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!