What I Wore: The Random Edition

 You know what posts I love to read on other blogs? Outfit posts. You know what kind of post I haven't done in like FOR-EV-ER (never gets old)?: Outfit post.

I just don't feel that I've been wearing anything cool lately. And I feel like life has been a rush of point-A to point-B. I rarely stop to think to take outfit post photos. So therein are my reasons. Noble ones if you ask me. Slow clapping is warranted here.

But you know what I do have? A bevvy of beloved mirror selfies like a 15-year-old girl. Truth be told: I send my BF pictures of me all the time when we're apart. I work out at lunch? He gets a picture. I am out with the girls? He gets a picture. He pretty much always gets a picture. And he's used to replying with feigned excitement and a "wow, your outfit! How RIVETING!".  And if he's not receiving a picture of me doing nothing, he's usually being forced to stand in one with me that I will have on my phone forever without purpose. 

Just one of the many perks of dating a Millennial Girl in 2013.

Left: My St. Patty's Day Outfit Right: Me today at work! Showing my Sister my hair and lookin' like a douche.

So because I just read an old post on my friend's blog about her daily outfits: From Pajamas to Work Clothes to Gym Clothes to Going Out clothes- I felt inclined to do the same. But lazily with pictures already taken over the last 9 months or so and ones that are really just sent to one person. And yes, your eyes are not deceiving you: one may be at a Carnival mirror and another on Halloween.

 Keep on keepin' on: weekend's almost here!

My life needs more...

 ... dinner parties.

... espresso and newspapers.

... bike rides on the beach.

...old school slumber parties with friends.

... Root Beer floats.

... impromptu road trips.

... savoring of historical events.

... stretching in the morning.

... hikes with a view.

... team sports with my friends.

What does your life need more of today?

 [Images VIA: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10]

Girly Weekend in Seattle

 It's easy to fall into the trap of a 'boy' lifestyle when you live with one. Chips are in my house for the first time in years. And I've actually stopped complaining about the damn toilet seat being up as it doesn't seem to change much. I'm used to the inane background chatter of Sports on all day. I mean, I like sports too but I refuse to devote an entire weekend to listening to the outcome of every single game that occurs. I just don't care. But he does, so the noise carries on. Men, men, men. As the saying goes: "Can't live with 'em, Can't remember why you moved in with them".

Me with my little Seattle transplant - Instagram @CaitieLady08

Kidding, of course. But I do need to get away from the dirty socks every now and again. So when you invite me on a quick girls trip? Yes, please! Can we leave yesterday???

Due to the easy transition from Portland to Seattle living, my friends and I have an increasing number of pals who live in the Emerald City just 3 hours North of Portland. Seattle and Portland are incredibly similar in atmosphere and culture and we have an easy time getting along due to our shared misfortune of heavy rainfall (which Seattle gets more of mind you). But the city itself still feels new when I visit it and its bigger size does bode well for a weekend jaunt with friends: New places, same faces- that's a little getaway I like.

Encroaching on the City and ready to play!

Shopping and Sipping in Bellevue. And loving every minute of it.

The rumors are true: Girls just wanna have fun.

Enjoying an orgasmic brunch at Toulouse Petit: Dungeness Crab and Asparagus Scramble with Breakfast Potatoes & Toulouse Sangria

Dungeness Crab and Red Grapefruit Salad

Sunday morning coffee while we wait to eat- and yes, my self-tanner is on-point as usual...

Relaxed and happy

Sunday afternoon back in Portland: Honey- I'm home! And dressed to the nines.

If you are in Seattle ever- run (don't walk) to Toulouse Petit. It's one of those annoying places that always has a huge line and is voted the best of the best in every foodie list there is. Except it's not annoying because it's SO worth it and lives up to the hype. Go-go-go! I've also found it's better enjoyed with a group of hilarious girlfriends. Just my tip :)

And Seattle- you are simply fabulous. And would be a wonderful place to live. If only you weren't so similar to my current digs. If I'm going to cheat on Portland and move- my new mistress has to look nothing like my current wife, ya heard? Otherwise- what's the point of all the trouble it takes to have the affair?

Another lovely weekend ruined by a Monday- dangit! Have a good one :)

The Short, Short Trailer

Does anyone else find themselves salivating when they imagine owning an Airstream? Just imagine the poured Lemonade amongst the desert backdrop, the random campsites you'd visit, the miles you'd log, the wine you'd enjoy while sitting under the stars on the 'patio', the vacationing money you'd save, the stories you'd tell... so cute!

Images VIA 1 | 2

An oldie but a goodie.

7 Little Things That Eased My Mind Today

 Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.

Days like we had today just deflate me emotionally. They bum me out. They put me in a bad mood. They often make it hard to focus on work. I mean just- what the what? Life is so unbelievably precious and fleeting. To think that anyone is robbed of it due to someone else's convoluted justifications is overwhelmingly tragic.

But I know I'm preaching to the choir. I know these events bum you all out too. 

So on days like today, I find it helps to notice a few things that soften the blow of a Hard, Feel Sad & Helpless day:

__________________________________________________

1.  Moms: I took PTO to help my Mom out with something for a couple hours. And just like old times, she sent me off after with a sack lunch. So precious I could just cry.

2. The Onion. It's always on point- especially about the mindset of "Beliebers".

3.  Coffee in the morning | Tea in the evening. Comfort drinks allllll day every day (and think of all the calories being burned with my pee breaks every 20 seconds).

4. My Lucy & Ricki desk calendar: neverending source of joy.

VIA

5. The peace and quiet. After ensuring that we heard the latest news on the incident this evening, I asked that we turn the TV off and just have a quiet night of reflection and chatting. It felt nice. I mean really- radio? Who needs a radio?

6. Mister Rogers: Every time he resurfaces I'm beside myself with his kindness.

VIA

And finally...

7. Keep Calm & Carry On: The famous quote that you see every.single.damn.place.you.go, including my Living Room... 

My Living Room on Left, My New Motto on Right

But real talk: I understand why everyone likes the message- and I strive to follow it as much as I can shortly after an event such as this. Because to do anything else would mean you let them win.

Wishing you no worries for the rest of your days!

Muddy Heels

I love being a Downtown Girl. 

I like art shows alongside my shopping. Big, summer hats alongside hip bars on a July day.

I love a 5-minute cab ride to a land of hip-hop and fashion...

 I love lazy book clubs on top of chic condos downtown...

 I love pretty friends, in pretty cocktail dresses...

I love Sangria and studded jackets on Sundays...

 BUT... I also love other things.

I love feeding birds in jeans and a fleece...

I love being outside. Around man tools.

I love revving the engine and taking off on a Snowmobile...

I love throwing on a crappy tank and shorts and exploring things in the woods, such as burned down cabins...

I love fishing/climbing/playing basketball...

I love, love, LOVE white water rafting...

I love finding the sweet Pitbull who followed me back to my tent the night before, still outside it in the morning and spending that AM nuzzling up to my new buddy who somehow thought I was his Master...

The Owner found him about 3 hours later. I was equal parts happy and devastated. 

I love a boat and a pole; and any dirt-kickin' animal I can get my hands on...

I just love both worlds. So, so much. And I honestly feel that I'd be just as happy on a farm, in sweatshirts and yoga pants- as I would living here in the Downtown area with my heels and beaded hemlines.

I'm off tonight to head to my Dad's cabin for some of the latter til Sunday... I hope YOU enjoy your weekend!

I'll be posting a few shots from the cabin on Instagram: @CaitieLady08

Coveted Art: Someday

I've long said that I'll know I've financially "made it" when I can walk into an art gallery and loudly proclaim that I will 'TAKE IT!', at which point I will snap my fingers and boss my assistant around like a douche. 

Just kidding. I will never be rude like that to no mans.

Anyhoo- that little financially secure, just-buy-the-art dream is a long ways away. For cripes sake, the grocery bill still makes a part of me die inside. So until then, I'll continue to work my bum off at the office and fantasize about the day when I can grab an original Sylvia Ji on a whim...

I hope your Monday is half as whimsical as these photos ("HA!"- right?)

All Photos of her work were taken from Sylvia Ji's website HERE.