Wisconsin. Cheese Factory.

I got back from visiting my boyfriend, Ben, in Wisconsin a few days ago.  On one of the first nights of my visit he took me to his friends house.  In their back yard you can find The Cheese Factory, which looks like an old garage from the outside, but was once really a cheese factory.  Ben and his band practice their music and have concerts in the rustic old building.  These are some pictures I took while watching them play.
Also, my picture is up on America's Next Top Model and I would love it if you voted for me!  Click here to vote, I am the first person pictured in the white skirt! Thank you!

Stripes and Signs.

Once again I must apologize for the lack of recent posts!  I just came back from visiting my wonderful boyfriend in Wisconsin.  I was there for two weeks and spent most of my time lovin' on him and taking pictures.  Now I am home and there will be many Wisco pictures to come!  However, I haven't quiet had the time to sort through those pictures yet so these pictures come from a fun day out with my girlfriend Tayler yesterday.  We spent most of the day with one of my friends from college, Kelly, at the Jazz festival in North Portland, St. John area.  We bathed in the sun while chatting, eating gyros, and taking in the music and people.  I took these pictures of the signs all over St. John, which are fabulously old and beautiful!  


On a totally different note, today Tayler and I auditioned at the cycle 16 America's Next Top Model casting call in downtown Portland at a local beauty school!  It was interesting to see the people who showed up at the casting call.  The whole experience, aside from being extremely time consuming, was simultaneously fun/exhilarating and bazaar.  Soon my picture will be up online on the website and I need my readers to vote for me!!  I will let you know when the opportunity to vote arrives (will be sometime around Tuesday).

On me: shorts: vintage LUX, shirt: Urban Outfitters, purse: Goodwill, shoes: Goodwill.

Restaurant. Le Pigeon.

For Father's day, my family went out for an exquisite dinner at Le Pigeon in Portland and devoured the perfect three-course meals.  This restaurant has been named one of the best restaurants in the country (and a few say the world) by countless magazines including; The New York Times, People, The Oregonian, Gourmet Magazine, Bon Appetite Magazine, and The Washington Post.  The restaurant itself is small and romantic with an open kitchen where people may view chef and owner, Gabriel Rucker, at his best.  The menu changes regularly but always includes interesting items like bone marrow and pig's ear.

Above: Dad enjoys pig's ears over spring onions, radish, and mustard cream (also seen below) for Father's day.

We also shared a lamb tongue appetizer (not featured) with peas, morels and truffles.

Above: Mom had the smoked pork with funnel and white beans.

Above: Dad and I both had the Duck with bread pudding, porcini, and walnuts (it was fantastic).

Above: though we were all quite full, we managed to squeeze room for dessert!  This is Dad's creme brulee with chocolate shortbread cookie and espresso pot de creme.

Above: Mom enjoyed her cashew cake with chocolate semifreddo and tiramisu mousse.

Above: I had a wonderful strawberry marscapone trifle with strawberry salad and basil lemon shortbread.

Above: jacket: Nordstrom, shirt: Frenchi, undershirt: Banana Republic, jeans: Citizens for Humanity, heels: Steve Madden.

Above: I had the pleasure of meeting Hannah Rucker, the owner/chef's wife who posed for a picture of her and her lovely outfit.  On her: shirt: vintage Ralph Lauren from Hatties, jeans: Levi's "San Francisco," shoes: Jeffery Cambel (they have pink stitching, I love them!), watch: Swatch, bracelet: AIDS awareness.  I hope you visit Le Pigeon if you are ever in Portland and I hope you have the pleasure of meeting Hannah!  She is so nice (and stylish)!

Scallops. Giant duck.

I spent a wonderful day yesterday with my mom, Lisa, in Portland.  We began with lunch at the Oregon Culinary Institute in downtown which consists of a three-course meal that allows you to choose one item from each course (three choices in every category), salad, entree, and dessert.  Throughout the meal we sipped on iced tea and coffee.  I started with the romaine salad with crispy bacon and shaved red onion with smoky bleu cheese dressing.  Mom enjoyed the butter lettuce salad with marcona almonds, goat cheese and Oregon strawberry vinaigrette.  The salads were followed by our chosen entrees.

Above: Mom chose pan-seared scallops with succotash and herb butter.

Above: I chose the potato gnocchi with mushroom-chive fondue and grilled asparagus.

Above: We both chose to finish with a chocolate dream torte!  All of the courses were phenomenal.  I would recommend this restaurant to anybody visiting Portland.

Above: After lunch we made the short drive from the restaurant to 23rd avenue, a trendy place to shop and eat!

This picture was taken outside Twist, a fabulous store with hand crafted jewelry and art.

On me: bag: Banana Republic, cardigan: H&M, shirt: Nordstrom, skirt: Nordstrom, sandals: Steve Madden, sunnies: borrowed from boyfriend (not planning on returning them!)

Fashion at the Zoo.

I've loved going to the zoo since I was little.  I'm inspired by the animal's prints, colors, and shapes and I love watching their interactions.  I spent the day at the zoo yesterday with one of my best friends, Caitlin, who also has an amazing child-like love of animals.  The weather was slightly overcast so most of the animals were active.  Within five minutes of entering the gates we found ourselves watching a playful black bear fight!  After four hours well spent, we had seen every exhibit at the Portland Zoo and enjoyed every minute of it.

Above: shirt: Old Navy Mens, pants: William Rast, scarf: present from Germany, bag: handmade, earrings: borrowed, glasses: borrowed, shoes: Converse, tea: English Breakfast (favorite).

 

Alaskan Love. Continued.

All I have to say is that my mother is incredibly gorgeous.

More Alaskan Love.