March 2012

March 01, 2012

Rare Friends and a Busy Day

Our dear friends, Heidi and Ben, have left for their next adventure and we are a little sad. It's so rare to find another couple that shares all your interests, has the same sense of humor as you, has similar hobbies and creative ideas, and appreciates the same things you do. Our few days with them were so much fun.

Now... back to real life! I have lots of photos to share from our time with Heidi and Ben. Unfortunately, they will have to wait for next week. I'm spending the day catching up on emails, and phone calls, and school work. Then I've got to pack a bag for me and G and get ready to head for Seattle. I'm photographing a big wedding with my sister this weekend. I'm trying not to stress out about the whirlwind of things that need to get done today. See you next week, friends!

One more thing: Google Friend Connect is no longer going to allow Non-Blogspot/Blogger blogs to use their Google Friend Connect service. There are lots of other ways to subscribe: RSS, Bloglovin', email or via Twitter or Facebook.

tags: friends

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March 05, 2012

Oscar Party with Heidi and Ben

I love watching the Oscars. It's such a fun time to curl up in your pj's with friends and eat good food, and celebrate great films. This year we watched most of the nominated films so it was even more fun. I just had to make Gigi a special onesie to wear (you can see my tutorial here)...

She really is a good sport... also, her hair was just like that when she woke up. That girl can make bed head look fabulous. We cleaned up the house and watched last year's best picture, The King's Speech.

When Heidi and Ben arrived we got down to the business of voting for the films and actors we wanted to win...

...and we started eating. Ben and Heidi brought fresh oysters. I downed my first raw oyster.... which was very oceany and intense.

We baked the rest (I think I prefer the baked version).

Kyle made fresh bread...

...and I made Butternut Squash Soup, and Key Lime Pie for dessert.

It was a fun, cozy night. We love Heidi and Ben.

To read about everything we ate (it was a significant amount) head over to Gorge in the Gorge.

tags: all things culinary, films, holidays

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March 07, 2012

Uncle Ryan and Gigi: Two Silly Peas in a Pod

My brother, Ryan, came to stay with us on Monday night. We love our time with Uncle Ryan. He's part cool uncle, part silly brother. G loves him...

Gigi actually put the camera strap around her neck, so I helped her put the viewfinder up to her eye and take this photo of Ryan. They played together a lot.

She loved listening to him play the guitar...

...and only Uncle Ryan can make her smile like THIS!

tags: family

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March 08, 2012

February Care Package

I am a few days late on posting this care package because I, well, i was a few days late in sending it! A couple weeks ago my wonderful friend and mentor, Deborah, broke her leg in three places. She had surgery last Monday and is on the mend, but the recovery process is going to take a while. Gigi and I are heading to LA in a couple of weeks and can give her a big hugs when we get there but, until then, this care package will help to cheer her up.

A beautiful card I've been saving for years, waiting for someone who really needed glamorous girls in glitter adorned swimsuits. Burt's Bees Pomegranate Lip Balm. Coffee beans from our local roaster. Two dark chocolate bars. A copy of my favorite book, A Prayer for Owen Meany.

In case you missed the last couple of Care Package posts, I'll be sending a care package every month this year. It just takes a little thought, a few bucks, and a few minutes and it can really help brighten someones day. If you want to join in, please do.

tags: all of the above, care packages, little things

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March 09, 2012

A Little Behind

...on everything. We've been so busy having fun with our friends and family in town that everything has fallen a bit behind (sorry for being cheeky with the photo... get it... cheeky!)

A few things on my mind today...

Kyle injured his shoulder really badly this week and has to go in for and MRI on Monday. It's really stressful because his job as a brewer is really physical, so as long as he's in this much pain, he can't do his job.

You know it's time to put the molding back up in your house when your baby is spending fifteen minutes at a time trying (unsuccessfully) to get Cheerios out of the crack between the flooring and the wall.

I have finals next week and then I have one quarter left of school. Twelve measly credits and I will finally have my effing Bachelor's degree. It's going to be tricky doing a full-time quarter but I just want to get it over with.

I haven't seen my best friend Marion since the middle of October. This is unacceptable.

You know you have baby fever when you buy pregnancy tests (they were on sale) even though you're not trying to get pregnant! These hormones are crazy and I'm freaking Kyle out!

Gigi and I are going to LA together for a little fun in the sun, and a little acting work, for two weeks at the end of the month! I'm nervous about being away from Kyle for so long.

I am having so much fun working on my new website and blog, Gorge in the Gorge. I had Duck Confit for breakfast yesterday, it doesn't get much better than that!

After weeks of sleep training, Gigi is finally sleeping until 6 am, and with daylight savings this weekend, it will magically become 7 am!

I'm feeling really frustrated that Google Friend Connect was pulled from all non-blogger blogs. Anyone else disappointed with this?

I am getting the major urge to do a huge spring clean. I love spring cleaning.

I am procrastinating. I should really be writing a six page essay, and doing my taxes right now. But, instead G and I are going to get dolled up and go have lunch with Kyle.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

tags: all of the above

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March 12, 2012

COCHON555 2012: PORTLAND

Last night Kyle and I got to attend an amazing food event in Portland called COCHON555. Read all about it here!

tags: all things culinary

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March 14, 2012

Style File: Belted Dresses

Gigi and I love a "Frock Friday". We like to get a dolled up on Friday afternoons and go out for lunch on the town. Kyle's Mom bought G this sweet dress with the Peter Pan collar a while ago but it finally fits her! We had a wonderful little lunch date. I love feeling a little dressed up but really comfortable, and this is the perfect outfit for that.

tags: gigi, style file

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March 16, 2012

You Are Rad.

Sorry for my absence over the past couple of weeks. I've been so busy wrapping up the quarter of school. Our friends, Jeremy and Tara are coming down for the weekend and it will be so much fun to have them here. I hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing weekend! I'll be back to "normal" next week since my final papers are due tonight!

tags: gigi

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March 20, 2012

A Pixie Cut

It's been about six months since I went from blonde to red...

While I've loved being a redhead, it's kind of a pain to maintain because it fades really quickly. The idea of going back to blond seemed a bit daunting since red is the hardest color to get out of your hair.

I've always wanted a pixie cut, especially after seeing Emma Watson in US Vogue (left) and Vogue UK (right) shot by Mario Testino.

So, I started searching for the perfect cut...

Then I came across this fantastic spread of Michelle Williams in Hobo Magazine. What's so great about it is that it showed the cut from all different sides.

I headed to the salon armed with the images and my hairdresser (Patricia at Foils for those of you in the area) did a wonderful job color processing and cutting my hair to match.

Before...

...and after.

The cut is still really fresh and I'm definitely still getting used to having such short hair and learning how to style it but I love it. It felt so great to chop off all my dyed, damaged, weird-grow-in-from-post-pregnancy-hair-loss hair! It will take a couple of weeks for the color and cut to "settle" a bit, and it will take another month or two to get it back to blonde but then I'll really feel like myself.

tags: beauty, style file

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March 21, 2012

Snow, Taxes, Laundry, and All About Eve

I'm spending the day today doing my 2011 taxes, which I have to get done before me and Gigi leave for LA. I'm watching All About Eve (on of my very favorite movies) while I'm sorting recipets, etc. Wathcing a classic movie makes even tasks like folding moutnains of laundry and doing taxes better. Plus, it's snowing outside so it feels kind of cozy. As much as I detest these kinds of chores it will be so nice to have them done.

...and G is finding ways to keep herself entertained while I work...

Hope you are all enjoying a nice little Wednesday.

tags: gigi, little things

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March 23, 2012

Spring Looks I Love

I should be editing photos, backing up my computer, and starting to pack for Los Angeles. But instead I'm dreaming about how I'm going to spend the clothing money I got as a Christmas gift. I'm planning to do my shopping while Gigi and I are in LA. Now that I have a pixie cut I'm finding that I'm drawn to dresses and skirts and all things girly.

This modern striped maxi dress...

and this classic one.

This fantastic romper....

and this cool one.

This colorful pink blazer...

and this schoolboy one.

This classy Kelly green dress...

and this fun pink one.

This sweet striped dress...

and this feminine one too.

Okay, time to do some work. Happy Friday.

tags: style file

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March 26, 2012

Gigi is Walking!

This weekend my Mom (Nana) came to visit us. She spent the whole time playing with Gigi and encouraging her to take her first steps. By the time Sunday morning rolled around G was walking! I can't believe we have a walking, talking little girl!

I'm spending the rest of the day packing for LA and getting everything organized. Two weeks is a long time to be on my own with Gigi. But we are going to have a wonderful Mom and Daughter adventure. Hope you all are having a wonderful Monday.

tags: gigi

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March 29, 2012

Portland to LA, Red to Blonde

Hello from LA! Gigi and I are getting all settled in California. Our first stop didn't work out very well but this morning we are settled at our friend's house and we are so grateful to Tara and Cole for taking us in! Gigi is sleeping and I am having my first little rest since our arrival. I have a lot of work to do while she snoozes! Yesterday I had lunch with my agent, Carlyne, and her daughter, Joell. They set up such a lovely meal for us and G had so much fun playing with everything in their house. I also learned she's an insanely fast stair crawler! Who knew?!

In other news... in addition to chopping off all my hair, I am also back to blonde! My poor hairdresser... I twisted her arm and she bleached the crap out of my hair. It was a terrifying and impressive feat. Good thing she knows exactly what she's doing! I loved having red hair but I feel more like myself as a blonde.

Before...
After...

Now I'm off to get some work done, then have a lunch date with Gigi, and a little meeting with our casting director/friend, Rene. It's going to be a lovely day.

tags: travel

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