Très Bien

Très Bien, meaning very good, is the cabin we stayed at over Valentine's Day weekend; and a very good weekend it was indeed. We spent our time doing very little. Besides going out to check up on how much was left of Detroit Lake, we stayed in and did one of my favorite things. Cuddle. As if I needed a romantic holiday to celebrate my love for Erik, it was nice to escape and hide out in this A frame.  

So crazy how low the water still is.

Hello, gorgeous.

Two roses for two Valentine's together!

Best cuddle spot ever. 

I wasn't even upset about the amount of rain we experienced. Detroit, OR needs all the rain it can get!

Chocolate fondue will be our new thing, seeing as how Erik couldn't stop obsessing over it.

I think A frame cabins have become one of my newest obsessions.

playing tourist

Can we all just agree that playing tourist in your own city is one of the best things ever? Especially if your city is Portland. This place has so much to offer, and yet I feel like I've never taken advantage of it. So, when I discovered Megan also had a Monday off, it was decided we'd start the day off with breakfast (at one of the places that's just too busy on a weekend) and go from there. 

Broder Nord, you did not disappoint

I cannot wait to go back to this little place when it's actually open

vintage everything

pink wall heart eyes

double the latte

my favorite wall in Portland

^this is what me trying to learn how to manually work my camera looks like (but I kind of like it)

p.s. if anyone is dying to know where Megan's coat is from, Free People is where it's at

i heart new york

New York has the capability of allowing me to escape life, as it is here that I am no one. It grounds me in a way most unexpected. It is the oddest thing to be surrounded by thousands, yet to feel completely alone and love it. This may not be the feeling for everyone, but for me, it is.  New York always makes me want more, as I could wander this beautiful, dirty place for eternity and still not feel like it is enough. Every neighborhood delivers the feeling that you've stepped into a new world although you've just turned another corner. I heart you, New York; for you are always living, always giving, and always offering me a photograph. 

to the guy who would follow me around seattle

I never would have thought I'd find love from a friend who tried to date me years before I was ready. But they say that's how it happens. Love is found at the oddest times and when you're not looking or expecting it. Seriously a statement I believe to be fact now.  I also didn't expect our first year to fly by as quickly as it did. This first year I will cherish for the rest of my life, considering I never thought I'd see a year so full of happiness with another person again.  Erik, you have shown me how to love and be loved for the first time in my life.  I will forever be grateful for that. You not only accept me for who I am and all of my faults, but push me to be a better me. You are always there to tell me how deserving I am of everything (even a slice of pizza), and how lucky you are to have me. Although I think the truth is that I am the lucky one. You are an amazing person and I'm so happy to have you in my life. Happy one year...and 2 months because I'm a procrastinator, to my favorite human. 

A few photos from our getaway in Seattle:

Oregon Coast

When I think of the Oregon Coast I generally think of a rain and wind, sweaters, and game board type of escape.  However, when the ladies and I headed west last weekend, we experienced nothing of the sort.  We arrived and went straight to a local restaurant to enjoy its seafood offerings.  I was able to satisfy my clam chowder craving, as we watched the fog slowly dissipate over the hills. The beach was ready to deliver as we walked along its sands and basked in the sunshine while reading the novels we had on hand.  Later in the afternoon we decided our best option was to stay until sunset.  We traveled to the best onlooking points as we waited for nightfall's countdown before heading back to the city.  This kind of day trip only made us want more, as we left feeling like it was not enough and promised to return soon.

snow days

Snow hit the Portland area this week, and let me just say, it was the best surprise ever.  I've been feeling a bit behind on my “to do” list and these snow days have allowed me to just breath.  It’s the best feeling to walk outside to desolate streets and have your ears feel like they need to pop because the silence is so intense. Do you know what I mean?  The calming that it brings over you has the power to bring a smile across your face, because you know in that moment, you have no obligations and nowhere to go, because this flawless white powder has trapped you and everyone else in its path. It’s a beautiful thing.  It allows you to step back and appreciate how much of a good thing alone time can be.  I was able to watch Good Will Hunting while snowed in and I came to the realization that it may be my favorite movie of all time, and for this reason:

“So if I asked you about art, you'd probably give me the skinny on every art book ever written. Michelangelo, you know a lot about him.  Life's work, political aspirations, him and the Pope, sexual orientation, the whole works, right? But I bet you can't tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel.  You've never actually stood there and looked up at that beautiful ceiling. Seen that. If I ask you about women, you'd probably give me a syllabus about your personal favorites. You may have even been laid a few times. But you can't tell me what it feels like to wake up next to a woman and feel truly happy. You're a tough kid. And I'd ask you about war, you'd probably throw Shakespeare at me, right: "Once more into the breach, dear friends." But you've never been near one. You've never held your best friend's head in your lap, and watch him gasp his last breath looking to you for help. I'd ask you about love, you'd probably quote me a sonnet. But you've never looked at a woman and been totally vulnerable. Known someone that could level you with her eyes, feeling like God put an angel on Earth just for you. Who could rescue you from the depths of Hell. And you wouldn't know what it's like to be her angel, to have that love for her, be there forever, through anything, through cancer. And you wouldn't know about sleeping sittin' up in the hospital room for two months, holding her hand, because the doctors could see in your eyes that the terms "visiting hours" don't apply to you. You don't know about real loss, 'cause that only occurs when you've loved something more than you love yourself. And I doubt you've ever dared to love anybody that much.”

It’s just brilliant.  Robin Williams has successfully made me want to just live in every moment and take the time to enjoy non-material things.  Because that’s what life is really about. Maybe that’s why I’m swooning over this snow? Anyways, these last few days have been wonderful thanks to Mother Nature and Mr. Williams.  I can only hope for another snow spell before this winter is over, because I know I’ll need it.

P.S. Doesn't the snow look good on Portland?