Make Up Free

Growing up, my mother never wore make up and so I missed out on the experience of learning to love make up by watching your mother primp. My sister got me started with some cheap make up gifts for a birthday, probably in Junior High. Then I went through an activist hippie stage where I didn't wear any. After that, I went through an unfortunate borderline goth look. In college, and since then, my go-to look is foundation, mascara and sometimes blush. Baring it all here is not so hard for me but that would be another story if I wasn't having a good skin day. I have fairly bad skin so foundation is usually a must. But here you have it folks, my clean slate.

 I'll admit that I cheated a little. I took these pictures on Wednesday, before I went out to a wine tasting party where I had way too many tastes. I woke up on Thursday not feeling so well which slowly morphed all the way to full on sick, so no sickly pictures for me, maybe one day....I do think this is important for bloggers to do. So much can be twisted and morphed to resemble these perfect, beautiful, care free lives online when in reality we are only choosing to share only the positive parts, we are photoshopping blemishes, we are posing in a flattering angle. Moreover, we are constantly bombarded with a skewed image of what a woman should look like with models photoshopped beyond recognition and used as an unrealistic ideal. I think it is crucial for society that women are portrayed naturally and honestly more often than not.  This is one little step in that direction. Now go check out all the other beautiful bare faces at Oranges and Apples.

Bookworm

I started reading at age three, probably in attempts to keep up with my older siblings, and I haven't stopped since. I am the ultimate book nerd and proud of it. I typically have a book in my purse and my boyfriend has been known to say, "put the book down and talk to me" (he's like a cat that will crawl on your book and nap as soon as you pull it out). This is my roundabout way of taking part in Friend Friday hosted by Modly Chic, this weeks topic: name your top five books. 
1. 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
I don't need to think about this one, it is by far the most amazing and beautiful book I've ever read. You really need to get past those first 50 pages and then you will be hooked. It is the story of a family in South America throughout several generations. It is magical realism and has the most amazing stories like when the whole town is plagued with insomnia and slowly loses their memory.
2. The "Little House" series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Maybe I'm cheating by listing a series, but I love them all. I spent so many days lost in the stories of Laura Ingalls. Her books inspired me to love writing and lose myself in a story.
3. East of Eden by John Steinbeck
I could add almost any Steinbeck to this list but I'll choose this as my favorite. It loosely follows the story of Cain and Abel and is really phenomenal; as always Steinbeck does not disappoint with plot and character development.
4. The Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
I read this book the first time I backpacked Europe and it was beautiful. This book instilled a love for India and Yoga and brings me back to a peaceful mind time and time again with stories from this Yogi. It is exactly what the title suggests, the autobiography of a Yogi in India.
5. Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman
I really recommend this book. I first read it in Junior High and it opened up my mind. I'm still not sure how much is real but it is the story of a young man who finds his "guru" in a gas station and his road to spirituality and enlightenment. 
So there you go, my list. Typically I reach for novels but two of my favorite books are stories of real people working towards enlightenment, so I'm not sure what that means. What are your favorite reads?

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.

FBFF: Food

I am kind of obsessed with food. I'm not queen of the kitchen or the next budding foodie; however, reading the latest chef memoir with Food Network in the background is an ideal afternoon spent. I used to waitress and loved to hang out in the kitchen watching the chefs in action. It's tricky though. See, I'm a vegetarian, a life long one. Meaning, I've never eaten meat, chicken, seafood, you name it. Sometimes I wish I could just eat it, but vegetarianism is so a part of my identity that I just can't do it.

Luckily, I'm not a picky vegetarian and love watching people prepare meat and even have a great love for Anthony Bourdain, the notorious anti-veggie.

Lately, with the warming days, I've been eating a little lighter than in the winter months. The two things I've made this past week that satisfied me most were vegetarian spring rolls and fudgesicles. I plan on making them both quite regularly throughout the summer. The fudgsicle recipe is super easy, I don't have a popsicle mold so I just used 4oz dixie cups, just peel off the cup when you're ready to eat.

As for the spring rolls, I don't follow a recipe, I just toss in whatever I have handy. I use the rice wraps from Whole Foods.

Prepare your filling. I use whatever I have handy, just make sure they are thinly sliced. My favorite rolls include avocado, red pepper, cucumber, fresh basil, sprouts and mixed greens.

Heat (but not to a boil) about an inch deep of water in a large pan. Place rice wrappers in the hot water for about 10-20 seconds and remove. I only do two at a time so they don't stick together.

Lay a softened wrapper and place your filing in the center, leaving enough room to fold in the edges. Fold it up. This link explains how to wrap.

Find your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy! They are so healthy, delicious and satisfying. I like to have plate of stir-fry alongside and maybe some peanut dipping sauce.

Now head on over to ModlyChic to read the other posts!