You can take the girl out of the country....

A little glimpse into life in my hometown. It's one of the most beautiful places to spend the summer (winter, not so much), surrounded by rivers and the Pacific ocean.

bro-in-law fishing

daily swim spot

dad

"at 5 1/2 months, your baby is the size of a trout"

home

dinner (but not for me)

alder branch gives it a certain flavor i'm told

home

family

daily walk/jog spot

A Baby Celebration

A big reason for my trip down the coast was my sister. Not only my sister, but my already loved nephew growing strong in her belly, and my sister's husband flew in from Manhattan.. This will be the first baby in my family and I am beyond excited. I love my nephew so much already, I can't imagine when I first get to hold him and watch him grow. We decided to have a baby celebration. Were not big on baby games and all that but we had to celebrate.

Baby shower dress (Target), soon shed for bikini

We invited good friends, brought food and gifts and gathered way up Elk River to one of the most beautiful secluded spots, Jacuzzi Rock. The water was cold, but the sun was hot and the company good.

The Proud Parents

I'd Rather Be Fishing

This will be my last coastal recap post. The last day in town was really nice. We spent most of the day at the beach, I got my hair done and then we hiked down to the jetty to spend sunset fishing.

My brother is quite the outdoors man and a really good fisherman. His dream is to travel the world on a sailboat, fishing and swimming. He got us all geared up, we packed in a few beers and set to the task of relaxing with our poles.

I didn't catch anything, which is probably good considering I don't eat fish (or animals for that matter), but it was a really nice evening nonetheless. When we got back to my mom's we decided to enjoy the evening and grill outside. My boyfriend made a fire, my brother grilled some fish and we spent all night by the fire. It was so nice to be home for more than a night, being closer to my family is one of the top reasons I moved back to the west coast and I am certainly making the most of it.

So Spectacular You Can See The Earth's Curvature

 So this beach is pretty special. Agate beach is a very secluded piece of paradise in Oregon. The day we went down to explore was no exception, the tide was out far enough to open up a whole new beach to us. The sky was humongous, the ocean blue and green and not a soul around. It was a magical day of exploring for me, my boyfriend and my brother.

 It was such a beautiful place, I wish I could take each one of you with me, show you this secluded cove and embrace in its glory (wow, the hippie roots are really coming out in this one).Do you have a spot like this? One that makes you feel at peace, in touch with the earth in which all of life's possibilities are within your grasp?

 We spent hours hiking over rocks, climbing in beach grass and napping in the sun. My brother said over and over that it felt like some psychedelic movie from the 70's with everything in technicolor. If you ever find yourself on the south coast, I will direct you to this place.

And in a not so perfect outcome, that beach grass I was frolicking in? Covered in poison oak! I've been suffering the consequences and scratching up a storm. Live and learn, my friends.

Last Thursday, my boyfriend and I packed up the car and headed down to the last stop south on the Oregon coast. I took off a few heavenly days so I could watch my mom graduate. It was such a beautiful moment. My mom did not have it easy and yet she devoted so much of her time, energy and love to raising three children. After we left home she started going back to college and slowly made her way through school while working more than full time and graduating with honors. If there is ever a person I admire and look up to, it's my mom.

My mom has always been so supportive of my education that it was nice to be able to show some love for her and cheer as loudly as I could when they called her name.

wet hot american summer

Am I the only one that finds enormous pleasure in putting on NPR and blogging? No, just me? Please tell me I'm not the only news junkie out there! Just one of life's little pleasures, you know? Some "me time" so to speak.

Moving on. Oh my god, people, the weather in Portland this weekend was amazing! I feel like spring (summer?) is finally here and it is long overdue. I don't remember the last winter I've experienced that went into June. I am beyond happy to spend all day in the sun soaking up that vitamin D.

Dress-Forever 21

Shoes-Value Village

Bracelet-Until There's A Cure

I went shopping after work on Friday (bad idea, terrible traffic) and picked up a few things at Forever 21 and H&M and I am loving this dress. It was the perfect buy. Short, but not so short that I have to worry about it all day, light but not see through, and a southwest print that I'm loving. I spent hours walking around Portland in the hot hot heat and this dress was just the perfect thing. I see myself fighting the urge to wear this every single day this summer.

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.

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!