***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!

82nd Ave

    82nd Avenue is a place I usually try to stay away from if I can help it.  I would make the bi annual visit to Joann's, Knittn Kitten , and some thrift shops , but other than that I would stay far away. This huge (by Portland standards, anyway) sprawled out boulevard is speckled with "lingerie houses"(strip clubs), fast food joints, litter, shells of former businesses and overall white trashiness.
   At least, that was my very harsh judgment of the place-until yesterday.
   Silly me, always behind in the times, didn't even realize that this was Portland's new "Chinatown" or Asian Mecca.
   After eating at a quaint little vegan pho place, a friend and I ventured to the much loved Fubonn. It's so much more than a super market-it is a feast for the senses quite literally. And I must say, it sure makes for some great people watching.
   You can see my photos from Fubonn here.
    So, I'm thinking-82nd Ave isn't such a bad place after all.
   

life in photos

A pretty garage I sometimes pass while walking to work.

Still haven't eaten here, but it sounds good.

How can shopping carts be so pretty?

Giant clock from Anthopologie, I guess I'm not totally over them.

All Chinese restaurants should be pink.

Do you think the boat owner wrote that, or is it graffiti?

Read about this here.
Directions for Beautiful Film Week are here.
Starts Monday!

broder=brother=yummy

Breakfast with Ben+Lindee at blogger recommended, Broder . So amazing, so good and just so right.
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New Year's Resolution:
-don't let the rain keep me in!
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happy new year, people!
I will post directions for beautiful film week soon-peace!