0063 - lady + maker

We've always known some pretty crafty and creative people. I find it hellishly inspiring to be around them, watch their moves, see what they're making, and of course I love getting to pick their brains to learn about their influences.

Over the weekend Jordan and I went over to see our friends Sam and Matt for some drinks and card games. While we were there we got to see their operation for Lady + Maker, their hand bent spoon rings and other awesome hand made home goods business, (I'm totally itching for an excuse to buy this frame). They're doing everything from inside the four walls of their lovely little loft and they are on fire! They're bending nightly, constantly creating, and loving each other throughout the whole process, talk about inspiring!

I have seen spoon rings before but had never heard about where the idea came from until I met Sam and Matt. Here's the short version background for the spoon ring: stories go that as far back as the 1600's servants who fell in love and wanted to get married would steal their employers silver to have it made into a ring for their engagement. It's like Robin Hood romance to me, LOVE!

Matt had made a ring for Sam awhile back and the idea had stuck with them. They're now taking a little piece of their love story and sharing it with the rest of us. These two are doing everything from inside the four walls of their lovely loft after they get off work and on weekends (talk about a labor of love)! They're finding their silver plated spoons (and forks) from various antique and vintage shops from around here in Portland!

We're so thankful to know these creative folks and I'm so excited to wearing my dingle hopper ring every day! Go check out their adventures on their Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. So go help out some awesome DIY folks here!

0056 -- waxing and waning

The last two weeks have been a roller coaster over here! Good things are happening but it seems like before they do I always have a bit of a "boo" period. My mum and I call those times when you're just too tired, too stressed, and just blinded by the boo hoo of the current situation. Anyhow, I have been working for a fabrication's company that is out in Gresham. I was getting up very early to go to work which was a little rough for me to get used to. Thank goodness Jordan gets up with me and goes out to warm the car for me, such a doll! The drives were really pretty for a bit there with it being so clear (and so cold), making sunrises over Mount Hood just gorgeous:

We've also been trying to get to our Bikram yoga classes at least three times a week which is really helping me with my stress and my really odd sleeping patterns. This past week unfortunately it took a back seat cause I had some major changes come about...
First, I got my Canadian citizenship this week! I can now apply for my passport and if we decide to ever move there it will be much, much easier! I had sent in all my paperwork a few days before we got married and I wasn't expecting to hear anything until spring. We're really thrilled and now Jordan will need to apply for his citizenship too!

Along with that, I also got a new job! I know rather strange considering I just started at the fabrication company two weeks ago, but this position just fell into my lap and I couldn't turn it down!
When we left LA I was determined to find myself an art director position and I really wanted to work for a company with similar ethics to my own, well I got just that. I have accepted a position for an eco-conscious company as their art director!!! I'm thrilled and nervous all at the same time!!

This weekend was also our three month anniversary! I can't believe it's come and gone so fast already! And my how life has changed...I can't wait to see what the next three months hold and all the time to come after that. We had quite grand plans to go out, but with my new work schedule we opted for a night in just the two of us. 

Sunday morning we went over to Lynsay and Wesley's where we had some killer vegan French toast and we gals made wreaths!!! After we left them and ran our errands, I got a new little tattoo (of course, looks just like Jordan). It was my first time gettng tattooed by a lady and I'm so excited to have gotten tattooed at this shop!!

Update again soon!!
xxo

0055 -- our first visitor!

This weekend our old roommate and dear friend Dawn came up from LA to visit us. We have been so excited to get to show some one around as well as finally get to put our newly finished spare room to use! Of course I woke up for work on Friday and it was snowing. Yes, you read that right, SNOWING!!! I was too excited to see it, but with it came some seriously cold weather (duh)! Here's what our street looked like on Friday morning!

Fortunately the snow stopped before I had to drive back home, as much as I find it really neat and pretty, I'm still nervous to drive in the snow. We picked up Dawn from the airport and headed right over to grab some dinner and drinks!

Saturday we headed over to the NW to feed Dawn the best donuts up here (sorry Voodoo)! From there we shopped around at all the cute and painfully hip shops in the Pearl area. We headed over to a neat little gift pop up shop back in SE before finally heading up to Mississippi for some lunch and oddities shopping!

We walked around Mississippi picking up fun decorations for Dawn's new place and stopping into a few bars along the way for refreshments! How cute is my Dawny?! Love this girl to bits!

Check out what we ended up creating with all the awesome goodies Dawn found! I hope to make something similar to this soon!

Jordan and I also picked up a new little creepy plant for our house too. Meet Seymore, our Venus Fly Trap! Apparently this little guy will attract his own food as long as we make sure he gets enough sunlight and water. 

Jordan and I wanted to make a nice dinner for Dawn Saturday night so we made some pork chops, apple sauce, and sweet potato curry latkes. YUM! After dinner we walked over to a local bar to meet up with some other friends. Of course, we thought we were so tough walking the few blocks to the bar in 11 degree weather...

On Sunday we started over at City State Cafe, a little breakfast spot over by our house. One look at the menu and we knew we had make the right choice, I mean look at that bloody mary pyramid! 

After breakfast we headed down to Hawthorne to show Dawn some other fun shops and areas of Portland! We paused in one of our favorite knick knack shops and she snapped this hilarious shot of me in a pug mask.

As always, it's hard to let our friends leave (even Larry didn't want Dawn to go). We had such a great time and are really looking forward to having more visitors!!

Update again soon!!

xxo

0049 -- q bert and crafts

This week is coming to an end and I am so excited for this weekend!! We've got a friend's birthday to celebrate on Saturday and I've got a meeting Sunday about some VERY exciting plans I'll share with you soon!
Jordan has been a very busy bee with his writing so I've been trying to find some creative ways of using up my time. I've been inspired enough lately to work on a few logo projects which have been really nice and I love being reminded why I love design.

Our buddy Ty also took my out on afternoon to the coolest bar/arcade I've ever been to. It reminded me a lot of a joint we went to when we were just ending the movingmoon down in Eugene. Ground Control is literally just all old arcade games in rows and rows and rows. Most games are only a quarter except the multi player pac man (one of my favs) and the pinball machines (which take up the whole second floor). Apparently after 5pm they serve booze, but we were there when it was still light out, so I can't comment on that. There was a really cool comic book shop not far either...

As well my girlfriend Lynsay came over to do a really fun DIY we had seen on Refinery29. How cute did their hanging planter turn out??

The project was easy and now that we've done it once, I'm sure that it would be easy to make these holders much more custom and intricate. When I find some more yarn I'll definitely be making more! Here's ours:

I also have to talk about the crazy sparkling wine that we devoured while tying knots. It was strawberry and cream flavored and tasted just like those puffy faux marshmallow strawberry candies. Heaven in a glass! And to top it off it's the most precious shade of pink. We think it would be good with some whipped cream vodka, fresh muddled strawberries, and maybe some basil for garnish. I'm sure we'll be drinking these while we dream of summer garden parties this winter!

Promise to update again soon...maybe after my adventures of thrifting! 

xxo

0047 -- the busy bee

How awful i've been taking 10 days to update again! I have to get a schedule nailed down...anyhow, I've been a busy lady! Marissa, my maid of honor, lady wife, best friend, most bad ass broad was FINALLY in town last weekend! It was so nice to finally be reunited with her and in our new home nonetheless! We went out for walks around my neighborhood to see what was around. Of course we hit up what is quickly becoming our favorite knick knack store smut.
Once we had the husbands back from work, we went out for happy hour to a little New Orleans style restaurant called Tapalaya that makes the most yummy hurricane cocktails that made us all feel nice and warm!!

We also got to do a little catcamp family friendsgiving too which always makes it really feel like the holidays are coming!
 
Our weekend was magical, but of course bittersweet knowing that Marissa had to leave and wouldn't be back again until X-mas.

Along with the reality of Marissa leaving, I also had to prepare for a busy week of interviews. So far I'm not sure where I stand, but keeping hopeful that something comes quick. Interviewing has been inspiring though and has even spurred me to start making a few pieces of jewelry!



Promise to update again soon!

 xxo