This week has been pretty stressful. First full week back from vacation is rough and I’m glad the weekend is in sight. Hope you all have some relaxing plans for this weekend!

A graduation project turns a digital cookbook into a Alfred Hitchcock inspired short film. Perfection.

A 10 min (totally worth it) documentary on Duncan Fallowell’s passion for his personal library.

1. I’ve discovered a new to me blog that I think all of you should read. So creative, inspiring and well put together. Tabitha Emma Blog.

2. Need a movable closet or more fashionable way to store your clothing. Try this hand made coat rack from Fossil’s Blog.

3. I’ve seen this hair DIY floating around the internet, and if I were a little more brave, I’d give it a try.

4. This collection of mix media art by Dawn Garner is just gorgeous. LOVE the color palette and the layering!

5. The hanging lights in this image look like something I could jerry rig myself. DIY here I come!

6. I think I need to buy one of everything in Leah Duncan Shop. Beautifully designed textiles!

7. Kate Spade and Hotel Shutters (Santa Monica) have teamed up to create this “I need it know” bicycle.

8. Asian inspired kitchen ware from Baum-Kuchen. So simple and elegant. Would fit perfectly in my kitchen!

9. The Ace Hotel gets tech savvy and OMG thank goodness. What a creative idea to make a hotel experience that much better.

 

At the beginning of our Portland trip the boy and I decided to stop by a little shop that came highly recommended by a blogger pal of mine. She said it was a must-see and that I’d feel right at home. She was absolutely right! Noun, a little shop that sells a perfect mix of curated vintage home goods, selected jewelry, knick knacks, and artwork from a variety of local artists. I walked in and knew instantly I was in some sort of mini heaven. If I had the extra cash and a few more suitcases to take things home in, I would of bought out the entire shop.

The bonus feature of the whole experience was that I was able to meet Stephanie, the owner and curator of the little gem. We “talked shop” for a while and share some secrets about owning a vintage shop (online vs. actual store). She was beyond helpful with her tips and way eager to answer any questions I had, and I sure had a ton. I asked her what her favorite items are to hunt down and she said she’s always looking for vintage typewriters and more recently, vintage desk accessories.

I feel her and I have made a small bond that will only grow from here on out. I find that staying connected to other shop owners is the best way to grow and expand what you already know. It’s also quite nice to know that if we ever move to Portland someday that I’ll have at least one vintage lover soul mate to chill with.

Noun
3300 Southeast Belmont Street, Portland OR, 97214
Email Stephanie –> shopnoun@gmail.com
Read the story behind the shop–> Go! 

See inside our room–>

Last week, the boy and I were enjoying our stay in the Pacific Northwest. Since anything west of St. Louis is a totally new experience for us, we felt it was ok to splurge on our hotel stay. We chose to stay at the Ace hotel, a hotel that we both had been ooooing and ahhhing over for some years. Let’s just say that we were beyond pleased with our experience and would stay there again in a heart beat.

Today I was asked by a close friend (who has a travel blog) if I’d write a review of the hotel. I jumped on the opportunity, so if you are looking for more information about our stay, you’ll find all the details over there. She just got back from a two week trip through Italy and will be posting little aspects from her trip over the next couple weeks. I highly recommend you stopping by. Written by a writer, Julie’s blog is always a good read!

I must say one of my favorite aspects of traveling to a new city is being exposed to the local music. Portland has some not so shabby music groups that I was completely unaware of before I got here. While my best childhood friend and I were spending time together we stopped in Tender Loving Empire and perused the rows of CDs (click to watch video of store tour)by local artists. The sweet shop owner noticed we were interested in several of the bands she had displayed and offered to play each of the groups in the shops sound system. This totally sold us on all of the groups we were looking into and walked away with 3 new CDs.

1. Loch Lomond: Little Me Will Start a Storm
Check out their album via Tender Loving Empire–>


2. Typhoon: Hunger & Thirst
Check out their album via Tender Loving Empire–>

3. Nadine Mooney: Mouse House Worm Hole
Check out their album via Tender Loving Empire–>

I’m a really big fan of taking the time each evening to take a bath and pamper yourself. This body scrub is 100% natural, relatively cheap to make and takes no time at all.

What You’ll Need
1. An old jar with lid
2. Enough RAW sugar to fill the jar almost to the top.
3. Natural Coconut Oil
4. Lavender Essential Oil

How to Make it!
1. Make sure the jar you’ll be using is nice and clean and that the lid secures tightly
2. Fill the jar with raw sugar until it almost reaches the top
3. Pour coconut oil over the sugar slowly until you see it has completely coated the sugar
4. Stir the sugar and coconut oil together until they are well mixed. It should NOT be runny
5. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the mixture. The more drops, the more potent the smell.
6. Stir and that’s it!

Suggestions:
- I bought all my supplies from my local Whole Foods grocery.
- You may also use white pure cane sugar for a similar effect. The raw brown sugar I used has a rougher texture, which I like
- Instead of coconut oil, you can use extra virgin olive oil or peanut oil
- For an extra personalized touch, make a tag or gift the scrub with some twine :)

Enjoy!

On our second night in Portland (when we were finally starting to feel settled in) we took an evening drive around the Northwest Quadrant of the city. Just outside of immediate downtown, we left the hustle and bustle and were suddenly surrounded by the Pacific Northwest iconic greenery. Since this was our first time in the west, we were both in awe and kept saying “Look how green it is”.

On our way back into downtown, we stopped at the Hoyt Arboretum to walk some of the shorter trails. It was one of those “pull over to the side of the road” kind of unexpected adventures (the best in my opinion). This non-profit green space was an 187 acre ridge-top area with paved hiking travels of a variety of walking lengths. We discovered that slugs must be the state’s most popular animal. They were EVERYWHERE!

One thing I really loved about Portland was the GOOD food and the variety of restaurant atmospheres. Each place had it’s own iconic look/feel and had their own well-known dishes. I never ordered anything that I just hated. Even the little, seemingly nobody hole-in-the-wall kind of places were the places with the best food and vibe.

Some of the most notable places. Ironically almost all the below places were on the street of our hotel. Very convenient ;)

1. Clyde Commons (yummo, amazing french fries & really enjoyable dinner vibe)
2. Kenny & Zuck’s Delicatessen (double yummo, amazing Ceasar Salad and great lunch place)
3. Living Room Theaters (best hot chocolate and late night chats with the bartender ;)
4. Bunk Sandwiches (got the pulled pork sandwich and a mexican coke)

And we’re back from the “unseasonably cold” pacific northwest and back to 100 degree days. Life is beautiful!

This is my most favorite video I’ve seen in awhile. I’d be in heaven if I found on of these cameras to buy and someone to teach me how to use it.

Music video for Feist’s song “Now at Last” filmed in China. Shot with Canon 7D.

1. These DIY Record dividers by Camp design. When I get a spare second, this will be done!

2. If you haven’t read it yet, be sure to check out Lonny Magazine’s latest issue. It’s another heart throb. 

3. Might need to stock up on these vintage inspired post cardsfor when I have a little note to send. (really good price with a lot of character!)

4. The work of Anja Photography keeps you coming back for more. Each image has lot of depth and a story to tell.

5. This DIY post by Rachel of Smile & wave is beyond genius. I’m also adding this vintage time card organizer to my DIY list. (How’d she find such a great piece???)

6. I really enjoyed this blog post by Old Brand New (other people’s houses)

7. The perfect summer sweet treat – pink lemonade cupcakes via A Beautiful Mess

8. It’s finally here! Kinfolk Magazine in all of it’s greatness. Everything about it is gorgeous!

9. Did you hear the news? The gals of Oh So Lovely are now going to be supplying Vintage Glory with their vintage treasures. What an accomplishment!

10. One last DIY to add to the list- DIY summer orange scrub. (wouldn’t this look great in a vintage jar?)

11. Congrats to Lauren over @ Busy Bee Lauren blog for launching her new online vintage dress shop last week. Lots of great stuff all for under $20!

Collected during a weekend hunt, this piece is oozing history and it just happens to be one of my favorite items in the shop right now. It’s definitely going to be one of those pieces that are hard to let go of. It shows visible signs of use with dings, scratches and some paint pealing, all to be expected with a classic vintage piece that was used on a daily basis. The drawer is in great working condition and I could see if converted into a bunch of things.  Quite large and somewhat heavy, this piece would make a stable addition to any working office or perfect in a craft show display. The possibilities are endless when it comes to reusing this piece.

I can’t help but envision Michael Scott from The Office when I hear the words paper company. I know you’re getting a visual now… ;) Stop by the shop when you have a second and see if there is something in there that can help you with organizing your own or displaying your goods at a summer craft fair!

GET 20% OFF THIS ITEM WITH COUPON CODE ‘MARKET20′ – apply at checkout

It’s been about a year since this little yogurt stop (Chill)  has been in town and every time I visit I have a hard time straying from what I order the very first.  I’ve fallen in love with the cake batter yogurt with Oreo crumble on top. Simple but 100% perfection. Who ever invented self serve yogurt shops is a hero in my books.

The interior styling of this place is extremely well done and feels like you are walking into an uber modern art gallery. The walls and decor are stark white with pops of teal blue. The toppings bar stands out with all it’s brightly colored goodies. They even have Nerds and hand made sea salt carmel to add to your order. yum-o