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.

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.

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.

I hope everyone had a lovely Passover, Easter or just all around good (agnostic) weekend like myself!
On Saturday, it was beautiful in Portland. The first day of the year that was truly warm. We've had a few sunny days but this was the first I didn't need a jacket. So exciting.

I spent hours walking the streets of Portland. It was the first time since moving here that I really got to explore the city my favorite way possible: by foot. After seeing off the boy on another bike trip I headed towards the waterfront passing by the beautiful Synagogue and hoards of people squinting as though they had been in a cave all winter.

I strolled through the Pearl District, by far one of my favorite neighborhoods in Portland. I passed Chinatown and the Japanese gardens, finally making it to the waterfront and my first Saturday Market experience. This place was popping! Crowds of people, amazing style and fantastic street musicians and performers.

After an hour at the Market I stopped by H&M to pick up a romper and finally headed back to the apartment. It was so amazing to get some sun on my skin and explore Portland. Sadly, today I woke up to rain and clouds, here's hoping the sun becomes more reliable!