Friday, May 27, 2011

your hair, it's everywhere

May 27: Hair care
I was pretty happy to see today's FBFF topic. I love my hair, I love other peoples hair, let's talk about it!

1.      How often do you get your hair cut? 
Not often enough. Two times a year? With long curly hair, I'm not picky about my haircuts and often rely on my mom, boyfriend or even myself to snip some dead ends. On that note, I really should get it cut more frequently.

2.      Do you go to the same stylist each time, try someone new, go to the cheap hair cutting chains or live it up in a salon?
For color, if at all possible, I stick to my dear friend and hair stylist, Tim. He has a salon in my hometown and he and my mom have been close friends since I was a child. I think of Tim more like family than anything. Also, he does AMAZING color. I mean, really really good color for a fraction of the price in most cities. In NYC, I paid hundreds of dollars for blond highlights, only to walk away feeling horribly self conscious about my white blond streaks. I googled coffee rinses and more to try to remedy the situation. Really terrible and really expensive. I'll stick with Tim, thank you very much.


3.      Do you color your hair? How often? What’s your natural color?
I do, 3-4 times a year. When Tim does my hair, he does a partial blond and brown weave. I like a more natural look and therefore don't do a single processed color. My natural color is dark brown with some reddish tint and blond highlights. In the summer, it gets much lighter. I just like to help it along and add more blond. It really is fun!
4.      The one thing you always do to keep your hair looking great is:
I know I should say conditioner, but honestly, I don't like my hair post wash. It's more frizzy than curly. Honestly, the thing that makes my hair look best? Swimming. Seriously, post swimming hair is like the best thing imaginable for this curly head. When I go swimming my curls get really tight and bouncy. I guess I should have lived in the 80's, the bigger the hair the better.
Favorite color, lots of curls
5.      What hair trend do you love and wish you could rock?
Bangs. I would love to have bangs and I love curly haired Delightfully Tacky's bangs but know I'm far too low maintenance to keep them looking good. However, I am not complaining, I love my hair and consider it one of my best assets.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

This is my after work, zone out, relax and go eat tacos outfit. I want to wear it ever single day. With the longer days and endless string of company, I've been going out after work several days a week. Typically, I come home from work and completely decompress so this is kind of a nice change after the long dark winter. 
 Cardigan-Buffalo Exchange (Gap)
Top-Forever 21
Jeans-Gap
Shoes-DSW
My next line of company is my brother and my best friend from childhood, definitely looking forward to them and memorial day weekend. Who has big plans?
On a final note, can I just say that I'm kind of relieved to see flared jeans coming back? As much as I like a skinny jean, it is undeniably more comfortable for my hips to be in a pair of higher waisted, loose cut pair of jeans. Who is with me?

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Weekend Rides

Yesterday was quite nice. I had scheduled a random vacation day and really embraced my free time.  I woke up late and went for a run (and got rained on, of course), hung out around the house, than bundled up and hopped on the back of the Ducati and the BF and I were off. 
Both of us are always drawn to industrial neighborhoods (we lived in Red Hood for god sakes!) so we cruised around the wear-houses in Portland and happened upon the Grand Station Portland Bakery hidden amongst semi's and packing crates. This cafe was rad, apparently they sell their bread and pastries throughout the city but use this location as their headquarters. It was wide open and spacious, hidden and delicious baked goods. Win all around.
We hopped back on the bike and headed out of town to the Columbia River (it rained briefly, of course). We sped across the Sauvie Island bridge and toured the little island.
This trip we drove pass the Bybee historical house and knew we had to explore a little. The estate was completely empty and absolutely stunning. The estate was the oldest farm on the island, established by settlers from the Oregon Trail in the 1850's. Pretty interesting stuff if you're an Oregon Trail nut like myself. Most importantly, it was beautiful: rolling hills, orchards and trees. I can't wait to come back and spend an afternoon on the grass picnicking and reading. 

Monday, May 23, 2011

Jesus is coming, look busy!

I have had a pretty full week. Company, work, running, meetings and...orientation for graduate school! I'm getting super pumped to head back to school and already met a few people I really like in the program. As overwhelming as taking out more loans is, I know that this degree is totally worth it in the long run. I will be working, in class and two days in a field assignment starting this fall. I'm realizing I really need to embrace my (relatively) free time while I'm just working right now. 


In between all this running around, I picked up this tank-top and I must say I'm loving it. I have always loved tribal and southwest influenced colors and designs and this spring/summer I plan to fully embrace this trend and deck myself in turquoise jewelry and tribal print as often as possible.
A little confession of mine: my tripod broke and so I've been either using my webcam or haphazardly propping up my point and shoot. I've found it works quite well as long as headless shots are ok. Eh, who cares when there's pretty colors, right?

 Tank-Top-Forever 21
Jeans-Gap
Wedges-Thrifted
Bracelet-Gift from BF
Yes, I'm busting out the myspace-worthy picture of the mirror.
I hope everyone is having a fairly easy transition to the work week this Monday, here's to long spring days and warm evenings!

Monday, May 16, 2011

A Sight for Sore Eyes

Can I just tell you how much I love Warby Parker? Because I do. I'm sure you've heard of them but if not, go check them out and you will not regret it. Best business model I've seen in some time.
1. You can virtually try on all glasses to get a feel for what you want
2. 5 for 5 allows you to choose 5 frames to try on for 5 days. WP pays for shipping and return label. All you have to do is play around with your frames then drop the package in a UPS drop box
3. 30 day money back on purchased glasses
4. Really cute vintage inspired frames
5. For every pair of glasses bought, one pair is given to someone in need who can't afford glasses.
Win/Win/Win 
Zagg
Finn
Miles
Japhy 
Japhy
I'm leaning towards the Miles and the Japhy. Which ones do you like?

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

I've been working on some big things lately. Things that I hope will change my life for the better. Job, school, health, lifestyle related things. Needless to say, I'm vaguebooking and now quiet exhausted. Posting will be sparse this week and next, but I hope to have some changes in effect at that time and back with a more positive spin on life! In the meantime, I can't wait to see your pretty pictures and read all you have to say in my moment of silence.
my happy place
atop a desert mountain

Monday, May 9, 2011

Sometimes when I am in meetings, I imagine I am a robot programmed not to realise I am a robot ... Other times I imagine I am a small Indian girl collecting water for my village in brightly painted clay pots.-27b/6
 8-5 is wearing me down. Crushing my soul. I should have been born in a different world. One in which work is not the end all and be all. My days are numbered at work. I feel the quit brewing inside.
 Mental health days make a world of difference until then.


Friday, May 6, 2011

Grandpa's Cafe

On Sunday my boyfriend wanted to embrace his home country of Poland so he took my mom and I to the Polish Hall in NE Portland. Grandpa's Cafe is only open two days a week, usually following church service. We skipped church but couldn't skip the flashback to the past. The Cafe is like a glimpse into Poland or at least Detroit. The food was delicious and in typical fashion, my boyfriend walked out with a full bag of candies from his childhood. 
Afterwards we headed to a park to sit in the sun awhile and try to get some color on our bodies. The park was right over the Willamette River and while slightly seedy, completely beautiful. On our way back to the car we just couldn't pass up a chance to relive our youth and try out the teeter totter. I don't think I've played on a playground since I was a teenager and it was so much fun.
my mom is hilarious
 Tank-Target
Jeans-Gap
Scarf-My mom's
Earrings-Cherokee trading post
Bracelet-gift from bf from Japan
Sandals-Report
It was too nice to go home at that point so we spent the next several hours exploring the Mississippi neighborhood and can I just say that I'm smitten? Walking around the bustling streets was like stepping into a little bubble of creativity, beauty and food. If I ever settle in a house, I really hope it is around there because I couldn't get enough of it.
As if I didn't love Michelle Obama enough, she collaborated with Beyonce to make this music video to help fight obesity. I can't stop moving to it.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Billy Goat Gruff


 My mum came to visit this weekend and it was glorious. Good weather and even better company. My mom is amazing. By far, the most generous, kind, accepting and intelligent person I know. I really hit the jackpot with mothers. She has accepted all of my wild stages and supported me completely in all I have wanted to do in my life.
 We spent most of the weekend walking and exploring the city. As we started a hike up a mountain where Pittock Mansion rests we came across an open house. This house was the most amazing house I've been in outside of museums. We've decided we need to buy it and give each floor to the family.

The realtor said I looked familiar (oldest line in the book, am I right?) and later says, "oh, I know why you look familiar, you look like Alicia Silverstone." Not sure I agree, but I'll take it. I think that vegan goddess is stunning and therefore quite the compliment.

 We walked up sets of stairs and past painted ladies. Portland really has some stunning streets and beautiful homes.

 And what would a visit be without some true Portlandia stereotypes. As we headed to a Polish cafe we saw this mustachioed man on a casual Sunday stroll with his goat. Typical.

Fun fact: when I was in Junior High I raised a bummer lamb, Belle, until she was several years old. That sheep was like a devoted family dog that followed me around. I guess I was just hipster before it was cool, walking around with my sheep like it ain't no thang.
How was your weekend? Lovely, I hope.