L is for Life

Life has a way of throwing you some extremes...one year ago I was getting ready to embark on a road trip that was going to forever change my life.  I made one of the hardest decisions in my life and learned a lot about myself.  I have been able to focus on myself for the first time in a long time.  Being on my own has also allowed me to dictate exactly what I want in life.  I have a better understanding of myself than I ever did before.

The first photo is the last shot I took with my camera in Arizona.  It was a hot summer night, the heat was radiating off the pavement, and it was intense (literally and figuratively).  We hit the road the next day and our first pit stop was in Palm Desert, California.  The second photo I snuck outside and shot this as the sun was coming up over the hills.  It was still warm outside but a sense of relief also filled the air.  I was starting a new chapter in my life.  

WIth any sort of separation, breakup, etc. people choose sides.  I have seen this played out so many times in movies and didn't think it would ever happen to me...but it did.  Those who have stood by me and supported me through all this (old and new); you mean more than words could ever express and I am forever thankful for that.

L is for Locks

I spent the weekend up in Seattle a while back and really wanted to visit a few places I hadn't been in years.  One of those places was the Ballard Locks.  Boats are constantly passing through between Puget Sound and Lake Union so there is a lot see.  Also certain times of the year salmon are running through the fish ladder and you can actually watch them as they swim through.

The 'Salmon Waves' sculpture by Paul Sorey was one of my favorite sites (photo 3) at the Locks.

K is for Keller Fountain

The weather here in Portland has finally started to show true signs of Spring.  Because it rains all the time you really have to savor these sunny warm days even more!  I took the sun for granted while living in Phoenix and now I finally understand why everyone is outside the minute the clouds break and the temperature goes above 65 degrees.

I shot these photographs of Keller Fountain after walking around the waterfront area.  It was a perfect day outside!

S is for Succulents

Maybe its all the greenery around me but I have been more inspired to grow plants.  I recently visited an adorable shop called Ink & Peat on Williams Ave in NE Portland.  Everything is extremely well curated and the assortment of home products is amazing!  Not only do they have a beautiful floral section but lots of plants and ceramics for the home.

I came home with these two succulents.  I am not sure exactly what they are but they compliment my other plant very well.  Also I don't really have much of a green thumb, succulents seem easy to care for.  I have also invested in a couple air plants--which I learned is best to submerge them for an hour or two once a week to water them.

L is for Lavender

Lavender is one of my favorite things.  I love it in bath products, growing in a garden, and in my food.  This delicious cake is infused with lavender and has lemon frosting on top.  

Desserts for breakfast?  Why not...after all its Monday!  

B is Baies

Diptyque Baies candle...my current obsession.  The smell is so unique I have a terrible time describing exactly what it reminds me of.

Diptyque says it "recalls a bouquet of roses and black currant leaves".  Either way I enjoy burning this candle for hours and hours.  I recently got the all black version (here) and love that the wax is black too!  These candles are a splurge but oh so worth it.    

C is for Coffee

I drink coffee everyday.  If I don't stop by my usual places (Starbucks, Nordstom eBar, Peet's Coffee) I'm making it at home.  As much as I love the big chains, I do love a local coffee shop.  The Northwest is in no shortage of them so I just need to do some more exploring.  

I wish I knew more about coffee.  I just know it tastes good with soy milk.  I prefer it iced (maybe to consume it faster?) but sometimes on a cold day...a warm cup is so comforting.  

F is for Favorite Fruits

I think this is the last time I will enjoy these satsumas...they seem to get harder and harder to find at the grocery store.  Someone told me the ones with leaves on them are good luck.  Not sure if thats true, but I always look for them :)

Happy Monday!

L is for Late Nights

I'm not sure what it is but sometimes the best cure to insomnia is just giving in.  I find I'm most creative after 10pm...  Watercolor and ink have been my choice of medium these days.  I also find Pinterest to be especially interesting in the late hours...

What do you do when you can't sleep?

C is for Camera

I was so excited to get a tax return this year that I couldn't wait to go out and spend it!  I'm supporting the economy right?  I decided I wanted to get a new lens for my camera.  I have been using the lens that came with it and by all means its adequate...but I was finding it limiting.  I chose this Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens.  I'm no pro by any means but decided this would allow me to have more control of my images.  

I have not taken any formal photography classes.  Part of the enjoyment of the hobby for me has been experimenting on my own.  I take pictures of the same object then turn a knob or two and then see how the picture changes.  I realize how un-techinical this sounds but I'm having a lot of fun with it :)  Also, Google has been a great resource for information on photography.  

Aperture set at 1.4

Aperture set at 5.0

Above are examples of the same object being taken at different aperture settings.  I have a Canon camera and was shooting in 'Av' mode.  And the necklace pictured?  I just got it in the mail yesterday from Spike the Punch on Etsy!  I have seen her pieces featured on several blogs and love her jeweled neon creations.  They seem to go fast when posted in the shop but one of these days I will definitely snag one!  

D is for Deer

One of the perks of my job is getting to buy props after the visual department is done with them.  They usually do big sales after major seasons like the holidays.  I had my eye on these deer heads and was lucky enough to get one.  I mounted him on my wall but feel the space is still so bare.  I had some silly ideas like putting a Hawaiian lei on him ;)  Another (more serious) idea I had was to put pictures up around the deer.  I love the idea of using different frames including various sizes, shapes, and textures.

Sometimes  I do like the negative space but at the same time I want to do more with my wall space.  Any suggestions?  

W is for Waterfalls

Here are more of my photographs from my Multnomah Falls adventure!  The weather was perfect (not raining!) and it felt so good to be outside.  The water comes down the falls so heavily you can hear it crashing against the rocks.  There is a hiking trail that takes you to the top of the falls and we were feeling adventurous so we hiked all the way.  Its only about 1.5 miles long but its a climb to the top.  The view from the top was definitely worth the hike.

photographs:
1.  Benson Bridge at Multnomah Falls
2.  Multnomah Falls
3.  signage
4.  base of the falls
5.  water going over the top of the waterfall
6.  trails
7.  mossy bridge
8.  view of the Columbia River
9.  Ecola Falls (along the Larch Mountain Trail)    

G is for Green

One of my favorite things about living in the Pacific Northwest is all the greenery.  I got to spend my last day off outside and to be honest it felt amazing to be in nature.  I enjoy doing lots of things outdoors and I look forward to more adventures on my next day off!

I shot these at Multnomah Falls just outside of Portland.  It was one of the places I've wanted to visit since I first got to Oregon.  Stay tuned for more pictures :)

T is for Tea

Lately I've been swamped from work since I came back from vacation...which is why I hadn't taken time off since last year in June.  Everything always happens at once, but in the end it has a way of working itself out.  I stopped at Teavana recently and picked up a couple new teas.  I could seriously spend way too much money in that store...  As a lavender addict, I got a couple ounces of Lavender Dreams (lavender blossoms, candied violets, rose buds, and peach) and Citrus Lavender Sage (orange, pineapple, lavender, sage, and sea buckthorn).  Mixed together, they are really nice too.

It still feels like winter here and it even snowed a couple days ago.  Nothing too crazy, but just enough to lightly coat the ground and completely disappear by the afternoon.

photographs:
1.  Snow (from Michigan)
2.  Lavender Dreams tea 
3.  a warm cup
4.  Patio lights

F is for Fashion Show

This past week I was lucky enough to assist in my very first fashion show!  The Nordstrom Designer Preview happened here in Portland, OR on March 1.  I was so excited to be near all the designer samples and couldn't resist taking pictures!  The quality is not as ideal because I was using my iPhone, however you  can get an idea of what was happening backstage!

My favorite Spring 2012 RTW looks were from Marni, Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, and Chanel.