***abbytryagain***

like magic

I must admit, I can be stubborn at times.  I can be especially stubborn when someone tells me "Oh, you would just love that!". Whether it is a movie, a side dish, a clothing line, a town or a store-I've been known to be a snob. But the older I get, and the more I share with others-the more I realize that yup-some of you bloggers have got me pegged!
    Case in point-Andrea had mentioned many moons ago via a flickr comment-that I would love  a store in Portland's Pearl District named Cargo.  Now, it's not that I didn't believe her-but I went to the website and it seemed a bit bright for me-I tucked the thought of it in the back of my mind and just kind of forgot.

     Yesterday, while out and about with my Mom and my sister-we stumbled upon the store. The beautiful old brick warehouse was festooned with bright lanterns, sunny metal chairs were lined up at the door and elaborately painted wooden doors were propped up against the outside wall. Um...yeah...Andrea-I loved it!

    My Mom is my perfect shopping partner. Not only do we have similar taste, but we both love to oh and awe over all of the details. You know what I mean, right-for example
"Oh my gosh, look at the floor-it is just so gorgeous-Oh my gosh look at the way they displayed all of those lanterns-Oh MY GOSH!"
     That is pretty much how it went down.

The giant warehouse is packed to the brim with goodies, I think there is even an upstairs-but we couldn't even venture up there-we were so overstimulated in the best way.

Cargo is one of those places that is pure magic. Even if you don't feel like shopping, or it's grey outside or whatever-I can't imagine walking in here and not immediately being happy.  Even things I wouldn't normally bat an eye at were so beautifully displayed it was hard not to love everything.

Tucked inside cargo is a lovely little boutique called Matisse . They feature a very well edited selection of clothes including my favorites Velvet, and Free People as well as a new favorite Neesh . I will be going back there, I am sure!

Thank you Cargo, for brightening my day!

Cargo
380 NW 13th Ave
Portland, OR
11-6pm 7 days a week

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happy mother's day

Mom's in town so I am lucky.  I love you, Mom.
Sights from this week:

peeking in windows and loving it, the simplicity, the wood, the dogwood

Kenny & Zuke's twice in one week, yes my tummy hurts but I still love it

lilacs at Lindee's and everywhere else for that matter

a rhubarb and strawberry tart from solstice cafe

arriving at my sister's house and finding a hummingbird inside!

great thrift shopping in Bingen, Wa

breakfast at Betty's

a beautiful view from sister's guest room

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downtown

Yum.
What? Yeah, you heard Kenny & Zuke's wasn't so hot? hmm...
I'm confused, because it was the best salad I've had in Portland, everyone else's plates looked stellar, the service was phenomenal, the menu was precise and CUTE, the building and windows just gorgeous...hmmm...so good!
Yeah, Kenny & Zuke's, I love you-I really, really do.
Especially your proximity to Canoe  which gives you 15 bonus points!

Other downtown sites:

Thanks for hanging out, Katie!

three years

I've been blogging for over three years-here are some highlights:
-sewing
-knitting
-eating
-stamping
-carving
-new cameras
-old cameras
-deaths
-births
-books, many books and magazines
-birthdays, holidays, anniversaries
-uncertainties
-thrift shopping
-Japanese Store loving
-self portraits
-Disneyland
-beaches
-going home
-new movies
-old movies
-new friends
-food, did I mention food?
-great comments
-lots of spam
-a booming etsy shop
-quitting side businesses
-three jobs
-one apartment
-lots of clothes
Thanks to all of you-reading, writing, lurking-I know I can be flaky-sometimes posting multiple times in a week sometimes just a few times a month-but that's me. I'm on a journey of figuring out who I am and who I want to be-thanks for helping along the way!
Cheers to three years!!

Polaroid Recap

These are the my two most popular Polaroids from 'roid week 2008 .
I must admit I've become very addicted to these photos, which is sad because as you all know-Polaroid is ceasing film production (so, family in small town California if you find it on the shelf-buy it!)....such is life, right? You can see some of my other Polaroids here .

      As far as my favorites from others.....

    

-this one takes the cake (or donut)

   

-this one feels like it's from another era

   

-I can't get over this one

    

-or this one

The very amazing and kind  Deb has started a new blog, everyday polaroid -check it out!

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Last night James and I finally went to go see Juno....we went to $3 theater, yes we are behind. I know it's on video and I know everyone has seen it and as trendy as it is and as much as I didn't want to like it-I did. I sat there and cried my eyes out. My favorite character is the dad. I know he's not real, but the speech he gave her in the kitchen made me sob. So good....

'roid week 2008

(pismo beach, ca january 2007)

Well, I'm a follower and this week I'll be taking part in 'Roid Week 2008 .
As a child of the 80's, Polaroid photos capture the majority of "big life" moments for me.
Want to see?



Yep, I'm in the baggy blue suit....at least the other two sisters weren't trying to fit in there!



Someone's birthday....Cabbage Patch Style! I have the red head one, still do somewhere...



Me at my sister, Melissa's,  wedding...pretty sure I was the only one in my kindergarten class with a wedded sister!

So here I am, connecting with a former self and embracing Polaroid!

I've always been a fan of instant gratification, who's not, right?  Recently I love the Polaroid for its natural limitations. It is what is is-you know?

    There's a certain "jankiness" to Polaroids that I cannot help but admire.  Sometimes colors are completely saturated-other times your friends are all washed out and eyes red...it is a guessing game-I go in fingers crossed, shoot a pic and hope for the best.



This week I'll be sharing my photos as well as favorites of mine from other photographers....
happy 'roid week!

a scrapbook of sorts-a week in summary

Scary cup from Lindee's thrift store-I feel like it's yelling at me! It was so nice to see where she volunteers.

Delicious pho with the nephews....I was stoked that they liked good food-with people sometimes you just never know.

Looking around SCRAP, found a lot of inspiration but so proud that I didn't bring anything home. I have too much sCRAP if you know what I mean.

Showing nephews some local color....(wow, puns)

Together Gallery, the cutest little gallery---and it's in my neighborhood! Right now their Jill Bliss exhibit is almost too good for me to handle. I am officially in love with this place. Yup.

Thanks for all the birthday love-you guys are awesome-good weekend to you!

26 today

The lovely Andrea has inspired me in so many ways thanks for being today's muse, girl.

26 things to do before I'm 27

1. Walk across the St. John's Bridge
2. Visit Seattle again
3. Take a class
4. learn to screen print correctly
5. Read The Grapes of Wrath
6. Roller skate here
7. Make buttermilk biscuits
8. Write 10 heartfelt letters
9. Have a barbecue in our smidgen of yard
10. Keep shooting film
11. Write a song with James
12. See another  concert at Doug Fir
13. Reach 2,000 photos on flickr
14. Give away all the yarn and fabric I am not using
15. Swim outside somewhere in the summer!
16. Make a Polaroid book with blurb
17. Buy rain boots (after 3 years in Portland you'd think I'd have some...)
18. Sell stuff at a Last Thursday again
19. Ride on a boat
20. Go to the photo booth at Ace Hotel
21. Take a Saturday off work to go to Farmer's Market
22. Get new glasses
23. Take a hike in Forrest Park
24. Visit the Japanese Garden
25. Try a mojito
26. Go to OMSI
27. Plan a surprise day for James

wishing

Rainboots & blue fryes from Zappos-everything else from forever21!

reverent inspiration

(*I want to post more about the L.O.C. photostream-but I had to take a break-soon)

     Ever since Anne mentioned them, I've been a little obsessed with Hutterite people. Being brought up Mormon, religion was a huge part of my life as a child and I am always fascinated by people and groups of people who were even more committed to faith. The Amish, Monks, Shakers, Quakers, and now-the Hutterites.
    I am intrigued by their beliefs, especially absolute pacifism, but on a more superficial level-I am in love with their simple dress and day to day life aesthetic.
    Here are some shots I love:

-especially the braids

-such beautiful smiles

-the greatest expressions

    On flickr, I came across this this young Hutterite photographer who is in need of a proaccount. If I had an extra $24 bucks, I'd gladly do it! I think next time I get paid-if he still doesn't have one-I'm gonna do it. His shots are beautiful, I really like this barn one .  I can't wait to see what else he shoots...
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eek!
On another note:
I'm gonna be 26 soon!
I am totally freaked out.
Yup.