Portland part two

In my last post, I wrote about the first half of my Spring Break trip to Portland, so I couldn't leave you guys hanging on the second half! It was equally wonderful and full of distinctly Portland-y adventures.

On Saturday morning we ventured out to the Portland Saturday Market, a sprawling group of vendors selling various handmade items. We also stopped for the famous Voodoo Donuts because that seemed to be everybody's number one recommendation for the trip. I certainly wasn't disappointed, though I was shocked when a homeless man mooned us during our breakfast. I was informed that's not a typical part of the experience. The sun was shining that day so we soaked it in and walked down the river front.

Sunday was my favorite day by far! It began with a visit to the Portland Art Museum, which had a captivating modern art showcase and a few Monets and Van Goghs, which you guys know I'm a fan of. There was also an incredible exhibit called Ride, focusing on Paige Powell's photography and life/ culture in the Andy Warhol era. Then I met up with Allison and Marian (my fantastic cowriter at ZCM) and they took me on a full day of surprise adventures! I got to try out an authentic Mexican food truck, play around at a nickel arcade, and eat at their favorite diner with the BEST milkshakes. We ended the night with watching Stuck in Love, one of my all time favorite movies, projected onto Allison's wall.

Now that I'm writing about Monday, I'm not sure which day was my actual favorite. After we woke up we headed downtown to have breakfast and coffee at Case Study. I finally got a taste of "real" Portland weather (drizzly rain). We decided to see Radiation City's show at Skype Live Lounge, and I fell in love with them during their quick set. Please check them out because they have wonderful music and phenomenal passion. It was only two and all of this had happened, but then we went to a MAGAZINE STORE! There were rows and rows of titles I'd never even seen before, pure bliss. Because of the rain, we finished off the day with some shopping, and I found my prom dress at Nordstrom! I mentioned last post that the first day of the trip was one of my best "first days of vacation," and this was also one of my best last days of vacation.

We had to fly out early Tuesday morning, but I had a perfect vacation to reminisce on and edit pictures from. In that short time I fell in love with Portland, and I can absolutely see myself there in the future.

much love,
claire
outfitsandobservations@gmail.com

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

goodbye new york (for now)

I'm sitting on my couch at home typing this, and I can't believe the trip had to end. It is nice to be back to my bed and my beagle, but New York City is my place! I feel destined for it, and I'm not fighting that. We seriously had the best time and got to have the most incredible experiences over those 24 days. I cannot thank both of my parents enough for this; my mom for encouraging me to do the program and staying up there with me and doing so much of the planning; my dad for funding it and allowing us to be gone having the time of our lives for that long.
(Parts One, Two, and Three of the trip)

Monday: dress and shoes via Buffalo Exchange, Monet Hot Sox

I highly recommend the FIT Precollege to any high school students interested in fashion and New York City. I had great, small classes with experienced professors. Learning was honestly so fun there. They also have a huge variety of classes: photography, marketing, design, film, advertising, etc!

On Monday after class I hung out at Ralph's Coffee, the coffee shop on the second floor of the Ralph Lauren flagship shop on 5th Avenue. My latte was fantastic, and it was actually a nice, quiet environment, so I stayed to work on my magazine. I have the PDF form of the magazine now, but I'm not sure how to attach it to this post. If you're interested, shoot me an email, and I'll definitely send it to you! I'm proud of how it turned out.

Tuesday: brandy tank, Savoir-Faire kimono (similar)

Tuesday was pretty relaxed, but on Wednesday night we went to Summer Screen! It's a mini weekly festival held in a parking lot in Williamsburg, and they have a ton of vendors selling food and offering samples. While there's still light they have a local band play, then they start a movie when the sun sets. When we attended we got extra lucky because the movie was Dirty Dancing!

Wednesday: Brandy Melville Romper, vintage scarf as headband, vintage sunglasses, Nike shoes

Thursday was the last day of class, so it was pretty emotional! We were all in love with it and couldn't believe it flew by so quickly. After class I went with some girls from my International Marketing class to Sugar Factory, where we had the best drinks and frozen hot chocolate! Then I travelled back to Brooklyn so mom and I could have a final celebratory dinner.

Friday: masons dress, thrifted hat, Brandy Melville bralette, Converse

Friday was a travel day, but we had decent time left in the city since our flight wasn't until 7 pm. Basically, we went to a couple of coffee shops and cafes in Williamsburg that we had been saying we were going to go to since the first days! It was so bittersweet to leave. By this time I was completely exhausted (even though I'd had 3 cups of coffee that day), but I still wanted to stay.

So I'm back home in Arkansas, but I want to get back to the city as soon as possible! It's my dream home, and I'm head over heels in love with it.

friends from International Marketing

International Marketing with my international friends from Taiwan and Paris

best ramen ever! at Ramen Yebisu in Williamsburg

with Blanka, the neighborhood beauty

Georgia greeted me at the airport with my favorite things! she's the best

much love,
claire
outfitsandobservations@gmail.com