Thursday, March 24, 2016

Portlandia (part one)



making friends

taken seconds after we met!

I spent the first half of this Spring Break traveling to Portland, a city I've been dreaming of visiting for some time. I fell in love immediately; when we arrived the sun and the evergreens and the fresh air embraced us. Our flight got in around 11 am on Wednesday, and we were on our feet from there!

at Everyday Music

My mom and I went to experience the town, but I also went to see my friend Allison! We met online over a year ago and clicked instantly so we decided to be pen pals. We've been writing to each other and sharing all these parts of our lives for a year, but this week was the first time we actually got to see one another face to face! Our friendship translated to real life exactly as we hoped it would.

After dropping our bags off and grabbing a quick taco lunch, I dragged my mom to Powell's Books, the largest independently owned bookstore in the world! If you know me, then you know that I had butterflies even thinking about this place, so actually visiting it left me entirely full of joy. I spent my time wandering through the aisles, admiring the fully stocked shelves, and debating with myself which titles to buy. I made it out with one of DFW's essay collections and some independently published poetry. Since Portland is a dreamland, the next stop was the Doc Martens store across the street! I purchased the Mary Janes that have been sitting in my online shopping cart for months. Allison met up with us, and it felt unreal to hug her and be with her in real life!

We then tried Blue Star donuts (fantastic!), went to an enormous record store called Everyday Music, and shopped around on 23rd Street (the cutest area). One of my most successful first days of vacation ended with pad thai for dinner.

On Thursday morning I toured Lewis and Clark and fell in love. The campus is indescribably stunning, and it just felt so welcoming and open. After that we went downtown to see the cherry blossoms by the river and try out the famous Stumptown Coffee. My latte lived up to the hype. Once Allison got out of school, we met up at the Japanese Gardens and went to the Pittock Mansion for the lookout of the whole town. Sushi- and a Shamrock Shake- completed St. Patricks Day.
pumped for Stumptown!




Pittock Mansion



in love with Lewis and Clark



Friday was our designated "Explore Oregon" day so we drove out to Multnomah Falls to do some hiking then took the scenic drive back to the city, stopping to admire the incredible views. Oregon is truly stunning and unlike anything I've experienced. Once we made it back to the city, we went out to pizza. Allison took me to Salt and Straw and my life was forever changed by the salted caramel ice cream. 




much love,
claire
outfitsandobservations@gmail.com


Sunday, March 6, 2016

March Playlist

Hello Friends, I am making my return to (hopefully) regularly blogging! The past few months have been doubly busy and lacking in motivation, but I believe I am here again. I have plans for some exciting posts coming up including: Spring Break in Portland, outfits, a spring/ summer wishlist, reviews of some of my favorite runway shows, some personal writing, and more! Fayetteville was just named the #3 place to live in America, so I think it would be awesome to do a post featuring some of my favorite spots in town.

This playlist is composed of 11 songs that make me smile right now, and I hope they have the same effect on you! Embrace spring, take pictures of the blooming flowers, walk your dog, and read on your back porch because those are all of the things I plan on doing this month!

Chloroform// Phoenix
Saturday Night// Natalia Kills
Wide Open// the Chemical Brothers
Disparate Youth// Santigold
Landslide// Oh Wonder
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)// Arcade Fire
Ophelia// the Lumineers
Blister in the Sun// Violent Femmes
Simple Girl// JR JR
Dance Yrself Clean// MS MR
Diamonds from Sierra Leone// Kanye West and Jay Z
new, shorter haircut

recent favorite at Onyx: English Breakfast tea latte w/ vanilla

whole foods just opened in fay & it has this cozy corner by the bar

becoming a regular at another Arsagas

recent read

getting out of work in time to catch sunsets!!

Saturday breakfast at the Farmers Table