A Sunny Day On Mississippi Ave // What I Wore

This weekend was perfect in every way...all my friends were finally home from Winter vacation, the sun came out (a rare thing for us Portlanders), and it was a long weekend! Taylor and I tried to spend as much time as possible outside soaking in the Vitamin D. On Sunday we went to Mississippi Ave in Northeast Portland to walk around, eat some food, and find a new place to do a little work. On the way, we decided to take advantage of this pretty blue wall and snap a few outfit photos. This is my go-to outfit lately...comfy, but still cute! I was so excited when it was nice out so I could wear the hat Taylor got me for Christmas. He's a keeper, huh?

[Mississippi pizza pub]

[Beers at a German Pub full of football fans]

[Mississippi Ave]

[Checking out some new food carts]

[Outfit details] Shirt & Necklace: J. Crew Factory // Pants: Urban Outfitters // Belt: Target // Hat: Brixton // Lip Color: Smashbox Electric Pink

want // need // wear // read

Just a little something for your weekend viewing pleasure. I'm currently working on a few diys that will be part of an exciting feature I am doing, so patience ducklings, I will be back soon with more projects! For now, here is something I want, something I need, something to wear and something to read - inspired by the feature James of Bleubird does on her blog!

"something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read"

want this cute map of Paris print//need a cozy blanket to keep me warm//wearing lots of fuzzy sweaters these days//reading Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins//

Happy weekend, friends!

post inspired by james of bleubird blog

Life Lately (And Also Not So Lately)

Yesterday I finally uploaded all of my photos from this Summer off my camera and went through them...So many good memories! I keep meaning to throw together a "life lately" post, but clearly that hasn't happened yet...So I decided to share my favorite pictures/memories from this Summer all in one post.

At the beginning of the Summer we had a birthday bbq for my friend Caroline (far left). We grilled, drank beergaritas, surprised Caroline with birthday cake shots (whipped cream, sprinkles and all), and took lots of goofy pictures.  The one above is one of my favorites with three of my favorite girls :)

(If you've never had beergaritas here's how you do it: combine frozen limeade, tequila, and ice in a blender. When it's slushy consistency add cheap beer and mix. Serve on a hot day.)

One of my favorite memories this Summer was going to see the Lion King in the park. We brought a feast of rotisserie chicken, bread, cheese, chocolate pie, and some...adult grape juice. We were the only people there in our 20s but it was fun watching all the crazy kids run around and singing along to a movie we all grew up loving.

These two are my people. I love them so.

A couple weeks ago, we had a big goodbye bbq for my friend Sam, who moved back home to California. We set up the backyard with lots of lights, made a bbq feast and celebrated one of my favorite people. It was bittersweet - one of the best nights of the Summer, but so sad to say goodbye.

Not pictured: trips to Sauvie Island, wandering around street fairs, exploring the city, my birthday, Sydney's birthday, lazy days working in cafes, family dinners...this was such a great Summer...I miss it already!

What were your favorite Summer memories?

Currently

Reading:  The Silver Linings Playbook.  I've been trying to read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo since the end of the Summer, but no matter how hard I try I just can't seem to make myself get into it.  Anyone else feel that way about this book?  Anyways, I decided to just stop forcing it and move onto something different.  So far I'm loving this book. Also loving being able to read for pleasure now that I'm no longer reading hundreds of pages of academic literature a night!

Listening to: Lots of Camera Obscura.  I recently bought more of their music and have been listening to it non-stop.  Especially love this song.  (Also, try listening to the Camera Obscura playlist on Pandora.  So good).

Eating: Healthy.  I'm trying really hard to cook real meals rather than pasta every night. It's going ok.  I made a variation of this vegetarian chili with polenta the other night and it was really good and easy to make.

Loving: Yoga. I started going to Power Yoga at a "yoga by donation" studio downtown and I love it.  I come out feeling so productive and relaxed.  For those who live in the area, this is the one I go to.

Drinking: Specialty cocktails at Happy hour with my girlfriends.  We went to a place called Saucebox in downtown Portland twice within a week.  If you ever visit Portland definitely go for happy hour. I would recommend the Pad Thai ($4!) or Steamed Clams ($5!) to go with their "cocktail of the day".

Looking forward to:  The weekend! I have Friday off this week, so I get an extra long weekend.  Also, one of my best friends from home is visiting on Sunday.  Can't wait to see her and show her my city.

*inspiration for this "currently" post came from Sometimes Sweet Blog!

life lately [instagram edition]

brainstorming project ideas/ani difranco concert in the park/post-picnic swinging/experimenting with new camera toys/dusting off my uke/popsicles and hammocking/refreshing summer drinks with mint from the garden

[p.s. you can follow me on instagram @ella_michelle]

My life lately--Instagram Edition

I thought that it would be fun to show my week through Instagram.  I got an iPhone right before coming to school...and I've got to say, I'm pretty obsessed with Instagramming...
But, it's a good thing! -- One of my New Years Resolutions was to document my life better through pictures (I realized that there have been so many special times over the last couple of years that I never captured).  So far I'm doing well with this goal thanks to Instagram!
Unfortunately my other goals --- ex: posting on this blog consistently -- are not going so well.  But I am trying!  Life is so busy...

Last Friday was a beautiful crisp, sunny day so my housemate Caroline and I decided to go walk around Sellwood [Note: this is now...a couple of fridays ago...I kind of forgot about this post sitting in my draft box...this lovely weather has since moved on :( ]

We went to a bunch of fun antique stores and a little store with lots of fun letterpress stuff.

And then we found a craft supply store.  We went in saying we wouldn't buy anything...but as you can see from this picture we failed.

That evening we decided to go to this really cool theater where they have an arcade and really really cheap movies.

Saturday morning we made french toast with fresh bread from a bakery in Sellwood.

Sunday night we made a family dinner--caramelized onion risotto and salad.  It was so yummy!

The rest of the week was filled with lots and lots of homework...

In between essays/reading/studying we took breaks for coffee and tea...

After a busy week we all pulled out our craft boxes and made valentines.  Even Will joined in! :)