night with my big-boned doxie.

I couldn't have asked for a better weekend but perhaps a bit more sleep.

I don't know when I will be able to spend the weekend in Portland again but that doesn't mean Portland can't come visit me.

Any takers?

Dope Zebra

With all the internet goodness out there... this was my favorite video of last week.

In Protest

I hit a wall last week.

At first the snow was fun. I was spending more time with my flatmate and neighbors, working from home, and not feeling stress from work. But then it all set in.

Suddenly my remote desktop became unbearable and the isolation of being stuck on top of my hill was too much.

So I did the only thing I knew to do... I dressed in protest.

Shorts.

It was still freezing rain so I paired the shorts with leopard tights but I was sticking it to the Man... Snow Man, the only way I could.

I repeated my protest the next day but leveled out a bit by leaving the leopard tights at home and donning a black pair instead.

I'm pretty sure Occupy Wall St. would be impressed my bold and tenacious approach...

Or something like that.

ddn.

Dear John

It’s not often that I get a product that gets me so tickled pink that I must share it on AndBubblegum.

But a few weeks back, this scarf came in which meant that it was my turn to work some magic on our website so you could buy it.

It was cute. I didn’t think much else of it and quickly moved on.

My product coordinator who handles all of the samples pushed to get an additional flat shot because it had to be seen.

I am so glad she did…

Buy yours on Nordstrom.com

BBQ. Beer. Bourbon. Ballard. Brother.

Bitterroot promised to open their doors last week come snow or freezing rain and they did not disappoint. Just three days after opening, we were lucky to snag a table for 11 to celebrate Vik's 30th Birthday.

Our service was amazingly friendly, the drinks were delicious and the BBQ was great too. But the real winner? Pulled Pork Nachos.... the next morning after this meal I woke up still full and craving nachos.

In fact, I enjoyed myself so much that I am coming back tonight bringing a different group of friends.

It may only be the early days, but having only been opened for 3 days I see nothing but promise in Bitterroot's future.

Nachos anyone?

JUDGE FREE ZONE // If you visit Bitterroot, I highly recommend
Drink:
Apricot Cider
Birch Tree Buck
Eat:
Pulled Pork Nachos
Mac N Cheese
Jalepeno fritters
Pulled Pork Sandwich (with Pretzel roll, yumm!) and sub side with Cheese Grits.

Mantras

I am in love with this book by Megan Clark of Hi, Friend Designs. It will be the perfect compliment to my coffee table and extra bit of whimsy I may need on a down day. You can get your own copy on Blurb!

Flowers

Work was as usual yesterday. The snow storm had passed and there was no longer an excuse to not make it into the office. My day was nearing it's end and I realized I still hadn't finished my morning coffee and yet continued to drink it after 6 hours. That's how eventful and exciting my Monday was.

A call came in on my cell phone and I answered in hopes of a distraction.

"Hi this is KC's Flower Shop. We have a delivery for you that was requested to arrive before 3pm but we have the wrong address. We have talked to your human resources and found your correct location unfortunately we won't make it by 3pm. If we arrive a little later, will we miss you?"

Say what?

I told them that after 3pm would not be an issue as I was not expecting or waiting for a delivery. They apologized for ruining the surprise and I quickly told them it was not a problem, I am still delighted.

From 2:45 pm until around 3:20pm, I could not think straight at all.

Who had sent the flowers?

I was ready to start calling every little boyfriend to find out if it had been them but then I remembered a conversation I had earlier on GTalk. It was a casual conversation about what floor I work on..

D: You're on the 7th floor right? 

Me:  17th.  

D: curious. I couldn't remember.

Me: Are you here?!!! I don't believe in "just curious."

D:  No I was just thinking about how I had a meeting on the 15th floor

Earlier in the day, I didn't think anything of this conversation but as I was counting down the seconds to receive my package it all came back to me.

Soon my receptionist called to say I had a package on the 10th floor and before long it was on my table.

The delivery was beautiful roses, red balloons (my favorite) and a note... wishing that this would be a bright start to my week.

Perfect.

It is so amazing to have a friend so thoughtful. I am blown away by his kindness.

I immediately called my mother. [I take that back, I immediately pulled out my ginormous camera and took pictures.] She was just as excited as I was.

As I sat at my desk, a bit flustered, telling her about them and the note, I lowered my voice and whispered

These are my first flowers.

It's true. I've received balloons, poems, love notes, songs and an extremely awkward and uncomfortable private serenade but never has a guy sent me flowers.

Take note, Gentleman... I can now honestly say, this goes a long way.

Under Siege

 

 

Just when I thought the storm was ending, a new one rolled in that blanketed the entire city with snow. I live on top of a huge hill in Seattle and we were instantly trapped. All roads leading down may have been closed but thankfully the stores on top were open for business.

We ventured out early morning and stopped into Bartell's to talk with their employees, we had apparently just missed a mad dash to buy sleds. The streets were eerily quiet but within 30 minutes, it was as if all adults had a sip of snow-day-kool-aid and play began to ensue.

To understand the steepness of my hill and the depth of snow, witness this video taken later that day:

Run, Girl.

I learned long ago that the only way to learn to love to run is to create a power playlist.

Today is day 21 of 2012 and I'm going semi strong on my new years resolution. I've ran every day... besides a few that required a power walk instead... And one very sad day where the snow took over not only the city, but my gym too.

Some days I run fast, other days I run longer, and about once a week I have a run so terrible that I don't think I can go on.

However each good day and bad is made possible by my playlist. It runs about 24 minutes with both a warm up/slow run (Sweet Disposition) and cool down (We are Young).

My "power song" is DJ Scene's mashup of Hey Mickey and a Black Eyed Peas song. (Must listen >>; )

Then by the time 99 Problems mash up comes on, I am typically over running and this song helps push me as I round the final loop back to the start line.

The hardest part of the run is putting on my running shoes. As soon as I hit the pavement and for the rest of the day that follows, I am on my runner's high.

Everyday I'm Shufflin'

Cheer's Wieden & Kennedy for finding this gem... you have made my day.

Snowballs

Second day of Seattle snow and a little bit of play. The snow was perfect snow ball snow. Dry, easy to pack, and with Northface down jacket and gloves... warm!

Fur-nephew, Rudy, is still unsure how he feels about snow. He wants to constantly be outside but then can only handle a few minutes. The solution was to wrap him in his thunder jacket and baby bjorn him around the block. Totally normal.

And proof...

With Seattle.

When I first decided I was moving to Seattle, I was beyond heartbroken but a job opportunity was available that I couldn't pass up. Although I will admit, even up to the week I was moving, I met with potential companies in Portland. As much as I wanted to stay, none of those opportunities could top what was waiting for me in Seattle.

I lived in Portland for a little over a year and a half and for the first year, I wasn't sold on the city. But six months before I left everything changed. I became captivated by Portland for many reasons I won't name here. It was those same reasons that had me never wanting to leave.

Alas, I moved.

I have lived in Seattle for three and a half months. I have made great friends, my work is appreciated, I love the area I live and the excitement of a new city.

Like I told you yesterday, we had our first snow storm this weekend and after barricading myself in the house, I walked to get coffee.

I was bundled up in my warmest jacket, snow shoes on my feet, and snow sticking to my hair.

The powder that covered the streets and sidewalks made my neighborhood even more lovely. It reminded me about everything that I have here.

As I breathed in the fresh dry smell of the first snow, my heart began to flutter. Without realizing it, I was being swept away by a city who I didn't think I wanted to be with.

It was during that walk, I realized that I was finally starting a new chapter in my life...

And for the romantics...

I was falling in love.

Finally.

First Sign of Snow

 

 

Muubaa Luxe jacket | Paige Skyline skinny denim | Loeffler Randall rain boots | Longchamp expandable tote | Cashmere scarf | Ray-Ban eyeglasses | Echo Tech Touch gloves

For those not in the Pacific Northwest, we finally had our first touch of snow. For having a pretty terrible summer, we have had a fantastic winter. (In my humble yet expert opinion.) It has been relatively warm and fairly dry. Especially for the NW. But word came a week ago that snow was to hit on Sunday and the weather did not disappoint.

As great as the snow is, coming home to a fireplace, cup of hot chocolate and a movie may be the best thing ever.

Moschitto Designs

Currently obsessed with:

As we go into resort season these statement pieces will be perfect to add a pop of color to a neutral outfit or perhaps compliment your already bold ensemble.

Find yours at Nordstrom.com

First Sign of A Boring Life

In case you didn't love Garance Dore enough, she was recently a part of a dance project for Petit Bateau... Enjoy!

Just a girl.

I had just finished having a late dinner with Megan and we started watching a movie on Netflix. Megan received a text from some college friends to join them bowling and as I was still in my workout clothes from a 10am session, I declined.

I curled up on the couch with my comfiest blanket only to realize 20 minutes after she left that a hot shower and reading a book in bed is how I wanted to spend the rest of my evening.

I turned off the tv and all of the lights and I locked the front door.

I set my iPhone to play my "E" playlist and soon relaxed in the heat of hot water. Once the water was turned off and I was wrapped in my towel I heard noises. We live on a busy street so I assumed it was the typical foot traffic. 

I turned off the lights in my bathroom and headed straight to my bedroom leaving the bathroom cracked to let the steam out. I put my iphone on my bed and suddenly realized the noises were too loud to be outside.

I tiptoed into my dark house with my towel wrapped tightly trying to see if Megan was home. Instead I saw the tv on and an empty living room.

Megan?

It was just me.

I turned off the tv and walked back to my room.

As soon as I made it to my door, I heard the sound from the tv again.

I ran to the tv and once again with the remote, turned it off.

I sat there and waited.

It flickered on.

I pressed mute and this time ran to my room. I closed the door and grabbed my phone.

I called Ashley. They were finishing Vik's birthday dinner and told me to walk around the house to make sure no one was there. I hung up.

I called my parents.

By now I was in the corner of my room, still in just a towel... but sobbing.

As my parents stayed on the phone I put pajamas on then continued to huddle as far from the door as possible wishing I had a lock on my bedroom door.

They coaxed me out and had me turn on every light in the house then look in every conceivable place a person could hide.

With each door to look behind, I shook with fear and tears streaming down my face.

Closets. Under beds. Checking locks.

With the remote I turned the tv off again. And waited.

It flickered on.

With no hesitation, I went straight for the power cord on the tv and ripped it out of the socket. I turned off every light, crawled into bed, and talked to my mom until I calmed down.

My brother in law lives about a mile a way and I have a Marine living next door, none of that made me feel safe.

I've put myself in terrible situations before; walking alone when I shouldn't have, photographing events at 5am in the tenderloin of San Francisco, allowing a homeless man to walk me home at 2am in San Jose... I was never the cautious child in my family. 

But the thought of something or someone in my home sent me over the edge.

My tough bravado went quickly out the door and I instantly became a little girl who only wanted her parents that were 200 miles away.

Chopped

A little known fact about me: I enjoy cooking.

I truly do.

But I wouldn't consider it my favorite thing to do mostly because of the post cooking clean up.

On top of that, I am very attracted to a boyfriend that loves cooking. I have also had the privilege of dating a few gentleman who were very good at it, one was especially talented.

Instead I tell people I don't cook... then if I ever do, they are pleasantly surprised. Smart, right?

Super smart.