George Washington Bridge

I needed a day off from friends and subways so I decided to do something I've wanted to for years: walk across the George Washington Bridge. I'm staying just a few blocks always with a beautiful view of the Bridge and the Hudson.

I walked around the neighborhood and then made my way across the bridge. Lucky for me the south side was open so I was able to see a stunning view of the city. 

There were lifeline phones in the middle of the bridge which is fantastic but also a sad reminder that people do use the bridge to end their lives. It is daunting to look way down onto the Hudson as the bridge shakes and vibrates from all of the traffic. 

If you want to walk across the south side path start at W 177th and Fort Washington Ave and follow the signs!

Feeling The Love

Being back in this wonderful city surrounded by my mom and my beautiful pregnant sister I feel wrapped in a bubble of love. I had such a profound and peaceful dream last night that I feel like I've been floating throughout the day high on happiness. Maybe I'm reading too much into, but I think my nephew will be making his appearance shortly.

My mom and I have been staying in a little apartment on Riverside Drive and taking adventures in the city while my sister rests. The other day we walked from the Upper West Side all the way to Time Square and saw enough activity to last a week.

My mom is by far one of my best friends and we haven't been able to spend time together like this since I was in high school so I'm really treasuring it. Ok, clearly I'm in a good mood and I hope you are too!

Friend Friday: Where I'm From

Today on Friend Friday we're discussing where we're from and how this has influenced our style. I love reading other bloggers posts as it is a look into who they are and what their perspective is. I think geography greatly influences a persons style and I am happy to take part . Head on over to ModlyChic to read the rest!

1. What part of the world do you blog from? 

 Pacific Northwest, Portland more specifically. Within Portland: the Northwest neighborhood.

2. If you had to describe the overall mode of dress for where you live
what would you say?

One word: Hipster

Portland is overrun with hipsters. In fact, there are so many that one really can't group them into the "hipster category", it has morphed into a way of life, status quo for the city at large.

Flannel, jorts, vintage, thrifted, crafted, toms, you name the hipster influence, Portland's got it. 

In some aspects, I like this "anything works" mentality, but I do miss "normal" people, if that makes sense. I feel like so much of Portland's identity is wrapped up in the "more alternative than thou" mentality that the average Joe/Jane is looked down upon for jeans and a t-shirt. 

Urban goats, typical.

3. Do you fit in with the status quo around you or do you break the
mold?

I suppose I fit in to the Portland look. I love casual. I love my Frye boots. I love jeans. However, I am very far from being one of the cool Portland kids that have all the fresh hipster styles.

4. If you have lived or traveled to another part of the country/world 

did your clothing choices evolve? 

My three years in New York changed my style immensely. Prior to the city, I had spent all my life in the Pacific Northwest. I lived in a tiny town with no malls, no shops and very limited clothes. As a result, I didn't pay much mind to my clothes. I wore jeans and lots of hippie clothes in the summer. Moving to new york opened up a whole new perspective to me. I realized that clothes really can improve one's confidence and was finally exposed to endless stores. Most importantly, though, New York's effortless style influenced me. Everywhere you look, people look fresh. Whether it was at home in Harlem, walking to work on Wall St. or shopping in Soho, you are bombarded with so many different styles and so many effortlessly cool people. This had a great effect and continues to influence my style and confidence!

5. If you had to describe your style by naming a specific city, what
would you be? 

Brooklyn?

While I love New York style, I am a bit more casual than the average Manhattanite. Brooklyn is kind of a mix of Portland and NYC. Yeah, that sounds right.