0053 -- giving thanks

The last few months have been a bit of a whirlwind adventure. We have been so lucky to have SO many amazing friends, such great experiences, each other, and our health. Really, how could anyone ask for anything more?!?

This thanksgiving we spend it with our friends Linsay and Wesley. We met them through a mutual friend from LA and have been fortunate enough to see them weekly since we met. They made a vegan thanksgiving feast that words really cannot describe!!! 

We also got to be witnesses to their baby Phelyn eating her fist solid food; an avocado of course!!!

The meal was beyond delicious and we topped it off with our homemade desserts (recipes in my next post): apple pie & Mexican wedding cookies 

and a seriously KILLER round of Cards Against Humanity (of course Lynsay's daughter Sierra won)!

All in all it was the most magical day and we are SO darn thankful for the way that everything is playing out. It's really just so amazing that we have been so fortunate. Happy holidays!!

Update again soon!

xxo

0052 -- laurelhurst market

A few posts ago I mentioned the sandwich from Laurelhurt Market as being one on our hunt for the best sandwich. Today to celebrate that I landed a job and because Jordan had never gone, we went for lunch. I have to say, you should look over their dinner menu, it looks INSANE!

I had been before and decided to go with a build my own, pâté and pickled onions. Jordan picked off the sandwich board and went with the pastrami and cheese. 

Enough words, time for photos:

They have an awesome little butcher shop in the front also that has some killer cuts of meat. I would love to get a rack of lamb from there and make it one day!

Update again soon!!

xxo

0051 -- saturday on mississippi

This Saturday we celebrated our friend Wesley's birthday by going out day drinking and shopping on Mississippi in north Portland.

We had been twice (although very unknowingly) but not actually walked around much. The first time we went to Paxton Gate which is an incredible taxidermy and natural oddities shop. The other time we went was strictly to eat the biscuits at Pine State (yum)!!

On Saturday we had planned to eat at Por Que No? But it was closed for renovations so we ended up at Bar Bar for burgers and boozies! I had the veggie burger which was incredible!! The bun was out of this world and they even came with my favorite pickles on top! Along with our banging burgers I had one seriously delicious Bloody Mary! Just the perfect way to start Saturday!

From there we went to an awesome thrift, meets knick knack, meets, decorations shop. I believe it was called flutter. Jordan bought me two of my favorite tarot cards there (the 3 of cups and the 3 of swords). 

Our next stop was cocktails tails again and this time around a fire pit in the back of Interurban. A few pimm's cups later and we were ready for more thrifting! 

Along with thrifting where I finally found the perfect wide brim hat, we did pop into Paxton Gate again so we could pick a piranha for our shelves!!

On the way back to the car before our last bar stop we paused in the most random shop call the Meadow. The shop carries only salts, chocolates, wine, bitters, and a very small selection of fresh flowers. Everything is available to sample and they strongly encourage it. They were very knowledgable and our friends ended up buying the most yummy rhubarb bitters! I can't wait to see what kind of cocktails they create with it!

We ended the evening over at Liberty Glass, a cute little bar with great vegan options and a warm atmosphere! It was a fabulous day and we were so excited to be able to slow crawl and wander into all the shops the area had to offer!!

Update again soon!

xxo.

0050 -- tails and trotters

Since we moved to Portland almost two months ago (can you even believe that?) we've been trying a bunch of delis and sandwich shops looking for the best sandwich. 

We've had Laurelhurst Market on Burnside, Roman Candle on Division, both Lardo locations, and just yesterday we tried Tails and Trotters which is very conveniently located on our street. Now I should warn if you aren't a meat eater, this post is not for you.

Tails and Trotters was started by some guys back in 2009 after they learned everything they could about how raising pigs changes their flavors. Kind of interesting. Walking into their shop it's small, really clean, and all the guys there look like they are nothing more than my other brothers. Awesome! They a few displays of mustards, sauces and pickles, a butcher display, a small freezer with sausages and fats. There's a few stools at the back of the shop.

The sandwich list is perfect. Just enough to choose from without the over complications of too many options. There were a few specials too, but we stuck to the country pâté with pickles on a small soft baguette and a Cubano on a panini. 

Well these guys killed it! They were two of the best sammies we've had here. The pork was truly flavorful. The pâté melted in my mouth! The bread choice was perfect as it didn't cut the roof of my mouth as so many sammies before have...

We still haven't picked a favorite, but was are so thrilled to have this gem so close to home! 

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

0048 -- lone fir cemetary

When Jordan and i came to visit Portland in May we stopped by a really cool cemetery, lone fir cemetery. It's pretty central off Stark in the 20's. When we moved to the house we're in we had no idea how close to this cemetery we really were (less than half a mile)!
So for a little lunch excursion the other day we decided to go for a walk in the cemetery. Now I don't know about you, but I cannot think of a cemetery with out this song:

It was a bit of a dark day, but it was still quite pretty and we got to see so many squirrels (yes they still excite me)! 

It's amazing to see the juxtaposition between the old graves from the late 1800's and the modern day etched tombstones. Kind makes me wonder what these old stones would tell us if they could talk. I mean really, how humbling it it to think about those people who lives almost 200 years before us...wild.

I'll leave you with this cute house that's on our street! The whole side yard is various kinds of ferns (quickly becoming my favorite plans up here, I'm still hunting for a stag horn fern that I can afford).

Update again soon!!

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

0046 -- vegan pesto thai wraps

Two nights ago we went out for vegan pizza that really knocked off our socks off, but we found it to be so rich that dinner last night needed to be simple, fresh, and filled with veggies. 

Jordan and I became obsessed with these Vietnamese spring roll wrappers while living in LA. 

They're a bit of a pain to build (soak in water, fill with veggies, and then try and wrap/roll it up before the wrapper sticks to itself), but so worth it and a great vehicle for veggies!

We decided to change these up by putting a cashew pesto in them that was a really nice contrast to the peanut dipping sauce. 

For the filling:

1/2 red bell pepper, cut in slivers

1/3 English cucumber, de-seeded and cut in strips

Handful fresh spinach

1/4 c shaved or finely diced red onion

1 juillened carrot

1 avocado, sliced

1/3 c cooked and cooled quinoa

I used a mandolin to cut my veggies, but a regular knife works just fine as well!

Peanut Dipping Sauce:

3 T peanut butter

1 T coconut oil

1/4 teaspoon fresh or ground ginger

1 T rice vinegar

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

Salt & pepper

Sprinkle of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper

1 cove garlic, minced

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well. 

This sauce could easily be made thinner with a bit more oil or water and would be great on a Thai salad!

Cashew Pesto:

1/3 c cashews (you can use any nuts you have around the house or even try pepitas)

1/4 nutritional yeast

1 1/2 c basil

3 cloves garlic

Salt & pepper

1/4-1/3 c olive oil

Squeeze of lemon juice

Combine all ingredients into processor or blender and pulse until desired smoothness is achieved. Adding more or less oil will aide in the thickness and texture. 

Saves for a week in the fridge and a month frozen.

I literally just throw all the veggies into the soaks wrappers and prolly up as fast as possible. You can add more or less to your tastes. Enjoy!

0045 -- lavender (lemon) cake

my husband went on a man date last night so i had the house to myself. i indulged in a killer salad, watching my favorite bad tv shows, and made the yummiest lavender loaf!! the recipe called for lemon but i didn't have any around the house and i wasn't feeling up for hitting the store. as well, i was going to make this vegan since we've been finding that it actually tastes better, but failed when i realized the only milk i had was half and half (i loathe milk and only had it for my morning coffees). either way, this cake was super delicious with all my substitutions! 

lavender (lemon) cake: 1/2 cup  coconut oil 1 cup organic sugar 1.5 cup flour 1/2 cup apple sauce 1/2 cup coconut milk (or any milk substitute) 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest (i omitted) juice of 1 large lemon (i omitted) 1 tablespoon dried lavender buds
cream coconut oil and sugar until fluffy. add apple sauce slowly until combined. in separate bowl whisk flour, salt, and baking soda. combine milk, lemon zest, and lemon juice together. alternating between flour and milk combine into sugar mixture. once combined add lavender buds and allow to fold in.